cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract B14: Engineering a long-term in vitro model of breast cancer tumor resistance for high-throughput predictive drug screening

Solid tumors often show high levels of heterogeneity, making targeted therapeutics especially challenging. In breast cancer, for example, the primary cancer type may be eradicated with targeted therapy, but the minority subclones that are drug resistant can emerge as the new majority clones. Here, we present an in vitro model for long-term culture of ex vivo tumors (e.g., from biopsies) that maintain the tumor microenvironment such that tumors can be dramatically reduced with drugs yet maintained to observe long-term drug resistance. Our in vitro “avatars” (“ivitars”) utilize perfused 3D cultures in a high-throughput, robust, and easily maintained format. We demonstrate in vivo relevance with heterogeneous tumors composed of human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and LCC9, with sublines that are tamoxifen sensitive or resistant, in combination with stromal cells. Our results indicate that stromal cells, extracellular matrix components, and relevant biophysical stimuli such as fluid flow in the tumor microenvironment enhance tumor resistance to tamoxifen, even in tamoxifen-sensitive tumor cells. Together, our results suggest that the model can be used as a robust and high-throughput system for studying tumor resistance and will be further investigated for use in patient-specific testing. Citation Format: Rachel Weathered, Ruolan Zhou, Melody A. Swartz. Engineering a long-term in vitro model of breast cancer tumor resistance for high-throughput predictive drug screening [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Evolving Landscape of Cancer Modeling; 2020 Mar 2-5; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B14.
First evaluation of fast neutron imaging with LiInSe2 semiconductors

Abstract Fast neutron imaging is a powerful tool to investigate elemental/isotopic compositions of objects, supporting both scientific studies as well as cargo scanning. Current neutron imaging systems are faced with challenges associated with timing, detection efficiency, and/or spatial resolution. Here, we report on the use of a semiconducting lithium indium diselenide neutron sensor coupled to a Timepix ASIC for fast neutron imaging. Using a 15 cm thick copper knife edge, the spatial resolution of the neutron imager was found to be 1.55 mm for 9 MeV neutrons. The experimental detection efficiency at 9 MeV was in general agreement with calculations.
A Farewell to the Bias-Variance Tradeoff? An Overview of the Theory of Overparameterized Machine Learning

The rapid recent progress in machine learning (ML) has raised a number of scientific questions that challenge the longstanding dogma of the field. One of the most important riddles is the good empirical generalization of overparameterized models. Overparameterized models are excessively complex with respect to the size of the training dataset, which results in them perfectly fitting (i.e., interpolating) the training data, which is usually noisy. Such interpolation of noisy data is traditionally associated with detrimental overfitting, and yet a wide range of interpolating models -- from simple linear models to deep neural networks -- have recently been observed to generalize extremely well on fresh test data. Indeed, the recently discovered double descent phenomenon has revealed that highly overparameterized models often improve over the best underparameterized model in test performance. Understanding learning in this overparameterized regime requires new theory and foundational empirical studies, even for the simplest case of the linear model. The underpinnings of this understanding have been laid in very recent analyses of overparameterized linear regression and related statistical learning tasks, which resulted in precise analytic characterizations of double descent. This paper provides a succinct overview of this emerging theory of overparameterized ML (henceforth abbreviated as TOPML) that explains these recent findings through a statistical signal processing perspective. We emphasize the unique aspects that define the TOPML research area as a subfield of modern ML theory and outline interesting open questions that remain.
Frequency multiplexed coherent φ-OTDR.

We present a comprehensive analysis of a frequency multiplexed phase-measuring φ-OTDR sensor platform. The system uses a train of frequency-shifted pulses to increase the average power injected into the fiber and provide a diversity of uncorrelated Rayleigh backscattering measurements. Through a combination of simulations, numerical analysis, and experimental measurements, we show that this approach not only enables lower noise and mitigates interference fading, but also improves the sensor linearity. We investigate the sensor dependence on the length of the pulse train and characterize the sensor performance as a function of range, demonstrating operation from 1 to 50 km. Despite its relative simplicity, this platform enables state-of-the-art performance, including low crosstalk, high linearity, and a minimum detectable strain of only 0.6 p $$\varepsilon /\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$$ in a 10 km fiber with 10 m spatial resolution and a bandwidth of 5 kHz.
Hot Spot(s) of the Lung in Technetium-99m Albumin Colloid Liver-Spleen Scintigraphy: Case Report

The authors replaced /sup 99m/Tc albumin colloid for /sup 99m/Tc sulfur colloid as a radiopharmaceutical for liver-spleen imaging and found two instances of hot spot(s) in the lung. The preparation procedure of albumin colloid is easier and more convenient as compared to that of sulfur colloid. Whereas replacement of /sup 99m/Tc sulfur colloid by /sup 99m/Tc albumin colloid is inevitable, it should be emphasized that one should avoid blood withdrawal in the syringe containing albumin colloid to prevent formation of clot(s) during the venous puncture for /sup 99m/Tc albumin colloid.
The Only Fund in Town? Geographic Segmentation in the U.S. Mutual Fund Market

