cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hazardous Agents in the Home

Occupational exposure to hazardous drugs can occur when safe handling measures fail or when they are not used. Exposure may occur during drug preparation, transport, or administration; during the disposal process; when handling patient excreta; and in the event of spills. Recommendations for safe handling have been established for more than 20 years; however, twenty-first-century health care has complicated safe handling as many of these agents are now administered in diverse populations and settings. This article highlights current issues related to handling hazardous drugs as well as recommendation to minimize exposure.
Water level fluctuation and sediment–water nutrient exchange in Great Lakes coastal wetlands

Abstract The influence of water level fluctuation on sediment–water nutrient exchange in coastal wetlands of Lakes Michigan and Huron was investigated using controlled, laboratory experiments. At each wetland, sediment cores were collected from 5 locations along a transect perpendicular to the shoreline, desiccated for 8 weeks, and then re-wetted with original site water for 24 h to simulate water level fluctuation. Soluble reactive phosphorus release declined exponentially along transects, with highest release rates from sediments collected at the ordinary high water mark (OHWM), and lowest rates from sediments underlying water > 0.25 m in depth. Nitrate exchange showed no obvious pattern in the Lake Michigan wetlands but nitrate was lost at all locations in the Lake Huron wetlands, suggesting denitrification. Ammonium was released at all sites, but with no obvious pattern along transects. Sulfate release was low at the OHWM locations and increased in a lakeward direction, plateauing by the 0.25 m water depth. Based on phosphorus (P) release rates, we modeled water level scenarios based on climate change projections to estimate the effects of 3 different water level recessions and 1 water level increase on system-level P exchange. The impact of the P release could be ecologically significant in the localized area of release given the high P concentrations measured in the overlying water during sediment incubations (> 500 μg/L). The long-term ecological significance of sediment nutrient flux under fluctuating water levels deserves further attention.
A comparative evaluation of the ultrastructure and protein yields of four leptospires using the detergent solubilization and mechanical disruption techniques

The morphology of whole and modified leptospires and their protein yields were compared. The four leptospire serovars considered were L. grippotyphosa, L. hamptoni, L. hardjo and L. pomona. The ultrastructure of the mechanically disrupted leptospire showed that the outer envelope of the leptospire were released, although the process was not as efficient as the detergent solubilized technique. Additionally some axial filaments were also released. The protein yield of L. hardjo from the two techniques of leptospire protein preparation was significantly lower than the other test serovars (P KEY WORDS: Leptospires, antigens, ultrastructure, protein yield Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol.23(1) 2002: 33-39
Performances of acquisition schemes for CDMA systems with complex signature sequences

This paper investigates the acquisition performance of code-division multiple-access communication systems using deterministic complex signature sequences. Unlike most earlier studies, performances are obtained in the presence of multiple user interference, and the results can be applied to complex as well as binary signature sequences. Two serial search acquisition schemes are considered. The first scheme assumes that there is no data in the reference user's signal until the acquisition is achieved. The second scheme allows data modulation in the reference user's signal during the acquisition process. Probability of detection and probability of false alarm of both schemes are obtained without using the Gaussian approximation. Instead, a discrete approximation of the probability density function of the MUI is used in performance evaluations. Numerical results are presented for example sets of Gold, 4-phase, and FZC sequences. They show that complex and binary sequences have comparable acquisition performances. Results also show significant degradation of acquisition performances as the number of users increases.
Evidence for the presence of numerous protein components in immature bovine dental enamel

The proteins and peptides of immature enamel were extracted from freshly slaughtered bovine embryos in solutions containing protease inhibitors. No detectable differences were noted in the number of components, their overall amino acid composition, or molecular weights from the proteins and peptides extracted 12-16 h postmortem in solutions which contained no protease inhibitors. These data indicate that the large number of components found in developing bovine enamel is not due to proteolysis occurring during their isolation. Significant amounts of protein components having molecular weights greater than approximately 15,000 were not detected. Therefore, if the ameloblasts initially synthesize only a few high molecular weight protein species, the present data imply that in vivo degradation of the high molecular weight enamel proteins occurs very rapidly after their synthesis and precedes the massive loss of protein which accompanies the final stages of enamel mineralization and maturation.
Variability of Bio-Optical Properties at Sampling Stations and Implications for Remote Sensing: a Case Study in the North-East Gulf of Mexico

