cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sterility in House Flies Offered a Choice of Untreated Diets and Diets Treated with Chemosterilants

Because metepa and hempa were reported to have some repellency to house flies, Musca domestica L., 22 chemosterilants in sugar syrup were offered to house flies that had simultaneous access to untreated food. The concentrations of the chemosterilants in the syrup ranged from 0.01 to 1% and were usually near the minimum at which each compound had produced sterility in previous tests when no untreated food was present. Seventeen compounds (including metepa and hempa at 1%) produced complete sterility in some or all tests with treated males mated to treated females, untreated females, or both, and the others produced 76–99% sterility.
MO‐E‐204C‐01: Radionuclide Imaging with a CCD‐Based, High‐Resolution X‐Ray Detector in Single Photon Counting Mode

Purpose: To demonstrate use of the high‐resolution Micro‐Angiographic Fluoroscopic (MAF) detector in single‐photon counting (SPC) mode for nuclear medicine imaging.Method and Materials: The MAF uses a CCDcamera and fiber‐optic taper, has 1024 × 1024 pixels with effective pixel size of 35 microns and is capable of real‐time imaging. A 300 micron cesium iodide is coupled to a light image intensifier through a fiber optic taper. Large variable gain of the LII provides quantum‐limited operation with essentially no additive instrumentation noise and enables the MAF to operate in both energy‐integrating (EI) and the very‐sensitive low‐exposure SPC modes. To evaluate the MAF in SPC mode, a custom‐made phantom, with hot rods ranging from diameters 0.9mm to 2.3mm, filled with 1mCi of 125I was used as a test object. A medium‐energy, gamma‐camera collimator with 1‐mm diameter parallel holes was placed between the phantom and the MAF. Data was acquired at 20 fps. The collimator was used in two ways: (i) Stationary and (ii) Moving multiple times in random directions during data acquisition to blur the septal pattern with approximately the same number of counts detected per position. Each frame of the two sets was processed using two algorithms to localize events: (i) simple‐threshold and (ii) weighted‐centroid methods. The processed frames were added to give the final image.Results: (i) Stationary collimator: The image showed a grid‐like pattern corresponding to the septa walls of the collimator. All of the hot rods in the phantom can be identified, (ii) Moving collimator: The septal pattern is blurred out, and all of the rods can be clearly identified. Conclusion: The same MAF can be used in both nuclear‐medicine imaging and x‐ray imaging in SPC mode for dual‐mode imaging. Currently we are limited by collimator resolution for radionuclide imaging. Support from: NIH Grants R01EB002873 and R01EB008425.
Preservice training in response to intervention: Learning by doing an interdisciplinary field experience

Marking major changes in professional role performance, response to intervention (RTI) is now in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) as a possible method to improve the identification of specific learning disabilities. Moreover, RTI and related concepts and initiatives have fundamentally influenced more general methods of prevention, instruction and intervention services, and decision making in schools. Although RTI will continue to evolve, core characteristics of RTI that form the basis of state initiatives are well founded in intervention and instructional research and practice. These core characteristics (i.e., data-based decision making, evidence-based intervention, teaming, and problem solving) represent skills immediately needed by professionals-in-training. This article reports collaboration between school psychology and special education faculty in designing and implementing an integrative field experience in RTI. Training, student, and program outcomes are used summatively for accountability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gender and the behavioral manifestations of neuropathic pain

A model of peripheral nerve injury was used to study gender differences in the development and progression of chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia in male and female Fischer 344 FBNF1 hybrid rats. Rats were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: (1) gonadally intact unligated males (male); (2) gonadally intact ligated males (male (CCI)); (3) castrated ligated males (male (CAS/CCI)); (4) gonadally intact unligated females (female); (5) gonadally intact ligated females (female (CCI)); and (6) ovariectomized ligated females (female (OVX/CCI)). A plantar analgesia meter and calibrated von Frey pressure filaments were used as the analgesiometric assays. In the absence of nerve injury, gonadally intact males responded significantly faster than females to a thermal nociceptive stimulus. The onset of the behavioral manifestations of unilateral ligation of the sciatic nerve did not differ as a function of sex or hormonal status (e.g., gonadally intact and gonadectomized male and female rats developed thermal hyperalgesia within 14 days post-CCI). Paw withdrawal latency (PWL) values of gonadally intact males returned to baseline control values after postligation day 14, whereas gonadally intact females, ovariectomized females and castrated males continued to elicit robust thermal hyperalgesic symptoms throughout the 35-day duration of the experiment. Allodynic responses to peripheral nerve injury were less variable across genders. These data suggest that the mechanisms underlying chronic nociceptive processing differ as a function of gender and gonadal hormone status.
Higher education assessment: Linking accreditation standards and the Malcolm Baldrige criteria

The Baldrige quality criteria generate a number of questions that can make accreditation self-studies more productive.
Module testing for the CMS Forward Pixel detector

