cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary results of the initial United States experience with the Supera woven nitinol stent in the popliteal artery.

Background Popliteal artery stenting is not routinely performed due to concerns related to the high mobility of the knee joint and the potential for external stent compression, fractures, and occlusion. Open bypass is traditionally considered the gold standard for popliteal artery atherosclerotic lesions. The Supera stent (IDEV Technologies Inc, Webster, Tex) was developed to provide superior radial strength, fracture resistance, and flexibility compared with laser-cut nitinol stents. This study represents the initial United States experience in the management of popliteal artery atherosclerotic disease with the Supera interwoven wire stent. Methods Patients undergoing stent implantation in the 20-month period after the 2008 Food and Drug Administration clearance were included. Medical records, radiographic imaging, and procedural data were examined. Procedural angiograms were classified according to Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus criteria. Patency and limb loss rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results A total of 39 stents were placed in 34 patients due to isolated popliteal artery occlusive disease. Clinical follow-up was a mean of 12.7 months (range, 0.2-33.7 months), and radiologic follow-up was a mean of 8.4 months (range, 0-26.8 months). Most patients had critical limb ischemia (CLI), with tissue loss (38.2%) or rest pain (35.3%) as the indication for intervention. In 20 patients (58.8%), the most distal end of the stent(s) landed in the below-the-knee popliteal segment, 12 (35.3%) landed in the above-the-knee segment, and two (5.9%) landed precisely at the knee. Other than angioplasty and stenting, 47% of patients did not receive any adjuvant concomitant therapy in the treated leg. Two patients underwent concomitant atherectomy of the popliteal segment. Primary, primary assisted, and secondary patency rates by duplex ultrasound imaging were 79.2%, 88.1% and 93%, respectively, by Kaplan-Meier estimates, with a mean stented length of 12 cm. Six instances of stent occlusion were noted, and six patients were identified with hemodynamically significant in-stent stenosis. Three patients sustained limb loss (8.8%), two related to uncontrolled infections, and one due to perioperative ischemic complications (both with patent stents at the time of limb loss). The overall mortality was 8.8% during the study period. Knee roentgenography was performed in all but one patient, and no stent fractures were identified. Conclusions Stenting of the popliteal artery using the Supera stent system appears to be safe and effective. The interwoven stent design may better serve areas under extreme mechanical stress. Our results with this highly diseased patient population justify a prospective trial in this subject.
Tone Jammer Cancellation in a Tapped-Delay Line Correlator

A method for determining the optimum tap weights to cancel one or more tone jammers in a tapped-delay line correlator is described and demonstrated to achieve almost perfect cancellation when continuous tap weight values are employed. When the tap weights must be quantized, as in the case of a digital tapped-delay line, it is shown by computer simulation that five bits of uniform quantization are sufficient to reduce the degradation in output signal-to-interference ratio to less than 3 dB when the jam-to-signal ratios are as large as 50 dB. Since the optimum tap weights are critically dependent on the jamming frequencies, a method of broadening the cancellation region is discussed, as is a technique for estimating the jamming frequencies from the signals observed at the taps.
Association of Antidepressants and Other Medications with Mortality in the Residential-Care Elderly

To explore the extent to which treatment of depression affects survival, we evaluated the association between use of antidepressant medications and death rates among the residents of a large residential-care facility for the elderly using a retrospective record-review study (N = 624). One year survival, among those taking antidepressants (10.9%), was 11.8% compared to 11.1% among the remainder of the population. A second study followed a group of 32 patients in the same institution who had participated in a therapeutic trial of nortriptyline treatment for major depression. Patients who experienced adverse medical events during treatment exhibited significantly increased mortality; among treatment completers, there was no significant relationship between mortality and therapeutic response. These findings suggest that the inability to tolerate treatment with an antidepressant can be considered a manifestation of physiologic frailty and increased vulnerability to mortality from disease. The previously reported decrease in survival among residential-care patients with major depression is not paralleled by a similar effect in those taking antidepressants. This may reflect selection factors with respect to the ability to tolerate antidepressants, rather an effect of treatment.
Digestion characteristics, feed intake and live weight gain by cattle consuming forage supplemented with defatted rice bran or other feedstuffs