Variations of bio-optical properties at oceanographic sampling stations, although important for satellite data validation and algorithm development, have rarely been documented or studied. Using flow-through data and water samples collected from the flow-through system and Niskin bottles at ∼260 stations between summer 1998 and spring 1999 in the north-east Gulf of Mexico (27.5° to 30.4° N, 90° to 80° W), we study the variability of several properties, including chlorophyll-a concentration and Gelbstoff absorption, at the sampling stations. It is found that the standard deviations for both Gelbstoff and chlorophyll are less than 10% of the mean values for more than 90% of the stations, including the coastal stations where water is turbid or Case II. High variations are found in the frontal regions near river plumes. At several stations chlorophyll-a and Gelbstoff vary by nearly two-fold due to spatial and/or temporal variations of the properties near the plume waters. This suggests that for water samples ...
Characterization of an assortment of commercially available multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The objective of this study was to characterize an assortment of as received, commercially available, non-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) samples (n = 24) using thermogravimetric analysis, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Each sample was assigned to one of six types based on nominal length and diameter. Some of the samples from the product assortment exhibited significant differences in purity and morphology from their nominal values. Variability in the physicochemical properties of MWCNTs may be a significant factor in why many toxicological investigations have findings that are difficult to reproduce. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that investigators studying these materials present characterization information in addition to providing their source.
P03-118 Valacyclovir-associated psychosis and manic symptoms in an adolescent female with genital herpes simplex: A case report

We report the first case of valacyclovir-induced psychosis with symptoms of mania in an adolescent female with no psychiatric history. The patient presented with irritable mood, decreased need for sleep, auditory hallucinations, and grandiose delusions 72 hours after starting oral valacyclovir for newly acquired genital herpes. She was on no other medications. Delirium was ruled out by history and physical, urine toxicology was negative, head CAT scan was unremarkable, as were thyroid hormones and basic laboratories. The symptoms continued after stopping the valacyclovir, but improved with risperidone. After withdrawal of risperidone, the patient has been symptom free for 4 months. According to the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) probability scale, this case report scores as a possible drug reaction. Although there are no reports of neuropsychiatric side effects with valacyclovir, there are for the medications structural analogs, acyclovir and ganciclovir. These cases were primarily in elderly patients who are immunocompromised, have renal dysfunction and receive the medication by the intravenous route. Other anti-viral medications, such as interferon, have also been shown to induce mood symptoms, including depression and mania. Genital Herpes is a common and painful infection, with no known cure. Three medications, acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir, have been shown to reduce the duration and severity of the disease. Clinicians should be aware that Valacyclovir and its analogs may induce psychosis with manic symptoms in young, healthy patients with no previous psychiatric history. Further research is needed to demonstrate a clear association, causal relationship and possible mechanism for the reaction.
Iterative algorithm for phase shifting interferometry with finite bandwidth illumination

While phase shifting interferometry (PSI) has clearly established itself as a powerful tool for surface profiling, two main experimental drawbacks still exist, namely phase-shift errors and non-sinusoidal interferometric signals. These problems cause a fringe print-through pattern in measured phase having a frequency typically double the original fringe frequency. The main tool used to compensate for non-linear phase-shift errors is the least-square phase-stepping method, which is capable of accurately determining the phase separation between consecutive frames as well as phase distribution for each frame. Our work here extends the capabilities of this algorithm so as to account for the effects of a wide bandwidth light source and a higher numerical aperture, which make the interference signal deviate from the ideal sinusoidal signal. We present a simple variable change mechanism that overcomes the coupling that occurs between the planar and depth coordinates and allows for a seamless integration with the standard least-square procedure.
Emergency cardiac stress testing in the evaluation of emergency department patients with atypical chest pain

Study objectives: To determine the feasibility, safety, and reliability of emergency cardiac treadmill exercise stress testing (CTEST) in the evaluation of emergency department patients with atypical chest pain. Design: Thirty-two patients with atypical chest pain, normal ECGs, and risk factor stratification having low-probability of coronary artery disease were evaluated prospectively using outpatient, emergency CTEST. Study patients were compared with a retrospectively selected sample of admitted patients diagnosed with atypical chest pain who met the study criteria and were evaluated with CTEST as inpatients. All patients had follow-up at three and six months after evaluation. Setting: University-affiliated community teaching hospital with 65,000 annual ED visits. Results: All patients had normal CTEST. No patient had evidence of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, or sudden death during the follow-up period. The average length of stay was 5.5 hours for emergency CTEST patients versus two days for inpatients. The average patient charge was $467 for ED evaluation with emergency CTEST versus $2,340 for inpatient evaluation. Conclusion: Emergency CTEST is a safe, efficient, cost-effective, and practical method of evaluating selected ED patients with chest pain. It is a useful aid for clinical decision making and may help to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.
DiOC6 staining reveals organelle structure and dynamics in living yeast cells

