cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prospects for "iodine-129 dating" of marine organic matter using AMS

Abstract Natural levels of iodine 129 have been overwhelmed by a build-up of “new” iodine-129, a product of our nuclear age. Much of this new iodine-129 has entered the ocean and is now found in its upper layers. During primary production, marine organic matter incorporates iodine, which then moves through the food chain. The 129 I 127 I ratio in marine organics therefore represents the value found in the ocean's photic zone when the organic matter formed. Because the 129 I 127 I ratio in any well-mixed marine basin has increased rapidly since the advent of the nuclear age, establishing the build up pattern of 129I in that basin's surface waters would allow us to “date” the time of formation of any organics formed there, provided that we can obtain an adequate amount of iodine from samples. Measurement of this ratio requires the use of AMS.
Evidence that certain peripheral anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies do not interact with brain BuTX binding sites

The cross-reactivity of rat brain alpha-bungarotoxin (BuTX) binding sites with peripheral anti-acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies was investigated in Triton extracts of several brain areas and purified whole brain putative receptors using radioimmunoassays and IgG/CNBr-Sepharose 4B immunoaffinity chromatography. The effects of the chronic intracerebral administration of antibodies on [125I]BuTX binding and food and water intake were also investigated. It was concluded that brain BuTX sites do not share antigenic determinants with peripheral nAChRs. Additionally, no evidence was found to support the suggestions that anti-nAChR antibodies affect food and water intake, or that chronic administration of antibodies alters [125I]BuTX binding in the hypothalamus of rats.
When Effect Becomes Cause: Policy Feedback and Political Change

As governmental activity has expanded, scholars have been increasingly inclined to suggest that the structure of public policies has an important influence on patterns of political change. Yet research on policy feedback is mostly anecdotal, and there has so far been little attempt to develop more general hypotheses about the conditions under which policies produce politics. Drawing on recent research, this article suggests that feedback occurs through two main mechanisms. Policies generate resources and incentives for political actors, and they provide those actors with information and cues that encourage particular interpretations of the political world. These mechanisms operate in a variety of ways, but have significant effects on government elites, interest groups, and mass publics. By investigating how policies influence different actors through these distinctive mechanisms, the article outlines a research agenda for moving from the current focus on illustrative case studies to the investigation of broader propositions about how and when policies are likely to be politically consequential.
The effects of tactile stimulation on imprinting in ducklings after the sensitive period

Four-day-old ducklings received visual-plus-tactile exposure to one novel object and visual-only exposure to a different novel object. In a subsequent test, strong suppression of ongoing distress vocalization was exerted only by the object to which visual-plus-tactile exposure had been given. With these results, the experimental conditions under which physical contact is known to facilitate the initiation of imprinting are extended to include subjects that are past the sensitive period.
Left ventricular model parameters and cardiac rate variability

A recent functional model of the left ventricle characterizes the ventricle's contractile state with parameters, rather than variables. The ventricle is treated as a pressure generator that is time and volume dependent. The heart's complex dynamics develop from a single equation based on the formation and relaxation of crossbridge bonds within underlying heart muscle. This equation permits the calculation of ventricular elastance via E v = ∂p v /∂V v . This heart model is defined independently from load properties, and ventricular elastance is dynamic and reflects changing numbers of crossbridge bonds. The model parameters were extracted from measured pressure and volume data from isolated canine hearts. The purpose of this paper is to present in some detail how to describe a particular canine left ventricle from measured data. The model is also extended to include heart rate variability, which arises naturally from the model structure. Computed results compare favorably with measurements both in this study and from the literature.
Complement Activity in Sera from Normal Adult Blood Donors: Its Relation to Blood Group, Rh*** (D) Type, Sex, Age and Weight

Serum samples from 1,258 normal adult blood donors were assayed for complement activity. The average complement titer for the entire sample was 38.14. There was no difference in complement activity with respect to sex, blood group or Rh***(D) type. The level of circulating complement appears to be higher in older humans and in heavier individuals. In this kind of experimentation, the need for a standard complement for assay of different batches of sheep erythrocytes is emphasized.
Generalized Linear Mixed Models with Varying Coefficients for Longitudinal Data

Summary. The routinely assumed parametric functional form in the linear predictor of a generalized linear mixed model for longitudinal data may be too restrictive to represent true underlying covariate effects. We relax this assumption by representing these covariate effects by smooth but otherwise arbitrary functions of time, with random effects used to model the correlation induced by among-subject and within-subject variation. Due to the usually intractable integration involved in evaluating the quasi-likelihood function, the double penalized quasi-likelihood (DPQL) approach of Lin and Zhang (1999, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B61, 381–400) is used to estimate the varying coefficients and the variance components simultaneously by representing a nonparametric function by a linear combination of fixed effects and random effects. A scaled chi-squared test based on the mixed model representation of the proposed model is developed to test whether an underlying varying coefficient is a polynomial of certain degree. We evaluate the performance of the procedures through simulation studies and illustrate their application with Indonesian children infectious disease data.
IS THERE A CHLORIDE PUMP IN MATURE ALVEOLAR EPITHELIUM

