cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: New Insights

Background Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a potentially fatal complication and the third leading cause of death in patients with HCC after tumor progression and liver failure. Previous studies suggested that improved HCC surveillance has decreased the incidence of rupture. This study aims to characterize patients with ruptured HCC over time and identify predictors of rupture. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected database of 1451 HCC patients to identify cases with rupture and predictors of rupture. Data were divided into three 9-year eras to compare and trend patient/tumor characteristics and rupture. Results Fifty-seven patients (3.9%) presented with spontaneous HCC rupture and the following characteristics: mean age 62.6 years, 73.7% males, 41% cirrhosis, and mean tumor size of 8.0 cm. On multivariate analyses, predictors of rupture included obesity, tumor >5 cm, and single tumors, whereas the presence of cirrhosis was a negative predictor for rupture. Across three eras, there were changes in disease etiology and decreases in tumor size, and more HCCs were found with surveillance. However, more patients were noncirrhotic, and the incidence of spontaneous rupture was unchanged over time. Conclusion Despite improved early detection of HCC over time, the incidence of rupture has been unchanged. The persistent incidence of rupture may possibly be attributed to increasing proportion of fatty liver–related HCC patients who lack traditional risk factors for surveillance and may not have cirrhosis. Better identification of fatty liver disease and determining which patients need HCC surveillance may be needed in the future to prevent spontaneous rupture.
Comparison of Neutron Organ and Effective Dose Coefficients for PIMAL Stylized Phantoms in Bent Postures in Cranial and Caudal Irradiation Geometries.

ABSTRACT Radiation dose estimations in the human body are performed using computational reference phantoms, which are anatomical representations of the human body. In previous studies, dose reconstructions have been performed focusing primarily on phantoms in an upright posture, which limits the accuracy of the dose estimations for postures observed in realistic work settings. In this work, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 103 recommendations for monoenergetic neutron plane sources directed downward from above the head (cranial) and upward from below the feet (caudal) for adult female and male reference phantoms were used to calculate organ absorbed and effective dose coefficients. The Phantom with Moving Arms and Legs (PIMAL) and the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) radiation transport code were used to compute organ-absorbed dose and effective dose coefficients for the upright, half-bent (45°), and full-bent (90°) phantom postures. The doses calculated for each of the articulated positions were compared to those calculated for the upright posture by computing the ratios of the coefficients (45°/upright and 90°/upright). These ratios were used to assess the effectiveness of upright phantoms in providing a comparable estimate when conducting dose estimations and dose reconstructions for articulated positions. This work compiling neutron cranial and caudal posture-specific dose coefficients completes the series of dose coefficients computed for posture-specific ICRP Publication 116 irradiation geometries for monoenergetic photons and neutrons, in addition to cranial and caudal monoenergetic photons. Results reported demonstrated that organ-absorbed dose coefficients for most of the organs in the CRA and CAU irradiation geometries were significantly higher for the bent phantoms than for the upright phantom. Since the upright phantom underestimates the organ-absorbed dose, this demonstrates the impact of posture while performing dose calculations. Organ doses reported in past neutron dose coefficient data were found to omit effects from neutron resonances at energies of 0.435, 1.0, and 3.21 MeV from 16O in tissue. Reported data notes as high as 60% underestimation for neutron organ-absorbed doses, specifically at the neutron resonance energy region omitted by smoothing. Ongoing studies are examining the effect of resonances on reported neutron organ-absorbed dose coefficients in ICRP 116 geometries.
Prenominal French and Uninflected Dutch Adjectives

This paper proposes a uniform analysis of canonical and noncanonical French and Dutch attributive adjectives. Canonically, French adjectives are postnominal and Dutch adjectives are inflected. The noncanonical counterparts are prenominal, for French, and lacking inflection, for Dutch. A review of the literature indicates several proposed locations in the noun phrase for adjectives, and this analysis utilizes three: Spec-Subj in the D-layer, Spec-Agr, and NP-internal. Adjectives in Spec-Agr produce a canonical reading, functioning like predicates of the noun phrase. The subjective nature of the D-layer and the proximity of NP-internal adjectives to N accounts for the noncanonical interpretations. The formal distinction in canonicity arises because Dutch adjective inflection is the exponent of the Agr-head, so that only Spec-Agr adjectives are inflected, and because French NP movement crosses the adjective in Spec-Agr, so that only Spec-Agr adjectives are postnominal.
Time-resolved sphere and fluid motions in turbulent boundary layers

