cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ex vivo purging with NK-92 prior to autografting for chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Although controversial, purging of the autograft may be necessary to optimize transplant outcome, especially if better treatments become available to eliminate or control residual disease that may be left after the conditioning regimen. The intent of this study was to show that immunological purging with the cytotoxic cell line NK-92 effectively reduces the number of clonogenic cells and that the method can be performed in compliance with GMP. Owing to the easy quantification of bcr-abl transcripts, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) was used as a model disease for proof of principle. A detection level of 10−7 bcr-abl+ cells and purging efficiency of four logs were achievable for the bcr-abl+ cell line, K562. Leukapheresis products collected from CML patients after stem cell mobilization were then tested. For all patients tested, residual CML cells were highly sensitive to purging by NK-92 with a purging efficacy of several logs. No adverse effect on hematopoietic progenitor cell function was noted. These results demonstrate the efficacy of NK-92 as a purging agent to decrease or eliminate malignant contamination of autologous stem cell grafts and establish proof of principle for ex vivo purging of CML autografts using cytotoxic effector cells.
Specific blockade of CTLA-4/B7 interactions results in exacerbated clinical and histologic disease in an actively-induced model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

In addition to an antigen-specific signal, T cell activation requires an antigen-independent costimulatory signal provided by interaction of CD28 with B7 (CD80 and CD86) on the APC. By blocking B7 interactions, previous studies demonstrated the requirement for costimulation in the induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Recent studies suggest that unlike CD28, CTLA-4 (a second B7 ligand) delivers an inhibitory signal. To address the regulatory role of CTLA-4 in EAE, we used an antibody directed against CTLA-4 administered at the time of disease induction. This resulted in a significantly more severe clinical course and more inflammatory and demyelinating lesions in the CNS of anti-CTLA-4-treated mice. These data suggest that CTLA-4-mediated inhibitory signals can regulate the clinical severity and histologic parameters of neuroautoimmune disease.
Effect of temperature and expectations on liking for beverages.

Three experiments investigated the influence of expectation on liking ratings of beverages at different temperatures. The first confirmed the general belief that people like certain beverages at certain familiar temperatures and dislike them at others. In the second experiment, subjects tasted and rated how much they liked four beverages (chicken bouillon, red wine, fruit punch and water) at three different temperatures (hot, room temperature, and cold) with their eyes closed (beverages not identified by the experimenter) and with their eyes open (beverages identified by the experimenter). They then rated how much they thought they would like these same beverages plus a number of new beverages at the three temperatures. Subjects rated the tastes of the beverages at unfamiliar temperatures (e.g., cold bouillon) when tasting them better than they thought they would. However, even after a few opportunities to taste a beverage at an unfamiliar temperature, expectations about its taste did not change. Experiment 3 successfully altered liking ratings of beverages by changing expectations concerning the temperature at which an unfamiliar beverage is typically consumed. The results argue for an important role for culture-based expectations in determining preferred temperatures for foods.
An experimental demonstration of the viability of energy minimizing computing using nano-magnets

There has been recent proposals for the use of nano-magnets to directly solve quadratic minimization problems, especially those arising in computer vision applications. This is unlike proposals for using nano-magnets to represent binary states. A collection of nano-magnets, when driven to their ground states, can be seen to optimize a quadratic energy function that is determined by their relative placement. By controlling the relative placement of nano-magnets, we can change the energy function being minimized. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate this capability by fabricating and testing an example of a quadratic optimization problem that accomplishes line grouping.
Chamber challenges: the necessity of objective observation.

Abstract The specialty of Allergy–Immunology has used human challenge testing procedures to test theories of causal relationships for decades. This includes highly characterized airborne allergens and chemicals with allergic sensitization potential. The utility of such testing to establish allergic sensitivity is well accepted. The causal relationship of chemical exposure and myriad clinical syndromes is a very contentious issue. The completion of the challenge chamber facility at EPA's Human Exposure Research Facility presents a grand opportunity for government investigators to work harmoniously with other nongovernment investigators in an effort to bring the redeeming spotlight of scientific discipline to the testy considerations of multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, and Gulf War illness phenomena.
Managerial skills acquisition: a case for using business policy simulations

The purpose of this study is to assess the educational value of simulation gaming in business policy courses. It examines and compares student and practitioner perceptions of simulation effectivene...
Cultural Competency and Tobacco Control Training in US Medical Schools: Many but Missed Opportunities