Effects of supplementing cattle with defatted rice bran compared with full-fat rice bran, ground corn or wheat middlings on feed intake, digestibility and live weight gain (LWG) were determined. In Experiment 1, in situ (ruminal) dry matter disappearance in two steers consuming forage was 75, 45, 77 and 53% at 12 h (standard error (SE) 4.4), and 86, 95, 83 and 82% at 48 h (SE 0.6) for full-fat rice bran, corn, wheat middlings and defatted rice bran, respectively. In Experiment 2, six Holstein steer calves (193 ± 1.3 kg average trial body weight (BW); 6 × 6 Latin square) consumed a 1:1:1 mixture of alfalfa, orchardgrass and bermudagrass hay ad libitum without supplementation (Control), or with 0.80% of BW of full-fat rice bran (FR), 0.62% of BW of corn (C), 0.81% of BW of wheat middlings (W), 0.80% of BW of defatted rice bran (L-DR) or 1.10% of BW of defatted rice bran (H-DR). Total organic matter intake was lower (P 0.10), and acetate: propionate in ruminal fluid was decreased (P < 0.05) by FR, L-DR and H-DR relative to Control (4.06, 3.69, 4.00, 4.09, 3.89 and 3.80 for Control, FR, C, W, L-DR, and H-DR, respectively; SE 0.053). In Experiment 4, crossbred beef calves (48 steers and 48 heifers; 232 ± 2.1 kg initial BW) grazed paddocks with fescue, clover and bermudagrass in the spring for 84 days and were supplemented as in Experiment 2. LWG was lower (P < 0.05) for W, L-DR and H-DR than for FR and C (1.06, 1.18, 1.14, 0.99, 1.04 and 0.98 kg per day for Control, FR, C, W, L-DR and H-DR, respectively; SE 0.027).
The effect of egg size and nutrient content on larval performance: implications to protracted spawning in northern pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus)

Variation in developmental rate from fertilization to swim-up, and body size at swim-up, may affect the growth and survival of young-of-the-year fish. Fish egg size (diameter) is often positively correlated to adult female size, but whether increased egg size equates to higher egg nutrient content and subsequently improved embryo/larval performance, remains unclear. Artificially fertilized northern pike eggs from individual females (total length 400–800 mm) were cultured under temperature controlled laboratory conditions to test the hypothesis that female body size positively influences egg size and the amount of specific nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and fatty acids) allocated to eggs. We further hypothesized that greater egg nutrient content would positively influence egg survival, developmental rate, and the size of swim-up fry. These hypotheses were investigated in the context of two different northern pike spawning strategies (early season tributary vs. late season deep shoal spawning). Nutrients were allocated conservatively in northern pike eggs, showing very little variation in nutrient concentrations, but the total mass of all egg nutrients increased linearly with egg dry mass. Neither egg dry mass nor nutrient content (concentration or mass), were related to either egg diameter or female body size. The mass of individual egg nutrients was, however, strongly correlated with egg dry mass (r 2 range 0.62 to 0.99 for individual nutrients) and positively related to the total length of swim-up fry (r 2 = 0.58). The eggs of late spawning pike had significantly greater dry mass (average = 3.02 mg/egg) and developed more rapidly to swim-up (average = 17.89 days) than did those of early spawners (average = 2.28 mg/egg, 19.05 days). Our results indicate that egg quality may be best assessed by egg dry mass, which was correlated with greater nutrient mass and increased swim-up fry body length, as opposed to egg diameter or female body size which showed no correlation to egg nutrient composition and egg/larval performance.
Optimal trajectory planning for material handling of compliant sheet metal parts

One of the most critical issues in the material handling of compliant objects is excessive part deformation. The deformation of compliant sheet metal parts during the handling process can significantly impact both part dimensional quality and production rate. Increasing production rate while maintaining part quality requires an optimal design of the part transfer trajectory. This paper describes a new methodology of time-optimal trajectory planning for compliant parts by discretizing the part transfer path into N segments that have equal horizontal distance and by approximating the trajectory as having piecewise constant acceleration that can only change its value at the end of each segment. The contribution of the methodology is that part deformation determined by transfer velocity and acceleration is considered as a nonlinear constraint, which is obtained from FEA simulation and model fitting. Part permanent deformation, trajectory smoothness, and static obstacle avoidance are also considered. The methodology is validated by simulations at different motion conditions and obstacle configurations. This paper addresses the lack of current design guidelines for material handing development and simultaneously provides a mathematical tool to significantly enhance the production efficiency in manufacturing of compliant sheet metal parts.
Tutorial: Calculating Percentile Rank and Percentile Norms Using SPSS

Practitioners can benefit from using norms, but they often have to develop their own percentile rank and percentile norms. This article is a tutorial on how to quickly and easily calculate percentile rank and percentile norms using SPSS, and this information is presented for a data set. Some issues in calculating percentile rank and percentile norms are discussed, and a comparison between percentile rank and percentile norms is presented. In summary, percentile rank and percentile norms can be quickly and easily developed by using SPSS.
Social Support, Health-Promotive Beliefs, and Preventive Health Behaviors Among the Elderly:

A high level of social support was a consistent predictor of preventive health behaviors among 936 elderly members of a health maintenance organization. Beliefs about the importance of preventive h...
A 585 GHz annular-slot antenna coupled two-dimensional (two-D) focal-plane array utilizing twin-HEB devices

We report on the design and fabrication of 585 GHz focal-plane arrays utilizing annular-slot antennas and twin-HEB devices. Design details and simulation results are presented. DC characteristics of the twin-HEB devices, including R-T and I-V curves, have been tested. In addition, initial RF measurement results of the focal-plane array (FPA) mixers are presented.
Mössbauer study and modeling of iron import and trafficking in human jurkat cells.

