cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of feeding heat-treated soybeans and niacin to high producing cows in early lactation.

Abstract Forty multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments to compare heat-treated soybean meal and heat-treated whole soybeans as protein supplements and to measure the effects of 6g of supplemental niacin/d. Treatments began 10 d prior to calving and continued through 15 wk postpartum. Dry matter intake was .9 kg/d more for cows fed heat-treated soybean meal than for those fed heat-treated soybeans. The latter diet contained about 2.5% more lipid, resulting in similar daily energy intakes of 34.3 and 33.6 Mcal NE 1 for heat-treated soybean meal and heat-treated soybean diets. Niacin tended to improve DM intake of cows fed diets containing heat-treated soybeans. Milk production was not altered by treatments during the experimental period comprising the first 15 wk of lactation or during the following 15 wk when cows received a standardized diet. Milk fat percentage did not differ due to treatments. Milk protein percentage was lower for cows receiving the heat-treated soybeans without niacin compared with those receiving the heat-treated soybeans with niacin. Niacin did not effect milk protein percentage of cows fed heat-treated soybean meal. The protein supplement by niacin interaction suggests that niacin feeding corrected a dietary oil induced milk protein depression. Plasma glucose was significantly lower in cows fed heat-treated whole soybeans with or without niacin. Plasma nicotinamide was highest in the cows receiving supplemental niacin. Niacin tended to decrease plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration in cows fed heat-treated soybeans but not in cows fed heat-treated soybean meal.
Surgical treatment of prolactinomas: cons

Prolactinomas account for approximately 40 % of all pituitary adenomas. Over 95 % of prolactinomas are microadenomas (< 10 mm diameter). Treatment is indicated to correct hypogonadism, restore other hormonal deficits, and alleviate local mass effects. Dopamine agonists (DA) are highly effective in achieving these goals and are well-tolerated. The vast majority of prolactinomas will respond to conventional doses of cabergoline (≤2 mg/week) that do not carry an increased risk of cardiac valvular abnormalities. DA therapy may be successful withdrawn in a subset of patients and thus is not necessarily a lifelong commitment. Although transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is an option for prolactinoma treatment, it is less effective than medical management, carries considerably more risk, and is more expensive. The benefit/risk ratio for DA therapy compared to TSS actually becomes increasingly more favorable as tumor size increases. Therefore DA should remain the clear treatment of choice for essentially all patients with prolactinomas, reserving TSS as a second-line option for the very small number of patients that do not tolerate or are completely resistant to DA therapy.
PERCEPTIONS OF RACIAL PROFILING: RACE, CLASS, AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Racial profiling by the police has become an increasingly controversial issue in recent years, but we know little about the extent of the problem and even less about public perceptions of profiling. This article analyzes recent national survey data on citizens' views of racial profiling. We find that both race and personal experience with profiling are strong predictors of attitudes toward profiling and that, among blacks, social class affects views of the prevalence and acceptability of the practice. The findings on social class point to the need for further investigation and explanation of class influences on evaluations of the police.
A simple and ultrasensitive method for determination of free fatty acid by radiochemical assay.

Abstract A radiochemical assay is described for the quantitative determination of long-chain FFA as 60 Co-FA complex. The radioactivity of 60 Co in Co-FA complex in the upper organic phase is counted. It is sensitive to as low as 0.08 nmole of FFA, and the standard curve is linear up to 200 nmoles. The sensitivity of this method in measuring FFA less than 0.08 or higher than 200 nmoles per assay can be maintained by increasing or decreasing the specific activity of 60 Co (NO3)2 used. The accuracy of this method is comparable with other methods. The molar ratio of FFA to Co in Co-FA complex was found to be 2.03 with standard deviation of ±0.16. Therefore, it is a cobaltous salt of fatty acid. This factor of 2 can be used directly for the calculation of the FFA content in the unknown sample. The standard deviation of the mean is approximately 8% of the mean; therefore, it reflects the reliability of this method.
Field-induced guiding optical devices made from electro-optic polymers.

Field-induced guiding (FIG) has been known for several decades. Many advanced optical FIG devices (light modulators, splitters, scanners, etc.) were proposed, but due to high fabrication cost and/or high operation voltages they were considered impractical. For the first time to our knowledge we propose to use electro-optic (EO) polymers for the fabrication of FIG devices. This alleviates these limitations and makes this powerful device fabrication paradigm applicable in practice. We theoretically predict and experimentally demonstrate FIG in EO polymers. We also propose the idea of new class of devices— multifunctional optical devices that can completely change their functionality on the fly.
Determination of bromide in canine plasma using ion chromatography.

