cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystallization of magmatic iron meteorites: The role of mixing in the molten core

— The IIIAB group is the largest of the magmatic iron meteorite groups and consequently is commonly used to test models of asteroid core crystallization. Simple fractional crystallization calculations appear to reproduce the general shape of the elemental trends observed in the IIIAB group when these trends are plotted vs. Ni, as is traditionally done. However, when the elemental trends are examined vs. another element (such as Ge vs. Ir), simple fractional crystallization fails to match a significant portion of the trend, specifically meteorites formed during the final stages of crystallization. Our simple mixing model, which attempts to account for the possibility of inhomogeneities in the molten metallic core, is able to reproduce the entire IIIAB trend observed. This model is a variant of simple fractional crystallization and involves mixing between a zone of liquid involved in the crystallization process and a second zone too far from the crystallizing solid to be actively involved in crystallization. This model does not suggest one unique solution for the method by which an asteroidal core crystallizes; rather it demonstrates that including the effects of mixing in the molten core can account for the observed IIIAB elemental trends, particularly the late-stage crystallizing members, which other models have difficulty explaining.
Photoionization and photodissociation rates in solar and blackbody radiation fields

Abstract Rate coefficients for ionization and dissociation have been calculated for over 140 atomic, molecular, and ionic species in the radiation fields of (1) the quiet and the active Sun at 1 AU heliocentric distance and (2) blackbodies at four selected temperatures in the range from T=1000 K to 1,000,000 K without factors for radiation dilution with distance from the source. The rate coefficients in units of transitions per second ( s − 1 ) and associated excess energies of the photo products in eV are tabulated for about 265 ionization, dissociation, and dissociative ionization branches. Users can interactively access this information and plot and download cross sections and wavelength-binned results for various solar activities and blackbody temperatures on our website http://phidrates.space.swri.edu .
IMMUNE RESPONSE TO NONTYPABLE HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE

The antibody response to nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) was determined in the normal population and in children with otitis media by an immunodot assay. Preliminary studies confirmed the specificity and IgG nature of the antibody measured. The mean antibody titers for individuals in various age groups were as follows: newborn 25,600; 0.5 years (y) 3,200; 1 y 6,400; 1.5 y 6,400; 2 y 6,400; 4 y 25,600; 6 y 25,600; 10 y 25,600; adult 25,600, a serologic pattern remarkably similar to infection with Haemophilus type B. The antibody response in the systemic circulation of young children with otitis media reflected the titer of the corresponding normal age group. In contrast, the level of antibody in the middle ear fluid reflected prior exposure to NTHI. For example, the antibody titer in the middle ear fluid during the first episode of otitis media with NTHI was negligible (< 25). During the second episode, the antibody titer rose to approximately 100 in the middle ear fluid of the infected ear while the titer in the noninvolved ear remained low. Recurrent otitis media resulted in very high titers of antibody in the middle ear fluid (1600) while simultaneous systemic antibody levels continued to reflect age-specific normal values. These data suggest that children do not produce significant systemic antibody to NTHI until four years of age. However, local antibody production in the middle ear mirrors prior sensitization to NTHI.
Key to IS Success: Alignment with Corporate Goals

The successful information systems managers will be those who align their information systems objectives with the overall objectives of the companies they serve. Top management has little interest in state-of-the-art information technology unless the information provided can be directly linked to an impact on business performance. Without that link information technology is irrelevant. With it information technology becomes a powerful tool with which management can improve the performance of the current organization or improve the outlook for new business opportunities.
SIM testbed 3 real-time control software

This paper describes the design of interacting software control loops and how they work together to accomplish SIM System Testbed 3 objectives.
Observing dynamics of transparent samples by harmonically matched grating-based full-field quadrature phase interferometer

Our group has reported the use of harmonically matched diffraction grating for full-field quantitative phase imaging. In this paper, we show the improvement of this technique and the application in observing dynamics of transparent samples. By using the grating as a beam splitter/combiner in an interferometer, we are able to obtain non-trivial phase difference between the output ports of the grating. We have built a Mach-Zehnder interferometer using the holographic grating with 600 and 1200 lines/mm spacing. Two CCD cameras at the output ports of the grating-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer are used to record the full-field quadrature interferograms, which are subsequently processed to reconstruct the phase image. Since the two quadrature interferograms are acquired at the same time, the imaging speed of the system is limited only by the frame rate of the CCD cameras. We have demonstrated the capability of our system by observing dynamics of transparent samples.
Room-temperature phonon boundary scattering below the Casimir limit

Thermal conductivity data for rough surface silicon nanowires suggest the breakdown of the Casimir limit which assumes completely diffuse phonon boundary scattering. We show that coherent effects in phonon transport at room temperature indeed lead to such breakdown. Correlated multiple scattering of phonons off the rough surface lead to a reduced thermal conductivity that is dependent not only on the roughness amplitude but more importantly on the roughness correlation length. A correlation length less than the diameter of the wire is typically necessary for lowering the thermal conductivity below the Casimir limit. Our model explains seeming anomalies in data reported for electrolessly etched and electron beam lithography defined nanowires.
Optimal disassembly configurations for single and multiple products

