cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formulation of Dacarbazine-loaded Cubosomes. Part III. Physicochemical Characterization

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of dacarbazine-loaded cubosomes. The drug-loaded cubosome nanocarriers were prepared by a fragmentation method and then freeze dried. They were then characterized for size, morphology, thermal behavior, and crystallography using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), respectively. The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were determined by UV spectrophotometry. The results showed that the prepared dacarbazine-loaded cubosomes had mean diameters ranging from 86 to 106 nm. In addition to the TEM, the characteristic peaks from PXRD data suggested that the freeze-dried nanoformulations were indeed cubic in nature. DSC and PXRD analysis suggested the 0.06 or 0.28% w/w actual drug loaded inside cubosomes was in the amorphous or molecular state. These physicochemical characteristics would affect the nanoformulation shelf-life, efficacy, and safety.
Screening Adults Aged 50 Years or Older for Hearing Loss: A Review of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

This review was developed to inform the update of the 1996 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations on screening for hearing loss in adults aged 50 years or older who present to...
Oscillatory glycolysis in yeast: the pattern of phase resetting by oxygen.

Abstract Glycolytic oscillations are initiated in a yeast cell suspension by an aerobic to anaerobic transition, and followed by recording NADH fluorescence. Injection of dissolved oxygen, up to 70 μ m , is found to phase-reset the NADH rhythm, usually without effect on period or amplitude. The graphed dependence of phase-resetting on oxygen dosage and on time of administration resembles a helicoidal surface. There is a critical dosage and phase at which injection terminates the oscillation. This pattern is typical of the simplest kinds of continuous and homogeneous reaction schemes. These results seem to support limit-cycle models involving only two important interacting control variables.
Continuum approximation techniques for the design of integrated package distribution systems

Complex package distribution systems are designed using idealizations of network geometries, operating costs, demand and customer distributions, and routing patterns. The goal is to find simple, yet realistic, guidelines to design and operate a network integrated both by transportation mode and service level; i.e., overnight (express) and longer (deferred) deadlines. The decision variables and parameters that define the problem are presented along with the models to approximate total operating cost. The design problem is then reduced to a series of optimization subproblems that can be solved easily. The proposed approach provides valuable insight for the design and operation of integrated package distribution systems. Qualitative conclusions suggest that benefits of integration are greater when deferred demand exceeds express demand. This insight helps to explain the different business strategies of package delivery firms today. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 50(3), 183–196 2007
Biosynthesis of the prohormone convertase mPC1 in AtT-20 cells.

A new family of mammalian subtilisin-like enzymes, probably involved in the processing of proproteins in regulated and constitutive cells at paired basic residues, has recently been discovered. Little information exists as yet concerning the biosynthesis of these endogenous subtilisin-like enzymes. In the present work the biosynthesis and release of the endogenous prohormone convertase PC1 in AtT-20 cells were studied. As predicted from mRNA studies, AtT-20 cells contain high levels of PC1 protein. Through immunoblotting, 87-kilodalton (kDa) and 86kDa bands were detected with an amino terminally directed antiserum; however, only the 87-kDa product was detected with carboxyl terminally directed antiserum, indicating carboxyl terminal truncation. Pulse-chase experiments, using [%i]methionine/ cysteine, showed that after 20 min pulse the main product in the cells was the 87-kDa protein. Cells chased for varying amounts of time exhibited a progressive increase in the intensity of a 66-kDa band, along with a corresponding decrease of the 87-kDa band. The 87-66 kDa conversion was nearly complete after 4 h of chase. This posttranslational processing was inhibited by the ionophore monensin, a Golgi disruptor, with a corresponding accumulation of the 87-kDa protein within the cell. Both the 87 kDa- and 66 kDa-labeled proteins were detected as membrane-bound rather than soluble proteins. The 87-kDa protein was the main product secreted by nonstimulated AtT-20 cells, while the 66-kDa product was only released when the cells were stimulated with CRF or BaCI, and Bromo-CAMP. In conclusion, our results show that PC1 in AtT-20 cells is initially synthesized as an 87-kDa membrane-bound protein which is then converted intracellularly to a 66-kDa species which can be released by the regulated pathway. (Molecular Endocrinology 6: 1088-1094, 1992)
Factors influencing the toxicity of heavy metals in food.

The level of heavy metals that man can tolerate in his diet is not simply determined. The absorption, transport, and biotransformations of cadmium, mercury, and lead by the plants and animals that are direct or indirect parts of man's food supply, and the effects these metals have upon man, depend upon many factors. Those discussed here include: influence of the form of the heavy metal on its toxicity; the capacity of several elements to modify the toxicity of heavy metals; the stage of development of the organism and its health status as it influences susceptibility to heavy metals. The provisionally tolerable weekly intake of cadmium, mercury, and lead is discussed in relation to the levels man is currently ingesting. The need for the establishment of a Standardized International Food Monitoring Network is discussed. The Food Monitoring Network would be responsible for obtaining much needed information on concentrations and forms of the heavy metals interacting in foods and would help to insure the whol...
Long-term changes in behavior after adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in children.

