cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the solution of population balance equations by discretization - III. Nucleation, growth and aggregation of particles

Abstract A new discretization method for solving population balance equations for simultaneous nucleation, growth and aggregation of particles is proposed. The method combines the best features of our discretization technique (Kumar and Ramkrishna, 1996, Chem. Engng. Sci. 51 , 1311–1337), i.e., designing discrete equations to obtain desired properties of a size distribution directly, applicability to an arbitrary grid to control resolution and computational efficiency, with the method of characteristics to offer a technique which is very general, powerful and overcomes the crucial problems of numerical diffusion and stability that beset the previous techniques in this area. The proposed technique has been tested for pure growth, simultaneous growth and aggregation, and simultaneous nucleation and growth for a large number of combinations obtained by changing functions for nucleation rate, growth rate, aggregation kernel and initial condition. In all cases, the size distributions obtained from the proposed technique and those obtained analytically are in excellent agreement. The presence of moving discontinuities, which is unavoidable due to the hyperbolic nature of the governing equation, is addressed with no additional difficulty in all of the test problems.
A weighted cumulative sum (WCUSUM) to monitor medical outcomes with dependent censoring

We develop a Weighted CUmulative SUM (WCUSUM) to evaluate and monitor pre-transplant waitlist mortality of facilities in the context where transplantation is considered to be dependent censoring. Waitlist patients are evaluated multiple times in order to update their current medical condition as reflected in a time dependent variable called the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Higher MELD scores are indicative of higher pre-transplant death risk. Moreover, under the current liver allocation system, patients with higher MELD scores receive higher priority for liver transplantation. To evaluate the waitlist mortality of transplant centers, it is important to take this dependent censoring into consideration. We assume a ‘standard’ transplant practice through a transplant model and utilize Inverse Probability Censoring Weights (IPCW) to construct a weighted CUSUM. We evaluate the properties of a weighted zero-mean process as the basis of the proposed weighted CUSUM. We then discuss a resampling technique to obtain control limits. The proposed WCUSUM is illustrated through the analysis of national transplant registry data.
Retrotransposon Mys was active during evolution of the Peromyscus leucopus-maniculatus complex

Mys is a retrovirus-like transposable element found throughout the genus Peromyscus. Several mys subfamilies identified on the basis of restriction site variation occur in more than one species. The distribution of these subfamilies is consistent with the accepted species phylogeny, suggesting that mys was present in the ancestor of Peromyscus and has been active through much of the evolution of this genus. Quantitative Southern blot analysis was used to examine the variability of subfamilies in P. leucopus and maniculatus. We found that subfamilies with phylogenetically narrow distributions were more variable in copy number both within and between species than subfamilies with a broader distribution. Taken together, our data suggest that mys has undergone multiple rounds of transposition since the peromyscine radiation, and that five subfamilies have been amplified during the evolution of the leucopus-maniculatus species complex.
Optimization techniques in energy calculations involving the Hartree-Fock density matrix

Three optimization procedures are examined for their utilization in determining the optimum density matrix for a single determinant wave function. The total energy of a molecular system is written as a function of the density matrix and then optimized subject to the constraints of idempotency and total electron population. This direct calculation of the density matrix (DCDM) method was studied in an attempt to have a formalism which would avoid convergence problems associated with the self-consistent field (SCF) cycle, and which would be applicable to large molecular systems. The optimization procedures studied were the Powell algorithm, Gauss-Jordan reduction, and dynamic programming. Computational factors studied include convergence criteria, stepsize, and weight factors for constraint equation penalty functions. The application considered is for HF. An ab-initio SCF method was used to obtain initial values for the density matrix, and its SCF results were compared to corresponding DCDM predictions. Approximations of the quadratic two-electron energy contributions will be necessary to apply dynamic programming, but this appears to be the method most applicable to large molecular systems if an acceptable approximation can be found. Gauss-Jordan reduction is an applicable technique, but probably not for large molecular systems. BOTM appears to be the method most applicable without introducing approximations, but weight factors for the penalty functions will have to be more efficiently determined as Lagrange multipliers, and this addition would result in a technique probably not applicable to large molecular systems.
Transformation semigroup diagram and the $$\mathcal{J}$$ -relation

Given a semigroupS of transformations of an infinite setX we use its associated diagram $$G(S) = \left\{ {(\left| {X - D(f)} \right|,\left| {X - R(f)} \right|):f \in S} \right\}$$ to describe the Green's relations onS. Specifically we present a description of the $$\mathcal{J}$$ -relation on aG X -normal semigroup of partial one-to-one transformations. We show that the $$\mathcal{J}$$ -classes of S are its subsemigroups of certain form, and describe the structure of a $$\mathcal{J}$$ -class via the $$\mathcal{D}$$ -classes contained in it.
Vibration induced magnetization

