cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Repair and Physical Functioning Among Children With Myelomeningocele: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS), a randomized clinical trial of prenatal vs standard postnatal repair for myelomeningocele, found that prenatal repair reduced hydrocephalus and hindbrain herniation and improved motor function in children aged 12 to 30 months. The Management of Myelomeningocele Study Follow-up (MOMS2) was conducted in children at ages 5 to 10 years. The primary (neurocognitive) outcome has already been reported. Objective To determine whether MOMS2 participants who had prenatal repair have better physical functioning than those with postnatal repair. Design, Setting, and Participants Participants from MOMS were recruited for participation in the follow-up study, MOMS2, conducted from April 9, 2012, to April 15, 2017. For this secondary analysis of the randomized clinical trial, trained examiners without knowledge of the treatment group evaluated the physical characteristics, self-care skills, neurologic function, and mobility of the children. Physical functioning outcomes were compared between the prenatal and postnatal repair groups. MOMS2 was conducted at the same 3 clinical sites as MOMS. Home visits were conducted for families who were unable to travel to one of the clinical sites. Of the 161 children with myelomeningocele aged 5 to 10 years old enrolled in MOMS2, 154 had a physical examination and were included in the analyses. Exposures Prenatal repair of myelomeningocele. Main Outcomes and Measures Prespecified secondary trial outcomes of self-care skills, functional mobility, walking skills, and motor level. Results This analysis included 78 children with postnatal repair (mean [SD] age, 7.4 [2.1] years; 50 girls [64.1%]; 69 White children [88.5%]) and 76 with prenatal repair (mean [SD] age, 7.5 [1.2] years; 43 boys [56.6%]; 70 White children [92.1%]). Children in the prenatal repair group were more competent with self-care skills (mean [SD] percentage of maximum FRESNO Scale score, 90.8% [9.6%] vs 85.5% [17.6%]) and were commonly community ambulators per the Modified Hoffer Classification (51.3% prenatal vs 23.1% postnatal; adjusted relative risk [aRR] for sex, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.23-2.34). Children with prenatal repair also performed the 10-m walk test 1 second faster (difference in medians, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.3-1.7), had better gait quality (adjusted mean difference for home distances of 5 m, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.14-2.54), and could perform higher-level mobility skills (adjusted mean difference for motor total, 5.70; 95% CI, 1.97-11.18). Children in the prenatal repair group were less likely to have a motor function level worse than their anatomic lesion level (aRR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25-0.77). Conclusions and Relevance This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial found that the physical functioning benefits of prenatal repair for myelomeningocele reported at age 30 months persisted into school age. These findings indicate the benefit of prenatal repair of myelomeningocele for school-aged children. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT00060606.
Validation of Perceived Mental Fatigability Using the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale.

OBJECTIVES Establish reliability, concurrent and convergent validity of the Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS) Mental subscale. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Older adults from two University of Pittsburgh registries, Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), and Long Life Family Study (LLFS). PARTICIPANTS PFS Mental subscale validation was conducted using three cohorts: (1) Development Sample (N = 664, 59.1% women, age 74.8 ± 6.4 years, PFS Mental scores 10.3 ± 9.1), (2) Validation Sample I-BLSA (N = 430, 51.9% women, age 74.5 ± 8.2 years, PFS Mental scores 9.4 ± 7.9), and (3) Validation Sample II-LLFS (N = 1,917, 54.5% women, age 72.2 ± 9.3 years, PFS Mental scores 7.5 ± 8.2). MEASUREMENTS Development Sample, Validation Sample I-BLSA, and Validation Sample II-LLFS participants self-administered the 10-item Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale. Validation Sample II-LLFS completed cognition measures (Trail Making Tests A and B), depressive symptomatology (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, CES-D), and global fatigue from two CES-D items. RESULTS In the Development Sample and Validation Sample I-BLSA, confirmatory factor analysis showed all 10 items loaded on two factors: social and physical activities (fit indices: SRMSR = 0.064, RMSEA = 0.095, CFI = 0.91). PFS Mental scores had strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.85) and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.78). Validation Sample II-LLFS PFS Mental scores demonstrated moderate concurrent and construct validity using Pearson (r) or Spearman (ρ) correlations against measures of cognition (Trail Making Tests A (r = 0.14) and B (r = 0.17) time), depressive symptoms (r = 0.31), and global fatigue (ρ = 0.21). Additionally, the PFS Mental subscale had strong convergent validity, discriminating according to established clinical or cognitive testing cut points, with differences in PFS Mental scores ranging from 3.9 to 7.6 points (all P < .001). All analyses were adjusted for family relatedness, field center, age, sex, and education. CONCLUSIONS The validated PFS Mental subscale may be used in clinical and research settings as a sensitive, one-page self-administered tool of perceived mental fatigability in older adults.
Forskolin regulates retinal endothelial cell permeability through TLR4 actions in vitro

