cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prolactin stimulation of maternal behavior in female rats

Inexperienced, hypophysectomized female rats treated with steroids were used in experiments to investigate the roles of the pituitary gland and prolactin in the expression of maternal behavior. Administration of ovine prolactin or treatment with ectopic pituitary grafts, which release prolactin into the circulation, stimulated maternal care in these females toward rat young. Steroid treatment alone, while stimulating maternal behavior in rats with intact pituitary glands, did not facilitate maternal responsiveness in hypophysectomized females. These findings indicate a stimulatory behavioral role for pituitary prolactin in the establishment of maternal care and suggest that exposure to prolactin during pregnancy helps to stimulate the immediate onset of maternal behavior at parturition.
Correction Magnet Packages for the Energy Saver

The design of the superconducting correction coil system for the Energy Saver has been finalized and production is underway. The requirements of low current (50A) and concentric placement of multipole elements posed difficult and unique design problems. 2 refs.
The Interactive Effect of Contingency Feedback and Self-Construal on Self-Handicapping Behavior

Self-handicapping, the creating or claiming of obstacles to one's performance to influence explanations given for subsequent outcomes, has been shown to have both attitudinal and behavioral consequences for employees and their organizations. Given the wide-ranging impact of self-handicapping, it is important to understand the conditions under which self-handicapping is more or less likely to occur. Accordingly, the present research tested the hypothesis that, under conditions shown to elicit such behavior, namely the experience of non-contingent feedback, individuals with an independent self-construal would be more likely to engage in self-handicapping than those with an interdependent self-construal. Two experiments were conducted, one of which was conducted in the lab and the other on-line via Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk). The results that emerged across both studies provide support for the focal hypothesis. Theoretical contributions to the self-handicapping and self-construal literatures are discus...
Dynamic penny-shaped crack in a transversely isotropic material

Abstract The scattering of a harmonic longitudinal wave by a penny-shaped crack in a transversely isotropic material is investigated using the techniques of Hankel transform. The wave impinges normally on the crack surfaces. A complete contour integration is employed to simplify the expressions of the results. An exact expression of the dynamic stress-intensity factor is obtained as a function of the frequency factor and the anisotropic material constants. The normalized dynamic stress-intensity factor is shown to have different maximum values at different wave frequencies for the sample composite and metallic materials. The distortion of the dynamic crack shape and the displacement at the crack center are also shown to be dependent of the wave frequency and the anisotropy of the material.
Synchronous colon and pancreatic cancers in a patient with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: report of a case and review of the literature.

PEUTZ-JEGHERS SYNDROME (PJS) IS A RARE autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the development of hamartomatous polyps of the gastrointestinal tract and mucocutaneous lesions of the lips, buccal mucosa, and digits.1-3 PJS also causes multiple hamartomatous polyps in the small bowel (78%), stomach (38%), colon (42%), and rectum (28%).5 Although the main complication of PJS is intussusception of these lesions and subsequent bowel obstruction, patients with PJS have an estimated lifetime cancer risk 10 to 18 times greater than the general population.4,5 This increased risk of cancer is found in both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal sites and includes the stomach, duodenum, small intestine, colon, rectum, pancreas, breast, ovaries, and testis.6 The most common sites for gastrointestinal malignancy to occur are the colon and duodenum.7 We report the case of a patient with PJS treated with resection of synchronous pancreatic and colon cancers. This case report highlights the recent developments regarding the link between PJS and adenocarcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract.
Evidence for Acute ACTH Release by Extrahypothalamic Mechanisms1

In a previous report it was shown that prior manipulation “sensitized” rats bearing hypothalamic lesions so that the injection of extracts of nonhypothalamic tissue triggered rapid increases in plasma corticosterone. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether an endogenous ACTH-releasing mechanism accounts for this breakthrough and whether or not hypothalamic or extrahypothalamic pathways are involved. Therefore, laparotomy was used as a triggering stimulus instead of tissue extract injection and the influence of prior manipulation (ether stress and/or blood withdrawal) on the effect of this stimulus was examined. Laparotomy alone did not significantly increase plasma corticosterone levels in rats bearing ventral hypothalamic lesions. However, prior ether stress and/or blood withdrawal “sensitized” the lesioned rats and laparotomy, under these conditions, evoked increased plasma corticosterone levels. To determine whether the response to prior ether, blood withdrawal, and laparotomy was med...
Introducing the classics: Stanley Aronowitz

The current economic crisis has engendered an unprecedented amount of soul searching in academia. Old ways are just not working. Worse: these old habits helped precipitate the crisis. History and classical literature are coming to the fore as sources of new inspiration. We intend that the Accounting Classics series of the International Journal of Critical Accounting be in the forefront in the effort to rejuvenate intellectual thinking – in accounting and beyond. A selection from Abraham Briloff's Unaccountable Accounting was the first salvo in this series; Stanley Aronowitz's Class in Political and Social Philosophy is the second edition. The quality – and relevance – of Stanley's piece, speaks for itself.
A Breath of Fresh Air for Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of CKD and a common complication in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. The disease, as it progresses through defined morphologic and clinical stages, frequently leads to ESRD. Despite certain therapeutic interventions that slow its
ADD CHP: Accelerated Development and Deployment of Combined Cooling, Heat, and Power at Federal Facilities