Abstract This paper considers the problem of determining optimal disassembly configurations for single and multiple products, that is, which assemblies and subassemblies to disassemble and which to leave intact. The paper first examines the problem of determining revenue-maximizing disassembly configurations for a single product using the hierarchical product tree representation, and develops a linear time algorithm for its solution. This algorithm is then extended to the case where fixed costs may be associated with disassembly of some nodes in the product tree. Finally, the problem of meeting a specified demand for recovered components and subassemblies from an available inventory of recovered products, where disassembly capacity is limited and products may have common components, is formulated as an optimization problem. A column-generation algorithm for this problem is presented that is capable of solving reasonably sized problems in a few seconds of CPU time on average.
Mononuclear phagocyte maturation: A cytotoxic monoclonal antibody reactive with postmonoblast stages☆

The rat IgM monoclonal antibody B23.1 was found to bind to mononuclear phagocytes that had matured beyond the monoblast stage. Macrophages from several anatomical sites, elicited by different means, as well as those cultured from bone marrow precursors, bound B23.1 antibody. The increase, with time, of B23.1-positive cells in the nonadherent fraction of cultured bone marrow paralleled that of immature mononuclear phagocytes as detected by esterase staining. Treatment of freshly explanted bone marrow cells with B23.1 and complement did not reduce the number of macrophage colony-forming cells (monoblasts) in that population. Treatment with B23.1 antibody alone did not alter the activation of macrophages for tumor cell killing; however, with added complement, B23.1 reduced activated macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity to background levels. In similar studies B23.1 and complement did not affect antibody production by B cells, the cytotoxic capacity of T cells, or NK cell-mediated lysis. These data indicate that antibody B23.1 is useful for either the detection or elimination of mouse mononuclear phagocytes from the promonocyte stage to that of the mature macrophage.
THE EFFECT OF CAFFEINE ADMINISTRATION ON THE PNEUMOCARDIOGRAM IN HIGH RISK INFANTS

Caffeine therapy improved the pneumocardiogram (PCG) score of five infants identified to be at risk for sudden infant death syndrome. The patients (BW 1.89±0.95kg, GA 33±7 wks) were initially evaluated with the PCG at 37±5wks postconceptual age.Oral caffeine citrate was then administered with a loading dose of 20 mg/kg followed by a daily maintenance dose of 5mg/kg. A second PCG was done at 39±5wks postconceptual age, approximately 1 week after the start of therapy. Serum caffeine levels at this time ranged from 6.5 to 14ug/ml. The results of the comparison are shown below: The PCG following caffeine therapy had significantly lower % PB, total apnea and total bradycardia events. Serum caffeine concentration did not correlate with any of the observed factors. No infant suffered any side effect of treatment. In this group of infants caffeine was effective in improving their performance on the pneumocardiogram.
Amping Up Effort: Effects of d-Amphetamine on Human Effort-Based Decision-Making

Animal studies suggest the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) plays an important role in decision-making. In rats, DA depletion decreases tolerance for effort and probability costs, while drugs enhancing DA increase tolerance for these costs. However, data regarding the effect of DA manipulations on effort and probability costs in humans remain scarce. The current study examined acute effects of d-amphetamine, an indirect DA agonist, on willingness of healthy human volunteers to exert effort for monetary rewards at varying levels of reward value and reward probability. Based on preclinical research, we predicted amphetamine would increase exertion of effort, particularly when reward probability was low. Over three sessions, 17 healthy normal adults received placebo, d-amphetamine 10 mg, and 20 mg under counterbalanced double-blind conditions and completed the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task. Consistent with predictions, amphetamine enhanced willingness to exert effort, particularly when reward probability was lower. Amphetamine did not alter effects of reward magnitude on willingness to exert effort. Amphetamine sped task performance, but its psychomotor effects were not strongly related to its effects on decision-making. This is the first demonstration in humans that dopaminergic manipulations alter willingness to exert effort for rewards. These findings help elucidate neurochemical substrates of choice, with implications for neuropsychiatric diseases characterized by dopaminergic dysfunction and motivational deficits.
Rectal cancer in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer

