cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors: a population-based clinical outcomes study involving 174 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1973-2010).

INTRODUCTION: Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are rare, highly malignant embryonal tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) accounting for 20% of CNS tumors in children under the age of 3. This study examines a large cohort of ATRT patients to determine demographic, clinical, and pathologic factors which impact prognosis and survival. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data were abstracted on 174 ATRT patients (171 pediatric patients age <20 and 3 adult patients age ≥20) from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1973-2010). Standard statistical methodology was used. RESULTS: A total of 174 ATRT cases (mean age of 2.84 years) were identified. ATRT had a higher incidence in males (56.3%), Caucasians (59.1%), and children <3 years of age (80.5%), P<0.001. The most common primary sites were the cerebellum (17.8%), ventricles (16.1%), and frontal lobe (12.6%). Mean overall survival was 3.2±0.4 years, while overall and cancer-specific mortality were 63.2% and 56.3%, respectively, P=0.005. Most ATRT cases were treated with surgery alone (58.0%), followed by a combination of surgery and radiation (34.3%), no treatment (6.5%), and radiation alone (1.2%). The use of combination therapy has increased significantly (16.1%) since 2005 (P<0.001), while primary surgical resection and radiation therapy rates remain relatively unchanged. The longest survival was observed among ATRT patients receiving combination therapy (5.9±0.7 years), followed by radiation alone (2.8±1.2 years), and surgery alone (1.9±0.4 years), P<0.001. Multivariable analysis identified only distant metastases (OR =4.6) as independently associated with increased mortality, whereas combination therapy (OR =0.4) was associated with reduced mortality, P<0.005. CONCLUSION: ATRT is a rare and highly aggressive embryonal malignancy of the CNS that presents more often as locoregional tumors >4 cm in male Caucasian children of age <3 years, involving the cerebellum, ventricles, or frontal lobe. Combination therapy significantly improves survival, and its use has been increasing since 2005.
Synthesis, Structure, and Characterization of La1−xBax (0 ≤ x ≤ 1)

The compounds La 1−x Ba x TiO 3 (0 ≤ × ≤ 1) have been prepared by arc melting stoichiometric amounts of LaTiO 3 and BaTiO 3 . Single phase samples can be made for the entire stoichiometry range. The polycrystalline samples have been characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility. This series of compounds has been studied as a possible candidate for an early transition metal superconductor.
Nemo-like kinase regulates postnatal skeletal homeostasis.

Nemo-like kinase (Nlk) is related to the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and known to regulate signaling pathways involved in osteoblastogenesis. In vitro Nlk suppresses osteoblastogenesis, but the consequences of the Nlk inactivation in the skeleton in vivo are unknown. To study the function of Nlk, Nlk(loxP/loxP) mice, where the Nlk exon2 is flanked by lox(P) sequences, were mated with mice expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of the paired-related homeobox gene 1 (Prx1) enhancer (Prx1-Cre), the Osterix (Osx-Cre) or the osteocalcin/bone gamma carboxyglutamate protein (Bglap-Cre) promoter. Prx1-Cre;Nlk(Δ/Δ) mice did not exhibit a skeletal phenotype except for a modest increase in trabecular number and connectivity observed only in 3-month-old male mice. Osx-Cre;Nlk(Δ/Δ) male and female mice exhibited an increase in trabecular bone volume secondary to an increased trabecular number at 3 months of age. Bone histomorphometry revealed a decrease in osteoclast number and eroded surface in male mice, and decreased osteoblast number and function in female mice. Expression of osteoprotegerin mRNA was increased in calvarial extracts, explaining the decreased osteoclast and osteoblast number. The conditional deletion of Nlk in mature osteoblasts (Bglap-Cre;Nlk(Δ/Δ) ) resulted in no skeletal phenotype in 1- to 6-month-old male or female mice. In conclusion, when expressed in undifferentiated osteoblasts, Nlk is a negative regulator of skeletal homeostasis possibly by targeting signals that regulate osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.
Design of Oxidizer Referenced Fuel Pressure Regulator

This research involves the development and testing of a pressure regulator designed to maintain a constant pressure and mass flow relationship between the oxidizer and fuel source of a nitrous oxide injection system. Regulator design was accomplished through the exhaustive process of reviewing various fuel control and oxidizer referencing designs coupled with finite element analysis on the oxidizer referenced components to determine whether the selected components could handle the relatively high forces generated by the 1000psi nitrous oxide. The testing phase of the project was done in a dynamometer cell and involved numerous dynamometer tests of an engine supplied with a nitrous oxide kit both with and without the oxidizer referenced fuel pressure regulator. These tests monitored critical areas such as peak cylinder pressure, the location of the peak cylinder pressure, the air/fuel ratio, the nitrous oxide bottle pressure, and the knock intensity. The data collected in each of these areas was used to compare the performance of a regulated and non-regulated system as well as ensure the safe and reliable operation of the engine.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Carbohydrate Synthesis in the Isolated Perfused Rat Liver: Role of the Adrenal Cortex