Tobacco-related morbidity and mortality disproportionately burdens America’s most vulnerable populations, and many physicians in the USA are untrained in smoking cessation skills with patients of various literacy levels and races and ethnicities. An anonymous survey was administered to 860 second year and 827 fourth year students at 12 medical schools. A faculty representative at each of the schools completed an assessment of the curriculum and rated medical students’ knowledge and skills for cultural competency. Report of experience in tobacco counseling for persons of various literacy levels and ethnicities rose from 42% (second year students) to 82% (fourth year students) and 48% (second year students) to 91% (fourth year students), respectively. However, only 37% of second year students and 40% of fourth year students reported that they had ever been taught to employ culturally competent strategies for tobacco cessation. This study found that almost two thirds of students in 12 medical schools reported no exposure to teaching about cultural competency and tobacco cessation, and approximately one third reported no practical experience with tobacco cessation counseling persons of various races and ethnicities. Effective cultural competency training for tobacco control should include teaching the social constructs of race, ethnicity, and socio-cultural concepts within a medical context. Additionally, students should receive supervised clinical opportunities to practice counseling, including opportunities to discuss and reflect on their experiences.
Lithium, potassium, and sodium alkoxides: donors in the Michael addition reaction of α-nitroolefins

Abstract Michael addition of potassio- or sodioalkoxides to α-nitroolefins provides essentially pure β nitroethers ( 1–10 ) in 78–100% isolated yield.
An iterative SOR algorithm for multi-period spatial equilibria

Abstract This paper presents an iterative algorithm for the solution of multi-period spatial equilibrium problems formulated in a net import format. We first present a net import formulation for the problem and then apply the SOR-based iterative algorithm for its solution. We later show that the algorithm can be extended to problems with sparse network and with congestion on the flows. Finally, we report computational experience with the proposed algorithm for the solution of some large problems.
Pheromone termite (PT) model to provide robust routing over Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, a scalable mobility-aware pheromone termite (PT) analytical model is proposed to provide robust and faster routing for improved throughput and minimum latency in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). PT also provides support for the network scalability and mobility of the nodes. The monitoring process of PT analytical model is based on two different parameters: packet generation rate and pheromone sensitivity for single and multiple links. The PT routing model is integrated with Boarder node medium access control (BN-MAC) protocol. Furthermore, we deploy two other known routing protocols with BN-MAC; Sensor Protocols for Information via Negotiation (SPIN) and Energy Aware routing Protocol (EAP). To demonstrate the strength of the PT model, we have used ns-2.35-RC7 to compare its Quality of Service (QoS) features with competing routing protocols. The simulation results demonstrate that the PT model is scalable and mobility-aware protocol that saves energy resources and achieves high throughput.
Man-Machine System Simulation for Flight Vehicles

A procedure for conducting a meaningful simulation of a man-machine system is presented and illustrated by various specific examples. The relationship of the various types of simulators to their use is outlined and desirable detailed characteristics are delineated. The tradeoffs between simulator complexity, realism and the interrelation of various feedback sensing cues (motion, visual or tactile) are discussed and the necessity of validating the simulation by use of a variable stability and variable control system aircraft is noted. It is shown that as the problem to be studied becomes more complicated or the questions asked of the simulation become more quantitative, the simulator characteristics must become more flight-like, since in the last analysis the best place to ask the question is when the pilot and the vehicle are immersed in the true environment (i.e., flight).
Unknown-input present-state observability of discrete-time linear systems

A generalized definition of the present-state unknown-input observability is given as well as the corresponding unobservable subspace for discrete-time linear dynamical systems whose initial state is known, unknown, or partially known. It is shown that the time sequence of the unobservable subspaces have interesting properties explicable via generalized reachability subspaces, namely, the properties of conditional monotonicity and those associated with it. Furthermore, an observer is constructed to determine the present state.
Rate theory of yield in boron nitride nanotubes

Combining ab initio computations with a probabilistic rate approach, we investigate the bond-rotation mode of plastic yield in boron nitride nanotubes to predict the kinetic and thermodynamic strength. Relative to carbon nanotubes, the boron nitride yield defects have lower activation but higher formation energies. This leads to an interesting phenomenon of strength crossover for these two important materials under different conditions: at moderate temperatures carbon is stronger, while at high temperatures (or extremely long times) the situation is reversed and boron nitride is more stable thermomechanically.
Serum bupivacaine concentrations after intraarticular injection for pain relief after knee arthroscopy.

Abstract Intraarticular injection of local anesthetic drugs after arthroscopic knee surgery is used to provide postoperative analgesia. Toxic serum levels of bupivacaine have been reported after its use both in regional anesthesia and for intraarticular injection. The toxicity of the former is related to needle misplacement and the latter is presumed to be absorptive. This study evaluates the effect of tourniquet inflation and the addition of epinephrine on serum concentrations of bupivacaine after intraarticular injection. The result shows that the peak serum bupivacaine concentrations can be reduced by adding epinephrine and injecting it after tourniquet inflation.
Eosinophilia and Incidence of Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infections of Secondary Students of an Indigenous School