When present at low concentrations, the fluorescent lipophilic dye, DiOC6, stains mitochondria in living yeast cells [Pringle et al.: Methods in Cell Biol. 31:357–435, 1989; Weisman et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87:1076–1080, 1990]. However, we found that the nuclear envelope and endoplasmic reticulum were specifically stained if the dye concentration was increased or if certain respiratory-deficient yeast strains were examined. The quality of nuclear envelope staining with DiOC6 was sufficiently sensitive to reveal alterations in the nuclear envelope known as karmellae. These membranes were previously apparent only by electron microscopy. At the high dye concentrations required to stain the nuclear envelope, wild-type cells could no longer grow on non-fermentable carbon sources. In spite of this effect on mitochondrial function, the presence of high dye concentration did not adversely affect cell viability or general growth characteristics when strains were grown under standard conditions on glucose. Consequently, time-lapse confocal microscopy was used to examine organelle dynamics in living yeast cells stained with DiOC6. These in vivo observations correlated very well with previous electron microscopic studies, including analyses of mitochondria, karmellae, and mitosis. For example, cycles of mitochondrial fusion and division, as well as the changes in nuclear shape and position that occur during mitosis, were readily imaged in time-lapse studies of living DiOC6-stained cells. This technique also revealed new aspects of nuclear disposition and interactions with other organelles. For example, the nucleus and vacuole appeared to form a structurally coupled unit that could undergo coordinated movements. Furthermore, unlike the general view that nuclear movements occur only in association with division, the nucleus/vacuole underwent dramatic migrations around the cell periphery as cells exited from stationary phase. In addition to the large migrations or rotations of the nucleus/vacuole, DiOC6 staining also revealed more subtle dynamics, including the forces of the spindle on the nuclear envelope during mitosis. This technique should have broad application in analyses of yeast cell structure and function. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Clinicopathologic study of nonspecific ulcers of the small intestine

Fifty-nine cases (31 men and 28 women) of nonspecific small bowel ulceration, representing the Mayo Clinic experience from 1956 to 1979, are reviewed. The average age was 51 years. Presenting symptoms or signs were those of intermittent small bowel obstruction (63%), blood loss (25%), and acute abdomen (12%). Whereas 78% of the ulcers were located in the ileum, 15% in the jejunum, and 7% in the jejunoileum, perforation was by far more common in the jejunum (78%) as compared with the ileum (11%). Diagnosis was rarely made preoperatively, although abnormalities were noted roentgenographically in 66%. Treatment was surgical and was usually curative. Operative mortality was 8.5%. No single cause was implicated.
Macromolecule–metal complexes: ligand field stabilization and thermophysical property modification

Abstract When transition metal cations coordinate to ligands in the sidegroup of a polymer and modify the thermal response of a macromolecular complex, the enhancement in T g can be explained by focusing on ligand field stabilization of the metal d-electrons. The methodology to identify attractive coordination complexes and predict relative increases in T g is described in terms of the local symmetry of the complex, the molecular orbital pattern, and the d-electron configuration. Interelectronic repulsion is considered for pseudo-octahedral d 6 and d 7 complexes in the glassy state when there is ambiguity in the order in which the d-orbitals are populated. Ligand field stabilization energies are calculated for simple octahedral geometries, as well as 5-coordinate complexes with reduced symmetry, such as square pyramidal, trigonal bipyramidal, and pentagonal planar. If the transition metal cation bridges two different macromolecules in the glassy state via coordination crosslinks, then 5-coordinate complexes with one surviving metal–polymer bond above T g represent reasonable geometries in the molten state. This model of thermochemical synergy in macromolecule–metal complexes with no adjustable parameters considers the glass transition as an endothermic process in which sufficient thermal energy must be supplied to dissociate intermolecular bridges or coordination crosslinks and produce coordinatively unsaturated molten state complexes. The enhancement in T g correlates well with the difference between ligand field stabilization energies in the glassy and molten states for Ru 2+ (d 6 ), Co 2+ (d 7 ), and Ni 2+ (d 8 ) complexes with either poly(4-vinylpyridine), or poly( l -histidine). Larger increases in T g are measured in complexes with the synthetic poly(α-amino acid) relative to those with poly(4-vinylpyridine), but the universality of the model is not sufficient to predict relative T g enhancements in complexes with different polymers.
Evaluating Water Demands under Climate Change and Transitions in the Urban Environment

Urban regions are complex and dynamic with many external and internal factors driving growth, movement, and composition. Forecasting regional characteristics important for long-term planning is inherently difficult for such settings, but quantitative estimates of the changes in urban environments are necessary for engineers and planners. This study examines how population growth, land use, pricing policy, and climate change affect residential water demands in the Puget Sound region. A spatially disaggregate water demand model is coupled with an advanced urban simulation model (UrbanSim) to generate demands at a detailed spatial resolution over a 30 year planning horizon. A baseline scenario is compared with output from UrbanSim for three different planning scenarios.
Failure analysis of a 41-m long neutron beam line guide

Abstract A 41-m long glass tube structure, used to guide low energy neutrons to a backscattering spectrometer, fractured in five places in mid-September 2011. The structure was made of hundreds of 1.5 cm or 2.5 cm thick bonded borosilicate glass plates. Fractographic examination identified the fracture origins and the stress states when fracture occurred. The cause of fracture was traced to damage introduced during the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that occurred 150 km away in Virginia on August 23, 2011. Lateral displacements of the earth created bending and torsional displacements in the beam line of as much as 2 mm caused cracks to form in the glass plates. Finite element modeling verified the displacements and stresses that caused damage.
Efficient Data Centers, Cloud Computing in the Future of Distributed Computing

