cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laser photocoagulation and intravitreal injection of triamcinolone for retinal vein occlusions.

The SCORE Study Research Group**Authors/Writing Committee: Michael S. Ip, MD (Chair); Ingrid U. Scott, MD, MPH; Paul C. VanVeldhuisen, PhD; Neal L. Oden, PhD; Barbara A. Blodi, MD; Marian Fisher, PhD; Lawrence J. Singerman, MD; Michael Tolentino, MD; Clement K. Chan, MD; Victor H. Gonzalez, MDObjective To compare the efficacy and safety of 1-mg and 4-mg doses of preservative-free intravitreal triamcinolone with observation for eyes with vision loss associated with macular edema secondary to perfused central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).Methods Multicenter, randomized, clinical trial of 271 participants.Main Outcome Measure Gain in visual acuity letter score of 15 or more from baseline to month 12.Results Seven percent, 27%, and 26% of participants achieved the primary outcome in the observation, 1-mg, and 4-mg groups, respectively. The odds of achieving the primary outcome were 5.0 times greater in the 1-mg group than the observation group (odds ratio [OR], 5.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-14.1; P = .001) and 5.0 times greater in 4-mg group than the observation group (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.8-14.4; P = .001); there was no difference identified between the 1-mg and 4-mg groups (OR, 1.0, 95% CI, 0.5-2.1; P = .97). The rates of elevated intraocular pressure and cataract were similar for the observation and 1-mg groups, but higher in the 4-mg group.Conclusions Intravitreal triamcinolone is superior to observation for treating vision loss associated with macular edema secondary to CRVO in patients who have characteristics similar to those in the SCORE-CRVO trial. The 1-mg dose has a safety profile superior to that of the 4-mg dose.Application to Clinical Practice Intravitreal triamcinolone in a 1-mg dose, following the retreatment criteria applied in the SCORE Study, should be considered for up to 1 year, and possibly 2 years, for patients with characteristics similar to those in the SCORE-CRVO trial.Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00105027
Intracranial pressures measured with the coplanar pressure transducer.

An epidurally implanted transducer capable of measuring subarachnoid and supbial (brain surface) pressures in the intact animal is described. This device operates on the principle of coplanar transmembrane pressure monitoring. Controlled transducer-insertion techniques applied inin vitro andin vivo studies yield a series of pressure curves which are described and analysed. The data can be explained on the basis of ‘relative openness’ and ‘relative closedness’ of physical compartments. A mathematical derivation of the pressure curves is presented.
FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ON THE ORIGIN OF TUMORS IN MICE : I. TUMOR INCIDENCE AND TUMOR AGE IN VARIOUS STRAINS OF MICE.

1. It is possible to split a strain of mice into certain substrains in which the tumor incidence is in some way linked to the color of the mice. Thus we could split off from the English strain, which as a whole and in various substrains with mixed colors (English A and Sable) has a high tumor rate, substrains with light tan color and pink eyes (IOI and Tan) which have a high tumor rate like the large majority of the English mice, and two other apparently recessive strains breeding true, which have a very low tumor incidence (Silver and Silver Fawn). Therefore, certain combinations of factors which determine certain colors of mice determine at the same time the tumor incidence of these strains or substrains. In the majority of cases isolated families bred through several generations separately from the majority of the other substrains give approximately the same tumor rates as the others; in some cases, however, it may perhaps be possible to separate from the main strain a family with a different rate. 2. The tumor incidence and the tumor age found in the earlier periods of our work are approximately the same as in the more recent period. On the whole, the results obtained in successive generations of the same strain also agree well with each other; the results are fairly constant; the deviations which occur are in most cases due to the small number of animals observed in the certain generations. Discarding all the mice dying in the first or in the first and second periods of life usually does not alter essentially the tumor ratio of a certain strain. 3. A certain relationship exists between tumor frequency and tumor age. On the whole, the more frequent the tumors, the earlier they appear in the various strains. This parallelism between tumor frequency and tumor age is, however, not complete. The tumor age seems to be as characteristic for a certain strain as the tumor rate. Certain substrains which differ in tumor frequency may show approximately the same tumor age. Strains with similar tumor frequency may show a different tumor age. We may therefore conclude that in all probability tumor rate and tumor age represent distinct unit factors, which are frequently, but not in all cases, linked in some manner to each other. 4. The age at which the maximum of tumors appears varies in different strains. The maximum may fall into the second or third period of life. On the whole, the maximum is reached at an earlier period of life in those strains which have a high tumor rate. But here also peculiarities exist in different strains.
Exercise-Aggravated Hypoxemia and Orthodeoxia in Cirrhosis

A syndrome characterized by hypoxemia aggravated by exercise, orthodeoxia, hypocapnia, and evidence of hyperdynamic circulation, but otherwise normal indices of pulmonary air flow, volume, and distribution of ventilation has been observed as an infrequent complication of hepatic cirrhosis. An illustrative case is described, the features of which support the presence of a shunt or shunt-like mechanism consisting of low-resistance vascular communications within the lung. We suggest that this may represent the existence of a hepatopulmonary syndrome analogous to the hepatorenal syndrome.
SERS, SEIRA, TPD, and DFT Study of Cyanobenzoic Acid Isomer Film Growth on Silver Nanostructured Films and Powder

A combination of surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations ...
Modulated Imaging: Advancements in Diffuse Optical Tomography and Spectroscopy

We present results demonstrating the capabilities of spatially modulated illumination methods to enable high-resolution tomography and quantitative spectral imaging in turbid biological systems.
Molecular origin of friction in liquids.

