cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Feasibility of Radiation Therapy after Breast-Conserving Surgery for Multiple Ipsilateral Breast Cancer: An Initial Report from ACOSOG Z11102 (Alliance) Trial.

PURPOSE Historically, multiple ipsilateral breast cancer (MIBC) has been a contraindication to breast-conserving therapy. We report the feasibility of radiation therapy (RT) after breast-conserving therapy in MIBC from the Alliance Z11102 trial. METHODS AND MATERIALS Delineation of targets and organs at risk was performed according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group contouring consensus definitions. RT was delivered to the whole breast to 45 to 50 Gy in standard daily fractions of 1.8 to 2.0 Gy. A boost of 10 to 16 Gy in 2.0-Gy daily fractions to each tumor bed was mandatory. RESULTS A total of 236 eligible patients were enrolled in the study between July 23, 2012 and August 19, 2016. Of those, 195 (83%) completed RT. No patient underwent mastectomy for failure to meet the RT dose constraints. Higher absolute boost volume was associated with increased incidence of grade 2 or higher dermatitis (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.41; P = .014). Higher relative boost volume as a percentage of the overall breast volume was not associated with increased dermatitis. Neither absolute nor relative boost volume appeared to significantly influence overall cosmesis. CONCLUSIONS Breast conservation followed by whole breast RT plus boost to each tumor bed was feasible in the majority of patients with MIBC. Increasing radiation boost volume was associated with increased incidence of acute dermatitis, but was not associated with worse overall cosmesis.
‘Art Happens not in Isolation, But in Community’: The Collective Literacies of Media Fandom

When the Archive of Our Own (AO3) received a prestigious Hugo Award from the World Science Fiction Convention in Dublin the summer of 2019, this moment represented a recognition by the literary science fiction community of an alternative model of authorship – one which operates outside the publishing world or academia, one where authorship is collective rather than individual, and one where artworks are appropriative and transformative rather than “original.” Using this occasion as my starting point, I will discuss here the ways that the literacies associated with fandom may be understood as illustrative of the new forms of expression that have taken shape in a networked era.
Degrader analysis for diagnostic and predictive capabilities: A demonstration of progress in DoD CBM+ Initiatives

Abstract This paper presents a modified reliability centered maintenance (RCM) methodology developed by The Applied Research Laboratory at The Pennsylvania State University (ARL Penn State) to meet challenges in decreasing life cycle sustainment costs for critical Naval assets. The focus of this paper is on the requirements for the development of the on-board Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) system with a discussion on the implementation progress for two systems: the high pressure air compressor (HPAC), and the advanced carbon dioxide removal unit (ACRU). Recent Department of Defense (DoD) guidance calls for implementing Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) as an alternative to traditional reactive and preventative maintenance strategies that rely on regular and active participation from subject matter experts to evaluate the health condition of critical systems. The RCM based degrader analysis utilizes data from multiple sources to provide a path for selecting systems and components most likely to benefit from the implementation of diagnostic and predictive capabilities for monitoring and managing failure modes by determining various options of possible CBM system designs that provide the highest potential ROI. Sensor data collected by the PHM system can be used with machine learning applications to develop failure mode predictive algorithms with greatest benefit in terms of performance, sustainment costs, and increasing platform operational availability. The approach supports traditional maintenance strategy development by assessing the financial benefit of the PHM technology implementation with promising potential for many industrial and military complex adaptive system applications.
The Stupidity of War: American Foreign Policy and the Case for Complacency

It could be said that American foreign policy since 1945 has been one long miscue; most international threats - including during the Cold War - have been substantially exaggerated. The result has been agony and bloviation, unnecessary and costly military interventions that have mostly failed. A policy of complacency and appeasement likely would have worked better. In this highly readable book, John Mueller argues with wisdom and wit rather than ideology and hyperbole that aversion to international war has had considerable consequences. There has seldom been significant danger of major war. Nuclear weapons, international institutions, and America's super power role have been substantially irrelevant; post-Cold War policy has been animated more by vast proclamation and half-vast execution than by the appeals of liberal hegemony; and post-9/11 concerns about international terrorism and nuclear proliferation have been overwrought and often destructive. Meanwhile, threats from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, or from cyber technology are limited and manageable. Unlikely to charm Washington, Mueller explains how, when international war is in decline, complacency and appeasement become viable diplomatic devices and a large military is scarcely required.
Rapid FDI of Emerging Market Firms The Role of Foreign Participation

Most literature on rapid internationalization focuses on exporting firms and leaves other parts of internationalization process such as foreign direct investment (FDI) unexplained. In this paper, w...
Survival With Continuous Outpatient Intravenous Inotrope Therapy in the Modern Era.