Abstract A new ion chromatographic procedure has been developed and validated for the determination of bromide in canine plasma. Following a simple dilution, samples were separated on a Metrosep A Supp 5 column. The mobile phase was an isocratic mixture of 2.2 mM Na2CO3, 1.0 mM NaHCO3, and 1% acetonitrile, with a flow-rate of 0.7 ml/min. The procedure produced a linear curve over the concentration range of 50–2500 μg/ml. The development of the assay permitted the determination of therapeutic levels after oral administration of potassium bromide to dogs being treated for epilepsy.
Modeling Advective Contaminant Transport During Soil Vapor Extraction

A general semianalytical method for modeling the advective transport of a volatile organic compound (VOC) to a soil vapor extraction well has been developed. Assuming that the VOC is not present in the form of a nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL), this technique is applicable to cases in which the VOC is partitioned in the unsaturated zone between the gas, aqueous, and solid phases. The VOC may have a one-, two-, or three-dimensional initial distribution. The method may be applied to problems having a one- or two-dimensional steady-state gas flow field in which the gas streamfunction and gas travel time distributions are known. Examples are included to show the application of the method to radial and two- dimensional cylindrical gas flow fields with different VOC distributions and characteristics.
Optical and electrochemical properties of multilayer polyelectrolyte thin films incorporating spherical, gold colloid nanomaterials

Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films incorporating various types of spherical, gold nanomaterials (NMs) were investigated to assess the existence of electrochemical and/or optical signal enhancement effects directly attributable to embedded NMs and the relationship of these effects to film structure and composition. Specifically, electrostatically assembled films of cationic poly-l-lysine (PLL) and anionic poly(4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) incorporating one of four types of spherical, gold colloid NMs were constructed on 3-(aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (3-APTMS)-modified glass substrates for optical studies or 11-mercaptoundecanoic (MUA)-modified gold electrodes for electrochemical studies. The NMs inserted into the PEM films include citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles, thioctic acid-stabilized gold nanoparticles (TAS-NPs), MUA-modified monolayer protected gold clusters, and hollow gold nanoshells (Au-NSs). Optical sensitivity of the NM-embedded films, in terms of absorbance, surface plasmon band shifts, and the dependence of these optical responses on film thickness, varied depending on the type of NM within the film (e.g., TAS-NPs versus Au-NSs) but exhibited no corresponding electrochemical effects in the diffusional voltammetry of a ferricyanide redox probe. While not correlated to optical responses, the increased Faradaic current achieved during voltammetry at NM-embedded PEM films suggested that electrochemical effects of NMs were less dependent on the type of NMs and were, instead, more related to their location within the film and the electrostatic interactions built into the interfacial chemistry of the films. These results should prove useful for developing strategies constructing thin films with NMs that are specifically designed for optical or electrochemical sensing, taking full advantage of the signal enhancements provided by individual types of NMs.
Rat infarct model of myocardial infarction and heart failure

This review outlines the development and current use of the rat coronary artery ligation model of heart failure. The techniques to ligate the left coronary artery and to obtain morphologic/hemodynamic measurements are described. The authors show how the pathology seen in this model relates to clinical ischemic heart disease. An effort is made throughout the review to relate the changes that occur in this model to clinically relevant observations. For example, the progression to heart failure in these rats is similar to what happens when a patient sustains a large myocardial infarction, survives, but goes on to develop heart failure without another ischemic insult. In both rats and people with large infarctions, the noninfarcted myocardium, even though not damaged at the time of the infarct, cannot compensate sufficiently to prevent the eventual development of heart failure. In addition to being a good approximation of human disease, the responses to pharmacologic interventions, like angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, in rats has proved useful in predicting what will happen in humans given the same treatment. More recent data on the molecular control of ventricular remodeling emphasizes how this model will provide important information in the study of integrated physiology by examining biochemical, pharmacologic, and physiologic changes in the same tissue.
Observation and Evolution of Chaos for an Autonomous System

Time histories, phase plane portraits, power spectra, and Poincare maps are used as descriptors to observe the evolution of chaos in an autonomous system. Although the motions of such a system can be quite complex, these descriptors prove helpful in detecting the essential structure of the motion. Here the principal interest is in phase plane portraits and Poincare maps, their methods of construction, and physical interpretation. The system chosen for study has been previously discussed in the literature, i.e., the flutter of a buckled elastic plate in a flowing fluid.
Distribution of 1-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid in the rhesus monkey☆

Abstract The distribution of ACPC in Rhesus monkeys appears to be different from that observed in other species. High concentrations are noted in the liver following intravenous injection. ACPC is concentrated in the pancreas to a lesser degree. There is no significant excretion in pancreatic juice. Pancreatic stimulation causes no significant change in the distribution of ACPC.
Read and write circuit assist techniques for improving Vccmin of dense 6T SRAM cell

We review circuit techniques aimed at improving read and write stability of the smallest 6T SRAM cell typically used in microprocessorpsilas Last Level cache (LLC). We qualitatively compare three main approaches and give a designerpsilas perspective on the pros and cons of the different schemes.
Identification and field evaluation of the compounds comprising the sex pheromone of the female boll weevil