This study examines the role of geographic competition in the mutual fund industry. We begin with the premise that investors exhibit local preferences in their investment choices, creating geographic segmentation in the mutual fund market. We examine how local competition affects the level of fees charged, as well as the propensity to cut fees in response to entry by other funds. We find that funds located in regions with few competing funds charge higher fees than funds located in more crowded regions. We also find that funds respond to local competition in making the decision to cut their management fees to a much greater degree than they respond to non-local competition. Finally, we examine abnormal returns of funds and find that funds in less competitive areas do not seem to exhibit the skill necessary to command higher fees. Our results suggest that although the mutual fund industry exhibits the characteristics of a competitive industry, this competition appears to be heavily driven by local factors.
The Glass Obstacle Course: Informal and Formal Barriers For Women Ph.D. Students in STEM Fields

A new metaphor is proposed for understanding the experiences of women pursuing [Doctorates of Philosophy] Ph.D.s in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, based on a study of students in a US Ph.D. program. The notion of the 'glass obstacle course' captures the unequal gendered processes at work in women's graduate careers, including exclusion from the 'Old Boys' Club', outright sexism, a lack of women role models, and difficult work-life choices. These obstacles are 'glass' because they are often implicit and unanticipated: they are 'unseen, yet unbreachable' (Federal Glass Ceiling Commission, 1995). In-depth interviews elucidate the gendered and influential aspects of these barriers and the agentic strategies our respondents utilized to navigate them. In this way, career pathways for women scientists and engineers are shaped by ideological and structural constraints, informal and formal biases, and active resistance or accommodation to them. Such accumulated disadvantages can impact women's attrition from and satisfaction with their chosen STEM fields.
Toward a universal, meta-theoretical framework for music information classification and retrieval

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a new framework for representing music for information retrieval that emphasizes socio-cultural aspects of music. Design/methodology/approach – Philosophical and theoretical concepts related to the nature of music, aboutness, musical works are explored as they inform how music is represented. Multidisciplinary perspectives on music information representation, classification, and retrieval provide insight into how information science can better accommodate music information within its disciplinary boundaries. Findings – A new term, music information object (MIO), is presented and defined. Downie’s (2003) theoretical statements are reconceptualized into a theory of representational incompleteness and three meta-classes for music information object representation. Practical implications – This new framework incorporates more dimensions of music representation than existing frameworks allow and can facilitate comparisons between classifications of MIO represen...
Analysis of common mode EMI for three-phase voltage source converters

A comprehensive analysis of common mode (CM) EMI is conducted for three-phase voltage source converters in various configurations. The analysis is based on the common mode equivalent circuit models derived from the detailed circuit models. Both frequency domain and time domain studies are performed for (a) three-phase PFC rectifier; (b) back-to-back connected rectifier and inverter; and (c) multiple back-to-back connected rectifiers/inverters with interleaved gating control. Contributions of the common mode voltage sources and coupling paths, as well as effect of a long cable and the common mode choke, are analyzed for both input-side and output-side conducted CM EMI. The analysis results give insights into the CM current generation, coupling, and mitigation methods for high power applications such as high performance double-conversion UPS, drives, microturbine generators, and doubly fed wind turbine-generators. Reduction of conducted CM current also mitigates the risk of radiated EMI issue for systems with long input or output cables.
Ethnopsychedelic Therapy for Alcoholics: Observations In the Peyote Ritual of the Native American Church

(1976). Ethnopsychedelic Therapy for Alcoholics: Observations In the Peyote Ritual of the Native American Church. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs: Vol. 8, Innovative Approached to Drug Abuse Treatment, pp. 215-221.
Perceived Control Over Aging-Related Declines Adaptive Beliefs and Behaviors

The belief that people are in control of desired outcomes, including those associated with aging, is a hallmark of American culture. Nevertheless, older adults are less likely than the young to believe there are things that can be done to control aging-related declines in areas such as memory. Within age groups, individual differences in control beliefs are related to cognitive performance, health, and well-being. Mechanisms linking perceived control and positive outcomes include adaptive behaviors such as strategy use and physical activity. There is some evidence that control beliefs can be modified in later life, as illustrated in an intervention for fear of falling. Further work is needed to examine the antecedents of perceived control in later life and the implications of control beliefs in other aging-related domains.
A Proof of some identities of Ramanujan using modular forms

In 1974 B. J. Birch [ 1 ] published a description of some manuscripts of Ramanujan which contained, among other things, a list of forty identities involving the Rogers-Ramanujan functions At that time nine of these had been proven, and since then twenty-two more of them have been proven, fifteen of them by David Bressoud in his thesis [ 2 ]. Bressoud gives a synopsis of the extant proofs, where he attributes proofs to H. B. C. Darling [ 3 ], L. J. Rogers [ 4 ], L. J. Mordell [ 5 ], and G. N. Watson [ 6 ].
The 125I thyroid scan: clinicopathologic correlation.

