cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accuracy and precision of a new, portable, handheld blood gas analyzer, the IRMA®

Objective. The accuracy and precision of the new IRMA® (Immediate Response Mobile Analysis System, Diametrics, Inc.®, St. Paul, MN) handheld blood gas analyzer was compared with that of two benchtop blood gas analyzers. The IRMA consists of a notebook-sized machine and disposable cartridges, each containing a pH, a CO2 and an O2 electrode, and provides bedside (point-of-care) blood gas analysis.Methods. A total of 172 samples (arterial and mined venous) were obtained from 25 informed, consenting patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. The pH, PCO2 and PO2 of each sample was determined on four blood gas analyzers: NOVA Statlabs Profile 5 (NOVA Biomedical, Waltham, MA), the ABL-50 (Radiometer, West Lake, OH), and two IRMA machines. Linear regression and bias ± precision were determined, comparing each of the analyzers with the NOVA.Results. All three machines showed a similar, high degree of correlation with the NOVA for pH, PCO2, and PO2. The bias and precision of the IRMA machines compared with the NOVA was similar to that of the ABL compared with the NOVA for pH (NOVA:ABL −0.005 ± 0.011; NOVA: IRMA 1 = 0.0026 ± 0.025; NOVA: IRMA 2 = 0.0021 ± 0.025), for PCO2 (NOVA:ABL = −1.4 ± 1.3 mmHg; NOVA: IRMA 1 = −1.3 ± 1.9 mmHg; NOVA: IRMA 2 = −1.2 ± 2.1 mmHg) and PO2 (NOVA:ABL = 3.6 ± 21.1 mmHg; NOVA: IRMA 1 = 3.4 = 19.9 mmHg; NOVA: IRMA 2 = 6.3 ± 20.9 mmHg). The bias found for pH, PCO2, and PO2 was not affected by extremes of temperature (range 25.5–40°C) or hematocrit (range 11–44%) for any machine.Conclusions. The new technology incorporated in the IRMA blood gas analyzer provides results with an accuracy that is similar to that of benchtop analyzers, but with all of the advantages of point-of-care analysis.
Ubiquitous but unfinished: grand challenges for information retrieval.

Over the past 25 years information retrieval (IR) in biomedicine has seen a growth from a task performed by an elite cadre of search experts to something done by almost all literate people. A large segment of the population in the developed world, and a growing fraction in the developing world, use search engines. Of those who search, a substantial majority use them for searching on health-related topics. The biomedical literature and a growing array of other sources are available for free or accessible through institutional subscriptions. Searching is an indispensable skill for the modern health-care professional or researcher. Yet there are still challenges for users and developers of these nearly ubiquitous biomedical IR systems and, as such, the task for those of us who develop systems, provide expertise in their use, and point research in future directions is still unfinished. Search is essentially ubiquitous. An estimated 80% of consumers who have used a search engine have searched for information related to personal health. 1,2 Likewise, most clinicians are connected. About 98% of US physicians use the Internet and half use PDAs, 3 with higher use among those who see more patients. 4
Iterative experimental and virtual high-throughput screening identifies metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 positive allosteric modulators

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 has been shown to be efficacious in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease. Artificial neural networks were trained based on a recently reported high throughput screen which identified 434 positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 out of a set of approximately 155,000 compounds. A jury system containing three artificial neural networks achieved a theoretical enrichment of 15.4 when selecting the top 2 % compounds of an independent test dataset. The model was used to screen an external commercial database of approximately 450,000 drug-like compounds. 1,100 predicted active small molecules were tested experimentally using two distinct assays of mGlu4 activity. This experiment yielded 67 positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 that confirmed in both experimental systems. Compared to the 0.3 % active compounds in the primary screen, this constituted an enrichment of 22 fold.
Totally laparoscopic gastric resection with extended lymphadenectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Laparoscopic gastric resection with extended lymphadenectomy is being evaluated in North America for the surgical treatment of gastric cancer. The aim of this study is to compare short-term postoperative and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic and open resection for gastric cancer at a single cancer center. The study population consisted of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent a completely abdominal intervention with curative intent. Laparoscopic and open gastric resections were compared. A totally laparoscopic technique was employed with a robotic extended lymphadenectomy in a subset of patients. A total of 78 consecutive patients were evaluated, including 30 laparoscopic and 48 open procedures. An extended lymphadenectomy was performed in 58 patients and was executed robotically in 16 of these. There was no difference in the mean number of lymph nodes retrieved by laparoscopic or open approach (24 ± 8 vs. 26 ± 15, P = .66). Laparoscopic procedures were associated with decreased blood loss (200 vs. 383 mL, P = .0009) and length of stay (7 vs. 10 days, P = .0009), but increased operative time (399 vs. 298 minutes, P < .0001). Completely laparoscopic gastric resection yields similar lymph node numbers compared with open surgery for gastric cancer. It was found to be advantageous in terms of operative blood loss and length of stay. Minimally invasive techniques represent an oncologically adequate alternative for the surgical treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma.
An analysis of the effects of selected management practices on organizational productivity and performance