BACKGROUND To describe baseline characteristics and outcomes in the largest known registry of advanced heart failure (HF) patients receiving continuous outpatient intravenous inotrope therapy. Studies evaluating the use of outpatient inotropes for palliation or as a bridge to advanced therapies were performed before current guideline directed medical and device therapy (GDMDT). There are limited data on the modern experience using outpatient inotrope (OI) therapy. STUDY QUESTION We aimed to study current use and outcomes of OI. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective database analysis. MEASURES AND OUTCOMES From 2015 to 2017, 1540 advanced HF patients in a largess nationwide registry received OI with either milrinone or dobutamine. Baseline characteristics of 1149 patients data were retrospectively reviewed. Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival estimates censored at the time of transplant or mechanical circulatory support were reported. RESULTS Of 1149 patients, more patients were treated with milrinone than dobutamine (64.6% vs. 35.4%). Regardless of the indication for OI, estimated 1 and 2-years survival was 61.8% and 41.6%, respectively. Milrinone use was associated with a greater 1-year survival than dobutamine (70.7% vs. 46.2%, P < 0.0001). The superiority of milrinone over dobutamine extended to all indications for OI, including bridge to transplant (85.9% vs. 71.3%, P < 0.0001), bridge to mechanical support (91.4% vs. 71%, P = 0.001), and palliation (73.6% vs. 63.3%, P < 0.001). After adjusting for indication, age, gender and weight, milrinone was associated with lower mortality than dobutamine (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.39-0.64, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS In the largest dataset of HF patients receiving OI, survival on OI for palliation in the current era of GDMDT is significantly higher than previously reported. Compared with dobutamine, milrinone was associated with improved survival in all cohorts.
The Messy Side of the Enlightenment: Eighteenth-Century Translators, Reviewers, and the Traces They Left Behind

This article looks at the “messy side” of Enlightenment, treating periodicals as a major index of this messy side. While periodicals have been relegated to ancillary role in understanding autonomou...
Association of Baseline Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Percentage Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Reduction With Statins, Ezetimibe, and PCSK9 Inhibition

Importance Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an important modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is unclear whether the percentage LDL-C lowering with pharmacotherapies differs on the basis of baseline LDL-C levels. Objective To evaluate the association between baseline LDL-C levels and the percentage LDL-C reduction with a statin, ezetimibe, and a PCSK9 inhibitor. Design, Setting, and Participants This secondary exploratory study analyzed data from 3 randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials (Aggrastat to Zocor–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 21 [A to Z–TIMI 21], Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial [IMPROVE-IT], and Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research With PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects With Elevated Risk [FOURIER]) of lipid-lowering therapies (statin, ezetimibe, and a PCSK9 inhibitor) and included participants with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Analyses took place form April to October 2020. Interventions In A to Z–TIMI 21, 1:1 randomization to simvastatin, 40 mg, daily for 30 days followed by 80 mg daily thereafter vs placebo for 4 months followed by simvastatin, 20 mg, daily thereafter. In IMPROVE-IT, 1:1 randomization to ezetimibe, 10 mg, daily plus simvastatin, 40 mg, daily vs placebo plus simvastatin, 40 mg, daily. In FOURIER, 1:1 randomization to evolocumab, 140 mg, every 2 weeks or 420 mg monthly vs matching placebo. Main Outcomes and Measures The percentage LDL-C reduction at either 1 month (A to Z–TIMI 21, IMPROVE-IT) or 3 months (FOURIER) as a function of baseline LDL-C level. Data were modeled using a generalized linear regression model. Results A total of 3187 patients from A to Z–TIMI 21, 10 680 patients from IMPROVE-IT, and 25 847 patients from FOURIER were analyzed. There was a higher percentage reduction in LDL-C levels with evolocumab in patients with lower baseline LDL-C levels, ranging from 59.4% (95% CI, 59.1%-59.8%) in patients with a baseline LDL-C level of 130 mg/dL to 66.1% (95% CI, 65.6%-66.6%) in patients with a baseline LDL-C level of 70 mg/dL (P Conclusions and Relevance The percentage LDL-C reduction with statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibition is not attenuated in patients starting with lower baseline LDL-C levels and is 6.6% greater for PCSK9 inhibition. These data are encouraging for the use of intensive LDL-C–lowering therapy even for patients with lower LDL-C levels.
Preoperative Corticosteroid Injections Demonstrate a Temporal and Dose-Dependent Relationship with the Rate of Postoperative Infection Following Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Corticosteroid injections (CSI) are commonly used for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. There is concern, however, that these injections may increase the risk of postoperative infection if a subsequent total hip arthroplasty (THA) is performed. The purpose of the present investigation is to determine the relationship between CSI and the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and surgical site infections (SSIs) following THA. Methods The PearlDiver database was reviewed for patients undergoing THA from 2011 to 2018. Patients with unilateral hip osteoarthritis who received an intra-articular hip CSI prior to ipsilateral THA were matched in a sequential 1:1 fashion based on age, gender, and Charlson Comorbidity Index with THA patients who did not receive an injection in the preoperative period. PJI and SSI within 6 months of the surgical procedure were recorded. Statistical analysis included chi-squared test and multivariate logistic regression. Results were considered significant at P Results In total, 29,058 patients underwent a hip CSI within 6 months prior to THA. CSI within 4 months of surgery was associated with a higher incidence of PJI at 6-month follow up (1.6% vs 1.1%, P = .040). An injection within 1 month of surgery corresponded to a higher odds of PJI (odds ratio [OR] 1.97) than an injection 4 months prior to surgery (OR 1.24). Furthermore, the quantity of CSI administered within the 3 months prior to THA demonstrated a dose-dependent relationship, with each subsequent injection increasing odds of PJI (OR 1.45-3.59). A similar relationship was observed for SSI. Conclusion There appears to be both a time and dose-dependent association of hip CSI and PJI following THA. Surgeons should consider delaying elective THA if a CSI has been administered within the 4 months prior to the planned procedure.
The discovery of dendritic cells.