The Fe content of Jurkat cells grown on transferrin-bound iron (TBI) and FeIII citrate (FC) was characterized using Mossbauer, electron paramagnetic resonance, and UV–vis spectroscopies, as well as electron and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Isolated mitochondria were similarly characterized. Fe-limited cells contained ∼100 μM essential Fe, mainly as mitochondrial Fe and nonmitochondrial non-heme high-spin FeII. Cells replete with Fe also contained ferritin-bound Fe and FeIII oxyhydroxide nanoparticles. Only 400 ± 100 Fe ions were loaded per ferritin complex, regardless of the growth medium Fe concentration. Ferritin regulation thus appears to be more complex than is commonly assumed. The magnetic and structural properties of Jurkat nanoparticles differed from those of yeast mitochondria. They were smaller and may be located in the cytosol. The extent of nanoparticle formation scaled nonlinearly with the concentration of Fe in the medium. Nanoparticle formation was not strongly correlated w...
Galvanic contact between nickel arsenide and pyrrhotite and its effect on flotation

Abstract Galvanic contact between electrically conducting minerals may affect the nature of mineral surfaces and influence their floatabilities. Electrochemical measurements, flotation tests and surface analyses were made to identify interactions between nickel arsenide and pyrrhotite. The galvanic contact improved the floatability of nickel arsenide with potassium butyl xanthate and accelerated its dissolution, but adversely affected the floatability of pyrrhotite with the same collector. XPS and SEM indicated that nickel hydroxide and arsenic trioxide decreased on nickel arsenide surface, whereas nickel hydroxide formed on pyrrhotite when these minerals were held in contact.
A potential Z-DNA-forming sequence is an essential upstream element of a plant promoter

The fine-structure analyses of the nopaline synthase (nos) promoter which is active constitutively in a wide range of plant tissues reveal that a portion of the upstream essential region for maximal transcription is a potential Z-DNA-forming element. Z-DNA sequences are found in almost all plant-promoter regions, suggesting that these structural elements may play important roles in plant gene expression.
Prospects for development of AM OLEDs for cockpit display applications

Organic light emitting diode (OLED) display is an emerging flat panel display technology, with initial products such as passive matrix addressed displays for cell phones and automobile audio systems already on the market. AM OLEDs (Active matrix Organic light emitting diode displays) have a potential to replace backlit AM LCDs (Active matrix liquid crystal displays) because of they can be potentially more power efficient, weigh less, have better image quality, more rugged and lower cost. Already, there have been impressive AM OLED technology demonstrations such as 13-inch SVGA display by Sony. The market for OLED based displays is estimated to reach $1.7 B / Year in 2006. While the probability for successful development of AM OLEDs for consumer applications is reasonably high, additional progress needs to be made before this technology becomes a viable candidate for cockpit display applications. In the following we will review the current AM OLED technology with respect to OLED materials, device structures, device efficiency and lifetime, display addressing and display performance. This is followed by a discussion of the display image quality, lifetime, and environmental performance requirements of the AM OLED for use as a cockpit display. The display performance parameters requiring improvement are highlighted. Comparisons are made between AM OLED and AM LCD with respect to key performance parameters for cockpit display applications.
A helium diffraction study of O2 chemisorption on Ni(110)

Abstract The adsorption of O2 on Ni(110) at 500 K has been studied using He diffraction. As the coverage is increased, low-coverage (3 × 1), (2 × 1), and high-coverage (3 × 1) phases are successively formed. An analysis of the diffraction intensities for the (2 × 1) and high-coverage (3 × 1) phases and a comparison with calculated electron-density contours shows that the Ni atoms are aligned in rows parallel to the [001] direction, and that the oxygen atoms are adsorbed at long bridge sites on the surface at a normal distance of ~ 0.3 A above the Ni atoms.
Hardened portland cement pastes of low porosity III. Degree of hydration. Expansion of paste. Total porosity

Abstract The degree of hydration, the expansion during hydration, and the total porosity of low-porosity portland cement pastes were investigated at hydration times ranging from 1 hour to 180 days. The effects of the type of cement (Type I and II), the grinding aid, the surface of the cement, the water-cement ratio (0.2 and 0.3), and the temperature of hydration (5°, 25° and 50°C) were determined.
Concentration and specific infectivity changes of alfalfa mosaic virus during systemic infection.