This paper extends the study by Tee et al. (2020) to investigate the effect of large coherent structures on motion of spheres with specific gravities of 1.006 (P1) and 1.152 (P3) at Reτ = 670 and 1300 (d+ = 56 and 116). The sphere and fluid motions are tracked simultaneously via 3D particle tracking and stereoscopic particle image velocimetry over the streamwise-spanwise plane, respectively. With sufficient mean shear, sphere P1 lifts off of the wall upon release before descending back towards the wall at both Reτ. It typically accelerates strongly over a streamwise distance of less than one boundary layer thickness before approaching an approximate terminal velocity. By contrast, the denser sphere P3 does not lift off upon release but mainly slides along the wall. At lower Reτ where wall friction is stronger, this sphere translates with unsteady velocity, significantly lagging the local fluid. The streamwise velocities of both spheres correlate strongly with the fast- and slow-moving zones that approach and move over them. In most runs, both spheres lag the local coherent structures and travel with either fast- or slow-moving zones throughout the observed trajectories. Vortex shedding, which is most prevalent for sphere P3 at Reτ = 670, is also important. The sphere spanwise motion is prompted by wall friction, spanwise fluid motion, and/or meandering of the coherent structures, and spheres do not appear to migrate preferentially into slow-moving zones.
The biology of time: dynamic responses of cell types to developmental, circadian, and environmental cues.

As sessile organisms, plants are finely tuned to respond dynamically to developmental, circadian, and environmental cues. Genome-wide studies investigating these types of cues have uncovered the intrinsically different ways they can impact gene expression over time. Recent advances in single cell sequencing and time-based bioinformatic algorithms are now beginning to reveal the dynamics of these time-based responses within individual cells and plant tissues. Here, we review what these techniques have revealed about the spatiotemporal nature of gene regulation, paying particular attention to the three distinct ways in which plant tissues are time sensitive. (i) First, we discuss how studying plant cell identity can reveal developmental trajectories hidden in pseudotime. (ii) Next, we present evidence which indicates that plant cell types keep their own local time through tissue specific regulation of the circadian clock. (iii) Finally, we review what determines the speed of environmental signaling responses, and how they can be contingent on developmental and circadian time. By these means, this review sheds light on how these different scales of time-based responses can act with tissue and cell-type specificity to elicit changes in whole plant systems.
The prisoner's dilemma and predator-prey coevolution

Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma is a game designed to model open-ended interactions involving competition and cooperation. However, with the introduction of faulty information, players become both more aggressive and more forgiving. This allows the game to model exploitation as well. In this paper, the use of faulty information, spatialization, genetic algorithms, (including a novel modeling of mitochondrial genes which influences predator-prey and speciation issues) and several reproductive strategies are explored in terms of their use in modeling predator-prey interactions and their coevolution. Interactions between the fungal and algal components of lichen are explored, as an application.
Design of a wideband, 100 W, 140 GHz gyroklystron amplifier

The design study of a 140 GHz, 100 W continuous wave gyroklystron amplifier is presented. The device is intended for use in Dynamic Nuclear Polarization enhanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (DNP/NMR) spectroscopy experiments. The gyroklystron has five cavities and operates in the TE(0,2) mode with a low power electron beam. The design was performed using MAGY, a nonlinear code for modeling gyro-devices. The gyroklystron design process starting from the linear theory to the optimization of the final design in MAGY has been described in detail. Stagger tuning was employed to broadband the device. The design yields 130 W peak power, 36 dB saturated gain, and a -3 dB bandwidth of over 1 GHz (0.75%) with a 15 kV, 150 mA electron beam having a beam pitch factor of 1.5, radius of 0.64 mm and calculated perpendicular momentum spread of 4%. Preliminary designs of the Magnetron Injection Gun (MIG), the input and output couplers, and the mode converter to transform the TE(0,2) operating mode to the HE(1,1) mode for low loss transmission of the output power are also presented. The design meets the specifications for the DNP experiment.
Biological imaging without autofluorescence in the second near-infrared region

Fluorescence imaging is capable of acquiring anatomical and functional information with high spatial and temporal resolution. This imaging technique has been indispensable in biological research and disease detection/diagnosis. Imaging in the visible and to a lesser degree, in the near-infrared (NIR) regions below 900 nm, suffers from autofluorescence arising from endogenous fluorescent molecules in biological tissues. This autofluorescence interferes with fluorescent molecules of interest, causing a high background and low detection sensitivity. Here, we report that fluorescence imaging in the 1,500–1,700-nm region (termed “NIR-IIb”) under 808-nm excitation results in nearly zero tissue autofluorescence, allowing for background-free imaging of fluorescent species in otherwise notoriously autofluorescent biological tissues, including liver. Imaging of the intrinsic fluorescence of individual fluorophores, such as a single carbon nanotube, can be readily achieved with high sensitivity and without autofluorescence background in mouse liver within the 1,500–1,700-nm wavelength region.
Descriptive analysis for computer-based decision support

This article studies the issue of descriptive analysis for Decision Support Systems (DSS). Much of the DSS research literature concentrates on the procedural aspects of building support systems rather than on the substantive issues of their content. If we are to expand our knowledge of DSS, however, it is important to complement our understanding of the process of their development with a means for describing and differentiating DSS. In particular, a descriptive mechanism should pay careful attention to those features of DSS that determine the effects a support system has on the decision making processes of its users. A three-tiered approach to describing DSS is proposed, consisting of the following sequence of analytical levels: functional capabilities, user views of system components, and system attributes (restrictiveness, guidance, and focus). Moving from the first through the third tiers, increasing attention is paid to examining DSS in their entirety and to considering their effects on decision maki...
Composition of extracellular polymeric substances from periphyton assemblages in the Florida Everglades.