The Forward Pixel detector for the CMS Experiment consists of four disks. In total, 672 modules are needed to assemble the disks. This translates into 18 million readout channels that need to be tested for their correct functionality making this task extremely challenging. This paper will present the procedure for testing these modules.
The Mount Wilson Halo Mapping Project 1975-1985. II. Photometric Properties of the Mount Wilson Catalogue of Photographic Magnitudes in Selected Areas 1-139

This paper is partly a review of the history of the making of the Mount Wilson Catalogue of Photographic Magnitudes in Selected Areas 1-139 (hereafter the MWC), begun in 1909 and completed in 1930, and it is partly the presentation of new photometric results concerning it. Photoelectric photometry of 435 stars in the 11 Selected Areas of SA 28, 29, 45, 55, 57, 71, 82, 94, 106, 107, and 118 of the MWC is given. The data are used to derive magnitude corrections to the MWC for these areas. Ten of the areas are in the Galactic meridional plane (Galactic longitudes of 0° and 180°). These are the same areas used by Becker in his Basel program of star counts for the study of Galactic structure.The first purpose of the paper is to extend the Basel star counts to fainter magnitudes. For this, 200 inch photographic plates were measured to the plate limits near B = 22, calibrated with the photoelectric photometry listed here. A second purpose is to derive certain properties of the catalog. The interests are (1) to determine the internal (random) measuring errors of the MWC as a function of magnitude after correcting for the systematic scale error in each area, (2) to test for a color equation between the corrected mpg(MWC) values and the Bpe system that must be present because of the difference in reflectivity between silvered and aluminized mirrors, and (3) to test for possible distance-to-center corrections of the scale-corrected MWC magnitudes.Photographic photometry is used to complete the count surveys in each of the program areas to the limit of the 200 inch plates. Color-magnitude diagrams are shown for each area, generally complete to V = 20, B–V = 2.0. The work is preparatory to an analysis for Galactic structure when the larger database is available in a program by Majewski using Kitt Peak 4 m plates, epoch circa 1975, that will be to provide both a deeper count survey in B and V and proper motions for the larger sample.
Effects of Enteral Tube Feeding on the Absorption and Pharmacokinetic Profile of Carbamazepine Suspension

In a randomized, two-period crossover clinical study, eight normal male volunteers received two separate 500-mg doses of carbamazepine (CBZ) suspension 1 week apart. One dose was administered orally after an overnight fast, and the other was administered by nasogastric feeding tube during a continuous enteral feeding infusion. Serial serum CBZ concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to assess the effects of the enteral feeding on CBZ absorption. Noncompartmental methods were used to estimate pharmacokinetic data. One volunteer experienced a mild hypersensitivity reaction after his first CBZ dose and was withdrawn from the study. The other subjects tolerated both doses very well, although most experienced mild drowsiness or lightheadedness. Serum CBZ concentrations were lower during enteral feeding administration, but the differences were statistically significant only at 8 h (p = 0.044). Changes in pharmacokinetic data were not significant, although the decrease in maximum serum concentration approached significance (p = 0.052). The relative bioavailability of CBZ suspension with enteral feeding administration was 90.1% of that during fasting. There was a strong correlation between CBZ dose (mg/kg) and Cmax after oral administration (r = 0.97, Y = 1.88X - 4.49, p less than 0.001) but not during enteral feeding administration. Although absorption of CBZ suspension was generally slower and slightly diminished during nasogastric feeding, this interaction may lessen unwanted side effects.
Multichannel single-photon-counting NIR imager for coregistration with MRI

An effective way to investigate the competence of NIR Imaging is to associate NIR images with ones from other, well established modalities, such as X-ray Mammography, Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). MRI is an excellent candidate for such an approach since besides having immense sensitivity and rendering great anatomical information, it also employs non-ionizing radiation. The simultaneous acquisition of MR and NIR data may afford very precise co-registration of images and investigate the potential and limitations of the technique. In return, by establishing confidence on the NIR Tomography capability, the MR specificity may be enhanced due to the additional information content of the simultaneous examination. We have developed a 24 X 8 source-detector multi-channel NIR imager and spectrometer based on the time-correlated single photon counting technique. The instrument is capable of operating as a stand-alone modality or coupled to an MR scanner. We have tested the instrument as a breast imager with volunteers and patients in the MR examination room. We have used specially designed soft compression plates bearing the optical fibers and the MR coils. The acquisition time has been optimized to be within the time limits of a typical MR breast examination protocol. We have obtained approximately 25 dB signal to noise ratio per sec of averaging time for 6 cm breast separation and sensitivity of absorption coefficient changes, following contrast agent administration, of the order of 10-3 cm-1. Additionally we demonstrate the use of the instrument as a stand-alone motor cortex activity imager/spectrometer.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Polyhedral approximations in p-order cone programming