ABSTRACT Fuel-efficient distributed energy generation systems such as combined cooling, heat, and power (CHP or cogeneration) are attracting increasing attention among project developers and policy makers because they can make significant contributions to mitigating key power sector constraints. These systems can meet increased energy needs, reduce transmission congestion, cut emissions, increase power quality and reliability, and increase the overall energy security for a site. The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (DOE-FEMP) recently completed a national market assessment to estimate the potential impacts of CHP in the federal sector (ORNL 2002). That study suggests that CHP could be successfully applied in 9 percent of large federal facilities, annually conserve 50 trillion Btus of primary energy, reduce CO2 emissions by 2.7 million metric tons, and cut utility bills by $170 million. Although many CHP technologies are proven and the potential savings and benefits are signifi...
Pulsed Laser Deposition of Pseudocapacitive Metal Oxide Thin Films for Supercapacitor Applications

Thin films of manganese oxides have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process on silicon and stainless steel substrates at different substrate temperatures and oxygen gas pressures. By proper selection of temperature and oxygen pressure during the PLD process, pure phases of Mn2O3, Mn3O4 as well as an amorphous phase of MnOx were successfully fabricated and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The pseudo-capacitance behaviors of those manganese oxides of different phases have also been evaluated by the electrochemical cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. Their specific current and capacitance determined at different scan rates were calculated and compared. The results show that polycrystalline Mn2O3 phase has the highest specific current and capacitance, while the values for polycrystalline Mn3O4 films are the lowest. The amorphous phase MnOx films have the values sitting in between those of Mn2O3 and Mn3O4. The specific capacitance of Mn2O3 films reaches 200 F/g at 1 mV/sec scan with excellent stability and cyclic durability. This work has demonstrated that PLD is a very promising technique for supercapacitor material research due to its excellent flexibility and capability of controlling microstructures and phases of various materials.
Catastrophic failure of silicon power MOS in space

The physical models for the SEB and SEGR failure mechanisms of vertical power MOSFETS are reviewed, the vulnerability of new and advanced power MOSFET designs to these space-based failure mechanisms are discussed, and concerns about testing methodology for these catastrophic single-event effects are identified.
Reservoir characterization using oil-production-induced microseismicity, Clinton County, Kentucky

Abstract Microseismic monitoring tests were conducted from 1993 to 1995 in the Seventy-Six oil field, Clinton County, Kentucky. Oil is produced from low-porosity, fractured carbonate rocks at 3 ; no injection operations were conducted. Gross changes in production rate correlate with event rate: event rate lags changes in production rate by 2 to 3 weeks. Hypocenters and first-motion data have revealed previously undetected, low-angle thrust faults above and below the currently drained depth intervals. Production history, well logs and drill tests indicate that the seismically active faults or fractures are previously drained intervals that have subsequently recovered to hydrostatic pressure via brine invasion. Storage capacity computed for one of these drained fractures implies that total oil production represents about 20% of total pore volume. Correlation of older production intervals and well-log porosity anomalies with the seismically active faults indicate that the oil reservoir in the study area is primarily a set of compartmentalized, low-angle thrust faults. Although low-angle fracture sets have not previously been considered in the exploration and development of the area, the mapped thrust faults are consistent with other investigators' interpretations of oil associated with secondary fracture sets occurring along deeper-seated, wrench-fault structures. Stress determined from composite focal mechanisms indicates a near-surface (
Characterization of Multiple Light Damage Paradigms Reveals Regional Differences in Photoreceptor Loss

Zebrafish provide an attractive model to study the retinal response to photoreceptor apoptosis due to its remarkable ability to spontaneously regenerate retinal neurons following damage. There are currently two widely-used light-induced retinal degeneration models to damage photoreceptors in the adult zebrafish. One model uses constant bright light, whereas the other uses a short exposure to extremely intense ultraviolet light. Although both models are currently used, it is unclear whether they differ in regard to the extent of photoreceptor damage or the subsequent regeneration response. Here we report a thorough analysis of the photoreceptor damage and subsequent proliferation response elicited by each individual treatment, as well as by the concomitant use of both treatments. We show a differential loss of rod and cone photoreceptors with each treatment. Additionally, we show that the extent of proliferation observed in the retina directly correlates with the severity of photoreceptor loss. We also demonstrate that both the ventral and posterior regions of the retina are partially protected from light damage. Finally, we show that combining a short ultraviolet exposure followed by a constant bright light treatment largely eliminates the neuroprotected regions, resulting in widespread loss of rod and cone photoreceptors and a robust regenerative response throughout the retina.
Multimodel strategies under random disturbances and imperfect partial observation