In wetland habitats, periphyton is a common component of open-water areas with species assemblage determined by local water quality. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by algae and bacteria give structure to periphyton, and differences in EPS chemistry affect the functional roles of these polymers. The Florida Everglades provide a unique opportunity to study compositional differences of EPS from distinctive algal assemblages that characterize areas of differing water chemistry. Water conservation area (WCA)-1 is a soft-water impoundment; periphyton was loosely associated with Utricularia stems and amorphous in structure, with a diverse desmid and diatom assemblage, and varying cyanobacterial abundance. Extracellular polymers were abundant and were loosely cell-associated sheaths and slime layers in addition to tightly cell-associated capsules. The EPS were complex heteropolysaccharides with significant saccharide residues of glucose, xylose, arabinose, and fucose. Carboxylic acids were also prominent, while ester sulfates and proteins were small components. Structured, cohesive cyanobacteria-dominated periphyton was observed in WCA-2A, a minerotrophic impoundment, and filaments were heavily encrusted with calcium carbonate and detrital matter. EPS were primarily cell-associated sheaths, and polymer residues were dominated by glucose, xylose, fucose, and galactose, with uronic acids also a significant component of the polymers. Principal components analysis revealed that periphyton community assemblage determined the monosaccharide composition of EPS, which ultimately determines a range of biogeochemical processes within the periphyton.
Hemin-induced modifications of the antigenicity and hemin-binding capacity of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide

Previous studies have shown that the physical, biochemical, and antigenic properties of the bacterial outer membrane are profoundly influenced by the growth environment. In the present study, the effects of growth in hemin-replete (H+) and hemin-depleted (H-) media on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis were investigated. Our studies show that LPS from P. gingivalis cultured in H+ media (H+LPS) expressed additional low-molecular-mass antigens, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot (immunoblot) analysis. Particularly evident was a 26-kDa antigen (26 LPSC) that was lost from the LPS upon transfer of P. gingivalis into H- media. The loss of the 26 LPSC was accompanied by a marked reduction in the hemin-binding capacity of the LPS. The 26 LPSC was refractory to Coomassie blue staining and proteinase K digestion. H+LPS from strain W50/BE1, a nonpigmented pleiotropic strain, lacked the 26 LPSC and did not bind hemin. Polyclonal antiserum raised to whole-cell antigens of P. gingivalis A7436, W83, and HG405 grown in H+ media, but not in H- media, recognized the 26 LPSC in the purified H+LPS from any of the three strains. The immunoreactivities of sera from humans with (n = 24) or without (n = 25) periodontitis to the 26 LPSC and other H+LPS determinants were analyzed by Western blot. Overall, 75% of adult periodontitis patient sera reacted with multiple bands in the H+LPS stepladder, particularly in the range of 14 to 27 kDa. In contrast, only 20% of control sera reacted faintly with H+LPS bands in the range 27 to 34 kDa. The 26 LPSC was recognized by over 40% of sera from adult patients with periodontitis and none of the healthy control sera. Taken together, these results suggest that the antigenicity and hemin-binding properties of P. gingivalis LPS can be modified by growth in H+ media.
An Experimental Ninth‐Grade Anthropology Course

A ninth-grade course in anthropology was taught for three years at the North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois. Initially, the first quarter concerned ethnography and the principles of cultural and social anthropology; the second centered around evolution, human origins, and the development of civilization; and the third dealt with comparative modern civilizations. However, the first year convinced us that this was too much material, so the third quarter was dropped and the remainder of the material was spread over the entire year. Ninth graders are a good audience for anthropology because they are interested in ethnography, can compare ethnographic situations to their own situations, and most especially are learning and practicing at being adults so that cultural and social techniques are of great immediate interest.
Molecular cloning, functional expression, and characterization of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase from anaerobic muscle of the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum

Abstract The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) plays a key role in the anaerobic mitochondrial metabolism of the parasitic nematodeAscaris suum.A cDNA coding for anA. suumpyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (APDK) has been cloned and sequenced from poly(A)+RNA isolated from adultA. suummuscle.2APDK exhibited significant sequence identity to mammalian PDKs. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the APDK cDNA revealed a 22-nucleotide spliced leader, characteristic of many nematode mRNAs, a 5′-UTR of 6 nucleotides, an open reading frame of 1197 nucleotides, and a 3′-UTR of 101 nucleotides that included a putative polyadenylation signal. The open reading frame predicted a protein of 399 amino acids with a molecular weight of 45,402 that included a putative 18-aminoacid leader peptide. Recombinant APDK (rAPDK) was functionally expressed inEscherichia coliwith a his tag at its N-terminus and purified to apparent homogeneity on Ni-NTA–agarose. Recombinant APDK was a dimer and was not autophosphorylated and its activity was stimulated in the presence of APDK-deficient adultA. suummuscle PDC presumably by the binding of APDK to the dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2) core of the complex. After binding to the core, rAPDK activity was stimulated by elevated NADH/NAD+and acetyl CoA/CoA ratios within the same ranges as observed for the native APDK. Immunoblotting suggested that native APDK focused as a series of 43-kDa spots (pI6.1–6.8) on two-dimensional gels of the purified adultA. suummuscle PDC.
Teaching Note–Cooling Device for Broken-Out Eggs