Abstract Background: Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) accounts for approximately 2% to 5% of all colorectal cancers. Rectal cancer in HNPCC is not well characterized. Methods: A retrospective medical record review of HNPCC patients with colorectal cancer diagnosis from December 1948 to December 1999 was performed in an attempt to elucidate the natural history of rectal cancer in HNPCC. Group A consisted of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer as the index colorectal cancer. Group B consisted of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer as a metachronous colorectal cancer. Results: Twenty-five of 104 patients developed rectal cancer in our HNPCC registry. There were 18 patients in group A with a median age at diagnosis of rectal cancer of 48 years (range 24 to 79) and 7 patients in group B diagnosed at a median age of 58 years (range 45 to 68). Three of 18 patients (17%) in group A developed metachronous colon cancers at a median of 203 months (range 27 to 373) from the index rectal cancer. Rectal cancer in group B was diagnosed at a median 245 months (range 51 to 564) from the index colorectal cancer diagnosis. Conclusions: Rectal cancer in HNPCC is not uncommon. The presentation of rectal carcinoma should not obviate the evaluation for HNPCC in suspected cases.
Screening for MEN1 mutations in patients with atypical endocrine neoplasia

Abstract Background: Most patients from typical multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) kindreds harbor mutations in the MEN-1 gene, MEN1 . We hypothesized that some patients with atypical endocrine neoplasia would also have mutations in MEN1 . Methods: DNA sequencing analysis of mutations in the coding region of MEN1 was performed with genomic DNA obtained from peripheral blood lymphocytes in a total of 21 patients who had: typical MEN 1 (n = 8), clinical features suggestive of MEN 1 but without a family history of endocrinopathy (n = 7), and atypical endocrine neoplasia and a family history of endocrinopathy suggestive of MEN 1 (n = 6). Results: All 8 patients with typical MEN 1 had mutations in MEN1 . None of the 7 patients with features of MEN 1 , but without a family history of endocrinopathy, had a MEN1 mutation. In contrast, 4 of 6 patients with atypical endocrine neoplasia that included components of MEN 1 and a family history of endocrinopathy had mutations in MEN1 , including 2 patients with pheochromocytoma. Conclusions: Genomic mutations in MEN1 may frequently be identified in patients with atypical endocrine neoplasia, especially in the setting of a family history of endocrinopathy. Atypical presentations of MEN 1 may include pheochromocytoma. (Surgery 1999; 126: 1097-104.)
Survey of multi-objective optimization methods for engineering

A survey of current continuous nonlinear multi-objective optimization (MOO) concepts and methods is presented. It consolidates and relates seemingly different terminology and methods. The methods are divided into three major categories: methods with a priori articulation of preferences, methods with a posteriori articulation of preferences, and methods with no articulation of preferences. Genetic algorithms are surveyed as well. Commentary is provided on three fronts, concerning the advantages and pitfalls of individual methods, the different classes of methods, and the field of MOO as a whole. The Characteristics of the most significant methods are summarized. Conclusions are drawn that reflect often-neglected ideas and applicability to engineering problems. It is found that no single approach is superior. Rather, the selection of a specific method depends on the type of information that is provided in the problem, the user’s preferences, the solution requirements, and the availability of software.
DIALYZABLE TRANSFER FACTOR IN THE TREATMENT OF HUMAN OSTEOSARCOMA: AN ANALYTIC REVIEW*

In conclusion, then, we would answer the seven questions raised earlier concerning transfer factor as follows: Certianly, as shown by clinical results, it does exist. It does have a definite immunologic effect in humans, boosting cell-mediated immunity, as shown by a rise in the level of active T cells. Its clinical effects have been demonstrated repeatedly, and it should become useful in still other clinical situations as further research provides more effective therapeutic modalities. Transfer factor from selected donors appears to provide prophylaxis against metastasis when administered to osteosarcoma patients with no clinically evident metastases at the time of surgical removal of the primary tumor; whether this treatment is superior to chemotherapeutic prophylaxis is conjectural and controversial. Its mechanism of action has not been demonstrated as yet, although many theories exist. The best evidence is that the effects are both specific and nonspecific. It appears to be produced by T lymphocytes. The exact nature of the substance we call "transfer factor" remains to be elucidated. Further research should provide more conclusive answers to these questions.
Measuring fixed charge density of goat articular cartilage using indentation methods and biochemical analysis

Abstract An important indicator of osteoarthritis (OA) progression is the loss of proteoglycan (PG) aggregates from the cartilage tissue. Using the indentation creep test, two analytical methods, as previously developed by Lu et al. [Lu, X. L., Miller, C., Chen, F. H., Guo, X. E., Mow, V. C., 2007. The generalized triphasic correspondence principle for simultaneous determination of the mechanical properties and proteoglycan content of articular cartilage by indentation. Journal of Biomechanics 40, 2434–2441 (EPub).], for predicting the fixed charge density (FCD) of goat knee articular cartilage in the normal (control) and degenerated states were compared: (1) a “dual-stage” method to calculate FCD from the mechanical properties of the tissue when tested in isotonic and hypertonic solutions; and (2) a “single-stage” method to predict FCD (as in (1)) assuming an intrinsic Poisson's ratio of 0.05 in the hypertonic state. A biochemical analysis using 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay was conducted to directly measure PG content, and hence FCD. The association between the FCD and the aggregate modulus of the tissue was also explored. The mean (±S.D.) FCD values measured using the dual-stage method were the closest (control: 0.129±0.039, degenerated: 0.046±029) to the DMMB results (control: 0.125±0.034, degenerated: 0.057±0.024) as compared to those of the single-stage method (control: 0.147±0.035, degenerated: 0.063±0.026). The single-stage method was more reliable (r2=0.81) when compared to the dual-stage method (r2=0.79). A prediction of FCD from the aggregate modulus generated the least reliable FCD prediction (r2=0.68). Because both the dual- and single-stage methods provided reliable FCD estimates for normal and degenerated tissue, the less time-consuming single-stage method was concluded to be the ideal technique for predicting FCD and hence PG content of the tissue.
Reduction of irreversible binding of diethylstilbestrol in hamster renal cortex by inhibitors of cytochrome P-450.