Large corporations such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo, use data centers to keep up with the growing demand for communication-hungry Internet services like image and video sharing, social networking, and searching. We study the problem of actually allocating the memory of servers in a data center based on online requests for storage. Given an online sequence of storage requests and a cost associated with serving the request by allocating space on a certain server, we use two efficient algorithms for selecting the minimum number of servers and of the minimum total cost. We show that both algorithms perform almost optimal when the requests have totally random values.
Gender differences and similarities in effects of nonpharmacologic approaches to the treatment of mild hypertension

TAIM, the Trial of Antihypertensive Interventions and Management, studied the effects of dietary sodium restriction or weight reduction, alone and in combination with low-dose diuretic or beta blocker on blood pressure after 6 months. The responses to these interventions of men compared to women are presented for those persons randomized to placebo drug. Men undergoing a weight-reduction intervention were able to lose more weight (5.9 kg) than women (3.1 kg), P ⩽ 05. Men also had a greater percentage of wright loss and a greater reduction in body mass index (BMI), although not significantly so. Weight loss was correlated to a decrease in triglycerides (r = 0.37), but not in cholesterol. The weight-reduction intervention lowered triglycerides more in men (-81 mg/dl) than in women(-21 mg/dl; P = .008). There were no sex differences in abiility to reduce sodium or increase potassium for those in the sodium restriction group. Both men and women decreased their sodium to the same extent by 36 mmol/day and 25 mmol, respectively, and increased their potassium by 13 mmol and 11 mmol, respectively. Blood pressure response at 6 months was greater in men than in women on weight reduction (a drop in diastolic pressure of -11 mmHg in men and 7 mmHg in women, P =.04). Sodium restriction had a similar effect on blood pressure in both sexes, and among men resulted in a significantly smaller reduction in blood pressure than did weight reduction. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Inhibitor of proteinases in cultures of human lung: a new alpha1 antiplasmin/antitrypsin?

Abstract An inhibitor of trypsin, chymotrypsin and plasmin was isolated from serum-free supernates of human adult and fetal lung cultures by chromatography on Sephadex columns and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. On analytical gel electrophoresis, the inhibitor exhibited the mobility of α 1 globulin and appeared to consist of a single polypeptide chain with mol wt of about 68,000. In immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis assays, the inhibitor did not react with antibodies to known proteinase inhibitors in serum or plasma ( α 1 antitrypsin or antichymotrypsin, inter-α-trypsin inhibitor, antithrombin III, CI′ esterase inhibitor, α 2 -macroglobulin and the recently described α 2 -antiplasmin). Inhibitor from lung, however, reacted with antiserum to urinary proteins and, more weakly, with antiserum to whole human serum by forming a single discrete band on counter immunoelectrophoresis. These studies indicate that the lung is a source of a proteinase inhibitor distinct from known inhibitors in the circulation but representing apparently a protein present in urine and serum, though possibly only at very low concentrations.
History of the U.S. Economy since World War II.

A collection of articles covering the economic history of the US over the last 50 years. It is selective in its coverage of important issues not often treated historically, such as the economics of medical care and the educational system.
Auction pricing of network access for North American railways

The question of pricing train paths for “open access” railway networks in North America is discussed. An auction process is suggested as necessary to maintain transparency in the contracting process. Multiple random samples of auction pricing for a single track railway line demonstrate that the infrastructure entity will receive approximately 15.6% less than the true value of the contracted train paths. This loss of revenue threatens the objective of reducing government subsidy for the railway network.
RF performance limits of ballistic Si field-effect transistors

The continued advancement of digital system performance is arguably the primary reason for the longevity of Moore's Law. However, the RF characteristics of the fundamental digital device, the Si FET, have also become increasingly important considerations for analog and mixed-signal applications. While deeply-scaled Si FETs are now approaching the (quasi-)ballistic regime, their RF performance in this condition has not been adequately studied. For the first time, we examine their intrinsic RF performance limits using the non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) approach to account for ballistic and quantum effects. We find cutoff frequencies of several THz are possible provided parasitics and scattering are minimized.
Identification of an S100A1/S100B target protein: phosphoglucomutase