Brown’s theory of stress‐induced magnetization has been extended using the irreversible differential susceptibility, χirr(H), and Kondorsky’s rule beyond the Rayleigh region with the concepts of macroscopic stress field, Hσ, and reversible stress sensitivity. A graphical representation of the susceptibility integrals is given and simplified results for Rayleigh stresses confirmed experimentally for mild steel along with details of magnetization change throughout the first cycle. The fraction of stress‐active or 90 ° domain walls was determined from the fit of the data to the theory to be f = 0.61±.02 in excellent agreement with Brown’s prediction of (√2)/(1+√2) = 0.59. Continued symmetric tension/compression cycling of Rayleigh stresses generates increased magnetization equal to the p‐series times the first cycle magnetization, where p is not less than two, its value at the coercive field. Thus vibration‐induced magnetization converges rapidly, never exceeds π2/6 times the first cycle magnetization, and does not contribute to significant long term instability.
ii) Principles of endoscopic spine surgery

Laparoscopy became popular in the late 1980s, primarily as a result of the success of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In 1988, Reddick demonstrated the vast improvement in return to work of 6.5 days with laparoscopy compared to 34 days for minilaparotomy for gallbladder disease. Within three years, 90% of cholecystectomies done in the USA were performed using endoscopic techniques. In laparoscopy, rather than transecting abdominal musculature, narrow portals are inserted to access the peritoneal cavity. Consequently, postoperative pain and recovery time are reduced, leading to shortened hospital stays and earlier return to work compared to open surgery. As a direct result of the early success of laparoscopy the modern era of thoracoscopy or 'video-assisted thoracic surgery' (VATS) began a few years later in 1990 with the addition of video to standard endoscopic techniques. In a study of patients undergoing lung biopsies, the thoracoscopic approach was associated with less pain, shorter hospital stay, decreased cost and earlier return to work when compared to open biopsy via thoracotomy. Anterior endoscopic spinal surgery was first described by Obenchain when he reported the first laparoscopic lumbar discectomy. The application of thoracoscopy for diseases of the spine was initially reported by us in 1993. More recently, we have reported preliminary results of
Futures and culture

Abstract Are there, in scenario analyses, recurring narratives about the future that tend to converge on a small number of archetypes? If so, what are they, and what are their characteristics? This question was examined in a sample of 20 scenario sets constructed between 1990 and 2008, containing 64 stories, and representing five countries, and six different themes. Eight repeating archetypes were identified, and named as progress, catastrophe, reversion and transformation. Each of these main types exists in two variants: the causal variant is driven by forces of “natural law”, while the intent variant is driven by social intentions. The archetypes are present in scenarios produced by different methods. It therefore seems unlikely that they are an artefact of the method used. The question is considered as to whether the identified archetypes are “hard-wired” into our narrative imagination, or whether they are created by our culture. Evidence is analysed suggesting that there is a strong influence of culture. Most strikingly, analyzing the societies envisaged in the narratives reveals some anomalous rule breaking which strongly suggests that cultural influence is at work. Only further cross-cultural work will reveal whether there are possible narratives that are hidden from us.
General theory and methods for matric factoring

Methods are developed for factoring an arbitrary rectangular matrixS of rankr into the formFP, whereF hasr columns andP hasr rows. For the statistical problem of factor analysis,S may be the score matrix of a population of individuals on a battery of tests. ThenF is a matrix of factor loadings,P is a matrix of factor scores, andr is the number of factor variates. (As in current procedures, there remains a subsequent problem of rotation of axes and interpretation of factors, which is not discussed here.) Methods are also developed for factoring an arbitrary Gramian matrixG of rankr into the formFF′, whereF hasr columns andF′ denotesF transposed. For the statistical problem of factor analysis,G may be the matrix of intercorrelations,R, of a battery of tests, with unity, communalities, or other parameters in the principal diagonal.R is proportional toSS′, and it is shown thatS can be factored by factoringR. This may usually be the most economical procedure in practice; it should not be overlooked, however, thatS can be factored directly. The general methods build up anF (andP) in as many stages as desired; as many factors as may be deemed computationally practical can be extracted at a time. Perhaps it will usually be found convenient to extract not more than three factors at a time. Current procedures, like the centroid and principal axes, are special cases of a general method presented here for extracting one factor at a time.
89Zr-Radiolabeled Trastuzumab Imaging in Orthotopic and Metastatic Breast Tumors

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) is overexpressed in 20–30% of breast cancers and is associated with tumor growth, angiogenesis, and development of distant metastases. Trastuzumab, an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, is used for the treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer and clinical efficacy of this agent is dependent on HER2 expression. Targeted PET imaging of HER2 with radiolabeled trastuzumab may be used to determine HER2 expression levels and guide therapy selection. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate a facile 89Zr-trastuzumab preparation method that can be efficiently applied for clinical grade production. Also, relative HER2 expression levels in orthotopic and metastatic breast cancer models were assessed by PET imaging using the 89Zr-trastuzumab produced by this simpler method.
Chromatrophic degeneration and rupture of the aorta following thyroidectomy in cases of hypertension

Abstract In three cases of severe hypertension, in which total thyroidectomy had been done, death occurred as a result of rupture of the aorta. Although no notable change in the blood pressure occurred, the patients felt better, as a rule, immediately following the operation. In each case, varying degrees of chronic, idiopathic, aortic and arterial degeneration were found. It is suggested that this degeneration may result from a metabolic deficiency of aortic muscle under strain. It is suggested that there should be closer observation in such cases, in order to ascertain whether or not there is a relationship between disease of the glands of internal secretion and aortic and arterial disease. It is, of course, recognized that the induced hypothyroidism and aortic cystic degeneration might have been merely coincidental.
A novel retraction instrument improves the safety of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an animal model.