Relaxation in liquids can often be formally attributed to ``friction,'' a generally time-dependent quantity that can be quantitatively specified, but is difficult to break into molecular components. We show here how the instantaneous normal modes of a fluid can be used to derive this friction, thereby identifying its molecular origins. This approach is illustrated by dissecting the vibrational relaxation of a dissolved diatomic molecule into contributions from specific kinds of solvent dynamics.
Renal artery aneurysm: Selective treatment for hypertension and prevention of rupture***

Thirty-nine patients with renal artery aneurysm (RAA) were seen over a period of 15 years. Among 20 women and 19 men, 31 were found to have solitary aneurysms, and eight had multiple RAA. Thirty-three patients had diastolic hypertension; nine of them proved to be of renovascular origin. Of the 18 patients who underwent RAA resection, 13 had reconstruction for treatment of hypertension, three had a solitary functional kidney, one had recurrent flank pain, and one had resection for prevention of rupture in a woman of childbearing age. Six of the 18 patients had aneurysmorrhaphy with primary repair or patching, seven had a resection with an aortorenal bypass, and five patients had six ex vivo renal reconstructions with multiple anastomoses. Nephrectomy was performed in two patients with RAA rupture at the time of childbirth and in one patient with hypertension and RAA in a poorly functioning kidney. Reconstructive procedures for documented renovascular hypertension in seven patients resulted in improvement in all cases. Blood pressure improved in only six of 10 patients operated on with hypertension and no lateralization of renovascular studies. Eighteen patients were observed for one to 16 years without surgery, and none experienced rupture. Resection of RAA is indicated to treat patients with renovascular hypertension, patients with hypertension and a solitary functional kidney, and selected patients with severe hypertension and to prevent rupture in women who may become pregnant. Other patients with asymptomatic RAA can be safely observed clinically without serial arteriograms and without fear of rupture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Round-to-flat transformation of angular-momentum-dominated beams

A study of round-to-flat configurations, and vice versa, of angular-momentum-dominated beams is presented. The beam propagation in an axial magnetic field is described in terms of the familiar Courant-Snyder formalism by using a rotating coordinate system. The discussion of the beam transformation is based on the general properties of a cylindrically symmetric beam matrix and the existence of two invariants for a symplectic transformation in 4D phase space.
Discrete cohesive zone model for mixed-mode fracture using finite element analysis

The discrete cohesive zone model (DCZM) is implemented using the finite element (FE) method to simulate fracture initiation and subsequent growth when material non-linear effects are significant. Different from the widely used continuum cohesive zone model (CCZM) where the cohesive zone model is implemented within continuum type elements and the cohesive law is applied at each integral point, DCZM uses rod type elements and applies the cohesive law as the rod internal force vs. nodal separation (or rod elongation). These rod elements have the provision of being represented as spring type elements and this is what is considered in the present paper. A series of 1D interface elements was placed between node pairs along the intended fracture path to simulate fracture initiation and growth. Dummy nodes were introduced within the interface element to extract information regarding the mesh size and the crack path orientation. To illustrate the DCZM, three popular fracture test configurations were examined. For pure mode I, the double cantilever beam configuration, using both uniform and biased meshes were analyzed and the results show that the DCZM is not sensitive to the mesh size. Results also show that DCZM is not sensitive to the loading increment, either. Next, the end notched flexure for pure mode II and, the mixed-mode bending were studied to further investigate the approach. No convergence difficulty was encountered during the crack growth analyses. Therefore, the proposed DCZM approach is a simple but promising tool in analyzing very general two-dimensional crack growth problems. This approach has been implemented in the commercial FEA software ABAQUS® using a user defined subroutine and should be very useful in performing structural integrity analysis of cracked structures by engineers using ABAQUS®.
The Language of Gifts: Managing Guanxi in a North China Village

Over the past few years, much ink has been spilled over the importance of guanxi (variously translated as social relations, personal connections, or particularistic ties) in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Chinese culture in general.' Most of the empirical work on guanxi in the PRC after Mao has concentrated on instrumental exchanges of gifts and favors in urban contexts. We have learned of the importance of such practices in factories and work units (Bian, 1994; Ruan, 1993; Walder, 1986; Yang, 1988), in politics (Cheng, 1994), and in business (Smart, 1993; Wank, 1995). Taken as a whole, the emerging picture of Chinese guanxi in these analyses is increasingly crass. In her recent book on the art of guanxi in urban China, Mayfair Yang contrasts a masculine, urban art of guanxi to a feminine, rural ethic of renqing (human feelings) gift exchange and concludes:
“And Let Me See Them Damn Papers!” The Role of STI/AIDS Screening Among Urban African American and Puerto Rican Youth in the Transition to Sex Without a Condom