The terpenoid compounds (+)-cis-2-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclo-butaneethanol (I), (Z)-3,3-dimethyl-A-cyclohexaneethanol (II), and β-caryophyllene were isolated from frass of the female boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman). In laboratory bioassays, a mixture of these components attracted primarily males, whereas the male pheromone, grandlure, attracted primarily females. The addition to the cotton bud hydrocarbons, α-pinene, myrcene, andl-lim-nene, improved the response by males so that the potency of the mixture was comparable to that of grandlure for females. In field tests, I + II + hydrocarbons attracted both sexes, but grandlure alone and grandlure + hydrocarbons were more effective.
Biolistic transformation, expression, and inheritance of bovine β-casein in soybean (Glycine max)

A 630-bp DNA fragment encoding a bovine milk protein, β-casein, was cloned into a seed-specific lectin promoter expression cassette and introduced into soybean somatic embryos via particle bombardment. Four hygromycin-resistant embryogenic cell lines were selected. All four lines were positive for the β-casein gene via Southern blot analysis; however, only one line did not show significant rearrangement of the β-casein gene and/or lectin promoter. The presence of the β-casein gene in the genome of the four plants regenerated from this culture was confirmed via Southern blot hybridization analysis. DNA blot experiments and progeny inheritance analysis indicated that the plants contain four to eight copies of the β-casein gene and that the insertion occurred at a single genetic locus. Bovine β-casein mRNA was highly expressed in developing cotyledons. A very low level of β-casein mRNA was found in leaf tissues although endogenous lectin transcripts were not found in the same samples. Bovine β-casein protein was expressed in cotyledons of transformed plants but was not detectable in leaf tissues of transformed plants by immunoblotting. Bovine β-casein produced in the individual developing seed of the first generation of transgenic plants migrated as two closely spaced bands very similar to those of pure bovine β-casein. This experiment represents the first report of the expression of a milk protein in soybean and opens the way for the general improvement of protein quality in soybean directed by seed-specific promoters.
Cellular and 3D optical coherence tomography assessment during the initiation and progression of retinal degeneration in the Ccl2/Cx3cr1-deficient mouse.

Retinal pathologies common to human eye diseases, including abnormal retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, drusen-like accumulation, photoreceptor atrophy, and choroidal neovascularization, have been reported in the Ccl2/Cx3cr1-deficient mouse. The Ccl2 gene encodes the pro-inflammatory chemokine CCL2 (MCP-1), which is responsible for chemotactic recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages to sites of inflammation. The Cx3cr1 gene encodes the fractalkine receptor, CX3CR1, and is required for accumulation of monocytes and microglia recruited via CCL2. Chemokine-mediated inflammation is implicated in retinal degenerative diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and uveoretinitis, and proper chemokine signaling from the RPE, Muller glia, and astrocytes is necessary to regulate leukocyte trafficking. Therefore, this mouse, possessing aberrant chemokine signaling coupled with retinal degenerative pathologies, presents an ideal opportunity to investigate the effect of altered signaling on retinal homeostasis and photoreceptor degeneration. Since this mouse is a recent development, more data covering the onset, location, and progression rate of pathologies is needed. In the present study we establish these parameters and show two photoreceptor cell death processes. Our observations of decreased glutamine synthetase and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein suggest that Muller cells respond very early within regions where lesions are forming. Finally, we suggest that retinal angiomatous proliferation contributes to pathological angiogenesis in this Ccl2/Cx3cr1-deficient mouse.
Shaping, Masking, and Unmasking of a Stigmatized Identity: The Case of Japan-Residing Koreans

Through a case-study approach, this study explores Japan-residing Koreans' identity management and its underlying dynamics from the privacy boundary management perspective. The “closetability” of Koreanness and the role of self-efficacy/agency are highlighted. Analysis of two autobiographical essays suggested that (a) ethnic minority identity is constructed upon the notion of “otherness,” which leads individuals to passing; (b) passing is emotionally consequential and potentially fatal; (c) enacting Koreanness involves not only psychological dissonance but enhanced perceptions of coping-efficacy; and (d) management of stigmatized identities is an ever-ongoing process. Other findings and limitations, as well as directions for future research, are also discussed.
Computed tomographic demonstration of gas collections simulating infection.

Abstract Two cases of computed tomographic demonstration of gas collections simulating gas forming organism infection are presented in patients shown subsequently not to be infected—the air resulting from tissue necrosis. These observations are helpful in guiding conservative management of certain patients in the appropriate clinical setting.
Development of a pressure-correction/ staggered-grid based multigrid solver for incompressible recirculating flows

Abstract A full multigrid/full approximation storage (FMG/FAS) algorithm is utilized to solve the incompressible recirculating flow problems in complex geometrics. The algorithm is implemented in conjunction with a pressure-correction/staggered-grid type of technique using curvilinear coordinates. In order to illustrate the performance of the method, two flow configurations—one a square cavity driven by a sliding top wall and the other a channel with multiple bumps—are used as test problems. Comparisons are made between the performances of the multigrid (MG) and single-grid methods, measured by the number of fine grid iterations, equivalent work units and CPU time. Besides demonstrating that the MG method can yield substantial speed-up with wide variations in Re, grid distributions and geometry, issues such as the convergence characteristics at different grid levels, the choice of convection schemes and the effectiveness of the basic iterative smoothers are studied. An adaptive grid scheme is also combined with the MG procedure to explore the effects of grid resolution on the MG convergence rate as well as the numerical accuracy.
Computational efficiency of number-theoretic-transform-implemented finite-impulse-response filters