Abstract Introduction: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) promises improved cosmesis and may further minimize the invasiveness of intraabdominal interventions but cannot come at the expense of patient safety. This study describes the evaluation of a novel 5-mm instrument designed for SILC that maintains an equivalent critical view to that obtained with standard multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC). Materials and Methods: Sixteen animals were randomly assigned to one of four study arms. Four techniques for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were used: standard four-port MLC, three-instrument SILC (SILC-A), three-instrument SILC using a suture for lateral retraction (SILC-B), and three-instrument SILC using the novel instrument for retraction (SILC-C). Each case was timed and video-recorded. The video was cropped to obscure the method of retraction and evaluated by five experienced laparoscopic surgeons blinded to the technique used. Each case was rated subjectively on a safety and visual...
Statin therapy attenuates growth and malignant potential of human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells

Objectives Esophageal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy generally diagnosed after metastatic spread and currently lacks effective medical therapy. Expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is an adverse prognostic indicator in various human tumor cells and contributes significantly to their metastatic potential. Statin therapy reduces circulating ICAM-1 levels in patients with coronary heart disease and is associated with reduction in progression from Barrett esophagus to esophageal adenocarcinoma. We hypothesize that statin therapy may attenuate growth and malignant potential via ICAM-1 expression and nuclear factor–kappa beta activation in human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells. Methods Verified human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells (FLO-1) were treated with simvastatin, atorvastatin, or pravastatin (10-, 30-, and 50-μmol/L concentrations). 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide viability, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine proliferation, or annexin V apoptosis assays were performed, or cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha and collected for immunoblotting and flow cytometry. Results Simvastatin decreased cell viability and proliferation while increasing apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner ( P P Conclusions We demonstrate that treatment of human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells with simvastatin attenuates growth, by decreasing cell viability, decreasing cell proliferation, and increasing apoptosis, and attenuates metastatic potential, by decreasing expression of key metastatic markers. These findings identify simvastatin as a potential therapeutic and chemopreventive modality to thwart the progression of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Nitric Oxide Synthase in Filariae: Demonstration of Nitric Oxide Production by Embryos in Brugia malayi and Acanthocheilonema viteae

The radical gas nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) from l-arginine and molecular oxygen. Nitric oxide is an important signaling molecule in invertebrate and vertebrate systems. Previously we have shown that NOS is localized to more tissues in Brugia malayi than has been reported in Ascaris suum. In this paper, we analyze the distribution of NOS in Acanthocheilonema viteae, a filarial nematode that differs from B. malayi in that A. viteae females release microfilariae without a sheath. A. viteae is also one of a few filarial parasites without the Wolbachia intracellular endosymbiont. By use of a specific antibody, NOS was demonstrated in extracts of A. viteae and Dirofilaria immitis. The localization pattern of NOS in A. viteae was similar to that seen in B. malayi, with the enzyme localized to the body wall muscles of both sexes, developing spermatozoa, intrauterine sperm, and early embryos. By use of DAF-2, a fluorescent indicator specific for nitric oxide, the embryos of B. malayi and A. viteae were demonstrated to produce NO ex utero. The near identical staining patterns seen in A. viteae and B. malayi argue that NO is not produced by Wolbachia, nor is it produced by the nematodes in response to the infection. Localization of NOS to the sperm of filarial nematodes suggests a role for NO during fertilization as has been described for sea urchin and ascidian fertilization. Demonstration of the activity of embryonic NOS supports our earlier hypothesis that NO is a signaling molecule during embryogenesis in filarial nematodes.
TBP Is Differentially Regulated by c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase 1 (JNK1) and JNK2 through Elk-1, Controlling c-Jun Expression and Cell Proliferation

Emerging evidence supports the idea that the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) possess overlapping but distinct functions. The potential roles of the ubiquitously expressed JNK1 and JNK2 in regulating expression of the central transcription initiation factor, TATA-binding protein (TBP), were examined. Relative to wild-type fibroblasts, TBP was decreased in Jnk1−/− cells and increased in Jnk2−/− cells. Similarly, reduction of JNK1 in human hepatoma cells decreased TBP expression, whereas reduction of JNK2 enhanced it. JNK-mediated regulation of TBP expression occurs at the transcriptional level through their ability to target Elk-1, which directly regulates the TBP promoter in response to epidermal growth factor stimulation. JNK1 increases, whereas JNK2 decreases, the phosphorylation state of Elk-1, which differentially affects Elk-1 occupancy at a defined site within the TBP promoter. These JNK-mediated alterations in TBP expression, alone, serve to regulate c-Jun expression and fibroblast proliferation rates. These studies uncovered several new molecular events that distinguish the functions of JNK1 and JNK2 that are critical for their regulation of cellular proliferation.
Formation of methyl isocyanide from dimethylamine on Pt(111)