This paper discusses the use of polyhedral approximations in solving p-order cone programming (pOCP) problems, or linear problems with p-order cone constraints, and their mixed-integer extensions. In particular, it is shown that the cutting-plane technique proposed in Krokhmal and Soberanis [Risk optimization with p-order conic constraints: A linear programming approach, Eur. J. Oper. Res. 201 (2010), pp. 653–671, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2009.03.053] for a special type of polyhedral approximations of pOCP problems, which allows for generation of cuts in constant time not dependent on the accuracy of approximation, is applicable to a larger family of polyhedral approximations. We also show that it can further be extended to form an exact solution method for pOCP problems with O(ϵ−1) iteration complexity. Moreover, it is demonstrated that an analogous constant-time cut-generating algorithm exists for recursively constructed lifted polyhedral approximations of second-order cones due to Ben-Tal and N...
Dichloroacetate Induces Apoptosis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells Through a Mechanism Involving Modulation of Oxidative Stress

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells are under intrinsic oxidative stress, which alters metabolic activity and reduces apoptosis. Key oxidative stress enzymes, including myeloperoxidase (MPO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), are upregulated and colocalized in EOC cells. Oxidative stress is also regulated, in part, by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1a. Dichloroacetate (DCA) converts anaerobic to aerobic metabolism and thus was utilized to determine the effects on apoptosis, iNOS, MPO, extracellular SOD (SOD-3), and HIF-1a, in EOC cells. Protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of iNOS, MPO, SOD-3, and HIF-1a were evaluated by immunoprecipitation/Western blot and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively, utilizing SKOV-3 and MDAH-2774 treated with DCA. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and caspase 3 assays. Dichloroacetate induced apoptosis, reduced MPO, iNOS, and HIF-1a, whereas increased SOD, in both EOC cell lines. In conclusion, reduction of enhanced oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of EOC cells, which may serve as future therapeutic intervention for ovarian cancer.
DC motor cooling considerations

DC motors have been the workhorse of variable speed drives in the paper industry for many years. DC motors in paper mills are usually separately ventilated from a large common air supply. The quantity and quality of the cooling air can have a major impact on the DC motors' performance, operation, maintenance and life between overhauls. Information presented here describes cooling air considerations, corrosive air and its effect on motor performance and life, and ways to assess and reduce this issue.
High-Dose-Intensity MVAC for Advanced Renal Medullary Carcinoma: Report of Three Cases and Literature Review

OBJECTIVES Renal medullary carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive cancer that is characteristically resistant to most forms of chemotherapy. This pediatric tumor, exclusively affecting individuals who carry at least one sickle hemoglobin allele, carries a uniformly fatal outcome, usually within a matter of weeks, and no effective therapies have been reported. METHODS We report on the use of a high-dose-intensity regimen of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in 3 patients. RESULTS All 3 patients were able to tolerate multiple cycles of therapy and achieved at least a partial response and longer survival than predicted from the historical precedent. CONCLUSIONS Our results have shown that this regimen provides a tolerable therapy with efficacy to promote survival for several months and suggest that highly intensive regimens of chemotherapy might bring additional benefit to the young patients with these rare tumors.
Numerical determination of the elastic driving force for directional coarsening in Ni-superalloys

Abstract We have developed a general methodology, in the framework of the finite element method, for locally evaluating the generalized force acting on a material interface which is work-conjugate with the normal displacement of the interface itself. This methodology has been applied to the study of directional coarsening of γ′ precipitates in Ni-superalloys. The flexibility of the proposed method has allowed us to closely model the actual microstructural morphology of the alloys and to account for the effects of applied boundary conditions, lattice misfit, elastic anisotropy and inelastic behavior of the crystals. We have positively compared the indications of our model with available experimental data for a few alloys, and a circumscribed parametric study has lead us to formulate a more general interpretation of the rafting phenomenon, which appears to give a satisfactory explanation for all the available experimental observations.
Hematopoiesis and aging v. a decline in hematocrit occurs in all aging female b6d2f1 mice

Abstract Longitudinal studies of hematocrits were done in aging B6D2F, female mice at 54, 64, 91, 105 and 115 weeks of age. A modest decline in hematocrit was observed in 41/42 mice; we have previously shown that the decreased hematocrit of aged as compared to young mice is due to an expansion of plasma volume. Mice which died spontaneously after 91 weeks had lower hematocrits at 91 weeks and 105 weeks than did those which survived to 115 weeks. At each time interval, a sub-group of mice was killed and uptake of 59Fe into blood, foreleg, spleen and liver was studied and total nucleated cells per humerus was determined. The results were generally compatible with the thesis that aging mice maintain normal rates of crythropoiesis under basal conditions. Thus, it would appear that a decrease in hematocrit can be considered an expected part of the aging process in this mouse.
Dynamic Stiffness Implications for a Multiaxis Grinding System

Operating a machine tool, such as a grinder, so that the spindle speed is at a system natural fre quency may be useful, since the dynamic stiffness is lower at that frequency and thus may be more tolerant to force variations. It is hoped that a result of this type of operation may produce a better quality surface. In this research, the dynamic stiffness of a three-axis grinding system is experimentally determined. Grind ing experiments are then conducted to determine the effects of dynamic stiffness on surface finish in terms of the surface profile characteristics. Displacements induced by grinding wheels typically exhibit a once- per-revolution effect. Thus, the first experimental grinding wheel speed (in terms of revolutions per second) is selected by examining the empirical dynamic stiffness data and choosing a resonant frequency (cycles per second) in the range of achievable grinding wheel speeds (revolutions per second). For comparison, a grinding run is performed using a higher grinding wheel speed,...
Delta and kappa opioid receptor polymorphisms influence the effects of naltrexone on subjective responses to alcohol.