To investigate whether forskolin, a protein kinase A agonist, regulates toll-like receptor 4 actions on retinal endothelial cell permeability in vitro. We also evaluated whether PKA could regulate TLR4 signaling independent of exchange protein activated by cAMP in REC in culture. REC were grown in normal (5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose. Cells were treated with forskolin to increase PKA levels, siRNA against TLR4, siRNA against myeloid differentiation primary response 88, siRNA against translocating chain associated membrane protein 1, siRNA against epac1, or scrambled siRNA, or a combination of these treatments. Western blotting was done for zonula occludens 1 and occludin protein levels, as well as TLR4 signaling cascade proteins. Permeability measurements were done for REC in culture following inhibition of TLR4 or its signaling cascades. Forskolin restored high glucose-associated decreases in ZO-1 and occludin, which was associated with improved in vitro permeability levels. Both forskolin and TLR4 inhibition reduced high glucose-induced increases in REC permeability, but the actions were not cooperative. Forskolin regulated both MyD88-dependent and -independent signaling pathways, independent of Epac1. Finally, blockade of MyD88 or TRAM1 reduced permeability in REC grown in high glucose. A PKA agonist regulated TLR4 signaling independent of Epac1. PKA agonism or TLR4 inhibition is effective at reducing high glucose-induced permeability in REC in vitro. These studies offer new avenues for therapeutic development.
Dickinson’s World in Ten Acts

Emily Dickinson wrote to her frequent correspondent and mentor Thomas Wentworth Higginson in 1862 that “All men say ‘What’ to me,” encouraging him not to be that type of man (Letter 271). But reade...
Novel role for inflammasome-dependent IL-18 in promoting Th2 responses during Leishmania infections (IRC7P.420)

Leishmaniasis is a global health disease and is categorized under neglected tropical disease by WHO. Despite tremendous amount of economic burden and morbidity and mortality associated with Leishmania infections, studies to understand these parasitic bugs are nevertheless lacking. As a result, specific targeted treatment options or vaccines to treat Leishmaniasis are still missing. Herein, we sought to understand how inflammasomes are involved in host responses during Leishmania major infection. One of the hallmarks of inflammasome is the activation of caspase-1 and ultimate release of bioactive IL-1β and IL-18. Interestingly, we found that mice lacking components of the NLRP3 inflammasome were resistant to L. major infections in comparison to their WT counterparts. Using in vitro and in vivo approaches, we showed that L. major activates NLRP3 inflammasome. We further demonstrated that NLRP3 inflammasome induced IL-18, but not IL-1β, promoted Th2 responses during L. major infection. Mechanistically, IL-18 enhanced expression of Th2 transcription factors GATA3 and cMAF in T cells. Finally, we were able to show that IL-18 neutralization in WT mice protected from L. major infections. In conclusion, our study uncovered a novel role for inflammasome-induced IL-18 in promoting Th2 responses and Leishmaniasis, which can potentially be targeted for therapeutic benefits during L. major infections.
The Interaction of Cryptococcus neoformans with Host MacroPhages and Neutrophils

This chapter focuses on the dynamic interaction of Cryptococcus neoformans with alveolar macrophages (AMs) and how the consequential actions of both the host and fungal pathogen can affect the outcome of C. neoformans exposure. In macrophages, glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) binding to Toll-like receptors 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, in conjunction with CD14, triggers NF κB activation and its translocation to the nucleus. Recognition and binding of C. neoformans by phagocytes occurs with greater avidity when cells are opsonized. The alveolar spaces of the lung are coated with an epithelial lining fluid containing components essential to the induction of the host immune response, including complement and immunoglobulins (Ig). Administration of mAbs against GXM can increase C. neoformans internalization and prolong survival in murine models of cryptococcosis via complement pathway-independent and/or -dependent mechanisms. In neutrophils, GXM is rapidly degraded, but in rat macrophages, GXM can persist for months. Thus, the role of GXM in the regulation of the host immune response through macrophages is clearly more complex than that occurring through neutrophils. C. neoformans has developed mechanisms to survive within the phagolysosome. The enlargement of the polysaccharide capsule following phagocytosis provides resistance to microbicidal agents within the lumen of the phagolysosome, such as reactive oxygen species and antimicrobial peptides. The majority of research attempting to reveal novel C. neoformans virulence attributes mostly produces new mechanisms by which the three archetypal virulence factors modulate pathogenesis.
Teaching Would-Be IP Lawyers to "Speak Engineer": An Interdisciplinary Module to Teach New Intellectual Property Attorneys to Work Across Disciplines