Abstract Phosphoglucomutase was identified as a potential intracellular S100 target protein because it interacted with two members of the S100 family of calcium-modulated proteins, S1 00A1 and S1 00B, in gel overlay experiments. These results were confirmed by affinity chromatography experiments demonstrating that S100Al and S100B bound to phosphoglucomutase-Sepharose in a calcium-dependent manner. In the reverse experiment, phosphoglucomutase bound to S100A1 and S100B-Sepharose in a calcium-dependent manner. S100Al inhibited phosphoglucomutase activity in a calcium-dependent manner. In contrast, S100B stimulated phosphoglucomutase activity in a calcium-dependent manner. Other calcium-binding proteins (calmodulin, troponin C, parvalbumin, and (x-lactalbumin) had no effect on phosphoglucomutase. These results suggest that the effects of S100Al and S100B are not nonspecific effects of low molecular weight, acidic proteins. This is the first report of an S100 target protein whose activity is antagonistically regulated by S100Al and S100B, suggesting that cellular diversity in intracellular calcium signaling pathways may be due, at least in part, to the complement of S100 proteins expressed in different cell types.
Uptake, clearance, and metabolism of parathion by perfused whole pig livers☆

Abstract The uptake, metabolism, and kinetic behavior of parathion were examined in isolated, blood-perfused whole pig liver preparations. First-pass hepatic venous outflow profiles of parathion and 51 Cr-labeled red blood cells followed existing transsinusoidal exchange principles. First-pass absorption values for parathion input concentrations of 33.9, 41.0, and 52.8 ppm in the perfusate blood were 97.8, 84.5, and 68.7%, respectively. Second-pass values altered the total absorption of the 41.0 and 52.8 ppm levels to 81.7 and 73.0%. Disappearance of [ 14 C]parathion from blood perfusate was rapid after first pass and by 60-min postaddition to the system, there remained less than 12% of initial input parathion concentrations of 40.2–52.8 ppm. Paraoxon was not detected in two of four trials and in the other two trials, ranged from 2.5 to 9.5% of the added parathion between 20 to 60-min postaddition to the system. Accountability of 14 C at 60 min revealed 39.9% in whole blood (31.8% of which was in plasma), 18.9% in liver, and less than 0.6% in 0–60 min bile. Parathion levels in liver and blood averaged 0.61 and 3.26%, respectively, in four trials; paraoxon levels in liver and blood were 3.22 and 4.32%. No p -nitrophenol was detected in liver or blood at any time. Lineweaver-Burk plots of parathion conversion to paraoxon were curvilinear, precluding the determination of kinetic constants for that metabolic reaction.
Application of the Pollak-Nolan nucleus counter to the routine testing of air filters☆

Abstract The Pollak-Nolan nucleus counter was employed to measure efficiencies of various filter media with different size particles at various flow rates. Uranine particles were used, and the filter efficiency determined by the nucleus counter was compared with that obtained by aerosol mass analysis. The two methods are in close agreement for highly efficient media. For media of moderate efficiencies, the efficiency given by the nucleus counter (based on particle number) is much higher in general for the air flows considered, than that given by the aerosol mass determination. The differences in efficiencies may be attributed to the heterogeneity of the size of the particles since the nucleus counter responds more effectively to smaller sizes. A number of comparative tests with several comparable filters were made with atmospheric dust using the Pollak-Nolan counter as for the uranine aerosols. These results agreed with the uranine aerosol measurements.
Negative index meta-materials based on two-dimensional metallic structures

The electromagnetic properties of two-dimensional metallic nanostructures in the optical frequency range are studied. One example of such a structure is a periodic array of thin metallic strip pairs. The magnetic response of these structures is studied, as is the closely related emergence of the negative index of refraction propagation bands. The presence of such bands is found to critically depend on the proximity of electric and magnetic dipole resonances. It is demonstrated that the frequencies of those resonances are strongly dependent on the ratio of the structure thickness and the plasmonic skin depth. Electromagnetic structures that are much thicker than the plasmonic skin depth are shown to exhibit standard broad antenna resonances at the wavelength roughly twice the strip length. As the structures are scaled down to resonate in the visible/mid-infrared, electrostatic resonances determine the electromagnetic properties of such materials.
A neural network structure for prediction of chemical agent fate

This work presents the development of a multi-input, multi-output neural network structure to predict the time dependent concentration of chemical agents as they participate in chemical reaction with environmental substrates or moisture content within these substrates. The neural network prediction is based on a computationally or experimentally produced database that includes the concentration of all chemicals presents (reactants and products) as a function of the chemical agent droplet size, wind speed, temperature, and turbulence. The utilization of this prediction structure is made userfriendly via an easy-to-use graphical user interface. Furthermore, upon the knowledge of the time-varying environmental parameters (wind speed and temperature that are usually recorded and available), the time varying concentration of all chemicals can be predicted almost instantaneously by recalling the previously trained network. The network prediction was compared with actual open air test data and the results were found to match.
Wild Phenomena and Disability Jokes

Stronach and Allan state that the use of humor by the disabled is an attempt to reintegrate themselves back into a social surround. Seeing this assignment of a reintegration function as a bit too teleological, and given the absence of interactional data, the reviewer is critical of the authors' reliance on literary research and offers an alternative way to study humor in interaction.
Identification of multiple genetic loci that regulate adenovirus gene therapy