The conversion of dimethylamine ((CH3)2NH) to methyl isocyanide (CNMe) through a methylaminocarbyne (CNHMe) intermediate on Pt(111) has been studied experimentally with reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and theoretically with density functional theory (DFT). (CH3)2NH adsorbs molecularly at 85 K through the nitrogen lone pair and dehydrogenates to produce CNHMe at 350 K. Both experimental observations and the results of DFT calculations show that CNHMe is more stable on the surface than either (CH3)2NH or CNMe. However, surface CNHMe can be converted to the less stable CNMe via two different pathways. A small amount of CNMe is formed at temperatures above 350 K due to the dehydrogenation of CNHMe accompanied by desorption of H2, which drives the reaction forward. The second pathway involves the reaction at 85 K with water adsorbed from the background, which leads to a complete conversion of CNHMe to form both on-top and bent-bridge-bonded CNMe. It is assumed that the dehydrogenation of th...
Improved immunoglobulin-enzyme bridge method for light microscopic demonstration of hormone-containing cells of the rat adenohypophysis

An improved procedure of high efficiency is described for light microscopic localization of tissue antigens by the unlabeled antibody-enzyme bridge technique with unpurified antiserum to horseradish peroxidase followed by horseradish peroxidase. The method incorporates blocking of nonspecific tissue binding sites with normal serum derived from the species in which the second component of the bridge was made, incubation for extended periods of time (42–65 hrs) with high dilutions (up to 1∶1,000,000) of the primary antibody, and optimal conditions for the histochemical reaction with diaminobenzidine and H2O2. Hormone-containing cells of the rat adenohypophysis can be stained with this technique using dilutions of the primary antisera that may approach, or exceed, those used in radio-immunoassay or in electron microscopic immunocytochemistry with preformed peroxidase-antiperoxidase complexes. Based partly on analysis of experimental data, it is suggested that the term “efficiency” should be used to describe the ability of immunohistochemical methods to work at high dilutions of the primary antisera, while the term “sensitivity” should be reserved to describe the ability of such methods to detect a specified amount or concentration of tissue antigen.
The Design and Development of a High-Heating-Rate Thermogravimetric Analyzer Suitable for Use With Ablative Plastics

Abstract The development of a high-heating-rate thermogravimetric analyzer for use with ablative plastics is described. Data are presented for the decomposition of a nylon-phenolic ablator.
Long-lived protective immunity to Listeria is conferred by immunization with particulate or soluble listerial antigen preparations coadministered with IL-12

The ability of IL-12 to promote the development of Th1-type immune responses, and thus promote cellular immunity, has been well documented. In a previous report, we showed that coadministration of IL-12 with heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes elicited intense antigen-specific T cell responses that conferred protective listerial immunity. Herein, we have extended those studies by demonstrating that multiple injections of heat-killed L. monocytogenes and IL-12 elicit memory responses that confer long-lived (> or = 3 months) protective immunity and that immunity can be transferred adoptively with cells from immunized mice injected into naive mice. These studies have also demonstrated that the powerful adjuvanticity of IL-12 is observed with soluble as well as particulate immunogens and is operative in mouse strains that have different MHC haplotypes. These findings suggest that IL-12 may be a useful adjuvant component of vaccines for a wide variety of pathogens in animal and human systems.
Structure of pyrolytic and sputtered SiO2 films by X-ray Fourier analysis

Structures of pyrolytic and sputtered SiO2 films have been obtained by X-ray Fourier analysis method. The electron radial distribution function was calculated from experimental X-ray spectra. Both pyrolytic and sputtered SiO2 films have slightly oxygen deficient SiO4 tetrahedral structures. Sputtered SiO2 has a structure more similar to that of fused silica than pyrolytic oxide. The pyrolytic SiO2 consists of SiO4 tetrahedral units randomly stacked and packed. The SiOSi angles are distributed in such a way in the pyrolytic oxide that no ordering exists beyond a given tetrahedral unit, i.e. ≈ 3 A. Therefore, pyrolytic oxide has a less compact structure or lower specific density, a larger amount of vacancies and pinholes, and, consequently, higher susceptibility to water absorption and higher etching rate than fused silica or sputtered SiO2. Strukturen von pyrolytischen und „gesputterten” SiO2-Filmen wurden mit der Rontgenstrahl-Fourier-Analyse bestimmt. Die radiale Elektronenverteilungsfunktion wurde aus den Daten der Rontgenspektren berechnet. Sowohl pyrolytische als auch gesputterte SiO2-Filme haben tetraedrische SiO4-Struktur mit wenigen Sauerstoffehlstellen. Hinsichtlich der Strukturen ist gesputtertes SiO2 dem Quarzglas ahnlicher als pyrolytischen Oxid. Pyrolytisches SiO2 besteht aus SiO4-Tetraedern, die statistisch geschichtet und gepackt sind. Die SiOSi-Winkel sind in solch einer Weise im pyrolytischen Oxid verteilt, das keine Ordnung auserhalb einer gegebenen Tetraederstruktur — d. h. auserhalb 3 A — vorhanden ist. Daher hat pyrolytisches Oxid eine weniger kompakte Struktur, ein niedrigeres spezifisches Gewicht, eine grosere Anzahl von Leerstellen und Lochern und folglich eine hohere Neigung zur Wasserabsorption und eine hohere Atzrate als Quarzglas oder gesputtertes SiO2.
Predicting the emissions of individual VOCs from petroleum-based indoor coatings