For a 3built12 year period during which 125I was used as the routine agent for thyroid imaging, 95 cases of thyroid disease were reviewed in which a tissue diagnosis was obtained. The scan findings were usually distinctive in the cases of diffuse hyperplasia, but were of little help in separating the carcinomas from the nodular goiters or adenomas. This was true even when attention was confined to those cases presenting as nontoxic solitary or multiple nodules with no clinical evidence of malignancy. These results fall within the spectrum of results reported using 131I, and the two agents are probably of approximately equal value when used with commercially available scanners. The 125I scan showed less accuracy in separating multinodular from uninodular glands than that reported using 99mTcO4, but in our series carcinoma was as frequent in glands which contained multiple nodules on pathologic examination as in glands with solitary nodules.
On the two-point cross-correlation function of anisotropic, spatially homogeneous ambient noise in the ocean and its relationship to the Green's function

It is well established that the free-space Green’s function can be recovered from the two-point cross-correlation function of a random noise field if the noise is white and isotropic. Ambient noise in the ocean rarely satisfies either of these conditions. However, a non-uniform spectrum could be pre-whitened by the application of a suitable filter but anisotropy cannot be so readily eliminated. To investigate the effects of vertical anisotropy, three azimuthally uniform, spatially homogeneous noise fields are analyzed, two of which are idealized, while the third is representative of ambient noise in the deep ocean. In each case, the coherence function, the cross-correlation function, and the derivative of the latter with respect to the correlation delay, are derived for vertical and horizontal alignments of the sensor pair. With vertical sensors, any step-function discontinuity in the directional density function is mapped into a delta function at an appropriate time delay in the derivative (with respect to time delay) of the cross-correlation function. No such mapping occurs with horizontal sensors. In this case, only horizontally traveling noise can generate delta functions in the derivative of the cross-correlation function, and these always appear at the retarded time on either side of the origin.
Iron transport in chondrites - Evidence from the Warrenton meteorite.

Abstract Veins of iron enrichment in an olivine chondrule in Warrenton are attributed to migration of iron prior to final consolidation. Aqueous transport along cracks is suggested as the most plausible mechanism responsible for such migration, with possible implications for ‘metamorphic’ theories of iron distribution in chondrites.
Effect of mouse peritoneal fluid on strains of enteric bacilli.

Summary and ConclusionsMillipore diffusion chambers filled with gram-negative enteric bacilli and placed in the mouse peritoneum have been used to determine the fate of these bacilli in a cell-free environment. In contrast to findings in the guinea pig, all 7 strains of bacteria tested in the mouse grew in such diffusion chambers. These chambers also served to collect cell-free peritoneal fluid for bactericidal studies in vitro. Such studies showed mouse peritoneal fluid to have no bactericidal activity against gram-negative enteric bacilli.
Protective Factors and the Development of Resilience in the Context of Neighborhood Disadvantage

The purpose of the present study was to examine relations among multiple child and family protective factors, neighborhood disadvantage, and positive social adjustment in a sample of 226 urban, low SES boys followed from infancy to early adolescence. The results indicated that child IQ, nurturant parenting, and parent-child relationship quality, measured in early childhood, were all significantly associated with a composite measure tapping low levels of antisocial behavior and high levels of social skills at ages 11 and 12. Parental romantic partner relationship quality (RPRQ) was only significantly related to positive social adjustment in the context of low levels of neighborhood disadvantage. Results suggest that with the exception of RPRQ, these protective factors operate in a comparable manner with respect to positive social adjustment for this predominantly low-income urban sample of boys.
3D multi-view passive sensing and visualization using randomly distributed sensors

Three dimensional (3D) passive imaging systems are proven to be effective in a number of applications including Automatic Target Recognition (ATR). Such systems are traditionally designed around a regular, fixed grid of pickup locations such as lenslet arrays - a constraint that can not always be met for certain applications. With the recent advancements in this area, many applications call for more generic form of 3D imaging. Here, we overview out work in the area of multi-perspective imaging based on randomly distributed passive sensing. In particular, we propose a passive 3D imaging and visualization system with multiple view acquisitions from randomly distributed sensors. This method can further extend the applications of passive 3D imaging systems to areas such as 3D aerial imaging, collaborative imaging and etc. We discuss some of implications for improving performance of ATR algorithms.
Mapping Manufacturing Concerns and Action Plans

The manufacturing strategy literature suggests a number of areas in which decisions are of strategic importance. This study uses a survey of manufacturing executives from 213 business units in the United States to explore empirically the concept of strategic decision categories and improvement programmes that are related to each category. The concerns expressed by the 213 manufacturing executives are categorised and are shown to correspond fairly well with the strategic decision categories from the literature. The survey responses to questions about plans for programmes and activities to improve manufacturing over the next 2 years are also categorised. The relationships between planned programme categories and the strategic concerns that underlie them are explored and summarised.
Architecture of the replication complex and DNA loops at the fork generated by the bacteriophage t4 proteins