More than ever before, law school graduates interested in business law enter a workforce where they must effectively interface with professionals from other disciplines. Yet there are precious few opportunities in law school for students to practice the skills required to perform on an interdisciplinary team. This is especially true regarding mixed teams of law and technical students.This essay explores a model for integrating an interdisciplinary practicum module into a free-standing class. The module challenges teams of law and engineering students to work together to perform a prior art search, interview an inventor, and draft patent claims over a new technology. But beyond developing technical skills, the module also forces students to think more broadly. Students begin to consider patenting in context, seeing patents as a business tool rather than simply a legal formality. Even more importantly, because the students must handle a difficult assignment with a partner trained in a different discipline, it calls upon them to consider the varied skills and perspectives of each team member and leverage those skills to improve the collaborative work product.The essay first presents an argument for why an interdisciplinary module can be an important pedagogical device. It then explains the module in detail, including changes implemented from lessons learned. The essay then highlights some critical observations about the module’s design that could be helpful when replicating it at another institution. It then concludes with analytical data and remarks collected from past students, in order to measure the module’s effectiveness and relevance to the students’ post-graduation careers.
Latent inhibition in preweanling rats

Two experiments describe a latent inhibition effect in preweanling rats. Subjects were trained with a light-tone compound conditioned stimulus (CS) paired with a footshock unconditioned stimulus. Experiment 1 tested 17- and 21-day-old rats and Experiment 2 tested 18-day-old rats. In each experiment, rat pups given nonreinforced preexposure to the CS expressed less conditioned fear, as indexed by a suppression in general activity during the CS, than did same-age control rats given no preexposure. The results are discussed in terms of behavioral development and the role of the functional maturity of the hippocampus in latent inhibition.
Electronic flexoelectricity in low-dimensional systems

Symmetry breaking at surfaces and interfaces and the capability to support large strain gradients in nanoscale systems enable unusual forms of electromechanical coupling. Here, we introduce the concept of electronic flexoelectricity, a phenomenon that is manifested when the mechanical deformation of nonpolar quantum systems results in the emergence of net dipole moments and hence linear electromechanical coupling proportional to local curvature. The concept is illustrated in carbon systems, including polyacetylene and nanographitic ribbons. Using density functional theory calculations for systems made of up to 400 atoms, we determine the flexoelectric coefficients to be of the order of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.1e$, in agreement with the prediction of linear theory. The implications of electronic flexoelectricity on electromechanical device applications and physics of carbon-based materials are discussed.
The Challenges of Globalization: The Strategic Role of Local Managers in Japanese-Owned U.S. Subsidiaries

Excerpt] After spending billions of dollars moving manufacturing plants to all corners of the world, and endowing numerous programs in Japanology in the world's best institutions of learning, Japanese companies have just uncovered a disconcerting truth: their competitors do not love them. Winning in global competition and being popular are clearly two different things.
Sixteenth‐century German woodcut of a male infant with possible disorganization

History has preserved a beautiful 16th century woodcut print, which depicts an infant with several malformations. The German inscription describes the infant's hypotonia and ectopic growths, and the image itself shows a child with an ectopic accessory third lower limb, a large papilla, and an omphalocele-like growth. The 'case' bears striking similarity to reported human cases of the disorganization (Ds) syndrome. This article describes the woodcut, describes Ds, and then explains how the image may represent the earliest depiction of Ds in history.
Cytoskeletal influences on nuclear shape in granulocytic HL-60 cells

During granulopoiesis in the bone marrow, the nucleus differentiates from ovoid to lobulated shape. Addition of retinoic acid (RA) to leukemic HL-60 cells induces development of lobulated nuclei, furnishing a convenient model system for nuclear differentiation during granulopoiesis. Previous studies from our laboratory have implicated nuclear envelope composition as playing important roles in nuclear shape changes. Specifically noted were: 1) a paucity of lamins A/C and B1 in the undifferentiated and RA treated cell forms; 2) an elevation of lamin B receptor (LBR) during induced granulopoiesis. The present study demonstrates that perturbation of cytoskeletal elements influences nuclear differentiation of HL-60 cells. Because of cytotoxicity from prolonged exposure to cytoskeleton-modifying drugs, most studies were performed with a Bcl-2 overexpressing HL-60 subline. We have found that: 1) nocodazole prevents RA induction of lobulation; 2) taxol induces lobulation and micronuclear formation, even in the absence of RA; 3) cytochalasin D does not inhibit RA induced nuclear lobulation, and prolonged exposure induces nuclear shape changes in the absence of RA. The present results, in the context of earlier data and models, suggest a mechanism for granulocytic nuclear lobulation. Our current hypothesis is that the nuclear shape change involves factors that increase the flexibility of the nuclear envelope (reduced lamin content), augment connections to the underlying heterochromatin (increased levels of LBR) and promote distortions imposed by the cytoskeleton (microtubule motors creating tension in the nuclear envelope).
Atomic Processes Relevant to Energy Balance and Impurity Control in Fusion Reactors

General principles of magnetic fusion confinement and a general survey of Atomic and Molecular problems relevant to CTR have been discussed in lectures by Hogan and Harrison. In these three lectures I will discuss primarily atomic physics relevant to energy balance and impurity control in fusion reactors.
Infrared spectra of N2O–hydrogen complexes