An excerpt from Ralph Steinman’s Harvey Lecture describing the discovery of dendritic cells.
Iron Loss Analysis in Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors with Soft Magnetic Composite Core Material

Accurate calculation of iron losses in electric machines are essential for optimal machine design. This is especially important for axial flux permanent magnet motors with solid stator and rotor cores. This paper investigates iron losses in axial flux motor with soft magnetic composite material for the stator and the rotor. First, an analytical model is proposed to estimate iron losses under different operating conditions. The model is based on combining the Quasi 3-D computation approach and the magnetic equivalent circuit. The proposed model can be modified to account for different motor topologies and different stator and magnet designs. Then, The effect of torque ripple, on iron losses, is studied by comparing two motors: an optimized motor, with dummy pocket added to the stator tooth, and a non-optimized motor. Finally, the effect of the motor control scheme and the inverter switching frequency is studied by implementing two controllers: the field oriented control and the trapezoidal control. Simulations using 3-D finite element analysis and experimental tests are conducted, under different operating conditions, on two 12V, 6 slots, 8 poles single stator single rotor fractional horsepower axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motor prototypes.
Still More War

Still More War. Eliza Richards, Alice Fahs, M. L. Rosenthal, J. D. McClatchy, Randall Fuller, and Ed Folsom on Whitman’s war poems. Philip Beidler on trauma, Whitman’s illness. Poems from Drum-Taps, “The Wound-Dresser,” “The Artilleryman’s Vision,” and others.
Response of Drought Tolerant and Conventional Corn to Limited Irrigation

Summary With declining water levels in the Ogallala aquifer, many wells cannot supply peak irrigation water needs for corn. Emerging drought-tolerant (DT) corn hybrids could help farmers maintain yield with limited capacity wells. A knowledge gap exists com-paring transgenic DT and conventional corn hybrids in yield response to water level. The purpose of this study was to compare yield, yield components, water productivity, and irrigation water use efficiency response of DT corn with cspB (DKC 6267 DGVT-2PRO) transgene trait and conventional corn hybrid (DKC 62-98 VT2PRO) with similar maturity to full and limited irrigation. Preliminary results from the 2014 grow-ing season indicate the effect of irrigation level on corn yield was significant ( P-val-ue<0.001) . The effect of the cspB transgene trait in the DT hybrid did not affect yield ( P-value=0.32) , and there was no effect of the interaction between irrigation level and corn hybrid on yield ( P-value=0.82) . The effect of irrigation and hybrid on 100 kernel weight was significant, with
Partial Information in Multimodal Dialogue

Much research has been directed towards developing multimodal interfaces in the past twenty years. Many current multimodal systems, however, can only handle multimodal inputs at the sentence level. The move towards multimodal dialogue significantly increases the complexity of the system as the representations of the input now range over time and input modality. We developed a framework to address this problem consisting of three parts. First, we propose to use multidimensional feature structures, a straightforward extension of typed feature structures, as a uniform representational formalism in which the semantic content stemming from all input modalities can be expressed. Second, we extend the feature structure formalism by an object-oriented framework that allows the back-end application to keep track of the state of the representation under discussion. And third, we propose an informational characterization of dialogue states through a constraint logic program whose constraint system consists of the multidimentional feature structures. The multimodal dialogue manager uses the characterization of dialogue states to decide on an appropriate strategy.
Feasibility of EEG Measures in Conjunction With Light Exercise for Return-to-Play Evaluation After Sports-Related Concussion.

Current clinical assessment of sports-related concussion and the determination of “Return-to-Play” lacks assessment of the pathophysiological processes affecting the concussed brain. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of electroencephalogram measures that detect neuronal damage and monitor the healing process, giving an improved approximation of pathophysiological recovery.
Electric alternation of the heart. Its relation to the kinetics and physiology of the heart during cardiac tamponade.