The synthesis of glucose by the isolated, perfused rat liver from pyruvate, lactate and alanine has been investigated. When the concentration of pyruvate in the medium was high (initial level 10-2M plus a constant infusion of 1 mg/min), formation of glucose proceeded rapidly in normal liver and the rate was not altered in livers of adrenalectomized or hypophysectomized animals. At a lower pyruvate concentration (2.5X10-3M plus a constant infusion of 0.25 mg/min), gluconeogenesis was reduced; however, the rate in normal and adrenalectomized livers was the same. Glucose production from lactate by normal and adrenalectomized livers was equal to that from pyruvate. When alanine was used as substrate in perfusion of normal liver, glucose synthesis was less than from pyruvate and lactate. Livers of adrenalectomized rats demonstrated a marked reduction in the rate of glucose formation from alanine which could be corrected by adding dexamethasone to the perfusion medium or by injecting the hormone into the donor ...
Development of sample handling procedures for foods under USDA's National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program.

The National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) was implemented in 1997 to update and improve the quality of food composition data maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). NFNAP was designed to sample and analyze frequently consumed foods in the U.S. food supply using statistically rigorous sampling plans, established sample handling procedures, and qualified analytical laboratories. Methods for careful handling of food samples from acquisition to analysis were developed to ensure the integrity of the samples and subsequent generation of accurate nutrient values. The infrastructure of NFNAP, under which over 1500 foods have been sampled, mandates tested sample handling protocols for a wide variety of foods. The majority of these foods were categorized into several major areas: (1) frozen foods; (2) fresh produce and/or highly perishable foods requiring refrigeration; (3) fast foods and prepared foods; (4) shelf-stable foods; (5) specialized study and non-retail (point of production) foods; and (6) foods from remote areas (e.g. American Indian reservations). This paper describes the sample handling approaches, from the collection and receipt of the food items to the preparation of the analytical samples, with emphasis on the strategies developed for those foods. It provides a foundation for developing sample handling protocols of foods to be analyzed under NFNAP and for other researchers working on similar projects.
The Akt and MAPK signal-transduction pathways regulate growth factor actions in isolated gastric parietal cells

Background & Aims: Incubation of purified (>95%) canine parietal cells in primary culture with epidermal growth factor for 7–16 hours stimulates H+K+-adenosine triphosphatase gene expression. In this study, we examined the effect of prolonged stimulation (72 hours) of the parietal cells with epidermal growth factor. Methods: H+K+-adenosine triphosphatase protein and gene expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry and Northern blots. Mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt activation were quantitated by kinase assays and Western blots with specific antiphospho antibodies. Akt overexpression was achieved by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of a constitutively active Akt gene. Results: Epidermal growth factor changed the morphology of the cultured cells, which acquired the appearance of fusiform cells, and it inhibited H+K+-adenosine triphosphatase gene expression. Staining of the cells both with anti–H+K+-adenosine triphosphatase antibodies and with Texas Red–labeled Dolichos biflorus lectin confirmed that the fusiform cells expressed markers of parietal cell differentiation. Epidermal growth factor stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase with 2 peaks of activation, observed after 5 minutes and 72 hours, whereas it activated Akt after 5 minutes but not 72 hours of incubation. Overexpression of Akt blocked both epidermal growth factor–induced morphological transformation and inhibition of H+K+-adenosine triphosphatase gene expression. Identical results were observed in the presence of the mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor PD98059. Conclusions: Activation of the Akt signal-transduction pathway seems to be a crucial event for the induction of parietal cell maturation and differentiation.
Glassy dynamics of two-dimensional vortex glasses, charge-density waves, and surfaces of disordered crystals.

The low-temperature phase of a model of pinned, two-dimensional flux lines is analytically shown to be glassy. Typical energy barriers {ital L} diverge as (ln{ital L}){sup 1/2} as the length scale {ital L}{r arrow}{infinity}. This implies a voltage-current relation of the form {ital V}={ital C}{sub 1}{ital I} exp{l brace}{minus}{ital C}{sub 2}(ln({ital I}{sub 0}/{ital I})){sup 1/2}. The growth velocity {ital V}{sub {ital G}} of the surface of a disordered crystal is given by {ital V}{sub {ital G}}={ital c}{sub 3}{Delta}{mu} exp{l brace}{minus}{ital C}{sub 4}(ln({Delta}{mu}{sub {ital c}}/{Delta}{mu})){sup 1/2}{r brace}, where {Delta}{mu} is the crystal-liquid chemical-potential difference. Similar results hold for 2D charge-density waves, if dislocations in the charge-density wave are ignored.
A Place for History

Representing Place: Landscape Painting and Maps. By Edward Casey Landscape, Nature, and the Body Politic: From Britain's Renaissance to America's New World. By Kenneth Robert Olwig
A Retrospective Analysis of Risk Factors and Therapeutic Outcomes for Clostridium difficile Infection