Objective To study long-term changes in behavior after adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children. Design and setting Prospective study at the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital, Albuquerque, NM. Methods Children with polysomnography-proven OSAS underwent adenotonsillectomy. The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) was completed before surgery, within 6 months and 9 to 18 months after surgery. Scores were compared using a paired t test. A P value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results The study population included 23 children. Preoperative mean BASC T scores were >50. Children showed significant improvement after adenotonsillectomy in aggression, atypicality, depression, hyperactivity, and somatization within 6 months and 9 to 18 months after surgery (P ≤ 0.05). The differences within 6 months and 9 to 18 months after surgery were not statistically significant. Conclusions Caregivers report abnormalities in the behavior of children with OSAS. Behavioral abnormalities improve significantly after adenotonsillectomy and are maintained in the long-term. EBM rating: C-4
On critical phenomena in interacting growth systems. Part II: Bounded growth

This paper completes the classification of some infinite and finite growth systems which was started in Part I. Components whose states are integer numbers interact in a local deterministic way, in addition to which every component's state grows by a positive integerk with a probability ek(1-e) at every moment of the discrete time. Proposition 1 says that in the infinite system which starts from the state “all zeros”, percentages of elements whose states exceed a given valuek≥0 never exceed (Ce)k, whereC=const. Proposition 2 refers to finite systems. It states that the same inequalities hold during a time which depends exponentially on the system size.
Calibrating Prediction Regions

Abstract Suppose that the variable X to be predicted and the learning sample Yn that was observed have a joint distribution, which depends on an unknown parameter θ. The parameter θ can be finite- or infinite-dimensional. A prediction region Dn for X is a random set, depending on Yn , that contains X with prescribed probability α. This article studies methods for controlling simultaneously the conditional coverage proability of Dn , given Yn , and the overall (unconditional) coverage probability of Dn . The basic construction yields a prediction region Dn , which has the following properties in regular models: Both the conditional and overall coverage probabilities of Dn converge to α as the size n of the learning sample increases. The convergence of the former is in probability. Moreover, the asymptotic distribution of the conditional coverage probability about α is typically normal; and the overall coverage probability tends to α at rate n −1. Can one reduce the dispersion of the conditional coverage pr...
The SPHINX-II Speech Recognition System: An Overview

In order for speech recognizers to deal with increased task perplexity, speaker variation, and environment variation, improved speech recognition is critical. Steady progress has been made along these three dimensions at Carnegie Mellon. In this paper, we review the SPHINX-II speech recognition system and summarize our recent efforts on improved speech recognition.
184 EFFECTS OF PROPRANOLOL ADMINISTRATION ON SHR RATS AND THEIR NEWBORNS

Propranolol (P), 20 mg/kg, was administered via daily orogastric intubation to 12 spontaneously hypertensive Okomoto Aoki female rats starting at 6 weeks of age. We studied the effects of P on maternal blood pressure (BP) and neonatal weight gain, litter size and cardiac function. Controls were 8 intubated and 8 non-intubated SHR females. Tail BP's were measured weekly. All 3 groups were hypertensive by 10-12 weeks of life. Rats were mated with SHR males at 12-18 weeks of age. BP (170-190 mm) did not differ among the 3 groups during pregnancy (P>.05) but at term BP fell markedly (P<.05). There were no significant differences in maternal weight gain, litter size and pup weights. Pup hearts from each group were studied the day before delivery, day of birth (day 0), and day 1 by excising the right atria, superfusing them with Tyrode's solution and recording surface electrograms during spontaneous beating before and after superfusion with epinephrine (epi) 10−7−10−5M. There were no differences in fetal and day 0 spontaneous atrial rates and response to epi, but on day 1 a significantly greater response to epi occurred in P pups. Thus, although no β-blockade was demonstrated in the fetuses and neonates, rebound supersensitivity to epi occurred. In summary, whereas P did not alter maternal BP, litter size or weight, a potentially toxic effect of P was noted in the neonate.
Pause loci in stuttered and normal speech

Abstract The mainstream of research comparing types of disfluency in stuttered and normal speech has typically omitted consideration of pause. In contrast, psycholinguisticresearch addressed to disfluency in normal speech alone has revealed the salience of pause in the study of fluency/disfluency. The research reported here, which focused on the antecedents and sequelae of filled pauses, revealed substantial differences in pattern of pause occurrence between stuttered and normal speech samples obtained from 20 matched subjects. The results are discussed in reference to relevant findings from the research on pause in normal speech.
The two genes for the P700 chlorophyll a apoproteins on the Euglena gracilis chloroplast genome contain multiple introns.