Abstract A cooling device was developed to prevent the rapid breakdown of the quality of broken-out eggs displayed in open air educational settings. This device consists of a plastic container that holds a freezeable jell. Blue ice. Loose polystyrene is utilized for insulation. A petri dish set on the container lid will hold a broken-out egg. Egg quality can be held over a sufficient period of time for education or contest purposes.
Fossil Radio Emission Associated with Currently Active Radio Galaxies

We have begun an investigation of how often and for how long galaxies undergo episodes of nonthermal nuclear activity. Radio images of galaxies at high frequencies (~1 GHz and above) reveal nuclear activity over only a limited time interval preceding the current epoch. However, extended radio emission from earlier epochs of activity should be more prominent at lower radio frequencies because the much longer synchrotron radiation lifetimes of low-energy electrons result in spectra that steepen with time. After ~108 yr, radio emission from early epochs of activity may only be detectable at lower radio frequencies. To begin our investigation, we have chosen fields for observation that contain currently active galaxies because these are known to be capable of nuclear activity. We observed three 10° fields with the VLA at 74 MHz that contained seven active galaxies from the Pearson-Readhead sample plus a rich cluster of galaxies. Three of the active galaxies and the galaxy cluster were also observed at 327 MHz. None of the targeted active galaxies showed extended emission that we interpret as evidence of earlier activity. However, 10 background radio sources (out of ~100) in the VLA fields of view did appear to have extended low-frequency emission, with the best case for fossil radio lobes being 3C 338. Our results suggest that extended low-frequency radio emission on scales of several arcminutes may be quite common in radio sources detectable with the VLA at 74 MHz. With adequate statistics, the study of fossil lobes can improve our understanding of the number and duration of active epochs, the history of black hole accretion, and galactic evolution. More sensitive, higher resolution, and lower frequency observations with future instruments will greatly enhance this study.
A Universal Method for Representation of In-Flight Particle Characteristics in Thermal Spray Processes

The advent of user-friendly in-flight process diagnostic tools has significantly improved our understanding of thermal spray processes. This paper examines the critical attributes of these diagnostic measurements and the applicability of the nondimensional group parameters as a mapping strategy for data visualization. Specifically, first-order process maps (process-particle interactions) have been addressed by converting the temperature (T)-velocity (V) of particles obtained via diagnostics into nondimensional group parameters [Melting Index (MI)-Reynolds number (Re)]. This approach provides an improved description of the thermal and kinetic energy of particles and allows for cross comparison of diagnostic data within a given process for different materials, comparison of a single material across different thermal spray processes, and detailed assessment of the melting behavior through recourse to analysis of the distributions. An additional group parameter, Oxidation Index (OI), has been applied to relatively track the oxidation extent of metallic particles under different operating conditions.
Synthesis of tracer labelled [11,12-3H]-β-carotene

The synthesis of tracer labelled [11,12-3H]-β-carotene is described. The procedure uses Wittig condensation of tracer labelled 3H-retinal (retinal spiked with [11,12-3H]-retinal) with retinyl triphenylphosphonium bromide. The preparation of tracer labelled[3H]-β-carotene is suitable for studies involving bioavailability and bioconversion of β-carotene to vitamin A. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degenerative scoliosis and stenosis—Surgical management

Abstract Adult degenerative scoliosis affects the growing elderly population and is an expanding challenge for spine surgeons. The etiology and natural history of this disease are imperfectly understood; however, it is accepted that degenerative spinal curvature is likely to progress. Severe deformity, particularly in the sagittal plane, is poorly tolerated. Treatment is complicated in this population where comorbid or mimicking diseases are the norm. Where appropriate, surgery is undertaken only after a thorough assessment of each patient's spinal geometry. Guidelines aid in selecting among or combining surgical procedures. Increased potential for correction generally involves increased risk. Complications are common after surgery for adult degenerative scoliosis and their management should be anticipated.
The Effects of Storage Conditions Upon Acetylmethylcarbinol, Diacetyl, and Ethyl Alcohol in Apple Juice