Abstract Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) concentration and specific infectivity were related to age of infection in tobacco; both decreased several fold between 1 to 5 weeks after inoculation. Even as virus concentrations increased, specific infectivity levels decreased. No differences, other than biological, were found between virus preparations with high and low specific infectivities. Logarithmic plots of specific infectivity decrease in vivo against time were linear when plants were grown in controlled environment rooms. Evidence was given to show that specific infectivity loss was not due to differential effects of plant age or purification. An extractable inactivating system may be implicated.
Real-time digital analysis and error-compensating techniques

The techniques which are described in this paper apply to the digital mechanization of any system represented as an ordinary linear differential equation with constant coefficients---inhomogeneous or homogeneous.
A density expansion of the pion--nucleus optical potential. II. Second order terms

Abstract The second order terms in a density expansion of the pion optical potential Vopt are evaluated quantitatively. The coefficients of these terms are proportional to various combinations of on- and off-shell nucleon-nucleon T-matrices, averaged over the distribution of two nucleon relative momenta in the Fermi sea. The on-shell contributions can be obtained directly from experimental phase shifts, but the calculation of the off-shell-parts requires a model for the nucleon-nucleon potential. We consider a number of realistic local and nonlocal, separable potentials which fit nucleon-nucleon phase shifts, in order to study the variations in Vopt which arise from differences in the off-shell behavior of T. We find absorptive (imaginary) and dispersive (real) contributions to Vopt which are of comparable magnitude. The dispersive part, which leads to a real energy shift associated with the two nucleon absorptive process, has not been previously estimated quantitatively. We compare our results to empirical potentials obtained by fitting energy level shifts and widths in pi-mesic atoms, as well as theoretical estimates based on threshold cross sections for the processes π + N + N ⇄ N + N.
Resident cardiac stem/progenitor cells for cardiac regeneration

Heart failure remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. Current treatments largely antagonize systemic neurohormonal responses to the failing heart, but do not address the fundamental impairment of cardiac function. Cardiac transplantation has been used as a treatment for end stage heart failure, though the shortage of donor hearts and issues with immune rejection limit the use of such treatment option. Recent findings have demonstrated the existence of endogenous cardiac stem/progenitor cells, and thereby suggest a capacity for self-renewal in adult hearts. This discovery has not only redefined cardiac biology, but also raises the possibility of functionally regenerating damaged myocardium. Herein, we provide a short overview of the recent developments in cardiovascular regeneration with the emphasis on cardiac stem/progenitor cells.
Nonlamellar Phases in Asymmetric Rod−Coil Block Copolymers at Increased Segregation Strengths

A new phase consisting of rectangular rod nanodomains packed onto a hexagonal lattice is observed in rod−coil block copolymers at the limit of both large volume fraction asymmetry and large geometrical asymmetry between the rod and coil. In moderately segregated poly(alkoxyphenylenevinylene-b-isoprene) (PPV-b-PI), an order−order transition is observed between hexagonal and lamellar phases for polymers near the phase boundary, and the lamellar phase is observed at high temperatures. The domain spacings of polymers in the lamellar phase collapse on to a simple scaling relationship where domain spacing is proportional to molecular weight. The proportionality constant is equal to the statistical segment length of the PPV rod block, suggesting that the angle between the rod director and the lamellar interface is nearly 90°. At higher temperatures, the block copolymers transition from ordered to nematic to isotropic states, with the intermediate nematic phase being observed for all coil fractions studied. A thr...
Wasatchian–Bridgerian (Eocene) paleoecology of the western interior of North America: changing paleoenvironments and taxonomic composition of omomyid (Tarsiiformes) primates

Many changes in mammalian faunas occurred across the early (Wasatchian) to middle (Bridgerian) Eocene boundary as documented in the fossil record from the Western Interior of North America. One of the more striking changes took place within the tarsiiform primate family Omomyidae. In the early Eocene, omomyids were dominated, both in abundance and diversity, by the subfamily Anaptomorphinae. In the middle Eocene, the subfamily Omomyinae dominated in abundance, while both subfamilies were nearly equally diverse. Examination of a series of paleoecological indicators including leaf-margin analysis, cenogram analysis, ecological diversity analysis of trophic structure, the distribution and development of ancient soil horizons (paleosols), and the distribution of lacustrine and fluvial facies in the Bighorn and southern Green River basins of Wyoming reveals factors that may have influenced the composition of omomyid primates. Subtle but important changes occurred in paleoclimates with mean annual temperatures reaching Cenozoic maximums at the end of the Wasatchian into the early Bridgerian. Both land mammal ages were typified by subtropical, closed forested conditions, but the Bridgerian was probably more humid and wetter than the Wasatchian. Paleohabitats most commonly sampled in the Wasatchian of the Bighorn Basin are proximal and distal floodplains, while those of the Bridgerian in the southern Green River Basin are lake margins and proximal floodplains. Changes in paleoclimate may have triggered a wave of omomyine immigration near the end of the Wasatchian with omomyines entering into habitats previously occupied by anaptomorphines. Lake margin and proximal floodplain habitats are those most commonly occupied by omomyines in the Bridgerian with anaptomorphines being more common in basin margin and distal floodplain areas not commonly sampled. Omomyine immigration and sampling of differing paleohabitats are two possible explanations for the changes documented in omomyid diversity and abundance.
Outcomes of Pharmacological and Surgical Treatment for Obesity