Abstract Electric alternation of the heart is uncommon, and some forms are quite rare. Four cases of cardiac tamponade with different forms of alternans are presented, including the first of ventricular alternation during atrial fibrillation and the fifteenth case of total alternation. Observations in these cases permit certain conclusions with regard to the kinetic and physiologic derangement of the heart during cardiac tamponade.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted infections are a major public health problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates over 20 million new infections occur each year in the USA alone, resulting in medical costs of $16 billion. Successful screening programs and accurate assays are therefore key to identifying infected individuals so that treatment and partner notification can be conducted to prevent the further spread of STIs. This chapter on STIs focuses on four of the most prevalent infections: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and human papillomavirus.
Effect of particle size on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of PbTiO/sub 3/-polymer composites

Piezoelectric composites were prepared by mixing 67-vol% modified PbTiO/sub 3/ with a polymer. Composites were cured at 80 degrees C for 10 h and poled with an electric field of 40 kV/cm for 1 h at 80 degrees C. The dielectric constant, piezoelectric d/sub 33/, and hydrostatic coefficient d/sub h/ were found to increase with increasing particle size and the hydrostatic g/sub h/ coefficient decreased with increasing particle size of PbTiO/sub 3/. The hydrostatic figure of merit, d/sub h/g/sub h/ was shown to be independent of particle size. Composites prepared with large particles were found to have lower breakdown strengths. The difference in properties with particle size indicates a probable change in connectivity due to variation of particle size and morphology. >
Aversive effects of naltrexone in subjects not dependent on opiates

Naltrexone was given to ten opiate-free volunteer subjects following the same dosage schedule used for initiating treatment of opiate-dependent persons. During the three-week initiation period, three subjects dropped from the study owing to aversive effects of the drug. The remaining seven subjects reported similar unpleasant but tolerable effects. A separate group of ten volunteer subjects was given single doses of 50 or 100 mg of naltrexone or a naltrexone placebo on three separate occasions using blind controls. These subjects also reported aversive effects. The principal symptoms reported were loss of energy, gastrointestinal disturbances and mental depression. It is possible that these aversive reactions of naltrexone have limited acceptance of the drug as a treatment for opiate-dependent persons.
Flow oscillation over an airfoil near stall

The low-frequency flow oscillation on airfoils near stall has been observed on several airfoils over a range of Reynolds numbers. However, the mechanism of selection of the long time scale involved in the oscillation remained far from clearly understood. This provided motivation to continue to pursue the topic. Here, efforts are made to further document the characteristics of the phenomenon and gain additional insight into the flow mechanisms.
A murine model of inflammatory bone disease.

Abstract We have recently reported the identification of a new recessive mutation on murine chromosome 18 that results in tail kinks and deformity in the lower extremities of mice. Preliminary examination of the bones of these mice showed that there are abnormalities present that resembled chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis. Accordingly, this new mutation was named “CMO.” In this report, we describe the histology of bones in CMO mice, as well as the capacity of the bone marrow cells from these animals to form osteoclasts (OCLs). In addition, we tested conditioned media from nonadherent marrow cells and total marrow cells from CMO mice for their capacity to induce OCL formation in normal murine marrow cultures. These studies demonstrated that the bone disease in these animals is inflammatory in nature, and a soluble factor(s) that is not IL-1α, IL-6 or TNF-α is released by marrow cells from CMO animals and enhances OCL formation in normal murine marrow cultures.
Regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) release by explants of human visceral adipose tissue

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine involved in monocyte recruitment during inflammation whose plasma level is elevated in obesity. The present studies were designed to examine the release of MCP-1 in primary culture by explants of visceral adipose tissue from morbidly obese women. Most of the MCP-1 released by adipose tissue explants was derived from the nonfat cells in adipose tissue. The release of MCP-1 by adipose tissue explants was upregulated almost five-fold between 3 and 48 h of incubation. Approximately half of this upregulation was due to the release of endogenous tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and IL-1β based on the ability of a combination of a soluble TNFα receptor (etanercept) and a blocking antibody against IL-1β to reduce MCP-1 release. The release of MCP-1 over 48 h was unaffected by insulin or dexamethasone but significantly reduced by the combination of both agents. MCP-1 release was reduced by 60% in the presence of an inhibitor of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway. There were no significant effects of inhibitors of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathways on MCP-1 release. However, inhibition of MCP-1 release in the presence of inhibitors of both the p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways was greater than that seen with only the NF-κB inhibitor. The present data shows that MCP-1 formation is upregulated over a 48-h incubation of primary explants of visceral adipose tissue. Half of this upregulation is dependent upon endogenous TNFα and Il-1β and involves the p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways.
Context and ambiguity in the extinction of emotional learning: implications for exposure therapy.

