cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass for deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

Large animal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) models have disadvantages, such as cost, lack of methods for assessment of neurocognitive function, and difficulties with long-term recovery. As a result, rodent models have been developed. Previous rodent models have certain drawbacks, including irrelevance to human flows used clinically. We established a clinically relevant model of CPB with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in the rat. Our CPB circuit has several novel features, including a small priming volume, active cooling/rewarming processes, vacuum-assisted venous drainage, peripheral cannulation without thoracotomy or sternotomy, and an accurate means of monitoring peripheral tissue oxygenation. This small animal model provides a simple experimental system that could be used in future studies that use CPB and DHCA.
The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury on Pituitary Function

It is paramount that clinicians who care for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at any point in time, including neurosurgeons, rehabilitation physicians, internists, neurologists, and endocrinologists, are aware of the prevalence of posttraumatic hypopituitarism and its impacts on acute and long-term recovery. This article reviews the natural history, pathophysiology, and presenting features of hypopituitarism occurring after TBI. Proposed methodologies for screening, diagnosis, and initiation of treatment are discussed, as well as the effect of hormone replacement therapy on clinical outcomes.
Carbon dioxide emissions from the U.S. electricity sector

As climate change negotiators from around the world prepared together in 1996 to consider new international targets and policies for greenhouse-gas reductions, the US Department of Energy asked the authors to review the options available to the electricity sector to reduce CO{sub 2} emissions. The charge was to focus on supply-side options and utility demand-side management (DSM) programs because other researchers were considered energy efficiency options for the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The next section presents the EIA baseline projections of electricity production, use, and CO{sub 2} emissions to the year 2010. Subsequent sections briefly summarize the options available to the electricity industry to reduce its CO{sub 2} emissions, speculate on how industry restructuring might affect the ability of the industry and its regulators to reduce CO{sub 2} emissions, and discuss the policies available to affect those emissions: research and development, voluntary programs, regulation, and fiscal policies.
Dependence of the high‐latitude lower thermospheric momentum forcing on the interplanetary magnetic field

[1] We analyze the forces acting on the high-latitude lower thermospheric wind system below 170 km for Southern Hemisphere summer conditions, as a function of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) direction, on the basis of numerical simulations. The pattern and magnitude of the forces and their relative contributions to the wind system vary strongly with respect to the direction of the IMF. At higher altitudes, above 130 km, for negative By, strong anticyclonic winds are accelerated primarily by rotational Pedersen ion drag and are maintained by an approximate balance among the divergent/convergent Coriolis, horizontal advection, and relatively weak pressure-gradient accelerations. For positive By, the pressure-gradient acceleration is increased, while the inertial forces are reduced. For negative B z , in comparison with negative and positive By, the winds and forces extend to lower latitudes. The patterns of the accelerations for positive B z are similar to those for negative B z , but the magnitudes tend to be significantly smaller. At lower altitudes, below 120 km, the horizontal advection acceleration is less important but still contributes significantly to the maintenance of the neutral circulation in the polar cap region for positive B y . The difference of winds and forces above 130 km for negative and positive B y , with respect to winds and forces for zero IMF, show a simple structure with a strong anticyclonic or cyclonic vortex near the pole, respectively, centered differently for the two By directions. The difference of winds and forces for negative and positive B z are more complex than those for negative and positive By and extend to lower latitudes. Below 120 km, the difference of winds and forces for negative and positive By are much stronger near the pole than for negative and positive B z , indicating that the IMF By component tends to dominate effects on the neutral winds in the polar cap at low thermospheric altitudes. For all IMF conditions, at higher altitudes, the rotational ion-drag acceleration makes the dominant contribution to the neutral velocity tendency. This feature is most pronounced when the IMF B z is negative.
Atomistic Visualization of Anisotropic Wave Propagation in Crystals

Presented here is a new molecular dynamics simulation approach for visualizing multidimensional acoustic wave-packet propagation in anisotropic materials. This approach allows examination of longitudinal wave propagation in a selected frequency range and may also be extended to track transverse motions. The obtained results agree with analytical predictions and experimental measurements of quasilongitudinal wave front propagation in the literature. Additionally, spectral analysis reveals minor levels of frequency redistribution as the wave packet propagates, which is indicative of phonon-phonon scattering. The present approach provides new capabilities for phonon-focusing studies and offers an alternative to existing experimental and Monte Carlo techniques used for these studies.
Consequences of Atomic Conversion for the Interpretation of Experiments on the Spin-Dependence of Muon Absorption

The ground state of a mu -mesonic atom of non-zero nuclear spin I is split by the hyperfine interaction into two states, of total angular momenta F = I plus or minus 1/2. Following a discussion and a suggested experiment by Bernstein, Lee, Yang, and Primakoff, the experimental Fonsequences of atomic conversion processes are explored which may not be negligible in situations of actual physical interest. (W.D.M.)
Models of Equal Employment Opportunity: A Three-Nation Comparison