Abstract Hamster renal cortical slices metabolized [3H]diethylstilbestrol (DES) to reactive intermediates that irreversibly bound to macromolecules. Protein isolated from cortical slices following incubation with 50 n m [3H]DES for 90 min at 37°C had 0.160 pmol [3H]DES eq/mg protein irreversibly bound. Samples of protein analyzed by gel electrophoresis revealed several radioactive peaks, indicating that specific adduct formation had occurred. No radioactivity was associated with DNA isolated from the same tissue slices. Incubation of the slices with [3H]DES under an atmosphere enriched in carbon monoxide decreased the nonextractable binding of [3H]DES metabolites to protein. The cytochrome P-450 inhibitors diethylaminoethyl 2,2-diphenylpentanoate HCl (SKF 525-A), metyrapone, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and dicumarol decreased the irreversible binding of [3H]DES by 38 to 72%. Analysis of metabolites isolated from the incubation medium by high-pressure liquid chromatography indicated that carbon monoxide, BHT, and dicumarol inhibited the hydroxylation of [3H]DES. Arachidonic acid and indomethacin did not alter the irreversible binding of [3H]DES, indicating a lack of involvement of prostaglandin H synthetase in the metabolism of DES to reactive intermediates. These findings suggest that cytochrome P-450 isozymes in the hamster renal cortex metabolize DES to reactive species that covalently bind to macromolecules.
Teaching a neuromedical-contextual approach to psychosomatic medicine.

The practice of psychosomatic medicine in the general hospital setting can be challenging, particularly for the inexperienced trainee. Guidance for how to approach a psychiatric consultation can be nonspecific or lacking altogether. In response, we offer a pedagogical model that emphasizes patient-specific neurological, medical, and contextual variables. A stepwise, “ABC” approach to psychiatric consultation is elaborated, beginning with collection of critical history (“Admission, Background, Consultation Question”), followed by both patient encounter (“Appearance, Behavior, Context”) and actual patient examination (“Arousal, Brain/Body, Cognitive Assessment”), ultimately informing any given case formulation. Multiple clinical vignettes illustrate this approach and are offered for educational purposes in dissemination to trainees.
Semiclassical configurations yielding confinement

Abstract Configurations of SU(2) lattice gauge theory in three dimensions are generated by Monte Carlo and then cooled. These cooled configurations give area law behavior for Wilson loops (for single configurations and averages over all configurations), are composed of fields which are smooth (in Landau gauge) functions, and are seen to contain localized lumps of large action connected by tails of small action. Further cooling of only the tail regions tends to give well defined plateaus in the Creutz ratios and sometimes leads to plateaus even if the lumps undergo independent global color rotations.
Systems approach to the multistage manufacturing connected-unit situation

This paper investigates the relationships among incoming quality limit (AIQL), manufacturing quality level in each stage of production, and outgoing quality limit (AOQL), for a multistage manufacturing connected-unit situation from the systems cost-effectiveness point of view. An objective function is developed and the formulated problem is solved using discrete optimization technique. The study is restricted to the development of single sampling plans where inspection is by attribute. Lot size and sample size are fixed for incoming and outgoing inspection for each stage of manufacturing.
Detection of the numbers of outliers present in a data set using an information theoretic criterion

We use an information theoretic criterion proposed by Zhao, Krishnaiah and Bai (1986) to detect the number of outliers in a data set. We consider univariable mean-slippage and dispersion-slippage outlier structure of the observations. Multivariate generalizations and the consistency of the estimates are also considered. Numerical examples are presented in tables.
Origins of asymmetry in spin-cast films over topography

A pulsed laser, a microscope, and a 35-mm camera are used to stroboscopically create and image interference fringes around surface features during spin coating. The measured film thickness profiles are compared to predictions from a lubrication model. This model has been extended to two dimensions so that the surface contours around features of any width and length may be calculated, and preliminary results are reported. Profile asymmetry, or 'pile- up,' is caused by surface tension forces near the edges of the feature that accelerate flow where the channel (the film thickness) narrows and retard flow where the film thickness widens.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Media Representations of Bullying Toward Queer Youth: Gender, Race, and Age Discrepancies