Manager perceptions of their effectiveness in administering selected management practices were investigated using a management practices survey of 20 key management practices. Managers perceived they were most effective in providing performance management and least effective at ensuring their subordinates were provided consistent staffing and work input. A second study found the survey statistically reliable and valid. Twelve of the 20 management practices surveyed significantly correlated with organizational productivity, with performance management practices yielding the most significant relationship. The selected practices were derived from the disciplines of industrial engineering, industrial/organizational psychology, and organizational behavior management. An expansion of in-house and university management training to include all of these management practices was recommended.
Differential current decay profiles of epithelial sodium channel subunit combinations in polarized renal epithelial cells.

In many epithelial tissues in the body, the rate of Na+ reabsorption is governed by the activity of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). The assembly, trafficking, and turnover of the three ENaC subunits (α, β, and γ) is complex and not well understood. Recent experiments suggest that ENaC must be proteolytically cleaved for maximal activity and may explain the discrepancies reported in prior biochemical approaches focused on quantitating the trafficking and half-life of full-length subunits. As an alternative approach to examining the dynamics of ENaC subunits, we have generated doxycycline-repressible replication-defective recombinant adenoviruses encoding individual epitope-tagged mouse ENaC subunits and expressed these in polarized MDCK I cells. Co-infection with these viruses encoding all three subunits generates robust amiloride-sensitive currents in polarized MDCK cells. Significant current was also observed in cells expressing α- and γ-mENaC in the absence of β-mENaC. These currents did not appear to result from association with endogenous canine β-ENaC. Treatment of αβγ-expressing cells with cycloheximide (CHX) resulted in the rapid inhibition (within 3 h) of ∼50–80% of the initial current; however, a sizable fraction of the initial current remained even after 6 h of CHX. By contrast, CHX addition to cells expressing only α- and γ-mENaC resulted in rapid decay in current with no residual fraction. Our data suggest that ENaC channels of differing stoichiometries are differentially trafficked and degraded and provide support for the possibility that noncoordinate trafficking of ENaC subunits may function in vivo as a mechanism to modulate ENaC activity.
Making new connections: role of ERK/MAP kinase signaling in neuronal plasticity.

The robust translocation of MAPK during synaptic plasticity (11xMartin, K.C, Michael, D, Rose, J.C, Barad, M, Casadio, A, Zhu, H, and Kandel, E.R. Neuron. 1997; 18: 899–912Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (411)See all References, 9xImpey, S, Obrietan, K, Wong, S.T, Poser, S, Yano, S, Wayman, G, Deloulme, J.C, Chan, G, and Storm, D.R. Neuron. 1998; 21: 869–883Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (644)See all References, 15xSgambato, V, Pages, C, Rogard, M, Besson, M.J, and Caboche, J. J. Neurosci. 1998; 18: 8814–8825PubMedSee all References) indicates that there are likely additional nuclear targets of MAPK signaling other than CREB. For example, several recent reports suggest that the transcription factor Elk1 is a major nuclear target of MAPK during synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation (2xBerman, D.E, Hazvi, S, Rosenblum, K, Seger, R, and Dudai, Y. J. Neurosci. 1998; 18: 10037–10044PubMedSee all References, 15xSgambato, V, Pages, C, Rogard, M, Besson, M.J, and Caboche, J. J. Neurosci. 1998; 18: 8814–8825PubMedSee all References).The prominent dendritic localization of activated MAPK following synaptic activity (Impey et al. 1998xImpey, S, Obrietan, K, Wong, S.T, Poser, S, Yano, S, Wayman, G, Deloulme, J.C, Chan, G, and Storm, D.R. Neuron. 1998; 21: 869–883Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (644)See all ReferencesImpey et al. 1998) suggests that it may also have important cytosolic targets. The best example of such a target is the Aplysia cell adhesion molecule ApCAM. MAPK activity is required for the downregulation and internalization of ApCAM, a key step in the induction of LTF. This is an important observation because the Drosophila (Fas II) and murine (NCAM) homologs of ApCAM have also been implicated in neuronal plasticity.Collectively, these studies indicate that the MAPK pathway is a fundamental component of LTM formation in invertebrates and vertebrates. Thus, the MAPK cascade joins the cAMP/PKA pathway and the CREB transcriptional pathway as an evolutionarily conserved regulator of LTM consolidation (Figure 1Figure 1). Work showing that MAPK is a major activator of plasticity-associated CREB-dependent gene expression also strongly suggests that MAPK signaling facilitates memory consolidation and L-LTP by promoting de novo CREB-regulated gene expression. There are a number of unanswered questions regarding the role of MAPK in neuronal plasticity and memory formation. Is CREB a target of Ras/MAPK signaling during memory consolidation? How is MAPK activated during adaptive neuronal plasticity and memory consolidation? What are the cytosolic and nuclear targets of MAPK that facilitate memory formation and modulate synaptic efficacy? Additional research using temporally and spatially restricted transgenic technologies should help clarify and confirm the role of Ras/MAPK signaling in LTM.*To whom correspondence should be addressed (e-mail: dstorm@u.washington.edu).
Decomposition of NOx with Low-Temperature Plasmas at Atmospheric Pressure: Neat and in the Presence of Oxidants, Reductants, Water, and Carbon Dioxide