The infrared spectra of five distinct species of N2O–hydrogen van der Waals complexes (N2O–paraH2, –orthoH2, –orthoD2, –paraD2, and –HD) were studied in the region of the ν1 fundamental band of N2O (≈2224 cm−1) by tunable diode laser spectroscopy in a pulsed supersonic jet expansion. The spectra corresponded to those of T-shaped asymmetric rotors with mainly a-type transitions (ΔKa=0), plus weaker b-type transitions (ΔKa=±1) in the case of N2O–D2. They were analyzed using a conventional Hamiltonian with quadratic centrifugal distortion parameters. The fitted rotational parameters were consistent with structures having intermolecular separations between 3.25–3.4 A and angles of about 80° between the N2O axis and the hydrogen center-of-mass. These intermolecular distances are about 0.3 A shorter than those observed previously for the related system, OCS–hydrogen. The band origins were blueshifted relative to the free N2O molecule by from +0.25 to +0.79 cm−1. These vibrational shifts showed regularities amon...
Lectures on applied mathematics in combustion. Past contributions and future problems in laminar and turbulent combustion

Abstract An effort is made to appraise the contributions of studies in applied mathematics to progress in the field of combustion. Some of the successes are reviewed, and some of the outstanding problems that warrant further study by methods of applied mathematics are indicated.
Compartmental Disease of the Gall Bladder: Cholecystography

Summary Three cases of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis involving the distal segment of the gall bladder have been described and illustrated. In each case the diagnosis of stones and infection beyond the site of a waist-like narrowing could be made roentgenologically. Two of the three cases have been proved at surgery.
Comparative study of wideband single reference active noise cancellation algorithms on a fixed-point DSP

In this paper, we present a comparative study of fixed-point implementations of various feedback active noise cancellation (ANC) algorithms for headset applications. Different adaptive algorithms for wideband ANC were implemented on a TMS320C54x fixed-point DSP with single-precision words. The performance of each of them was tested and analyzed using different types of noise signals.
Response of canine mast cell tumors to radiation

Twenty-three dogs completed a fractionated course of ionizing radiation therapy for mast cell tumors. In 10 dogs the response was satisfactory, and the tumors were considered controlled 12 months after completion of the prescribed course of therapy. Treatment was considered unsatisfactory for the remaining 13 dogs due to failure to control the tumor locally, generalized metastasis, or both. A dose effect was noted in the response of the tumors to radiation. Of 6 dogs, 5 responded satisfactorily when the tumor dose was 4,000 rads or greater. When the tumor dose was less than 4,000 rads, 5 of 17 dogs responded satisfactorily. The dose calculated to control 50% of the meat cell tumors was 3,625 rads (95% confidence interval: 3,265-4,024 rads). Adverse normal tissue reactions, which consisted of moist desquamation in 10 animals and necrosis in 4, were recorded. The dose calculated to cause desquamation in 50% of the dogs was 3,750 rads (95% confidence interval: 3,348-4,200 rads).
Nucleic acid detection technologies -- labels, strategies, and formats.

Currently, no consensus exists on assay formats, labels, or detection reactions for nucleic acid assays. New labels continue to be developed and tested, and recent candidates include acetate kinase, firefly luciferase, and genes for enzymes. An additional trend is toward nonamplification strategies (e.g., branched chain and dendrimer type assays) as alternatives to the popular PCR and related amplification strategies. The new wave of microanalytical devices (microchips, with nanoliter to microliter internal volumes), massively parallel simultaneous test arrays, and the desire to produce hand-held sensors present new challenges and requirements for nucleic acid detection methods (e.g., analysis of large arrays of micrometer-sized spots of nucleic acid with high resolution). Here I review selected developments and new directions in nucleic acid assays.
Acute Toxicity of Ammonia to Rainbow Trout

Abstract The acute toxicity of ammonia to hatchery-reared rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri was measured in 86 flow-through tests, 96 hours to 35 days long. Fish ranged in age from 1-day-old fry (<0.1 g) to 4-year-old adults (2.6 kg). The 96-hour median lethal concentrations (96-hour LC50) ranged from 0.16 to 1.1 mg/liter un-ionized ammonia (11 to 48 mg/liter total ammonia-nitrogen). Susceptibility to ammonia decreased as the fish developed from sac fry to juveniles, and increased thereafter. Acute toxicity decreased as temperature increased over the range 12 to 19 C. No significant differences in toxicity were observed in tests with different ammonium salts. The LC50 values obtained for 12- and 35-day tests were not appreciably different from those for tests of shorter time periods. Received July 12, 1982 Accepted June 20, 1983
Do perceived parents' actions differentially correlate with students' ratings of themselves and their parents across familial configurations ?