ABSTRACT Employees in an organization have the right to fair treatment in all matters of employment. While principles of democracy require equality among the citizens, there is also a need to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) and to undo the effects of past discrimination in employment. This paper provides a three-nation comparison and analyzes the EEO provisions in United States, Nigeria, and India. It describes the main bases of discrimination and the efforts made by the three countries in redressing them. It explores the unresolved EEO issues in the three countries. The United States has a fairly comprehensive set of legislation to address the problems of discrimination. However, it lacks a national consensus on how to address the issue of past discrimination. Nigerian and Indian provisions for EEO address a relatively limited set of causes of discrimination only among their public sector of employment. These two countries are yet to develop a comprehensive set of legislation and enforcement m...
Entangled Solid-State Circuits

Quantum tomography is used to determine the entangled state of two coupled superconducting qubits, a step forward for solid-state quantum computing.
Preparation of chronic thoracic duct lymph fistulas in man and laboratory animals

Abstract Thoracic duct lymph fistulas were maintained from 20 to 150 days in 13 patients. The indications for long-term lymph fistulas were lymph dialysis for chronic renal failure in 11 patients and lymph decompression for ascites in 2. The important technical features are the use of a Teflon tip in the thoracic duct and Silastic tubing for both the lymphatic drainage cannula and venous reinfusion cannula. Both cannulas exit through a Silastic skin exit device implanted in the chest wall, which has largely prevented the complication of accidental removal. The average lymph flow per patient ranged between 3.2 and 9.8 liters per 1.73 sq. m. per day, and the total lymph drained varied between 130 and 1,125 liters. Short-term lymph fistulas were prepared in 7 other patients for study purposes. With the same equipment, 9 calves were studied with lymph fistulas remaining open from 5 to 23 days. Lymph fistulas prepared by this method eventually failed because of lymph clotting in the cannula tip. Clotting was enhanced by hematochylia and decreased lymph flow rates. Successful long-term fistulas can be prepared in man and laboratory animals. Studies of lymphocyte dynamics, cellular immunity, and other physiological phenomena are greatly facilitated by the ability to maintain long-term lymph fistulas.
Young's modulus of semicrystalline polymers

The measurement of crystallinity and Young's modulus for two widely different polyethylenes at temperatures between 30 and 140°C. are reported. A theory is presented which accounts fairly well for the observed values of the modulus. By comparing the theory with experiment it is found that the crystallite sizes in slowly cooled polyethylene vary from about 250 to 400 angstrom units depending upon the linearity of the constituent molecules. The theory is also applied to the data of Leitner for natural rubber. It is found that in this material the crystallites were about 4300 A. long. An observed discrepancy between theory and experiment indicates that the amorphous regions between the crystallites are somewhat ordered.
Cocaine and Amphetamine Attenuate the Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Naltrexone in Opioid-Dependent Rhesus Monkeys

This study tested the hypothesis that stimulants (indirect dopamine agonists) attenuate the discriminative stimulus of naltrexone in monkeys chronically treated with l-α-acetylmethadol (LAAM). Four rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta ) received LAAM (1.0 mg/kg s.c.) twice daily and discriminated a withdrawal-precipitating dose of naltrexone (0.0178 mg/kg s.c.) from saline. Cocaine (0.1–1.78 mg/kg), amphetamine (0.32–1.78 mg/kg), haloperidol (0.01–0.1 mg/kg), sulpiride (1.0–10.0 mg/kg), propranolol (0.32–3.2 mg/kg), clonidine (0.001–0.1 mg/kg), desipramine (0.32–3.2 mg/kg), and imipramine (1.0–10.0 mg/kg) were given s.c. before cumulative doses of naltrexone. Cocaine and amphetamine antagonized the discriminative stimulus effects of naltrexone, each shifting the naltrexone dose-effect curve significantly (e.g., 100-fold) rightward or downward. In contrast, the dopamine antagonist haloperidol shifted the naltrexone dose-effect curve 5-fold leftward. Sulpiride, desipramine, clonidine, and propranolol had comparatively less effect on the naltrexone discriminative stimulus, whereas some doses of imipramine attenuated the naltrexone stimulus in a manner similar to that of cocaine and amphetamine. These results support the notion that multiple neurotransmitter systems are involved in the discriminative stimulus effects of opioid withdrawal. Furthermore, these data are consistent with reports that dopamine levels decrease during opioid withdrawal and provide evidence that enhancing dopamine or other monoamine levels may attenuate subjective effects of opioid withdrawal.
On the Analysis of Electronic Velocities by Electrostatic Means