Common strategies employed in preventing STI/AIDS transmission among young adults in America include abstinence, monogamy and safer sex. These strategies require a high level of vigilance and responsibility and, according to inner city participants in Project PHRESH.comm, neither option is always desirable, available, or rational in the context of their lived experiences. This article reports findings from Project PHRESH.comm, a mixed-method, ethnographic study incorporating data from focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, coital diaries, systematic cultural assessments and a structured survey designed to explore concepts of risk and decision making about condom use among at risk African American and Puerto Rican young adults aged 18–25 years in Hartford, CT. We found that many young adults from our study population rely on a strategy of using clinic-sponsored STI/AIDS screening when wanting to discontinue condom use with a partner. While our data suggest that screening is a common strategy used by many couples to transition to having sex without a condom, the data also show that most youth do not maintain monogamy even in long-term, serious relationships. Thus, sharing test results may provide a false sense of security in the sexual culture of inner city, minority youth.
Wind-tunnel measurements of hazard posed by lift-generated wakes

The results obtained during a wake-vortex test conducted in the NASA Ames Research Center 80- by 120-ft Wind Tunnel are described. The wind-tunnel test is part of an FA A and NASA program to study the characteristics of lift-generate d vortices in order to safely increase airport capacity for subsonic transports. Data was first obtained to confirm that measurements in the 80- by 120-ft Wind Tunnel are in agreement with those taken in the 40- by 80-ft Wind Tunnel during the test program of the 1970s. Measurements are then presented on the maximum rolling moment induced on following models of various sizes when they encounter the vortex wakes shed by several configurations of a subsonic transport. Finally, measurements are presented of the lift and rolling moment induced on various following models, and of the down wash, as a function of span wise distance in the wake. The wing spans of the followers vary from 0.085 to 1.022 times the span of the wakegenerating model.
Submillimeter pupil-plane wavefront sensing

The goal of a large (25 m) submillimeter telescope with high aperture efficiencies up to frequencies of ~ 1 THz requires a wavefront sensor able to measure the telescope surface figure to an accuracy of order 1 micron, better than has been achieved to date in the millimeter/submillimeter (MSM) regime. On the other hand, the recent availability of largeformat submillimeter detector arrays suggests that new techniques can be applied. In particular, using submillimeter focal plane arrays, variants of interferometric pupil-plane wavefront sensing techniques familiar from the optical/infrared (OIR) regime could perhaps be applied profitably in the MSM. However, while many possibilities can in principle be considered, many of these possibilities would be unwieldy in the MSM, because of the need for large off-axis reflective optical elements, and the consequent sizeable optical layout. However, the overall size of an interferometer can be minimized by making use of a common-path interferometer. Here we thus consider the applicability to MSM wavefront sensing of a rather simple common-path pupil-plane interferometer, specifically a scanning version of the fixed-phase phase-contrast interferometers described in different contexts by Zernicke 1 and Dicke 2 . Both transmissive and reflective solutions for the needed phase shifting interferometers are possible, but here we focus on the reflective case as a proof of principle. Such a common-path phase-shifting interferometer has several potential advantages: relative simplicity, compactness, ease of manufacturability, reduced systematic effects, and high accuracy.
Two C or not two C: recurrent disruption of Zn-ribbons, gene duplication, lineage-specific gene loss, and horizontal gene transfer in evolution of bacterial ribosomal proteins

Background: Ribosomal proteins are encoded in all genomes of cellular life forms and are, generally, well conserved during evolution. In prokaryotes, the genes for most ribosomal proteins are clustered in several highly conserved operons, which ensures efficient co-regulation of their expression. Duplications of ribosomal-protein genes are infrequent, and given their coordinated expression and functioning, it is generally assumed that ribosomal-protein genes are unlikely to undergo horizontal transfer. However, with the accumulation of numerous complete genome sequences of prokaryotes, several paralogous pairs of ribosomal protein genes have been identified. Here we analyze all such cases and attempt to reconstruct the evolutionary history of these ribosomal proteins. Results: Complete bacterial genomes were searched for duplications of ribosomal proteins. Ribosomal proteins L36, L33, L31, S14 are each duplicated in several bacterial genomes and ribosomal proteins L11, L28, L7/L12, S1, S15, S18 are so far duplicated in only one genome each. Sequence analysis of the four ribosomal proteins, for which paralogs were detected in several genomes, two of the ribosomal proteins duplicated in one genome (L28 and S18), and the ribosomal protein L32 showed that each of them comes in two distinct versions. One form contains a predicted metal-binding Zn-ribbon that consists of four conserved cysteines (in some cases replaced by histidines), whereas, in the second form, these metal-chelating residues are completely or partially replaced. Typically, genomes containing paralogous genes for these ribosomal proteins encode both versions, designated C+ and C-, respectively. Analysis of phylogenetic trees for these seven ribosomal proteins, combined with comparison of genomic contexts for the respective genes, indicates that in most, if not all cases, their evolution involved a duplication of the ancestral C+ form early in bacterial evolution, with subsequent alternative loss of the C+ and C- forms in different lineages. Additionally, evidence was obtained for a role of horizontal gene transfer in the evolution of these ribosomal proteins, with multiple cases of gene displacement ‘in situ’, that is, without a change of the gene order in the recipient genome. Conclusions: A more complex picture of evolution of bacterial ribosomal proteins than previously suspected is emerging from these results, with major contributions of lineage-specific gene loss and horizontal gene transfer. The recurrent theme of emergence and disruption of Zn-ribbons in bacterial ribosomal proteins awaits a functional interpretation.
Thyroid cancer in older men