SUMMARY A total of 576 samples of apple juice stored at 0, 37, 72, and 91 °F were analyzed during a period of 242 days. Of these, 283 were analyzed for acetylmethylcarbinol (AMC), 195 for diacetyl, and 98 for ethyl alcohol. There was no significant decrease in quantity of AMC or ethyl alcohol in apple juice in tin cans and glass bottles during the storage periods. The level of diacetyl, however, declined at a significant rate when diacetyl had been added to apple juice in bottles and stored at 91 and 72°F for 219 days. Only AMC was tested for its stability during repeated thawing and re-freezing periods. No significant changes occurred in the quantities of AMC present in these frozen samples.
Vector-field quantum model of degenerate four-wave mixing

A quantum theory of degenerate four-wave mixing is presented in which the atomic medium consists of stationary four-level atoms, each with three degenerate excited states, and the interacting light beams are allowed to be in different states of polarization. This vector-field theory differs from the scalar-field theory of Reid and Walls [Phys. Rev. A 31, 1622 (1985)] in that there are new atomic variables in the Langevin equations which are related to the induced coherence between the upper atomic states. It is found, for the assumed set of atomic levels, that this seemingly different mechanism of four-wave-mixing gain does not circumvent the degrading effect of spontaneous emission on squeezing obtainable via degenerate four-wave mixing. The theory is applied to both forward and backward degenerate four-wave mixing with nearly collinear geometry, and specialized to the case in which the polarization states of the two pump modes are mutually orthogonal. It is found that for both forward and backward configurations, the range of pump intensity for which squeezing can be achieved in the vector-field case is larger than that in the scalar-field case, and the maximum amount of squeezing obtainable at a particular pump detuning is comparable in both cases.
Image sharpness measurement in the scanning electron-microscope--part III.

Fully automated or semi-automated scanning electron microscopes (SEM) are now commonly used in semiconductor production and other forms of manufacturing. Testing and proving that the instrument is performing at a satisfactory level of sharpness is an important aspect of quality control. The application of Fourier analysis techniques to the analysis of SEM images is a useful methodology for sharpness measurement. In this paper, a statistical measure known as the multivariate kurtosis is proposed as an additional useful measure of the sharpness of SEM images. Kurtosis is designed to be a measure of the degree of departure of a probability distribution. For selected SEM images, the two-dimensional spatial Fourier transforms were computed. Then the bivariate kurtosis of this Fourier transform was calculated as though it were a probability distribution. Kurtosis has the distinct advantage that it is a parametric (i.e., a dimensionless) measure and is sensitive to the presence of the high spatial frequencies necessary for acceptable levels of image sharpness. The applications of this method to SEM metrology will be discussed.
Psychosomatic disorders in children: Structural family therapy

Abstract Structural family therapy has proved effective in Severe childhood and adolescent psychosomatic disorders unresponsive to medical management or other forms of psychotherapy. The authors review a psychosomatic research project and the profile of the family that developed from it, and describe how principles of structural family therapy are applied to treatment of childhood psychosomatic disorders.
State Educational Governance Patterns.

Several attempts to present a theory of the state politics of education have led to mixed results. These past attempts at theorizing about or modeling in the literature are reviewed and synthesized in a reconstructed framework based on the theoretical underpinnings of Tonnies and Weber. The developed framework also integrates and explains several studies that have here to fore been viewed as in conflict.
Classical versus critical behavior at the charge-density wave instability in TTF-TCNQ (tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane)

We present high-precision magnetic-susceptibility data in the vicinity of the 53-K transition in TTF-TCNQ (tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane). It is argued that as $T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{C}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$, the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility $\ensuremath{\chi}$ mirrors the electronic ordering energy and hence the temperature derivative $\frac{d\ensuremath{\chi}}{\mathrm{dT}}$ behaves like the critical specific heat. A critical-exponent analysis of the susceptibility data yields $\frac{d\ensuremath{\chi}}{\mathrm{dT}}\ensuremath{\sim}{|t|}^{\frac{\ensuremath{-}1}{2}}\ensuremath{\equiv}{|\frac{(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{C})}{{T}_{C}}|}^{\frac{\ensuremath{-}1}{2}}$ in agreement with a classical three-dimensional Ornstein-Zernike approximation for the order-parameter correlations. An anomalous contribution to the magnetic susceptibility in the vicinity of $T=48$ K was searched for but not found.
A note on “Stochastic unpaced line design: Review and further experimental results”

Executive Summary A 1985 study in this journal examined the “bowl phenomenon” and claimed to demonstrate that Hillier and Boling's original results 1967 were due to an assumption of unrealistically large variations in processing times. A closer look at these findings reveals that they are derived from a flawed experiment that cannot possibly serve to verify whether or not average task times at work stations on an assembly line should be selected in a bowl distribution. We offer further arguments in clarification of Hillier and Boling's original work based both on our own simulation experiments as well as recent studies by other authors. We also comment on the need to orient future efforts toward practical integration of the bowl phenomenon result with other findings that relate to improving the throughput of unpaced assembly lines.
Time-Series Modeling of Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity: A Promising Window on Disease Progression and Repair Potential?