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the two genes encoding the P700 chlorophyll a apoproteins of the photosystem I reaction center of the Euglena gracilis chloroplast genome. The two genes are separated by 77 bp, are of the same polarity, and span a region which is greater than 9.0 kbp. The psaA gene (751 codons) is interrupted by three introns and the psaB gene (734 codons) by six introns. The introns range in size from 361 to 590 bp, whereas the exons range in size from 42 to 1,194 bp. The introns are extremely AT rich with a pronounced base bias of T > A > G > C in the RNA-like strand. Like other interrupted protein genes in the Euglena chloroplast genome, the psaA and psaB introns are similar to mitochondrial group II introns in having the splice junction consensus sequence, 5′ GTGCGNTTCG ..... INTRON ..... TTAATTTTAT 3′ and conserved secondary structural features. Except for the placement of the first intron, the intron-exon organization of these two highly homologous genes is not conserved. The other introns fall at or near putative surface domains of the predicted gene products. The psaA and psaB gene products are 74% homologous to one another and 93% and 95% homologous, respectively, to the psaA and psaB gene products of higher plant chloroplasts. The predicted secondary structure derived from the primary amino acid sequence has 11 potential membrane-spanning domains.
Systematic comparison of ILWAS, MAGIC, and ETD watershed acidification models: 3. Mass balance budgets for acid neutralizing capacity.

Abstract Three watershed acidification models—ILWAS, MAGIC, and ETD—were quantitatively compared to determine model structural differences by using a combination of input mapping and ANC mass balance budgets. Input mapping is a set of rules and algorithms to ensure that consistent input values were simultaneously derived for all three models. ANC budget analysis under current SO42− deposition and a 70% reduction in SO42− deposition allows examination of the relative importance of biogeochemical processes in affecting predictions of ANC or predicted changes in ANC. Model inputs were based on two dissimilar watersheds having characteristics typical of watersheds in the northeastern US. After mapping inputs, the three models predicted values of outflow ANC fluxes that were similar among the models for each watershed and deposition scenario. Within each watershed, the changes in outflow ANC fluxes between the scenarios were similar for the three models. Terrestrial weathering was the major source of ANC for all three models for both watersheds and deposition scenarios. The contributions of other processes to the ANC of the two watersheds were, under certain conditions, model-specific. Cation exchange was responsible for changes in ANC when deposition decreased for the three models. Other processes responsible for changes in ANC between scenarios were SO42− sorption (for MAGIC) and in-lake weathering (for ETD). The processes responsible for the change in ANC from a change in deposition (cation exchange, SO42− sorption, and in-lake weathering) were different from the processes contributing to the absolute ANC for a given deposition scenario (terrestrial weathering). The budget analysis complements an earlier Monte Carlo analysis that showed that the three models are structurally different and that predictions viewed on a relative scale are more similar than absolute scale predictions.
Nonfouling characteristics of dextran-containing surfaces.

Hydroxyl groups in dextrans have been selectively oxidized to aldehyde groups by sodium periodate in a controlled fashion with a percentage of conversion ranging from 6 to 100%. Dextrans (10, 70, 148, 500, and 2000 kDa) and oxidized 10k dextrans have been successfully grafted to functionalized silicon surfaces. The effect of molecular weight on protein adsorption is not nearly as striking as that of the extent of oxidation. When ∼25% of the hydroxyl groups have been converted to aldehyde groups, there is negligible protein adsorption on surfaces containing the oxidized polysaccharides. Conformations of grafted polymers depend strongly on their chemical structures, that is, the relative amounts of −OH and −CHO groups. The dependence of the chain conformation as well as the protein resistance on the balance of the hydrogen bond donors (−OH) and the acceptors (−OH and −CHO) implies the importance of chemical structure of surface molecules, specifically the interactions between surface and surrounding water m...
The role of actin filaments and microtubules in hepatocyte spheroid self‐assembly