This article reviews most common types of thyroid cancer focusing on older males worldwide. Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy. It includes tumour types that range from localised papillary carcinomas to lethal anaplastic disease. Among elderly population, male gender seems to be highly correlated with the risk and aggressiveness of thyroid cancer. Early diagnosis and urgent aggressive treatment are important for aging patients. This article includes numerous studies which evaluate prevalence, morbidity and mortality of thyroid cancer in older males.
EPSPs of dentate gyrus granule cells during epileptiform bursts of dentate hilar "mossy" cells and area CA3 pyramidal cells in disinhibited rat hippocampal slices

When hippocampal slices are exposed to GABAA antagonists, area CA3 pyramidal cells and dentate hilar “mossy” cells discharge in synchronized epileptiform bursts (Muller and Misgeld, 1991; Scharfman, 1994b). Dentate interneurons are excited simultaneously, but the degree of discharge varies (Scharfman, 1994b). This study primarily examined the activity of dentate granule cells simultaneous to the epileptiform bursts of pyramidal cells and mossy cells. EPSPs followed by large GABAB receptor-mediated IPSPs were generated in granule cells during all epileptiform bursts of pyramidal cells and mossy cells, regardless of whether they were evoked or spontaneous. By simultaneous recording it was determined that granule cell EPSPs began several milliseconds after the start of pyramidal cell bursts (n = 48 simultaneous recordings) and immediately after the first action potential of a mossy cell burst (n = 77). Interneurons were similar to granule cells in the timing of their depolarizations relative to the onset of pyramidal cell (n = 24; Scharfman, 1994b) and mossy cell (n = 9) bursts. All excitatory activity was blocked by bath application of the glutamatergic AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist CNQX (5 microM, n = 5), but not the NMDA receptor antagonist D-APV (25–50 microM, n = 9). Granule cell EPSPs were decreased after focal application of CNQX to the molecular layer at a site close to the impaled granule cell (n = 5), whereas D-APV had no effect (n = 3). EPSPs also decreased after focal application of CNQX to the hilus, in two of four slices tested. The extracellularly recorded EPSP of granule cells was maximal in the inner molecular layer (n = 33), the site of the mossy cell axonal plexus. Severing the junction of the dentate gyrus and area CA3 blocked all spontaneous and evoked activity of dentate neurons without affecting burst discharges in area CA3a and CA3b (n = 6). None of the excitatory activity of any cell type was affected by cholinergic antagonists (atropine and mecamylamine, 25 microM each, n = 5; pirenzipine and dihydro-beta-erythroidine, 25 microM each, n = 5). The results suggest that there is a glutamatergic, AMPA/kainate receptor- mediated, excitatory pathway from area CA3 to the dentate gyrus in disinhibited slices. The pharmacological results, analyses of latency, as well as the known axonal projections of the sampled cells, suggest that the excitatory pathway begins within area CA3 and leads to granule cells via mossy cells. The data also suggest that dentate interneurons are excited by mossy cells, and possibly by pyramidal cells as well.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Image Factorization for Small Object Detection

Blind source separation techniques, specifically independent components analysis and Nonnegative Image Factorization have seen increasing use in the hyperspectral community for automated image exploitation. These techniques differ from more traditional image reduction methods such as principal components in that they make different statistical assumptions as to the nature of the image. As such, these techniques provide the potential for the development of exploitation techniques that better preserve spectral information associated with small targets that tends to be lost with more traditional statistical processing.
Organizational strategies for promoting patient and provider uptake of personal health records

Objective To investigate organizational strategies to promote personal health records (PHRs) adoption with a focus on patients with chronic disease. Methods Using semi-structured interviews and a web-based survey, we sampled US health delivery organizations which had implemented PHRs for at least 12 months, were recognized as PHR innovators, and had scored highly in national patient satisfaction surveys. Respondents had lead positions for clinical information systems or high-risk population management. Using grounded theory approach, thematic categories were derived from interviews and coupled with data from the survey. Results Interviews were conducted with 30 informants from 16 identified organizations. Organizational strategies were directed towards raising patient awareness via multimedia communications, and provider acceptance and uptake. Strategies for providers were grouped into six main themes: organizational vision, governance and policies, work process redesign, staff training, information technology (IT) support, and monitoring and incentives. Successful organizations actively communicated their vision, engaged leaders at all levels, had clear governance, planning, and protocols, set targets, and celebrated achievement. The most effective strategy for patient uptake was through health professional encouragement. No specific outreach efforts targeted patients with chronic disease. Registration and PHR activity was routinely measured but without reference to a denominator population or high risk subpopulations. Discussion and conclusion Successful PHR implementation represents a social change and operational project catalyzed by a technical solution. The key to clinician acceptance is making their work easier. However, organizations will likely not achieve the value they want from PHRs unless they target specific populations and monitor their uptake.
Temperature dependence of the convex solubility parameters of organic semiconductors