The computational merits of using number-theoretic transforms to spectrally implement f.i.r. filters are discussed. It is demonstrated for all but low-tap filters that the spectral method can significantly reduce the multiply load and modestly reduce the add load by comparison with the usual time-domain method and the recursive ‘moving-window’ finite-field spectral method.
Beware of the Aberrant Innominate Artery

The anatomy of aortic great vessels is relevant in surgeries of the anterior neck, especially with a tracheostomy, thyroidectomy, or mediastinoscopy. Variations in their anatomy could lead to severe complications if not recognized. An aberrant high-riding innominate artery incidentally encountered during mediastinoscopy is presented.
Strip mosaicing confocal microscopy for rapid imaging over large areas of excised tissue

Confocal mosaicing microscopy is a developing technology platform for imaging tumor margins directly in fresh tissue, without the processing that is required for conventional pathology. Previously, basal cell carcinoma margins were detected by mosaicing of confocal images of 12 x 12 mm 2 of excised tissue from Mohs surgery. This mosaicing took 9 minutes. Recently we reported the initial feasibility of a faster approach called "strip mosaicing" on 10 x 10 mm 2 of tissue that was demonstrated in 3 minutes. In this paper we report further advances in instrumentation and software. Rapid mosaicing of confocal images on large areas of fresh tissue potentially offers a means to perform pathology at the bedside. Thus, strip mosaicing confocal microscopy may serve as an adjunct to pathology for imaging tumor margins to guide surgery.
Development of Personal Space in Preschool Children as a Function of Age and Day-Care Experience

Summary Personal space of 101 preschoolers ranging from 25 to 62 months of age was measured when each sat on a bench already occupied by a boy or girl age-mate. Two important developmental relationships were found: (a) 25- to 42-month-olds kept much greater distances than 43- to 62-month-olds did, and (b) gender differences emerged as a function of time in day care, so that girls came to keep smaller distances than boys did. These results suggest that the developmental trend of personal space begins with a reduction in distance and is influenced by experience, particularly sex-role factors.
Abstract SY17-03: Inferring cell death networks from biochemical data

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The responses of cells to extracellular ligands results in a series of complex spatiotemporal changes in protein levels and state that vary considerably from one cell to the next. I will discuss our attempts to understand the biochemical mechanisms underlying these phenomena with a focus on TRAIL and Fas ligand in human tumor cells. These molecules are prototypical inducers of receptor-mediated (extrinsic) apoptosis and TRAIL is a first-in-class investigational therapeutic. I will discuss the development and application of computational methods for constructing, managing, calibrating and validating detailed kinetic models of core apoptotic process. With these methods we aim to go beyond the informal pictorial models that currently dominating molecular biology and create probabilistic mathematical constructs that assign rigorous “degrees of belief” to specific biochemical hypothesis given prior knowledge and a specific set of empirical data. I will discuss why some TRAIL-treated human cells die within ∼40 min, some only after 12 hr and yet others live indefinitely. We have explored three explanations for these differences: (i) genetic or epigenetic variation (ii) the involvement of one or more biochemical processes subject to stochastic fluctuation (iii) transient but deterministic differences in cell state. I will illustrate how all three interact on different time scales to determine those aspects of cellular physiology that are highly invariant and those that are variable and I will present a modeling framework for understanding the impact of specific protein factors in cell-to-cell variability. A key conclusion from this work is that variability in the responses of cells to drugs is inherent to the stochastic operation of the biochemical pathways that anti-cancer drugs target. Fractional killing is one inevitable consequence. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr SY17-03. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-SY17-03
An X-ray microsource based system for crystal screening and beamline development during synchrotron shutdown periods

Abstract Crystallographic end-stations require a significant investment in state-of-the-art equipment, as well as a significant effort in software development. The equipment often sits idle during annual maintenance shutdowns. In order to utilize the existing hardware and software during these shutdowns, we installed a sealed-tube microsource X-ray generator in the beamline 9-2 hutch at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL). A multi-layer optic provides good flux and spectral purity. The small physical size of the source, the long optic to focus distance (635 mm) and the short source to optic distance (65 mm) allowed the use of existing beamline components, without any significant modification. The system replaces a short section of beam pipe upstream of the beam conditioning slits and shutter. The system can be installed and removed from the beamline in less than 1 day. The Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG) and SSRL Structural Molecular Biology group developed the Stanford Automated Mounting (SAM) system and installed it on beamlines at SSRL. The JCSG relies on this system to test crystals for diffraction. The installation of the X-ray microsource in beamline 9-2 allowed crystal screening to continue during SSRL shutdowns. Using a standard screening protocol of two 10 min exposures, separated by a 90° phi rotation, the system was capable of screening up to 400 crystals per week and was left to run unattended for up to 4 days. Over 8200 crystals were screened during the last four SSRL shutdown periods. An X-ray generator can also be useful for ongoing beamline development. Shutdown periods provide easier access to the experimental hardware; however, some tests require beam. The X-ray microsource offers the ability to conduct these tests during periods when users are not scheduled.
Dual‐band bandpass filters using coupled fork‐shaped resonators with controllable fractional bandwidths