The incidence of STHI and its relation to eosinophilia were examined in 74 students of a secondary school for the indigenous people (IP) in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, Philippines. After obtaining necessary permission and consent, blood and stool samples were collected and examined. Kato-Katz method was used to determine and quantify helminths. Differential WBC count identified the manifestation of eosinophilia. Incidence of blood eosinophilia among the participants was 58% (43/74) with 12.2% mean eosinophil WBC count. Percentage of eosinophil among infected and non-infected varied significantly (p<0.05), except for Trichuris infection. Cumulative morbidity of STHI is 37.8% (28/74) with mean ova count of 1266 EPGF. Females have significantly higher parasite load than males (t = 2.663; p = 0.015). Single and co-infections occurred among the participants. Occurrence of single infection was 14.7% (11/74) for Ancylostoma duodenale , 14.7% (11/74) for Ascaris lumbricoides , 1.4% (1/74) for Trichuris trichura , 6.8% (5/74) for co-infections. Light infection occurred in 35.1% (26/74) of the participants while 2.7% (2/74) suffered moderate infection. There was a moderate association (r = 0.328; p = 0.004) between eosinophilia and parasitism. Because STHI aggravate health, IP groups must be ensured of access to health services and health education. Regular implementation of effective helminthic-disease management and prevention programs is crucial to eliminate the prevalence and persistence of STHI in the area. Keywords - Eosinophilia, Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infections, Intestinal Parasitism, Helminthiasis, Indigenous People, Bukidnon
Things (We Now Believe) We Know

The present article responds briefly to the comments, in this issue of Educational Researcher, of Petrosino and of Robinson to the “Propagation of Misinformation About Frequencies of RFTs/RCTs in Education: A Cautionary Tale.” The authors emphasize that the context of how the quality of education research is perceived both within and outside the field creates the milieu for evaluating the ultimate impacts of misinformation about that quality. They note that related concerns have been detailed in various American Educational Research Association journal articles and in other reports for decades.
Trends in muskellunge population and fishery characteristics in Buffalo Harbor (Lake Erie) and the Niagara River

Abstract We review the history of muskellunge management and describe population and fishery responses to management actions. Stocking of muskellunge in the Niagara River occurred sporadically from 1941 to 1974 when angler harvest was common. Since the late 1970s, managers have enacted increasingly restrictive minimum length limits and anglers adopted a catch-and-release ethic. Despite these efforts, angler catches declined sharply after 1991 in Buffalo Harbor and 1984 in the upper Niagara River; catch rates rebounded after 2006 in the Niagara River, but remain near all-time lows in Buffalo Harbor. In addition, mean catch rates of young-of-the-year (YOY) in fall electrofishing surveys declined from 3.3/h in 1992–1993 to 1.7/h in 2006–2009 in Buffalo Harbor and 11.0/h in 1992–1994 to 5.4/h in 2006–2009 in the Niagara River. Several ecosystem changes occurred that likely contributed to reductions in muskellunge populations, but comprehensive monitoring programs were not in place to quantify these effects. Recent seining surveys show YOY muskellunge production during 2007–2011 was highly variable among index sites (within years) and years, but catch per unit effort was 5.3 times higher at Niagara River sites than Buffalo Harbor sites; catch per unit effort of all fishes was 9.5 times higher in the upper Niagara River than Buffalo Harbor. Both areas are in need of habitat restoration, but habitats in Buffalo Harbor appear especially poor for nearshore fishes. Uncertainty about which factors led to declines in angler catches of muskellunge and YOY production demonstrates the need for a comprehensive monitoring program and formal muskellunge management plan.
Internalized membrane immunoglobulin meets intracytoplasmic DR antigen in human B lymphoblastoid cells

The important role of type II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (Ia and DR) in the antigen presentation and in the antigen-specific cooperation between T and B cells is by now firmly established. Human B lymphoblastoid lines MWE and BL were stained with different fluoresceinated anti-DR antibodies. Not only surface but intracytoplasmic DR structures were brightly stained. The intracellular stain accumulated in a cluster close to the nucleus. Different specificity controls were performed. MWE and BL cells quickly internalize membrane IgM if cross-linked by corresponding antibodies. The intracellular location of the vesicles containing these complexes showed substantial coincidence with DR-positive structures in the paranuclear location. It is speculated that IgM-ligand complexes meet internal DR molecules and are both reexpressed on the plasma membrane to be recognized by primed T cells.
Cyclotron production of rhodium-101m from natural palladium radiochemical methods and preliminary biological studies