This article discusses and reviews advanced forms of serial morphometry in the context of a disease progression model in multiple sclerosis (MS). This model of disease activity distinguishes between overall disease activity and the proportion thereof that becomes permanent damage. This translates into a progression model that features a repair potential, which, when exhausted, marks the conversion or progression from relapsing to progressive disease. The level of repair capacity at a given time determines the rate of progression. Both clinical and MRI variables appear to be in support of such a model. We examine possible MRI markers for this repair capacity, particularly the short-term behavior of new MRI lesions, quantified by methods of time-series analysis—that is, capturing lesion dynamics in the form of MRI intensity change directly, rather than shape or volume change. Lower rates of individual lesion recovery may represent lower repair and greater proximity to a progressive stage. Individuals with low transient lesion turnover appear to undergo more rapid progression and atrophy. Because disease-modifying therapies aim to alter the pathophysiological chain of inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss, a therapeutic effect may therefore be more readily apparent as a change in lesion dynamics and recovery rate and level, rather than a change in total lesion burden or enhancing lesion number.
Potential source of error in official diazepam assays.

Abstract A possible source of interference by a benzophenone hydrolysis product with the USP XIX spectrophotometric determination of diazepam in dosage forms is reported. A minor adaptation of the official assay procedures is briefly proposed as one method to correct this error.
The Density Effect for the Ionization Loss in Various Materials

The density effect for the ionization loss of charged particles has been calculated for a number of metals, scintillating materials, gases at various pressures, and photographic emulsion, using a dispersion model involving an appropriate number of dispersion oscillators for each substance. The results are presented in the form of graphs which can be used to correct the ionization loss for the density effect. The theoretical curves for silver chloride and anthracene are in reasonable agreement with experiments on the ionization loss of $\ensuremath{\mu}$-mesons. A general derivation of the equations for the density effect is given.
Interfacial diffusion relaxation of internal stresses in solids

The relaxation of internal stresses due to interfacial diffusion in a two-phase solid is studied theoretically with the help of the onsageristic approach of irreversible thermodynamics. In this note we derive an expression for the rate at which internal stresses associated with misfit caused by bonding a flat surface of one material to a rough surface of another. The two phases are treated as isotropic clastic substances. It is assumed that the components of only of the solids are capable of leaving their positions of migrating along the interface. The driving force for this process is minimization of total energy-clastic plus interfacial energy. We show that the time constant for relaxing these stresses is proportional to the cube of the wavelength of the roughness.
Congenital absence of the umbilical cord resulting from maldevelopment of embryonic body folding

We report a case of extreme maldevelopment of embryonic body folding that resulted in incomplete fusion of the amnion to the chorion and failure to form an umbilical cord. Massive intra-abdominal and intrathoracic herniation led to rapid neonatal death. The accurate ultrasonic characterization of the defect enabled prudent perinatal management.
Natural products phytotoxicity A bioassay suitable for small quantities of slightly water-soluble compounds.

A large variety of secondary metabolites that can inhibit germination and/or seedling growth are produced by plants in low quantities. The objective of this study was to develop a bioassay capable of reliably assessing reductions in germination percentage and seedling length of small-seeded plant species caused by exposure to minute quantities of these compounds. The germination and growth of alfalfa (Medicago saliva), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) were evaluated against six known phytotoxins from five chemical classes; cinmethylin (a herbicidal cineole derivative) was selected as a comparison standard. Each phytotoxin, dissolved in a suitable organic solvent, was placed on water-agar in small tissue culture wells. After the solvent evaporated, imbibed seeds were placed on the agar; after three days, germination percentages and seedling lengths were measured. Compared to a commonly used filter paper procedure, this modified agar bioassay required smaller quantities of compound per seed for comparable bioassay results. This bioassay also readily permitted the measurement of seedling length, a more sensitive indicator of phytotoxicity than germination. Seedling length decreased sigmoidally as the toxin concentration increased logarithmically. Phytotoxicity was a function of both compound and plant species. Cinmethylin, a grass herbicide, reduced the length of annual ryegrass seedlings by 90–100%, whereas that of alfalfa and velvetleaf was inhibited slightly. The agar bioassay facilitated the rapid and reliable testing of slightly water-soluble compounds, requiring only minute quantities of each compound to give reproducible results.
Energy harvesting under excitations of time-varying frequency

Abstract The design and optimization of energy harvesters capable of scavenging energy efficiently from realistic environments require a deep understanding of their transduction under non-stationary and random excitations. Otherwise, their small energy outputs can be further decreased lowering their efficiency and rendering many critical and possibly life saving technologies inefficient. As a first step towards this critical understanding, this effort investigates the response of energy harvesters to harmonic excitations of time-varying frequency. Such excitations can be used to represent the behavior of realistic vibratory environments whose frequency varies or drifts with time. Specifically, we consider a piezoelectric stack-type harvester subjected to a harmonic excitation of constant amplitude and a sinusoidally varying frequency. We analyze the response of the harvester in the fixed-frequency scenario then use the Jacobi–Anger's expansion to analyze the response in the time-varying case. We obtain analytical expressions for the harvester's response, output voltage, and power. In-depth analysis of the attained results reveals that the solution to the more complex time-varying frequency can be understood through a process which “samples” the fixed-frequency response curve at a discrete and fixed frequency interval then multiplies the response by proper weights. Extensive discussions addressing the effect of the excitation parameters on the output power is presented leading to some initial suggestions pertinent to the harvester's design and optimization in the sinusoidally varying frequency case.
Errata: Prediction of Turbulent Boundary Layers at Low Reynolds Numbers