PurposeTo determine the Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) recurrence rate at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Fargo, North Dakota, and to determine whether certain variables (eg, t...
Evaluation of topoisomerase-1-specific CD8+ T-cell response in systemic sclerosis

Measurement of disease activity in systemic autoimmune disorders is often unreliable, and immunosuppressive therapy is often titrated to crude clinical response and/or onset of complications. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) presents a distinct clinical phenotype associated with specific autoantibodies. Anti-topoisomerase-1 (SCL-70) is selectively detected in 30-60% of subjects with diffuse skin and interstitial lung involvement. Such patients offer an ideal clinical model to characterize and quantify the autoantigen-specific T-cell response and its correlation with disease phenotype and activity. Human leukocyte antigen A2 (HLA-A2)-restricted topo-1 peptides were selected based on an epitope prediction algorithm. For initial studies, the best binder topo-1(262-270) KMLDHEYTT (#262) was used alone or loaded onto an artificial antigen-presenting platform generated by coupling a dimeric major histocompatibility complex-immunoglobulin G fusion protein (HLA-A2-Ig) and anti-CD28 antibodies onto magnetic beads (artificial antigen-presenting cells). Blood samples (100 microL) from HLA-A2+ SSc patients and cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositive healthy control subjects were tested in an intracellular cytokine staining assay. Gamma interferon production by CD8+ T cells was measured after stimulation with peptide #262, CMVpp65, or MART-1 (irrelevant peptide). In two of five SCL-70+ patients, peptide #262-loaded aAPCs induced a specific CD8+ T-cell response (0.45% +/- 0.23% of total CD8+ cells). This response was not observed in the seven SCL-70- (five SSc and two CMV+) control subjects studied (0.03% +/- 0.02%). Interestingly, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from one topo-1-responsive SSc patient who had worsening respiratory function and active alveolitis showed striking enrichment of topo-1-specific CD8+ T cells (3.94%). This small-volume ex vivo assay may prove to be a sensitive and specific tool to assess disease activity and to monitor response to therapy in patients with scleroderma.
Bone Remodeling in Maxilla, Mandible, and Femur of Young Dogs

Bone remodeling in the jaw is essential for metabolic needs, mechanical demands and for growth of the skeleton. Currently, there is no information on remodeling in the jaw of young dogs. Four ∼5-month-old male dogs were given a pair of calcein bone labels. After killing, bone sections were obtained from the maxilla, mandible, and femur. The jaw specimens were obtained from regions associated with erupting permanent teeth. Undecalcified specimens were prepared for examination by histomorphometric methods to evaluate mineral apposition rate (μm/d), mineralizing surface/bone surface (%), and bone formation rate (BFR, %/yr) in the bone supporting erupting teeth and in the femurs. Only intracortical secondary osteonal remodeling units were measured. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the BFR for the three sites examined, with the highest BFR (72%/yr) being in the femur. The mandible had a BFR twofold greater than the maxilla (51%/yr vs. 25.5%/yr). The rate of turnover in the jaw and femur of young dogs is distinct from a similar comparison between the jaw and appendicular skeleton of adult (∼1 yr old) dogs. Although BFR decreases with age in the femur, it remains elevated in the jaws. Anat Rec, 291:1–5, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Isolation and crystallization of unadenylylated glutamine synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract The enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS) has been isolated from a mutant strain of Salmonella typhimurium , constructed by Kustu, which lacks the enzymatic activity for adenylylation of glutamine synthetase. Thus the purified GS is uniformly unadenylylated, as confirmed by gel electrophoresis and enzyme assays. It crystallizes readily in many morphologies, at least six of which are distinct polymorphs. The most favorable crystal form for structural studies belongs to space group C2, with unit cell dimensions a = 235.5 A, b = 134.5 A, c = 200.1 A, β = 102.8 °, and with one GS molecule per asymmetric unit. The crystals diffract to about 2.8 A resolution in rotation X-ray photographs and thus appear suitable for structural studies at moderate resolution. These crystals are isomorphous with crystalline GS from Escherichia coli in both adenylylated and unadenylylated states, suggesting that the enzymes from the two bacteria are similar molecules, and that adenylylation does not greatly affect the conformation of the molecule.
GaN HFET digital circuit technology for harsh environments

The first demonstration of GaN digital circuits is reported. First‐generation GaN digital technology has already shown high yields for circuits of considerable complexity. Specifically, a 31-stage ring oscillator was implemented using 217 transistors. Properties of the AlGaN/GaN material system that enable outstanding power handling capabilities of GaN heterojunction field effect transistors (HFETs), i.e. large bandgap, high breakdown field and high saturation velocity, also make it attractive for digital applications in harsh environments. Because of these unique material characteristics GaN digital control circuits have the potential to operate in high radiation environments, at elevated temperature, and directly from high voltage rails. Successful operation of GaN 31-stage ring oscillators at the highest base-plate temperature attainable by test setup of 265°C, indicates these circuits can operate at significantly higher temperatures.
Raman scattering cross section and density measurements of UF6