The fundamental aspects of decomposition of NO with atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasmas have been systematically investigated in this study. A charge-coupled device detector has been emplo...
Segmentation And Classification Of Targets In Flir Imagery

An approach is described for detecting and classifying tactical targets in FLIR imagery. The basic assumption used for segmenting objects from their background is that the objects to be detected differ from the background in grey level, edge, properties, or texture. Potential targets are selected from a large frame, by locating combinations of grey level, edge, value, and texture that occur infrequently over the entire frame. Once potential objects are obtained, they are segmented from their backgrounds using the identical process as above, except applied on a local level. The segmented objects are classified into three, types of vehicles or into false, alarms. The classification procedure uses features measured on projections made through the segmented objects. Results are shown for 32 test images.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Effects of Colchicine and Colcemid on Oral Differentiation in Stentor coeruleus

SYNOPSIS. Oral regeneration, oral reorganization and cell division in the ciliate Stentor coeruleus can be temporarily blocked at any stage of development by exposure to colchicine. The implications of this observation, presented as an assumption that colchicine exerts its effects by specifically preventing the formation of microtubular elements in the cells, suggest that microtubules are essentially involved in many aspects of these complicated processes of cellular differentiation.
Chitosan-based responsive hybrid nanogels for integration of optical pH-sensing, tumor cell imaging and controlled drug delivery

We report a new class of chitosan-based hybrid nanogels by in-situ immobilization of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) in the chitosan-poly(methacrylic acid) (chitosan-PMAA) networks. The covalently crosslinked hybrid nanogels with chitosan chains semi-interpenetrating in the crosslinked PMAA networks exhibit excellent colloidal and structural stability as well as reversible physical property change in response to a pH variation cross the physiological condition. In contrast, the hybrid nanogels formed by non-covalent physical association exhibit a significant change in the structure and composition upon exposure to physiological pH. This distinction in the structural stability of hybrid nanogels produces very different outcomes for their biomedical applications. The covalently crosslinked hybrid nanogels are low-cytotoxic and could illuminate the B16F10 cells, sense the environmental pH change, and regulate the release of anticancer drug in the typical abnormal pH range of 5-7.4 found in pathological zone, thus successfully combine multiple functionality into a single nano-object. However, the physically associated hybrid nanogels exhibit a non-reversible pH-sensitive PL property and a significant cytotoxicity after 24 h treatment. It is critical to construct a highly stable biopolymer-QD hybrid nanogel, via a rational design for safe bionanomaterials, to simultaneously combine the biosensing, bioimaging, and effective therapy functions.
Reinforced embankments—A review of case histories

Abstract A review was made of 37 case histories of reinforced embankments, with heights greater than 1 m, constructed on soft ground. Common characteristics of the cases were identified, and the data summarized in tabular form. Foundation materials were generally soft organic soils, and the embankment fill was usually granular. To maintain an acceptable safety factor it was often necessary to combine reinforcement with other special construction measures such as sand drains, stabilizing berms or light weight fill. Relations between the observed height of reinforced embankments at failure and the undrained foundation shear strength, and between the observed bearing capacity factor and normalized embankment width were examined and compared to available bearing capacity theories.
The role and importance of endoscopic mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis

Endoscopy with biopsy is widely employed in the management of patients with UC. The indications for endoscopy in UC are numerous but all share the common thread of impacting medical decision-making for the benefit of patient care. Recently, the role of endoscopy has been extended to the realm of prognostication, as treatment response and disease relapse historically have been very unpredictable. Although not part of standard care today, it is anticipated that future research will allow for development of highly predictive markers of the future course of UC. In addition, endoscopy may have a role in risk stratification of patients with respect to colorectal cancer, possibly leading to increased frequency of surveillance endoscopy in high-risk patients in the future.
Fibrillin Delineates the Primary Axis of the Early Avian Embryo