Naltrexone, one of four FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for alcohol dependence, has shown moderate efficacy in clinical trials. Pharmacogenetic effects have been reported such that allelic variation at the gene encoding the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1, rs1799971) predicts naltrexone-induced blunting of the positively reinforcing effects of alcohol. However, naltrexone also binds, albeit to a lesser degree, to kappa and delta opioid receptors in the brain. This alternate binding presents the possibility that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the kappa and delta opioid receptor (OPRK1 and OPRD1) genes may contribute to naltrexone pharmacogenetics. Therefore, the goal of this exploratory study was to re-examine data from a double-blind placebo controlled laboratory trial of naltrexone for pharmacogenetic effects at kappa and delta opioid receptor tag SNPs. Participants were 40 heavy drinkers (12 female) who underwent an intravenous alcohol challenge paradigm after receiving naltrexone (50 mg) or placebo in randomized and crossover fashion. Dependent variables were self-reported alcohol-induced stimulation, sedation, and craving. Multilevel models revealed a significant Naltrexone × OPRK1 Genotype (rs997917) interaction predicting alcohol-induced sedation, such that TT homozygotes reported lower naltrexone-induced alcohol sedation as compared to carriers of the C allele. Moreover, there was a significant Naltrexone × OPRD1 Genotype (rs4654327) interaction predicting alcohol-induced stimulation and craving, such that carriers of the A allele at this locus reported greater naltrexone-induced blunting of alcohol stimulation and alcohol craving compared to GG homozygotes. These findings suggest that additional pharmacogenetic effects in the opioid receptor system may account for individual differences in response to naltrexone in the human laboratory.
Size and weight dependence of the single stage input EMI filter on switching frequency for low voltage bus aircraft applications

Hope is present that Gallium-nitride (GaN) power electronics technology can lead to the significant increase in switching frequency of power converters. The ability to switch more frequently gives potential to increase the power density of converters. EMI filters engage a large portion of system weight and volume, and it is not so straight forward to conclude that increasing switching frequency will benefit size and weight reduction of EMI filters. In this work, the impact of increasing switching frequency on the single stage EMI filter size and weight is investigated in a DC/DC converter for low voltage bus aircraft applications. In the initial paper design, it was assumed that the corner frequency of the EMI filter is determined by the low frequency noise spike. Obtained in that way, differential mode (DM) filter size and weight would reduce with increasing switching frequency, while Common Mode (CM) filter will increase little due to smaller CM propagation path impedance at higher frequencies. For verification purposes, two different resonant LLC converters are implemented at switching frequencies of 1 MHz and 2 MHz. Experiment results shows that EMI filter was larger and heavier for 2 MHz case due to high frequency noise spikes at tens of mega-hertz.
Lifetime Smoking Exposure Affects the Association of C-Reactive Protein with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Subclinical Disease in Healthy Elderly Subjects

Abstract Blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, are related to cardiovascular disease risk. To determine cross-sectional correlates in the elderly, we measured CRP in 400 men and women older than 65 years and free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline as part of the Cardiovascular Health Study. Only 2% of the values were greater than 10 mg/L, the cut-point usually used to identify inflammation. CRP levels appeared tightly regulated, since there were strong bivariate correlations between CRP and the following: inflammation-sensitive proteins such as fibrinogen ( r =.52); measures of fibrinolysis such as plasmin-antiplasmin complex ( r =.23); pack-years of smoking ( r =.30); and body mass index ( r =.24; all P values≤.001). The association with pack-years was independent of the length of time since cessation of smoking. CRP levels were also associated with coagulation factors VIIc, IXc, and Xc; HDL cholesterol (negative) and triglyceride; diabetes status; diuretic use; ECG abnormalities; and level of exercise. Because of effect modification, two multiple linear regression prediction models were developed for CRP, one each for never smokers and ever smokers. An a priori physiologic model was used to guide these analyses, which disallowed the use of other inflammation-sensitive variables such as fibrinogen. In never smokers, the independent predictors were body mass index (+), diabetes status (+), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (+), and the presence of ECG abnormalities (+); this model predicted 15% of the CRP population variance. In ever smokers, the predictors were body mass index (+), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (+), pack-years of smoking (+), HDL cholesterol (−), and ankle-arm blood pressure index (−); this model predicted 42% of the population variance. We conclude that levels of CRP in the healthy elderly are tightly regulated and reflect lifetime exposure to smoking as well as level of obesity, ongoing level of fibrinolysis, diabetes status, and level of subclinical atherothrombotic disease. Moreover, exposure to smoking affects the relation of CRP to these other factors.
Prenatal weight gain within upper and lower recommended ranges: effect on birth weight of black and white infants.