We have applied laser Raman scattering to the measurement of the density of UF6 vapor. A linear relation between scattering intensity and density is shown. We have also measured the absolute Raman scattering cross section of the 665 cm−1 line of UF6 by the substitution technique and obtained a value of 1.02±0.09×10−29 cm2/sterad at 488 nm. Measurements of the line position and the depolarization ratio of this line are also reported.
Right-lateral-reverse surface rupture along the San Andreas and Sargent faults associated with the October 17,1989, Loma Prieta, California, earthquake

The Loma Prieta earthquake produced bewildering arrays of surface fractures of all possible modes in the epicentral area. Preliminary reports of the fracturing, though, suggested that there was no evidence of right-lateral surface slip above the fault as it is defined seismically. Through detailed mapping of selected localities along the San Andreas and Sargent faults, however, we have been able to show that strands of the San Andreas and Sargent faults ruptured to the surface with right-lateral-northward thrust components of slip in amounts of 10 to 20 cm.
Abstract 2569: Lyc-O-Mato causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human bladder transitional carcinoma cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Approximately two thirds of new bladder cancer cases in the United States are superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), the majority of which are low-grade neoplasms. Data suggest that bladder carcinogenesis is a multi-step, multi-focal (field effect) process, possibly involving the spread of pre-malignant clones-all of which are prerequisites for effective preventive and/or interventional approaches. Epidemiological data suggests an inverse relationship between serum levels of carotenoids and risk of bladder cancer which has encouraged further investigation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Lyc-O-Mato® (a crude tomato extract containing 10% lycopene and other tomato phytonutrients viz. tocopherols, phytoene, phytofluene, beta-carotene, phospholipids and phytosterols) on human bladder cancer cell growth, cell cycle modulation, induction of apoptosis, and associated molecular alterations. Treatment of bladder cancer cell lines (T-24, high-grade TCC and TCC-SUP, high-grade invasive tumor) with Lyc-O-Mato® at doses of 1-60µM resulted in inhibition of cell growth along with a G1 arrest in T24 cells and G2/M arrest in TCCSUP cells at 24 h post-treatment. In other studies, Lyc-O-Mato® treatment strongly induced the expression of p21/waf1 and p27/kip1, and resulted in a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclins involved in G1 and G2/M progression in T24 and TCC SUP cells. Lyc-O-Mato® exposure to these cells showed an increased interaction between cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs)-cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and decrease in the interaction of cyclins and CDKs with their respective stages of the cell cycle. Furthermore, Lyc-O-Mato® treatment significantly reduced the phosphorylation of Retinoblastoma at Serine780, although no significant changes were observed in the total levels of this protein. In additional studies, Lyc-O-Mato® showed a dose- and time-dependent apoptotic death in both T24 and TCC SUP cells which was associated with significant downregulation of survivin along with the enhancement of pro-apoptotic protein, Bax. These observations provide a strong rationale for further evaluating preventive and/or intervention strategies for Lyc-O-Mato® in pre-clinical models of bladder cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2569. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2569
Intercalibration of the CMS Electromagnetic Calorimeter with Neutral Pion Decays

In order to fully exploit the physics reach of the CMS experiment, it will be necessary to perform a precise in situ calibration of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter. Achieving the design-goal calibration precision of 0.5% will be especially critical for a possible Higgs boson discovery in the two-photon decay channel. In this paper we evaluate the potential of a novel calibration technique that makes use of photon pairs produced in neutral pion decays. We show that 95% of the barrel electromagnetic calorimeter can be calibrated to at least 1% (0.5%) precision after several days (weeks) of data-taking in the luminosity scenario of L = 2∙10^(33) cm^(-2) s^(-1). Furthermore, this calibration technique has been successfully tested in the π^− test beam runs, where the obtained calibration precision of 1% was found to be in good agreement with the Monte Carlo predictions.
Cytogenetic and evolutionary studies in Secale III. Cytogenetics of weedy ryes and origin of cultivated rye

Several weedy forms of rye which have been variously recognized as varieties, subspecies or even species, and a new collection of primitive rye were crossed with the cultivated variety ‘Merced.’ They all crossed readily and produced vigorous F1’s with normal meiosis and with F1 pollen fertility nearly as high as that of the parental materials. No evidence of structurel differences between the genomes of weedy ryes and cultivated rye was found. On the grounds of similar chromosome arrangements, identical breeding habits, equal periodicity, morphological continuity, crossability, regular meiotic behavior of their hybrids, normal F1 pollen fertility and geographical continuity, it is concluded that all these forms should be recognized as subspecies ofS. cereale. Study of the meristematic activity of the seedlings of four strains of rye showed that forms with larger grains had greater meristematic activity, while those with smaller grains had less. It is concluded that large-grained forms originated probably by the accumulation of mutations causing increase in grain size because large-grained forms had adaptive advantage due to their better competitive ability. Similarly, it is suggested that the stiff rachis evolved due to unconscious selection by primitive farmers for polygenes conditioning that character. A figure showing the distribution of weedy ryes and the centers of maximum diversity is given. It is concluded that rye was first domesticated at several places independently and at different times. Cultivation of rye probably entered Europe by two routes: through northern Caucus and through central Asia.
Disseminated leiomyomatosis peritonei