In 2010, media coverage on the bullying of queer youth increased dramatically. This study examined online news media's portrayal of the gender, race, and age of bullying victims. Content analyses of ten sources were compared to research on the dynamics of sexuality-based bullying. Discrepancies were found for gender and race (with White males being disproportionally portrayed in the media). Lack of representation may lead people to believe that bullying against queer youth of color is of no significance. This has important consequences for victims and for those working to end bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Plasma screening effects on proton-impact excitation of positive ions

We investigate the role of plasma screening in fine-structure excitation of excited (n=2) hydrogenic ions, ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{9+}$, ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{17+}$, and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{25+}$ in collisions with protons. Within the context of the semiclassical, impact-parameter formalism, both ion-sphere and Debye-H\"uckel static screening models have been used. For certain plasma conditions, the former model is easily justified by arguments based on the ordering of various time scales; however, the latter model is more appropriate for many plasmas presently subject to spectroscopic analysis. Substantial (e.g., factor-of-10) reductions from unscreened cross-section values are readily achievable. We discuss numerous qualitative trends exhibited by the screened cross sections, and obtain empirical relations that roughly scale the cross sections for different charges of the target ion.
Four-dimensional MR cardiovascular imaging: Method and applications

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has long been recognized as a powerful tool for cardiovascular imaging because of its unique potential to measure blood flow, cardiac wall motion and tissue properties jointly. However, many clinical applications of cardiac MRI have been limited by low imaging speed. Three-dimensional cardiovascular MRI in real-time, or 4D cardiovascular MRI without cardiac and respiratory gating or triggering, remains an important technological goal of the MR cardiovascular research community. In this paper, we present a novel technique to achieve 4D cardiovascular MR imaging in unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. This breakthrough is made possible through a creative use of sparse sampling theory and parallel imaging with phased array coils and a novel implementation of data acquisition and image reconstruction. We have successfully used the technique to perform 4D cardiovascular imaging on rats, achieving 0.65 mm × 0.65 mm × 0.31 mm spatial resolution with a frame rate of 67 fps. This capability enables simultaneous imaging of cardiac motion, respiratory motion, and first-pass myocardial perfusion. This in turn allows multiple cardiac assessments including measurement of ejection fraction, cardiac output, and myocardial blood flow in a single experiment. We believe that the proposed technique can open up many important applications of cardiovascular imaging and have significant impact on the field.
SCHWANN CELL RESPONSES DURING RECURRENT DEMYELINATION AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO ONION-BULB FORMATION

Raine C.S. (1977) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 3, 453–470 Schwann cell responses during recurrent demyelination and their relevance to onion-bulb formation Morphological findings from the spinal nerve roots of six rabbits afflicted with chronic, relapsing EAE are presented. The fate of the Schwann cell subsequent to demyelination has been followed. It has been found that the original Schwann cell does not effect remyelination and that pockets of its cytoplasm are displaced by a new remyelinating cell. These pockets assume positions lateral to the main fibre, sometimes invested by cytoplasm from a separate, apparently healthy Schwann cell. At times during remyelination, difficulty was encountered in determining which profiles were axonal and which were Schwannian. However, plasmalemmal specialisations peculiar to Schwann cells, some of them described here for the first time, permitted positive identication in most cases. After several episodes of demyelination, each followed by rapid remyelination, supernumerary Schwann cells were common but, over the 24-month period of study, profiles consistent only with primitive onion-bulb formations were found. It is concluded that advanced (typical) onion-bulb formation is not a feature of repeated demyelination per se but rather belongs to the hereditary, metabolic defects of the PNS, conditions in which the Schwann cell might be rendered impotent to form myelin.
Slow-onset, long-duration 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1-indanamine monoamine reuptake blockers as potential medications to treat cocaine abuse.

A series of 3-(3‘,4‘-dichlorophenyl)-1-indanamine monoamine reuptake blockers have been synthesized in an effort to develop a compound that could be used as a maintenance therapy to treat cocaine abuse. Since the effects of cocaine on dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) transporters are important components of its pharmacological activity, the focus was on nonselective inhibitors of monoamine transport. To reduce or eliminate the abuse potential of a DA reuptake blocker, the compounds were designed to be slow-onset, long-duration prodrugs whose N-demethylated metabolites would have increased activity over the parent compound with the ideal being a parent compound that has little or no activity. To achieve this, pairs of compounds with different groups on the amine nitrogen and with and without an additional N-methyl group were synthesized. All of the synthesized compounds were screened for binding and reuptake at the cloned human DA, 5HT, and norepinephrine (NE) transporters. As previously found, trans isom...
The CD154/CD40 interaction required for retrovirus-induced murine immunodeficiency syndrome is not mediated by upregulation of the CD80/CD86 costimulatory molecules.