Objective To that end examine differences in birth weight among the term infants of black and white women with weight gains in the upper or lower half of recommended ranges. Methods Birth weight (mean, low [at or below 2500 g], and suboptimal [2501–2999 g]) among term infants of 2219 black and 3966 white low-income women was compared with maternal prenatal weight gain classified according to four categories: below, within the lower or upper halves, and above the recommended ranges for pregravid body mass index (BMI) category (low, normal, high). Results Adjusted mean birth weights among the infants of women with prenatal weight gain in the upper versus lower half of the recommended ranges were higher among white women with normal BMI (3307 g upper half, 3199 g lower half, P = .001) but not among black women with normal BMI (3180 g upper half, 3105 g lower half, not significant). Logistic regression analyses revealed that prenatal weight gain in the upper compared with the lower half of the recommended ranges was associated with a decreased adjusted odds ratio (OR) for low (but not suboptimal) birth weight among the infants of white women (OR 0.4, 95% confidence intervals [CI]0.2,0.9) but not of black women (OR 1.2; 95% CI 0.4,3.3). Conclusion These preliminary observations do not provide support for the presence of ethnic group-specific recommendations within guidelines for prenatal weight gain.
Wild Rice Hull Antioxidants

Wild rice hulls (WRH) have not been utilized in any valuable manner. Minnesota WRH have been shown by us to possess antioxidant properties. The methanol extract of hulls showed antioxidant activity when added to ground beef, as evaluated by the content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The results of an ammonium thiocyanate assay also showed that some fractions of the hull methanol extract (MeOH:H2O, 75:25) have strong antioxidant activity. The yield of the evaporated methanol extract was 2.51% of WRH. The crude methanol extract was fractionated according to hydrophobicity. The antioxidant assay revealed that eluates of MeOH:H2O (50:50, 75:25) and absolute methanol have the strongest antioxidative activity in ground beef, as measured by the content of TBARS. Antioxidants were isolated from the 75:25 eluate and identified by mass spectrometry as 2,3,6-trimethylanisole (anisole); m-hydroxybenzaldehyde; 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin); and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (syr...
Enzymatic methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine increases erythrocyte membrane fluidity.

PHOSPHOLIPIDS are a major component of biomembranes and provide the fluid matrix for protein movement and organisation. Membrane fluidity has been closely related to the biological and biochemical processes such as transport of chemicals, cell fusion, and protein rotation and diffusion1,2. Genetic, nutritional and temperature manipulation have been used to alter the fluidity of the cell membrane3,4, but physiological and biochemical events that regulate membrane fluidity are still unknown. We report here that the enzymatic methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine in erythrocyte membranes induces a marked increase of the bulk membrane fluidity.
Detection, identification and characterization of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria from retail food products

Forty bacteriocin-producing (Bac+) lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from food samples purchased from retail supermarkets and local farms. Of the 40 Bac+ isolates, 18 were isolated from 85 food samples by enrichment (21% isolation rate) whereas eight were obtained from 63 samples by direct plating (13% isolation rate). By direct plating, Bac+ LAB were detected at levels up to 2.4 x 10(5) cfu/g in ready-to-eat meats. The Bac+ isolates were identified by carbohydrate fermentation patterns, SDS-PAGE protein patterns, and other biochemical characteristics; SDS-PAGE proved invaluable in identifying strains that could not be identified by other means. Differential inhibitory spectra against indicator microorganisms assisted in the identification of 19 unique Bac+ isolates. Bac+ LAB included Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lb. delbrueckii, Lb. plantarum, Lactococcus lactis, and Pediococcus acidilactici. Lb. curvatus (four strains) and Lc. lactis (nine strains) were the only isolates inhibitory to foodborne pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus. Some Lc. lactis isolates inhibited as many as nine Gram-positive genera. Lb. curvatus FS47 and FS65 grew to high cell densities and produced bacteriocin at 6 degrees C; however, Lc. lactis FS56 produced greater levels of bacteriocin at lower cell densities. The high incidence of Bac+ LAB detected in retail foods indicates that the public is consuming a wide variety of Bac+ LAB that occur as natural contaminants. These data suggest a greater role for bacteriocins as biopreservatives in food.
Ascorbic acid upregulates myelin gene expression in C6 glioma cells

The effect of ascorbic acid (AA) on rat glioma C6 cells was studied. At physiological AA concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mM, no morphological and no proliferative alterations in the C6 cultures were detectable. Although the total RNA content per cell was not affected by the AA-treatment, AA upregulated the expression of myelin-specific genes, i.e. proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) genes as assessed by northern blot analysis. The steady-state level of the specific mRNAs increased transiently in the AA-treated cells. Three days after AA administration the message level reached a maximum of 10-and 2-fold over control for the PLP and MAG genes, respectively. The upregulation of the genes was directly related to AA concentration. The present data indicate a possible involvement of AA in the regulation of myelin gene activity in the CNS.
Photochemistry of α-phenoxyacetophenone: an interesting case of intramolecular triplet deactivation