We describe a 41-year-old woman with disseminated leiomyomatosis peritonei who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Images obtained from laparoscopy and histopathology are presented.
Intrinsic Damping: Modeling Techniques for Engineering Systems

Mathematical models for capturing the effects of intrinsic damping are based upon a multitude of simplifying assumptions. In this work, common equivalent linear models are reviewed, and their implementations for modeling energy dissipation on the system and material scales are compared in simple, representative examples. It is shown that several independent methodologies result in approximately the same predicted responses for systems with uniform dissipative characteristics if certain assumptions are made regarding the frequency dependence of intrinsic damping. However, these assumptions result in divergences of predicted responses when extended to composite systems with nonuniform dissipative characteristics. As no analytical or validated numerical solutions for the dynamic response of composite systems with nonuniform dissipative characteristics exist, it is unclear as to which methodologies most closely predict composite system behavior. Further work in developing models to capture nonuniform intrinsic damping characteristics must be performed to generate a fully robust means for capturing energy dissipation across all levels of complexity in engineering systems.
The development of photometric sensors for boronic acids.

Abstract Boronic acids bind certain 1,2- and 1,3-diols with high affinity through reversible formation of boronate esters. They have been utilized as the recognition moiety for artificial receptors, particularly receptors for carbohydrates that have cis -diol moieties. Therefore, sensors for boronic acids could serve as universal reporters for monitoring boronate formation. This paper reports the design and synthesis of a series of photometric chemosensors for phenylboronic acid using diethanolamine as the recognition moiety. Diethanolamine, which binds strongly to boronic acids, has been linked to three different types of optical reporters. A photoinduced electron transfer system based on the anthracene fluorophore has been used to create sensors that show up to a fivefold increase in fluorescent intensity in the presence of millimolar concentrations of phenylboronic acid. Sensor designs based on the restriction of free rotation of extended π systems and on the perturbed electronic properties of azo dyes are also included. This work demonstrates that sensors based on several different designs can be used for the detection of boronic acids.
Molecular cloning of a G-protein ai subunit from the lobster olfactory organ

A G-protein α subunit was cloned from a lobster olfactory organ cDNA library and sequenced. The clone encodes an αi subunit based on the 80% identity its predicted amino acid sequence shares with mammaian αi subunits. On Northern blots of polyadenylated RNA, the clone hybridized to a 5 kb species from several tissues.
Experimental and analytical investigation on the compressive response of GRP plain woven thick composite

Investigations comprising of experimental observations and analytical study have been systematically executed to evaluate the compressive response of a particular composite system which has potential for structural armor applications. The material being a multi-layered thick laminate is a random mode stacking of bi-axial, plain weave S2-Glass/S2-Glass fiber yarns with polyester resin (Cycom 4102) as binder material, thirty two percent by weight. Attention is focused to understand the three dimensional macroscopic behavior of the material subjected to unidirectional quasi-static and dynamic compressive loading conditions using state of the art procedures. Quasi-static (low to medium strain rates) experimental investigations were carried out on an MTS test system while the dynamic response was observed using the split Hopkinson pressure bar test equipment and on a modified Hopkinson pressure bar termed direct disk impact. A comparison of the results of the two setup is presented. The uniformity of the material's response is verified for different sized and shaped specimens. The material's elastic constants, strength and strain rate effects in the region of 10-5 - 103 sec-1 are reported in this paper. The directional failure modes under compressive loading are discussed with the aid of scanning electron micrographs. Based upon the physical construction of the composite, a unit cell representation is presented for analytical modeling. The numerical results of this model is compared to that of the experiment results obtained.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An Overview of Drug-induced Liver Injury

Abstract Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) represents liver damage from various therapeutic drugs, herbal medicines, plants, or nutritional supplements. DILI is the most frequent reason for drug withdrawal and may lead to acute liver failure, liver transplant, or fatality. Its pathophysiology includes direct hepatotoxicity and idiosyncratic immune reactions. The diagnosis requires serum alanine aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase elevation > 2-fold above the upper limit of normal, a causality assessment score ≥ 3, and exclusion of other possible causes of liver disease. While early diagnosis and drug discontinuation are imperative to recovery, continued drug exposure may lead to serious undesirable outcomes.
IRREVERSIBLE AGONIST AND ANTAGONIST PROPERTIES OF ISOTHIOCYANATOBENZYL IMIDAZOLINE IN ALBINO RABBIT IRIS MUSCLES