In the present study 212 high school students described how loving or hateful they perceived their parents' actions to be toward one another on the Revised Love/Hate Checklist, and also evaluated their parents and themselves on the Personal Attribute Inventory. On the checklist, perceptions by students from intact families of their parents' actions were significantly correlated with each other as well as with their ratings of their parents and their own self-ratings. Such correlations were not generally observed for students of the other four familial configurations. Implications are discussed.
Evolution by gene duplication: an update

The importance of gene duplication in supplying raw genetic material to biological evolution has been recognized since the 1930s. Recent genomic sequence data provide substantial evidence for the abundance of duplicated genes in all organisms surveyed. But how do newly duplicated genes survive and acquire novel functions, and what role does gene duplication play in the evolution of genomes and organisms? Detailed molecular characterization of individual gene families, computational analysis of genomic sequences and population genetic modeling can all be used to help us uncover the mechanisms behind the evolution by gene duplication.
State Housing Finance Agencies Forty Years Later Major or Minor Players in Affordable Housing

The gradual withdrawal of federal leadership in affordable housing has required states to step into an ever-widening gap in housing policy and finance. Much of this responsibility falls upon state ...
Continuous assay of the hydrolytic activity of human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease.

Abstract A rapid sensitive method for the quantitation in vitro of HIV-1 protease activity has been developed. A fluorogenic compound, N α-benzoyl-Arg-Gly-Phe-Pro-MeO-β-naphthylamide, which contains Phe-Pro, a dipeptide bond recognized by HIV-1 protease, was used as substrate. The substrate was hydrolyzed by HIV-1 protease into a fluorescent naphthylated product (Pro-MeO-β-naphthylamide). Fluorescence due to the release of Pro-MeO-β-naphthylamide was measured continuously by spectrofluorometry. This oligopeptide was found to be a good substrate for HIV-1 protease. The K m and k cat for the hydrolysis of N α-benzoyl-Arg-Gly-Phe-Pro-MeO-β-naphthylamide by HIV-1 protease were calculated to be 2.0 ± 0.2 m m and 75 ± 6 s −1 , respectively. These values are comparable with those of other natural substrates of HIV-1 protease. The method is highly sensitive, reproducible, and suited to a variety of applications, including the analysis of large numbers of samples for detailed enzymological studies.
Computerized design, generation and simulation of meshing and contact of worm-gear drives with improved geometry

Abstract The worm and worm-gear tooth surfaces of existing design are in line contact at every instant and very sensitive to misalignment. Errors of alignment cause the shift of the bearing contact and transmission errors. The authors propose: (1) methods for comuterized simulation of meshing and contact of misaligned worm-gear drives of existing design; (2) methods of modification of geometry of worm-gear drives that enable to localize and stabilize the bearing contact and reduce the sensitivity of drives to misalignment; and (3) methods for computerized simulation of meshing and contact of worm-gear drives with modified geometry. Numerical examples that illustrate the developed theory are provided.
Effects of cigarette smoking history on cognitive functioning in healthy older adults.

Objective The authors assessed the unique effect of smoking history on cognitive functioning after adjusting for demographic factors such as age, education, and gender, and presence of vascular illness. Methods A sample of 127 healthy older adults (29 men, 98 women) between the ages of 47 and 83 (mean: 66.9) were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Information regarding risk for vascular illness was assessed with a detailed self-report history and/or medical examination. Smoking history was gathered with a self-report questionnaire, and a composite score reflecting amount and duration of cigarette use was computed. From this composite score, three smoking groups were created: None-Light, Moderate, and Heavy smokers. Results Analyses of covariance, using age, education, gender, and vascular status as the covariates, revealed that the heavy smokers performed significantly poorer than the other groups on two scores from a test assessing executive function/problem-solving (Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test), but not on any of the other cognitive tests. Conclusions Consistent with previous findings, smoking history did not appear to have deleterious effects on most cognitive domains. Heavy smoking history, however, did appear to affect performance on a measure of executive functioning.
Discrete scale vectors and decomposition of time-frequency kernels

Previous work has shown that time-frequency distributions (TFDs) belonging to Cohen's class can be represented as a sum of weighted spectrograms. This representation offers the means of reducing the computational complexity of TFDs. The windows in the spectrogram representation may either be the eigenfunctions obtained from an eigen decomposition of the kernel or any complete set of orthonormal basis functions. The efficiency of the computation can further be increased by using a set of scaled and shifted functions like wavelets. In this paper, the concept of scaling is considered in discrete-time domain. The scale operator in the frequency domain is formulated and the vectors which correspond to the solutions of this eigenvalue problem in discrete-time are derived. These new eigenvectors are very similar in structure to the eigenvectors obtained from eigensystem decomposition of reduced interference distribution (RID) kernels. The relationship between these two sets of window functions is illustrated and a new efficient way of decomposing time-frequency kernels is introduced. The results are compared to the previous decomposition methods. Finally, some possible applications of these discrete scale functions in obtaining new time-frequency distributions are discussed.
Effect of Erythrocyte Heat Treatment on Pulmonary Vascular Resistance