Chicken embryos were immu- nolabeled with antibodies to fibrillin, an extracel- lular matrix molecule implicated in the Marfan syndrome. The pattern of labeling, established us- ing both whole-mounted and sectioned embryos, showed a striking localization at the primary axis of the early embryo, including Hensen's node. Af- ter stage 8, the labeling of Hensen's node dimin- ished while other structures in the embryo exhib- ited increased immunolabeling. These structures include the region of the presumptive dorsal aorta, the ventral surface of the notochord, and the mesocardium. Injections of the antibody be- tween the vitelline membrane and the blastoderm in vivo failed to perturb the development of em- bryos, thus precluding any conclusions regarding in embryos suggests the possibility that these fila- ments may play a role in avian embryogenesis. How- ever, since the ultrastructural feature termed "mi- crofibril" may include several molecular species it is clear that there is a need for additional criteria in order to assign identity to these filaments. The present study made use of the Mab2Ol mono- clonal antibody to examine the possible distribution of fibrillin in the very early avian embryo from stage 4 to stage 18 (Hamburger and Hamilton, 1951). Whole- mounted preparations and sectioned material were ex- amined at the light microscopic level of resolution, re- vealing a distinctive pattern of fibrillin expression. At the earliest stages, fibrillin was distributed in a fan- shaped pattern over Hensen's node, and along the length of the primary axis from the node to the poste- rior limit of the embryo. At later stages, fibrillin was associated with the mesocardium and notochord, and the lateral margin of the somitic field. These immuno- fluorescence data show that well-organized aggrega- tions of fibrillin are deposited at multiple sites within the early embryo, especially at regions where cellular rearrangements occur at or near the craniocaudal axis.
Determination of the pion-nucleon scattering lengths from partial-wave analyses

A study of the factors which govern a precise determination of the S- and P-wave pion-nucleon scattering lengths using phenomenological energy-dependent partial-wave analyses is made. The nuclear scattering lengths obtained result from rapidly convergent effective-range expansions and are shown to be insensitive to the energy cutoff. These phenomenological values are in general agreement with theoretical treatments.
Synthesis of projection lithography for low-k 1 via interferometry

The aerial image attained from an optical projection photolithography system is ultimately limited by the frequency information present in the pupil plane of the objective lens. Careful examination of the frequency distribution will allow the operation of such a system to be synthesized experimentally through the use of interferometric lithography. Synthesis is accomplished through single beam attenuation in a two-beam interference system, which is equivalent to adjusting the relative intensities of the primary diffraction orders in a projection system. Typical lithography conditions, such as defocus and partial coherence, can be synthesized efficiently using this technique. The metric of contrast has been utilized to assess the level of correlation between defocus in a projection system and interferometric synthesis. Simulations have shown that interferometric lithography can approximate the performance of a variety of projection system configurations with a significantly high degree of accuracy.
Ethical Behavior in Medical Settings

Abstract Medical schools have recognized and endorsed integrative health care. As such, integrated care is becoming more common. Biofeedback practitioners already trained to work in medical settings and those willing to be so trained have a real opportunity to expand their base of services because self-regulation is an important part of integrated care and lifestyle change. Working in medical settings requires a broad base of knowledge and skill, including an understanding of both the formal and informal rules that govern activities in such settings. Having a mentor or supervisor who already possesses the requisite skills can be most useful in helping the practitioner acquire the needed knowledge and skills and to make a shift from focusing on pathology to one of promoting good physical and mental health. Issues of competence, informed consent, and confidentiality must also be addressed and often in ways not common in other settings.
Human Homolog of patched, a Candidate Gene for the Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome

The basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is characterized by developmental abnormalities and by the postnatal occurrence of cancers, especially basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), the most common human cancer. Heritable mutations in BCNS patients and a somatic mutation in a sporadic BCC were identified in a human homolog of the Drosophila patched (ptc) gene. The ptc gene encodes a transmembrane protein that in Drosophila acts in opposition to the Hedgehog signaling protein, controlling cell fates, patterning, and growth in numerous tissues. The human PTC gene appears to be crucial for proper embryonic development and for tumor suppression.
The search for a useful method for the optimal cryopreservation of adipose aspirates: part I. In vitro study.

Purpose: The previous in vitro study showed that trehalose, when used as a cryoprotective agent (CPA) in an optimal concentration, can provide adequate protection of adipose aspirates during cryopreservation. Objectives: The authors evaluated the efficacy of trehalose in its optimal concentration for cryopreservation of human fat grafts in a well-established animal model. Methods: In this study (n = 20 in each group), adipose aspirates were harvested and processed from a female patient; the protocol for freezing and thawing of fat grafts was the same as the in vitro study. In the control group, 0.5 mL of fresh fat grafts was injected into the posterior scalp of a nude mouse. In the cryopreservation group 1, a combination of dimethyl sulfoxide (in 0.5M) and trehalose (in 0.2M) was injected as a CPA. In the cryopreservation group 2, only the optimal concentration of trehalose (in 0.35M) was administered as a CPA. In both cryopreservation groups, 0.5 mL of cryopreserved fat grafts was thawed and injected into the animal in the same manner as the control group. All animals in each group were observed for gross appearance of maintained fat grafts over their posterior scalps for up to eight weeks. The final volume and weight of maintained fat grafts and their histology were evaluated at the end of the study. Results: Group 2, compared with group 1, respectively, had equivalently maintained volume (38.2 ± 10.1% versus 46.1 ± 14.4%, ns) and weight (34.1 ± 12.1% versus 38.9 ± 14.7%, ns). However, the results from both cryopreservation groups were still inferior to those from the control group (both P < .05). Histologically, the basic structure of adipose tissue was maintained in all three groups. Conclusions: Trehalose, serving as a CPA in its optimal concentration, appears to provide adequate protection of human fat grafts during cryopreservation in vivo. Such protection is similar to that provided by the combination of dimethyl sulfoxide and trehalose as a CPA. Because of its safety and effectiveness, trehalose can possibly be administered to patients for long-term preservation of their fat grafts.
Does index investing work in bonds