Abstract Multimodel strategies in which control agents use different simplified models of the same system are studied for interconnected systems with slow and fast dynamics. The well-posedness of multimodel strategies in the presence of random disturbances and imperfect partial observations is established by studying an LQG control problem. The study reveals that for the well-posedness of multimodel strategies control agents need to communicate their observations and decisions. The need to communicate decisions does not arise when all agents use the same overall model to compute the optimal control.
Axonemal protofilament ribbons, DM10 domains, and the link to juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a common neurological disorder that results in short uncontrolled muscle contractions and sometimes more severe seizures. Genetic studies have suggested that JME may be caused by mutations in EFHC1. The Efhc1 protein consists of three DM10 domains and a C-terminal region containing a potential Ca2+-binding motif. In Chlamydomonas, a protein (Rib72) of almost identical domain structure is a component of the protofilament ribbons within the doublet microtubules of the flagellar axoneme. Here I discuss recent work that supports assignment of human Efhc1 as a ciliary component and the resulting implications for the mechanism of disease causation. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Impaired perception of facial emotions following bilateral damage to the anterior temporal lobe.

Two patients (E.P. and G.T.) were previously described with damage to amygdala and anterior temporal cortex (S.B. Hamann et al., 1996). Both rated emotions in facial expressions normally (the rating task) when the data analysis followed a method that had revealed an impairment in the well-studied patient S.M. The present study reports findings for a 3rd patient (G.P.) with the rating task and reexamines the data for E.P. and G.T. All 3 patients were also given a labeling task in which they selected, from a list of 6 words, which word they thought best described the emotion expressed by a face. All 3 patients were unmistakably impaired on both tasks. However, the impairment exhibited by these patients is different from S.M.'s impairment. The difference may depend on the etiology (congenital vs. adult-onset lesion) or the site of the damage (relatively selective amygdala damage vs. damage to amygdala as well as anterior temporal cortex).
Estimation of leaf and stem area in the wind erosion prediction system (WEPS)

A process-oriented wind erosion prediction system (WEPS) is being developed. Among the processes to be simulated is the influence of biomass cover in dissipating wind energy at the soil surface. The wind speed profile within the canopy is a function of the distribution of leaf and stem areas by height. Relationships are needed to calculate leaf and stem areas and leaf and stem masses for use in area and mass by height distribution functions. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.], soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and winter wheat (Tritium aestivum L.) were planted in different years, soil types, and management regimes. The objective was to obtain relationships that could be used to simulate leaf and stem area growth. Measurements were made of leaf and stem areas and leaf and stem masses. Linear and nonlinear regressions of leaf dry weight on leaf area and of stem dry weight on stem area were performed. The linear model fit the leaf data for all crops and also fit the stem data for alfalfa, oat, soybean, and winter wheat, with r 2 values ranging from 0.83 to 0.99. The stem data of corn and sorghum fit the nonlinear model (with r 2 =0.99 and 0.92, respectively). Regression parameters for stem appear to be less affected by environmental factors (e.g., management, different years, varieties, or soil types) than are the regression parameters for leaf. The linear and nonlinear relationships can be used to estimate leaf and stem area growth from their respective masses
Radiation-Induced Surface States in MOS Devices

The fact that ionizing radiation causes an increase in both oxide charge and fast surface-state density in MOS devices is well known. The relative role of each damage mechanism in total threshold voltage change with radiation, however, is not always apparent. For example, n-channel MOS transistors using a silicon dioxide gate insulator often show a reversal in the direction of the threshold shift after 10$sup 5$ to 10$sup 6$ rads(Si) total dose. This reversal could be due to a reduced net oxide charge or an increase in the interface-state density, or some combination of both mechanisms. This paper describes a series of radiation experiments on MOS capacitors which define, in greater detail, the nature of radiation-induced surface states, their dependence on radiation dose and bias, and their dependence on the MOS fabrication process. (auth)
24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and Vitamin D Status of Community-Dwelling Black and White Americans

BACKGROUND: 24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)2D] is a metabolite of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D). Blacks frequently have low total 25D without manifestations of vitamin D deficiency, suggesting that total serum 25D may incorrectly reflect vitamin D status in different racial groups. The ratio of serum 24,25(OH)2D to 25D [vitamin D metabolite ratio (VMR)] represents a new candidate biomarker for vitamin D status. METHODS: We measured 24,25(OH)2D3 and 25D3 by mass spectrometry in a random community cohort of black (n = 212) and white (n = 164) Americans to evaluate VMR as a marker for vitamin D status. We measured parathyroid hormone concentrations by immunoassay to compare VMR and 25D3 against a physiological indicator of vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: Serum 24,25(OH)2D3 strongly correlated with 25D3 in both black and white study participants ( r = 0.90, P < 0.001 and r = 0.86, P < 0.001 respectively). Blacks had lower mean 25D3 than whites [17.0 (7.8) vs 27.5 (11.3) ng/mL; 42.4 (19.5) vs 68.6 (28.2) nmol/L, P < 0.001] and lower mean 24,25(OH)2D3 [2.1 (1.3) vs 3.6 (2.0) ng/mL; 5.1 (3.1) vs 8.7 (4.8) nmol/L, P < 0.001]. In contrast to total 25D3 concentrations, mean VMR values were similar in blacks and whites [11.9 (4.0) vs 12.5 (3.4), P = 0.16, respectively] and were negatively correlated with parathyroid hormone concentrations in both races ( r s = −0.26, P < 0.001, and r s = −0.25, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide further evidence that measurement of total 25D for assessment of vitamin D status in patients of African descent deserves reevaluation and suggest that alternative measures such as VMR should be considered.
Random Walk in Random Environment: A Counterexample?