This article presents a novel dual-band bandpass filter with controllable fractional bandwidths for the upper passband.Two open-circuited stubs are attached to the center of a stepped impedance resonator to form a fork-shaped resonator. As one port of this resonator is on the ground plane for an odd-mode equivalent circuit, the variations of resonant frequencies are analyzed just for an even-mode excitation. From the analyses, three tentative resonant frequencies are decided, and then the dimensions of the resonators are optimized. For coupled resonators, by optimizing the overlapped lengths of outside- and center-open stubs, the desired center frequencies of the dual passbands and the tunable characteristics of the upper passband are obtained, respectively. The measured results of the proposed dual-band filters on three stages are confirmed with the simulated results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:722–725, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26653
L-Arginine increases ischemic injury in wild-type mice but not in iNOS-deficient mice.

Abstract Delayed administration of the nitric oxide precursor l -arginine increases brain injury in models of focal cerebral ischemia. We tested the hypothesis that l -arginine worsens the damage by acting as a substrate for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and increasing the output of this enzyme. iNOS-null mice or wild-type littermates were treated with l -arginine (300 mg/kg; i.p, three times/day) starting 12 h after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Infarct volume was determined 96 h after ischemia. We found that l -arginine enlarges infarct volume in wild-type mice (+28±5% in neocortex) but not in iNOS-null mice. Thus, the worsening of ischemic damage produced by l -arginine depends on iNOS. The findings support the hypothesis that l -arginine worsens ischemic injury by increasing the catalytic output of iNOS and suggest that administration of l -arginine should be avoided in patients with acute stroke.
The No Probabilities for Acts-Principle

One can interpret the No Probabilities for Acts-Principle, namely that any adequate quantitative decision model must in no way contain subjective probabilities for actions in two ways: it can either refer to actions that are performable now and extend into the future or it can refer to actions that are not performable now, but will be in the future. In this paper, I will show that the former is the better interpretation of the principle.
Stability of self-similar plane shocks with Hertzian nonlinearity.

The nonlinear progressive wave equation [McDonald and Kuperman, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 81, 1406–1417 (1987)] is expressed in a form to accommodate Hertzian nonlinearity of order n=3∕2 typical of granular media. Stability of self-similar plane weak shocks against perturbations in three dimensions is demonstrated for arbitrary order nonlinearity with 1<n<3. Investigation of stability in the presence of Hertzian nonlinearity is motivated by the nonlinearity coefficient being arbitrarily large in the unstressed state. Energy in the perturbation field is shown to fall off at least as fast as 1∕t, while energy in the self-similar wave falls off slower than 1∕t. For an initial wave profile increasing in the direction of propagation, it is shown that where the quadratic nonlinearity coefficient diverges, the slope of the wave goes to zero.
ELECTRON ENERGY LOSS DUE TO SURFACE MODES IN A THIN IONIC CRYSTAL FILM.

A local theory for the energy loss of a relativistic electron beam, incident normally on a thin ionic crystal film, is developed and applied to the energy region of the surface modes of vibration. It is found that the loss function including retardation is essentially the same as that without retardation. Important effects associated with experimental resolution in energy and momentum are included in the analysis. With the inclusion of the characteristics of the apparatus, the theoretical line shapes and positions are in good agreement with the experimental results on LiF obtained by Boersch, Geiger, and Stickel. A study of the effects of substrate thickness and conductivity is reported. A good conductor, like aluminum, has a strong effect on the loss function, whereas a poor conductor, like carbon, has little effect.
Macrophage secretory function is enhanced by low doses of tributyltin-oxide (TBTO), but not tributyltin-chloride (TBTCl).