The indoor use of petroleum-based coating materials may cause elevated volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations. This paper presents a newly developed mass transfer model for estimating the emissions of individual VOCs from freshly coated surfaces. Results of a four-step validation show that the predicted individual VOC emissions are in good agreement with experimental data generated in small chambers and an indoor air quality test house. The values of the parameters introduced in this model are all easily obtained, and thus its utilization can provide indoor air quality professionals with emission rate estimates for individual VOCs without having to conduct costly dynamic chamber testing.
Outcomes for overlapping stents in the extracranial carotid artery

Various diseases of the carotid artery are treatable by stenting. However, few reports of overlapping carotid stents exist. As a result, the indications, long-term outcomes, and potential complications of this technique remain largely unknown. We therefore present and examine a series of 11 patients treated by this unique stenting method. A retrospective single-institution review was performed for patients in whom overlapping carotid stents were placed. Only patients with imaging follow-up beyond 3 months were included. Of 38 patients who had extracranial carotid artery stents placed, 11 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for both overlapping stents and imaging follow-up greater than 3 months (range, 0.4-3 years; mean, 1.3 years). Clinical follow-up ranged between 0.4 and 3.6 years (mean, 2.1 years). Carotid pathology within this cohort included atheromatous stenosis (n = 3), recurrent stenosis following carotid endarterectomy (n = 2) or stenting (n = 1), postirradiation angiitis (n = 1), carotid artery kink created by initial stent placement (n = 2), and both traumatic (n = 1) and neoplastic (n = 1) carotid blowout syndrome. No permanent stroke or stenting-related death occurred. Focal stenosis or intimal hyperplasia resulting in 35% or less luminal narrowing developed in three patients (27%) after tandem stenting. Overlapping stents provide a durable treatment for a variety of extracranial carotid pathologies. Clinically and hemodynamically significant (> 50%) poststenting stenosis or intimal hyperplasia did not occur in this series.
A limited-global information model for fault-tolerant routing in dual-cube

We propose a fault-tolerant routing with its extensions based on limited global information in dual-cube networks. It is based on an early work of Wu's safety level and safety vector in cube networks. An r-connected dual-cube network consists of 2 r+1 connected r-cubes (also called clusters). Both faulty nodes and faulty links are considered here. First, a depth-first search routing (DSBR) based on neighbor (fault) information is provided. And then, it is extended by using our limited global information model. We use limited-safety-level and limited-safety-vector to represent our limited global information in dual-cubes. In a given dual-cube, the limited-safety-level (or the limited-safety-vector) of each node is its safety level (or safety vector) of the local cluster cube. We propose the whole routing process by using segments of minimal routing paths in different clusters guaranteed by our limited global information. Unlike many traditional models that assume all the nodes know global fault distributio...
Thiopental Modification of Ischemic Spinal Cord Injury in the Dog

Spinal cord ischemia was produced in male mongrel dogs by permanent occlusion of the infrarenal aorta. All animals were anesthetized with a mixture of nitrous oxide and 1.5% halothane. Group 1 animals were the controls. Group 2 animals were pretreated, 30 minutes prior to aortic occlusion, with sodium thiopental, 20 mg per kilogram of body weight, over 5 minutes, followed by an infusion of 10 mg/kg/hr for 2 1/2 hours. Groups 3 animals received the identical dose of sodium thiopental and, in addition, received mannitol, 1 gm/kg, and methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg. There were no differences in hemodynamic data or arterial blood gases among the groups, except that the thiopental bolus caused a transient reduction in mean arterial pressure. Ninety percent of Group 1 animals were paraplegic, while only 30% of Group 2 and 40% of Group 2 animals were paraplegic. The difference in the incidence of paraplegia in Groups 2 and 3 compared with Group 1 was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Therefore, thiopental significantly decreased the incidence of paraplegia, while methylprednisolone and mannitol did not enhance its protective effect.
Sucrose inversion by partially deactivated ion exchange resin beds

The inversion of sucrose by partially deactivated ion exchange resin catalysts has been studied in a fixed bed reactor under conditions where intraparticle diffusion of sucrose is slow. Results show that the reaction remains apparently first order for deactivated catalyst. Activity is directly related to hydrogen content of the resin and is also dependent on the nature of the ion used to poison the catalyst.
Adhesion forces for sub-10 nm flying-height magnetic storage Head Disk Interfaces