In magnetic analysis of electronic velocities the plane containing the receiving slit is placed at the angle ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{m}=180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ to the plane containing the entrance slit. The "resolution," at ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{m}$, between two electrons of velocities $V$ and $v$ both entering normally to the plane of the entrance slit, is ${d}_{m}=2\ensuremath{\beta}{r}_{0}$, where $\ensuremath{\beta}=\frac{(V\ensuremath{-}v)}{V}$. The "departure from perfect re-focussing," at ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{m}$ of two electrons of velocity $V$, one entering normally to the plane of the entrance list and the other at an angle $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ to the normal, is ${s}_{m}={\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}{r}_{0}$. Since in some experiments the use of a magnetic field is a disadvantage, it is of interest to investigate the analyzing possibilities of electrostatic fields. In the present paper the radial, inverse first power, electrostatic field is considered in this connection. It is found that by a proper construction of the apparatus it should be possible to analyze velocities almost as well as by magnetic means. The plane of the receiving slit should be placed at the angle ${\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{e}=127\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}{17}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ to the plane of the entrance slit. The resolution at this angle is given by ${d}_{e}=(2\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{-}4{\ensuremath{\beta}}^{2}){r}_{0}$, and the "departure from perfect re-focussing" by ${s}_{e}=\frac{4{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}{r}_{0}}{3}$. It is also found that the 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} positions of the plane of the receiving slit are highly unsatisfactory. These results are obtained from approximate solutions of the equation of the electronic orbits, and are checked by numerical integration.
A Theory of Academic Interdisciplinary Research Performance: A Contingency and Path Analysis Approach

A theoretical model of interdisciplinary research project performance is formulated using the contingency and single-stage multivariate path analysis approaches. The model is developed using sequences of variables identified as belonging to various organizational subsystems. The model explains performance as due to problem complexity and whether the research is basic or applied. These variables are in turn moderated by the group's perceived sense of urgency, the task orientation of the project manager, the extent to which disagreements are openly discussed, and the length of time the group remains together. The manager's role was found to be crucial in project success through his/her diagnosis of the conditions calling for task oriented behaviors. The findings presented here also indicate a major difference between industrial enterprises and research projects in the sequence with which managers respond to environmental changes.
Heavy fermion corrections to heavy Higgs-Boson production and decay

Abstract We calculate theO( g 2 m f 2 / M w 2 ) fermionic corrections to the Higgs-boson coupling to W and Z bosons in the limit m f ≫ M w . We find that these corrections decrease the partial width of Higgs-boson decays to W- and Z-boson pairs by up to 75% for fermion and Higgs-boson masses allowed by perturbative unitarity. The same suppression applies to Higgs-boson production via W- and Z-boson fusion.
Fe2+ sorption onto nontronite (NAu-2)

The sorption of ferrous iron to a clay mineral, nontronite (NAu-2, a ferruginous smectite), was investigated under strictly anoxic conditions as a function of pH (3-10), Fe2+ concentration (0.01-50 mM), equilibration time (1 to 35 days), and ionic strength (0.01 to 0.5 M NaClO4). The surface properties of NAu-2 were independently characterized to determine its fixed charge and amphoteric site properties for the interpretation of Fe2+ sorption. Fe2+ sorption to NAu-2 was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength, reflecting the coupled effects of Fe2+ sorption through ion exchange and surface complexation reactions. Fe2+ sorption to NAu-2 increased with increasing pH from pH 2.5 to 4.5, reached the first plateau from pH 4.5 to 7.0, increased again with increasing pH from pH 7.0 to 8.5, and reached the maximum (the second plateau) above pH 8.5. The Fe2+ sorption below pH 7.0 increased with decreasing ionic strength. The differences of Fe2+ sorption at different ionic strength, however, diminished with increasing equilibration time. The Fe2+ sorption from pH 4.5 to 7.0 increased with increasing equilibration time up to 35 days and showed stronger kinetic behavior in higher ionic strength solutions. Increasing Fe2+ concentration nonlinearly decreased Fe2+ sorption, resulting from the mass actionmore » and site saturation. An equilibrium model that integrated ion exchange, surface complexation and aqueous speciation reactions reasonably well described the Fe2+ sorption data as a function of pH, ionic strength, and Fe2+ concentration measured at 24 hours of equilibration. Model calculations showed that species Fe(OH)+ was required to describe Fe2+ sorption above pH 8.0. Model calculation also implied that the ion exchange reactions was responsible for the kinetic behavior of Fe2+ sorption. Overall, this study demonstrated that Fe2+ sorption to NAu-2 was complexly affected by equilibrium and kinetic processes.« less
A high-throughput comparison of recombinant gene expression parameters for E. coli-mediated gene transfer to P388D1 macrophage cells

Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3) was tested as a delivery vector for gene transfer to a murine P388D1 macrophage cell line using a 96-well high-throughput assay. Five recombinant strains of E. coli were compared to identify the effect recombinant listeriolysin O (LLO) and associated gene expression parameters had on final delivery of a luciferase reporter gene. Listeriolysin O, native to Listeria monocytogenes and used here in an effort to improve final gene delivery, was expressed from plasmid and chromosomal locations under the control of constitutive Tet or inducible T7 promoters. The E. coli vectors delivered the luciferase reporter gene to the P388D1 line with success assessed by recording luciferase luminescence activity within the macrophage cells. The assay allowed rapid analysis and evaluation of each E. coli strain tested with strain BL21(DE3) harboring a chromosomal copy of the T7-driven LLO gene showing the greatest relative measure of gene delivery. Strains were separately assayed for LLO activity and exhibited a trend of maximum gene delivery between the lowest and highest recorded LLO activities.
Ethylene Is Not Involved in Hormone- and Bromoethane-Induced Dormancy Break in Russet Burbank Minitubers