We describe a family of random walks in random environments which have exponentially decaying correlations, nearest neighbor transition probabilities which are bounded away from 0, and yet are subdiffusive in any dimensiond<∞.
Evolution of block-copolymer order through a moving thermal zone

We investigate block-copolymer (BCP) thin film ordering kinetics during annealing across a moving in-plane temperature gradient. We operate in the so-called cold zone annealing (CZA) regime, where ordering temperatures are above the glass-transition, but well below the order-disorder transition. By measuring the order through the in-plane gradient, using atomic force microscopy and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), we confirm that CZA greatly enhances ordering kinetics, as compared to uniform oven annealing. The maximal ordering occurs over a narrow range of the heating-up phase, and not during the subsequent cooling phase. The large grain sizes obtained using CZA are due to enhanced kinetics, and not the preferential formation of certain grain orientations. Kinetic enhancement is apparent even below the bulk glass-transition temperature. We suggest that the in-plane temperature gradient drives enhanced kinetics.
RURAL POLICY PROBLEMS: AN ILL‐ATTENDED FIELD

The editors call for rural research and policy attention. Past research efforts, while laudatory, have been fragmented and have not directed broad attention to rural problems. Public policies have lacked both support and continuity. Present conditions, in terms of population trends and economics, mean an increasing need to focus on the national importance of rural areas.
Spectroscopic analysis of seasonal changes in live fuel moisture content and leaf dry mass

Abstract Live fuel moisture content (LFMC), the ratio of water mass to dry mass contained in live plant material, is an important fuel property for determining fire danger and for modeling fire behavior. Remote sensing estimation of LFMC often relies on an assumption of changing water and stable dry mass over time. Fundamental understanding of seasonal variation in plant water and dry mass is needed to explain the spectral expression of LFMC changes over time. We conducted a five-month experiment to continuously measure field LFMC samples, biochemical components of dry matter, and leaf spectroscopic data for two species common in the western U.S., lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon) and big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata Nutt). Our results showed that new lodgepole pine needles initially had higher LFMC and a smaller proportion of dry mass, but differences between new and old needles converged as the new needles matured. New needle dry mass had strong temporal trends, and dry mass explained more variation in LFMC than water in both new and old needles. Sagebrush leaves exhibited decreasing trends in LFMC, but water and dry mass comparably contributed to LFMC seasonal variation. Spectroscopic analysis using partial least squares regression (PLSR) showed good modeling accuracy for LFMC temporal variation in new needles (R 2 = 0.94, RMSE = 5.84%), old needles (R 2 = 0.72, RMSE = 3.51%), and sagebrush (R 2 = 0.91, RMSE = 21.03%). Spectral variation in response to changing LFMC and dry mass was difficult to isolate from broader spectral trends due to chlorophyll absorption, leaf structure, water absorption, and co-varied biochemical components. Our results stress cautious spectral interpretation and wavelength selection for LFMC estimation in some species (e.g. lodgepole pine), since temporal changes in spectra may dominantly reflect temporal variation in dry mass, pigments, and/or structure rather than water content. Since new needles should have stronger spectral expression at the canopy scale, differing temporal trends in new and old lodgepole pine needles provides an additional complicating factor for remote monitoring of LFMC.
Crossbar switching requirements for future multibeam TDMA communications satellites

Requirements for microwave switching in space, based on a frequency translating satellite are discussed. A 100 x 100 switch with a bandwidth of 2.5 GHz is considered for the more than 70 U.S. metropolitan areas with populations over half of a million. Switch architectures are outlined and switching devices, logic requirements, and reliability are described.
Clinical study and literature review of nasal irrigation

Objectives/Hypothesis Nasal disease, including chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis, is a significant source of morbidity. Nasal irrigation has been used as an adjunctive treatment of sinonasal disease. However, despite an abundance of anecdotal reports, there has been little statistical evidence to support its efficacy. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of the use of pulsatile hypertonic saline nasal irrigation in the treatment of sinonasal disease. Study Design A prospective controlled clinical study. Methods Two hundred eleven patients from the University of California, San Diego (San Diego, CA) Nasal Dysfunction Clinic with sinonasal disease (including allergic rhinitis, aging rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, and postnasal drip) and 20 disease-free control subjects were enrolled. Patients irrigated their nasal cavities using hypertonic saline delivered by a Water Pik device using a commercially available nasal adapter twice daily for 3 to 6 weeks. Patients rated nasal disease–specific symptoms and completed a self-administered quality of well-being questionnaire before intervention and at follow-up. Results Patients who used nasal irrigation for the treatment of sinonasal disease experienced statistically significant improvements in 23 of the 30 nasal symptoms queried. Improvement was also measured in the global assessment of health status using the Quality of Well-Being scale. Conclusions Nasal irrigation is effective in improving symptoms and the health status of patients with sinonasal disease.
Plasma osmotic pressure and volume changes as determinants of drinking thresholds