Abstract The effect of exposure therapy on anxiety disorders is often attributed to the Pavlovian extinction of fear. The present article reviews some recent animal research that suggests a role for environmental context in fear extinction and conditioning. Although extinction exposure to a conditioned stimulus (CS) clearly reduces fear of the CS, even prolonged exposure typically leaves the CS with fear-evoking power that can relapse under certain conditions. It is argued that the CS after extinction is analogous to an ambiguous word: the response it evokes is unusually dependent on its context. Empirical support for this view is presented and discussed. When an extinguished fear stimulus is presented in a context that itself arouses fear, fear can be ‘reinstated’ to the CS. In addition, removing the CS from the context in which extinction has occurred can cause a ‘renewal’ of fear; fear extinction can be specific to its context. Fear of a CS that has never been extinguished is not as sensitive to these effects of context; for example, fear conditioning itself is not usually context-specific. Instead of causing an ‘unlearning’ of fear, extinction gives the CS a mixed, ambiguous meaning that is strongly affected by context. This view, and other empirical findings, suggest an important role for context in the extinction process and have a number of novel implications for exposure therapy and relapse after treatment.
Social Protection and Economic Integration: The Politics of Pension Reform in an Era of Capital Mobility

In the past two decades of the 20th century, governments around the world began to apportion greater responsibility for old-age income provision to individuals and market forces through the privati...
Structure−Activity Relationship Among Purpurinimides and Bacteriopurpurinimides: Trifluoromethyl Substituent Enhanced the Photosensitizing Efficacy

At similar lipophilicity, compared to the nonfluorinated purpurinimide 11, the corresponding fluorinated analog 8 with a trifluoromethyl substituent at the lower half (position-132) of the molecule showed enhanced photosensitizing efficacy. The structural parameters established in purpurinimides (lambdamax: 700 nm) were successfully translated to the bacteriopurpurin imide system 19 (lambdamax: 792 nm) and within both series, a monotonic relationship between the lipophilicity and the in vivo PDT activity was observed. For preparing water-soluble compounds, the photosensitizers 8 and 19 were converted into the corresponding aminobenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetate conjugates 23 and 26. Acid treatment of purpurinimide 23 produced the corresponding water-soluble analog 24. Bacteriochlorin 26 under acidic or basic conditions mainly gave the decomposition products. At similar in vivo treatment conditions (C3H mice with RIF tumors and BALB-C mice with colon-26 tumors) the water-soluble purpurinimide 24 was found to be more effective than the methyl ester analog 8. These results suggest that besides overall lipophilicity the inherent charge of the photosensitizer also influences the PDT efficacy.
Solid‐phase backward extrusion of thermoplastics

The backward extrusion process was studied as a means of forming projections and ribs on flat sections of thermoplastic parts. The simplified, open-die axisymmetric and plane-strain extrusion cases were mainly considered. The results were applied to the development of a continuous solid-phase-forming process. Commercial-grade polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were used in the investigation. The projection height and extrusion loads in the unconstrained extrusion were measured as a function of the initial temperature of the material, the load hold time, and geometric variables. Cold dies were used in the experiments, and the samples were kept below their melt temperatures. The dimensional recovery of the flange section of the formed samples was also measured as a function of the hold time for given initial temperature and geometric variables. The slab and the upper-bound methods-in plasticity analysis were used to theoretically derive the projection heights and forming loads. The degree of correlation between the predictions and the experimental results depended on the estimates used for the frictional factors at the interfaces between the deforming material and the dies.
Role of the carboxyl-terminal half of the extracellular domain of the human thyrotropin receptor in signal transduction.

We studied the role of the carboxyl-terminus of the extracellular region of the human TSH receptor in signal transduction (cAMP generation). For this purpose, we introduced homologous substitutions of smaller segments within amino acids 261-418 (domains D and E) of the TSH receptor with the corresponding amino acids of the rat LH/CG receptor. Amino acids 317-366 were not investigated in view of previous data indicating their noninvolvement. Mutant TSH receptor cDNAs, in a eukaryotic expression vector, were stably transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells. Eight of nine plasmid constructs expressed TSH receptors that could be detected by radiolabeled TSH binding; six of these were of high affinity similar to the wild-type receptor and, therefore, provided informative data on signal transduction. Despite high affinity TSH binding, five of six TSH receptor mutants displayed a diminished cAMP response to TSH stimulation, suggesting the involvement of broad segments of domains DE in signal transduction. Ami...
Enzymatic Dimethylamine and Formaldehyde Production in Minced American Plaice and Blackback Flounder Mixed with a Red Hake TMAO‐ase Active Fraction

A dialyzed high molecular weight (> 100,000) TMAO-ase active fraction from red hake muscle produced dimethylamine (DMA) in-vitro, activated by cysteine and Fe++ or by methylene blue and ascorbic acid. Minced blackback flounder and American plaice were induced to produce DMA and formaldehyde (FA) when mixed with the high molecular weight fraction from red hake. A low molecular weight (<100,000) fraction did not produce DMA either in-vitro or in-vivo. Heating the high molecular weight fraction 10 min at 100°C destroyed all TMAO-ase activity. The reported results lend support to the theory that DMA and FA production in red hake is caused by an endogenous enzyme, associated with the particulate fraction in muscle tissue.
Studies of formation of transplantation antibodies in mouse parabiosis.