The involvement of ethylene in the dormancy breaking actions of cytokinins, GA, and BE was investigated using Russet Burbank minitubers. Injection of 10 µg tuber−1 BA, CP, GA, NG, or ZEA or 24 hour exposure to BE effectively broke dormancy and stimulated sprout growth over a two-week period. Although ethylene production was slightly enhanced by all treatments, a significant increase in ethylene production was observed in minitubers treated with BE, CP, or NG. Pretreatment with the ethylene antagonists STS or MCP did not affect the dormancy breaking actions of any of the agents tested. Application of the ethylene synthesis inhibitor AVG to NG-treated minitubers, completely suppressed ethylene production but had no effect on dormancy break. Application of exogenous ethylene or stimulation of endogenous ethylene production by ACC treatment did not break minituber dormancy or stimulate sprout growth. Collectively, these results indicate that endogenous ethylene does not play a role in the dormancy breaking actions of cytokinins, GA, or BE.
Intelligent computer-aided simulation, design and improvement of heat pumps

The Rankine vapor cycle plays a very important role in heat pumps. Vapor heat pump cycle de sign is long and tedious. It is very necessary to obtain the cycle performance, including com pressor work, heat added, turbine work, cooling load, and coefficient of performance, quickly and accurately. This paper describes the use of an intelligent computer-aided software in simula tion, design and possible refinements of vapor heat pumps. Historical evolution and several differently arranged Rankine heat pump cycles are demonstrated. Objectives for improvements, constraints, and, consequently, design, which cannot be easily accomplished using conven tional methods, are emphasized. Using the soft ware increases engineers' interest and design ability in the vapor heat pump cycle.
Gastroschisis increases small bowel nitric oxide synthase activity.

Abstract In gastroschisis, the eviscerated fetal bowel frequently is damaged and this results in hypoperistalsis and malabsorption. The mechanistic link that ties gastroschisis-induced intestinal damage to dysfunction may be nitric oxide (NO) and the enzyme responsible for producing it, NO synthase. Using a fetal rabbit model, the authors investigated the hypothesis that the hypoperistalsis and malabsorption associated with gastroschisis may be attributable to abnormal small bowel NO synthase activity. Using the 3 H-arginine-to- 3 H-citrulline conversion assay, they measured NO synthase activity in the small bowel of full-term fetal rabbits with and without gastroschisis. The mean total small bowel NO synthase activity of fetal rabbits with gastroschisis was 2.5 times greater than that of control littermates without gastroschisis (n = 6; 5,726 ± 834 v 2,208 ± 537 mean pmol/mg protein/min; P = .004). this increased NO synthase activity also was studied by measuring the individual isoforms of NO synthase, and the site of increased NO synthase activity was localized to the small bowel epithelium and neurons. After detecting and localizing the gastroschisis-induced increase in NO synthase activity, the authors explored the mechanism of this increase using NADPH-diaphorase staining. With this histological staining technique, no quantitative increase was found in the small bowel NO synthase of the rabbits with gastroschisis. This suggests that the increased NO synthase activity found in these rabbits is the result of accelerated enzyme kinetics. These findings suggest that the increased NO synthase activity caused by gastroschisis may contribute to the common clinical sequelae of malabsorption and intestinal dysmotility.
Boundary element method calculations of the mobility of nonspherical particles—1. Linear chains

Abstract The utility of the boundary element technique is demonstrated on the problem of linear chains of spheres translating and rotating through a quiescent fluid. The method takes advantage of the linearity of the problem by using superposition of the general solution for the flow generated by point forces on the bounding surfaces of the fluid to satisfy the boundary conditions. The BEM results for translational drag of chains of spheres compare very well with published experimental and computational data. We also show that slender body theory provides an approximate analytic result that is useful in interpreting and correlating the BEM calculations. Slender body theory also revealed that the model of the particle as a single prolate spheroid with equal aspect ratio produced a result equal to that for the chain of spheroids correct to second order, while the model of the chain as a cylinder produced an upper bound on the drag. Slender body theory also gives a reasonable estimate for the rotational resistance for chains, which, together with the BEM results, are reported here for the first time.
Models as metaphors: The role of modeling in pollution prevention

Abstract Models can be considered as metaphors of some part of the physical world. The comparisons between implicit models and the systems they represent may not be explicitly expressed. Physical models represent reality by simulating some important physical characteristics of the real system. Mathematical models describe reality by mathematical relationships that can be as an empirical equation or as complex as large sets of partial differential equations. All types of models contain assumptions and abstractions, and many contain computations. The broad definition applied to models leads to many applications in pollution prevention. They can be used to design new processes that produce products without the environmental problems of existing processes or they can be used to develop methods of operating existing processes that result in reduced pollution. They also can be used to evaluate environmental risks and to compare the environmental impacts of alternative products and processes. An example of applying models to environmental risks associated with converting to a recycled cooling water system is presented.
Correlations between Root-Associated Microorganisms and Peach Replant Disease Symptoms in a California Soil