C57BL/6 (B6) mice infected with LP-BM5 retroviruses develop disease, including an immunodeficiency similar to AIDS. This disease, murine AIDS (MAIDS), is inhibited by in vivo anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody treatment. The similar levels of insusceptibility of CD40−/− and CD154−/− B6 mice indicate that CD154/CD40 molecular interactions are required for MAIDS. CD4+ T and B cells, respectively, provide the CD154 and CD40 expression needed for MAIDS induction. Here, the required CD154/CD40 interaction is shown to be independent of CD80 and CD86 expression: CD80/CD86−/− B6 mice develop MAIDS after LP-BM5 infection.
Updated pathophysiologic concepts in unstable coronary artery disease

Abstract Background The clinical syndrome of unstable angina has multiple causes; different therapies therefore may be indicated in different patients. Methods Recent publications on unstable coronary artery disease were reviewed to identify pathophysiologic phenomena and concepts that can aid decision-making in the clinical management of patients with unstable coronary artery disease of different causes. Results The fate of any coronary plaque depends on local and systemic factors. Autopsy studies have revealed that plaques most likely to rupture are those with a soft lipid core covered by a thin fibrous cap that may be inflamed. Systemic factors such as hypertension may be maximally expressed at the site of plaques that are prone to rupture. If an unstable plaque is identified, local therapy, such as angioplasty, stents, or radiation, and aggressive systemic therapy, such as lipid lowering, diabetes control, and hypertension control, can be used. Conclusions Specific therapy for acute symptoms can be used if the specific cause of the unstable state can be identified. Failure of the plaque to stabilize may result in recurrent ischemia, biochemical evidence for myocardial damage, and evidence of an inflammatory process. These factors influence prognosis; cardiac events occur more commonly when they are present. (Am Heart J 2001;141:S12-4.)
The Role of CT and MRI in the Diagnosis of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common chronic disease conditions in the United States. Currently, diagnosis is based initially on clinical symptomatology and signs, but the final diagnosis of CRS should be confirmed by objective measures. CT of the paranasal sinuses is the most commonly obtained test to confirm or exclude a diagnosis of CRS. CT has been shown to be reliable, accurate, and effective in diagnosing CRS, but it also imparts radiation exposure. More recently, MRI of the paranasal sinuses has been explored as a diagnostic modality in CRS. Initial data suggest it may be a viable alternative to CT in the diagnosis of CRS. As clinicians are likely to begin to use MRI as a diagnostic modality in CRS, further studies are warranted with respect to its particular diagnostic validation.
Novel neonicotinoid-agarose affinity column for Drosophila and Musca nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Neonicotinoids such as the insecticide imidacloprid (IMI) act as agonists at the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Head membranes of Drosophila melanogaster and Musca domestica have a single high-affinity binding site for [3H]IMI with KD values of 1-2 nM and Bmax values of 560-850 fmol/mg of protein. Locusta and Periplaneta nAChRs isolated with an alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BGT)-agarose affinity column are known to be alpha-subunit homooligomers. This study uses 1-[N-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-ethyl]amino-1-amino-2-nitroethene++ + (which inhibits [3H]IMI binding to Drosophila and Musca head membranes at 2-3 nM) to develop a neonicotinoid-agarose affinity column. The procedure-introduction of Triton-solubilized Drosophila or Musca head membranes into this neonicotinoid-based column, elution with IMI, and analysis by lithium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamicle gel electrophoresis-gives only three proteins (69, 66, and 61 kDa) tentatively assigned as putative subunits of the nAChR; the same three proteins are obtained with Musca using the alpha-BGT-agarose affinity column. Photoaffinity labeling of the Drosophila and Musca putative subunits from the neonicotinoid column with 125I-alpha-BGT-4-azidosalicylic acid gives a labeled derivative of 66-69 kDa. The yield is 2-5 micrograms of receptor protein from 1 g of Drosophila or Musca heads. Neonicotinoid affinity chromatography to isolate native Drosophila and Musca receptors will facilitate studies on the structure and function of insect nAChRs.
Progressive 3D mesh coder with octree-based space partitioning

A progressive 3D mesh coding scheme using the octree-based space partitioning is proposed in this work, which achieves better coding efficiency than the state-of-the-art kd-tree-based codec. Given a 3D mesh, the quantized 3D vertices are first partitioned into an octree structure. The octree is then traversed from the root and gradually to the leaves. During the traversal, each 3D cell in the tree front is subdivided into eight child cells through three orthogonal cell bi-partitionings. For each cell subdivision, the information of nonempty child cells is encoded. To encode the information, two approaches (i.e. the bit-pattern coding approach and the nonempty-child-cell-tuple coding approach) are implemented and compared. In addition to the geometry coding, the local connectivity update associated with each cell subdivision is also encoded. Furthermore, selective cell subdivision is performed in the tree front to provide better rate-distortion performance, especially at low bitrates. It is shown in experimental results that the geometry coding cost is around 4.2 bits per vertex (bpv) for 8-bit coordinate quantization and 14.3 bpv for 12-bit coordinate quantization, and the connectivity coding cost is 3.3 bpv on the average.
Enteropathogenic types of Escherichia coli from primates and cockroaches in a zoo.

