cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Making whiteness matter: The King of Tars

While many critics read the King of Tars’s white bodies as the a priori ground of the text’s racial-religious identities, I maintain that the narrative’s whiteness is more malleable and unstable. This interpretation attends to the historical and cultural logic that gave rise to The King of Tars’s iteration of racialized bodies. Considering historical connections between this narrative and Christian exchanges with Mongols in the decades before the text’s composition suggests that the narrative recuperates distinct racial hierarchies precisely where they were indeterminate historically, while retaining traces of that racial plasticity in its fantasized white bodies. The text materializes the period’s desires to expand Christendom, even figuratively, and to reify unstable racial identifications instantiated by conversions real and fantasized. Illuminating the traces of a constructed white racial body draws whiteness into the text’s production of racial-religious identities – via ideological and performative plasticity – that heretofore have adhered exclusively to readings of black bodies in the narrative.
The Interaction of Some Novel Diquaternary Gemini Surfactants with Anionic Surfactants

Abstract The interactions of a series of novel cationic gemini surfactants, [CnH2n+1(CH3)2N+CH2CHOHCHOHCH2(CH3)2N+CnH2n+1]22Br−(symbolized (CnN)2), with conventional surfactants (containing a single hydrophilic and a single hydrophobic group in the molecule) have been investigated. It is found that (C8N)2and (C10N)2have very strong interactions with the anionic surfactants C10H21SO3Na, C12H25SO3Na, and C12H25(C2H4O)4SO4Na, producing marked synergism in surface tension reduction efficiency and effectiveness and in mixed micelle formation in H2O, 0.1MNaBr, and 0.1MNaCl. In contrast to this, (C12N)2shows no synergism at all with C12H25SO3Na and has a much weaker synergistic interaction with C12H25(C2H4O)4SO4Na. It is proposed that extraordinarily strong interaction between the (C12N)2and C12H25SO3Na produces small, soluble, nonmicellar aggregates having no surface activity that decrease the monomer concentrations of the component surfactants, thereby reducing the surface activity of the system. Equilibrium constant calculations for this aggregate formation indicate that the two surfactants are present in a 1:1 molar ratio.
POINT MUTATIONS IN THE FIRST AND THIRD INTRACELLULAR LOOPS OF THE GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1 RECEPTOR ALTER INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a member of the glucagon family of seven transmembrane spanning receptors. To investigate how different portions of the GLP-1R may be important in cAMP and intracellular calcium signaling, single amino acid substitutions in the receptor were made by site directed mutagenesis. Receptor binding, cAMP, and intracellular calcium measurements were made in transfected COS-7 cells. The change of amino acid H180R (His to Arg) in the first intracellular loop caused a decrease in the affinity of binding of GLP-1 from 7 nM in the wild type receptor to 150nM and resulted in a 50% decrease in GLP-1 stimulated cAMP production. In response to 10 nM GLP-1, the receptor's ability to stimulate intracellular calcium was altered from a prolonged to a transient response of the same magnitude. Mutation in the 3rd intracellular loop at position R348G (Arg to Gly) decreased receptor affinity from 7 to 83 nM and nearly abolished cAMP production at all concentrations of GLP-1 tested. The GLP-1 stimulated rise in free intracellular calcium was also diminished and this was reversed when cells were treated with forskolin. These results also indicate that GLP-1R signaling via intracellular calcium is dependent on the receptor's ability to also generate cAMP.
Estradiol Inhibits Transcription of the Human Glycoprotein Hormone α-Subunit Gene Despite the Absence of a High Affinity Binding Site for Estrogen Receptor

Chronic administration of estradiol inhibits transcription of the gene encoding the α-subunit of pituitary glycoprotein hormones. Here, we show, using transfection analyses and a filter binding assay, that 1500 basepairs of proximal 5′ flanking sequence of the human α-subunit gene lack a functional estrogen response element when transfected into heterologous cell lines, and fail to bind estrogen receptor purified from calf uterus. Yet, this same region of the α-subunit gene confers estradiol responsiveness (transcriptional suppression) to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene in transgenic mice. A smaller promoter fragment of the bovine α-subunit gene also confers responsiveness to estradiol in transgenic mice, suggesting that the same element may mediate the steroid responsiveness of both promoters. Furthermore, regulation by estradiol of the chimeric human or bovine α-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase genes is pituitary specific, underscoring the physiological significance of these studie...
Analysis of anti–u1 RNA antibodies in patients with connective tissue disease