Numerous studies suggest that tributyltin (TBT) is a potent immunotoxicant in nontarget organisms with lymphoid atrophy being a hallmark response. Two of the most common formulations of TBT are bis (tri-n-butyl)-tin oxide (TBTO) and tri-n-butyl-tin chloride (TBTCl). Most of studies investigating TBT-related immunotoxicity have used relatively high doses of both compounds, but little is known about the effects of very low doses. In addition, no studies have directly compared the effects of both formulations on immune function(s). We exposed female B6C3F1 mice to a single dose of TBTO or TBTCl at 0.3, 3.0, 30 mM/kg or corn oil as a carrier control. Forty-eight h later mice received a 4% solution of thioglycolate intraperitoneally to elicit peritoneal macrophages. Ninety-six h later macrophages were harvested and stimulated with a mixture of gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), and phorbol ester-stimulated oxidative burst activity were then measured. Nitric oxide and TNF-α production were significantly elevated in the 0.3 and 3.0 mM TBTO/kg–treated groups but not in those treated by TBTCl. Background TNF-α production (without stimulation) was also elevated at these two doses but suppressed in TBTCl-treated animals. Oxidative burst activity was elevated at 0.3 mM TBTO/kg but not by TBTCl. TGF-β1 production was not altered by either treatment, nor were body wts and organ-body wt ratios. To further evaluate the difference between the effects of TBTO and TBTCl on macrophage function, the in vitro toxicity of the two was determined using elicited peritoneal macrophages from untreated mice. Following a 24-h exposure to increasing concentrations of TBTO or TBTCl, functional viability was evaluated using the MTT assay. There were no differences between the two compounds in terms of treatment-related viability except that at the very highest concentrations (10−6 M) TBTO was more toxic than TBTCl.
Hydrogen transport parameters for a cobalt based alloy

Abstract Employing a basic, gas phase-permeation measurement procedure and modern, ultra-high vacuum technology, measurements were made of the hydrogen permeability and diffusivity in a commercially available Co based superalloy. The transport parameters were determined over a pressure range of 0.013–1.2×10 5 Pa and temperature range, 490–1150 K. The hydrogen solubility was estimated from the relationship between the permeability and diffusivity. The solubility obtained from these measurements is compared with published data for the equilibrium hydrogen solubility in pure Co. Similar anomalies are observed in both solubility measurements.
Sorption of uranium and cesium by Hanford basalts and associated secondary smectite

Abstract Three characterized basalts and an associated secondary smectite were used in comparative uranium and cesium sorption studies. Experiments utilizing two synthetic characteristic basalt groundwaters at 23° and 60°C allowed comparison of increased temperature and carbonate concentration effects on Cs and U sorption. The sorption data were fitted to the Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm, and loading maxima and energetics derived. An increase in temperature caused a decrease in Cs sorption maxima on all solids from all groundwaters studied and an increase in U sorption maxima, especially from the higher-carbonate-content groundwater. Sorption energies were characteristic of ion exchange for both Cs and U sorption processes. Basalt U sorption maxima were relatively insignificant, but smectite U sorption maxima surpassed Cs sorption maxima in both groundwaters at 60°C. The uranyl carbonate complexes thus may be relatively temperature-sensitive. Upon removal of excess Fe-oxides from the secondary smectite, U sorption decreased and the D-R isotherm reverted to a normal Freundlich sorption isotherm. Removal of excess Fe-oxides from the basalts and secondary smectite would probably result in Freundlich sorption isotherms for both Cs and U.
An investigation of the blend of partially brominated poly(2,6‐dimethyl 1,4‐phenylene oxide) and polystyrene in the primary (glass‐to‐rubber) transition region

Compatible polymer blends can be used to test critically the viability of the damped Debye lattice (DDL) model of relaxation in the primary (glass-to-rubber) transition region. Since these blends form because of specific intermolecular interaction, the force constants that characterize intermolecular elastic interactions can be controlled to some extent by varying blend composition. The model predicts an unusual sharpening of the stress relaxation master curve of a marginally two-dimensional DDL upon dilution with a plasticizer. We have prepared an appropriate two-dimensional DDL by adding modest amounts of partially brominated poly(2,6-dimethyl 1,4-phenylene oxide) to polystyrene to form compatible blends. As predicted by the model, sharpening of the stress relaxation behavior upon dilution was observed for all blend compositions and for all diluents used. However, at higher brominated poly(phenylene oxide) concentrations, the anticipated diluent concentration dependence was not always observed and the sharpening of the stress relaxation behavior was less than expected. In similar experiments carried out on diluted homopolymers, the relative values of the solubility parameters of the polymers and the diluents strongly influenced the effectiveness of the diluent in changing the stress relaxation behavior. In this blend system, the particular chemical nature of the diluent was found to be much less important; in fact, the three diluents used all evoked approximately the same behavior despite their having solubility parameters that differed significantly.
Computer experiment on superposition of strengthening effects of different particles