Rolling circle replication has previously been reconstituted in vitro using M13 duplex circles containing preformed forks and the 10 purified T4 bacteriophage replication proteins. Leading and lagging strand synthesis in these reactions is coupled and the size of the Okazaki fragments produced is typical of those generated in T4 infections. In this study the structure of the DNAs and DNA-protein complexes engaged in these in vitro reactions has been examined by electron microscopy. Following deproteinization, circular duplex templates with linear tails as great as 100 kb are observed. The tails are fully duplex except for one to three single-stranded DNA segments close to the fork. This pattern reflects Okazaki fragments stopped at different stages in their synthesis. Examination of the DNA-protein complexes in these reactions reveals M13 duplex circles in which 64% contain a single large protein mass (replication complex) and a linear duplex tail. In 56% of the replicating molecules with a tail there is at least one fully duplex loop at the replication complex resulting from the portion of the lagging strand engaged in Okazaki fragment synthesis folding back to the replisome. The single-stranded DNA segments at the fork bound by gene 32 and 59 proteins are not extended but rather appear organized into highly compact structures ("bobbins"). These bobbins constitute a major portion of the mass of the full replication complex.
Linear energy correlations and failures in the low-energy tandem mass spectra of protonatedN-benzoylated tripeptides: Tools for probing mechanisms of CAD processes

The backbone cleavages for three series of protonated N-benzoyl tripeptide ions were studied in a hybrid tandem mass spectrometer: (i) benzoyl-Gly-Gly-Xxx, where Xxx = Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, Tyr, Met, Glu, Pro and Trp, (ii) benzoyl-Gly-Xxx-Gly, where Xxx = Gly, Ala, Leu, Phe, Tyr, Met and Trp, and (iii) benzoyl-Xxx-Gly-Gly, where Xxx = Gly, Ala, Val, Leu, Ile, Phe, Tyr, Met, Pro and Trp. C-Terminal y-type ions and N-terminal a- and b-type ions were noted in all three cases. For benzoyl-Gly-Gly-Xxx, a linear relationship between log (y1/b2) and the proton affinity of the C-terminal amino acid substituents was found: as the proton affinity of the C-terminal residue increases, the fraction of y1 ion formation increases. A similar relationship was noted for the benzoyl-Xxx-Gly-Gly tripeptides between log (y2/b1) and the proton affinity of the N-terminal amino acid substituent: as the proton affinity of the N-terminal residue increases, the fraction of b1 ion formation increases. For the series benzoyl-Gly-Xxx-Gly, these relationships did not hold true. These observations point to similar reaction pathways throughout the benzoyl-Gly-Gly-Xxx series and also similar pathways throughout the benzoyl-Xxx-Gly-Gly, but pathways that are substituent dependent for benzoyl-Gly-Xxx-Gly. The increased correlation coefficients for benzoyl-Gly-Gly-Xxx and benzoyl-Xxx-Gly-Gly when compared with the free tripeptides, suggest that fewer interfering competitive reactions exist, as fewer possibilities for internal hydrogen bonding exist in the N-benzoyl derivatives versus the free compounds.
Determination of the Surface Isoelectric Point of Oxide Films on Metals by Contact Angle Titration

Abstract The surface isoelectric point for the native air-formed oxide films on aluminum, chromium, and tantalum has been determined by measurement of contact angles at the hexadecane/aqueous solution interface as a function of pH of the aqueous phase. Application of Young's equation, the Gibbs equation, and surface equilibria conditions for hydroxylated oxide films leads to a mathematical expression which shows that the contact angle goes though a maximum at the isoelectric point of the oxide. The experimentally determined isoelectric point of oxide-covered chromium is 5.2 to 5.3, of oxide-covered aluminum is 9.5, and of oxide-covered tantalum is approximately −0.7. These values for the oxide films are within one to three pH units of the reported isoelectric points for the corresponding bulk oxide powders. The oxide-covered metal surfaces were cleaned by argon plasma treatment prior to measurement of contact angles, in that XPS measurements showed this treatment to be effective in reducing the thickness of the carbon contamination layer. In addition, interfacial tensions were measured at the hexadecane/aqueous solution interface and were observed to have only a slight dependence on the pH of the aqueous phase.
Enhanced XPA mRNA levels in cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer are not associated with XPA mutations or gene amplification

Enhanced expression of the nucleotide excision repair gene XPA is associated with resistance to cisplatin treatment in human ovarian cancer. Understanding the cause of enhanced XPA expression will provide new molecular targets for therapy directed at overcoming chemoresistance. Enhanced gene expression in cancer cells is often caused by mutations or gene amplification. Molecular analyses of the XPA genes in human ovarian cancers indicate that gene mutation and amplification are not the cause of enhanced XPA mRNA levels in ovarian cancers overexpressing XPA. Altered nucleotide excision repair (NER) gene regulation in chemoresistant tumors is discussed.
PCR multiplexed microsatellite panels to expedite canine genetic disease linkage analysis.