Abstract Experiment I determined drinking thresholds of salt-injected rats given differential exposure on a deprivation schedule. Results showed that rats given a subcutaneous 16% NaCl injection drank reliably after 5–7 min postinjection. Plasma osmotic pressure increased 2–3% at the initiation of drinking, this 2–3% increase representing a drinking threshold. Experiment II determined similar thresholds in rats allowed to alter their osmotic pressure by eating dry food. The mean time lapse from the onset of eating to the reinitiation of drinking was 51 min. Although the temporal characteristics of the animals which ate were different from the injected rats, the osmotic pressure changes were equal (2–3% increase) to those of Experiment I. Two more experiments tested two hypotheses generated by Experiment I. Results are discussed in terms of mechanism involved in the onset of drinking behavior.
Novel heterocyclic trans olefin analogues of N-{4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]butyl}arylcarboxamides as selective probes with high affinity for the dopamine D3 receptor.

Dopamine D3 receptor subtypes have been hypothesized to play a pivotal role in modulating the reinforcing and drug-seeking effects induced by cocaine. However, definitive pharmacological investigations have been hampered by the lack of highly D3 receptor selective compounds that can be used in vivo. To address this problem, the potent and D3-receptor-selective antagonist NGB 2904 (1, 9H-fluorene-2-carboxylic acid {4-[(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-butyl}-amide, Ki (hD3) = 2.0 nM, Ki (hD2L) = 112 nM, D2/D3 selectivity ratio of 56) was chosen as a lead structure for chemical modification in an attempt to reduce its high lipophilicity (c log D = 6.94) while optimizing D3 receptor binding affinity and D2/D3 selectivity. A series of >30 novel analogues were synthesized, and their binding affinities were evaluated in competition binding assays in HEK 293 cells transfected with either D2L, D3, or D4 human dopamine receptors using the high affinity, selective D2-like receptor antagonist 125I-IABN. Structura...
Relationship between Teacher Intentions and Their Classroom Use of Superscience.

Using the conceptual model of reasoned action, one would expect that what teachers do with instructional materials would be influenced by their internal beliefs and their external constraints. In this two-year study with elementary teachers, using a supplemental science instructional resource,Superscience, it was found that teachers' internal beliefs about what will benefit their students are linked to the external constraints of their students' interests and the expected curriculum. Even if the teachers believed that the content of the resource would be helpful, they were not likely to use it if they believed it did not fit the expected curriculum.
Langerin (CD207) staining in normal pediatric tissues, reactive lymph nodes, and childhood histiocytic disorders.

Langerin is a recently identified lectin for which antibodies can be used as immunohistochemical markers of Langerhans cells (LCs). We describe the distribution of staining in autopsy pediatric tissues, dermatopathic and other reactive lymph nodes, and childhood histiocytic lesions using the 12D6 antibody (Novocastra). We also correlate CD1a (antibody O1O) staining to these factors. Langerin on epidermal LCs has a coarsely granular cell membrane and a cytoplasmic staining pattern that is always associated with CD1a expression. All 6 skin samples had Langerin+/CD1a+ LCs within the epidermis. Six of 8 thymuses showed single scattered dendriticshaped cells in the medulla and rare cells within Hassall corpuscles that coexpressed Langerin and CD1a. Cortical thymocytes were CD1a+/Langerin−. Four of 8 livers examined showed a sinusoidal lining pattern of Langerin+/CD1a−. All 15 autopsy lymph nodes showed a similarly strong Langerin+/CD1a− sinus pattern of staining on fixed tissue elements, mostly in medullary sinuses. All 12 dermatopathic lymph nodes showed accumulation of Langerin+/CD1a+ cells in the pale paracortical nodules. All 24 instances of LC histiocytosis (LCH) were Langerin+/CD1a+. All 12 non-LCH histiocytic disorders are negative for Langerin in the histiocytes of interest. We conclude that Langerin is coexpressed with CD1a on LCs and LCH. Lymph node sinuses and hepatic sinusoids show Langerin+/CD1a− cells, indicating that, when used alone to confirm LCH infiltration, the 12D6 antibody should be used with caution. At other sites, its diagnostic accuracy is similar to that of CD1a.
Putative vascular endothelial cell chemotactic factors: comparison in a standardized migration assay.