A quasi-dynamic adhesion model is used to calculate the intermolecular adhesion forcespresent in ultra low ﬂying Head Disk Interfaces (HDI’s). The model is a continuum-basedmicromechanics model that accounts for realistic surfaces with roughness, molecularlythin lubricants, and is valid under both static and dynamic sliding conditions. Severaldifferent levels of surface roughness are investigated ranging from extremely smoothsurfaces having a standard deviation of surface heights s52 A to rougher interfaces withseveral nanometer roughness. It is found that when the ﬂying-height is greater than 5 nm,there are no signiﬁcant adhesive forces, whereas for ﬂying-heights less than 5 nm, adhe-sion forces increase sharply, which can be catastrophic to the reliability of low ﬂyingHDI’s. In addition to roughness, the apparent area of contact between the ﬂying recordingslider and the magnetic disk is also found to signiﬁcantly affect the magnitude of theadhesion forces. The adhesion model is validated by direct comparisons with adhesion‘‘pull-off’’ force measurements performed using an Atomic Force Microscope with con-trolled probe tip areas and magnetic disks having different lubricant thickness.@DOI: 10.1115/1.1645299#
PROTEINS IN NUCLEOCYTOPLASMIC INTERACTIONS: I. The Fundamental Characteristics of the Rapidly Migrating Proteins and the Slow Turnover Proteins of the Amoeba proteus Nucleus

By the transplantation of amino acid-3H-labeled nuclei between cells and the subsequent isolation of nuclei for quantitative assay, we have confirmed that all the nuclear proteins of Amoeba proteus are divisible into two classes that are sharply defined by their physiological behavior. About 40% of the proteins in the nucleus rapidly migrates back and forth between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. These rapidly migrating proteins (RMP) are 25–50 times more concentrated in the nucleus than in the cytoplasm, and migration into the nucleus therefore occurs against a high concentration differential. The remaining 60% of nuclear proteins has been classified as slow turnover proteins (STP) since (as reported in a following paper) virtually all of them ultimately undergo turnover. Turnover in this context means loss of label from the nucleus, by either protein breakdown or protein migration to the cytoplasm. Isolation of nuclei in the detergent Triton X-100 results in a 20% loss of nuclear proteins but conclusions about RMP and STP were not found to be significantly affected by this loss.
Modulation of ionic currents in isolated canine and human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells by fluoxetine

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Fluoxetine is a commonly prescribed antidepressant with frequent gastrointestinal side effects. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of fluoxetine on isolated canine and human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells. METHODS: Patch clamp and dual wavelength ratio techniques were used. RESULTS: In amphotericin- perforated patch whole-cell recordings, fluoxetine at 100 nmol/L, 1 mumol/L, and 10 mumol/L concentrations decreased the outwardly delayed rectifier potassium current in canine cells by 12% +/- 3%, 27% +/- 12%, and 37% +/- 3%, respectively, and depolarized the membrane potential by 9.7 +/- 1.8 mV at 10 mumol/L. At 100 mumol/L and 1 mmol/L concentrations, fluoxetine increased the outward current by 88% +/- 40% and 475% +/- 270%, respectively. The increase in the outward current was blocked by charybdotoxin, suggesting an effect on the calcium- activated potassium current. In human cells, fluoxetine at 1 mumol/L decreased the outward potassium current by 26% +/- 4% and at 100 mumol/L increased the outward potassium current by 134% +/- 22%. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoxetine had direct effects on canine and human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells. Low concentrations decreased the outwardly delayed rectifier potassium current, and higher concentrations activated calcium-activated potassium channels. The results may in part explain the frequent gastrointestinal side effects of the drug. (Gastroenterology 1996 May;110(5):1438-45)
Neutral metacommunity clustering and SAR: River basin vs. 2-D landscape biodiversity patterns

Abstract Moving from the analysis of the spatial distribution of fishes and big/small trees of the Mississippi Missouri River System, I evidenced and modeled with a neutral metacommunity model the power-law exceedence probability of the cluster-size of species and the species–area relationship (SAR). The slopes of the power-law distribution of the cluster-size P ( CS ≥ c ) and of the SAR vary for each taxa and life-stages underlying different spatial organization. A clear relationship exists between the slope z of the SAR and the slope ϵ of P ( CS ≥ c ), that is dependent on the ecosystem topology and shape, and on the dispersal kernel function. The heterogeneity of the environmental features leads to the formation of smaller clusters than in the ideal homogeneous scenario. P ( CS ≥ cs ) declines to an exponential distribution in dispersal-limited scenarios for which the effect of the environmental heterogeneities is stronger, the probability distribution of the local and pairwise species richness similarity is a lognormal function and the occupancy-rank is concave upward. The clustering of species has been studied on other real and artificial river networks and on 2-D non-fragmented landscapes. River networks have smaller clusters than 2-D landscapes for the same ecological dispersal scenario however the range in which P ( CS ≥ c ) holds is larger. The higher the elongation of the ecosystem the bigger the LSR, and the smaller the mean cluster-size. River networks due to the larger link-diameter than 2-D landscapes with the same domain are potentially more robust ecosystems, for example against invasion of invasive/exotic species and pathogens. The ecological ratio between the mean dispersal parameter and the average diameter is introduced as useful tool to compare biodiversity patterns. The influence of the dendritic structure of the river network has been reinforced. Nonetheless P ( CS ≥ c ), is found not invariant across different scales, and coarse-graining levels of the ecosystems. The study enhances the robustness of the stochastic birth-depth process in shaping biodiversity patterns, however I underline the strong influence of the dispersal parameter in the assemblage of species. The understanding of the relative influence of exogenous and endogenous variables is important to detect climatic and anthropic effects on the cluster-size distribution of species.
Nanostructured transparent ceramics with an anisotropic crystalline structure