Abstract The effect of red blood cell deformability on the pulmonary vascular resistance was studied in isolated dog and rat lungs. Blood cells were incubated at 49°C for 1 hr, to render them rigid. The resistance to blood flow in the lung was assessed either by calculating the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR = arterial-venous pressure difference divided by flow rate) or by examining the vascular pressure-flow relationship for changes in slope and intercept. The resistance in the lung was first assessed during perfusion with normal blood and again during perfusion with rigid cells. The results showed that PVR in dog lungs increased by 15% during perfusion with heat-treated blood and that this increase in PVR was associated with a significant increase in the middle segment resistance (arterial-venous occlusion technique) and with an increase in critical closing pressure (pressure intercept of the pressure-flow curve). In contrast to the small effect in dog lungs, the PVR in rat lungs rose more than 400% during perfusion with heat-treated blood. The marked increase of PVR in rat lungs was prevented with papaverine (PVR increased only 58%), suggesting that vasoconstriction was a primary event in rat lungs. The rise in vascular resistance in rat lungs was further shown to be primarily due to the presence of rigid erythrocytes (RBC). The increase in PVR in the rat lungs was not due to mechanical obstruction of the vasculature but rather to constriction of arteries and veins (double occlusion technique). The conclusion from this study is that RBC deformability plays an important role in the pulmonary vasculature, primarily because of release of vasoactive substances and partially because of the potential mechanical obstruction of capillaries. These events are apparently species dependent and are attributed mostly to red blood cell deformability which decreases during heat treatment.
Understanding X-Rays: A Plain English Approach

Mikel L. Rothenberg, MD. (1998). Understanding X-Rays: A Plain English Approach. Eau Claire, WI: PESI Healthcare. This publication provides general information about X-rays. It is designed to help health care professionals distinguish improper tube and line placement; common respiratory conditions; abdominal and respiratory foreign bodies; acute respiratory distress syndrome; abnormal air and fluid collections; chest, neck, abdominal and head trauma; abnormal gas bowel patterns; strains, sprains, dislocations, and fractures. The author wanted to increase the comfort level of health care professionals who did not have a radiology background by taking the mystery out of reading X-rays in a user-friendly way. To simplify the learning process, the book is divided into six sections. Each section has multiple chapters. Each chapter has at the beginning an outline and objectives. In Section 1, the reader learns about Introductory Principles: understanding the basics of looking at an X-ray, the principles of positioning, understanding the radiology technologist’s job, and understanding why making a diagnosis from an X-ray alone is difficult. This chapter also deals with understanding the basic principles of physics as they relate to X-rays. Section 2 focuses on the chest and abdomen. The author looks at the heart, lungs, and bones, both normal and abnormal. In the abdomen, the author discusses tubes and foreign bodies, calcifications and
PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY STUDY OF AMMONIA-INDUCED CHANGES IN ELECTROSTATICALLY-ASSEMBLED CONJUGATED POLYMER FILMS

ABSTRACT Exposure of electrostatically assembled polyelectrolyte films comprised of the anionic carboxylic conjugated polymer poly[2-(3-thienyl)-ethanolhydroxycarbonylmethyl-urethane], hereafter referred to as H-PURET, and polycations such as poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride, here after referred to as PDADMAC, to aqueous ammonia vapor leads to dra matic changes in the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum. In the case of H-PURET/PDADMAC, a shift from 442 to 494 nm is observed upon overnight ammonia exposure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to investigate the mechanism of the changes in optical properties. The C1s, O1s and S2p core levels exhibit negligible ammonia-induced changes. Two N1s peaks are observed in virgin H-PURET/PDADMAC assemblies, and ammonia exposure causes the nitrogen peak corresponding to the H-PURET side chain to become more intense relative to that of the PDADMAC layer. This selective change in the N1s feature suggests that ammonia interacts with the polythiophen...
Precambrian palaeomagnetic results compatible with contemporary operation of the Wilson cycle

Abstract Sutures marking zones along which continental blocks have collided can be recognized on geological evidence in rocks with ages from Archaean onward. The existence of these sutures leads to the conclusion that the Wilson cycle of ocean opening and closing has been in operation since early Precambrian times. We have used published palaeomagnetic pole positions to test the validity of this conclusion by plotting APW (apparent polar wander) paths for suture-bounded blocks. We find that APW paths produced in this way fit the palaeomagnetic data better than APW paths for present-day continents or Pangea. Previous suggestions based on the interpretation of palaeomagnetic data that plate tectonics did not operate between about 2500 and 600 m.y. ago therefore appear invalid.
A computer program for confounded factorial designs