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine operating characteristics, risk and performance measures of all available vehicles for index investing in US bond funds during the 15‐year period from April, 1994 to March, 2009. The results shed light on the important issue of bond index mutual funds (BIMFs) and bond exchange‐traded funds (BETFs) performance compared with average of all bond mutual funds.Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained from Morningstar Principia. Operating characteristics include expense ratios, annual turnover rates, and tax cost ratios. Performance measures include average annual returns and return percentile rank in category, risks (measured by standard deviation) and risk‐adjusted returns (measured by the Sharpe ratio).Findings – BIMFs and BETFs have significantly lower expense ratios and annual turnover rates than category averages. Their returns and risk‐adjusted returns are significantly higher than bond category averages.Research limitations/implications – Future ...
Management of hypersensitivity reactions to Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in an outpatient oncology infusion center: a 5-year review

Background A high incidence of hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) to carboplatin and Taxol is limiting the use of carboplatin and Taxol. Objective We conducted a 5-year study of all patients with HSR to carboplatin or Taxol to better understand the nature of infusion HSR and success or failure of management plans after the initial HSR. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of all safety reports from the Massachusetts General Hospital outpatient chemotherapy infusion center between January 2006 and February 2011. All the patients with HSRs to carboplatin or Taxol were identified and included in the final analysis. We reviewed patient characteristics, clinical symptoms, timing, and treatment of the initial HSR, and determined if the patient was rechallenged despite an initial HSR. Results We identified 152 patients with HSR to carboplatin (n = 45) or Taxol (n = 107). Carboplatin HSR was less severe than Taxol HSR. When comparing the 2 groups, the patients with carboplatin HSRs more commonly described itchy palms and feet, generalized itch, and general urticaria and/or erythema, whereas patients with Taxol HSR more commonly described facial flushing, back pain, and chest or throat tightness (all P Conclusion The clinical symptoms and timing of carboplatin HSR are distinct from Taxol HSR. Most patients with carboplatin HSR were not rechallenged, whereas most patients with Taxol HSR were successfully rechallenged.
Apolipoprotein composition of bovine lipoproteins isolated by gel filtration chromatography.

Abstract 1. 1. Bovine lipoproteins were isolated from plasma by gel filtration and apolipoprotein composition determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 2. 2. Bovine triglyceride-rich lipoproteins contained a novel low mol. wt protein M r = 22,000 and low mol. wt proteins that may be analogous to non-ruminant apolipoproteins A-I, A-IV, and E. 3. 3. Apolipoprotein C appeared to be a minor constituent of bovine triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. 4. 4. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins contained two high mol. wt proteins of approx. M r = 220,000 and 290,000. 5. 5. The predominant bovine low density lipoprotein apolipoprotein was approx. M r  290,000, however, greater then 25 proteins were often observed between M r = 110,000 and 370,000. 6. 6. Bovine high density lipoprotein contained proteins analogous to apolipoprotein A-I and C apolipoproteins. 7. 7. Differences in apolipoprotein profiles between non-lactating and lactating cows were not apparent.
Induction of 6-thioguanine resistance in synchronized human fibroblast cells treated with methyl methanesulfonate, N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene and N-ethyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

Abstract Chemical induction of 6-thioguanine resistance was studied in synchronized human fibroblast cells. Cells initially grown in a medium lacking arginine and glutamine for 24 h ceased DNA synthesis and failed to enter the S phase. After introduction of complete medium, the cells progressed to the S phase after 16 h. DNA synthesis peaked 20 h after removal of nutrient stress and declined. Mutations were induced in S-phase cells by methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), N -acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene (NA-AAF) and N -methyl- N ′-nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Chemical treatments resulted in an increase in the absolute number of mutant colonies and in a dose-dependent mutation frequency. In this report, we show that NA-AAF evokes a temporal pattern of mutation in synchronized cells, with such mutations being induced only during the S phase. Evidence indicates that presence of S-phase cells in the treated cultures is a prerequisite for the induction of mutations.
A program to compute the generalized Mantel-Haenszel chi-square for multiple 2 × J tables