Abstract While a number of chemoattractants of vascular endothelial cells have now been identified in vitro , differences in methodology preclude comparisons of substances evaluated in different assays. Here, we report a standardized chemotactic assay in which the migration of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells in a 48-well microchemotaxis chamber was determined. Nonstimulated (control) migration was remarkably constant (mean ± SD, 96 ± 14) from plate to plate, thus allowing the indexing of relative migration of stimulated cells to that of nonstimulated cells in the control wells of that plate. Based on the relative migrations observed in response to each of the substances evaluated, those proving to be stimulatory of migration were placed in rank order by potency. The growth factors epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-α, and basic fibroblast growth factor (followed by pentosan polysulfate, plasmin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor heparin, adenosine, and MgS0 4 ) were the most potent. Only the platelet factors platelet-derived growth factor-BB and platelet activating factor proved inhibitory of migration. Combining fibrinogen with other chemoattractants produced either stimulation or inhibition in comparison to the migration observed with fibrinogen one, suggesting that more than one signal transduction mechanism was, in all likelihood, invoked by the various agents. This assay will allow the rapid screening and rank ordering of additional putative chemoattractants, will facilitate the study of the biochemical mechanisms involved in endothelial cell migration, and will permit the evaluation of pharmacologic agents capable of modulating stimulated or unstimulated migration.
Component-based app design for platform-oriented devices in a medical device coordination framework

Frameworks that promote the intelligent coordination of medical devices are required in ubiquitous health care environments. Such environments are essential to achieve closed-loop behavior, and an emphasis on interoperability standards and reconfigurable hardware/software components will allow these systems to adapt to changing patient/provider needs and technologies. Intelligent medical system design often focuses on smart, complex on-device algorithms. This paper addresses the use of a Medical Device Coordination Framework from the complementary perspective, where devices stream data to an information infrastructure populated with rearrangeable components that can be cascaded to form complex processing apps, or "transformers."This approach enables a new paradigm for the design of medical devices that we refer to as "medical platform-oriented devices" (MPODs): devices constructed from sensors/actuators integrated with a medical acquisition and analysis platform that hosts sophisticated software component collections while providing a variety of safety and real-time features relevant to the medical device domain. These components provide capabilities that may have been unsuitable for direct microprocessor implementation, promote the use of parallel analyses (e.g., for parameter verification), and enable the construction of reconfigurable apps.To demonstrate this approach, a set of reconfigurable, component-based software apps was developed to address medical devices that utilize photoplethysmograms (PPGs). The first app builds upon the behavior of an existing wireless reflectance pulse oximeter that (a) processes raw PPGs to ascertain heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and respiration rate and (b) makes decisions regarding PPG viability. Other apps address the calculation of pulse wave velocity using multiple PPGs and closed-loop control of PPG quality when determining blood pressure and stroke volume. These scenarios demonstrate the immense potential that a component pool and its related app library provide for biomedical signal analyses and the creation of reconfigurable virtual medical devices.
Spinal injection procedures: volume, provider distribution, and reimbursement in the U.S. medicare population from 1993 to 1999.

PURPOSE: To evaluate spinal injection procedures for trends in volume, reimbursement, and physician specialty participation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By using the 1993, 1996, 1998, and 1999 Medicare Part B claims database, we studied Current Procedural Terminology revision 4 codes used for percutaneous spinal injection procedures, including cervical and lumbar discography, disk aspiration and/or injection, facet and/or perifacet joint injection, and epidural steroid injection. For each of these procedures, volume, reimbursement, and physician specialty participation (categorized as radiology, anesthesiology, surgery, physiatry, and other specialties) for each year were recorded. RESULTS: Despite an overall increase in spinal injection procedure volume and reimbursement from 1993 to 1999, nonradiologists performed most of these procedures. Epidural steroid and facet joint injections had the highest volume and reimbursement during this time period and were performed almost exclusively by nonradiologists (pred...
Fiber Optics and Library Technology

Fiber optics has the capability to dramatically increase telecommunications capability and lower costs. This article examines fiber optic technology, explains some of the key terminology, and speculates about the way fiber optics will change our world.
The locus of Epstein-Barr virus terminal repeat processing is bound with enhanced affinity by Sp1 and Sp3.

EBV DNA contains G-rich, repeat regions that are involved in rearrangement and recombination events including terminal repeat (TR) processing and the EBNA-2 deletion in the EBV strain P3HR-1. Cellular proteins, called terminal or tandem repeat binding proteins (TRBPs), recognize sequences at the junctions of these recombination events. In this study, using antibody supershift assays and expression of recombinant proteins, we show that Sp1 and Sp3 are the sequence-specific components of TRBP and that Ku is the nonspecific binding component. Sp1 binds other recombinogenic regions of EBV DNA, but Sp3 does not bind to the large internal repeat. The sequence GGGGTGGGG, a low affinity site for Sp1 and Sp3, is the minimal binding site within terminal repeat binding site 1 (TRBS1). However, 3' flanking sequences in the sequence GGGGTGGGGCATGGGG augment binding of Sp1 and Sp3 so that their affinity of binding is increased approximately twofold relative to a classical high-affinity Sp1 site. EBV lytic cycle induction does not alter the abundance or binding activity of any of the three identified components of TRBP. Sp1 and Sp3 may act in trans to promote EBV terminal repeat processing and possibly other viral and cellular recombination events.
The AIDS patient with abdominal pain: a new challenge for the emergency physician