Background Replant disease often occurs when certain crops are “replanted” in a soil that had previously supported the same or similar plant species. This disease typically leads to reductions in plant growth, crop yields, and production duration, and its etiology remains ill-defined. The objective of this study was to identify microorganisms associated with peach replant disease symptoms at a field location in California, USA. Soil samples were subjected to treatments to create various levels of replant disease symptoms. Clonal peach seedlings were grown in the treated soils in greenhouse trials. After 6 weeks, plant growth parameters were measured, and both culture and culture-independent analyses were performed to identify root-associated bacteria, fungi and stramenopiles. Results A total of 295,785 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTU) were identified by an Illumina-based, high throughput sequence analysis of rRNA genes. Among the 60 most abundant OTUs, 27 showed significant (P<0.05) negative correlation with peach shoot weights while 10 were positively correlated. Most of these OTUs belonged to the bacterial phylum Proteobacteria (96%), including the classes Gammaproteobacteria (44.4%), Betaproteobacteria (33.3%) and Alphaproteobacteria (22.2%), and the orders Pseudomonadales, Burkholderiales, Chromatiales, Rhodocyclales, and Sphingomonadales. The most abundant fungi were Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma virens, Fusarium oxysporum, Ceratocystis fimbriata and Fusarium solani. The most abundant stramenopiles were Pythium vexans, Pythium violae and an unidentified Aplanochytrium species. Validation experiments using sequence-selective quantitative PCR analyses identified negative and positive associations between P. vexans and Trichoderma spp. and peach shoot weights, respectively. Conclusions This study identified numerous microorganisms associated with peach replant symptoms, some of which have been previously identified while others represent new candidates. Subsequent Koch's postulates investigations will assess their possible roles in this replant disease.
Electronic structure of polyacetylene: Optical and infrared studies of undoped semiconducting (CH) x and heavily doped metallic (CH) x

The band structure and electronic properties of pure and heavily doped polyacetylene (both as grown and stretch oriented) have been investigated by a combination of optical-absorption and -reflection measurements in the frequency range from the middle ir (0.1 eV) through the visible (4.0 eV). The absorption data are consistent with a direct gap of approximately 1.4 eV in the trans-${(\mathrm{CH})}_{x}$. A Kramers-Kronig analysis of the reflection data has been carried out to obtain $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}(\ensuremath{\omega})$. We find that for the undoped semiconducting polymer, the strong transition observed in the visible exhausts the oscillator strength sum rule for $\ensuremath{\pi}$ electrons consistent with an interband transition. The frequency-dependent conductivity obtained from Kramers-Kronig analysis of the metallic polymer reflection data suggests "interrupted-strand" behavior. Application of effective-medium theory implies an intrinsic dc conductivity for metallic ${[\mathrm{CH}{(\mathrm{As}{\mathrm{F}}_{5})}_{0.15}]}_{x}$ of $\ensuremath{\sigma}g2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The measured dc values have thus far been limited by the low-density fibril morphology.
Metabolic activities of nuclear proteins and nucleic acids.

Abstract A procedure for obtaining various protein and nucleic acid fractions from isolated calf-thymus nuclei is given. The metabolic activities of these nuclear fractions in incorporating isotopically labeled amino acids and orotic acid were described. It was found that ribonucleoprotein of the nuclear residual proteins is the most active fraction in the incorporation of isotopic precursors of nucleic acid and protein. The nuclear ribosome is mainly involved in protein synthesis. However, the deoxycholate-soluble fraction obtained along with the nuclear ribosomes and the RNA associated with deoxyribonucleohistones actively incorporate the label of [14C]orotic acid into their ribonucleic acids.
Trans-membrane transport of 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate in simple cationic surfactant vesicles

Abstract The title fluorescent probe crosses dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide vesicular membranes 1–2 orders of magnitude faster than it crosses the liposomal membranes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.
Method of Identifying Natural Antibodies for Remyelination

Natural autoantibodies are part of the normal human immunoglobulin repertoire. These antibodies react to self-antigens, are usually polyreactive with relatively low affinity, and typically are of the IgM isotype. Natural IgMs in mice that stimulated remyelination in central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease all shared the characteristics of binding to the surface of live oligodendrocytes and myelinated tracts in living slices of CNS tissue. A screen for human IgMs with similar character resulted in two human natural antibodies, which when injected peripherally into animal models of demyelination induced remyelination. A recombinant human IgM (rHIgM22) that also promoted remyelination in vivo was constructed. Very small doses of this IgM are required for the promotion of remyelination (EC50 is 460 ng per 20-g mouse). It is clear that after peripheral delivery, rHIgM22 enters the CNS and accumulates in CNS lesions. rHIgM22 was tracked in living mice using ferritin-labeled antihuman mu chain antibodies visualized by magnetic resonance imaging and traditional immunocytochemistry. Although the exact antigen recognized by rHIgM22 is not known, all mouse IgMs that promote remyelination bind to myelin membrane lipids, suggesting the antigen for rHIgM22 is similar. We propose that the IgMs bind to CNS cells and reorganize the membrane, initiating a signal that results in oligodendrocyte proliferation and/or protection with an end result of increased myelin. Recombinant natural human antibodies are potentially important therapeutic molecules that may modulate a wide spectrum of human disease.
Bioactive Luteinizing Hormone Pituitary Reserves during Normal and Abnormal Male Puberty