A key aspect of the immune response to adenovirus (Ad) gene therapy is the generation of a cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) response. To better understand the genetic network underlying these events, 20 strains of C57BL/6 × DBA/2 (BXD) recombinant inbred (RI) mice were administered with AdLacZ and analyzed at days 7, 21, 30, and 50 for liver β-galactosidase (LacZ) expression and CTL response. Sera levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were analyzed at different times after AdLacZ. There was a distinct strain-dependent expression of LacZ, which was strongly correlated with the CTL response. Among the five BXD RI strains that exhibited significantly prolonged LacZ expression, four also exhibited a marked defect in the production of Ad-specific CTL. There was a strong correlation between the sera levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6, but cytokine responses were not significantly correlated with LacZ expression or the CTL response. Quantitative trait loci regulating LacZ on day 30 were found on chromosome (Chr) 19 (33 cM) and Chr 15 (42.8 cM). Cytotoxicity mapped to Chr 7 (41.0 and 57.4–65.2 cM), Chr 15 (61.7 cM), and Chr X (27.8 cM). IFN-γ production mapped to Chr 18 (22, 27, and 32 cM) and Chr 11 (64.0 cM). TNF-α and IL-6 production mapped to Chr 6 (91.5 cM) Chr 9 (42.0 cM) and Chr 8 (52 and 73.0 cM). These results indicate that different strains of mice exhibit different pathways for effective clearance of AdLacZ depending on genetic polymorphisms and interactions at multiple genetic loci.
Dynamic Monte-Carlo and mean-field study of the effect of strong adsorption sites on self-diffusion in zeolites

Self-diffusion in zeolites is studied using a simple mean-field theory and dynamic Monte-Carlo simulations of diffusion on a lattice model of the zeolite pore space. Our method is powerful, because of its simplicity, flexibility and ability to study the influence of various factors: the topology of the pore network, the fraction of strong adsorption sites, the relative strengths of weak and strong sites, the number of sites per zeolite cage, and the ratio of intracage to extracage hopping probabilities. Notwithstanding the simplicity of the modeling, our results confirm the qualitative trends observed in pulsed-field gradient NMR experiments, and are able to explain them. For ZSM-5, we also found a new possible type of functional dependency of the diffusivity on occupancy, with two inclination points.
Clonal variants of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells with altered response to nerve growth factor

We describe the isolation and characterization of clonal variants of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells which have been selected for loss of response to nerve growth factor (NGF). PC12 cells mutagenized with ethyl methanesulfonate were cultured in the presence of NGF, causing normal cells to cease proliferation and allowing the isolation of cell clones which do not show growth inhibition by NGF. Some but not all of these clones also failed to respond morphologically to NGF. Forty clones were isolated and characterized. Many exhibited altered morphologies of a variety of types, including clones with an NGF-independent formation of neurites and clones with various types of flattened epithelial morphology. Variant clones appeared to be mutants since their frequency of occurrence was increased by mutagen, the clones were generally phenotypically stable and no alteration in chromosomal composition was observed. Three clones lacked NGF receptor. Some clones responded morphologically to NGF (by forming neurites) without inhibition of proliferation. Several clones which did not otherwise respond to NGF nevertheless responded with transient membrane ruffling. Thus transient changes in cell surface morphology caused by NGF binding do not necessarily lead to subsequent responses. Several alternative hypotheses concerning the nature of the mutations induced are discussed.
A Method for Measuring Wave Speed Dispersion in Arteries by Resonance

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been the number one killer in the United States. It has long been recognized that a high percentage of all cardiovascular disease is associated with the hardening of arteries or arteriosclerosis. Several imaging techniques, including x-ray angiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc., are available for imaging atherosclerotic arteries. Most imaging techniques measure luminal diameter, wall thickness and plaque volume. However, no current imaging methods can measure elasticity of the arterial wall. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a simple and robust method to measure arterial stiffness. However, PWV can not evaluate the local arterial stiffness. We have developed a novel ultrasound method for estimating local elasticity of arteries by the wave speed dispersion. In this paper, we present a method to measure the wave speed dispersion by resonance. Theory was developed to calculate the wave speed in cylindrical tubes. Experiments were done on a rubber tube. The resonance of the tube was generated by an air-coupled ultrasound transducer. The resonance frequency was measured by a laser vibrometer. Theoretical and experimental wave dispersions were compared. This method may be useful in characterizing the elastic properties of arterial samples where the wave speed dispersion can not be easily measured.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Inverse association between rural environment in infancy and sensitization to rodents in adulthood