Studies on transparent laser ceramics continues to rapidly progress, this holds true for non-cubic ceramics as well. Cubic transparent ceramics have been demonstrated to be superior to their single crystal counterparts for laser applications. However, fabrication of anisotropic laser ceramics through ceramic processing is still a challenging problem in material science due to the birefringence inherent to these materials. Currently, there are two possible methods used to reduce the effects of birefringence in anisotropic laser ceramics: by achieving an orientated texture through the application of a high magnetic field, or by generating nanostructured grains through a fast sintering consolidation process. This research work presents an alternative method to process anisotropic Yb:S-FAP optical ceramics through a fast consolidation process. The methodology can be used as a versatile and practical way to develop nanostructured transparent ceramics with an anisotropic structure for laser and optical applications.
A comparison of the immune response of a 2001 commercial broiler with a 1957 randombred broiler strain when fed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets

Immunocompetence of the 2001 Ross 308 broiler strain and the 1957 Athens Canadian Randombred Control (ACRBC) strain was compared when they were given diets representative of those that were being used in 1957 and 2001. Antibody response against SRBC, in vivo lymphoproliferation against Phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), and inflammatory and phagocytic responses of the macrophages were measured. The Ross 308 strain on the 2001 diet had higher BW at 24 d of age (P = 0.0001), whereas the ACRBC had greater lymphoid organ weights (except thymus) relative to BW (P < or = 0.003). The ACRBC strain showed greater antibody responses against SRBC than the 2001 Ross 308 birds for much of the trial (P < or = 0.0362). However, the Ross 308 broilers had greater PHA-P-induced toe-web swelling response (P < or = 0.0129). Inflammatory exudate cell numbers were higher in the Ross 308 broilers than in the ACRBC birds (P = 0.0261). The percentage of macrophages that phagocytized SRBC was comparable between the two strains, but the number of SRBC phagocytized by individual macrophages was higher (P = 0.0122) in the Ross 308 broiler than in the ACRBC chickens. Nitrite production by macrophages following lipopolysacharide stimulation was comparable between the two strains. Interactions of diet, strain, and sex were inconsistent among all parameters tested. In conclusion, the current study suggested that genetic selection for improved broiler performance has resulted in a decrease in the adaptive arm of the immune response but an increase in the cell-mediated and inflammatory responses.
THE OLDER ADULT'S LEARNING PROJECTS

This paper examines the learning activity of older adults. Utilizing the methodology for identifying learning projects derived by Tough (1971), we interviewed 214 Nebraskans, 55 or older (average age, 68.11). Findings included the following: (1) nearly 325 hours and 3.3 learning projects were the annual averages, (2) a majority of the learning activity was self‐directed, (3) there were no differences in the means for nine demographic sub groupings on the number of annual hours in learning, and (4) upper‐middle‐ and upper‐class, college‐graduated, and whitecollar respondents carried out significantly more learning projects than their counterpart subgroups. It is suggested that adult educators must reexamine their roles as supporters of formal institutional programs in light of the data on learning projects.
Recurrence patterns and management of oral cavity premalignant lesions.

Summary Objective To gain an understanding of head and neck mucosal premalignant recurrence and progression based on histology, treatment modality, and risk factors. Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Academic medical center. Patients Patients who were followed or treated for oral cavity dysplasia/carcinoma in situ. Main outcomes measures Comparisons with clinical features, degree of dysplasia, anatomical location, rate of recurrences as well as malignant transformation and overall outcome were made. Results Of the 136 patients who were included in the study, 20% (n = 27) initially presented with mild dysplasia, 39% (n = 53) with moderate dysplasia, 21% (n = 29) with severe dysplasia, and 20% (n = 27) with carcinoma in situ. Wide local excision (HR 0.54, p = 0.05) was associated with reduced local recurrence in comparison to observation. In comparison to observation, both wide local excision (HR 0.43, p = 0.04) and CO2/NO Yag laser treatment (HR 0.14, p = 0.02) of dysplastic lesions significantly reduced progression to cancer. Management of mild dysplasia included observation (n = 13), excision (n = 10) and laser therapy (n = 3). Six of the 13 observed patients suffered a premalignancy recurrence, whereas only 4 of the 13 patients who underwent excision/laser treatment experienced a recurrence. Similarly, 5/13 observed patients eventually progressed to malignancy in comparison to only 2/13 patients who underwent initial excision/laser treatment. Conclusion Wide excision and/or ablation of head and neck mucosal premalignancy is more effective than observation in preventing recurrence of premalignancy and progression to malignancy. Mild dysplasia has a potentially high rate of recurrence and progression to malignancy when observed, and may be treated by wide excision or ablation.
Electronic and X-ray photoelectron spectra of copper catecholate complexes