We explored the possibility that evaluation of serum bioactive LH (B-LH) reserves in response to an intensive (high dose; 4 h) gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) infusion might provide additional insight into normal and abnormal pubertaJ maturation. Controls consisted of 24 boys and 10 men; 10 hypopituitary cases (11–53 yr of age) were studied. Maturation was staged by morning testosterone levels, as well as clinically. B-LH was assayed by rat Leydig cell testosterone production; immunoreactive LH (I-LH) was assayed by RIA. In control individuals, B-LH reserve was related to maturational stage in a biphasic manner (cubic fit r = 0.85): 1) B-LH reserve is minimal in many prepubertal children (showing no clear increase in the youngest boy), 2) B-LH undergoes an initial rise as testosterone increases from 5 to 50 ng/dl (P<0.05), 3) B-LH peaks at a testosterone level of 216 ng/dl, and 4) B-LH then declines modestly (P<0.05) as the testosterone level rises further. Though the initial rise in LH was seen in ...
Alpha storage regime in high temperature sub-ignited D-T tokamaks

Alpha particle parameters in sub-ignited D-T tokamaks like TFTR can be optimized in a high temperature ''alpha storage regime '' in which the alpha particle thermalization time /tau//sub ..cap alpha../ is long (approx.1.0 sec) and in which the alpha particle source rate S/sub ..cap alpha../ is enhanced due to a beam-target and beam-beam reactions (by a factor of approx.2-3). Near reactor-level alpha instability parameters ..beta../sub ..cap alpha../(0) approx. n/sub ..cap alpha../(0)/n/sub e/(O) approx. 1% are predicted by simulation codes when Q approx. 0.5-1, while present TFTR ''supershots'' already have ..beta../sub ..cap alpha../(O) approx. n/sub /alpha/(O)/n/sub e/(O) /approx/ 0.1-0.2%. Plasmas in this regime can be used to test theories of collective alpha instabilities for the first time, and can be used to provide a strong (but transient) alpha heating pulse. An experimental scenario to exploit this regime is described. 28 refs., 5 figs., 5 tabs.,
Mutagenic bypass of the butadiene-derived 2′-deoxyuridine adducts by polymerases η and ζ

Butadiene is a ubiquitous environmental chemical carcinogen, that when activated to its monoepoxide intermediate can react with the N3 position of cytosine, resulting in two stereoisomeric adducted bases that rapidly deaminate to N3 2′-deoxyuridine lesions. We have previously shown that replication of DNAs containing these adducts through mammalian cells resulted in ∼97% mutagenicity, predominantly C to T transitions. Since replicative DNA polymerases were blocked by these lesions in vitro, translesional polymerases were assessed for their ability to bypass these adducts. While polymerases iota, kappa and zeta were significantly blocked one nucleotide prior to the lesion, pol eta incorporated nucleotides opposite the adducts with a preference for insertion of a G or A. Following polymerase dissociation and reassociation, pol eta was also able to extend primers with mispaired termini opposite the lesions, with extensions from the A and T mismatched primer termini being the most efficient. Pol zeta was also able to extend primers containing all mismatched nucleotides opposite the lesions, with the most efficient extension occurring off of the A mismatched primer.
Design and Manufacture of a Morphing Structure for a Shape-Adaptive Supersonic Wind Tunnel Nozzle

Aerospace vehicles with fixed geometry are designed to operate at a predetermined flight condition. Variation of the aerodynamic environment, such as during acceleration, climbing, or turning, from the design condition reduces the efficiency of the vehicle. It would be advantageous to be able to adapt the vehicle geometry to maintain efficient flight over a range of aerodynamic conditions. Morphing sandwich structures offer sufficient strength and stiffness to serve as aerodynamic surfaces, while providing the shape-changing authority to attain a range of surface profiles without additional joints or seals. As a demonstration of the morphing concept in a supersonic environment, this paper describes the construction and testing of a morphing nozzle for a supersonic wind tunnel, which has been designed to operate isentropically over a Mach range from 2.5 to 3.8. The nozzle has been installed and operated in this Mach number range and the experimental results are presented.
PARALLEL EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHMS FOR UAV PATH PLANNING

Evolutionary computation (EC) techniques have been successfully applied to compute near-optimal paths for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Premature convergence prevents evolutionary-based algorithms from reaching global optimal solutions. This often leads to unsatisfactory routes that are suboptimal to optimal path planning problems. To overcome this problem, this paper presents a framework of parallel evolutionary algorithms for UAV path planning, in which several populations evolve simultaneously and compete with each other. The parallel evolution technique provides more exploration capability to planners and significantly reduces the probability that planners are trapped in local optimal solutions.
Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of carbon transport in sodium-steel systems☆