The alveolar epithelium (AE) of fetal lungs actively transports Cl− into the alveolar lumen, resulting in a high concentration of Cl− in fetal lung fluid. REcently, we found that in the aqueous subphase (AS) of mature alveoli the Cl− concentration is equal to that in serum, consistent with little or no active transport of Cl− by the resting AE. If a Cl− pump exists in mature AE, then drugs that stimulate or decrease active Cl− transport in other tissues might alter the concentration of Cl− in the AS. To test this hypothesis, we measured the concentration of Cl− in the AS of anesthetized rabbits before and after intravenous terbutaline (0.3 mg/kg), a drug that stimulates active Cl− transport in other types of respiratory epithelia. The measurements were made by puncturing alveoli visible through the pleura with a Cl− selective microelectrode. Baseline Cl− = 98 ± 5 meq/L (mean ± SD, n = 5). The Cl− increased to 116 ± 4 (n = 5) within 30 to 40 min after the terbutaline, a significant change (p<0.001). Three rabbits received intravenous furosemide (5 mg/kg), known to block Cl− transport in other tissues, 60 min after the terbutaline. In those rabbits the baseline Cl− = 94 ± meq/L, 30 to 60 min after terbutaline Cl− = 114 ± 3, and 20 min after furosemide Cl− = 101 ± 5. Furosemide without prior terbutaline did not change AS Cl− (n = 5). BAsed on these data, the Cl− pump found in the AE of fetal lambs is much less active or inactive in mature lungs of rabbits, but it can be stimulated and blocked by appropriate drugs.
Pets and the Socialization of Children

Despite the widespread ownership of pet animals in American families, there is very little analysis of the role of pets in child development. This paper will examine the influence of pet animals on child development; the impact of pet loss and bereavement on children; the problem of child cruelty to animals and its relationship to child abuse; and the role of pets in both normal and disturbed families. The authors will also review their own research study of adult prisoners and juveniles in institutions in regard to their experiences with pet animals.
Polarimetric signatures of a layer of nonspherical discrete scatterers overlying a homogeneous half‐space based on full multiple scattering vector radiative transfer theory

Complete polarimetric signatures of a layer of random nonspherical discrete scatterers overlying a homogeneous half-space are studied with a full multiple scattering solution of the vector radiative transfer equation. The results are compared with that of the second-order multiple scattering solution of the vector radiative transfer equation. It is found that the multiple scattering effects generally enhance the pedestal in copolarization return, decrease the degree of polarization, affect phase difference, and also enhance the depolarization return. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Children's Descriptions of Their Firesetting Incidents: Characteristics and Relationship to Recidivism

ABSTRACT Objective The primary purpose of the study was to identify characteristics of children's firesetting incidents and examine the relationship of reported characteristics to psychopathology and firesetting history. Method A sample of 95 firesetters were interviewed using the Fire Incident Analysis for Children (FIAC). Other child or parent measures were obtained reflecting behavioral correlates and risk factors for firesetting at initial assessment, and firesetting history measures at 2-year follow-up. Results Access to incendiaries, lack of child remorse and parental consequences, and motives of curiosity and fun were commonly reported characteristics. Certain firesetting characteristics were associated with followup recidivism. Repeat versus single-incident firesetters at initial assessment were similar in firesetting characteristics but differed in measures of psychopathology and follow-up recidivism. Conclusions Children can report on personal and environmental details of their firesetting incidents, which may help to identify those children most at-risk for setting an additional fire. The findings bear implications for understanding firesetting risk-assessment measures, the role of specialized child interviews, and potential predictors of firesetting recidivism among children.
Quality of Web-Based Information on Cannabis Addiction.

This study evaluated the quality of Web-based information on cannabis use and addiction and investigated particular content quality indicators. Three keywords ("cannabis addiction," "cannabis dependence," and "cannabis abuse") were entered into two popular World Wide Web search engines. Websites were assessed with a standardized proforma designed to rate sites on the basis of accountability, presentation, interactivity, readability, and content quality. "Health on the Net" (HON) quality label, and DISCERN scale scores were used to verify their efficiency as quality indicators. Of the 94 Websites identified, 57 were included. Most were commercial sites. Based on outcome measures, the overall quality of the sites turned out to be poor. A global score (the sum of accountability, interactivity, content quality and esthetic criteria) appeared as a good content quality indicator. While cannabis education Websites for patients are widespread, their global quality is poor. There is a need for better evidence-based information about cannabis use and addiction on the Web.
Factor and Commodity Prices in an Expanding Economy

I. The impact of simultaneous growth in both factors, 149. — II. Growth paths with an incremental factor ratio intermediate between the factor proportions for the two goods, 153. — III. Other theorems for a closed economy, 154. — IV. Conclusion, 154.
The Effect of Road Culverts on the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community in Wadeable Lotic Ecosystems