The purpose of this article is to review the data from pharmacotherapeutic and surgical intervention studies for the management of obesity. Clinical outcomes assessed include weight changes over time and the effects of weight loss on blood pressure, serum lipid profiles and blood glucose control. Quality of life and economic data have been incorporated where available. Double-blind, randomised controlled trials were used preferentially over shorter term open studies. The literature evaluation was based on a Medline search of published data between January 1990 and January 1998. Obesity affects 65 million adults in the US. Estimates based on 1990 data suggest that obesity and comorbid illness contributed to $US46 billion in direct costs and $US23 billion in indirect costs in the US. Obesity is a chronic condition which requires long term management. The risk of developing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, Pickwickian syndrome and cancer is increased in the obese population, resulting in excess morbidity and mortality. There are no long term prospective studies that have demonstrated that weight reduction in obese patients improves survival. However, on the basis of epidemiological data using the prevalence of disease and associated body mass index, it is generally accepted that weight reduction of 5 to 10% in obese patients is associated with significant health benefits. Current treatment modalities include diet and behaviour modification, exercise and, where indicated, pharmacological intervention. Surgical intervention is reserved for the clinically severe obese patient [body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2]. Many studies have demonstrated weight loss and improved metabolic fitness over 6 to 12 months. Few studies have been conducted over a longer period. Limited data are available regarding reduced morbidity and mortality, improved quality of life and functional or employment status and even fewer have incorporated any economic assessments of the impact of medical or surgical intervention. Although prospective data have demonstrated reduced morbidity following surgical intervention, only retrospective data have demonstrated reduced mortality. Studies of new drugs and interventions under development should demonstrate long term safety and efficacy in terms of sustained weight loss and subsequent weight maintenance. Future studies should incorporate assessment of patient perceived satisfaction with weight loss, health status and quality-of-life evaluations and pharmacoeconomic data to aid clinicians in the decision-making process in terms of weight management of their obese patients.
Synthesis of high-Q linear photonic crystal microcavities based on a real-k band structure solver

Summary form only given. We present a rigorous and fast method for the design of linear photonic crystal (PhC) microcavities with high radiation quality factor (Q) and small modal volume (V) based on 3D, real-k band structure solver simulations. We further build on previous literature by studying critical design parameters including resonant wavelength walkoff, and resonant mode field distribution and its real and k-space engineering. Our approach treats equally efficiently various geometries of periodic structure including holes, slots, or other deformations in the linear waveguide. We compare a number of periodic structure designs, including the inclusion of reflectors such as circular holes and full width slots in a dielectric waveguide to form the cavities.The design method includes defining a unit cell of the crystal and tapering a single degree of freedom. Any parameters of the cavity (hole radius, slot width, guide width, etc.) can depend on this degree of freedom. The conduction (air) and valence (dielectric) bands of the unit cell are calculated at the Brillouin zone edge (k = π/a), where a is the periodicity of the unit cell and k is the crystal lattice vector, for a range of values of the degree of freedom. This yields the mirror strength as a function of the tapered degree of freedom for a target cavity resonance frequency. By fitting the mirror strength data to a polynomial function, a high-Q cavity can be designed by synthesizing a mirror strength distribution corresponding to a field distribution (e.g. Gaussian) with low radiation loss. Quality factors up to Q = 1010 are seen with a mode volume of V = 1.1(λ/n)3. The effects on both Q and mode volume are analyzed for different linear tapers. The difference of the target resonance frequency and the actual cavity resonance frequency is also assessed. A number of unit cell geometries are examined and the relationship between the magnitude of the band-gap between the conduction (air) and valence (dielectric) band and Q is examined. This design approach has been used to design PhC resonators for fabrication in standard silicon photonics as well as advanced CMOS electronics-photonics integration.
Teaching Principles of Experimental Design While Testing Optimal Foraging Theory

We describe a simple field study that we have found useful in introducing students to experimental design. Students manipulate the nutritive gain available from flowers to test the hypothesis that the foraging behavior of nectarivorous insects maximizes energy gain rate. They add sucrose solution to some flowers and water to others; additional flowers are left unmanipulated. Visit durations of foraging butterflies are then measured to test the prediction that individuals will forage longer at patches that offer higher energy gains. The project encourages students to consider how a study's design influences the results obtained, and helps to develop scientific reasoning skills.
A contribution to the anomalous magnetic moments of the baryons

Abstract A method of calculation and results are presented for the fourth order one-pion, one-kaon contribution to the magnetic moments of the baryons. Static, charge-independent interactions of spin 1 2 baryons with pseudoscalar kaons are assumed. For this calculation a renormalization program is formulated similar to that of Chew but in which the baryon mass differences are taken into account. Generally speaking, the contributions calculated here are comparable to second order kaon contributions. Therefore, it would appear that more accurate and elaborate computations of these moments should incorporate combined effects of the pion and kaon fields.
A Monte Carlo method for quantum spins using boson world lines

A new Monte Carlo method is described for quantum (s= 1/2) spins which maps the spin model onto a model of hard-core bosons. The Hamiltonian is then broken up into kinetic and potential parts and the Trotter formula used to simulate the Bose system. The power of this mapping comes from the fact that, by letting the system evolve through unphysical spin states between imaginary time slices, the needed matrix elements have simple expressions.
New X-ray spacings from central myelinated tissue