Objective. To determine the prevalence of anti–U1 RNA antibodies in connective tissue disease (CTD) patients and evaluate immunogenetic and clinical features of patients possessing these antibodies. Methods. RNA immunoprecipitation was used to analyze patient and healthy control sera for the presence of anti–U1 RNA antibodies. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting were used to determine small nuclear RNP (snRNP) polypeptide antibodies. HLA polymorphisms were determined by microcytotoxicity and DNA typing. Results. Anti–U1 RNA IgM and IgG antibodies were found in 60% of anti-RNP positive patients. All of the anti–U1 RNA positive patients had anti-7 0K, and most had anti-A, (U1)snRNP polypeptide antibodies. HLA–DR2/DR4, as well as Raynaud's phenomenon and synovitis, were significantly increased in the anti–U1 RNA positive group. Conclusion. The presence of anti–U1 RNA anti-bodies correlates with anti-7 0K and anti-A polypeptide antibodies. In addition, the anti–U1 RNA positive CTD patient group is immunogenetically and clinically distinctive from the anti–U1 RNA negative patient group.
Circadian rhythms in the rat: Constant darkness, entrainment to T cycles and to skeleton photoperiods

Free running activity and drinking rhythms of male Sprague-Dawley rats were observed in constant darkness (DD) for up to 44 days. The average period of the rhythms (tau DD) was 24.2 hr (+/- 0.12 hr) and the activity time was near one half of the circadian cycle. In the second experiment, rats were entrained to T cycles (T = period) with 2 hr of light per cycle. At T = 23 and T = 26 about one half of the rats entrained indicating that these periods are near the limits of entrainment. T = 23 induced a lasting aftereffect on tau DD while T = 26 affected tau DD only briefly. In contrast to some other nocturnal rodents, activity time was not compressed as T neared the limits of entrainment. In the third experiment, rats and hamsters were entrained to 24 hr skeleton photoperiods (two 1 hr light pulses/cycle). Rats phase jumped to the longer subjective night when the interval between the light pulses was reduced to 6 or 5 hr, while most hamsters phase jumped at 3.5 hr. Furthermore, all rats phase jumped by means of delaying transients while most hamsters showed advancing transients. Finally, while skeleton photoperiods compressed activity time in hamsters to 6 hr or less, activity time remained fairly constant in rats. These results demonstrate considerable differences in the organization of the circadian system among commonly studied nocturnal rodents.
Limited superradiant damping of small samples

We show that for samples small compared to a wavelength the maximum possible superradiant damping is severely limited by the shortness of the radiation-field-induced relaxation time TΔ as compared to the superradiant lifetime TS.
Antagonism of physostigmine induced hypothermia and neuroendocrine changes following exposure to different environmental temperatures.

Abstract 1. The magnitude of physostigmine-induced hypothermia increased with decreasing environmental temperature. 2. The hypothermic response was accompanied by significant changes in plasma levels of corticosterone, glucose and fatty acids. 3. Central cholinergic mediation appears to be a significant component of physostigmine-induced hypothermia and neuroendocrine changes at moderate temperature. 4. At lower ambient temperatures cholinergic blockers produced less antagonism of physostigmine-induced effects. 5. The decreased effectiveness of cholinergic blockers at low environmental temperatures and the increased plasma fatty acid levels under almost all conditions studied may be of importance in considering long term therapy with cholinergic agonists.
Devastating Water Intrusion in a New Children's Hospital: How Much Remediation Is Enough?

Abstract ISSUE: A microburst storm occurred over a new 208-bed children's hospital, resulting in extensive water damage to 265,000 square feet of space. Challenges to remediation efforts included evaluation of water damage, rapid removal of water-damaged materials, assessment for microbial growth, infection control procedures during remediation, and documentation of adequate decontamination through air and surface microbial sampling. PROJECT: Time was of the essence. A multidisciplinary team was formed. A contractor expert in water remediation was hired. Water extraction began immediately. Building materials not completely dried out within 48 hours were removed to a minimum of 2 feet above saturation. Samples for fungal spores were collected before remediation to determine baseline levels. Remediation used proper critical barriers with fire-rates plastic sheeting, air filtration equipment with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, wet removal methods, and HEPA vacuuming. RESULTS: Drywall and base molding for approximately 70,000 square feet was removed and replaced. All impacted fireproofing, insulation, and ceiling tiles were removed. Cabinetry was pulled out and inspected. Eighty windows were replaced and resealed. Sampling for fungal spore counts after remediation assisted in documenting proper decontamination. No adverse patient outcomes occurred. LESSONS LEARNED: Water intrusion requires rapid action. Having a remediation plan and knowing local vendors can prevent delays in remediation efforts. Immediate removal of affected cove bases hastens the drying process. Routine inspections of window seals prevent windows from being a source of water intrusion. Using greenboard for rebuilding is advantageous due to its resistance to water penetration. Infection control and safety officers must have front-line involvement and continuously monitor the remediation efforts.
Anaphylactic shock following penicillin therapy in bronchial asthma