Abstract The thermodynamic activity and solubility of carbon in Fe-Cr-Ni alloys were calculated in the temperature range of 500–800 °C by extrapolation of higher temperature data in the Fe-Cr-C and Fe-Ni-C systems. These results were used with phase-equilibria information and data for the solubility of carbon in sodium to obtain an equilibrium relationship between the total carbon concentration in the alloys and that in sodium. The calculations showed that the Fe-Cr-Ni alloys with nominal initial carbon concentrations may undergo carburization or decarburization depending upon the carbon concentration in sodium in the temperature range of 500–800 °C. Computed carbon concentrations in sodium for incipient carbide formation in an 18-8 stainless steel were significantly lower (
Gas sorption and transport in poly(alkyl (meth)acrylate)s. I. permeation properties

The gas permeability of poly(alkyl acrylate)s was measured as a function of temperature in both the amorphous and crystalline states. Penetrant permeability in the amorphous state increases as the side-chain length becomes longer but shows mixed trends in the crystalline state. A decrease in permeability was observed in the amorphous state when the backbone was stiffened, i.e. polymethacrylate versus polyacrylate. The influence of side-chain length and backbone stiffness on the magnitude of the change in permeability upon traversing the melting point, or permeability switch, is discussed. The effect of main versus side-chain crystallinity on the permeation switch is analyzed. The influence of a compositional change in the amorphous phase upon melting on the gas permeability of side-chain crystalline polymers is addressed.
Effects of corticosterone on submissiveness in mice: some temporal and theoretical considerations.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to examine directly the effects of corticosterone on submissiveness in mice. A repeated testing paradigm was used in both of these studies, in order to begin to identify whether corticosterone's effects on submissiveness are of the “baseline” or the “feedback” variety. Experiment 1 examined the dose-response relationship between levels of corticosterone administered over a three week period and levels of submissiveness. This study showed that only a very high dosage (350 μg/day) increased submissiveness during an initial test, but that lower dosages increased submissiveness during a second submission test. Thus, the combination of corticosterone treatment and a prior experience of defeat is a more powerful facilitator of submissiveness than is either a prior defeat alone or corticosterone treatment alone. Experiment 2 examined the effects on submissiveness of a single treatment with corticosterone either before an initial test, before a second submission test, before both tests, or before neither test. This study showed that corticosterone did not affect submissiveness during the test which followed its application, but corticosterone treatment before the first test did increase submissiveness as measured during the second test. Thus, again, coupling corticosterone treatment with an initial experience of defeat increased future submissiveness. The findings of these two experiments show, first, that the duration of corticosterone treatment is not important to its effects on submissiveness. Second, these findings suggest that corticosterone affects submissiveness in what has been called a feedback way and may not operate at all on submissiveness in a baseline way.
Concavifiability and the marginal rate of substitution

Abstract We provide a condition for testing non-concavifiability of preference relations that utilizes the marginal rate of substitution. The result is derived from Kannai's Proposition 2.1 (ii) in Journal of Mathematical Economics 4, 1977, pp. 1-56.
Reported Cellphone Effects on Brain Energetically Consistent with Electrostriction

Cellphone exposure reportedly alters brain EEG [1], blood flow [2] metabolism [3], and blood-brain barrier [4]. Others claim slight heating is the only plausible effect. We find deformation of soft tissue by electrostriction forces energetically possible. We consider a simple model of two hemispheres of fatty brain immersed in an aqueous fluid of higher dielectric constant. The polar fluid is attracted to regions of stronger electric field at the skull surface. The pressure pushing the hemispheres together could be transduced by pressure sensors between the hemispheres; cycling of the pressure might also cause damage akin to mechanical fatigue. Such forces are small but normally vanish due to neutral buoyancy. Assuming very soft tissue (rat brains soften with age) and published tissue permittivities, we find the energy difference ΔU = (e1−1 - e2−1 ) S V / 2c from displacing a volume V of 1 cc of fluid by a nearby cell tower or wi-fi computer causing incident power density S of one mW/m2 creates deformation that slightly exceeds thermal noise. Data modulations cannot be transduced by the slow-moving fluid, but pulse modulations (used to reduce mobile devices' duty cycles) can. Blood also has a higher dielectric constant than brain, so there would be a force on the blood brain barrier.Sharp et al. [5] similarly invoked photon pressure as the basis for microwave hearing [6]. Lower frequency fields are better shielded by the skin, but the effect might explain headache from a pulsed low-frequency electric field [7].1. Schmid+, J. Sleep Res. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2011.00918.x (2011).2. Huber+, J. Sleep Res. 11:289 (2002).3. Volkow+, JAMA 305:808 (2011).4. Salford+, Environ. Health Perspect. 111:881 (2003).5. Sharp+, Microwave Theory & Techniques, IEEE Trans. on, 22:583 (1974).6. Frey+, Science 181:356 (1973).7. Marino+, Int. J. Neurosci. doi:10.3109/00207454.2011.608139 (2011).
Adverse events in cancer patients with sickle cell trait or disease: case reports