Background It is not known whether early childhood exposure to hygiene hypothesis factors modifies the risk of sensitization to aeroallergens among adults. Studying adults exposed to allergens in the workplace may help determine whether childhood exposures confer lasting protection against sensitization. Objective To determine whether early life exposures influence the prevalence of sensitization to allergens in adulthood. Methods Sensitization to rodents was determined by skin testing in a cross-sectional study among university employees with and without occupational exposure to laboratory animals. Demographic information was obtained by questionnaire. Results Of 137 employees, 8% of workers without occupational exposure to laboratory animals and 24% of those with such exposure were sensitized to rodents ( P = .007). None of 32 study participants who lived in a rural environment during their first year of life were rodent sensitized vs 18% of those who lived in other settings ( P Conclusions Living in a rural setting during the first year of life is associated with protection from sensitization to rodent allergens in the workplace decades later.
Level of consciousness: Reframing our understanding of individual differences in learning

Abstract It is presented here that in order to fully understand the totality of intelligence, Level of Consciousness must be assessed, in addition to IQ. This study investigated whether people who participate in different mindfulness training activities (involvement in meditation, religion/spiritual discipline, martial arts, and yoga) have a higher level of consciousness
Transition metal superconductivity in a generalized Nb 3 Al system

The variation of the superconducting transition temperatureT c in (Nb1−y M y )3− Al1−x Ge x composite systems, where M is one of the IVB transition elements Ti, Zr, or Hf, was studied. It was found that the transition metal group dominates in determining theT c of the system. The variation ofT c is shown to be similar for all three IVB elements reflecting the similarity of the behavior ofT c for Nb1−yM y binary alloys. The behavior of the binary alloys is analyzed in terms of the McMillan equation to test the importance of the electronic density of states N(O) in determining the electron-phonon coupling constant λ. TheT c variation for M equal to Zr was investigated for the entire range ofx andy from 0 to I. The transition temperature is qualitatively independent ofx suggesting that only physical quantities relevant to the transition metal alone influence the transition temperature.
A study of wed and unwed motherhood in adolescents and young adults.

There has been increasing interest in out-of-wedlock pregnancy over the past two decades, as evidenced in the literature by such milestones as Out of Wedlock (Young, 1954) and Unmarried Mothers (Vincent, 1961). Most of the professionals writing on this topic have viewed illegitimacy as necessarily always a "problem" about which we ought to "do something." As a result of our findings with a group of young mothers, both wed and unwed, we propose to challenge this view. As part of a more general interest in adolescent motherhood, we undertook a study of patients of the general obstetrical clinic of the University of Kentucky Medical Center. This study included a psychiatric interview within 24 to 48 hours post-partum. The procedure was applied to both unmarried and married mothers with the original intent of comparing unwed mothers with a group of married mothers of similar age and background.
Viral and Transgenic Reporters and Genetic Analysis of Adult Neurogenesis

Stem and progenitor cells of the developing and adult brain can be effectively identified and manipulated using reporter genes, introduced into transgenic reporter mouse lines or recombinant viruses. Such reporters rely on an ever-increasing variety of fluorescent proteins and a continuously expanding list of regulatory elements and of mouse lines engineered for cell- or time-specific recombination. An important extension of stem-cell-based genetic strategies is an opportunity to explore the properties of newly generated neurons and their contribution to synaptic plasticity. Here, we review available strategies for marking and quantifying various classes of stem and progenitor cells in the adult brain, genetically tracing their progeny, and studying the properties of stem cells and new neurons. We compare various experimental approaches to labeling and investigating stem cells and their progeny and discuss caveats and limitations inherent to each approach.
Plasmon decay into low-mass bosons in stars

A low-mass boson a, if it couples by a two-photon vertex, can be produced in the plasma decay process ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{t}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{l}$+a and in the plasma coalescence process ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{t}$+${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{l}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}a, where ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{t}$ and ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{l}$ are transverse and longitudinal plasmons, respectively. The previously discussed ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{t}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{t}$+a is kinematically suppressed. It is shown that a previous calculation of the Primakoff emission rate already includes these effects if T\ensuremath{\gg}${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ (plasma frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$) so that astrophysical bounds on the axion-photon coupling remain unchanged.
Late Moscovian Fusulinids from the “N” Formation (Donets Basin, Ukraine)

A fusulinoidean taxonomic study of the Gurkovo and Kalinovo sections allows us to refine the biostratigraphy of the poorly studied Myachkovian (upper Moscovian) strata of the “N” Formation in the Donets Basin. Three fusulinid biozones, Hemifusulina graciosa–Fusiella spatiosa, Fusulina cylindrica–Fusulinella pseudobocki, and Fusulinella ? kumpani, are proposed in the interval from the top of Limestone M10 to the base of N3, and they are correlated with coeval strata in the historical type area of the Moscow Basin. A total of 33 fusulinid species and subspecies belonging to eight genera are described, including three new species: Hemifusulina gurkovensis n. sp., Beedeina innaeformis n. sp., and Fusulina sosninae n. sp. The main evolutionary trend in fusulinoidean morphology in the late Moscovian is the appearance of massive secondary deposits in the limestone of the “N” Formation.Specific temporal and distributional patterns of the Middle Pennsylvanian fusulinoidean assemblages indicate variations in sea level stand. Variations are cyclic, with periods ∼600,000–1,000,000 years. A Hemifusulina-association indicates the beginning of transgression; the late transgression–high sea level stand is designated by the Beedeina–Neostaffella–Ozawainella–Taitzehoella assemblage which is successively replaced by the most diverse Fusulinella-dominant association, which occupied a progressively shallowing sea.The similarity of fusulinoidean assemblages in the Moscow and Donets Basins and their cognate evolution trends reveal a connection between both regions at least during Podolskian–Myachkovian time.
Early complication of pediatric central venous cannulation