Abstract Particle-hardening materials, particularly high strength aluminum alloys, usually contain two or more types of second-phase particles. While the strengthening effect of mono-dispersed particles has been studied extensively and hence well formulated, a rational and consolidated evaluation of superposed hardening effects of different particle mixtures is still an open problem both experimentally and theoretically. A computer simulation technique is utilized to examine the details of the problem. The technique developed is based on the circle-rolling approach of Morris et al. The strengthening stress τp due to the mixture of different particles is determined by examination of a dislocation-slip process through the particles on one slip plane and along one slip direction under the action of an applied shear stress τ. Two kinds of particle mixtures are investigated. One consists of hard or unshearable point-like particles and soft or shearable point-like ones. The other is a mixture of two types of unshearable plate-like particles. The simulation results indicate that the superposition law can be well described by an equation τα=nα/2AταA+nα/2BταB where nA and nB are the density fractions of A- and B-particles, τA and τB the strengthening stresses due to pure A- and B-particles, and the exponent α varies between 1.0 and 2.0. Application to the spherical precipitates predicts that a bi-modal particle size distribution can give rise to about an 8% increment in strengthening stress with regard to a single size distribution that is normally produced by conventional aging. For a mixture of {θ′ (or θ″)+T1} in Al–Cu–Li alloys the simulation predicts that the larger T1-plates may either reduce or increase the strengthening effect depending on the particular circumstances. A structure comparison factor κAB is introduced to describe the various effects. Calculated values using the simulation method compare favorably with those determined experimentally.
Subtropics-Related Interannual Sea Surface Temperature Variability in the Central Equatorial Pacific

Abstract Interannual sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the central equatorial Pacific consists of a component related to eastern Pacific SST variations (called Type-1 SST variability) and a component not related to them (called Type-2 SST variability). Lead–lagged regression and ocean surface-layer temperature balance analyses were performed to contrast their control mechanisms. Type-1 variability is part of the canonical, which is characterized by SST anomalies extending from the South American coast to the central Pacific, is coupled with the Southern Oscillation, and is associated with basinwide subsurface ocean variations. This type of variability is dominated by a major 4–5-yr periodicity and a minor biennial (2–2.5 yr) periodicity. In contrast, Type-2 variability is dominated by a biennial periodicity, is associated with local air–sea interactions, and lacks a basinwide anomaly structure. In addition, Type-2 SST variability exhibits a strong connection to the subtropics of both hemisphere...
Spleen DPNH Cytochrome c Reductase Activity In X-Irradiated Rats.

SummaryRats were subjected to 700 r of whole-body X-irradiation. At intervals of 13 to 85 hours after exposure, homogenates were prepared from spleens of irradiated and control animals and separated into 4 subcellular fractions by differential centrifugation. Per mg of nitrogen, DPNH cytochrome c reductase specific activity of the homogenates from X-rayed rats was increased significantly over the control levels at 13 and 37 hours after exposure. At 85 hours, the difference was much less owing to an increased specific activity of the enzyme in the control homogenates, as well. Expressed on the basis of nitrogen, cytochrome reductase specific activities of nuclear, microsomal, and supernatant fractions after irradiation showed no striking changes as compared to control values. Specific activities of the mitochondrial fractions from spleens of irradiated animals were decreased significantly as compared to control levels. The % of total DPNH cytochrome c reductase activity recovered in the 4 fractions prepare...
Laparoscopy to correctly diagnose and stage metastatic breast cancer mimicking Crohn's disease

We report a case of metastatic lobular breast carcinoma with extrahepatic gastrointestinal disease. On the basis of clinical findings, radiologic investigations, computerized axial tomography, gastrointestinal endoscopy, and gastric biopsy, the diagnosis of gastric and ileal Crohn's disease was made. The correct diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis was made at laparoscopy. This case exemplifies the utility of laparoscopy in establishing the diagnosis and staging for abdominal disease of uncertain etiology.
X-RAY ANALYSIS OF GREEK BRONZE AGE PIGMENTS FROM THERA (SANTORINI)

Samples of pigments from excavated wall-paintings at the great civilization center of the Greek Bronze Age, Thera, have been analysed by the non-destructive methods of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and mineralogical microscopic examination. The results showed that three types of blue pigment were used, namely the well-known Egyptian blue, glaucophane, which is a sodium magnesium (or iron) aluminium hydroxide silicate which occurs as a natural mineral on Santorini, and a mixture of Egyptian blue and glaucophane. Black pigments were rather puzzling in that some of them are carbon as expected, and some are manganese com- pounds. The rest of the pigments are very similar to those previously examined from Mycenae and Knossos.
Specific and potent inhibition of spermidine synthase by the transition-state analog, S-adenosyl-3-thio-1,8-diaminooctane.

Abstract The title compound ( 1 c ), was designed and synthesized based on mechanistic data concerning enzyme-catalyzed alkyl transfer reactions, applied in this case to aminopropyl transferases. The inhibition by 1 c of one such enzyme, spermidine synthase, was both potent (I 50 = 4 × 10 −7 M) and specific. A closely related aminopropyltransferase, spermine synthase was only minimally affected by high concentrations of 1 c . Similar, although not as marked, specifity between the two aminopropyltransferases was observed with the corresponding methyl sulfonium salt, 2 c . Studies with structurally related compounds support the hypothesis that the strong inhibition of spermidine synthase by 1 c derives from the incorporation in this compound of important features of the transition-state structure of this enzyme-catalyzed reaction.
Sensitivity of s-parameter data of metal semiconductor field effect transistor to the source and gate resistances

Analytical expressions for the sensitivities of the S-parameters of a MESFET are presented. These expressions are useful for optimizing the gate and source metallization resistances for design of MESFETs. The final expressions are given in terms of general circuit impedances and therefore can be used in analyzing other solid state three terminal active devices.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fat-saturation MR imaging of the upper abdomen.