Roads and lotic ecosystems intersect as their paths unfold across the landscape. At their intersections lotic ecosystems are often routed underneath a road through a culvert. Road culverts allow the transportation system and lotic ecosystem to coexist, but their presence can introduce physical stress on the local ecology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of road culverts on the benthic macroinvertebrate community. I collected physical habitat, water quality, and benthic macroinvertebrate data from three sample units near the culverted sections of two lotic ecosystems. Sample units were positioned in a longitudinal configuration with a reference sample unit located above the road culvert, a study sample unit below the outlet, and a recovery sample unit further downstream. Non-metric MultiDimensional Scaling and Bray-Curtis distance showed an alteration of the benthic macroinvertebrate community at the study sample units when compared to reference conditions. In the study sample units, the benthic macroinvertebrate community was composed of a greater proportion of stressor-tolerant taxa, as assessed by the presence of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera taxa. There was also an alteration of dominant feeding groups in the study sample units. This study shows a fundamental shift of the local lotic ecology below road
An intelligent database system for clinical neurophysiology

We have developed a comprehensive database used daily in all aspects of scheduling, information storage and retrieval, results reporting, and clinical status functions in a large epilepsy / neurophysiology department. Multiple mechansims assure dat integrity for patient care information, administrative questions, or subsequent research queries. The database is accessible for entry or review by all of the department personnel from over 60 character-based terminals, as well as throughout the institution on over 3000 IBM 3270 terminals and PCs.
Check-In Check-Out + Social Skills Enhancing the Effects of Check-In Check-Out for Students With Social Skill Deficits

Check-In Check-Out is a Tier 2 intervention designed to reduce problem behavior and increase prosocial behavior. Although the intervention has demonstrated effects in several studies, few research efforts have considered how the intervention can be modified to support students with social skill deficits. Through a multiple baseline design across five students, the current study evaluated a novel approach to blending social skill training and the Check-In Check-Out system, titled “Check-In Check-Out + Social Skills” (CICO+SS). Results indicated that implementation was functionally related to increased positive social engagement and decreased negative social engagement for four of the five participating students. In addition, a student teacher interventionist implemented the program with a high degree of fidelity, and school staff rated the program as effective and efficient. Although some design and measurement limitations warrant consideration, the results have practical implications for Tier 2 interventi...
Spectral and metabolic properties of liver microsomes from imidazole-pretreated rabbits.

Abstract Imidazole or phenylimidazole, when administered in vivo , elevates rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels approximately 2.0- and 1.5-fold, respectively, as compared to controls. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed protein bands of enhanced intensity occurring at the approximate positions of LM 2, LM 3, LM 4 and possibly, LM 6. Imidazole- and phenylimidazole-induced microsomes exhibit N,N-dimethylaniline and p -nitroanisole demethylase activities which paralleled the increase in cytochrome P-450 content. Dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase activity, however, when expressed per nmole P-450, was 2- to 8-fold greater in imidazole-induced microsomes than in control, phenobarbital-, or β-naphthoflavone-induced microsomes, and was inhibited by carbon monoxide or ethyl isocyanide. Dimethylsulfoxide inhibited dimethylnitrosamine N-demethylase activity 62% in imidazole-induced microsomes, but only 11% and 26% in phenobarbital- or β-naphthoflavone-induced microsomes, respectively. Binding of imidazole to cytochrome P-450 in imidazole-induced microsomes was monophasic, in contrast to the biphasic binding observed in phenobarbital or β-naphthoflavone-induced preparations. In addition, the spectral dissociation constant (Kd) for imidazole binding to imidazole-induced microsomes was 10- to 100-fold less (i.e. 10- to 100-fold greater affinity) than that measured in phenobarbital or β-naphthoflavone-induced preparations.
Synergy between CaMKII Substrates and β-Adrenergic Signaling in Regulation of Cardiac Myocyte Ca2+ Handling

Cardiac excitation-contraction coupling is a highly coordinated process that is controlled by protein kinase signaling pathways, including Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and protein kinase A (PKA). Increased CaMKII expression and activity (as occurs during heart failure) destabilizes EC coupling and may lead to sudden cardiac death. To better understand mechanisms of cardiac CaMKII function, we integrated dynamic CaMKII-dependent regulation of key Ca2+ handling targets with previously validated models of cardiac EC coupling, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent activation of CaMKII, and β-adrenergic activation of PKA. Model predictions are validated against CaMKII-overexpression data from rabbit ventricular myocytes. The model demonstrates how overall changes to Ca2+ handling during CaMKII overexpression are explained by interactions between individual CaMKII substrates. CaMKII and PKA activities during β-adrenergic stimulation may synergistically facilitate inotropic responses and contribute to a CaMKII-Ca2+-CaMKII feedback loop. CaMKII regulated early frequency-dependent acceleration of relaxation and EC coupling gain (which was highly sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ load-dependent). Additionally, the model identifies CaMKII-dependent ryanodine receptor hyperphosphorylation as a proarrhythmogenic trigger. In summary, we developed a detailed computational model of CaMKII and PKA signaling in cardiac myocytes that provides unique insights into their regulation of normal and pathological Ca2+ handling.
Passive transfer of immune-mediated middle ear inflammation and effusion.