Solubility parameter methods have also proven very useful in an array of theoretical and practical applications, particularly regarding the mutual solubility of polymers and organic semiconductors in bulk-heterojunction composites. The temperature dependence of the solubility and miscibility of organic semiconductors offers a promising route for directing the organization of materials and composites toward optimal morphologies. Here, the convex solubility parameter (CSP) approach is used to investigate the temperature dependence of three organic semiconductors: PCBM, P3HT, and PCPDTBT. The CSPs and mutual solubility regions are computed at several temperatures between 25 °C and 140 °C, and the results are compared to those obtained from a traditional spherical-fitting algorithm. In addition, the impact that constant and varying thermal expansion coefficients have on the computed solubility parameters across this temperature range is investigated. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 81–88
Stress Development in Hard Particle Coatings in the Absence of Lateral Drying

Stress development in coatings prepared from aqueous suspensions of hard particles was monitored using a modified cantilever deflection technique that suppresses lateral drying fronts. Without complications from lateral drying, stress development was found to be negligible until a critical amount of drying when stress increases dramatically to a maximum and then falls more slowly as drying completes. In addition, the maximum stress measured for coatings prepared on the modified cantilevers was more than double the maximum stress for coatings measured on standard cantilevers where lateral drying fronts were present. By achieving drying uniformity, direct correlations were made between the microstructure of the coating and the measured coating stress. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryoSEM) was used to image the microstructure of aqueous alumina and silica particle coatings during the intermediate stages of drying. CryoSEM revealed that stress increases dramatically once the particles form a saturated close-packed network, and that stress decays as water evaporates from the pore structure.
NUCLEATION MECHANISMS IN CHEMICALLY VAPOR-DEPOSITED MULLITE COATINGS ON SIC

Dense, uniform, and adherent chemically vapor-deposited mullite coatings were deposited on SiC substrates using the AlCl{sub 3}{endash}SiCl{sub 4}{endash}H{sub 2}{endash}CO{sub 2} system. Typical coating morphology consisted of a thin interfacial layer of {gamma}{endash}Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanocrystallites embedded within a vitreous SiO{sub 2}-based matrix. When a critical Al/Si ratio of 3.2{plus_minus}0.29 was reached within this nanocrystalline layer, mullite crystals nucleated and grew as columnar grains. The thickness of the nanocrystalline layer decreased as the input AlCl{sub 3}/SiCl{sub 4} ratio was increased. In all cases, the Al/Si composition in the coating increased from the coating/substrate interface to the coating surface. Critical factors leading to the nucleation and growth of mullite crystals are discussed in this article. {copyright} {ital 1999 Materials Research Society.}
Poly-diamond gated field-emitter display cells

A microchip containing gated field-emitter display (FED) cells is designed and fabricated using vapor-deposited p-type polycrystalline diamond films and employing an integrated circuit (IC)-compatible diamond film technology on oxidized 4-in Si wafers. Current-voltage (I-V) data, measured in a diode configuration at 10/sup -6/ torr, show Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) field emission behavior. A 1/spl times/4 pixel diamond gated display cell is demonstrated for the first time using phosphor-coated glass as an anode.
Preparation, characterization and lewis basicity of some copper(II) and nickel(II) adducts with organic isocyanates and isothiocyanates

Abstract A series of coordination compounds of RNCX (R = CH 3 C 2 H 5 , C 6 H 5 ; X = O.S) with nickel(II) and copper(II) was synthetized. X-Ray powder patterns and decomposition studies demonstrated the entity of these adducts as new compounds. Infrared spectroscopy indicated that the RNCO tend to coordinate via the nitrogen atom while the RNCS tend to coordinate via the sulfur atom. UVVIS-near IR spectroscopy studies established that the RNCX iigands are located in the low region of the spectrochemical series and their relative strength is: C 6 H 5 NCO 6 H 5 NCS 3 NCO 3 NCS.
ADULT ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA: Introduction and Questions Related to Current Programs

Significant progress has been made during the past 30 years in understanding the biology of adult acute lymphocytic leukemia and in treating the disease. This article lists some of the questions related to the current treatment programs for ALL and notes the remaining articles in this issue that address those questions.
Cells producing low-molecular-weight antibody to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

CD-1 mice immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), developed splenic plaque-forming cells (PFC) producing low-molecular-weight antibody; these cells were detected by means of purified rabbit antisera to mouse γ1, γ2a, and γ2b immunoglobulins. In contrast to SRBC, the primary γ1 response to LPS was absent and γ2a and γ2b PFC were detected irregularly. Both immunogens elicited a secondary cellular response in all three subclasses without a corresponding increase in “direct” or γM PFC. An increase in serum bactericidal antibody following a second injection of LPS was not parallelled by an increase in splenic γM PFC; it might therefore involve the synthesis of γ2 complement-fixing antibody.
The mechanics of slip transition at intermediate temperatures in 〈001〉-oriented NiAl single crystals. II. A metastable state for a〈111〉{110} dislocations in NiAl and its role in their decomposition.