The alkylating agent isothiocyanatobenzyl imidazoline (IBI) was synthesized to investigate the unique receptor interacting properties of imidazolines. On the isolated rabbit iris sphincter, IBI produced concentration-dependent responses with an EC50 of 18 mumol/1, and at the highest concentration tested the maximum contraction of the tissue was 50% of the carbachol maximum. At equiactive concentrations with the similar washing procedure, the total duration of responses to IBI and carbachol was 24 and 3 min, respectively. After repeated washing, the sphineter relaxes to the control baseline of tone but, after reexposure to IBI for 6 h, failed to contract, indicating that desensitization or irreversible block has developed. Unlike with carbachol, the sphincter contraction to IBI was not affected by atropine 1 mumol/1, indomethacin 1 mumol/1, verapamil 10 mumol/1, or nifedipine 10 mumol/1. At a higher concentration of nifedipine and papaverine 100 mumol/1, the response to IBI was blocked. Furthermore, the contractile response to IBI was abolished by Ca++ removal from the medium. Under similar conditions, 26 +/- 8% of the maximum response to carbachol was preserved. Thus influx of extracellular as well as rise in intracellular Ca++ appears vital for the contractile response to IBI. IBI did not contract the iris dilator, but shifted the concentration-response curve to the alpha-adrenoceptor activator, phenylephrine, to the right with a reduction in the maximum response. The tissue failed to regain the sensitivity to phenylephrine after 6 h of repeated washing. Phentolamine and nifedipine provided a small but significant protection of the response to phenylephrine against the irreversible block by IBI. Based on chemical and pharmacological properties of IBI, it is concluded that the molecule acts in the rabbit as an irreversible agonist on unidentified receptors of the iris sphineter and an irreversible antagonist of multiple receptors on the iris dilator. These molecular properties of IBI are clearly different from that of the parent imidazoline molecule tolazoline.
Two Types of Tables for Use with the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition:

Confidence intervals for the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition were computed for the Verbal Reasoning SAS, the Quantitative Reasoning SAS, the Abstract/Visual Reasoning SAS, the Short-Term Memory SAS, and the Composite SAS. These intervals were computed separately for each age group using the 90% and 95%7o levels of confidence. The differences required for significance among the Area SASs and between the Area SAS and Composite SAS were computed for the .05 and .10 levels of significance. In addition, the differences necessary to determine that subtest scaled scores are significantly different from the mean of the respective areas were calculated for the .05 and .10 level. The Bonferroni t inequality was used to control for multiple comparisons. All values were computed using the standard errors of measurement for the standardization sample reported in the Technical manual. The use of the tables in interpreting test scores is discussed.
Magnetic resonance imaging as a biomarker in renal cell carcinoma

The ability to noninvasively discriminate the most common types of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) based on their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances or their magnetic resonance phenotypes is achievable. Intracellular lipids, a histologic characteristic of the clear cell RCC, can be identified on chemical shift MRI. Intratumoral hemosiderin deposition, as observed histologically with papillary RCC, correlates to the low signal intensity on T2-weighted images. In addition to morphologic imaging features, the different subtypes of RCC have distinct patterns of enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. Clear cell tumors demonstrate much greater enhancement than papillary and chromophobe RCCs during the corticomedullary and nephrographic phases. The MRI technique arterial spin labeling (ASL) uses magnetic fields to label the water protons in arterial blood and measures blood flow into tissue; quantitative images of blood flow can be generated without exogenous contrast media. Multiple measurements of tumor perfusion may be repeated before and after a physiologic or drug challenge (ie, antiangiogenic therapy). In RCC xenografts and in patients with metastatic RCC, ASL MRI assessments can be used to monitor blood flow changes in response to antiangiogenic therapies. High blood flow on ASL MRI in RCC xenografts correlates with viable tumor at histopathologic analysis, whereas zones of absent or diminished signal correspond to necrosis. ASL MRI has the potential to serve as a biomarker for patients with metastatic RCC by offering a noninvasive measure of tumor blood flow changes accompanying antiangiogenic therapy.
Shape controllable micro-nozzle fabrication

A novel fabrication method involving two-step sequential backside exposures utilizing Fraunhofer diffraction is developed in this work to overcome some of the limitations of the current micro-nozzle fabrication techniques in controlling the shape and the size of micro-nozzles. Shape and size of the fabricated micro-nozzles are compared with simulation results. Micro-nozzles with tip diameters varying from 0 to 158.1 μm and the base diameter varying from 167.2 to 360 μm are fabricated simultaneously side-by-side on the same substrate by varying the total exposure dosage from 3 to 6 J/cm2 utilizing multiple backside exposures through designed circular aperture and zone plate masks.
Family Communication Patterns, Sympathy, Perspective-Taking, and Girls’ Thoughts About Interpersonal Violence

This self report online study explored the process of moral reasoning about interpersonal violence by considering the roles of family communication patterns, mediated by sympathy and perspective-taking (PT) in girls ages 6–16 (N = 253). Using structural equation modeling, findings suggest that families where conversation communication plays a central role nurture abilities to sympathize and PT. Further, younger girls tend to be driven by sympathy, which shifts to PT as they age. These abilities positively correlate with thoughts about interpersonal violence as wrong whether “justified” and independent of severity. Error correlations infer that, at some level, “justified” violence is acceptable and, to a lesser degree, the severity of the violence plays a role in moral reasoning about violence, thus suggesting complex thought.
ALTERNATE-FORM RELIABILITY OF THE PPVT-R FOR BLACK HEAD START PRESCHOOLERS