Enteropathogenic types of Escherichia coli are widespread in humans and other mammals but to our knowledge have been reported only twice from arthropods. In these cases, the isolations were from flies, in Brazil and Madagascar. We report the isolation of 2 enteropathogenic types from cockroaches in a survey conducted at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.
Characterization of coronary atherosclerotic plaque using multicontrast MRI acquired under simulated in vivo conditions.

Purpose To compare coronary atherosclerotic plaque characterization using multicontrast MRI on: 1) freshly excised vessels under simulated in vivo conditions, and 2) preserved vessels. Materials and Methods T1-weighted (T1W), T2-weighted (T2W), proton density-weighted (PDW), and diffusion-weighted (DW) MR images were acquired on 13 freshly excised human coronary arteries from explanted hearts. Vessels were imaged in an MR-compatible tissue culture chamber using a 4.7 Tesla small-bore MR scanner. Eight vessels were then preserved in buffered formalin and rescanned following the same imaging protocol. A three-dimensional spatially penalized fuzzy C-means (3D-SPFCM) technique was applied to classify different plaque constituents. The classification results from vessels under “fresh” and “preserved” conditions were compared with corresponding histological sections. Results For most plaque constituents, the plaque characterization results show no significant difference between fresh and preserved scans, and little difference between scans and the histological reference standard. In the case of thrombus, apparent signal changes between fresh and preserved images were identified. Overall, MR scans conducted under preserved conditions provided a 1.8% to 17.5% greater signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than those conducted in the fresh stage. Conclusion Preservation of coronary vessels did not alter the contrast between plaque tissues on multicontrast MRI, and did not significantly change the results of plaque constituent characterization. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Entropy and other thermodynamic properties of classical electromagnetic thermal radiation.

Building upon previous work, several new thermodynamic properties are found for classical electromagnetic random radiation in thermal equilibrium with classical electric dipole harmonic oscillators. Entropy is calculated as a function of temperature and as a function of the positions of the dipole oscillators. In the process, a new derivation is obtained for what is often called Wien's displacement law. The original derivation of this law makes a number of implicit assumptions not found in the present derivation, which prevents the original analysis from being sufficiently general to address an important class of thermal radiation spectrum candidates: namely, those that are nonzero at T=0. While leading up to the entropy calculation, a number of other thermodynamic properties are deduced. For example, a natural development is presented for reformulating the St\'efan-Boltzmann law to correspond to experimental observations about changes in thermal radiation energy. Also, the Rayleigh-Jeans spectrum is shown to conflict with basic concepts of thermodynamic processes, and asymptotic limits are found for the spectrum of classical electromagnetic thermal radiation. One asymptotic restriction arises from the demand of finite specific heat for thermal radiation. This restriction is sufficient to ensure that the classical electrodynamic system of dipole oscillators and thermal radiation must obey the third law of thermodynamics. The calculations described here include full nonperturbative evaluations of retarded van der Waals thermodynamic functions.
Simulated nitrogen cycling response to elevated CO2 in Pinus taeda and mixed deciduous forests

Interactions between elevated CO(2) and N cycling were explored with a nutrient cycling model (NuCM, Johnson et al. 1993, 1995) for a Pinus taeda L. site at Duke University, North Carolina, and a mixed deciduous site at Walker Branch, Tennessee. The simulations tested whether N limitation would prevent growth increases in response to elevated CO(2), and whether growth responses to CO(2) in N-limited systems could be facilitated by increasing the biomass/N ratio (reducing N concentration) or increasing litter N mineralization, or both. Nitrogen limitation precluded additional growth when target growth rates and litterfall were increased (simulating potential response to elevated CO(2)) at the Duke University site. At the Walker Branch site, increasing target growth and litterfall caused a 7% increase in growth. Reducing foliar N concentrations reduced growth because of N limitation created by reduced litter quality (C:N ratio), reduced decomposition and increased N accumulation on the forest floor. These effects were most pronounced at the Duke University site, because the forest floor N turnover rate was lower than at the Walker Branch site. Reducing wood N concentration allowed prolonged increases in growth because of greater biomass/N; however, N uptake was reduced, allowing greater N immobilization on the forest floor and in soil. Increased N mineralization caused increased growth at the Duke University site, but not at the Walker Branch site. These simulations pose the counterintuitive hypothesis that increased biogeochemical cycling of N (as a result of increased litterfall N) causes reduced growth in an N-limited system because of increased accumulations of N on the forest floor and in soil. Translocation of N from senescing leaves before litterfall mitigates this response by allowing the trees to retain a greater proportion of N taken up rather than recycle it back to the forest floor and soil where it can be immobilized. Eliminating N translocation at Walker Branch changed the direction as well as the magnitude of the responses in three of the four scenarios simulated. Because the NuCM model does not currently allow translocation in coniferous species, the effects of translocation on N cycling in the Duke University simulations are not known.
Interpersonal style and anxiety