Given the relatively high prevalence of sickle cell trait and disease among African Americans and established racial disparities in cancer outcomes, we reviewed the literature regarding adverse events in cancer patients with these hematologic genotypes. Erythrocyte sickling can result from extreme hypoxia and other physiologic stressors, as might occur during cancer therapy. Further, tumoral hypoxia, a poor prognostic and predictive factor, could lead to a cycle of local sickling and increased hypoxia. A search of PubMed produced 150 publications, most of which were excluded because of incidental relevance. Eleven case reports of patients diagnosed from 1993 to 2013 were reviewed. Two reports of patients with sickle cell trait describe an abundance of sickled erythrocytes within tumors, and a third report describes sickling-related events requiring multiday hospitalization. Eight reports of patients with sickle cell disease delineated multiorgan failure, vaso-occlusive crises, and rapid renal deterioration. Hypothesized triggers are delayed clearance of anticancer agents attributable to baseline kidney damage, activation of vasoadherent neutrophils from treatment to counter chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, hypoxia from general anesthesia, and intratumoral hypoxia. Clinical implications include pretreatment genotyping for prophylaxis, dose adjustment, and enhanced patient monitoring. With the current lack of high-quality evidence, however, the scope of poor outcomes remains unknown. Genet Med 17 3, 237–241.
A Comparison of Phonological Severity Measures

The severity of phonological involvement of 20 phonologically impaired children was compared using five measures: phonological deviancy score (PDS), percent consonants correct (PCC) based on connec...
A Linear Model of Boundary Layer Flow Applied to the St. Patrick's Day Storm of 1965.

Abstract A time-dependent, one-dimensional numerical model of the boundary layer at individual stations is solved by a finite-difference technique for the St. Patrick's Day storm of 1965. Using only surface pressure and temperature gradients at 3-hr intervals as input, the model predicts the changing boundary layer wind profile at each of 225 grid points covering the central and eastern United States. Predicted winds are used to evaluate horizontal flow structure, vertical motion, three-dimensional trajectories, and flow acceleration. Modeled fields are compared to those corresponding to simple steady-state solutions and to observed data. The solution of the equations of motion retains the local acceleration and baroclinity, omits the nonlinear advection terms, and contains a damping effect in order to control the inertial-like oscillations which have complicated previous models. With the damping included, the model reasonably predicts the location of the low-level jet core, the vertical motion distributi...
Fanconi anemia cells have a normal gene structure for topoisomerase I

Cells from Fanconi anemia (FA) patients have defective DNA repair and are hypersensitive to DNA crosslinking agents such as mitomycin C (MMC). We examined the possibility that topoisomerase I is involved in the DNA crosslink repair system and is deficient in FA group A cells. FA cells and control cells were exposed to MMC with or without camptothecin (CPT), a topoisomerase I inhibitor. The cells did not show any increased sensitivity to killing by MMC with CPT, suggesting that the topoisomerase I is not involved in MMC-damaged DNA repair. However, FA cells showed increased sensitivity to CPT in comparison to control cells, raising the possibility of altered topoisomerase I in FA cells. Therefore, a mutation analysis was performed on topoisomerase I cDNA from FA cells by using chemical cleavage mismatch scanning and nucleotide sequencing. No mutation was detected from GM1309, a group A FA cell line. A base transition (C to T) at position 241, causing an amino acid change (His to Tyr), was found in GM2061, a FA cell line of unknown complementation group. However, allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization analysis showed that this is a gene polymorphism. We conclude that FA cells have normal gene structure for topoisomerase I.
Antitumour activity of oxaliplatin in neuroblastoma cell lines

Abstract Oxaliplatin appears non cross-resistant with cisplatin and has a comparable antitumour effect both in preclinical and clinical studies. We compared the antitumour effect of oxaliplatin with that of cisplatin in human neuroblastoma cell lines SK-N-DZ, LAN-1 and BE(2)M17 following 24 h exposure at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5 μM. Oxaliplatin was less potent with IC 50 values 1.08–3.4-fold higher than cisplatin. Like cisplatin, oxaliplatin induced a cell cycle block in the G 2 /M phase although to a lesser extent than that caused by cisplatin. The concomitant increase of DNA fragmentation and decrease of G 2 /G 1 ratio at 72 h indicated that a fraction of blocked cells underwent apoptosis. Morphological analysis confirmed these data, although oxaliplatin appeared to be 2–3 times less potent than cisplatin in inducing apoptosis. Our results indicate that oxaliplatin is active in neuroblastoma in vitro and this finding warrants in vivo preclinical studies.
Response to Berkowitz:ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN BALTIMORE: Some Additional Perspectives

This article is written as a response to Bernard L Berkowitz’s rejoinder appearing in the Journal of Urban Affairs, 9(2):125–132, to the author’s article “Downtown Redevelopment as an Urban Growth ...