Rh coordination complexes having anticancer properties have been known since 1931.101mRh has excellent decay properties and can be used to study the biological behaviour of Rh-complexesin vivo. A method for its production using cyclotron technology is described. The yields for101Pd,100Pd,101mRh, and100Rh, produced by proton bombardment of natural Pd, are reported for proton energies from 40- to 60-MeV.101mRh thick-target yields of 0.9 m Ci/μAh at 32.7 h EOB were measured. A method is proposed to prepare No Carrier Added (NCA)101mRh in a chemical form suitable for labeling and/or clinical research,101mRh-chloride,101mRh-acetate, and101mRh-DTPA complexes were prepared and used to determine theirin vivo distribution in tumor-bearing laboratory animals. Results of these studies indicated the kidneys and liver being the primary rarget organs. However, bone and tumor uptakes for101mRh-DTPA were significantly different, with bone levels continuing to increase at 48-h and tumor levels maximizing at ≈24-h post administration. The half-life of101mRh was measured as 4.26±0.01 days.
Shaded relief map of U.S. topography from digital elevations

Much geologic and geophysical information that lies encoded within land surface form can be revealed by image processing large files of digitized elevations in fast machines and mapping the results. This convergence of computers, analytic software, data, and output devices has created exciting opportunities for automating the numerical and spatial study of topography. One recent result is the accompanying shaded relief map of the conterminous 48 states. A shaded relief image of topography mimics a cloud-free monochrome aerial photograph taken at low Sun. Gray tones represent different terrain slopes and azimuths calculated from adjacent elevations stored in a uniform grid, or digital elevation model (DEM). Sun elevation and direction can be varied to generate complementary views of the same area. The synoptic coverage of these computer images is a major advantage; unlike a photograph, image extent is limited only by size of the elevation array. Shaded relief maps also are free of the distortion found in radar images and of the vegetation and cultural features that mask topographic form on Landsat and SPOT images.
Till death do us part…but not always: Six antecedents to a customer's relational preference in buyer–seller exchanges

Abstract Since its emergence in the early 1990s as marketing's newest paradigm or school of thought, research in the area of relationship marketing has been proliferating. From the customer's perspective, initial attempts to become lifelong partners with key sellers or suppliers were appealing. However, as these propositions multiply in number and carry with them increasing burdens in terms of time and commitment, customers are reticent to enter into long-lasting relationships with all sellers. In this paper, we consider relationship formation from the customers' perspective and examine the antecedents to a customer's preference for a relational exchange orientation versus a transactional exchange orientation. Our belief is that, depending upon a set of contextual factors surrounding the exchange, customers will opt for a relational orientation with suppliers in some cases and for a more transactional orientation in others.
Sequence and Membrane Determinants of the Random Coil–Helix Transition of α-Synuclein

A random coil–helix transition underlies the association of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (αS) with curved vesicle membranes to fold Asp2–Ala89 into a continuous helix. To clarify this transition, we examined αS folding cooperativity, helix nucleation and propagation in relation to membrane stabilization and leakage on diverse small unilamellar vesicles. The sequences centering on Phe4 and Tyr39 initiate lipid interactions and the Phe4 region nucleates the helix irrespective of the order of Ser9–Ala89. However, helix propagation is not the sum of individual αS–membrane interactions; it requires non-uniform but balanced sequence distributions of lipid affinities and helix flexibility. The attained helix propagation, like folding cooperativity, depends distinctly on membrane lipid composition and correlates to the degree of αS-conferred membrane stabilization. Contrary to classical coil–helix folding thermodynamics, helix propagation proceeds with a small gain in free energy relative to helix nucleation indicating that its binding enthalpy is expended to compensate a high entropic cost of reducing lipid-packing defects in the curved membrane. Non-saturating lipid conditions or rigidification of the αS helix triggers an increase in small unilamellar vesicle membrane leakage. Thus, αS folding parameters appear highly optimized and closely matched to stabilize and protect its target membrane. Aging-associated changes in lipid and αS concentrations may therefore alter synaptic plasticity and contribute to αS misfolding that culminates in fatal neurodegeneration.
The effect of aminopterin on diphosphopyridine nucleotide.

Abstract 1. 1. The administration of small doses of aminopterin to adult female rats over a period of several days, or a single large dose, resulted in a marked decrease in liver diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPN) levels when the animals were sacrificed within a few hours following injection. 2. 2. As the time between the injection of aminopterin and killing increased, the level of DPN in the liver approached that found in the livers of stock animals. 3. 3. The DPN content of livers of rats was inversely related to the amount of aminopterin injected within a given range of concentrations. 4. 4. The incubation of normal rat liver homogenates with aminopterin decreased both the endogenous respiration and the DPN content. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) specifically counteracted this inhibition. 5. 5. The possible function of a folic acid derivative in DPN synthesis by way of ATP formation is discussed.
Viscoelastic Modeling And Inversion of a Marine Data Set