-This study examined the comparability of Forms L and M of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised for 30 rural predominantly black Head Start children. Pearson product-moment correlations between Forms L and M ranged from .58 to .75 for boys, girls, and total group. t tests indicated no significant differences in mean standard scores between the forms. The 15 girls, however, scored significantly higher than the 15 boys on Form L.
The Knowledge and Usage of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Emergency Department Patients and Physicians

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate Emergency Department (ED) patients' desire to discuss complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with their emergency physicians, their willingness to try CAM for their presenting complaint, and emergency physicians' attitudes, beliefs, and usage of CAM. Methods: A written questionnaire asking about CAM knowledge, usage, and interest was administered to a convenience sample of ED patients and put in work mailboxes of emergency physicians at an academic tertiary care referral center with an emergency medicine residency program. Results: Of the 75 patients surveyed, 54.7% stated that they were currently using or had used some form of CAM in the past. Only 24% of patients stated that they would discuss their usage of CAM with their emergency physician. Eighty-one percent of patients thought it was important for their physicians to be educated about CAM, and 85% would be willing to incorporate CAM into the treatment of their presenting complaint. Out of 34 emergency physicians, 28 (82%) completed their surveys. Forty percent of physicians stated that they are currently using or had used some form of CAM in the past. Ninety-six percent of physicians surveyed thought it was important for physicians to be educated about CAM and were willing to discuss CAM with their patients. Conclusion: The use and public acceptance of CAM in our study population, for both patients and physicians, was high. Although patients and physicians need more education about CAM, both made it clear that they desire and are willing to discuss CAM with each other.
Radioactive disequilibrium in altered mid-oceanic basalts

A young (<1 m.y.) tholeiitic basalt dredged from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge displays a234U excess and a230Th deficiency that have resulted from the addition of seawater uranium during weathering at seafloor temperatures. Two older samples, though they acquired substantial amounts of uranium from seawater, are depleted in234U, indicating preferential leaching of this isotope. Hydrothermally altered samples suggest that some uranium loss may have occurred. Possible isotopic effects of preferential234U leaching, however, are obscured by secondary addition of seawater uranium at lower temperatures.
Estimating tennessee residents’ willingness to pay for Teaming with wildlife

Abstract A contingent valuation model of support for the Teaming with Wildlife (TWW) proposal is reported for Tennessee residents. Based on a random digit dial telephone survey, the preferred statistical model found the median tax rate supported by Tennessee residents for nongame species management is approximately 1.4%. This is commensurate with the tax rates contained in proposed TWW legislation. Residents who engage in recreation activities subject to the TWW tax are more likely to support the program than those who do not engage in these activities. The results indicate Teaming with Wildlife enjoys support among the population it directly taxes.
A life-cycle comparison of several auxiliary blowing agents used for the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foam.

In a commitment to zero ozone depletion, the United Nations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have called for the phase-out of the manufacture and import of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), used as auxiliary blowing agents (ABAs) in the manufacture of polyurethane foams. As a result, more environmentally benign alternative ABAs are being sought by the foam-blowing industry. This study examined the life cycle of HCFC-22, hydrofluorocarbon-134a (HFC-134a), and cyclopentane, which are currently used or considered as potential alternative ABAs in the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foams that serve as insulation in a model North American refrigerator. The raw material extraction/refining, manufacturing, use, and disposal stages of the life cycle of each ABA were considered, and their resulting relative impacts on ozone depletion and global warming were compared. The manufacturing, use, and disposal stages were determined to affect ozone depletion and global warming to the largest extent, emphasizing the need for a greater focus on pollution prevention opportunities in these stages. The HFC-134a life cycle yields no impact on ozone depletion and a significantly decreased global warming impact compared with its predecessor, HCFC-22, and a tradeoff of slightly higher global warming impact and fewer added safety concerns compared with its more flammable counterpart, cyclopentane.
Ultra-high-frequency temperature-compensated oscillators based on ovenized AlN contour-mode MEMS resonators

This work demonstrates the possibility of achieving good temperature stability in ultra-high frequency AlN MEMS CMR based oscillators by means of resonator ovenization. This technique results in low power consumption, fast turn-on time, and good short term stability. Over the temperature range −45 ÷ 85 °C, the 582 MHz oscillator exhibits a temperature stability as good as 125 ppm (limited by the electronic circuitry) and stable phase noise values better than −93 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz, and −160 dBc/Hz at 10 MHz offsets.
Paramagnetic resonance of Gd3+ ions in SrCl2 single crystals

Abstract The cubic site spectrum of Gd 3+ in SrCl 2 was observed and the “spin” Hamiltonian parameters determined at various temperatures. Considerable disagreement is noted between the results obtained at room temperature and those obtained previously by other workers.
Synfuels: Oil shale gets a boost