As the prevalence of HIV infection continues to increase, EPs will be called upon to evaluate increasing numbers of AIDS patients who have abdominal pain, some of whom will require emergent surgical intervention. In addition to the myriad causes of abdominal pain in the nonimmunocompromised patient, the differential diagnosis in the AIDS patient includes a wide variety of opportunistic infections and neoplasms (Table 5). Evaluation frequently requires extensive laboratory studies and cultures and advanced imaging (CT, ultrasound, and so forth). A low threshold for surgical and other subspecialty consultation should be in place because of the often subtle presentation of surgical emergencies in AIDS patients.
A Biophysical Basis for Mucus Solids Concentration as a Candidate Biomarker for Airways Disease

In human airways diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), host defense is compromised and airways inflammation and infection often result. Mucus clearance and trapping of inhaled pathogens constitute key elements of host defense. Clearance rates are governed by mucus viscous and elastic moduli at physiological driving frequencies, whereas transport of trapped pathogens in mucus layers is governed by diffusivity. There is a clear need for simple and effective clinical biomarkers of airways disease that correlate with these properties. We tested the hypothesis that mucus solids concentration, indexed as weight percent solids (wt%), is such a biomarker. Passive microbead rheology was employed to determine both diffusive and viscoelastic properties of mucus harvested from human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cultures. Guided by sputum from healthy (1.5-2.5 wt%) and diseased (COPD, CF; 5 wt%) subjects, mucus samples were generated in vitro to mimic in vivo physiology, including intermediate range wt% to represent disease progression. Analyses of microbead datasets showed mucus diffusive properties and viscoelastic moduli scale robustly with wt%. Importantly, prominent changes in both biophysical properties arose at ∼4 wt%, consistent with a gel transition (from a more viscous-dominated solution to a more elastic-dominated gel). These findings have significant implications for: (1) penetration of cilia into the mucus layer and effectiveness of mucus transport; and (2) diffusion vs. immobilization of micro-scale particles relevant to mucus barrier properties. These data provide compelling evidence for mucus solids concentration as a baseline clinical biomarker of mucus barrier and clearance functions.
Evidence for dietary essentiality of lithium in the rat.

The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary essentiality of lithium (Li) in rats. In three experiments, two types of diets were fed during growth, reproduction, and lactation. In the first experiment, dams were maintained on a corn-based diet containing 2 ng or 500 ng (controls) Li/g through five successive periods of pregnancy and lactation. The offspring of dams fed the low-Li diet had significantly lower weaning weights (p=0.011), and the percent weaned was lower (p=0.094) than that of controls. In the second experiment, rats were maintained through three generations on a rice-based diet containing 0.6 ng Li/g, or the control (500 ng/g) diet. There was a significant effect of Li level on litter size (p=0.017) and litter wt at birth (p=0.006) in the third generation. The overall effect through three generations on litter wt at birth approaches statistical significance (p=0.086). In the third experiment, third-generation rats were continued on the respective rice-based diets with three levels of dietary sodium, the normal level, one-half, and four times that level. The litter size and birth wt were significantly lower (p=0.0030 and 0.0038, respectively) among the low-Li dams that consumed the normal and high-sodium levels compared to those that consumed the low-sodium diets. The interaction of Li and sodium as regards litter wt at birth approached significance (p=0.083). Various tissues of the rats in the third experiment were analyzed for Li. It seems likely that Li exerts an essential nutrient role for the rat.
Fractionations of Nonporphyrin Complexes of Vanadium and Nickel from Boscan Crude Oil

Abstract Samples containing vanadium and nickel nonporphyrin complexes were isolated from Boscan crude oil from Venezuela. Chromatographic studies indicated that a broad molecular weight range of components existed so that silica packings having a 300 A average pore diameter were superior to those in the range 60 to 100 A due to greater permeation. Solvents having widely different polarities and selectivities were needed for elution of nonporphyrins from 300 A pore diameter silica derivatized with trimethylchlorosilane. Successive solvents eluted different percentages of the metals and of UV-visible absorbing components. Larger molecular-weight species, which contained the bulk of the metals, were eluted by chloroform, methylene chloride, and tetrahydrofuran. Results also suggested the existence of slow “equilibria” between high and low molecular weight species within a particular nonporphyrin fraction.
Effects of temperature and strain rate on transverse tensile properties of H4LM graphite tested in helium and in vacuum

Abstract Curves are presented showing the ultimate tensile strength of molded H4LM graphite in the transverse orientation (“with the grain”) as a function of temperature, for tests made in vacuum and in static helium at nominal engineering strain rates of 0.005, 0.5 and 2.0/min. Temperature ranges considered are ambient to 2000°C for tests in vacuum, and ambient to 2500°C for those in helium. A general increase in strength occurs as temperature rises; however, the magnitude of the strength increase is reduced by testing at the higher strain rates. Fracturing of graphite is discussed, and it is concluded that these results can best be explained in terms of a selective mass-transport mechanism which heals, or at least blunts, dormant cracks formed early in the fracture history.
Antioxidant Tempol enhances hypothermic cerebral preservation during prolonged cardiac arrest in dogs.