Cultured rat hepatocytes self-assemble into three-dimensional structures or spheroids that exhibit ultrastructural characteristics of native hepatic tissue and enhanced liver-specific functions. The spheroid formation process involves cell translocation and changes in cell shape, indicative of the reorganization of the cytoskeletal elements. To elucidate the function of the cytoskeleton, hepatocytes undergoing spheroid formation were treated with drugs that disrupt the different cytoskeletal components. Cytochalasin D, which targets the actin filaments, caused inhibition of spheroid formation. The role of microtubules in this process was assessed by incubating the cells with taxol or nocodazole. Perturbation of microtubules had minimal effects on spheroid assembly. Scanning electron micrographs showed no morphological differences between spheroids formed in control cultures and those formed in the presence of taxol or nocodazole. In addition, the effects of those agents on hepatocyte functions were investigated. Albumin secretion and cytochrome P450 2B1/2 activities of hepatocytes were comparable in spheroids formed in the presence of taxol or nocodazole to those formed in control cultures. The levels of these liver-specific activities were lower in cytochalasin D--treated cultures where only dispersed cells or cell clumps were found but spheroids had not found. Thus, hepatocytes require an intact actin network to self-assemble efficiently into functional tissue-like structures. Perturbation of the microtubule lattice does not impair the formation process. Events that transpire during hepatocyte spheroid self-assembly exhibit striking similarities to processes commonly observed in tissue morphogenesis. The results provide insight into the mechanisms that cells employ to organize into tissues and can contribute to our understanding of how to control the cellular assembly in tissue engineering and clinical applications.
Quantum Theory of the Intensity of the Modified Band in the Compton Effect

The theory of a previous paper (Phys. Rev. 25, 314, 1925), which dealt with the scattering of x-ray quanta by electrons in circular Bohr orbits, is extended to the scattering by L and M electrons and by electrons in elliptic orbits. For a certain range of positions of the electron in each orbit the mass of the whole atom is added to that of the electron and the quantum is scattered without change of wave-length. For a given type of K, L or M orbit, the ratio of the number of modified scattered quanta to that of the unmodified quanta is calculated. From this the intensity of the modified band relative to that of the unmodified line when all the K, L, and M electrons are operative in the scattering process is determined. Curves are given showing the intensity of the modified bands when Mo $\mathrm{K}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ x-rays are scattered by carbon and sulfur at 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The theory gives for the ratio of intensity of modified band relative to unmodified.90 and 1.74 for carbon at 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and.42 and.62 for sulfur at 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, the ratio increasing with the scattering angle and decreasing with increasing atomic number. This result tends to explain the difficulty which has been experienced in obtaining the modified band when Mo $\mathrm{K}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ x-rays are scattered by sulfur.
The in vivo and in vitro genotoxicity of aromatic amines in relationship to the genotoxicity of benzidine.

Abstract Benzidine and 12 related aromatic amines have been studied for the effects of substituent groups and π orbital conjugation on their genotoxicity as measured by their mutagenicity in vitro with Salmonella and by chromosomal aberrations (CA) in vivo in the bone-marrow cells of mice. The in vitro studies indicated increases in mutagenicity with increases in the electron withdrawing ability of para' substituents. Mutagenicity also increases with increased conjugation as shown by the degree of planarity of the biphenyl compounds and by comparing the mutagenecities of biphenyl amines to stilbenes as well as to ethylene bridged diphenyl compounds. The relative in vitro mutagenicity results were not predictive of relative in vivo CA results. The 3 most genotoxic compounds in vivo were the conjugated amines without substituents in the para' position. The CA values for 4-aminostilbene were exceptionally high. These in vivo results indicate increased genotoxicity for benzidine analogs without substitution in the para' position.
A Frequency-Adaptive Multi-Objective Suspension Control Strategy

This paper studies a new FAMOS strategy for suspension control. FAMOS stands for frequency-adaptive multi-objective suspension. This strategy adjusts the control law based on certain frequency information and achieves a balanced ride and handling performance. It contains a road profile identifier, several multi-objective control laws which optimize a mixed H 2 /H‘ performance index based on different performance preferences, and an adaptive law based on the frequency contents estimated from the identified road profile. The strategy is applied to a quarter car suspension control and the simulation results show that the achieved performance is better than many existing results. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1789979#
Synthesis and tumoricidal activity of water soluble porphyrinyl-thymidines and related porphyrins

Abstract The new cobalt(II)meso-5,10-di(N-methyl-4-pyridinium)-15,20-di(p-phenylene-5′-O-thymidine)porphyrin suppressed the growth of human malignant melanoma cells (M21-HPB) by 95 percent when applied as 2.5 x 10 −5 M solution in tris for 3 days without exposure to light. It was the most effective of the investigated porphyrinyl-nucleosides.
The effect of prior rewarded goal box placements on incentive reduction behavior

Two groups of rats received 92 preacquisition rewarded goalbox placements or 92 preacquisition handling trials. These were followed by 24 large-reward trials for both groups. In a third phase (incentive reduction) all Ss received 16 small-reward trials. The results indicated greater disruption of performance during the incentivereduction phase for the group receiving the preacquisition placements. The greatest disruption of performance was noted in the start measure. Possible interpretations are offered.
Angular dependence of the differential cross section of hadronic exclusive processes at asymptotic energies