The fat-saturation (fatsat) MR technique decreases the signal intensity of fat, thereby enhancing the definition of upper abdominal organs and reducing artifacts while maintaining the T1 and T2 information available on spin-echo sequences. To evaluate the potential of fatsat in examining the abdomen, we conducted a prospective study involving 30 subjects, including four normal volunteers, 18 patients investigated for liver disease, and eight patients studied for miscellaneous abdominal disease. Short TR, 300-600/15-20 (TR/TE), and long TR, 2000-2500/20-30, 70-80, spin-echo images with and without fatsat were compared. The images were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative assessment was made with receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the confidence level of observers to detect the presence of disease, comparing fatsat with standard spin-echo sequences. ROC analysis showed greater interpreter confidence and accuracy for fatsat sequences than for standard spin-echo ...
Visualization and quantification of the medial surface dynamics of an excised human vocal fold during phonation.

Summary The purpose of this investigation was to investigate physical mechanisms of vocal fold vibration during normal phonation through quantification of the medial surface dynamics of the fold. An excised hemilarynx setup was used. The dynamics of 30 microsutures mounted on the medial surface of a human vocal fold were analyzed across 18 phonatory conditions. The vibrations were recorded with a digital high-speed camera at a frequency of 4000 Hz. The positions of the sutures were extracted and converted to three-dimensional coordinates using a linear approximation technique. The data were reduced to principal eigenfuctions, which captured over 90% of the variance of the data, and suggested mechanisms of sustained vocal fold oscillation. The vibrations were imaged as the following phonatory conditions were manipulated: glottal airflow, an adductory force applied to the muscular process, and an elongation force applied to the thyroid cartilage. Over the range of variables studied, only the variation in glottal airflow yielded significant changes in subglottal pressure and fundamental frequency. All recordings showed high correlation for the distribution of the dynamics across the medial surface of the vocal fold. The distribution of the different displacement directions and velocities showed the highest variations around the superior region of the medial surface. Although the computed vibration patterns of the two largest empirical eigenfunctions were consistent with previous experimental observations, the relative prominence of the two eigenfunctions changed as a function of glottal airflow, impacting theories of vocal efficiency and vocal economy.
100 million years of morphological conservation in bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Abstract Scolytine weevils (bark and ambrosia beetles) have a unique ecological significance in forest ecosystems, which equates to major effects on landscape ecology and to monetary losses. Fossilized galleries of scolytines have been reported in Late Mesozoic wood, but here we describe a well-preserved body fossil from the Cretaceous, c. 100 Ma, preserved in amber from northern Myanmar. Moreover, the specimen is remarkably similar to Recent species of the genus Microborus, revealing stasis unexpected within scolytines and thus highlighting the antiquity of the group. Stratigraphic dating and comparison of insect palaeofaunas included in other well-dated ambers from multiple sites support the age estimate of the Burmese amber. A minimum age for one clade of scolytines is thus established, indicating an early divergence of scolytines from other weevils in the Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous and challenging the current perspective of weevil evolution.
HEPATIC UPTAKE AND BLOOD CLEARANCE OF FREE CO57B12 AND OF CO57B12 BOUND TO GASTRIC JUICE AFTER INTRAVENOUS INJECTION IN MAN.

In 9 normal subjects, hepatic uptake and blood clearance of radioactivity were measured for 7–10 days after the intravenous administration of a tracer dose of Co57B12 alone. In 5 of these subjects, the measurements were repeated after intravenous administration of Co57B12 bound to normal human gastric juice (NHGJ). Administration of B12 bound to NHGJ resulted in an augmented hepatic uptake of the vitamin at 1 hr. significantly greater than that for B12 alone. This difference became less marked with time and was not significant at the end of 1 week. Blood clearance during the first 24 hr. following administration was significantly slower for NHGJ-bound B12 than for B12 injected alone.
High Rate of Vaginal Erosions Associated With the Mentor ObTape

Purpose: The transobturator tape method is a newer surgical technique for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Limited data exist related to complications with this approach or the types of mesh products used. We report our experience with vaginal erosions associated with the Mentor ObTape™ and American Medical Systems Monarc™ transobturator slings.Materials and Methods: Beginning in December 2003 selected female patients with anatomic urinary incontinence were prospectively followed after placement of the Mentor ObTape™. Beginning in January 2004 we also began using the American Medical Systems Monarc™ in similar patients. Patients were admitted overnight after surgery, discharged on oral antibiotics, and seen in the clinic at 6 weeks postoperatively.Results: A total of 67 patients have undergone placement of the Mentor ObTape™ and 9 of those patients (13.4%) have had vaginal extrusions of the sling. Eight patients reported a history of persistent vaginal discharge. One patient presented initial...