New X-ray reflections have been detected from myelinated tissue of the mammalian C.N.S. Diffraction patterns from unfixed optic nerves of mouse, rat, guinea-pig and rabbit, and unfixed corpus callosum of calf were recorded during X-ray exposures of 1–6 days. The equatorial pattern was typical of lamellar myelin of the C.N.S.; however, the meridional pattern showed new features: a strong, sharp intensity maximum at 30.4 ± 0.4 A (N=11) spacing, and a weak, diffuse ring centred at 11.0 ± 0.5 A (N=5) spacing. The 30.4 A reflection was neither strictly arced like the equatorial reflections from lamellar myelin nor fully horizontal. Since the 30.4 A meridional reflection was not observed in patterns from myelinated nerve of the P.N.S., we suggest that this diffraction comes from the radial component, or interlamellar tight junctions, which is unique to mammalian C.N.S. myelinated tissue. The diffuse ring at 11.0 A probably comes from myelin protein.
A preliminary comparison of the prevalence of transfusion reactions in recipients of platelet components from donors with and without human leucocyte antigen antibodies.

Background Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies have been implicated in transfusion-related acute lung injury, but the probability that the transfusion of a blood component containing HLA antibodies will cause a reaction is not known. This study compared the prevalence of reactions associated with the transfusion of platelet components with and without HLA antibodies. Study Design and Methods This retrospective study tested 96 consecutive apheresis platelet donors for HLA class I and II antibodies. Matched control donors without HLA antibodies were selected and records were reviewed to determine the proportion of components from each group that caused reactions. In addition, all apheresis platelet donors involved with two or more reactions were identified and tested for HLA class I antibodies. Results Five of the 96 donors had antibodies to class I or class II antigens and, of these, four had components transfused. The prevalence of reactions to components from these four donors with HLA antibodies and the 12 matched control donors without antibodies was similar (three reactions to 167 transfusions or 1·8% vs. three to 295 or 1·0%, respectively, P = 0·32). A retrospective review of the transfusion records from all platelet donors found that components from 22 caused two or more reactions and three (13·6%) had antibodies to HLA class I compared to 4·2% of the consecutively selected donors (P = 0·12). None of the patients experienced transfusion-related acute lung injury. Conclusion Reactions associated with transfusion of apheresis platelets containing HLA antibodies are unusual.
Harpactus Shuckard, 1837, the valid name for the genus currently called Dienoplus Fox, 1894 (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Harpactus Shuckard, 1837 (an unjustified emendation of the preoccupied name Arpactus Jurine, 1807) is an available name and must be restored as the valid name for the genus now called Dienoplus Fox, 1894. The latter name has been incorrectly interpreted as valid by Pate (1937), de Beaumont(1954a)and all subsequent authors.
Response rates to six recruitment mailing formats and two messages about a nutrition program for women 50–79 years old

Recruiting participants for large prevention trials is time consuming and costly. In order to test various recruitment techniques, we conducted two studies of response rates to recruitment mailings for the Women's Health Trial. The potential participants, 50- to 79-year-old women, were requested to return an enclosed postcard to learn more about the trial. In the first study, we sent at random either a short or a long message to a group of University of Miami personnel (N = 862) and a Dade County cohort (N = 2964). More university women responded to the short message than to the long message (22.4% vs 16.4%, p = 0.024). Similarly, more of the Dade County cohort replied to the short message than to the long one (12.1% vs 9.6%, p = 0.027). The long message listed details of the intervention (e.g., modifying recipes) that some women may have used to decide they were not interested in participating. In the second study, we examined response rates to two different ways of addressing the mailing, i.e., handwritten envelopes and machine-printed labels; we also evaluated three methods for delivering the short message: (1) formal invitation, (2) business letter with an inside name and address of the recipient, and (3) business letter without the recipient's name and address. Response rates were similar between the methods of addressing envelopes and among the three vehicles for the message, suggesting that the least costly method of mailing should be used.
Materials receiving capacity and inventory management

Abstract This paper analyses the optimal level of materials receiving capacity for a manufacturer that receives deliveries from many suppliers. Inventory levels and inventory carrying costs depend on the frequency of deliveries and thus, on the materials receiving capacity. An analytic model that captures the tradeoff between inventory costs and materials receiving costs is presented and discussed. The receiving cost is modeled as increasing in discrete jumps of varying sizes whenever materials receiving resources are added. Practical issues in implementing the model are highlighted and methods to reduce the marginal materials receiving cost are discussed. The paper also discusses connections to the JIT approach for production environments where materials receiving is heavily automated.
Large Angle Scattering of Negative Pions in Aluminum, Copper, and Lead