ABSTRACT Modern dog breeds possess large numbers of genetic diseases for which there are currently few candidate genes or diagnostic tests. Linkage of a microsatellite marker to a disease phenotype is often the only available tool to aid in the development of screening tests for disease carriers. Detection of linkage to a specific disease phenotype requires screening of large numbers of markers across known affected and unaffected animals. To establish high throughput genome scanning this study placed 100 canine microsatellite markers, arranged by fragment size and fluorescent dye label, into 12 PCR multiplexed panels. The highest degree of multiplexing was 11 markers per panel while the lowest was five markers per panel; each panel was run in one gel lane on automated DNA sequencers. Selection of the markers was based upon chromosomal or linkage group locations, degree of polymorphism, PCR multiplex compatibility and ease of interpretation. The marker set has an average spacing of 22.25 centiMorgan (cM)....
Production of negative hydrogen ions by sputtering adsorbed hydrogen from a cesiated molybdenum surface

We have investigated the production of negative hydrogen ions by bombarding hydrogen adsorbed onto a cesiated molybdenum surface with positive cesium ions. The negative hydrogen yields are measured as a function of hydrogen gas pressure, cesium coverage, and energy of the incident cesium ions. The optimum yield obtained was 0.4 for 750-eV cesium ions bombarding hydrogen adsorbed onto the molybdenum surface covered with 0.65 monolayers of cesium. It is observed that the sticking coefficient of hydrogen decreases as the cesium coverage increases. We measure the energy distribution of the negative hydrogen ions as they leave the surface. The energy spread is about 0.5% of the incident cesium-ion energy. We compare our results for the production probability of negative hydrogen ions with the results obtained by Hiskes and Schneider.
Dimer-dimer collisions at finite energies in two-component Fermi gases

We introduce a major theoretical generalization of existing techniques for handling the three-body problem that accurately describes the interactions among four fermionic atoms. Application to a two-component Fermi gas accurately determines dimer-dimer scattering parameters at finite energies and can give deeper insight into the corresponding many-body phenomena. To account for finite temperature effects, we calculate the energy-dependent complex dimer-dimer scattering length, which includes contributions from elastic and inelastic collisions. Our results indicate that strong finite-energy effects and dimer dissociation are crucial for understanding the physics in the strongly interacting regime for typical experimental conditions. While our results for dimer-dimer relaxation are consistent with experiment, they confirm only partially a previously published theoretical result.
Education, Economy, and Equality.

This commentary undertakes a restricted analysis of the Reimer paper by focusing upon possible relations between education and the economy and the problem of equality of opportunity in the developing areas. It suggests that his interpretation of current trends is hardly adequate. Existing data would indicate that formal schooling can make a substantial contribution to development and the economic benefits that accrue to it are not monopolized by elites. Moreover, although education contributes to the maintenance of existing systems of stratification, it also frequently facilitates a good deal of mobility; Reimer's prediction of increasing class differentiation and status crystallization is by no means evident on the basis of existing materials. Finally, the assumptions underlying Reimer's conception of social change are essentially utopian in nature and the author has not really examined the strategic and tactical implications of his rhetoric.
Animal behavior: shifting neural circuits with sex hormones

Male and female mice behave differently when encountering a male. A recent study identifies progesterone receptor-expressing neurons in the hypothalamus that are required for sexual behavior and male aggression. These findings provide insight into how neural circuits control sexually dimorphic behaviors.
Biology of Peregrinus maidis with Descriptions of Immature Stages (Homoptera: Delphacidae)

The corn delphacid, Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead), a vector of two economically important diseases of maize, was reared, from eggs to adults, at five constant temperatures, 10, 15.6, 21.1, 26.7, or 32.2°C, with a 12:12 (L:D) photoperiod. Developmental times for each instar ranged from 10 to 24.3 days for instars one through four at 10°C, 7.7–13.5 days for instars one through six at 15.6°C, 4.6–6.0 days for instars one through five at 21.1°C, 3.1–4.4 days for instars one through five at 26.7°C, and 1.9–16.8 days for instars one through four at 32.2°C. Both male and female longevities were highest at 15.6°C and lowest at 10°C. Number of eggs laid per day per female was (mean ± SD) 19.6 ± 2.5, number of eggs per female per life was (mean ± SD) 605 ± 190.1, preoviposition period was 3–6 days, and the oviposition period was 11–48 days. The five instars of P. maidis are described and illustrated.
AEROSOL FORMATION IN URBAN PLUMES OVER LAKE MICHIGAN