Antigenic challenge in the middle ear of animals previously sensitized intradermally results in an immunologically mediated inflammatory response, including the generation of serous effusion in the middle ear cavity. The mechanisms which contribute to this immune-mediated otitis media with effusion (OME) were investigated by passive transfer with either purified IgG or with sensitized lymphocytes. A peritoneal exudate was raised in strain 13 guinea pigs by repeated injection of keyhole limpet hemo-cyanin (KLH) with complete Freund's adjuvant. IgG and lymphocytes were isolated from exudates and used for passive sensitization. Middle ear challenge following passive transfer of IgG specific to KLH produced effusion and inflammation which was equivalent to that observed in actively immunized animals, but resulted in significantly greater numbers of leukocytes infiltrating the middle ear. Unlike in the active response, few of the cells infiltrating the middle ear mucosa and middle ear cavity were eosinophils. ...
Protein Requirements of Turkey Breeder Hens

Abstract In three experiments with large type turkey hens, no statistically significant improvements in reproductive preformance (as measured by production rate, feed per egg, fertility and hatchability) were obtained from increasing protein in the diet from 14 to 16 or 18%, or from added lysine to the 14% protein diet. In one experiment, production rate was increased in one strain of hens from 52.6 to 55.3% when diet protein was increased from 10 to 12%. Increasing diet protein to 14% resulted in a 60.3% rate of production. With another strain, in the same experiment, no improvements in reproductive performance were obtained by increasing diet protein above 10%.
Vertical-axis wind turbine development in Canada

Recent Canadian progress in the development of the curved-blade Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) is described. Co-operation between government, industry and power utilities in the conduct of field trials, over several years, has demonstrated inproved performance and reliability of grid-coupled turbines of this type. The rated power of the VAWTs currently under test ranges from 30kW, in a wind/diesel powerplant, to 230 kW, in an installation on an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Progress has also been made in understaning the basic aerodynamic behaviour of the VAWT and theoretical methods for performance and load prediction have correspondingly improved. A brief description is given of `Project EOLE', a co-operative project between the federal government and the utility Hydro-Quebec to develop and test, during the next two to three years, a 4 MW VAWT prototype, which will be coupled to the power grid at a location on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River.
Functional dynamics of primate cortico-striatal networks during volitional movements

The motor cortex and dorsal striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen) are key regions in motor processing but the interface between the cortex and striatum is not well understood. While dorsal striatum integrates information from multiple brain regions to shape motor learning and habit formation, the disruption of cortico-striatal circuits compromises the functionality of these circuits resulting in a multitude of neurologic disorders, including Parkinson's disease. To better understand the modulation of the cortico-striatal circuits we recorded simultaneously single neuron activity from four brain regions, primary motor, and sensory cortices, together with the rostral and caudal segments of the putamen in rhesus monkeys performing a visual motor task. Results show that spatial and temporal-task related firing relationships between these cortico-striatal circuit regions were modified by the independent administration of the two drugs (cocaine and baclofen). Spatial tuning and correlated firing of neurons from motor cortex and putamen were severely disrupted by cocaine and baclofen on correct trials, while the two drugs have dramatically decreased the functional connectivity of the motor cortical-striatal network. These findings provide insight into the modulation of cortical-striatal firing related to movement with implications for therapeutic approaches to Parkinson's disease and related disorders.
Regulation of B-cell development by antibody specificity

Although autoantigen-induced negative selection plays an important role in shaping the mature B-cell repertoire, studies in recent years have suggested that differentiation into any of the three mature B-cell subsets (marginal zone B cells, follicular B cells and B-1 B cells) is not a passive product of autoreactive B-cell elimination. Instead, evidence suggests that entry into a mature subset involves active B-cell receptor signaling and self-antigen-mediated positive selection.
Cloning and expression of a novel zinc finger gene, Fez, transcribed in the forebrain of Xenopus and mouse embryos.