Abstract The angular dependence of the differential cross section is derived for meson-baryon and baryon-baryon elastic scattering and for some related processes, in the framework of the constituent interchange model, assuming the validity of dimensional scaling laws and using the Mandelstam representation of the amplitude.
An infrastructure for teaching skills for group decision making and problem solving in programming projects

In industry, programmers work in groups to design and implement substantial pieces of software. In contrast, most programs that students write in classes are toy programs involving little or no group work. To address this discrepancy, we have developed a software infrastructure that aims to teach group work skills to students in computer science courses and also enables students to tackle larger and more significant projects. We are in the process of deploying this infrastructure in a three course sequence at the University of Colorado: Data Structures---Programming Languages---Compiler Construction.
Pipeline design in spintronic circuits

This paper proposes a latch-less pipeline architecture for spintronic circuits and quantifies the impact of pipeline depth and width on the error rate caused by thermal noise. This paper focuses on concatenable spin logic (CSL) even though the proposed architecture and error rate estimation approach can be applied to any spintronic logic that use magnetic moment of nanomagnets as the computational state variable. The latch-less pipeline architecture takes advantage of the non-volatility of nanomagnets and eliminates the need for the extra switches that are necessary in CMOS circuits to latch data at the beginning and end of each pipeline stage. However, choosing a pipeline clock rate requires knowing the circuit delay of a single stage. It is shown that the delay of a magnet can best be represented as a gamma distribution, and thus, in order to achieve a 10-4 error rate with a single switch, the clock period will need to be approximately 120% greater the average delay of a single device. This variation tax can be reduced to under 35% for a circuit with 10 switches connected in series, or it can exceed 145% if the switches are connected in parallel (depth=1).
Mineral acid salts of lidocaine

Some physicochemical properties of the hydrobromide, hydrochloride, nitrate, perchlorate, phosphate, and sulfate salts of lidocaine are reported.
Challenges in real-world Emi/Emc problems and some novel techniques for meeting them

In this paper we identify some challenges in real-world EMI/EMC problems, which we have recently encountered in the process of designing complex systems for computers, communication and radar, that are beyond the capabilities of present day commercial computer codes. We then go on to describe some novel approaches for handling the problems for this type that are beyond the reach of codes that are typically designed to run on a single processor.
Automated medical histories: factors determining patient performance.

Abstract The effect of several patient variables on the time taken to complete automated medical histories was studied. Patient age, number of complaints, and the time required to complete the instructional portion of the interview showed a positive correlation with overall interview time. There was a negative correlation between the patients years of formal education and interview duration. Current and future applications of these findings to interview strategy are discussed.
Unsteady pressures and forces during transonic buffeting of a supercritical airfoil

Introduction S airfoils have been found to have favorable buffet characteristics compared with conventional airfoils as observed from investigations in the National Aeronautical Establishment High Reynolds number 2D test facility ' The Bauer Garabedian Kprn No 1 airfoil was the first supercritical airfoil to be investigated at NAE and its buffet onset boundary was reported by Kacprzynski 2 His results were found to be in good agreement with theoretical predictions by Redeker and Proksch 3 using Thomas buffet onset criterion The method used for determining experimental buffet onset was to observe the analog signal from a force element of one of the sidewall balances supporting the model and to note the flow conditions when oscillations first appear Other common methods used in determining buffet onset are to detect the divergence of the trailing edge pressure or the break in the lift curve slope These experimental techniques are rather straightforward requiring little sophistication in instrumentation In order to gain a better insight into the aerodynamic aspects of buffet, not just buffet onset, detailed investigations of surface pressure fluctuations are necessary Such an in vestigation was carried out at NAE with the BGK No 1 airfoil in the Mach number range 0 5 to 0 8 at chord Reynolds number 15 to 21 x 10 Both constant incidence and step pause incidence runs were performed The constant incidence runs were of sufficiently long duration that spectral correlation, arid coherence functions for force and pressure data could be obtained. The step pause runs were processed to give only rms values of the force and pressure fluctuations Reference 5 describes the experimental arrangements and procedure for data processing together with detailed statistical data In this Note only some representative results are presented
Solving systems of non-linear equations with both free and positive variables

A numerical method is presented for solving systems of non-linear equations that contain some variables that are strictly positive and others that have no restriction on sign. Naturally positive variables arise frequently when modelling the behaviour of engineering systems, such as physical dimension, concentration of a chemical species, duration of an event, etc. When modelling systems of this type, it is also common to introduce additional variables that are not restricted in sign, such as stresses, displacements, velocities, accelerations, etc. Many numerical methods may experience performance difficulties due to the existence of spurious solutions which have negative components for one or more of the positive variables. Recently, the monomial method has been developed as an effective tool for systems with variables that are all strictly positive. This paper presents a hybrid method, combining the monomial method and Newton's method, for systems containing both types of variables. It is demonstrated that this hybrid method can be more effective in solving systems of equations with both positive and free variables than either method alone. Basins of attraction constructions are presented as a demonstration of the effectiveness of the hybrid method as applied to the design of a civil engineering frame structure. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In situ studies of the primary immune response to (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl. IV. Affinity-dependent, antigen-driven B cell apoptosis in germinal centers as a mechanism for maintaining self-tolerance.