Results are reported for field measurements of sulfate aerosol formation in urban plumes from Milwaukee, Wis., that were transported over Lake Michigan by westerly winds. Various types of airborne measurements were made of, for example, light scattering, particles larger than 0.01 micron, the total concentration of condensation nuclei, total hydrocarbons, and concentrations of O/sub 3/, SO/sub 2/, NO, NO/sub x/, SO/sub 4/(-), trace metals, nitrate, and ammonium. Data on derived SO/sub 2/ oxidation rates are compared with the results of a chemical kinetics model that simulated the pollutant conditions. It is concluded that rates of SO/sub 2/ oxidation in isolated urban plumes appear to be quite variable, that kinetics modeling is hindered by an inadequate understanding of the free-radical chemistry that is strongly coupled to the NO/sub x/ cycles, and that the free-radical (HO/sub 2/, RO/sub 2/, O/sub H/) concentrations should be measured in real time so that instantaneous rates may be determined for SO/sub 2/ oxidation.
Double rail restrainer conveyor for livestock handling

Abstract A double rail restrainer conveyor has been operating for two years in a commercial calf slaughter plant. It is operating at a production rate of 300 small calves or 150 large veal calves/h. The calves straddle a moving double rail which supports them under the brisket and belly. The moving rail is formed from metal segments which are attacked to an endless chain. Adjustable sides on each side of the conveyor can be rapidly positioned to accomodate different sized animals while the slaughter line is running. This system has many advantages compared to existing V restrainer conveyor systems. Some of the advantages are: less expensive to construct, animals enter the restrainer more easily, easier captive bolt stunning, and its is adjustable for a wide variety of animal sizes. It can handle calves weighing 23–226 kg and all sizes of sheep. Systems are under development for adult cattle and automatic stunning of pigs. A double rail for handling cattle for veterinary procedures is also being developed.
In vivo androgen retention in mouse kidney

The in vivo retention of 3-H-testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 3alpha-androstanediol (3alpha-DIOL), 3beta-DIOL, androstenedione, progesterone and cortisol by renal cytoplasm and nuclei of male and female mice was studied. Testosterone was the major androgen isolated from cytoplasm and nuclei following testosterone or androstenedione administration. By contrast, DHT was the major intracellular androgen after DHT, 3alpha- or 3beta-DIOL injection. The uptake of 3-H-testosterone or 3-H-DHT was abolished by excess unlabeled testosterone, DHT or cyproterone acetate. Androgen concentrations in kidney fractions from female mice were similar to those from males. There was no appreciable concentration of the isolated steroids following 3-H-progesterone administration. 3H-cortisol was concentrated in both cytoplasm and nuclei but was not displaced by non-radioactive androgens. These findings suggest that in contrast to prostate, mouse kidney can concentrate both testosterone and DHT. However, since testosterone is the major androgen in blood and since it is not metabolized in kidney, it is the major effector androgen in this organ. Androstenedione is active via conversion to testosterone while DIOLS are androgenic via metabolism to DHT.
Reactions of Defined Oxidized Carbon Fiber Surfaces with Model Compounds and Polyurethane Elastomers

Ex-PAN carbon fiber surfaces, oxidized to varying degrees by HNO3, have been characterized by NaOH, dye and HCl uptake, ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS), and angleresolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS). Subsequent treatments with tetraethylenepentamine to introduce amino groups or epichlorohydrin to introduce epoxy groups have been thoroughly characterized. The efficiency of using these surface functions to bond polymers onto fiber surfaces has been investigated using model anhydrides and isocyanates (for amines) and diols and diamines (for epoxides). The fraction of surface-bound groups which react drops with an increase in molecular size of the species being grafted. Crosslinked elastomeric polyurethane layers with designed modulus values and thicknesses have been bonded to these fibers. Composites have been prepared (epoxy matrices). The impact strengths and interlaminar shear strengths (ILSS) were studied as a function of the interphase modulus and thickness. Impact strengths increased (even at 500–1500 A thicknesses). ILSS values depend on interphase modulus.
Crash compatibility between cars and light trucks: Benefits of lowering front-end energy-absorbing structure in SUVs and pickups

Passenger vehicles are designed to absorb crash energy in frontal crashes through deformation or crush of energy-absorbing structures forward of the occupant compartment. In collisions between cars and light trucks (i.e., pickups and SUVs), however, the capacity of energy-absorption structures may not be fully utilized because mismatches often exist between the heights of these structures in the colliding vehicles. In 2003 automakers voluntarily committed to new design standards aimed at reducing the height mismatches between cars and light trucks. By September 2009 all new light trucks will have either the primary front structure (typically the frame rails) or a secondary structure connected to the primary structure low enough to interact with the primary structures in cars, which for most cars is about the height of the front bumper. To estimate the overall benefit of the voluntary commitment, the real-world crash experience of light trucks already meeting the height-matching criteria was compared with that of light trucks not meeting the criteria for 2000-2003 model light trucks in collisions with passenger cars during calendar years 2001-2004. The estimated benefits of lower front energy-absorbing structure were a 19 percent reduction (p<0.05) in fatality risk to belted car drivers in front-to-front crashes with light trucks and a 19 percent reduction (p<0.05) in fatality risk to car drivers in front-to-driver-side crashes with light trucks.
Neural model of temporal and stochastic properties of binocular rivalry