Abstract α-Phenoxyacetophenone undergoes efficient intramolecular triplet deactivation involving quenching by the β-phenyl ring. The process is about an order of magnitude faster than in the case of the all-carbon analogue β-phenylpropiophenone. The difference in the rates of intramolecular quenching is attributed to a reduction of the hydrogen eclipsing interactions in the case of the heteroatom-containing backbone. α-Phenoxyacetophenone photodecomposes with a quantum yield of about 0.004 to yield C6H5COCH2 and C6H5O.; in spite of its low quantum yield the process is quite rapid, occurring with an estimated rate constant of 3 × 107 s−1.
Two Sides to Every Question: The Impact of News Formulas on Abortion Policy Options

American reporters routinely believe that they have fulfilled the requirements for objectivity when they present "both sides" of a controversial public argument. Many scholars have attacked the effectiveness of such a protocol for objectivity. This essay questions the sufficiency of presenting "two sides" of important public debates on an additional dimension. Arguing from the example of news coverage of the abortion controversy, the essay suggests that the dualistic approach polarizes public debate, destroying the possibility for compromise and consensus, and thereby encouraging faulty policy choices. The analysis concludes with suggestions for alternative protocols for the coverage of public debate.
Stereotactic biopsy of brain stem masses: Decision analysis and literature review.

Abstract Background Adult brain stem tumors are rare, and diverse pathology can be found in this location. Stereotactic biopsy of lesions in the brain stem has been performed since the 1960s with high diagnostic and low complication rates. Advances in imaging technology have raised questions regarding the utility of biopsy. We perform decision analysis to aid clinicians in their approach to management of adult brain stem lesions. Methods A structured literature search revealed 20 publications with 457 patients who had undergone brain stem lesion biopsy. These publications were reviewed to determine diagnostic rates and the incidence of complications. Standard decision analytic techniques were applied to the case of a virtual adult patient with a lesion in the brain stem. Results A 1-way sensitivity analysis revealed the likelihood that the preoperative diagnosis was correct and the rate at which incorrect treatment was based on faulty empirical diagnosis as the 2 factors with the greatest effects on patient outcome. The diagnostic rate and complication rate of biopsy, within the ranges reported in the literature, had lesser effects. A threshold analysis was constructed to compare outcomes from stereotactic biopsy vs empiric therapy for a brain stem lesion. The probability that the preoperative diagnosis is correct is plotted vs the probability that empirical treatment based on an incorrect diagnosis will have adverse effect. Conclusions Management of lesions in the adult brain stem requires careful consideration of multiple preoperative factors including clinical and radiographic diagnostic certainty, consequences of empiric therapy, and the surgeon's complication rate.
Laboratory Simulation of Wind Vibrations in Roadside Structures

A method of frequency domain analysis in a laboratory is presented for simulating wind vibration affecting roadside transportation structures. The approach is intended to be complementary to or in lieu of a test in a large-scale wind tunnel. A full-size two-pole roadside sign was erected in a laboratory and attached to an electromechanical actuator. Dynamic response of the structure to an impact load from the actuator was converted into the frequency domain to determine a harmonic transfer function. Records of velocities from several actual strong wind events recorded in free-field conditions were combined with drag coefficients to predict the variation of pressure on the structure. Time histories of force that are to be imposed by the actuator on the signposts were developed using frequency response functions and converting them into the frequency domain by fast Fourier transform. Results show that nearly identical structural response of a roadside sign to simulated wind events can be obtained by using an actuator in a laboratory environment.
Passive wireless antenna sensor for strain and crack sensing—electromagnetic modeling, simulation, and testing