Deterministic waveform inversion in the domain permits estimation of the long-wavelength p-wave background velocity, the short-wavelength elastic parameter fluctuations, and the energy source for a marine data set from the Gulf of Mexico. The forward map is a convolutional model for p-wave primaries-only seismograms of viscoelastic, layered media. Two types of inversion (output least squares and differential semblance optimization) allow efficient estimation of various parameter combinations. Background velocities computed by differential semblance optimization were as consistent kinematically as those produced by interactive migration velocity analysis and gave somewhat more accurate depths. Source parameters obtained by output least squares inversion permitted considerably better fit to data than did those produced by an air gun modeling package. Output least squares inversiongave very short-scale detail of major reflectors closely resembling the detail derived from well logs. Despite evidence of considerable lateral heterogeneity in the shallow subsurface, estimates of deeper reflectors were remarkably consistent from midpoint to midpoint.
Examination of FMR1 transcript and protein levels among 74 premutation carriers

Fragile X-associated disorders are caused by a CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the 5′-untranslated region of the FMR1 gene. Expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeats to >200 copies (that is, a full mutation) induces methylation of the FMR1 gene, with transcriptional silencing being the eventual outcome. Previous data have shown that FMR1 premutation carriers (individuals with 55–199 repeats) have increased FMR1 mRNA levels with decreased protein (fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP)) levels. However, the point at which this translational inefficiency occurs, given the increased transcription mechanism, has not yet been explored and remains to be elucidated. We examined the repeat length group, FMR1 transcript and FMRP levels in 74 males with a wide range of repeat lengths using analysis of covariance to better characterize this association. Results showed that the mean FMRP level among carriers with 80–89 repeats was significantly higher than the mean levels among lower (54–79) and higher (90–120) premutation carriers, in spite of the increasing transcript level with repeat length. Taken together, these results suggest that the 80–89-repeat group may lead to different properties that increase the efficiency of translation compared with other premutation repeat size groups.
Hot carrier effects in conventional injection and tunneling injection quantum well laser diodes

The Minilase-II quantum well laser simulator is briefly described. Simulated modulation responses are then compared to experimental data, showing a good agreement between simulation and measurement. The simulator is also shown to distinguish between effects intrinsic to a quantum well laser and those due to external circuitry and device packaging. Next, Minilase-II is used to demonstrate the highly nonlinear effects of quantum carrier heating, including significant increases in low frequency roll off and differential gain suppressio. Finally, the simulator is used in a preliminary analysis of tunneling injection lasers. The analysis shows that tunneling injection results in less quantum carrier heating. However, the analysis also shows a decrease in the net injection of carriers into the quantum well, which offsets the decreased heating and leads to a a reduction in modulation bandwidth.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Large area amorphous silicon photodiode arrays for radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging

Abstract Amorphous silicon imaging devices consisting of two-dimensional pixel arrays of photodiodes and field effect transistors can now be fabricated over areas as large as 30 cm by 30 cm. Such imagers can offer considerable advantages for real-time radiotherapy megavoltage and diagnostic X-ray imaging applications. The design, operation, and advantages of such imagers are discussed, and sensor signal data are presented.
Effect of nitrogen source on methanol oxidation and genetic diversity of methylotrophic mixed cultures enriched from pulp and paper mill biofilms

Methanol-oxidizing bacteria may play an important role in the development and use of biological treatment systems for the removal of methanol from industrial effluents. Optimization of methanol degradation potential in such systems is contingent on availability of nutrients, such as nitrogen, in the most favorable form and concentration. To that end, this study examined the variation in growth, methanol degradation, and bacterial diversity of two mixed methylotrophic cultures that were provided nitrogen either as ammonium or nitrate and in three different concentrations. Methanol-degrading cultures were enriched from biofilms sampled at a pulp and paper mill and grown in liquid batch culture with methanol as the only carbon source and either ammonium or nitrate as the only added nitrogen source. Results indicate that growth and methanol removal of the mixed cultures increase directly with increased nitrogen, added in either form. However, methanol removal and bacterial diversity, as observed by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) methods, were higher when using nitrate as the nitrogen source for enrichment and growth, rather than ammonium. Based on results described here, nitrate may potentially be a better nitrogen source when enriching or working with mixed methylotrophic cultures, and possibly more effective when used as a nutrient addition to biofilters.
Monocyte localization of elevated cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in atopic dermatitis.

Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) manifest a number of immune abnormalities which correlates with an vitro defects including lymphocyte transformation, chemotaxis, and cytotoxicity. Past studies have shown reduced leukocyte cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels after exposure to adenylate cyclase-active agonist, and we have demonstrated that this results from increased catabolism due to elevated CAMP-phosphodiesterase activity. These results were obtained in preparation containing mixtures of lymphocytes and monocytes. In order to determine more precisely the cellular site of the defect we have separated the leukocytes into lymphocyte- and monocyte-enriched preparations using either Percoll-gradient centrifugation or adherence isolation. Both technique yielded over 93% pure lymphocytes, whereas the former yields 64% monocytes compared with the latter method which generated 94% pure monocytes. Atopic monocytes, obtained by either technique, consistently showed elevated phosphodiesterase activity compared with those of the non atopic monocytes. Such difference were not evident in lymphocyte preparation from normal and atopic subject. In spite of the increased rate of cAMP degrading in atopic leukocytes, the resting cAMP levels do not differ from those of normal subjects. We questioned whether this is caused by increased cAMP synthesis and evaluated cellular adenylate cyclase activity. We found no evidence in AD cells for an increased rate of adenylate cyclase catalysis, either basal activity or after stimulation by forskolin. Therefore, the resting cAMP levels must have been compensated by other mechanisms. Impaired cyclic nucleotide metabolism in atopic monocytes may affect a number of immunologic and inflammatory reactions and could account for many of the clinical abnormalities in atopic disease.
Cooperative radiation from atoms in different geometries: decay rate and frequency shift