SummaryCoelomic parabiosis between mice differing in θ and/or H2 antigens was produced. Spleens of parabionts contained plaque-forming cells involved in the production of antibodies to the partner's antigens. No significant exchange of PFC between partners was noted. Sera of parabionts contained lytic antibodies to the partner's antigens as well as the animal's own antigens. Data supporting the mutual exchange of antibodies were presented. Evidence was obtained that anti-θ antibodies produced in one partner suppress immune response of the other partner whose circulation they entered.
Stability test for strongly inhomogenous plasmas through Nyquist diagrams

The stability of inhomogeneous plasma equilibria in the water bag approximation is discussed by means of Nyquist diagrams. A function suitable for a Nyquist diagram is constructed, and the method is applied to demonstrate the instability of the electron sheath configuration. The behavior of the Nyquist diagram shows directly that instabilities occur near multiples of the bounce frequency of the innermost sheath contour in phase space.
Rat central amygdaloid nucleus projections to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

The projections from the central amygdaloid nucleus (Ce) to different subdivisions of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) were investigated using retrograde transport of fluorescent dyes. Iontophoretic injections of either Fast Blue (FB) or bisbenzimide (BB) were applied to the anterior medial, posterior medial, anterior lateral and posterior lateral parts of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. The anterior medial BNST receives projections from caudal part of medial Ce (CeM). The posterior medial BNST receives projections specifically from the intermediate subdivision of Ce, though in some cases projections from the ventral subdivision (CeV) of Ce were seen. The anterior lateral BNST receives projections primarily from the caudal lateral Ce (CeL) as well as middle and caudal part of CeM. The posterior lateral BNST receives projection from rostral CeL as well as the CeV and lateral capsular Ce. In general, the results indicate that the major subdivisions of the BNST receive projections from Ce subdivisions having similar connections with diencephalic or brainstem cell groups. Additional evidence is presented suggesting that Ce-BNST projections are part of an extensive system of intrinsic connections linking similar groups of neurons in both the Ce and BNST as well as within Ce.
Valuing Pavement Network Assets and Use of Values as Decision Supports

The value of an asset, the worth calculated using a specific valuation method and perspective, can be utilized to justify and support asset management decisions. The value of a public asset is an indicator that can help establish the accountability of managing agencies to asset owners and can be used in the justification of funding needs. The value of a pavement network helps the tax-paying public (owners) understand how well their pavements are being maintained. Asset values can be included in the management system framework used for managing particular assets. Besides agency's accountability and justification of funding needs, pavement network values can be used as indicators showing the network's performance in providing intended services. The objective of this paper was to discuss appropriate methods and perspectives of valuation for a pavement network and incorporate network values in management system framework to evaluate funding alternatives. Using appropriate network level analyses, the paper demonstrates asset valuations using selected techniques and perspectives, and the impacts of management strategies on network values.
Plastic deformation and fracture in coarse-grained aluminum☆

Abstract Plastic deformation and fracture in aluminum polycrystalline aggregate were investigated experimentally. A series of tensile specimens with a single edge crack were made of coarse-grained aluminum plates. The in-plane moire technique was used to quantitatively obtain the deformation field around the crack tip. The strain field ahead of the crack tip prior to crack growth, as well as grain rotations during the course of plastic deformation, were evaluated from the corresponding moire fringe patterns. The results of this study show that for small plastic deformation, grain rotation starts to take place at the very beginning of the plastic deformation and increases proportionally with plastic strain. The plastic strain ahead of the crack tip prior to crack growth drops significantly with decreasing average grain size of the specimen. Grain boundary sliding was also observed at some of the grain boundaries where the resolved shear stress had reached a critical value. The results also show that the crack propagated with maximum velocity at the center of a grain and assumed much slower velocity near grain boundaries or grain boundary junctions. The influence of the deformation rate is also discussed in terms of the stress relaxation.
Hypothelia, syndactyly, and ear malformation--a variant of the scalp-ear-nipple syndrome?: Case report and review of the literature.

The scalp-ear-nipple syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition that involves lesions of the scalp, malformed external ears, and absence of rudimentary nipples and breasts. We report a case of a woman with hypothelia, bilateral mildly malformed ears, and syndactyly of the hands and feet, and review the literature on the hypothelia/athelia phenotype. This case may represent a mild phenotype of the scalp-ear-nipple syndrome or a newly recognized entity. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The crystal structure of the MJ0796 ATP-binding cassette. Implications for the structural consequences of ATP hydrolysis in the active site of an ABC transporter.