This research investigates a passive wireless antenna sensor designed for strain and crack sensing. When the antenna experiences deformation, the antenna shape changes, causing a shift in the electromagnetic resonance frequency of the antenna. A radio frequency identification (RFID) chip is adopted for antenna signal modulation, so that a wireless reader can easily distinguish the backscattered sensor signal from unwanted environmental reflections. The RFID chip captures its operating power from an interrogation electromagnetic wave emitted by the reader, which allows the antenna sensor to be passive (battery-free). This paper first reports the latest simulation results on radiation patterns, surface current density, and electromagnetic field distribution. The simulation results are followed with experimental results on the strain and crack sensing performance of the antenna sensor. Tensile tests show that the wireless antenna sensor can detect small strain changes lower than 20???, and can perform well at large strains higher than 10?000???. With a high-gain reader antenna, the wireless interrogation distance can be increased up to 2.1?m. Furthermore, an array of antenna sensors is capable of measuring the strain distribution in close proximity. During emulated crack and fatigue crack tests, the antenna sensor is able to detect the growth of a small crack.
Effects of proinflammatory cytokines on the claudin-19 rich tight junctions of human retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE Chronic, subclinical inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of several ocular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration. Proinflammatory cytokines affect tight junctions in epithelia that lack claudin-19, but in the retinal pigment epithelium claudin-19 predominates. We examined the effects of cytokines on the tight junctions of human fetal RPE (hfRPE). METHODS hfRPE was incubated with interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), interferon-gamma (IFNγ), or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), alone or in combination. Permeability and selectivity of the tight junctions were assessed using nonionic tracers and electrophysiology. Claudins, occludin, and ZO-1 were examined using PCR, immunoblotting, and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS Only TNFα consistently reduced transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) >80%. A serum-free medium revealed two effects of TNFα: (1) decreased TER was observed only when TNFα was added to the apical side of the monolayer, and (2) expression of TNFα receptors and inhibitors of apoptosis were induced from either side of the monolayer. In untreated cultures, tight junctions were slightly cation selective, and this was affected minimally by TNFα. The results were unexplained by effects on claudin-2, claudin-3, claudin-19, occludin, and ZO-1, but changes in the morphology of the junctions and actin cytoskeleton may have a role. CONCLUSIONS Claudin-19-rich tight junctions have low permeability for ionic and nonionic solutes, and are slightly cation-selective. Claudin-19 is not a direct target of TNFα. TNFα may protect RPE from apoptosis, but makes the monolayer leaky when it is presented to the apical side of the monolayer. Unlike other epithelia, IFNγ failed to augment the effect of TNFα on tight junctions.
Post-traumatic Infectious Endophthalmitis

Post-traumatic endophthalmitis is an uncommon yet devastating complication of an open globe injury. Risk factors include presence of an intraocular foreign body (IOFB), lens rupture, delayed primary globe repair, rural trauma, and trauma with contaminated objects. Visual prognosis in post-traumatic endophthalmitis is affected by the virulence of the microbe, the presence of a retinal break or detachment, the timing of treatment, the presence or absence of an IOFB, and the extent of initial injury. Treatment should be started emergently with systemic and intravitreal antibiotics. In the setting of penetrating ocular trauma, antibiotic prophylaxis of endophthalmitis should be considered. The best treatment regimen has not been determined. The most frequent prophylactic regimens are: treatment with oral antibiotics, a short course of intravenous antibiotics followed by oral antibiotics, or intravitreal antibiotics plus oral antibiotics.
A high bone marrow plasma cell labeling index in stable plateau-phase multiple myeloma is a marker for early disease progression and death

The plasma cell labeling index (PCLI) is a measure of plasma cell proliferative activity and is an important prognostic factor in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Occasionally patients have been observed with stable, plateau phase MM with minimal numbers of residual light-chain-restricted monoclonal plasma cells, but a high PCLI. No data are available on the outcomes for such patients. Data from 57 patients with plateau phase MM and a marrow PCLI of more than 1.0% were compared with 105 matched control patients with MM with a marrow PCLI of less than 1.0%. All patients had less than 10% total plasma cells on marrow aspirate and biopsy. The median time to progression and overall survival were 8 months and 20 months, respectively, in the high PCLI group versus 39 months and 56 months, respectively, in the low PCLI group (P < .0001). These findings suggest that a high PCLI in patients with apparently stable, plateau phase MM is an adverse parameter that may predict a short time to disease progression and death.
Spatial–Temporal Variability of Great Slave Lake Levels From Satellite Altimetry

The study of lake-level variability of five selected areas across Great Slave Lake (GSL) using satellite altimetry is presented. Data from Topex/Poseidon (TP) and Jason-1 (J1) missions at GSL for the ice-free seasons of 1993-2002 and 2002-2008, respectively, reveal lower performance of J1 for areas closer to 20 km from the coastline compared to 10 km for TP. A calculated bias of 6.99 cm was subtracted to J1 range since TP has better tracking of shoreline waters and lower data rejection. High correlation coefficients for the relative rate of change between lake altimetry heights (LAHs) and corresponding gauge data for Yellowknife Bay and Hay River support the use of LAH changes as effective indicators of variability at GSL. Differences in LAH between the five areas indicate a nonuniform slope which we relate more to variability of the surface water temperature distribution than wind effects. The deeper and colder areas are associated to the least change of LAH gradient through time; therefore, they represent ideal areas to study interannual climate variability. A potential correlation between areas with higher variability in LAH gradients and higher changes in modeled surface water temperatures during the 2003 ice free season is observed.
Merging metadata: a sociotechnical study of crosswalking and interoperability