Abstract The electronic and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) of a number of copper(II) catecholato complexes are reported. The electronic spectra exhibit a rather intense visible absorption. Comparison of trends in the position of this intense absorption with the copper 2p binding energies supports the view that the visible 3h absorption is due to a copper → catecholato (π*) transition.
Ambient Temperature and Pressure Corrections for Aircraft Gas Turbine Idle Pollutant Emissions

Recent investigations have indicated that aircraft engine exhaust emissions are sensitive to ambient conditions. This paper reports on combustor rig testing intended to evaluate variations due to ambient temperature and pressure with special emphasis on idle engine operating conditions. Empirically determined CO, CxHy, and NOx correction factors — the ratio of the pollutant emission index value obtained during standard day operation to that resulting during actual ambient conditions — are presented. The effects of engine idle cycle pressure ratio, primary zone fuel-air ratio, and fuel type were investigated. Ambient temperature variations were seen to cause substantial emission changes; correction factors in excess of 2.0 were determined in some cases. Ambient pressure variations were found to be less substantial. A previously published NOx emission model and a simplified hydrocarbon combustion analysis are shown to be in general agreement with the empirical results.Copyright © 1976 by ASME
A Probabilistic Proof of the Lindeberg-Feller Central Limit Theorem

The Central Limit Theorem, one of the most striking and useful results in probability and statistics, explains why the normal distribution appears in areas as diverse as gambling, measurement error, sampling, and statistical mechanics. In essence, the Central Limit Theorem states that the normal distribution applies whenever one is approximating probabilities for a quantity which is a sum of many independent contributions all of which are roughly the same size. It is the Lindeberg-Feller Theorem which makes this statement precise in providing the sufficient, and in some sense necessary, Lindeberg condition whose satisfaction accounts for the ubiquitous appearance of the bell shaped normal. Generally the Lindeberg condition is handled using Fourier methods and is somewhat hard to interpret from the classical point of view. Here we provide a simpler, equivalent, and more easily interpretable probabilistic formulation of the Lindeberg condition and demonstrate its sufficiency and partial necessity in the Central Limit Theorem using more elementary means. The seeds of the Central Limit Theorem, or CLT, lie in the work of Abraham de Moivre, who, in 1733, not being able to secure himself an academic appointment, supported himself consulting on problems of probability, and gambling. He approximated the limiting probabilities of the Binomial distribution, the one which governs the behavior of the number Sn of success in an experiment which consists of n independent trials, each one having the same probability p ∈ (0, 1) of success. Each individual trial of the experiment can be modelled byX, a (Bernoulli) random variable which records one for each success, and zero for each failure,
Reward Sensitization: Effects of Repeated Nicotine Exposure and Withdrawal in Mice

Tobacco dependence is an addiction with high rates of relapse, resulting in multiple quit attempts in individuals who are trying to stop smoking. How these multiple cycles of smoking and withdrawal contribute to nicotine dependence, long-term alterations in brain reward systems, and nicotine receptor regulation is unknown. Therefore, to evaluate how multiple exposures of nicotine and withdrawal periods modulate rewarding properties of nicotine, we used intracranial self-stimulation to measure alterations in the threshold of brain stimulation reward. In addition, we employed the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm to evaluate positive context conditioning following each withdrawal period and measured levels of neuronal nicotinic receptors in cortex, striatum, and hippocampus. We found that repeated nicotine exposure and withdrawal enhanced brain stimulation reward and reward sensitivity to acute injections of nicotine. This increased reward was reflected by enhanced CPP to nicotine. Chronic nicotine is known to up-regulate nAChRs (nicotinic acetylcholine receptors) and we found that this up-regulation was maintained for up to 8 days of withdrawal in the striatum and in the hippocampus, but not in the cortex, of animals exposed to multiple nicotine exposure and withdrawal periods. These results demonstrate that repeated exposures to nicotine, followed by withdrawal, induce a persistent increase in both brain reward function and sensitivity to the hedonic value of nicotine and long-lasting up-regulation of neuronal nicotinic receptors. Together, these data suggest that a continuing increase in brain reward function and enhanced sensitivity to nicotine reward following repeated withdrawal periods may be one reason why smokers relapse frequently.
Incidence, risk factors, and impact of severe neutropenia after hyperthermic intraperitoneal mitomycin C

Background Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are considered the standard of care for patients with peritoneal dissemination of appendiceal cancer and are increasingly being evaluated for use in patients with carcinomatosis from colon cancer. Mitomycin C (MMC) is one of the most frequently used HIPEC agents in the management of peritoneal-based gastrointestinal malignancies. This study analyzes the incidence and risk factors for developing neutropenia following MMC-HIPEC combined with CRS.