There is an intriguing temporal and stochastic relationship between stimulus strength and dominance duration in binocular rivalry (Blake, Psychol. Rev. 96 (1989) 145; Blake, Fox, McIntyre, J. Exp. Psychol. 88 (1971) 327; Levelt, 1965; Muller, Blake, Biol. Cybernet. 61 (1989) 223). Increasing the stimulus strength in the ipsilateral eye decreases the dominance duration of the stimulus in the contralateral eye. But, the dominance duration of the stimulus in the ipsilateral eye remains unchanged, and the alternation rate increases. In addition, during binocular rivalry successive dominance durations are independent. A simple neuro-biologically plausible cortical neural circuit exhibiting these characteristic properties is presented. In the model, the ipsilateral stimulus dominance duration is controlled by the contralateral stimulus strength.
On matching programmers' chunks with program structures: an empirical investigation

Abstract Expertise in a given domain is generally regarded as being manifested in the possession of a large body of knowledge stored as chunks or schema in long-term memory. Recall experiments in a variety of domains have demonstrated that experts possess larger chunks of knowledge on meaningful tasks, while their performance falls to that of novices on non-meaningful tasks. Three experiments are reported, two recall and one construction, that were designed to provide information on programmers' (COBOL) knowledge structures. In the initial experiment, the chunking ability of computer programmers, as revealed by program recall, was less successful in predicting performance on a debugging task than were programmers' problem-solving processes. A second experiment sought to determine whether the lack of a match between programmers' chunks and the information structures in the program used for recall was responsible for the poor differentiation of programming skill afforded by the recall test. Although expert programmers recalled more than novice programmers, there were no qualitative differences in the types of structures the two groups recalled. A third experiment required expert programmers to construct a routine to accomplish a similar function to that of the program used for recall. The programmers constructed routines with diverse program structures. In general, the results show that both expert and novice programmers possess a wide variety of chunks of the kind incorporated into the recall program. It appears, however, that even professional programmers do not have well-formulated scripts for validation stored in long-term memory.
Skeleton morphogenesis: Defining the skeletal elements

A recent study of mice carrying different combinations of mutations in the genes for two bone morphogenetic factors (BMPs), BMP5 and GDF5, indicates that BMPs have specific and synergistic functions in the regulation of skeleton development.
Roof strength and injury risk in rollover crashes of passenger cars.

Objective: A 2009 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that midsize SUVs with stronger roofs, as measured in quasi-static tests, had lower risk of ejection and lower risk of injury for nonejected drivers. The objective of the present study was to determine whether a similar association exists for other vehicle groups. Methods: Twelve small passenger cars were evaluated according to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 216 test conditions. Crash databases in 14 states provided more than 20,000 single-vehicle rollover crashes involving these vehicles. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the effect of roof strength on the rate of driver injury while assessing and controlling for the effects of driver age, vehicle stability, state, and other factors where necessary. Results: Small cars with stronger roofs had lower overall rates of serious injury, lower rates of ejection, and lower rates of injury for nonejected drivers. Although the effect on ejection was somewhat smaller...
Beneficiation of Fine Coal Using the Air Table

The increased mechanization in the underground coal-mining industry has increased the volume of fine size coal and waste (refuse) in the mined coal. Processing of run-of-mine (ROM) coal is generally done using water away from mine and in some cases the coal has to be transported a long distance to the preparation plant. Dry processing of coal can be economical as it will not utilize water and no dewatering or drying of the product will be required. The goal of this study was to develop a dry separation process for processing of coal finer than 6.3 mm . The coal sample from a mine located in Western Kentucky was used for the study. Statistical design experiments were conducted to assess the effects of operating parameters of the dry separator on product yield for a given ash content. Tests conducted with 6.3 × 3.35 mm (and 3.35 × 1.4 mm size fractions showed that the air table was able to reduce the ash from 27% to 10%–12% ash with a clean coal yield of 75%–80%. The ash rejection was about 77%–80% with a c...
Hens with bilateral oviducts.

As the reproductive organs of the female chicken develop there is an atrophy of the right gonad and the right oviduct which begins during early embryogeny. Persistency of these structures on the left side results in only one functional ovary and oviduct. A suspicion that bilateral oviducts were present in an inbred strain of Rhode Island Reds resulted when hens were being artificially inseminated. As each hen was prepared for receiving semen, manual pressure was exerted so that the vagina would be extruded. When this practice was followed with line SD-11 hens (from the Rhode Island Red inbred line) it was frequently observed that apparently two vaginas were appearing at the cloaca. Subsequent autopsies have verified that at least a portion of the right oviduct has persisted in some of the SD-11 hens.
Unrelenting Lower Back Pain in an Uncontrolled Diabetic Patient With an Uncommon Diagnosis