Abstract We show in this paper that there exists a metastable arrangement of products in the reaction α → α + α in B2 NiAl. Atomistic calculations show that the metastable state can be formed spontaneously by a local shuffle or climb decomposition. Once formed, the ‘piggyback’ configuration can glide as a unit, with a restoring force helping to keep it intact. However, if the product lines become separated locally beyond a critical distance, the result is a decomposition loop. Small dislocation loops (less than 100 A) collapse, large loops (greater than 3000 A) evolve into dislocation dipoles, and medium loops can fail to evolve further. These results are consistent with detailed observations of the microstructure. The implications for this metastable state for the mechanical properties are examined.
Analytical Design of Hybrid Piezoelectric Hybrid PZT- PVDF Pump

Piezoelectric pumps offer great potential in the areas of alternative electro-mechanical actuators and as a hydraulic power sources. They may also be useful for active thermal cooling in life support applications. As an actuator, this pump may provide solutions to control system problems in robotics, process control, bioengineering, advanced remote control (telepresence), and automation. The benefits of piezoelectric based pumps and actuators include increased efficiency, self-cooling, lightweight, compact size, high mechanical reliability, positive displacement, self-priming, no lubrication, no vibration, and no rotational inertia. Oceaneering Space Systems (OSS) has produced two successful piezoelectric pump prototypes. The first one is a double-acting diaphragm pump driven by piezoelectric PolyVinylidine DiFluoride (PVDF) polymer. The second prototype is a Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) thermoplastic laminated pump. The thermoplastic material acts as an interstitial dielectric material; and for the PZT prototype we used Kapton. Based on the mathematical characterization and fabrication technology developed during the course of this past work, it is now possible to envision improved design concepts. This paper provides information regarding continuing advanced analysis work performed to define a preliminary design suitable for testing in the next phase of development of a hybrid PZTPVDF pump including: Revised MathCAD model to optimize efficiency and power, Updates to the existing AMESim model/simulation to capture nonlinear effects and higher order dynamics of fluid flow system, mechanical analysis to estimate the required bending radius and fatigue life of the composite bender elements, analytical determination of appropriate geometry for metal bellows and pulsation dampers and fatigue life estimates, and review of drive electronics and switching logic.
The Unspooling of Artkino: Soviet Film Distribution in America, 1940–1975

One evening in 1925 the guests at Gloria Swanson's Manhattan penthouse decided to watch a print of The Battleship Potemkin, the latest film of director Sergei Eisenstein. Lacking a screen, they hun...
Silent Endurance and Profound Loneliness: Socioemotional Suffering in African Americans Living With HIV in the Rural South:

We explored how community responses to HIV contribute to distress in African Americans living with HIV in the rural South of the United States. We listened to the voices of community members through focus groups and African Americans with HIV through interviews. Community avoidance of HIV, negative views of HIV, and discriminatory behavior powerfully affected the distress of people living with HIV (PLWH). Ongoing distress, coupled with limited support, led to a life in which many PLWH endured their pain in silence and experienced profound loneliness. We conceptualized their experiences as socioemotional suffering—the hidden emotional burden and inner distress of not only living with HIV, a complex serious illness, but also with the societal attitudes and behaviors that are imposed on the illness and on PLWH. To improve the quality of life and health of PLWH, we cannot focus solely on the individual, but must also focus on the local community and society as a whole.
Mowing Wyoming big sagebrush communities with degraded herbaceous understories: has a threshold been crossed?

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis [Beetle & A. Young] S.L. Welsh) plant communities with degraded native herbaceous understories occupy vast expanses of the western United States. Restoring the native herbaceous understory in these communities is needed to provide higher-quality wildlife habitat, decrease the risk of exotic plant invasion, and increase forage for livestock. Though mowing is commonly applied in sagebrush communities with the objective of increasing native herbaceous vegetation, vegetation response to this treatment in degraded Wyoming big sagebrush communities is largely unknown. We compared mowed and untreated control plots in five Wyoming big sagebrush plant communities with degraded herbaceous understories in eastern Oregon for 3 yr posttreatment. Native perennial herbaceous vegetation did not respond to mowing, but exotic annuals increased with mowing. Density of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), a problematic exotic annual grass, was 3.3-fold greater in the mowed than untreated control treatment in the third year posttreatment. Annual forb cover, largely consisting of exotic species, was 1.8-fold greater in the mowed treatment compared to the untreated control in the third year posttreatment. Large perennial grass cover was not influenced by mowing and remained below 2%. Mowing does not appear to promote native herbaceous vegetation in degraded Wyoming big sagebrush plant communities and may facilitate the conversion of shrublands to exotic annual grasslands. The results of this study suggest that mowing, as a standalone treatment, does not restore the herbaceous understory in degraded Wyoming big sagebrush plant communities. We recommend that mowing not be applied in Wyoming big sagebrush plant communities with degraded understories without additional treatments to limit exotic annuals and promote perennial herbaceous vegetation. Resumen
STAT6 and lung inflammation