Abstract We have identified and cloned a novel zinc finger gene, Fez (forebrain embryonic zinc-finger), as a potential downstream determinant of anterior neural plate formation in Xenopus. Fez was isolated as one of several neural-specific genes that was induced by the neuralizing factor, noggin (Smith and Harland, 1992. Cell 70, 829–840), in uncommitted ectoderm. Fez has an open reading frame comprising 466 amino acids, and contains six C2H2 type zinc finger domains, which are highly conserved among Drosophila, zebrafish, mouse, and human. In Xenopus, the expression of Fez begins at stage 12 in the rostral end of the neural plate, and by stage 45, it is localized to several telencephalic regions, including the olfactory bulbs, nervus terminalis, and ventricular zone. The mouse homologue of Fez is similarly expressed in the mouse forebrain by embryonic day 11.
The Importance of Racial-Ethnic Identity and Social Setting for Blacks, Whites, and Multiracials

We explore racial-ethnic identity in three ways: (1) by assessing the importance of racial-ethnic identity for self-concept; (2) by comparing the importance of racial-ethnic identity in different settings (at home, in one's neighborhood, in public, at work); and (3) by contrasting the importance of racial-ethnic identity with other identities (gender, age, occupation, marital status, and social class). Data were gathered in a random national telephone survey. Results indicate that for blacks racial-ethnic identity is a more important component of self-concept than it is for multiracials and whites (both of whom say they place little importance on it). Other findings show that the importance of racial-ethnic identity varies across settings (e.g., it is most important for blacks at work and least important at home) and that in general the multiracials are not highly distinguishable from both blacks and whites. Moreover, an interesting and unexpected finding is that for all three groups, the single most impo...
Long-term effects of bone morphogenetic protein- based treatments in humans

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are low-molecular-weight proteins of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily. In recent years, these growth and differentiation factors have been extensively researched for their multifunctional properties ranging from embryonic development to postnatal homeostasis. The defining ability of BMPs is the role they play in skeletal development and maintenance, especially the powerful osteoinductive activity for which these proteins are currently sought after. There are over 20 BMPs that have been discovered, with BMP-2 and BMP-7 currently being the only proteins of the group that are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for clinical use as an autograft substitute for lumbar spinal interbody fusion procedures and for open tibial fractures with intramedullary nail fixation. BMP-2 has also been approved for use in dental bone grafting indications. However, a significant amount of off-label usage of these proteins has been reported, which has led to an industry approaching a billion dollars annually. In this review, we examine the long-term effects of BMPs as evidenced from in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies.
The dual nature of the reaction between porcine elastase and human plasma α1 proteinase inhibitor

Abstract Only a portion of human plasma α 1 proteinase inhibitor (α 1 PI) forms a 1:1 complex with porcine elastase; the other portion is inactivated via proteolysis. High temperature (37°) and high salt (2 M) enhance complex formation. The complex is unstable, but no significant liberation of active elastase could be demonstrated. Probably the same two major products of ∼50,000 and ∼4,000 daltons are formed from α 1 PI via proteolysis and via disintegration of the complex. Iodination of α 1 PI or oxidation with chloramine-T prevents complex formation with elastase but not with trypsin. Iodinated elastase, however, forms a complex with α 1 PI.
Intermediate follow-up of carotid artery stent placement.

Abstract Background Carotid artery stent placement (CAS) is becoming more popular among various specialties for the treatment of primary and recurrent carotid artery disease. The morbidity associated with this procedure is improving but the intermediate- and long-term follow-up remains unknown. We report our restenosis rates and follow-up associated with CAS. Methods Thirty-one interventions on 29 patients from May 1998 to January 2002 were reviewed. All patients have undergone serial follow-up using Doppler ultrasound at 3 and 6 months and every 6 months thereafter. Ten interventions (32%) were performed on patients with recurrent carotid artery disease and 21 (68%) on patients with primary disease. Results Five periprocedural complications occurred (transient ischemic attack, n = 3; major stroke, n = 1; immediate intrastent restenosis requiring lysis, n = 1) for a total immediate complication rate of 16%. No deaths occurred. Follow-up was achieved in all 29 patients (mean 28 months; range 20 to 46). Twenty-seven patients (29 vessels; 94%) remain asymptomatic with less than 50% stenosis. Two vessels (6%) have been found to have a critical restenosis of greater than 90%. Both patients were symptomatic from their recurrence (transient ischemic attack, n = 1; acute stroke, n = 1). Cumulative major stroke and death rate including all follow-up was 6%. Conclusions CAS can be performed with an acceptable stroke/death rate (3%) in a properly selected patient population. In our small series of patients, the restenosis rate at a mean of 28 months after CAS is 6%.
Quadrupole Magnetic Field-Flow Fractionation for the Analysis of Magnetic Nanoparticles

This work shows the potential and versatility of MgFFF as a method for separation and characterization of magnetic nanospheres, such as the immunospecific nanoparticles used for labeling biological cells for magnetic separation. Samples of magnetic nanoparticles are submitted to analysis by MgFFF. Broadly polydisperse samples are eluted under programmed field decay conditions and quantitative sample data are determined from the elution times using a data reduction method.
IC-P2-091: Integration of MRI measures of atrophy and protein aggregation with CSF biomarkers of AD pathology in individuals with mild cognitive impairment