Abstract A FORTRAN program for computing the generalized Mantel-Haenszel χ 2 -test statistic for multiple 2 × J tables is presented. The output contains the additional information of expected cell values and the individual odds ratios for each stratum. For the case of 2 × 2 tables, an internal check of the expectation is made to assure that the asymptotic assumptions are met. Optionally, the Yate's correction for continuity can be employed for 2 × 2 tables. The program can handle frequency count data as found in contingency tables or fractional values as in life table procedures.
MULTIPLE STEADY STATES IN NON-ISOTHERMAL FT SLURRY REACTOR

A model for a non-isothermal, semi-balch (stagnant slurry and flowing gas), laboratory scale Fischer-Tropsch (FT) slurry reactor is developed. The model assumes the existence of FT and water-gas shift (WGS) reactions. The reactor configuration is assumed to be the same as one used by Bhattacharjee et at. (1986). Gas-slurry mass transfer coefficients, solubility parameters and other physical transport and kinetic parameters used in the model are obtained from the reported studies of Lieb and Kuo (1984), Bhattacharjee et al. (1986), Deckwer et al. (1982, 1986) and Karandikar et al. (1987( for the FT slurry system The model is used to evaluate the relevant kinetic constants and the heat generation parameters for the FT reaction from the experimental data of Bhattacharjee et al. (1986). The nature of the heat generation curves indicates that multiple steady states are likely to occur in a non-isothermal FT slurry reactor. The ignition temperatures are calculated as functions of gas hourly space velocity, acti...
Tribological Properties of Paraffinic Oil with Nanodiamond Particles

Friction accounts for a large amount of energy lost in mechanical systems and applications. Nanofluids, with particles less than 100 nm, added to a base fluid have been proven to be effective in reducing friction and wear. Diamond has superior mechanical, thermal, optical, electrical, and chemical properties. Therefore, nanodiamond holds a lot of promise for use in nanofluids. The tribological properties of oil-based nanofluids with spherical nanodiamond particles with the size of 3–10 nm in diameter were investigated using a ball-on-disk friction test by varying nanodiamond concentration, sliding velocity, normal load, and disk roughness. The friction testing was performed using a UMT-2 Micro Tribometer. Wear analysis was performed and chemical composition of the disk surface was examined using a WYKO 3D surface profiler and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In general, the addition of nanodiamonds to oil leads to a reduction in the coefficient of friction but an increase in wear of the disk.
The pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury in α7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor knockout mice

The alpha7 nicotinic cholinergic receptor is a ligand-gated ion channel with calcium permeability similar to that of ionotrophic glutamate receptors. Previous studies from our laboratory have implicated changes in expression alpha7 nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In rats, TBI causes a time-dependent and significant decrease in cortical and hippocampal alpha-[(125)I]-bungarotoxin (BTX) binding. We have postulated that deficits in alpha7 expression may contribute to TBI-induced cognitive impairment and that nicotinic receptor agonists can reverse alpha7 binding deficits and result in significant cognitive improvement compared to saline-treated controls. Thus, alpha7 nAChRs could be involved in a form of cholinergically mediated excitotoxicity following brain injury. In the current study, wild-type, heterozygous and null mutant mice were employed to test the hypothesis that genotypic depletion of the alpha7 receptor would render animals less sensitive to tissue loss and brain inflammation following experimental brain injury. Mice were anesthetized and subjected to a 0.5-mm cortical contusion injury of the somatosensory cortex. Brain inflammation, changes in nicotinic receptor expression and cortical tissue sparing were evaluated in wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous mice 1 week following TBI. In wild-type mice, brain injury caused a significant decrease in BTX binding in several hippocampal regions, consistent with what we have measured in rat brain following TBI. However, there were no genotypic differences in cortical tissue sparing or brain inflammation in this experiment. Although the results of this study were largely negative, it is still plausible that changes in the activity/expression of native alpha7 receptors contribute to pathophysiology following TBI. However, when null mutant mice develop in the absence of central alpha7 expression, it is possible that compensatory changes occur that confound the results obtained.
On the sub‐grid‐scale variability of oceanic winds and the accuracy of numerical weather prediction models as deduced from QuikSCAT backscatter distributions

[1] Observed probability distributions of QuikSCAT scatterometer cross sections are matched to expected distributions calculated using a Geophysical Model Function (GMF) with a wind speed threshold and inherent wind variability on the subfootprint scale and also on grid scales of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. Two independent approaches are taken: In one, the 3-D sample size is 2° × 2° and 1 day, and the wind speed is assumed to be Rayleigh distributed while directions relative to QuickSCAT antenna directions are assumed to be uniform; in the other, the data are binned by NWP analyzed wind speeds into 1 m/s bins and sample sizes of the grid area of the NWP models. Using the results, the variability on these scales is mapped as a function of wind speed, latitude, and season in an effort to establish a global climatology of wind-speed variability. On the basis of the stable calibration of QuikSCAT, the bias of surface winds produced by the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is shown to be substantial and strongly dependent on wind speed, latitude, and season. Changes in wind-speed variability with changes in averaging scale are further explored and estimates of the kinetic energy spectra of the mesoscale to basin-scale winds are determined.
Open modular embedded instrumentation architecture for test and evaluation