Germinal centers (GCs) are the sites of antigen-driven V(D)J gene hypermutation and selection necessary for the generation of high affinity memory B lymphocytes. Despite the antigen dependence of this reaction, injection of soluble antigen during an established primary immune response induces massive apoptotic death in GC B cells, but not in clonally related populations of nonfollicular B lymphoblasts and plasmacytes. Cell death in GCs occurs predominantly among light zone centrocytes, is antigen specific, and peaks within 4-8 h after injection. Antigen-induced programmed death does not involve cellular interactions mediated by CD40 ligand (CD40L) or Fas; disruption of GCs by antibody specific for CD40L was not driven by apoptosis and C57BL/6.lpr mice, though unable to express the Fas death trigger, remained fully susceptible to soluble antigen. Single injections of antigen did not significantly decrease GC numbers or average size, but repeated injections during an 18-h period resulted in fewer and substantially smaller GCs. As cell loss appeared most extensive in the light zone, decreased GC cellularity after prolonged exposure to soluble antigen implies that the Ig- centroblasts of the dark zone may require replenishment from light zone cells that have survived antigenic selection. GC cell death is avidity-dependent; oligovalent antigen induced relatively little apoptosis and GC B cells that survived long exposures to multivalent antigen expressed atypical VDJ rearrangements unlikely to encode high affinity antibody. Antigen-induced apoptotic death in GCs may represent a mechanism for the peripheral deletion of autoreactive B cell mutants much as the combinatorial repertoire of immature B lymphocytes is censored in the bone marrow.
Optimizing hammer mill performance through screen selection and hammer design

Background: Mechanical preprocessing, which includes particle-size reduction and mechanical separation, is one of the primary operations in the feedstock supply system for a lignocellulosic biorefinery. It is the means by which raw biomass from the field or forest is mechanically transformed into an on-spec feedstock with characteristics better suited for the fuel conversion process. Results: This work provides a general overview of the objectives and methodologies of mechanical preprocessing and then presents experimental results illustrating improved size reduction via optimization of hammer mill configuration, improved size reduction via pneumatic-assisted hammer milling and improved control of particle size and particle-size distribution through proper selection of grinder process parameters. Conclusion: Optimal grinder configuration for maximal process throughput and efficiency is strongly dependent on feedstock type and properties, such as moisture content. Tests conducted using a HG200 hammer grind...
II. Intestinal absorption of an amino-acid mixture in patients with chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis and entero-colitis

1. Absorption of an enzymatic hydrolysate of casein from closed upper jejunal loops was studied in five patients with severe and chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis or entero-colitis. 2. In four patients there was marked impairment of absorption as compared with normal individuals. In the remaining patient, whose general nutrition was well maintained in spite of chronic disease of the large bowel, small intestinal absorption, as determined by the test mixture used, was found to be normal. 3. The nature and mechanism of this dysfunction of the small intestine is discussed, and its significance in contributing to the picture of a deficiency state is emphasized. 4. Such a defect in small intestinal function, when added to the well established gross involvement of the colon and terminal ileum, enlarges our concept of chronic idiopathic ulcerative colitis and ileo-colitis to a disorder embracing the entire intestinal tract.
Screening for Co-Occurring Intimate Partner Abuse and Substance Abuse: Challenges Across Service Delivery Systems

Substance use problems among women survivors of intimate partner abuse (IPA) present unique challenges in screening for the co-occurrence of these 2 issues. The lack of coordinated efforts and integrated services is startling given the prevalence and subsequent risks among those who suffer at the crossroads of these 2 complex and interrelated problems. This article critically examines the issues in screening to identify IPA victimization and substance abuse in selected service delivery systems. The philosophical, programmatic, and policy implications for the implementation of integrated screening and intervention across these service delivery systems are discussed as a more comprehensive approach to helping women IPA survivors who abuse substances.
Woman as Mediator in the Meddle English Romances