The authors are systematically exploring pharmacologic preservation for temporarily unresuscitable exsanguination cardiac arrest in dogs. They hypothesized that the antioxidant Tempol improves cerebral outcome when added to aortic saline flush at the start of cardiac arrest. In study A, no drug (n = 8), Tempol 150 mg/kg (n = 4), or Tempol 300 mg/kg (n = 4) was added to 25 mL/kg saline flush at 24°C (achieving mild cerebral hypothermia) at the start of 20-minute cardiac arrest. In study B, no drug (n = 8) or Tempol 300 mg/kg (n = 7) was added to 50 mL/kg saline flush at 2°C (achieving moderate cerebral hypothermia) at the start of 40-minute cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest was reversed with cardiopulmonary bypass. Mild hypothermia lasted for 12 hours, controlled ventilation was sustained to 24 hours, and intensive care was provided for up to 72 hours. In study A, overall performance category 1 or 2 (good outcome) was achieved in all eight dogs treated with Tempol compared with three of eight dogs in the control group (P = 0.03). In study B, good outcome was achieved in all seven dogs treated with Tempol versus only two of 8 dogs in the control group (P = 0.007). In both studies, neurologic deficit scores were significantly better in the Tempol group, but not total histologic damage scores. At 72 hours, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of Tempol revealed direct evidence for its presence in the brain. Single- and double-strand DNA damage, nitrotyrosine immunostaining, total antioxidant reserve, and ascorbate acid levels were similar between groups, and thiol levels were decreased after Tempol in study B. The authors conclude that when added to aortic saline flush at the start of prolonged cardiac arrest, the antioxidant Tempol can enhance mild or moderate hypothermic cerebral preservation in terms of improved functional outcome. The mechanisms involved in this beneficial effect need further clarification.
Stochastic Modeling and Analysis of Rotary Ultrasonic Machining

Rotary Ultrasonic Machining (RUM) is a hybrid machining approach that combines two material removal mechanisms, namely diamond grinding and ultrasonic machining. Currently available literature mainly focuses on static parametric relationships. This paper presents preliminary results of an experimental study on some aspects of the RUM process performance, surface integrity, and dynamic process modeling. A stochastic modeling and analysis technique called Data Dependent Systems (DDS) was used to study RUM generated surface profiles and cutting force signals. The DDS wavelength decomposition of the surface profiles suggested that the major characteristic root wavelength had a positive correlation with feed rate, and the wavelength magnitude may be linked to the grain size of the workpiece material. In addition, the difference of the major wavelength between the surface profiles for machined holes and that for machined rods was investigated. The surface variation between the entrance and exit segments of both holes and rods were also studied. Moreover, the DDS modeling approach was applied to cutting force signals collected during RUM and comparisons were made to the surface profiles results.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Exploring the k-distribution in fission

Abstract Statistical models of fission angular distributions predict that the spins of the fragments should vary with angle. This effect has been investigated in several 4 He-induced fission reactions using γ-ray multiplicity techniques. While M γ does vary with emission angle, the effect is smaller than expected. The excitation of additional angular momentum bearing modes accounts for much of this discrepancy.
Caspase-Mediated Truncation of Tau Potentiates Aggregation

Caspase-mediated truncation of tau is associated with aggregation. We examined the impact of manipulation of caspase activity on intracellular aggregation of a mutant form of tau (3PO) that forms spontaneous aggregates. Treatment with the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk reduced both N and C-terminal tau truncation but did not significantly reduce aggregation. Treatment with staurosporine, which activated caspases, increased C-terminal but not N-terminal truncation and enhanced aggregation. These findings suggest that caspase activation is one potential route, rather than an obligatory initiation step, in aggregation, and that N- and C-terminal truncation contribute differentially to aggregation.
Anti-angiogenesis in cancer therapy.

Abstract Objective: To review tumor angiogenesis, identify potential targets for anti-angiogenic cancer therapy, and highlight certain anti-angiogenic agents in clinical trials. Data Source: Research articles, abstracts, review articles, and book chapters. Conclusion: Tumor angiogenesis is a complex, multistep process that provides a target for antineoplastic therapy whereby tumor neovasculature is interrupted at various steps in the angiogenic process. Clinical trials are investigating the application and efficacy of anti-angiogenic agents. Implications for Nursing Practice: Oncology nurses must continually increase their knowledge with the onset of newer, targeted agents. This will provide a background for educating and caring for the patient who is receiving anti-angiogenic therapy.