Agoraphobic anxiety has been linked to traditional feminine sex role attitudes and related dyadic interactions. This research correlated measures of panic experience and agoraphobic anxiety with interpersonal style in a college student population. Significant positive correlations were observed between anxiety scores and the following interpersonal styles: submissive/deferent, self-effacing/obedient, mistrusting/cold, submissive, inhibited, and unassured. Results lend support to clinical reports that some individuals may develop agoraphobic symptoms as a result of the interaction of interpersonal style with relationship patterns.
Traumatic delivery: a risk factor for bleeding during ECMO?

Abstract Traumatic delivery is associated with orthopedic, nervous, and soft tissue injuries. Anticoagulation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support may predispose to hemorrhage from these birth injuries. A case of delayed hemoperitoneum secondary to hepatic laceration after delivery and ECMO, not previously reported, is detalled herein.
Estimating the hemodynamic impact of interventional treatments of aneurysms: numerical simulation with experimental validation: technical case report.

Objective The goal of this study was to use phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging and computational fluid dynamics to estimate the hemodynamic outcome that might result from different interventional options for treating a patient with a giant fusiform aneurysm. Methods We followed a group of patients with giant intracranial aneurysms who have no clear surgical options. One patient demonstrated dramatic aneurysm growth and was selected for further analysis. The aneurysm geometry and input and output flow conditions were measured with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography and phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. The data was imported into a computational fluid dynamics program and the velocity fields and wall shear stress distributions were calculated for the presenting physiological condition and for cases in which the opposing vertebral arteries were either occluded or opened. These models were validated with in vitro flow experiments using a geometrically exact silicone flow phantom. Results Simulation indicated that altering the flow ratio in the two vertebrals would deflect the main blood jet into the aneurysm belly, and that this would likely reduce the extent of the region of low wall shear stress in the growth zone. Conclusions Computational fluid dynamics flow simulations in a complex patient-specific aneurysm geometry were validated by in vivo and in vitro phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging, and were shown to be useful in modeling the likely hemodynamic impact of interventional treatment of the aneurysm.
A longitudinal study of the effects of family, friends, and school experiences on the psychological adjustment of ethnic minority, low-SES adolescents

This study examined the independent and combined influence of demographic variables (gender and ethnicity) and contextual variables (perceived family and friend support, and school climate) on changes in psychological adjustment (self-esteem and depressive symptoms) over a 2-year period. The sample included 100 Black, Latino, and Asian American adolescents from low-income families. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the increase over time in reported levels of self-esteem was significantly greater for those who reported more positive perceptions of school climate at Time 1. Unexpectedly, the increase in self-esteem and the decrease in depressive symptoms over time were also significantly greater for those who reported lower family support at Time 1. Post hoc analyses were conducted to better understand the patterns detected. Findings underscore the importance of positive school experiences for students' psychological well-being and the need to examine the meaning of family support.
ρ‐Iodo benzazide as a reagent for the identification of amines

Thirty-six crystalline p-iodophenyl-ureas were prepared by the action of p-iodobenzazide with various types of amines in boiling toluene solution. These new derivatives are suitable for the purpose of identification.
Role of the Aspartyl-Asparaginyl-β-Hydroxylase Gene in Neuroblastoma Cell Motility

Aspartyl (asparaginyl) beta-hydroxylase (AAH) is overexpressed in various malignant neoplasms, and high levels of immunoreactivity mainly occur in infiltrating or metastasized tumors. In addition, AAH is abundantly expressed in normally invasive placental trophoblastic cells. These observations led to the hypothesis that AAH may have a role in motility and aggressive behavior of tumor cells. The present study demonstrates that AAH is overexpressed in primary human malignant neuroectodermal tumors, including medulloblastomas and neuroblastomas, and that AAH expression is at a low level or undetectable in the normal mature brain. In the Sy5y neuroblastoma cell line, endogenous expression of the approximately 86-kd AAH protein was demonstrated by Western blot analysis, and immunoreactivity predominantly localized to the cell surface by immunocytochemical staining and FACS analysis. Sy5y cells that were stably transfected with the human AAH cDNA had increased levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Bcl-2, and reduced levels of p21/Waf1 and p16. In addition, increased AAH expression enhanced Sy5y cell motility, whereas antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibition of AAH significantly reduced Sy5y cell motility and increased the levels of p21/Waf1 and p16. The findings suggest that AAH overexpression contributes to the malignant phenotype of neuroectodermal tumor cells by increasing motility and enhancing proliferation, survival, and cell cycle progression. Because AAH expression is at a low level or undetectable in normal brain, the AAH gene may be a target for treating primitive neuroectodermal tumors.