sis and prognosis. This study was based on two large neuroimaging studies of normal aging and AD: the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). We investigated longitudinal progression of AD-like patterns of atrophy, determined from ADNI, in the BLSA cohort of cognitively normal (CN) elderly and of MCI. Methods: A high-dimensional pattern classifier was trained on 66 CN and 56 AD ADNI patients, and was subsequently applied to 109 CN and 15 MCI individuals from the BLSA study over a period of 9 years. The longitudinal progression of AD-like patterns of atrophy was determined for different age brackets. Results: 98.7% of all BLSA participants that remained CN were correctly classified as CN, thereby crossvalidating the accuracy of ADNI-derived classification on datasets from a different study. CN subjects of ages above 80 progressively displayed AD-like patterns of brain atrophy. The rates of change of classificationderived abnormality scores of CN’s were fairly well clustered around 0, except a small subgroup of them (especially older subjects), generally indicating lack of progression of CN towards AD-like phenotypes. In contrast, rates of change of individuals that developed MCI were more variable and positive, indicating gradual progression of many, but not all, to AD-like structure. Moreover, cognitive scores of CN and MCI that were determined to have AD-like classification scores were significantly lower than their counterparts classified as normal-like. Conclusions: A biomarker of structural abnormality distinguishing CN from AD was derived using sophisticated high-dimensional pattern classification, and was tested on longitudinal MRI scans from cognitively normal elderly and of MCI individuals. Although most CN’s that remain cognitively stable display normal and stable patterns of atrophy, individuals that develop MCI show steady increases in AD-like atrophy patterns. Structural abnormality scores and their rates of change define subgroups of CN and MCI individuals whose cognitive scores differ significantly, further indicating the clinical relevance of this structural biomarker.
Targeting Tyrosine Kinases and Autophagy in Prostate Cancer

Tyrosine kinases play significant roles in tumor progression and therapy resistance. Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases are on the forefront of targeted therapy. For prostate cancer, tyrosine kinases play an additional role in the development of castration-resistant disease state, the most troubling aspect of prostate cancinogenesis which presently defies any effective treatment. Among the 30 or so tyrosine kinases expressed in a typical prostate cancer cell, nearly one third of them have been implicated in prostate carcinogenesis. Interestingly, most of them channel signals through a trio of non-receptor tyrosine kinases, Src/Etk/FAK, referred here as Src tyrosine kinase complex. This complex has been shown to play a significant role in the aberrant activation of androgen receptor (AR) mediated by growth factors (e.g., epidermal growth factor (EGF)), cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6), chemokines (IL-8), and neurokines (gastrin-releasing peptide). These factors are induced and released from the prostate cancer to the stromal cells upon androgen withdrawal. The Src kinase complex has the ability to phosphorylate androgen receptor, resulting in the nuclear translocation and stabilization of un-liganded androgen receptor. Indeed, tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting Src can inhibit androgen-independent growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in preclinical xenograft model. While effective in inducing growth arrest and inhibiting metastasis of castration-resistant tumors, Src inhibitors rarely induce a significant level of apoptosis. This is also reflected by the general ineffectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors as monotherapy in clinical trials. One of the underlying causes of apoptosis resistance is “autophagy,” which is induced by tyrosine kinase inhibitors and by androgen withdrawal. Autophagy is a self-digesting process to regenerate energy by removal of long-lived proteins and retired organelles to provide a survival mechanism to cells encountering stresses. Excessive autophagy, sometimes, could lead to type II programmed cell death. We demonstrated that autophagy blockade sensitizes prostate cancer cells toward Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Thus, a combination therapy based on Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor and autophagy modulator deserves further attention as a potential treatment for relapsed prostate cancer.
Evaluation of first generation CASA radar waveforms in the IP1 testbed

The Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA), an engineering research center (ERC) established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) deployed its first generation network of four low-power, short-range, X- band, dual-polarized Doppler weather radars known as NE- TRAD. The short range CASA radars will have range overlay and velocity folding problems with conventional pulse-pair processing. The first testbed of X-band radar systems (developed within the ERC) in central Oklahoma called IP-1 (Integrated Project 1) have a low unambiguous velocity due to their short wavelength, and increasing the PRF will result in multiple trip overlays since storms can extend over a large distance. In addition the radar observations at short ranges are contaminated by ground clutter. This paper describes the waveforms for the individual radar nodes based on NETRAD operational requirements such as scan speeds, volume coverage pattern and system/hardware limitations to resolve range and velocity ambiguities. A dual PRF waveform has been suggested for operational use based on a simulation study. This paper presents an evaluation of the waveform from data collected by the first generation CASA radars.
Enhancement of Fibrinolysis With 40-kHz Ultrasound