Lung inflammation has many etiologies, including diseases of Th2-type immunity, such as asthma and anti-parasitic responses. Inflammatory diseases of the lung involve complex interactions among structural cells (airway epithelium, smooth muscle, and fibroblasts) and immune cells (B and T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and innate lymphoid cells). Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) has been demonstrated to regulate many pathologic features of lung inflammatory responses in animal models including airway eosinophilia, epithelial mucus production, smooth muscle changes, Th2 cell differentiation, and IgE production from B cells. Cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 that are upstream of STAT6 are found elevated in human asthma and clinical trials are underway to therapeutically target the IL-4/IL-13/STAT6 pathway. Additionally, recent work suggests that STAT6 may also regulate lung anti-viral responses and contribute to pulmonary fibrosis. This review will focus on the role of STAT6 in lung diseases and mechanisms by which STAT6 controls immune and structural lung cell function.
The work by Giulio Ceradini in explaining the mechanism of semilunar cardiac valve function

Using an excised pig heart preparation with tubes, a manometer, and a visualizing apparatus, Giulio Ceradini, an Italian physiologist working in the years of 1871–1872 in Carl Ludwig's famous labor...
Clinically effective HIV-1 protease inhibitors

For 10 years now, the HIV-1 protease has been recognized as an attractive target for antiviral therapy, and the discovery of potent inhibitors has been the focus of many research groups. There are currently four HIV protease inhibitors approved in the USA for use in treating AIDS, and several compounds are in various phases of clinical development. All of these compounds represent important advances and result from intensive research efforts. This review outlines the approaches taken by the research groups in discovering their clinical compounds, the problems encountered during this process and their subsequent solutions. Limited clinical data are also presented for each compound.
A Mononuclear Carboxylate-Rich Oxoiron(IV) Complex: a Structural and Functional Mimic of TauD Intermediate 'J'

The pentadentate ligand nBu-P2DA (2(b), nBu-P2DA = N-(1′,1′-bis(2-pyridyl)pentyl)iminodiacetate) was designed to bind an iron center in a carboxylate-rich environment similar to that found in the active sites of taurine dioxygenase (TauD) and other α-ketoglutarate-dependent mononuclear non-heme iron enzymes. The iron(II) complex nBu4N[FeII(Cl)(nBu-P2DA)] (3(b)-Cl) was synthesized and crystallographically characterized to have a 2-pyridine-2-carboxylate donor set in the plane perpendicular to the Fe–Cl bond. Reaction of 3(b)-Cl with N-heterocyclic amines such as pyridine or imidazole yielded the N-heterocyclic amine adducts [FeII(N)(nBu-P2DA)]. These adducts in turn reacted with oxo-transfer reagents at −95 °C to afford a short-lived oxoiron(IV) complex [FeIV(O)(nBu-P2DA)] (5(b)) in yields as high as 90% depending on the heterocycle used. Complex 5(b) exhibits near-IR absorption features (λmax = 770 nm) and Mossbauer parameters (δ = 0.04 mm s−1; ΔEQ = 1.13 mm s−1; D = 27 ± 2 cm−1), characteristic of an S = 1 oxoiron(IV) species. Direct evidence for an FeO bond of 1.66 A was found from EXAFS analysis. DFT calculations on 5(b) in its S = 1 spin state afforded a geometry-optimized structure consistent with the EXAFS data. They further demonstrated that the replacement of two pyridine donors in [FeIV(O)(N4Py)]2+ (N4Py = N,N-(bis(2-pyridyl)methyl)N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) with carboxylate donors in 5(b) decreased the energy gap between the ground S = 1 and the excited S = 2 states, reflecting the weaker equatorial ligand field of 5(b) and accounting for its larger D value. Complex 5(b) reacted readily with dihydrotoluene, methyldiphenylphosphine and ferrocene at −60 °C, and in all cases was approximately a 5-fold more reactive oxidant than [FeIV(O)(N4Py)]2+. The reactivity differences between these two complexes may arise from a combination of electronic and steric factors. Carboxylate-rich 5(b) represents the closest structural mimic reported thus far of the oxoiron(IV) intermediate (‘J’) found in TauD and provides us with vital insights into the role carboxylate ligands play in modulating the spectroscopic and reactivity properties of the non-heme oxoiron(IV) moiety.
Adrenocortical changes after supplementary heterotopic pituitary isografting in ovariectomized C mice.