The analysis of variance has greater power when applied to a randomized block design in which the block effect is significant compared with a completely randomized design. However, finding a group of homogeneous subjects to form the blocks is a difficult task because, as Kirk keenly pointed out, "Subject heterogeneity is the rule rather than the exception in behavioral research" (1968, p. 246). By using littermates, matched subjects, or, in special cases, repeated measures on the same subjects, one can obtain within-block homogeneity. There are, however, limitations to such procedures, especially when either the number of factors or the number of levels of the factors increases. The use of split-plot designs helps the researcher to reduce the number of treatment combinations. For instance, in a 2 by 2 by 2 randomized block factorial design, a total of eight treatment combinations are needed within each block, whereas, in a 2 by 2 by 2 split-plot factorial with one between-subjects factor, only four treatment combinations are required. However, in a split-plot design, a complete confounding occurs between one or more treatment effects and the block effects. For example, in a 2 by 2 by 2 split-plot design with the A factor between subjects, the main effect of factor A is confounded with the block effects. In confounded factorial designs, such as split-plot designs, the number of treatment combinations within each block can be reduced, but in the former, confounding can be restricted to higher order interactions rather than the main effects. Therefore, if some interactions are believed to be negligible, they can be sacrificed in order to test the main effects and important interactions. Moreover, confounded block designs provide a more flexible and efficient way of reducing the number of observations per subject or the number of subjects within a block than split-plot designswhen many factors (e.g., 2 by 2 by 2 by 2 by 2 by 2 by 2) are involved. Different confounded designs have been introduced. Designs might be partially confounded or completely confounded. Each design might have an equal number of
Relative susceptibility of SJL/J and B10.S mice to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is determined by the ability of prethymic cells in bone marrow to develop into EAE effector T cells.

SJL/J mice are highly susceptible to actively induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), whereas B10.S mice are resistant. However, both strains share the H-2s haplotype. We have previously shown that the relative susceptibility of SJL/J and B10.S mice to acute EAE correlates, respectively, with high and low responsiveness to myelin basic protein (MBP), as determined by cloning and limiting dilution analysis of in vitro T cell proliferation. Here, we have investigated the ability of SJL/J and B10.S mice to generate EAE-effector T cells in vivo. We have developed a new mouse strain, B10.S Thy 1.1, that differs at the Thy 1 locus from SJL/J and B10.S mice (both Thy 1.2) but has the same MHC and resistance pattern to EAE as do B10.S mice. Using radiation bone marrow chimeras formed between SJL/J and B10.S Thy 1.1 mice, we have shown that a population of radiosensitive prethymic cells in SJL/J bone marrow has an intrinsic potential to generate EAE-effector T cells, whereas that in B10.S Thy 1.1 bone marrow does not. This lack of detectable EAE effector cells in B10.S Thy 1.1 mice does not appear to be due to the generation of suppressor T cells or to a defect in antigen-presenting cells. Moreover, the potential of SJL/J bone marrow to generate EAE-effector T cells is not inhibited by the concomitant presence of B10.S Thy 1.1 bone marrow cells, thymocytes or dendritic cells in mixed chimeras. Hence, the relative susceptibility of SJL/J and B10.S mice to EAE appears to be directly related to the respective responder status of their T cells to MBP, as evidenced by their ability (or inability) to generate EAE-effector T cells. This high and low responder status appears in turn to be linked to non-MHC background genes, although this has not been established formally.
Intravaginal Controlled Administration of Flurogestone Acetate: (III) Development of Rate-Control Vaginal Devices

AbstractA Rate-Control vaginal device was developed which overcomes the low bioavailability and unpredictable Q – t1/2 type release and absorption rate profiles of flurogestone acetate delivered by the currently marketed Syncro-Mate pessary.The in vitro release and vaginal absorption profiles from the Rate-Control vaginal device were run simultaneously, a linear Q – t relationship was obtained with a significant improvement in bioavailability. A mathematical model was developed to correlate the in vitro drug release and the vaginal absorption profiles of flurogestone acetate from the vaginal devices.The design, development and the simultaneous release and absorption profiles of flurogestone acetate from this new vaginal device were outlined and discussed.
Remarks on matrix hierarchies, d bar dressing, and the spectral transform

MatrixHierarchies are construced within the framework of D bar dressingala Carroll-Konopelchenko [ 19 [ with particular emphasis on DS, Akns, and Kdv. For Akns and Ds a new a1 gebraic way of looking at certain aspects o f the inversespectralitransform (IST) emerges where suitable D bar data Ro ~ x = 1 + σ1xi⁁ (4 = xexp(-) is the matrix wave function ispaired with xl , and xi s explicitly computed from XI forsuitable xl . The DS case is in the general form with boundary ltnkageai, which appear i n xl. We also utilizerelations with tau functions via the Hirota bilinear identity obtained in the D bar context i n [ 119.[ CalculationsforKdV can be made vi a twisted or untwisted A, and one makes contact with a number of the standard algebraic and geometrical structures . These results can be viewed as a development i n a general program of 1inking scattering - dressing (analytic ) data tohierarchy ( algebraicj data, where the asymptotics of x leading t o the Hirotabilinear identity generate the a1 gebraic context
Regeneration studies of an analog of ribonuclease A missing disulfide bonds 65-72 and 40-95.