Background—Ultrasound at frequencies of 0.5 to 1 MHz and intensities of ≥0.5 W/cm2 accelerates enzymatic fibrinolysis in vitro and in some animal models, but unacceptable tissue heating can occur, and limited penetration would restrict application to superficial vessels. Tissue heating is less and penetration better at lower frequencies, but little information is available regarding the effect of lower-frequency ultrasound on enzymatic fibrinolysis. We therefore examined the effect of 40-kHz ultrasound on fibrinolysis, tissue penetration, and heating. Methods and Results—125I-fibrin–radiolabeled plasma clots in thin-walled tubes were overlaid with plasma containing tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and exposed to ultrasound. Enzymatic fibrinolysis was measured as solubilization of radiolabel. Tissue attenuation and heating were examined in samples of porcine rib cage. Fibrinolysis was increased significantly in the presence of 40-kHz ultrasound at 0.25 W/cm2, reaching 39±7% and 93±11% at 60 minutes and 1...
Relative quantification of peptide phosphorylation in a complex mixture using 18O labeling

We have developed a method to determine the degree of phosphorylation of a peptide in a complex mixture without enrichment or operation of the mass spectrometer in negative ion mode. Yeast lysate c...
Developing a Competency Tool for Home Health Care Nurse Managers

Identifying the competencies required for the nurse manager role is a focus of much of the literature on nursing education and workforce. The unique nature of home health care nursing requires spec...
Property Comparison of Melt-Spun Ribbons and Consolidated Powders of Ni 3 A1-B

Ductile intermetallic Ni 3 Al-B alloys have been processed through three rapid solidification techniques: melt spinning, gas atomization, and plasma deposition. Different thermal treatment was required for each rapidly solidified product to form samples for mechanical evaluation. Melt-spun ribbons were tested in ribbon form in the as-cast or annealed conditions, while atomized powders were tested after consolidation by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) or low pressure plasma deposition. Alloy strength, as well as tensile ductility, was found to depend strongly on processing technique, thermal treatment, sample geometry, and most importantly, alloy chemistry. Microstructural and fractographic observations indicate that grain boundary brittleness caused by material processing history plays the major role in determining the alloy's mechanical behavior.
Utilization of fish and animal by-product meals in low-pollution feeds for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

The apparent digestibilities (availabilities) of dry matter, protein, phosphorus and selected minerals in fish and animal by-products were determined using rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Blood meal (ring-dried), feather meal and deboned fish meal had relatively high concentrations of protein, low concentrations of phosphorus and many minerals, and high digestibilities (availabilities) of these nutrients. Other animal by-products, however, had high concentrations of minerals, including phosphorus, which are associated with the bone fraction. Availabilities of manganese and zinc in the diet were reduced by the inclusion of high-ash animal by-products in the diet, whereas availabilities of potassium, sodium and copper were relatively unaffected. Dietary concentrations of bone minerals (calcium, phosphorus) and ash were inversely correlated with availabilities (% of intake) of most minerals except copper in the diet. Also, dietary concentrations of bone minerals correlated inversely with the net absorption (mg g−1 diet) of zinc, manganese and magnesium in the diet. When rainbow trout were fed diets containing incremental concentrations of fish bones, the apparent availabilities of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron decreased as fish bone content in the diet increased. Reducing the bone fraction of high-ash (high-phosphorus) by-product meals is therefore an essential approach to using such ingredients in low-pollution fish feeds.
Efficient DC fault simulation of nonlinear analog circuits

This paper describes a method to improve the efficiency of nonlinear DC fault simulation. The method uses the Newton-Raphson algorithm to simulate each faulty circuit. The key idea is to order the given list of faults in such a way that the solution of previous faulty circuit can serve as a good initial point for the simulation of the next faulty circuit. To build a good ordering, one step Newton-Raphson iteration is performed for all the faulty circuits once, and the results are used to quantify how faulty circuits and the good circuit are close in their behaviors. With one-step Newton-Raphson iteration implemented by Householder's formula, the proposed method has virtually no overhead. Experimental results on a set of 36 MCNC benchmark circuits show an average speedup of 4.4 and as high as $15$ over traditional stand-alone fault simulation.
Standard missile all up round (AUR) testing on a common munitions standard test equipment platform

This paper identifies a method of taking a conceptual Common Munitions Standard Test Equipment Platform (CM STEP) and adding a Standard Missile Operational Test Program Set (OTPS). The Standard Missile AUR test set, designated as the MK 612 Guided Missile Test Set (GMTS) has successfully been deployed domestically and to a variety of foreign allied countries since 1978. Addressing the lessons learned from deploying 25 separate MK 612 systems over 22 years, can reduce the costs for up front design, obsolescence, maintenance, and fault isolation. This method can be accomplished by building Standard Missile test capability around a common munition test architecture. This architecture will be based around a core set of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) instrumentation, controlled by industry standard software that is layered to minimize obsolescence costs. The Standard Missile unique OTPS will consist of measurement, stimulus and Unit Under Test (UUT) switching interface test assembly (ITA) microwave chamber, for target presentation, OTPS test software, fault isolation capability, missile attitude stand to satisfy pitch and roll requirements and other unique hardware driven by Standard Missile test requirements. With the many advances of technology in the instrumentation world, it is anticipated that the core set of COTS instrumentation will meet many of the requirements that are presently satisfied by custom circuitry. This has the benefit of reducing the size and the cost of the OTPS. The advantage of this concept is a low cost solution for Standard Missile AUR testing utilizing the latest industry standards in software and hardware.
Ensuring Cost Efficient and Secure Software through Student Case Studies in Risk and Requirements Prioritization