Military systems in the new century are becoming increasingly complex, network centric, and information intensive. Existing ad-hoc test and evaluation (T&E) approaches are facing increasing challenges to cope with these complexities. An open, modular, standards-based embedded instrumentation (EI) architecture (OMEA) is proposed to leapfrog the capabilities of T&E. The OMEA embraces an 'all digital' solution and rapidly emerging commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software technologies. These technologies include smart sensor networks, time synchronization for sensor network, reconfigurable hardware, model-based design, and software defined radio. The OMEA architecture will rationalize the myriad of heterogeneous EI and control systems. It will normalize the EI interfaces enabling easier and more cost-effective system design, development, procurement, integration and testing. With the growth of digital control platforms, it is possible to design-in EI capabilities to sense and collect critical performance data without requiring additional sensors. Any military vendor or system integrator will be able to realize this 'controller is the instrument' vision by using the proposed OMEA architecture.
In Vitro Comparative Study of Hemostatic Components in Warfarin-Treated and Fibrinogen-Deficient Plasma

Objective The authors hypothesized that various hemostatic products may differently affect viscoelastic clot formation depending on their respective procoagulant activity and fibrinogen content. Design In vitro coagulopathy modeling using warfarin-treated plasma (international normalized ratio, 2.8-3.8) and fibrinogen-deficient plasma evaluated by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM; Pentapharm, Munich, Germany). Setting A university laboratory. Intervention Different volumes of cryoprecipitate, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), fibrinogen concentrate, and platelet concentrate were mixed with each abnormal plasma to simulate the in vivo transfusions of 250 mL to 1,000 mL. Three thromboelastometric variables that reflect the rate and extent of clot growth were measured: (1) coagulation time (CT), (2) angle, and (3) maximal clot firmness (MCF). Measurements and Main Results In warfarin-treated plasma, the addition of FFP, cryoprecipitate, and platelets led to a dose-dependent improvement of CT and angle, whereas MCF increased with cryoprecipitate or platelets only. The addition of fibrinogen concentrate improved MCF and angle but not CT. In fibrinogen-deficient plasma, the addition of cryoprecipitate, platelets, and fibrinogen concentrate led to a dose-dependent improvement of ROTEM variables, whereas the addition of FFP resulted in significantly longer CT and lower MCF values compared with other hemostatic products. The addition of platelets in the presence of cytochalasin D (a platelet inhibitor) resulted in improvements of ROTEM variables that were similar to when FFP was added to warfarin-treated and fibrinogen-deficient plasma. Conclusions Cryoprecipitate supports clot formation on ROTEM more efficiently than FFP because of the high fibrinogen content. Improved ROTEM variables after platelet addition are presumably caused by increased interaction among thrombin-activated platelets and fibrinogen.
Effect of molecular ordering on distance distributions of flexible donor-acceptor pairs

Measurements of time-resolved intramolecular energy transfer in progressively stretched poly(vinyl alcohol) films were performed. The donor (tryptophan) and acceptor (dansyl) were linked with flexible polymethylene chain. Distance distributions were recovered from frequency-domain measurements of the donor decay. In isotropic PVA (in solution) a wide range of distances were detected (Gaussian full width at half maximum of about 16 angstroms) with an average distance of 13 angstroms. The donor-acceptor distance distribution became progressively more narrow when the PVA films were stretched. Four-fold or more stretching results in a single donor-acceptor distance. The maximal measured donor-acceptor distance of 23 angstroms is in excellent agreement with the computed distance for the fully stretched conformation. The possibility of partial and/or full ordering of polymethylene chains by stretching the PVA films can also be useful in the study of other distance-dependent interactions, such as electron transfer or distance-dependent quenching.
The nutrition of glochidia during metamorphosis. A microscopical study of the sources and manner of utilization of the nutritive substances

Part of the nutriment of metamorphosing glochidia is supplied by the cellular host tissue, bitten by the larvae during attachment. Some of this is taken up piecemeal by the mantle cells and digested intracellularly. The coarse granules that first pack the mantle cells are apparently the precursors of a digestive secretion, some of which escapes into the mantle cavity. Here it also causes the prompt dissolution of additional utilizable host tissue. Another source of nutriment is furnished by the provisional larval adductor muscle which undergoes degenerative changes in situ, then fragments, and finally is carried away bit by bit by amoeboid cells. These turn over their muscle content to the larval mantle, where the particles are further reduced beyond recognition. The mantle remnant itself is finally sacrificed and doubtless becomes an additional source of nutriment. The gut serves as an organ of nutrition throughout the last two-thirds of the parasitic period. It appears to admit and digest pieces of the adductor muscle and certain unidentified particulate matter. In addition, the gut, like the definitive mantle and other organs, doubtless absorbs tissue transudate from the host. Special vascularization of the host tissue to facilitate the passage of nutriment from host to parasite does not occur, yet there is no reason to doubt that an appreciable part of the larval nutrition results from transuding tissue juices.
MDCT appearance of the appendix: how does the low-density barium sulfate oral contrast agent affect it?