A landmark in the development of quantum electrodynamics was the discovery that emission–reabsorption of virtual photons modifies the value of energy levels in an atom from those computed by using Dirac’s equation (Lamb shift). An early result of statistical quantum electrodynamics was that the exchange of virtual photons in an ensemble of identical atoms leads as well to a change in the frequency of the radiation emitted from this system (cooperative Lamb shift). Dicke’s discovery that coherence effects lead to the shortening of the emission lifetime from a small sample by a factor equal to the number of atoms in the ensemble (superradiance or cooperative decay rate) was an early landmark in quantum optics. Both cooperative decay rate and cooperative Lamb shift were shown to have the same physical origin—the exchange of virtual photons, a process described by the Lienard–Wiechert dipole–dipole interaction. This effective potential is the kernel of the integral equation describing the dynamics of the system. This complex long-range kernel gives, for both cooperative quantities, strong dependence on the geometry of the atomic cloud. I summarize the known expressions for the initial cooperative decay rate and the cooperative Lamb shift in different geometries. The results for both the scalar photon and the vector photon (electrodynamics) theories for experimentally realizable systems of either uniform or phased polarization are given.
Electrochemistry of norcocaine nitroxide and related compounds: Implications for cocaine hepatotoxicity

Norcocaine nitroxide, a free radical metabolite of cocaine, displays a reversible one-electron cyclic voltammogram which is abolished by the addition of reduced glutathione. The corresponding nitrosonium ion was synthesized. It showed the same electrochemical characteristics as the nitroxide. The spin label 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPOL) and its nitrosonium ion behaved like morcocaine nitroxide and its nitrosonium ion. The nitrosonium ion of TEMPOL caused hemolysis of red blood cells, but TEMPOL did not. These observations suggest that the highly reactive nitrosonium ion may be involved in the production of cocaine-induced hepatic necrosis in mice.
Longitudinal ABR in the NICU infant.

Abstract To assess the reliability of ABR testing of NICU infants, longitudinal ABR testing was accomplished on 50 NICU infants while hospitalized and subsequently at 4 and at 20–24 months of age. The results indicate that ABR testing in the NICU may be a poor predictor of subsequent permanent hearing loss. The implications of these findings are discussed with the recommendation that ABR testing in the NICU be used in concert with follow-up testing.
Polyethylene glycol binding alters human telomere G-quadruplex structure by conformational selection

Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are widely used to perturb the conformations of nucleic acids, including G-quadruplexes. The mechanism by which PEG alters G-quadruplex conformation is poorly understood. We describe here studies designed to determine how PEG and other co-solutes affect the conformation of the human telomeric quadruplex. Osmotic stress studies using acetonitrile and ethylene glycol show that conversion of the ‘hybrid’ conformation to an all-parallel ‘propeller’ conformation is accompanied by the release of about 17 water molecules per quadruplex and is energetically unfavorable in pure aqueous solutions. Sedimentation velocity experiments show that the propeller form is hydrodynamically larger than hybrid forms, ruling out a crowding mechanism for the conversion by PEG. PEGs do not alter water activity sufficiently to perturb quadruplex hydration by osmotic stress. PEG titration experiments are most consistent with a conformational selection mechanism in which PEG binds more strongly to the propeller conformation, and binding is coupled to the conformational transition between forms. Molecular dynamics simulations show that PEG binding to the propeller form is sterically feasible and energetically favorable. We conclude that PEG does not act by crowding and is a poor mimic of the intranuclear environment, keeping open the question of the physiologically relevant quadruplex conformation.
Radiologic determination of the caudal border of the spinal field in cranial spinal irradiation.