The two previousessays by Maureen Fries and Shirley Marchalonis are further elaborated on by Caroline Eckhardt in her analysis of one of the most popular medieval images o f women-that of mediator. This image of women has a long and complex history and remains with us today, as evidenced in Marina Warner's Alone of All Her Sex. The link between the image of the Virgin Mary as mediatrix and women in medieval romances is a strong one, and, as Eckhardtpoints out, mayprovide us with a reasonable hypothesis of audience taste and response to the romances. If women comprised a goodly proportion of the audience, and it is likely that they did, the image of women presented to them affirmed the life-nurturing functions in a heightened fashion; at the same timeit maintained the established and accepted relationships between men and women. In the role of intercessor, women might act, but within carefully accepted limits.
Chronic Psychosocial Stress and Hypertension

Genetic and behavioral factors do not fully explain the development of hypertension, and there is increasing evidence suggesting that psychosocial factors may also play an important role. Exposure to chronic stress has been hypothesized as a risk factor for hypertension, and occupational stress, stressful aspects of the social environment, and low socioeconomic status have each been studied extensively. The study of discrimination is a more recent and rapidly growing area of investigation and may also help to explain the well-known racial disparities in hypertension. Research regarding mechanisms underlying stress effects on hypertension has largely focused on cardiovascular reactivity, but delayed recovery to the pre-stress level is increasingly being evaluated as another possible pathway. Recent findings in each of these areas are reviewed, and directions for future research are discussed.
The piezoelectric cochlear implant : Concept, feasibility, challenges, and issues

A better understanding of the fundamental phenomena occurring in both the healthy and the artificially stimulated cochlea will greatly aid in the engineering of more effective cochlear implant devices and will, in general, enhance mankind's knowledge of inner ear function. This study was initiated to probe the feasibility of use of artificial piezoelectric transducer devices, both for the understanding of cochlear phenomena and as a possible cochlear implant. Aspects of feasibility of such an implant, the issues involved, the materials science challenges that need to be overcome to fabricate such a device, and results from initial in vivo experiments are discussed.
Severe long-term 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced parkinsonism in the vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus)

Abstract The neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) produces parkinsonian neurochemical and functional deficits in human and non-human primates. The utility of MPTP-induced parkinsonism in monkeys as an animal model of Parkinson's disease would be greater if it produced a persistent and stable behavioural syndrome so that the effects of novel therapeutic treatments can be accurately assessed. Further, the claim that many species including primates spontaneously recover from MPTP is a significant difference from idiopathic Parkinson's disease. This experiment focused on the long-term (six months) persistence of behavioural deficits in severely and moderately parkinsonian monkeys. The severity of the syndrome was based on a quantitative and objective measure of parkinsonism. Adult male African green (vervet) monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) were treated with MPTP (cumulative dose 2.5 mg/kg over five days), and six were saline-control treated. MPTP-treated subjects were examined in two groups: those that were severely parkinsonian (“severe” group, n=11) and those that were moderately impaired (“moderate” group, n=5) the month after treatment. Summary factor scores were examined reflecting abnormal (“parkinsonian”) behaviour and normal “healthy” behaviour. Subjects that displayed severe parkinsonism the month after MPTP were found to show stable and severe parkinsonism for the time period studied. In contrast, the group of animals that initially were moderately parkinsonian did not show a stable deficit during the study. These data suggest that the initial severity of the deficit is an important predictor of outcome. None the less, stable parkinsonism can be observed in severely parkinsonian subjects despite variability in the severity of the impairment in response to MPTP treatment. Two moderately and three severely affected subjects were studied for more than six months and they appeared to show equivalent scores at six months compared with between 11 to 19 months after MPTP administration. MPTP-treatment in the vervet monkey can result in persistent long-term deficits and therefore provides an excellent phenomenological as well as neuropathological model of Parkinson's disease.
Impact of Copper Sulfate on Plankton in Channel Catfish Nursery Ponds

Many fish culturists are interested in applying copper sulfate pentahydrate (CSP) to channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, nursery ponds as a prophylactic treatment for trematode infection and proliferative gill disease by killing snails and Dero sp., respectively, before stocking fry. However, copper is an algaecide and may adversely affect phytoplankton and zooplankton populations. We evaluated the effects of prophylactic use of copper sulfate in catfish nursery ponds on water quality and phytoplankton and zooplankton populations. In 2006, treatments of 0 mg/L CSP, 3 mg/L CSP (0.77 mg/L Cu), and 6 mg/L CSP (1.54 mg/L Cu) were randomly assigned to 0.04-ha ponds. In 2007, only treatments of 0 and 3 mg/L CSP were randomly assigned to the 16 ponds. Ponds treated with CSP had significantly higher pH and significantly lower total ammonia concentrations. Treatment of both CSP rates increased total algal concentrations but reduced desirable zooplankton groups for catfish culture. CSP has been shown to be effective in reducing snail populations at the rate used in this study. CSP treatment also appears to be beneficial to the algal bloom, shifting the algal population to green algae and increasing total algal biomass within 1 wk after CSP treatment. Although zooplankton populations were adversely affected, populations of important zooplankton to catfish fry began rebounding 6–12 d after CSP treatment. Therefore, if CSP is used to treat catfish fry ponds of similar water composition used in this study, fry should not be stocked for about 2 wk after CSP application to allow time for the desirable zooplankton densities to begin increasing.
The influence of growth chemistry on the MOVPE growth of GaAs and AlxGa1−xAs layers and heterostructures