We compared the effect of low-density barium sulfate neutral oral contrast agent on the diameter of normal appendix and its luminal content versus that of water on multidetector-row CT. CT scans of 24 patients who had been imaged on two separate occasions for the evaluation of pancreatic pathology, once with water and subsequently with low-density barium sulfate as the neutral oral contrast agent were evaluated (total of 48 scans). Studies were randomized and reviewed in consensus on a workstation in the stack mode by two radiologists blinded to the type of oral contrast. The appendix was measured at baseline and 10 days later to obtain an average diameter. Results of the water and low-density barium sulfate groups were compared using paired t test. Contents of the appendiceal lumen were also noted (gas, fluid, mixed, and collapsed appendix). The average diameter of the appendix for scans obtained with water and low-density barium sulfate was 4.09 ± 0.87 mm (median, 4.22 mm; range, 2.50–5.65 mm) and 4.13 ± 0.93 mm (median, 4 mm, range, 2.2–5.65 mm), respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.69). There was no statistically significant difference in the appendiceal content when water or low-density barium sulfate were used as oral contrast (χ2 = 4.25, P = 0.89). Low-density barium sulfate does not affect appendiceal content or diameter and, therefore, should not adversely affect evaluation of the appendix on multidetector row CT.
Novel spatial analysis methods reveal scale-dependent spread and infer limiting factors of invasion by Sahara mustard.

Multiple scale-dependent ecological processes infl uence species distributions. Uncovering these drivers of dynamic range boundaries can provide fundamental ecological insights and vital knowledge for species management. We develop a transferable methodology that uses widely available data and tools to determine critical scales in range expansion and to infer dominating scale-dependent forces that infl uence spread. We divide a focal geographic region into diff erent sized square cells, representing diff erent spatial scales. We then used herbarium records to determine the species ’ occupancy of cells at each spatial scale. We calculated the growth in cell occupancy across scales to infer the scale dependent expansion rate. Th is is the fi rst time such a ‘ box-counting ’ method is used to study range expansion. We coupled this multi-scale analysis with species distribution models to determine the range and spatial scales where suitable climate allows the species to spread, and where other factors may be infl uencing the expansion. We demonstrate our methodology by assessing the spread of invasive Sahara mustard in North America. We detect critical scales where its spread is limited (100 – 500 km) or unconstrained (5 – 50 km) by climatic variables. Using climate-based models to assess the similarity of climate envelopes in its native and invaded range, we fi nd that the climate in the invaded range generally predicts the native distribution, suggesting that either there has been little local adaptation to climate occurring since introduction or the biological interaction experienced in the invaded range has not driven the species to occupy climatic conditions much diff erent from its native range. Our novel method can be broadly utilized in other studies to generate critical insights into the scale dependency of diff erent ecological drivers that infl uence the spread and distribution limits, as well as to help parameterizing predictions of future spread, and thus inform management decisions.
Temporal Variation in the Association between Benzene and Leukemia Mortality

BackgroundBenzene is a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene occurs in occupational and environmental settings.ObjectiveI evaluated variation in benzene-related leukemia with age at exposure and ti...
X-ray scans for detecting hollow heart in potatoes

A study was conducted to determine whether hollow heart potatoes might be separated from normal ones by a nondestructive method based on an objective criterion. The profile of x-ray density measured along the longitudinal axis of each of 106 tubers was recorded and then analyzed by computer. The second derivative of the x-ray density profile provided a basis for detecting hollow heart. All of the defective tubers were separated without inclusion of any normal tubers. The incidence of hollow heart was 21.4%.
Two anisotropic Heisenberg linear chain manganese compounds

Abstract The specific heat and zero-field magnetic susceptibilities of [(CH 3 ) 3 NH] MnX 3 .2H 2 O (X=Cl Br) are reported. The isotropic Heisenberg model for linear chains offers a reasonable fit to the data, but a substantial anisotropy is also observed. For the chloride, T N = 0.98 K, J/k = -0.36 K, and zJ′/k = -0.55 K; for the bromide, T N = 1.56 K, J/k = -0.41 K, and zJ′/k = -0.74 K. A canted antiferromagnetic structure is proposed.
Free-flight base pressure and heating measurements on sharp and blunt cones in a shock tunnel.

Nose bluntness and cone angle effects on base pressure and heating in laminar hypersonic flow regime, using free flight telemetry technique