Abstract The crystal structure of the MJ0796 ATP-binding cassette, a member of the o228/LolD transporter family, has been determined at 2.7-A resolution with MgADP bound at its active site. Comparing this structure with that of the ATP-bound form of the HisP ATP-binding cassette (Hung, L. W., Wang, I. X., Nikaido, K., Liu, P. Q., Ames, G. F., and Kim, S. H. (1998) Nature 396, 703–707) shows a 5-A withdrawal of a phylogenetically invariant glutamine residue from contact with the γ-phosphate of ATP in the active site. This glutamine is located in a protein segment that links the rigid F1-type ATP-binding core of the enzyme to an ABC transporter-specific α-helical subdomain that moves substantially away from the active site in the MgADP-bound structure of MJ0796 compared with the ATP-bound structure of HisP. A similar conformational effect is observed in the MgADP-bound structure of MJ1267 (Karpowich, N., et al. (2001)Structure, in press), establishing the withdrawal of the glutamine and the coupled outward rotation of the α-helical subdomain as consistent consequences of γ-phosphate release from the active site of the transporter. Considering this subdomain movement in the context of a leading model for the physiological dimer of cassettes present in ABC transporters indicates that it produces a modest mechanical change that is likely to play a role in facilitating nucleotide exchange out of the ATPase active site. Finally, it is noteworthy that one of the intersubunit packing interactions in the MJ0796 crystal involves antiparallel β-type hydrogen bonding interactions between the outermost β-strands in the two core β-sheets, leading to their fusion into a single extended β-sheet, a type of structural interaction that has been proposed to play a role in mediating the aggregation of β-sheet-containing proteins.
Standard-of-Care Propositions Should Permit Informative Comparisons

A proposal to conduct clinical research should be evaluated with respect to certain requirements usefully elaborated by Emanuel and colleagues (2000): scientific and social value, scientific validi...
Extreme ultraviolet lasers demonstrate new nano-patterning schemes

Table-top extreme ultraviolet lasers at λ=46.9 allow compact photo-lithography systems utilizing coherent imaging techniques. Interferometric lithography, holographic lithography and Talbot lithography were demonstrated with sub-100 nm resolution in compact setups.
Morphology of cultured hematopoietic cells.

In the authors' opinion, there are no microscopic or ultramicroscopic character istics that permit separation of cultured human lymphoblastoid cells derived from normal individuals and from patients with leukemia, Burkitt's lymphoma and infectious mononucleosis. Further, there seemed to be no difference between lymphoblasts stimulated with phytomitogens and those of established cell lines. The spectrum of cell forms in each cell line under various culture conditions included stem cells, lymphoblasts, lymphocytes, plasmablasts and macrophages. There were no fibroblasts in the authors' cultures. All of the more than one hundred cell lines that have been tested produced immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments. No granulocytic or erythroblastic cells were seen in long-term cultures. A majority of the cell lines have retained normal karyotypes. They have continued to multiply rapidly for months and years, and thus appear to have an infinite life.
Life History of the Looper Phigalia titea in Virginia

The half-wing geometer, Phigalia titea Cramer, is an obscure hardwood defoliator occurring in the eastern half of the United States. An outbreak in the mountains of northwestern Virginia provided an opportunity to obtain information on the life history and natural enemies of this insect. P. titea has 1 generation a year. The insect overwinters as a pupa in the soil. Adult emergence occurs from late March to mid-April, and oviposition occurs in this same period. Hatching takes place in late April and the larvae feed for approximately 1½ months. Head-width measurements and individual rearing data of P. titea larvae reveal that this species progresses through 5 instars during larval development. Pupation occurs in late May and early June in the litter near the soil surface. Descriptions of the immature stages are given. The following parasites were recovered: Telenomus alsophilae Viereck, Apantales palcacritae Riley, A. murtfeldtae Ashmead, Hypopteromalus tabacum Fitch, Pimplopterus sp., and Tachinomyia sp. Several of these are new host records.
Multi-component nanorods for vaccination applications

Immune responses from Au/Ni nanorods prepared by electrochemical deposition in alumina templates are evaluated in C57BL/6 mice. When the nanorods are bombarded into skin, they generate a strong CD8 T-cell and antibody response. When pcDNA3 is bound to the Ni segment of the nanorod, it provides a strong immunostimulatory adjuvant effect to the antigen bound on the Au segment.
C63. On some inverse moments of negative-binomial distributions and their application in estimation

(1980). C63. On some inverse moments of negative-binomial distributions and their application in estimation. Journal of Statistical Computation and Simulation: Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 163-165.
Dietary polyherbal supplementation decreases CD3 + cell infiltration into pancreatic islets and prevents hyperglycemia in nonobese diabetic mice

Abstract Type 1 diabetes mellitus results from autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic islet β-cells, a process associated with inflammatory signals. We hypothesized that dietary supplementation with botanicals known to contain anti-inflammatory properties would prevent losses in functional β-cell mass in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, a rodent model of autoimmune-mediated islet inflammation that spontaneously develops diabetes. Female NOD mice, a model of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes, were fed a diet supplemented with herbal extracts (1.916 g total botanical extracts per 1 kg of diet) over a 12-week period. The mice consumed isocaloric matched diets without (controls) and with polyherbal supplementation (PHS) ad libitum starting at a prediabetic stage (age 6 weeks) for 12 weeks. Control mice developed hyperglycemia (>180 mg/dL) within 16 weeks (n = 9). By contrast, mice receiving the PHS diet did not develop hyperglycemia by 18 weeks (n = 8). Insulin-positive cell mass within pancreatic islets was 31.9% greater in PHS mice relative to controls. We also detected a 26% decrease in CD3 + lymphocytic infiltration in PHS mice relative to mice consuming a control diet. In vitro assays revealed reduced β-cell expression of the chemokines CCL2 and CXCL10 after overnight PHS addition to the culture media. We conclude that dietary PHS delays initiation of autoimmune-mediated β-cell destruction and subsequent onset of diabetes mellitus by diminishing islet inflammatory responses.
Entropy of Vaporization and Restricted Molecular Rotation in Liquids