Abstract A comparison study was carried out on the influence of the growth chemistry on the properties of Al x Ga 1− x As and GaAs layers and quantum well structures. Triethylgallium, triethylaluminum, trimethylgallium, and trimethylaluminum were used in a various combinations during MOVPE growth of Al x Ga 1− x As. Substantial reductions in the carbon incorporation can be achieved using the ethyl based growth chemistry. The observed change in the carbon incorporation with growth chemistry indicates a change in the decomposition kinetics and mechanisms between the various growth precursors. While triethylgallium can be directly substituted for trimethylgallium in the growth of Al x Ga 1− x As, the use of triethyl aluminum requires particular care. Narrow quantum well structures were demonstrated using both ethyl and methyl based precursors.
Surgical management of soft tissue sarcomas: Extremity sarcomas

Wide surgical resection is the recommended treatment for extremity soft tissue sarcomas. Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may improve local control, but with marginal effect on overall survival. Advanced reconstructive techniques and multidisciplinary care, including plastic surgery, may allow a higher rate of limb salvage. This report focuses on surgical and reconstructive aspects in the multimodality care of extremity sarcomas.
Analysis of measurement delay errors in an Ethernet based communication infrastructure for power systems

This paper examines how communication delays in delivering power system measurements across a computer control network (IEEE 802.3-Ethernet) can affect the accuracy of these measurements as viewed by remote hosts on the network. A stochastic system model is developed, which is composed of both the physical infrastructure of the power system as well as the embedded computer network communication infrastructure. An experimental platform has been developed to determine the parameters of the developed model. This model is the first step in examining how delays in delivering power system measurements, as well as power system dynamics, can impact "real-time observability" of the power system.
Optimizing Interval Training Protocols Using Data Mining Decision Trees

Interval training consists of interleaving high intensity exercises with rest periods. This training method is a well known exercise protocol which helps strengthen and improve one’s cardiovascular fitness. However, there is no known method for formulating and tailoring an optimized interval training protocol for a specific individual which maximizes the amount of work done while limiting fatigue. But by using data mining schemes with various attributes, conditions, and data gathered from an individual’s exercise session, we are able to efficiently formulate an optimized interval training method for an individual. Recent advances in wireless wearable sensors and smart phones have made available a new generation of fitness monitoring systems. With accelerometers embedded in an iPhone, a Bluetooth pulse oximeter, and the Weka data mining tool, we are able to formulate the optimized interval training protocols, which can increase the amount of calorie burned up to 29.54%, compared with the modified Tabata interval training protocol.
Mirror-orientation noise in a Fabry–Perot interferometer gravitational wave detector

The influence of angular mirror-orientation errors on the length of a Fabry-Perot resonator is analyzed geometrically. Under conditions in which dominant errors are static or vary slowly over time, the analysis permits a simple prediction of the spectrum of short-term cavity length fluctuations resulting from mirror-orientation noise. The resulting model is applicable to the design of mirror control systems for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, which will monitor separations between mirrored surfaces of suspended inertial test bodies as a way to measure astrophysical gravitational radiation. The analysis is verified by measuring the response of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational- Wave Observatory's 40-m interferometer test-bed to the rotation of its mirrors.
Balance and Aging

Objectives/Hypothesis: To provide a basic science and clinical review of normal balance changes with age, and to provide a current review for the evaluation and treatment of elderly patients with balance disorders. As we age, we lose balance function through loss of sensory elements, the ability to integrate information and issue motor commands, and because we lose musculoskeletal function. Diseases common in aging populations lead to further deterioration in balance function in some patients. Treatment of balance dysfunction in aging populations is based on the knowledge of normal aging processes and on an evaluation of the individual's balance loss and remaining balance elements. Prevention and rehabilitation play a major role in treatment; medical and surgical therapy also have a place. Study Design and Methods: Review of literature, personal research and observations. Results and Conclusions: Although older patients may be subject to most of the common balance disorders of younger patients, they have more problems with chronic disequilibrium and falls. Prevention and rehabilitation play an important role in treating these patients.
ECHOIC MEMORY EXPLORED AND APPLIED

The author reviews the concept of echoic memory. The topics of the modality advantage of echoic over visually received stimuli, the suffix effect, echoic trace duration, and speech recognition are examined. These concepts are then discussed and their implications for advertising communication are examined.