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis is an uncommon but important infection that represents approximately 3 - 5% of all cases of osteomyelitis. Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequent causative microorganism that accounts for half of the cases of pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Arachnoiditis is a neuropathic disease with chronic inflammation of the arachnoid layer of the meninges that results in a very debilitating condition. This inflammation can trigger fibrous exudates, leading to the formation of scar tissue that causes the nerve roots to adhere to themselves and or the thecal sac. MRI is the modality of choice for imaging of spondylodiscitis and arachnoiditis due to its high sensitivity and specificity. The patient is a 60 years old female with the complaint of lumbar area back pain for five days that was constant, severe, dull in quality, radiated down legs and was aggravated by movement. Past medical history included uncontrolled diabetes and morbid obesity. The initial blood cultures were positive for methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureas (MSSA). MRI of lumbar spine showed L4-L5 infectious spondylodiscitis, diffuse lumbosacral infectious arachnoiditis and a right psoas pyomyositis and 7 mm abscess. A PICC line was placed so that the patient could receive an eight week course of ceftriaxone 2,000 mg IV daily. The usual causes of arachnoiditis are infection, spinal surgery, and intraspinal injection of steroid or myelography dye and spinal anesthesia. Spinal arachnoiditis can be diagnosed by myelography, computed tomography, and by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with clinical symptoms and history taking. Arachnoiditis is a chronic disorder, with no known cure. It is very important for physicians to consider spondylodiscitis with arachnoiditis in their differential diagnosis when an uncontrolled diabetic patient presents with unrelenting back pain. Much consideration is needed to determine whether a MRI of the spine is needed earlier in the diagnostic process of lower back pain if the etiology seems to be of infectious nature. J Med Cases. 2013;4(9):602-604 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jmc1401w
GCOM data utilization at NOAA

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA's), Global Change Observation Mission (GCOM) will provide environmental satellite remote-sensing data for at least 13 years starting in 2011. The utilization of these data will yield great benefits for the research and operational user communities. NOAA is working collaboratively with JAXA and NASA to fully utilize the GCOM data in support its diverse operational mission which includes weather and ocean forecasting and warning, climate monitoring and prediction, fishery and marine mammal management, ocean spill response and mitigation.
Fluorescent Probe Study of Sulfonamide Binding to Povidone

The possibility of using a fluorescent probe technique for the study of drug-povidone (I) interactions was investigated. 1-Ani- lino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (II) was used as the probe. Sulfanilamide, sulfacetamide, and sulfabenzamide were used as the binding competitors. Both sulfacetamide and sulfabenzamide decreased the fluorescence intensity of the I—II complex, while sulfanilamide increased the intensity. The fluorescence depression was greater with sulfabenzamide than with sulfacetamide, indicating that the former is more strongly bound to povidone. Since sulfabenzamide has a greater hydrophobic group (phenyl) than sulfacetamide (methyl), the binding of these sulfonamides to povidone is probably at least partially hydrophobic in nature. The enhanced fluorescence intensity of the I—II complex in the presence of sulfanilamide is believed to involve hydrogen bonding in which the sulfanilamide acts as an intermediary between I and II. Double reciprocal plots for the I—II and sulfonamide-I interactions were employed to obtain a binding constant of 3.2 × 10− 4 M− 1 for the I—II interaction. The association constants for sulfacetamide and sulfabenzamide were calculated by means of the Klotz equation to be 13.4 and 56.8 M− 1, respectively. The povidone molecules appear to have 1.28 binding sites for these compounds under the experimental conditions.
Actions of the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I and some DNA glycosylases on chemically stable analogues of N7-methyl-2'-deoxyguanosine

N7-methyl-9-deaza-dG was synthesized and incorporated into oligonucleotides. Thermal melting studies showed that replacement of dG by N7-methyl-9-deaza-dG only slightly decreased DNA duplex stability. Replication of DNA templates containing N7-methyl-9-deaza-dG and the related 7-methyl-7-deaza-dG and 7-deaza-dG by the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I was examined. The dNTP misinsertion frequencies on all three templates were comparably low, although the 7-methyl group significantly slowed down the turnover rates of the polymerase when dCTP was incorporated. The stabilities of N7-methyl-9-deaza-dG and 7-methyl-7-deaza-dG against the actions of formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and human alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (hAAG) were also examined. N7-methyl-9-deaza-dG was stable in the presence of both enzymes. In contrast, 7-methyl-7-deaza-dG was cleaved by Fpg, and possibly by hAAG but at an extremely slow rate. This study suggests that N7-alkyl-9-deaza-dG is a better analogue than 7-alkyl-7-deaza-dG for cellular studies.
Myasthenia gravis presenting as a unilateral abducens nerve palsy

A 48-year-old man with no significant medical history presented to the emergency department of a large, urban, tertiary-care hospital complaining of double vision and unsteady gait. Physical examination was remarkable for an isolated, unilateral sixth nerve palsy. After comprehensive testing, a final diagnosis of myasthenia gravis was made. The patient's unsteady gait was a manifestation of sensory distortion from the diplopia and corrected when the patient closed his eyes. The presentation of myasthenia gravis as an isolated sixth nerve palsy is unprecedented in the emergency medicine literature.