The total cross sections for backscattering of 32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 Mev negative pions in Al, Cu, and Pb have been measured. A stripped emulsion was embedded in a semi-infinite absorber, and exposed to an incident beam of ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ mesons. The positions and direction of mesons stopping in the emulsion were recorded. The cross sections are proportional to the ratio of the backward flux to incident flux, both of which are observed on the same strip of emulsion. The conclusions of this investigation are: (a) the scattering is consistent with energy independence in the region of 32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 Mev; (b) the angular distribution has a maximum at 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}; (c) the cross section for backscattering is proportional to the mass number $A$. The total nuclear backscattering cross sections (elastic and inelastic) for negative pions in Al, Cu, and Pb are 59.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}11 mb, 192\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}27 mb, and 577\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}80 mb, respectively.
Moral Predators: The Duty to Employ Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles

Abstract A variety of ethical objections have been raised against the military employment of uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs, drones). Some of these objections are technological concerns over UAVs abilities’ to function on par with their inhabited counterparts. This paper sets such concerns aside and instead focuses on supposed objections to the use of UAVs in principle. I examine several such objections currently on offer and show them all to be wanting. Indeed, I argue that we have a duty to protect an agent engaged in a justified act from harm to the greatest extent possible, so long as that protection does not interfere with the agent's ability to act justly. UAVs afford precisely such protection. Therefore, we are obligated to employ UAV weapon systems if it can be shown that their use does not significantly reduce a warfighter's operational capability. Of course, if a given military action is unjustified to begin with, then carrying out that act via UAVs is wrong, just as it would be with any weap...
The reductase steps of the type II fatty acid synthase as antimicrobial targets

The increasing of multidrug resistance of clinically important pathogens calls for the development of novel antibiotics with unexploited cellular targets. FA biosynthesis in bacteria is catalyzed by a group of highly conserved proteins known as the type II FA synthase (FAS II) system. Bacteria FAS II organization is distinct from its mammalian counterpart; thus the FAS II pathway offers several unique steps for selective inhibition by antibacterial agents. Some known antibiotics that target the FAS II system include triclosan, isoniazid, and thiolactomycin. Recent years have seen remarkable progress in the understanding of the genetics, biochemistry, and regulation of the FAS II system with the availability of the complete geome, sequence for many bacteria. Crystal structures of the FAS II pathway enzymes have been determined for not only the Escherichia coli model system but also other gram-netative and gram-positive pathogens. The protein structures have greatly facilitated structure-based design of novel inhibitors and the improvement of existing antibacterial agents. This review discusses new developments in the discovery of inhibitors that specifically target the two reductase steps of the FAS II system, β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier potein (ACP) reductase and enoyl-ACP reductase.
General axial response of stranded wire helical springs

Abstract The large static deflection of an axially loaded helical spring formed of a twisted strand of smooth circular wires is considered. Contact between the wires in the strand may or may not be maintained upon loading, depending upon the type of construction and the type of loading. It is found that the making or breaking of wire contact within the strand has a drastic ettect upon the extension and twist of a wire and upon the extension of the strand, but has practically no effect upon the twist of the strand, and only a moderate effect upon the overall response of the spring. Limited experimental data tend to verify the theory. It is found that a good engineering approximation for the axial stiffness of a twisted m -wire spring in which contact is maintained can be made by treating the spring as m untwisted helical wires acting independently, provided the strand twist is not too severe.
Lumps and Bumps: Coronary Artery Aneurysms in Adults

A 57-year-old man was admitted with chest discomfort consistent with myocardial ischemia. The initial ECG showed normal sinus rhythm and an incomplete right bundle branch block, without myocardial ischemia or injury. As a child he was hospitalized for a “rare form” of rheumatic fever. In 1987, he underwent cardiac catheterization revealing coronary artery aneurysms consistent with Kawasaki disease. Exercise scintigraphy with 99Tc sestamibi showed a reversible defect in the inferior wall. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated multiple coronary artery aneurysms in the right coronary artery (Fig. 1) and proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (Fig. 2). The aneurysms ranged from 4–6 mm in diameter. The patient's medical regimen was optimized and his symptoms improved.
Rapid induction of pim-1 expression by prolactin and interleukin-2 in rat Nb2 lymphoma cells

The lactogen-dependent Nb2 lymphoma line (Nb2-11) represents a useful pre-T cell model for investigation of early molecular events coupled to PRL-stimulated cell cycle progression. Expression of pim-1, a protooncogene that encodes a conserved cytosolic serine/threonine protein kinase, is rapidly induced in hematopoietic cells upon mitogen stimulation and is thought to be important for lymphocyte activation. The present study was conducted to determine whether mitogen stimulation in Nb2-11 or lactogen-independent Nb2-SFJCD1 cells provokes pim-1 gene expression. The pim-1 transcript was undetectable in control growth-arrested Nb2-11 cultures; however, PRL rapidly stimulated its expression in a biphasic manner. Peak expression occurred within 2-4 h (> 40-fold) and was followed by a second elevation at 12 h. The effect of PRL and IL-2 to induce pim-1 at 2 h was concentration dependent and not inhibited by cycloheximide. In Nb2-SFJCD1 cells, pim-1 messenger RNA was expressed in control cultures and augmented b...
Inhibitory Effects of a Bazedoxifene/Conjugated Equine Estrogen Combination on Human Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