Fig. 2 Vorticity of trailing vortex measured by vorticity meter. bulence," Rept. 74-01, Feb. 1974, Rochester Applied Science Associates, Rochester, N.Y. Poppleton, E.D., "A Preliminary Experimental Investigation of the Structure of a Turbulent Trailing Vortex," TN 71-1, May 1971, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Kantha, H.L., Lewellen, W.S., and Durgin, F.H., "Qualitative Responses of a Vortex Core to Tip Blowing and Intersecting Airfoils," ASRL-TR 153-4, Aug. 1971, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. McCormick, B.W., Tangier, J.L., and Sherrieb, H.E., "Structure of Trailing Vortices," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 5, March 1968, p. 260. 5 White, R.P. and Balcerak, J.C., "Investigation of the Dissipation of the Tip Vortex of a Rotor Blade by Mass Injection," TR 72-43, 1972, USAAMRDL, Ft. Eustis, Va., 1972. Sheath, D.D., "Vortex Airfoil Interaction Tests," Proceedings of the AIAA 2nd Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, Sept. 1972, Palo Alto, Calif. Corsiglia, V.R., Schwind, P.G., and Chigier, N.A., "Rapid Scanning, Three-Dimensional, Hot-Wire Anemometer Surveys for Wing Tip Vortices in the Ames 40-by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel," AIAA Paper 73-629, Palm Springs, Calif., 1973. Orloff, K.L. and Grant, G.R., "The Application of A Scanning Laser Doppler Velocimeter to Trailing Vortex Definition and Alleviation," AIAA Paper 73-680, Palm Springs, Calif., 1973. Marchman, J.F., III and Uzel, J.N., "Effect of Several Wing Tip Modifications on a Trailing Vortex," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 9, Sept. 1972, pp. 684-686.
Oxygenate and odor formation in a precombustion flow reactor

A premixed, prevaporized, preignition flow reactor has been designed, built, and instrumentedfor studying diesel exhaust oxygenate/odor formation reactions during the preignition reaction phase of combustion. Sampling and analysis techniques were based on the Diesel Odor Analysis System (DOAS), which measures exhaust oxygenates and is correlated with odor intensity. Flow reactor stoichiometry, fuel and oxidizer concentrations, space velocity, and reactant temperature and residence time were investigated for their effects on oxygenate/odor formation. Very lean dodecane/air mixtures (100 ≤A/F≤150, 0.10≤≤0.15) were investigated at temperatures between 0.01 and 0.16 sec. All experiments were at atmospheric pressure. Oxygenate/odor formation was very close to first order in reactant concentration and the measured concentrations of odorants accelerated with residence time indicating a chain branching mechanism. Reaction rates increased with temperature, as expected, but above 340°C a leveling off was observed such that an apparent steady state oxygenate/odor concentration was eventually reached. An empirical global rate expression was derived for describing the preignition oxygenate/odorformation process. The resultant expression is: RR=1020.85 exp(−18,460/T)[F]0.87 [O2]1.0 where the reaction rate is in moles of oxygenates per liter per second and the reactant concentrations are in moles per liter. This expression was found to satisfactorily predict the experimental data at temperatures below 350°C.
A sub-unit vaccine elicits IgG in serum, spleen cell cultures and bronchial washings and protects immunized animals against pneumonic plague.

In this study, the protection afforded against aerosolized Yersinia pestis by injection of an alhydrogel-adsorbed sub-unit vaccine has been compared with that given by an existing killed whole cell vaccine licensed for human use. The sub-unit vaccine protected mice against exposure to > 104 colony-forming units (c.f.u.) of virulent plague organisms (100 LD50 doses), whereas the whole cell vaccine provided only 50% protection against 1.8 × 103 c.f.u. In sub-unit vaccinees, IgG to each of the F1 and V antigens contained in the vaccine, was detected in serum, on direct secretion by spleen cells and in broncho-alveolar washings (BAL). In killed whole cell vaccinees, physiologically significant levels of IgG to F1 only were detectable in equivalent samples. Levels of F1-specific IgG in serum, secreted from spleen cells and in BAL were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in sub-unit compared with killed whole cell vaccinees. IgA was not detected in BAL from intra-muscularly dosed sub-unit vaccinees and thus the protection achieved against inhalational challenge with Yersinia pestis is attributed to the induction of systemic immunity to both the F1 and V antigens in the sub-unit vaccine. The enhanced protective efficacy of this sub-unit vaccine over an existing vaccine has been demonstrated in an animal model of pneumonic plague.
Black and White Population Growth in American Suburbs: Transition or Parallel Development?