Abstract Purpose : The purpose of this paper is to determine the inferior border of the caudal sac which dictates the placement of the lower border of the spinal field in Cranial Spinal Irradiation. Methods and Materials : We have reviewed the pre-treatment craniospinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies of 24 evaluable children with seeding central nervous system tumors who were treated at our institution with Cranial Spinal Irradiation since 1988. Results : The Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies demonstrated significant variation in the terminal location of the caudal sac, ranging from S2 to S4. The most frequent termination was at S2 (12/24). In four patients (4/24), termination was at mid S1 and in eight others (8/24), it was found to be at or below S3. In addition, the presence of spinal metastases may displace the distal limit even further inferiorly. Conclusion : Rather than arbitrarily placing the inferior field edge at S2, we recommend individualizing the required margin for the spinal field which should be determined using sagittal TI-weighted images of the lumbosacral spine. This is particularly important in patients who present with spinal metastases, since tumor may extend the dural sac termination distally.
The national bibliographies of the Turkic republics of the Soviet Union

Abstract This article provides both historical and contemporary coverage of the national bibliographies. Book production of the Soviet Union and its Turkic-language republics has remained steady since the early 1970s. The number of new bibliographic publications, however, has increased over the last ten years, especially in the Uzbek and Kazakh SSR. This growth probably indicates the presence of powerful groups which aim at preserving Turkic languages and culture.
Study on Characteristic Indexes Indicating the Influence of Pollution and Air Pressure on the DC Flashover Voltage of Insulator

Under low air pressure, dc arcs often levitate from surface of polluted insulator to form air-gap arcs during flashover process. The U-I characteristic of surface arc is different from that of air-gap arc. Considering the characteristic differences between surface arc and air-gap arc, the values of characteristic indexes indicating the effects of pollution and air pressure on flashover voltage are studied theoretically. The theoretical values of the characteristic indexes are also compared with reported experimental data.
Intracranial hemorrhage: ultrasound, CT and MRI findings

Intracranial hemorrhage is one of the most common causes of acute focal neurologic deficit in children and adults. Neuroimaging including ultrasonography (US), computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential in the diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage. Imaging findings should guide treatment. The highly variable appearance of an intracranial hemorrhage can be challenging. A thorough knowledge of hematoma evolution and US, CT and MR hematoma characteristics is mandatory for adequate interpretation of findings. The purpose of this review is (1) to summarize the imaging characteristics of intracranial hemorrhage on various imaging techniques and (2) to review the various types of intracranial hemorrhage, and their causes.
Polymerization from the vapor phase. I. Poly(p-phenyleneterephthalamide) gas barrier coatings

An atmospheric-pressure, vapor-phase polymerization technique was used to deposit thin(1–10 μm) poly(p-phenyleneterephthalamide) coatings onto polyester film and other sheet substrates. A minimum deposition temperature of 170°C, was found to be critical. When substrate temperatures were below 170°C, coatings were loosely adhered, powdery, and of low molecular weight; above 170°C, coherent, well-adhered, high molecular weight coatings were obtained. These vapor-deposited coatings exhibited exceptionally good oxygen barrier properties and were found to consist of fused 0.1-μm particulates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the top surfaces of these coatings clearly revealed their particulate origin. Similar evidence was also obtained from SEM examination of fracture surfaces and transmission electron microscopy of microtomed sections. The coalescence of these coatings was demonstrated by SEM of plasma-etched surfaces and oxygen permeability information. The uniplanar orientation of the polymer crystals in these multiparticulate coatings was strong evidence for the epitaxial growth of the crystals.
Exploitation of Physical Constraints for Reliable Social Sensing

This paper develops and evaluates algorithms for exploiting physical constraints to improve the reliability of social sensing. Social sensing refers to applications where a group of sources (e.g., individuals and their mobile devices) volunteer to collect observations about the physical world. A key challenge in social sensing is that the reliability of sources and their devices is generally unknown, which makes it non-trivial to assess the correctness of collected observations. To solve this problem, the paper adopts a cyber-physical approach, where assessment of correctness of individual observations is aided by knowledge of physical constraints on both sources and observed variables to compensate for the lack of information on source reliability. We cast the problem as one of maximum likelihood estimation. The goal is to jointly estimate both (i) the latent physical state of the observed environment, and (ii) the inferred reliability of individual sources such that they are maximally consistent with both provenance information (who claimed what) and physical constraints. We evaluate the new framework through a real-world social sensing application. The results demonstrate significant performance gains in estimation accuracy of both source reliability and observation correctness.
Resonance structure counts in parallelogram-like benzenoids with holes

If a hexacyclic graph G represents a benzenoid, a perfect matching corresponds to a configuration of π-bonds. We present an algorithm for counting the number of configurations of π-bonds for parallelogram-like benzenoids with parallelogram-like holes by counting descending paths in a corresponding rectangular mesh with rectangular holes.
The importance of nanocrystal precursor conversion kinetics: mechanism of the reaction between cadmium carboxylate and cadmium bis(diphenyldithiophosphinate).

We describe the synthesis of cadmium bis(diphenyldithiophosphinate) (Cd(S2PPh2)2) from secondary phosphine sulfides and its conversion to cadmium sulfide nanocrystals. Heating Cd(S2PPh2)2 and cadmi...
Aerosol transmission of rhinovirus colds.