Digital library interoperability relies on the use of a common metadata format. However, implementing a common metadata format among multiple digital libraries is not always a straightforward exercise. This paper reviews some of the metadata issues that arose during the merger of two digital libraries, the Internet Public Library and the Librarian's Internet Index. As part of the merger, each library's metadata was crosswalked to Dublin Core. This required considerable work. A sociotechnical analysis suggests that the metadata for each library had been shaped in complex ways over time by local factors, and that this complexity negatively impacted the efficiency of the crosswalk. Some implications of this finding for digital library interoperability are discussed.
Comparative effectiveness of drug treatments to prevent fragility fractures: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Context: Osteoporosis and osteopenia are associated with increased fracture incidence. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the comparative effectiveness of different pharmacological agents in reducing the risk of fragility fractures. Data Sources: We searched multiple databases through 12/9/2011. Study Selection: Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials enrolling individuals at risk of developing fragility fractures and evaluating the efficacy of bisphosphonates, teriparatide, selective estrogen receptor modulators, denosumab, or calcium and vitamin D. Data Extraction: Reviewers working independently and in duplicate determined study eligibility and collected descriptive, methodological quality, and outcome data. Data Synthesis: This network meta-analysis included 116 trials (139,647 patients; median age, 64 yr; 86% females and 88% Caucasians; median follow-up, 24 months). Trials were at low to moderate risk of bias. Teriparatide had the highest risk reduction of fractures (odds ra...
Translation-invariant object recognition system using an optical correlator and a super- parallel holographic random access memory

We demonstrate a translation-invariant VanderLugt correlator VLC for a set of images stored via holographic angle multiplexing of volume gratings in a polymeric substrate. The images read out from the volume gratings are optically correlated in a translation-invariant manner with a dc-suppressed holographic filter. The quality and efficiency of this correlator are observed to be nearly as good as that of another VLC with images directly from a spatial light modulator used as inputs. This ex- periment is the first step toward realizing a novel optical image recogni- tion system capable of identifying a query image through an exhaustive search in a large database of filter images stored in an ultrahigh capacity superparallel holographic random access memory SPHRAM. In this system, the identification of the query image is to be performed with a translation invariant, real-time VLC or a joint transform correlator JTC.
Gauge-mediated SUSY Breaking at an Intermediate Scale

Gauge-mediated supersymmetry- (SUSY-) breaking with a messenger scale of the order of ${10}^{15}$ GeV has some interesting features. It can solve the flavor-changing neutral current problem of supersymmetric models with predictions for superpartner masses which approximate those of minimal supergravity models. It can however also lead to theories with novel experimental signatures. For example, we present a model in which the gluino is the lightest supersymmetric particle. We also review the present experimental status of a stable gluino.
Abstract C153: Both TRAIL receptor DR5 isoforms are required for the induction of cell death in human colon carcinoma

Colorectal cancer continues to be the third most common malignancy in the United States. This disease remains resistant to treatment, with only 25–30% of patients disease‐free long term; for the rest, median su rvival is only 18–22 months. We previously demonstrated synergistic interaction between FUra/LV combined with IFN‐ (which potentiates FUra/LV‐induced DNA damage and requires the death receptor Fas) in human colon carcinoma cell lines and xenografts. FUra/LV/IFN‐ also demonstrated responses in heavily pretreated and previously untreated patients in Phase I trial and is currently completing Phase II evaluation in Stage IV colorectal cancer. Further, lexatumumab, an agonistic TRAIL‐R2 (DR5) monoclonal antibody, is highly synergistic with FUra/LV/IFN‐ in xenograft models, dependent on TRAIL receptor activation. Lexatumumab demonstrated the broadest spectrum in vitro activity in a panel of 6 human colon carcinoma cell lines when compared to the activity of the recombinant ligand, TRAIL (targeting DR4 and DR5). To further understand the mechanism of lexatumumab‐induced cell death via DR5, DR5 expression, was determined in human colon carcinoma cell lines (Western, RT‐PCR) and primary colon tumors (RT‐PCR). The short isoform of the receptor (DR5S) was expressed at a higher level than the long isoform (DR5L). To determine the specific function of each isoform in regulating death signaling, a BJAB‐derived cell line lacking DR5 expression (DR5−/−) was employed. DR5 −/− cells were resistant to lexatumumab‐induced apoptosis, even when each DR5 isoform was expressed individually, despite the fact that the individual isoforms could still bind ligand (lexatumumab). Analysis of receptor complex formation indicated that DR5, FADD, and caspase‐8 were recruited; however, caspase‐8 was not processed. Apoptotic signaling was restored when both DR5 isoforms were re‐expressed in DR5−/− cells. Lexatumumab sensitivity of HCT8 cells was eliminated by stable shRNA knockdown of both DR5 isoforms, as was the recruitment of FADD and caspase‐8 to the receptor complex. In contrast, following 1 hr lexatumumab treatment in wild type HCT8 cells, both DR5 isoforms were recruited to the receptor complex; cell death correlated with recruitment of FADD, cleavage of caspase‐8, cleavage of RIP, and reduced expression of c‐FLIPS and c‐FLIPL. TRAF2 and c‐IAP2, but not TRAF1 or c‐IAP1, were also recruited; however, the significance of these signaling molecules in the cell death response is currently unknown. Overall, data indicate that both DR5S and DR5L are required for lexatumumab‐induced cell death via the DR5 receptor. Although the significance of this is currently unknown, factors that regulate lexatumumab‐induced cell death vs survival at the level of receptor complexes are currently being elucidated. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C153.