This paper presents a discussion of educational case studies used in security requirements assessment and requirements prioritization. Related to this, it introduces risk understanding as an added dimension to the requirements prioritization process. It should be self-evident that the final product should incorporate the requirements with the greatest value. Nevertheless, in a time when security is a preeminent concern it should also be clear that risk elements should also be considered. As such, activities to reconcile risk with value are always essential. However, since risk and value considerations are different, and sometimes opposed to each other, this paper presents a new process that will help decision makers reconcile these two factors within a single approach. This new process may also be incorporated into security requirements education and prioritization.
Preoperative platelet dysfunction predicts blood product transfusion in children undergoing cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVES: Excessive bleeding can be a problem during or after cardiac surgery. While cardiopulmonary bypass-associated platelet dysfunction is an important inducer of coagulopathy, preoperative platelet dysfunction can also contribute to this bleeding. We investigated the relationship between preoperative platelet dysfunction and transfusion of blood products given to children undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: The platelet function analyser test measures platelet function in vitro by aspirating blood through a small standard hole (creating high shear) in a collagen membrane infused with a platelet agonist. The time taken to form a platelet plug is known as closure time and prolonged closure time (CT) indicates platelet dysfunction. Three hundred and thirty-eight children who had undergone surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between 2008 and 2012 were included. The volume of red blood cells and fresh-frozen plasma transfused was recorded. The relationship between closure time and transfusion requirements was analysed using linear and logistic regression. RESULTS: Patients with prolonged closure time had greater odds of getting red blood cells and fresh-frozen plasma transfusions compared with patients with normal closure time (P <0.01). On univariate analysis, age, weight, haematocrit, cardiopulmonary bypass time, Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery score and closure time were associated with increased odds of red blood cells and fresh-frozen plasma transfusion in the operation theatre (P <0.05). However, when logistic multivariable regression analysis was applied, only age, cardiopulmonary bypass time and closure time remained as significant predictive factors for transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In children who have undergone cardiac surgery, when age and cardiopulmonary bypass time are accounted for, a prolonged preoperative closure time is significantly associated with increased odds of red blood cells and fresh-frozen plasma transfusion in the operation theatre. This may have implications for planning and utilization of blood products.
An IgM-producing B lymphoblastoid cell line established from lymphomas induced by a non-defective reticuloendotheliosis virus

Summary Chick syncytial virus (CSV), a strain of avian reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) causes lymphoid tumours in chickens after a prolonged incubation period. A number of CSV-induced tumours were examined for cell surface antigen and were found to be of the B cell type and to produce immunoglobulin. Attempts were made to grow in vitro cell lines from CSV-induced tumours and a lymphoblastoid cell line was established from a liver tumour of a chicken that was inoculated with CSV via the yolk sac in embryo. The donor chicken was viraemic at the time the tumour was removed. The cell line is designated RECC-RP13, it produces non-defective REV, is a B cell type and it produces IgM. It is free from infection with endogenous and exogenous avian leukosis virus (ALV) and has an increased number of chromosomes. Sequences specific to REV were detected in at least four sites in cellular DNA from RECC-RP13. Sequences specific to ALV DNA, beyond that normally found in 15I5 × 71 cells, were not found in DNA from this cell line.
Hybrid time and space integrating processors for spread spectrum applications.

In this paper we describe two new hybrid time and space integrating acoustooptic correlators and their use in spread spectrum applications. These systems employ 1-D or 2-D masks and are of use for many spread spectrum coding schemes and very long codes. Synchronization and demodulation of very long codes are achieved in these systems with an infinite range delay search and with nearly the full processing gain of the code. A statistical analysis of coherent and partially coherent output time integration is included (this appears to be most appropriate for any hybrid processor) together with initial simulation results.
Evaluation of spherical particle sizes with an asymmetric illumination microscope

A polarized microscope system is used to perform goniometric measurements of light scattered by small particles. The light incident angle on a sample of monodispersed latex microspheres is increased sequentially and a microscope objective lens collects scattered light from the samples. Light is only collected at angles greater than the objective lens numerical aperture (NA) so that only light scattered by the spheres is collected. The experimental results were modeled with a Mie theory-based algorithm. Experiments conducted with microspheres of diameter 1.03, 2.03, and 6.4 /spl mu/m show that, by decreasing the objective lens NA from NA=0.55 to NA=0.0548, a more distinguishable scattering pattern is detectable. From these highly shaped curves, we found that the size of a sphere of nominal diameter 2.03 /spl mu/m was 2.11 /spl plusmn/0.06 /spl mu/m and a 6.4 /spl mu/m sphere was 6.34 /spl plusmn/0.07 /spl mu/m.