In female mice of the Bagg albino stock, ovariectomized or sham-operated, supplementary heterotopic pituitary isografts induce an elevation of adrenal corticosterone. Ovariectomy lowers adrenal corticosterone levels in animals with or without ectopic hypophyses. When the mice are kept on a regimen of light from 0600 to 1800, alternating with darkness, significant within-day differences in adrenal corticosterone, between 0800 and 1600 hours, are seen in animals bearing supplementary pituitary isografts, whether or not they also are ovariectomized.
RLS Adaptive Filtering Without A Desired Signal: QR Algorithms And Architectures

Most adaptive filters require a desired signal for operation. However, in many applications the a priori knowledge consists of the signal-to-data cross-correlation vector rather than a desired signal. Recursive sample matrix inversion (SMI) algorithms exist for this "mixed' case. These SMI algorithms, which are based on the inversion of a data cor- relation matrix, have both numerical and structural short- comings. This paper demonstrates how to formulate the re- cursive solution to the mixed case as a least squares problem. This formulation leads to algorithms based on recursive QR decomposition implemented by either Givens or fast Givens rotations. Compared to the recursive SMI approach, these QR-based algorithms are more efficient, have better numerical properties, and exhibit greater structural regularity. Because of their structural regularity, the algorithms are easily implemented by either a triangular or linear systolic array.
E Pluribus Unum? SAA and the Regionals (Session 606)

Panelists explore the past, present, and future relationships between the Society of American Archivists (SAA) and the regional archival organizations in the United States, including the vision for cooperation held out in Peter Gottlieb's 2010 SAA Presidential Address. Is a proliferation of archival organizations a sign of health or is it problematic? How has technology affected our organizations and their ability to meet archivists' needs?
Theory and development of cross-layer techniques for localization in environments with Extreme Emitter Densities

As the RF spectrum becomes increasingly congested, localization algorithms which are tolerant of high levels of interference become necessary. A unique opportunity exists to study these issues during any event in a large venue, such as a football game in a large stadium. We report on the development of a RF sensor localization field deployment, LOC-EED, in the football stadium at Georgia Tech as well as a simplified laboratory testbed for controlled experimentation. During football games, cellphones, stadium personnel radios, media organization radios and wireless controlled devices, game official wireless headsets, etc. create an Extreme Emitter Density (EED) background that is a challenge to any algorithm attempting to identify and localize a single emitter. The laboratory testbed and field deployment to study this problem consists of RF sensor nodes (RFSN) using wideband RF digitizers and general purpose processors to sense the RF environment. We are using software radios as an enabling technology for the development of unique cross-layer localization techniques which are typically not realizable on specialized hardware, such as WiFi APs. This paper reports the details of LOC-EED and offers a preliminary analysis of spectrum captures in the 2.4 GHz band during a live football game. The analysis and a simulation of a simple cross-layer localization technique confirm both the need for, and ability to exploit, cross-layer information for localization.
Meniere's Disease

Meniere’s disease (MD) is a chronic illness of the inner ear that affects a substantial number of patients every year worldwide. Meniere’s disease may be classified according to different levels of certainty. The key lesion is the histopathological alteration of the inner ear called endolymphatic hydrops. In some cases, the aetiology of hydrops may be considered unknown, but in several patients, causal factors may be identified: post-viral infection, metabolic disorders like hyperinsulinemia, vascular disorders, autoimmune and food intolerances like gluten sensitivity. The key disabilities are vertigo or dizziness attacks, intercritical unsteadiness and fear of acute attacks. The main therapy is based on drugs and lifestyle amelioration. Rehabilitation may be addressed to (1) prepare the patient to imbalance provoked by labyrinthectomy, called vestibular prehab, (2) treat the acute vertigo seen after vestibular neurectomy or labyrinthectomy, (3) amelioration of intercritical unsteadiness, (4) manage fear of acute attacks and (5) decrease the frequency of acute attacks.
Teratogenic compounds of Veratrum californicum (Durand). XIV. Limb deformities produced by cyclopamine.

SummaryFour major alkaloids isolated from Veratrum californicum—veratramine, veratrosine, cyclopamine, and muldamine— were fed to pregnant ewes during the fifth week of gestation. Cyclopamine, when administered during Days 28, 29, and 30 of gestation, produced the same congenital deformities of limbs previously produced by whole plants. These deformities included shortening of the metacarpal or metatarsal bones.
Splenic torsion presenting as splenic vein thrombosis

Abstract We present the case of a 13-year old female presenting with abdominal pain and splenomegaly. CT scan revealed splenic vein thrombosis but no whirl sign to indicate torsion. Her pain persisted, hypercoagulability workup was negative, and she underwent laparoscopic splenectomy. Intraoperatively she was found to have splenic torsion with absent ligamentous attachments. Further review of CT images revealed the spleen anterior to the hilum on sagittal views, a sign not previously described as characteristic of splenic torsion.
Research development of ionic liquids in removal of aromatics

The research development of ionic liquids in removing aromatics in recent years is reviewed. Imidazole and pyridine based ionic liquids used for extraction and dearomatization can help to improve the selectivity of aromatic compounds by increasing the volume of ions in a proper range. Metal-based ionic liquids in aromatics catalytic hydrogenation can refine oil and recycle aromatics. The advantages and future development of ionic liquids in removing aromatics are pointed out.
Oxygen free radical formation by rat hepatocytes during postanoxic reoxygenation: scavenging effect of albumin

Free radical formation and reoxygenation injury were studied in rat hepatocytes perfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer containing 1% or no albumin. After 2, 2.5, or 3 h of anoxia followed...