This study examines the impact of black population size and rate of increase on white population change in American suburbs between 1960 and 1970. The data indicate that there is no tipping point. In small suburbs the black population variables interact, while in medium and large suburbs percent black has a moderate additive effect on white population growth and black population increase is unimportant. These patterns persist even when variables causally prior to the white and black population variables are controlled. Finally, in only a few instances within the observed range of percent black or rate of black population increase, or any combination of these variables, was there any absolute decline in the white population. In this paper we examine the relation between the relative size (and changes in size) of the black population and changes in the white population in American suburbs between 1960 and 1970. In particular we ask whether there is any causal connection among these variables and the functional form of any relation. These are important questions for urban policymakers as well as for ecological theory. While the proportion of the suburban population which is black has remained quite stable at about 5 percent for a number of decades, this apparent stability masks the fact that substantial numbers of blacks are moving to suburbs (cf. Connally). From the point of view of policymakers, understanding the relation between white behavior and black population variables is especially important in formulating strategies to influence emergent metropolitan housing patterns. It is important for ecological theory in its potential for understanding the general relation between black and white population expansion. Surprisingly, the literature on this question has been largely confined *The research was partly supported by Grant (MH28815-01) from the Center for Study of Metropolitan Problems of the National Institutes of Mental Health. The authors sincerely thank Martin Patchen and an anonymous referee for their thoughtful and helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. C) 1979, University of North Carolina Press. 0037-7732/79/010305-28$02.40
Distinctive pharmacological profile of a nonadrenergic inhibitory system in bullfrog lung

Abstract 1 Bullfrog hemilungs, pretreated with atropine, are markedly relaxed on addition of carbachol. Since the relaxant effect is inhibited by tetrodotoxin or hexamethonium, it is neurally mediated and involves stimulation of nicotinic receptors with release of an unknown inhibitory transmitter. 2 Carbachol-induced relaxation is nonadrenergic since: (a) it considerably exceeds the maximal effects of isoprenaline or the effect of 10-3M adrenaline or noradrenaline; (b) it elicits marked further relaxation in preparations already relaxed by high concentrations of catecholamines; (c) it is not attenuated by low concentrations of propranolol (10-6 and 3 × 10-6M) that competitively antagonize isoprenaline-induced relaxation. 3 Carbachol-induced relaxation has multiple distinguishing characteristics, which serve as a fingerprint for the unknown inhibitory transmitter. These include an exceptionally rapid onset of action, a ceiling effect at 50% of maximal relaxation, and minimal retardation by concentrations of procaine that block or markedly retard relaxant responses to all other agonists. 4 This distinctive pharmacological profile cannot be reproduced by addition of exogenous catecholamines, 5-hydroxytryptamine, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or adenosine, or by addition of ATP or adenosine following pretreatment with indomethacin. Furthermore, addition of carbachol to preparations previously relaxed with 10-3M concentrations of these agents produced marked, additional relaxation. 5 Maximally effective concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide produced a barely detectable relaxant response equivalent to 8% of maximal relaxation. The response was totally prevented by pretreatment with procaine. 6 Carbachol-induced relaxation was not impaired by pretreatment with 10-4M indomethacin. 7 Carbachol-induced relaxation of bullfrog lung therefore involves a postganglionic inhibitory transmitter that in nonadrenergic, non-5-hydroxytryptaminergic, and nonpurinergic, and whose effects are not dependent on prostaglandin synthesis. Although a peptide may function as the inhibitory transmitter, it is not vasoactive intestinal peptide.
Accurate finite element modeling of linear elastodynamics problems with the reduced dispersion error

It is known that the reduction in the finite element space discretization error for elastodynamics problems is related to the reduction in numerical dispersion of finite elements. In the paper, we extend the modified integration rule technique for the mass and stiffness matrices to the dispersion reduction of linear finite elements for linear elastodynamics. The analytical study of numerical dispersion for the modified integration rule technique and for the averaged mass matrix technique is carried out in the 1-D, 2-D and 3-D cases for harmonic plane waves. In the general case of loading, the numerical study of the effectiveness of the dispersion reduction techniques includes the filtering technique (developed in our previous papers) that identifies and removes spurious high-frequency oscillations. 1-D, 2-D and 3-D impact problems for which all frequencies of the semi-discrete system are excited are solved with the standard approach and with the new dispersion reduction technique. Numerical results show that compared with the standard mass and stiffness matrices, the simple dispersion reduction techniques lead to a considerable decrease in the number of degrees of freedom and computation time at the same accuracy, especially for multi-dimensional problems. A simple quantitative estimation of the effectiveness of the finite element formulations with reduced numerical dispersion compared with the formulation based on the standard mass and stiffness matrices is suggested.