Mutants of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) that contain four of the eight cysteine residues found in the wild-type protein were prepared. Cysteine residues 40, 65, 72, and 95 were replac...
The influence of structural modification and composition of glycidyl carbamate resins on their viscosity and coating performance

The synthesis, characterization, and coatings performance of a series of glycidyl carbamate (GC) resins synthesized from a hexamethylene diisocyanate biuret resin, glycidol, and alcohols were explored. The partial replacement of glycidol with alcohols was explored as a way to reduce the viscosity of multifunctional GC resins. Six modified GC resins were obtained by replacing one-third of the glycidol with alcohols and ether alcohols. The modified GC resins were characterized using FTIR and 13C NMR. The alcohol-modified GC resins had significantly lower viscosity than that of the control GC resin. The effect of amount of alcohol modifier on resin viscosity was also studied by making a series of resins with different levels of modifier. Both amine-cured and self-crosslinked coatings were prepared from the resins. Coating properties such as hardness, impact strength, methyl ethyl ketone double rubs, flexibility, and adhesion were studied. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were also used to study the thermal properties of the coatings. The resin structures and their coating performance showed an excellent correlation. The coating performance was found to be governed by the type of modifier, structural compositions of the modifier in the resins, type of amine crosslinkers, and techniques of crosslinking used.
EPILATION BY ELECTROCOAGULATION: IMPROVEMENTS IN TECHNIC

IN a previous report (1), based on fifteen years of experience in the treatment of hirsutism, reasons were presented for the superiority of electrocoagulation over electrolysis. In the subsequent seven years, during which 300 more patients have been treated, the undamped diathermy machine has been replaced by the spark-gap machine, because the latter has been found to be more proficient. Interrupted rather than continuous application of the current permits more permanent destruction of the hair follicle and a reduction of pain. A description of this newer method of treatment, including a simple device for inserting the needle to the correct depth, is here presented. A survey of the office records shows that an increasing number of women are seeking relief from hirsutism. No attempt has been made to determine whether the condition is becoming more prevalent (although some possible explanations are offered), or whether the increase is due merely to greater fastidiousness, coupled with better economic condit...
SiO2/HfO2 multilayers: impact of process parameters and stack geometry on the optical and structural properties

We present a complete systematic study on the effect of assist beam energy on SiO 2 /HfO 2 quarter wave stacks deposited by dual ion beam sputter (DIBS) deposition. Increasing assist beam energy results in lower surface roughness and reduced micro-crystallinity. The coatings also show reduced mechanical stress. The improvements in the structural properties are accompanied by a reduction in the absorption loss and an increase in the laser resistance to damage at 1 μm.
Determination of Formaldehyde in the Polymerized Ragweed Antigen by HPLC

Abstract Formaldehyde is used in the polymerization of ragweed antigen for the desensitization treatment of hay fever. Because the polymerized ragweed antigen is used as a vaccine which stimulates the production of the desired immunological effects upon injecting into the body, trace formaldehyde in the injected material is a health concern. Two procedures for the determination of formaldehyde were developed. In the direct procedure, formaldehyde in the sample was reacted with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNP) in solution to yield a strongly UV absorbing derivative. In an alternate approach, formaledhyde in the sample in a sealed vial was allowed to diffuse in the gaseous form into a reaction chamber consisted of a culture tube insert in which formaldehyde was derivatized with 2,4-DNP reagent. Following extraction into methylene chloride, the derivative was injected into the liquid chromatograph, separated on a reversed phase column and detected at UV 254 nm.
An Evaluation of Grazing-Incidence Optics for Neutron Imaging

The focusing capabilities of neutron imaging optic based on the Wolter-1 geometry have been successfully demonstrated with a beam of long wavelength neutrons with low angular divergence.. A test mirror was fabricated using an electroformed nickel replication process at Marshall Space Flight Center. The neutron current density gain at the focal spot of the mirror is found to be at least 8 for neutron wavelengths in the range from 6 to 20 A. Possible applications of the optics are briefly discussed.
Coronaviruses in poultry and other birds

The number of avian species in which coronaviruses have been detected has doubled in the past couple of years. While the coronaviruses in these species have all been in coronavirus Group 3, as for the better known coronaviruses of the domestic fowl (infectious bronchitis virus [IBV], in Gallus gallus), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), there is experimental evidence to suggest that birds are not limited to infection with Group 3 coronaviruses. In China coronaviruses have been isolated from peafowl (Pavo), guinea fowl (Numida meleagris; also isolated in Brazil), partridge (Alectoris) and also from a non-gallinaceous bird, the teal (Anas), all of which were being reared in the vicinity of domestic fowl. These viruses were closely related in genome organization and in gene sequences to IBV. Indeed, gene sequencing and experimental infection of chickens indicated that the peafowl isolate was the H120 IB vaccine strain, while the teal isolate was possibly a field strain of a neph...
Theory for conductivity in conducting star polymer blends

Abstract Recent synthesis of C 60 -based star polymers with polyaniline arms represents a new class of branched conducting polymers with the possibility of intra- and inter-arm charge transport both within a single molecule and between molecules as controlled by their relative conformations. A theory is presented for the onset of charge conductivity and its dependence on the number and length of arms, the concentration of branched polymer, and with and without participation of the C 60 core in the charge transport. Comparisons are made with corresponding behavior in linear conducting polymers.