We describe a case of hemothorax following central venous catheter (CVC) insertion in an infant. Presumably injury occurred as a result of perforation with the dilator. Strategies to reduce the risk of complications and possible factors influencing the unsatisfactory delay in diagnosis, including the role of 'Fixation Error', are discussed.
Transmission of microwave-photonics generated 16Gbit/s super broadband OFDM signals in radio-over-fiber system

We have designed and experimentally demonstrated a super broadband radio-over-fiber system with a record bandwidth of 16 Gbit/s OFDM signals transmitting over both 20 km SMF-28 and wireless air distance of over 6m.
Long-term Study of Group Dynamics and Female Reproduction in Venezuelan Pithecia pithecia

White-faced sakis (Pithecia pithecia) are well known for their specialized feeding strategy and dependence on seed-eating, but we know less about social dynamics and reproduction. I summarize data from 1990 to 2001 on sakis inhabiting a small island in Lago Guri, Venezuela that includes changes in group composition, aggressive behavior, and female reproductive histories. Though the characteristic group size and typical mating system are still uncertain for wild, free-ranging Pithecia spp., size of the study group ranged from 2–3 adult females and 1–4 adult males. My group and I collected fecal samples from adult females, which we dried and assayed for estrogen (E1C) and progesterone (PdG) conjugates to document reproductive cycles and female development. During the study, as many as 3 females were either cycling or pregnant at the same time. Ten infants were born during the study, 4 of which survived to adulthood. Five interbirth intervals after weaning an infant ranged from 12 to 36 mo. Though researchers often assume Pithecia spp. are monogamous, multiple breeding females can coexist in groups without evidence of reproductive suppression. Within the pitheciine clade, Pithecia spp. exhibit a mosaic of behavioral and morphological traits intermediate between bearded sakis and uakaris on the one hand and their sister-group, the pair-bonded titis, on the other.
Characterization of a broadband all-optical ultrasound transducer-from optical and acoustical properties to imaging

A broadband all-optical ultrasound transducer has been designed, fabricated, and evaluated for high- frequency ultrasound imaging. The device consists of a 2-D gold nanostructure imprinted on top of a glass substrate, followed by a 3 mum PDMS layer and a 30 nm gold layer. A laser pulse at the resonance wavelength of the gold nanostructure is focused onto the surface for ultrasound generation, while the gold nanostructure, together with the 30 nm thick gold layer and the PDMS layer in between, forms an etalon for ultrasound detection, which uses a CW laser at a wavelength far from resonance as the probing beam. The center frequency of a pulse-echo signal recorded in the far field of the transducer is 40 MHz with -6 dB bandwidth of 57 MHz. The signal to noise ratio (SNR) from a 70 mum diameter transmit element combined with a 20 mum diameter receive element probing a near perfect reflector positioned 1.5 mm from the transducer surface is more than 10 dB and has the potential to be improved by at least another 40 dB. A high-frequency ultrasound array has been emulated using multiple measurements from the transducer while mechanically scanning an imaging target. Characterization of the device's optical and acoustical properties, as well as preliminary imaging results, strongly suggest that all-optical ultrasound transducers can be used to build high-frequency arrays for real-time high-resolution ultrasound imaging.
Fuzzy test system

This paper uses the fuzzy set theory as an alternative test strategy to test electronic devices that generate low level, high precision signals by calculating the fuzzy distance between signals taken from calibrated, reference, and product devices. Furthermore, a new fuzzy distance measure based on the Hamming distance is introduced by incorporating the covariance coefficient in the calculation.
Transpiration-dependent passive silica accumulation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) under varying soil silicon availability

Regulation of the uptake of silicon (Si) varies among plant species; some species may passively transport Si, through transpiration, from soils to shoots, while others actively transport silica and...
Infrared spectra of BO2− in the alkali halides—I. Potassium and rubidium halides

Abstract The alkali halide pressed disk method has been used to observe the infrared spectra of BO 2 − in the potassium halide and the rubidium halide lattices. The anharmonic force field has been determined using a simplified quartic force field. The numerical values of the cubic and quartic force constants and the quadratic interaction force constant have been found to be invariant in the six lattices considered.