The Reagan Administration has approved federal loan guarantees and support prices for two major oil shale projects in Colorado. There are more than 30 companies involved in developing oil shale deposits in the Colorado-Wyoming area, most of which have applied for support from the United States Synthetic Fuel Corporation (Synfuels Corp.). Under the Defense Production Act the Union Oil Shale project of the Union Oil Company and the Colony Shale Oil project run jointly by the Tosco and Exxon companies will receive federal loan guarantees and price supports. Both operations are located in the Peceance Creek Basin in western Colorado.
Some Tests of Relativistic SU(6) Schemes

The problem of generalizing SU(6)-symmetry notions to the relativistic domain has provoked widespread discussion recently, pro and con [1]. It is now believed, rather generally, that any attempt to directly join the Poincare group to an internal-symmetry group must lead to physical catastrophe, hence that any generalization of SU(6) can at best only represent some sort of approximation to dynamics. Whatever the formal situation may prove to be, for practical purposes one is ultimately interested in symmetry notions, "broken" or otherwise, which are directly applicable to effective S-matrix elements at some decent level of approximation. The successes achieved so far for SU(6) have after all spring from such direct applications. We are concerned here with such direct tests.
Particle behavior in thermal plasmas

In this overview, effects exerted on the motion and on heat and mass transfer of particulates injected into a thermal plasma are discussed, including an assessment of their relative importance in the context of thermal plasma processing of materials. Results of computer experiments are shown for particle sizes ranging from 5–50 μm, and for alumina and tungsten as sample materials. The results indicate that (i) the correction terms required for the viscous drag and the convective heat transfer due to strongly varying properties are the most important factors; (ii) noncontinuum effects are important for particle sizes <10 μm at atmospheric pressure, and these effects will be enhanced for smaller particles and/or reduced pressures; (iii) the Basset history term is negligible, unless relatively large and light particles are considered over long processing distances; (iv) thermophoresis is not crucial for the injection of particles into thermal plasmas; (v) turbulent dispersion becomes important for particle <10 μm in diameter; and (vi) vaporization describes a different particle heating history than that of the evaporation process which, however, is not a critical control mechanism for interphase mass transfer of particles injected into thermal plasmas.
SERUM 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D AND PARATHYROID HORMONE LEVELS DO NOT PREDICT CHANGES IN CAROTID ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AFTER 10 YEARS: THE MULTI-ETHNIC STUDY OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

To evaluate the impacts of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) on longitudinal changes in arterial stiffness. Distensibility coefficient (DC) and Young's elastic modulus (YEM) of the right common carotid artery were evaluated at baseline and after a mean (standard deviation) of 9.4 (0.5) years
Children's Perceptions of Elementary Teachers as Authority Figures

Summary An opinionnaire adopted from the Hess and Torney study of political socialization was used to examine teacher authority as perceived by 555 American children in grades one, three, and six. Formal authority was defined as a set of institutionalized rules, regulations, and cultural ideologies which imply compliance and may result in minimum obedience; informal authority as that granted by consent or loyalty of the students, which, as such, “must be earned” and may lead to enthusiastic compliance. Factors that related to these perceptions, such as geographic location, type of school, sex, IQ, and socioeconomic status, were also investigated. It was found that grade level was not related to children's perceptions of formal teacher authority, but that sex, socioeconomic status, and IQ were. Grade level, IQ, and sex were related to children's perception of informal authority.
Effect of Trail Aircraft Trim on Optimum Location in Formation Flight

Aircraft flight generates vortices that induce nonuniform wind distribution in their wake. A trailing/follower aircraft will experience induced wind components and gradients with various magnitudes and directions, depending on its location relative to the leader. This paper explores two methods of determining the relative location for optimum formation flight, termed the sweet spot. The relative location with the highest lift-to-drag ratio on the follower is denoted as the static sweet spot. In the second method, the trail aircraft is trimmed by adjusting the thrust and control surfaces to maintain its commanded position relative to the lead. The relative location requiring the least thrust is then assigned as the dynamic sweet spot. The results showed that, depending on the trail aircraft size, the static sweet spot might differ from the dynamic sweet spot. The effect of the leader weight and follower size on both static and dynamic sweet spot was also studied. It was discovered that the static and dynam...
Are false memories more difficult to forget than accurate memories? The effect of retention interval on recall and recognition

What is the effect of retention interval on accurate and false recollection in the Deese, Roediger, and McDermott (DRM) procedure? Previous research has suggested that false recall is more persistent than accurate recall but the recognition results have been inconsistent. In two parametric studies, we tested recall and recognition for the same DRM lists, over retention intervals that ranged from no delay to a 2-month delay. We found that accurate and false memory were diminished by increases in retention interval, false memory persistence was present for recall and recognition, greater persistence for false memory than for accurate memory was more readily observed for recall than recognition, and the high-threshold (Pr), signal detection (d'), and nonparametric (A') recognition measures differed in their sensitivity for detecting change. The effect of retention interval on accurate and false memory is consistent with expectations from fuzzy trace theory. In the DRM procedure, truth is not more memorable than fiction.