Rhinovirus infections may spread by aerosol, direct contact, or indirect contact involving environmental objects. We examined aerosol and indirect contact in transmission of rhinovirus type 16 colds between laboratory-infected men (donors) and susceptible men (recipients) who played cards together for 12 hr. In three experiments the infection rate of restrained recipients (10 [56%] of 18), who could not touch their faces and could only have been infected by aerosols, and that of unrestrained recipients (12[67%] of 18), who could have been infected by aerosol, by direct contact, or by indirect fomite contact, was not significantly different (chi 2 = 0.468, P = .494). In a fourth experiment, transmission via fomites heavily used for 12 hr by eight donors was the only possible route of spread, and no transmissions occurred among 12 recipients (P less than .001 by two-tailed Fisher's exact test). These results suggest that contrary to current opinion, rhinovirus transmission, at least in adults, occurs chiefly by the aerosol route.
A computationally efficient method for manipulator dynamic analysis

A computationally efficient method for manipulator dynamic analysis is presented. This method adopts two schemes to improve the computational efficiency. First, it takes the advantage of the following geometric feature of most manipulators: For the first three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) mechanism (positioning mechanism), all the links are moving in a principal plane that is rotating about the base axis with respect to the ground. With this geometry, only three equations of motion per link, two equations for the forces in the principal plane and one equation for the moments which are perpendicular to the principal plane, are needed for the inverse dynamic analysis of the first three-DOF motion. Thus, the number of equations can be reduced to half. Second, this method adopts longitudinal and transverse force components at certain joints in the formulation of equations of motion. This eliminates the need of a simultaneous solution of many equations, which is necessary in conventional Newton-Euler method. Hence, this method is more computationally efficient than the many existing dynamic analysis methods. Two examples, one is closed-chain type and the other is open-chain type, are used as illustrations.
Removal of poliovirus and rotavirus from tapwater by a quaternary ammonium resin

Abstract A quaternary ammonium-type anion exchange resin was tested as a contact water viral disinfectant. Suspensions of tapwater containing approx. 104 plaque-forming units ml−1 of poliovirus type 1 and Simian rotavirus SA-11 were passed through 1 ml beds of resin, at flow rates of 10–12 ml min−1. With resin 14-1.91 − > 99.9% of the input virus was removed. The beds were effective in removal of virus even after passage of 1500 ml of tapwater. Less than 10% of the virus associated with resin 14-1 could be recovered as compared to 100% for control resin. Kinetic studies indicated that virus adsorbed to the resins were being inactivated.
The Effects of Chronological Age and Size on Toxicity of Zinc to Juvenile Brown Trout

A series of toxicity tests were conducted to investigate the role of chronological age on zinc tolerance in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta). Four different incubation temperatures were used to control the maturation of the juveniles before zinc exposures. These 96-h exposures used flow-through conditions and four chronological ages of fish with weights ranging from 0.148 to 1.432 g. Time-to-death (TTD) data were collected throughout the exposure along with the final mortality. The results indicate that chronological age does not play a predictable role in zinc tolerance for juvenile brown trout. However, a relationship between zinc tolerance and fish size was observed in all chronological age populations, which prompted us to conduct additional exploratory data analysis to quantify how much of an effect size had during this stage of development. The smallest fish (0.148–0.423 g) were shown to be less sensitive than the largest fish (0.639–1.432 g) with LC50 values of 868 and 354 µg Zn/L, respectively. The Kaplan–Meier product estimation method was used to determine survival functions from the TTD data and supports the LC50 results with a greater median TTD for smaller fish than larger juvenile fish. These results indicate that fish size or a related characteristic may be a significant determinant of susceptibility and should be considered in acute zinc toxicity tests with specific attention paid to the expected exposure scenario in the field.
Gödel cosmology in Riemann-Cartan spacetime with spin density.

It is shown that the Goedel metric for a rotating cosmology is compatible with the self-consistent formulation of the Einstein-Cartan metric-torsion theory for a spinning fluid. In the model presented, the only changes are that the cosmological constant becomes slightly more negative, and the sense of rotation is flipped. If the Goedel model were a viable model, experimentally it would be difficult to distinguish between the two models unless the spin density could be measured directly.
Competency and consent to treatment

To the Editor.— Professor Drane's article, "Competency to Give an Informed Consent: A Model for Making Clinical Assessments," 1 offers a notable attempt to simplify the process of obtaining informed consent for medical care. Unfortunately, his suggestion of a "sliding standard" for competency raises serious ethical questions that undermine the value of his scheme. Standard 1 is intended to apply to those situations where the medical procedure is "not dangerous and objectively in the patient's best interest." In such cases the least stringent test for competency holds. Informed consent is considereed to have been given "as long as the patient is aware of what is going on." Whenever the illness is chronic or the proposed treatment more dangerous, then standard 2 is in effect. In these circumstances, competency to give consent exists if the patient is able to understand the risks and outcomes and is able to choose an alternative