Deviations among entropies of vaporization to constant vapor volume are attributed to restricted rotation of molecules in the liquid. An arbitrary measure of the amount of restriction is defined and the deviations are shown to exhibit a remarkable regularity when compared on this basis. Deviations due to perturbation of vibrations in the liquid must either parallel those due to restricted rotation or be quite small.
Expression and function of TRAF-3 splice-variant isoforms in human lymphoma cell lines

TRAF-3 gene products are signaling adaptor molecules required for lymphocytes to mediate T-dependent antibody responses in vivo. Previous work identified 8 splice-variant TRAF-3 mRNA species by RT-PCR that have the potential to encode novel isoforms, seven of which induce NF-kappaB activation when over-expressed in 293 cells. Here, their expression was characterized by RNAse protection assay, which showed the T cell line Jurkat D1.1 and the B cell lines BJAB, Daudi, and Raji each expressed mRNA encoding TRAF-3 splice-variants in approximately the same rank order (from highest to lowest); TRAF-3 Delta103aa, Delta83aa, full-length, Delta25aa, Delta52aa, Delta56aa, Delta27aa, and Delta221aa mRNA. The TRAF-3 Delta130aa mRNA was not detectable in any of the cell lines examined. The functional effect of over-expressing each TRAF-3 splice-variant on NF-kappaB activation was studied in the TRAF-5-responsive B cell line, BJAB. Of the seven TRAF-3 splice-variant isoforms that induce NF-kappaB activation in 293 cells, only TRAF-3 Delta27aa, Delta103aa, or Delta130aa induce NF-kappaB activation in BJAB cells. Together, these data indicate that a number of TRAF-3 splice-variant mRNAs are expressed and function in B and T lymphoma lines, which suggests that certain TRAF-3 splice-variant isoforms may participate in mediating the known functions of the TRAF-3 gene in lymphocytes.
Origin of the anomalous pulse-width dependence in capacitance transient measurements on n-type a-Si:H

Abstract The dependence of capacitance transients on filling pulse width for n-type a-Si:H has been compared for devices with identical bulk n-type a-Si:H but different back contacts. The capacitance transients for devices with Ohmic Cr/n + back contacts do not exhibit any significant dependence on filling pulse width while the devices with non-Ohmic p + c-Si display the anomalous dependence previously attributed to defect relaxation. Measurements of current injection during the filling pulse indicates that charge injection is impeded by the non-Ohmic p + c-Si contacts. Variation of the filling pulse height is shown to yield apparent scaling in time, an effect previously thought to be unique to defect relaxation.
Identification and characterization of a Marek's disease virus gene homologous to glycoprotein L of herpes simplex virus.

Abstract We have identified three Marek's disease virus (MDV) open reading frames (ORFs) within the Bam HI D fragment of MDV genome. The predicted polypeptides are homologous to UL1 (glycoprotein L, gL), UL2 (uracil-DNA glycosylase), and UL3 (nuclear localizing phosphoprotein) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of these three ORFs with HSV-1 counterpads revealed overall identities of 18, 43, and 49%, respectively. In spite of the low overall amino acid identity with HSV-1 gL, the first open reading frame was identified as a gL homolog of HSV-1 based not only on the gene arrangement but also on a limited amino acid conservation among gL homologs of alpha-herpesviruses. To characterize the expression of the MDV gL gene, an antiserum to a hydrophilic region of the gene expressed in a bacterial expression vector was produced. Immunoprecipitation with this antiserum revealed a 25,000-Da polypeptide in MDV-infected cells. Furthermore, the 25,000-Da polypeptide migrated as a 18,000-Da polypeptide following PNGase F treatment. This result is consistent with the predicted molecular weight of MDV gL, considering the two potential Nglycosylation sites and the predicted N-terminal signal sequence. A recombinant fowlpox virus expressing the MDV gL gene was generated to characterize this glycoprotein. Unlike gL in MDV-infected cells, gL expressed by recFPV-gL was highly sensitive to Endo H, indicating that it was probably retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and was not properly processed to a mature form. Therefore, similar to HSV-1, coexpression and complex formation of MDV gL and gH may be required for proper processing and transport of gL to the cell surface.
On the use of compound noise factor in parameter design experiments

In some applications the cross-array format for parameter design experiments is too costly to conduct. Instead of using a single array for both control and noise factors, Taguchi proposed a compound noise technique to reduce the size of experiments. It works by selecting a few ‘extreme’ conditions in noise factors and ‘compounding’ them into a single factor. Its performance is investigated through theoretical analysis, simulations, and real experiments. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.