Breast cancer incidence is increased in women receiving menopausal hormone therapy with estrogen plus progestin but not with estrogen alone. The use of a tissue-selective estrogen complex (TSEC) has been proposed as a novel menopausal hormone therapy strategy to eliminate the requirement for a progestogen. Combination of bazedoxifene (BZA) with conjugated estrogens (CEs), the first TSEC, has shown beneficial effects. Whether it would exert antiestrogenic effects on breast cancer is not clear. To address this issue, we compared estradiol (E2) and CE alone on proliferation and apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. CE stimulated growth of MCF-7 cells at a peak concentration 10-fold higher than required for E2. Both CE and E2 alone increased DNA synthesis and reduced apoptosis with activation of MAPK, Akt, and p70S6K and up-regulation of antiapoptotic factors survivin, Bcl-2, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, These effects could be completely blocked by BZA. Gene expression studies demonstrated t...
Communities and Balance in Signed Networks: A Spectral Approach

Discussion based websites like Epinions.com and Slashdot.com allow users to identify both friends and foes. Such networks are called Signed Social Networks and mining communities of like-minded users from these networks has potential value. We extend existing community detection algorithms that work only on unsigned networks to be applicable to signed networks. In particular, we develop a spectral approach augmented with iterative optimization. We use our algorithms to study both communities and structural balance. Our results indicate that modularity based communities are distinct from structurally balanced communities.
A newly modified electromagnetic blood flowmeter capable of high fidelity flow registration.

This paper describes a meter which, when inserted into an artery or vein, is capable of measuring the average flow, or the "instantaneous" flow throughout the heart cycle. Flow is recorded with a direct-writing instrument.
Ins and outs

Receptors and Channels. Editor-in-chief E. A. Barnard. Gordon and Breach. 4/vol. ECU382, $458 (institutional); ECU90, $108 (personal).
Application of the UNIFAC‐FV group contribution method to the prediction of relative compatibility of plasticizers with PVC

The applicability of a modified version of UNIFAC group contribution method, UNIFAC-FV, is explored for use in predicting liquid-liquid equilibrium behavior of plasticizer/PVC systems. A Fortran program for the UNIFAC-FV model has been written to calculate the activities and changes in the Gibbs free energy for multicomponent systems. By this means, the interaction parameter X for a polymer-solvent system is defined using the well known Flory-Huggins equation. The concentration dependent Gibbs free energy of mixing is used as a criterion for the relative compatibility of the PVC-plasticizer system. The method indicates that, for the plasticizers examined, DOS is the least compatible and DBP is the most compatible with PVC. This confirms the results of the glass transition width measured by dynamic mechanical analysis previously reported.
Validation studies of the human movement analysis panel for hand/arm performance.

Abstract The human movement analysis panel (HMAP) measures separable components of arm motion and simple and complex finger coordination. HMAP testing takes 30 min to administer. In separate experiments we have validated the HMAP against the standard grooved pegboard and measures of gait speed, and demonstrated important learning effects over both short durations of days, and longer intervals of months to years in normal subjects of different ages. Stepwise regression demonstrated the strongest correlation between the HMAP complex motor times and pegboard both-hand removal ( R 2 = 0.52, p = 0.002 for dominant and R 2 = 0.33, p = 0.02 for non-dominant hands). The most consistent and sensitive measure of HMAP motor performance overall was the complex motor time. The HMAP is a short-duration, easily administered, objective quantitative test of motor function, with potential applications in aging, and in Parkinson's Disease and related motor disorders. The HMAP has a smaller version used in primates, so that measurements made in primate models of disease and its treatment are directly comparable to analogous clinical measurements made in the corresponding human disease.
Hair Follicle Stem Cell-Specific PPARγ Deletion Causes Scarring Alopecia

Primary cicatricial or scarring alopecias (CA) are a group of inflammatory hair disorders of unknown pathogenesis characterized by the permanent destruction of the hair follicle. The current treatment options are ineffective in controlling disease progression largely because the molecular basis for CA is not understood. Microarray analysis of the lymphocytic CA, Lichen planopilaris (LPP), compared to normal scalp biopsies identified decreased expression of genes required for lipid metabolism and peroxisome biogenesis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed progressive loss of peroxisomes, proinflammatory lipid accumulation, and infiltration of inflammatory cells followed by destruction of the pilosebaceous unit. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, a transcription factor that regulates these processes, is significantly decreased in LPP. Specific agonists of PPARγ are effective in inducing peroxisomal and lipid metabolic gene expression in human keratinocytes. Finally, targeted deletion of PPARγ in follicular stem cells in mice causes a skin and hair phenotype that emulates scarring alopecia. These studies suggest that PPARγ is crucial for healthy pilosebaceous units and it is the loss of this function that triggers the pathogenesis of LPP. We propose that PPARγ-targeted therapy may represent a new strategy in the treatment of these disorders.