Abstract Although anaphylactic shock following penicillin injections in bronchial asthmatics is not common, we must be alert for it because of its severity when it does occur. Signs and symptoms that can forewarn of shock reactions have been discussed, emergency treatment outlined, and three illustrative cases presented.
Perceived passage of time: its possible relationship to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Previous studies have shown that various factors may affect the perceived passage of time. Even boredom is thought to be related to a perception of time passing slowly. There might be an inverse relationship between brain processing speed and perceived time passage such that a slow processing speed would yield a fast perception of time passage. This could relate to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - it could be caused by a distorted sense of time in which time passes so quickly that concentration becomes difficult. Under this model, stimulants would be a logical therapy for ADHD patients.
Recovering sums of squares between full and reduced linear models

Many statistical computing packages include, as part of their standard output, hypothesis tests for a particular reduced model of interest. In this article, we identify the hypotheses being tested in the full model using sums of squares generated in the reduced model. Also, given a sum of squares generated in the full model, we identify the hypothesis, if any, being tested in the reduced model of interest.
K−Ar ages of bentonites in the seabee formation, northern alaska: A late cretaceous (Turonian) time-scale point

K−Ar ages were measured on biotite from six bentonite beds in the Upper Cretaceous (latest Cenomanian (?) and earliest Turonian) Seabee Formation of norther Alaska. The bentonite beds occur in the Shale Wall Menber of the Seabee Formation in three different coreholes in the Umiat and Simpson regions of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Fossil-bearing localities in the Shale Wall Member contain bivalves of the Inceramus labiatus (Schlotheim) group that has a worldwide distribution in rocks of mostly early Turonian age. The K−Ar ages range from 91.5±0.9 to 93.6±1.2 Ma and indicate an age of about 92 Ma for the highest occurrence of the I. labiatus group in the three coreholes.
Differential Cross Sections for the Elastic Scattering of 1- to 95-eV Electrons from Helium

The extended-polarization-potential method has been used to calculate the differential cross sections for elastic electron-helium scattering. The results are presented in tabular form for collision energies between 1 and 95 eV and a selection of scattering angles from 0 to 180 deg. Total scattering cross sections are also given for all energies considered.
Efficient epitope mapping by bacteriophage |[lambda]| surface display

A bacteriophage lambda surface expression system, lambda foo, was used for epitope mapping of human galectin-3. We constructed random epitope and peptide libraries and compared their efficiencies in the mapping. The galectin-3 cDNA was randomly digested by DNase 1 to make random epitope libraries. The libraries were screened by affinity selection using a microtiter plate coated with monoclonal antibodies. Direct DNA sequencing of the selected clones defined two distinct epitope sites consisting of nine and 11 amino-acid residues. Affinity selection of random peptide libraries recovered a number of sequences that were similar to each other but distinct from the galectin-3 sequence. These results demonstrate that a single affinity selection of epitope libraries with antibodies is able to define an epitope determinant as small as nine residues long and is more efficient in epitope mapping than random peptide libraries.
Inexpensive Electrophysiologic Calibration Unit

An inexpensive compact calibration circuit providing linear ramps and dc levels suitable for calibration of microelectrode recordings is described.
Bioinspired Anti-Biofilm Surfaces Based on Topographical Cues

Adhesion of bacteria to surfaces is the starting point for formation of biofilms, which tend to be significantly less responsive to antibiotics and antimicrobial stressors, compared with planktonic bacteria. The physicochemical properties of natural anti-biofilm surfaces are being actively studied to develop bioinspired anti-biofilm strategies. It has been shown that –majority of natural anti-biofilm surfaces have well organized micro/nanoscale surfaces features [1]. The difficulties associated with the manufacturing of well-defined and controlled nano-textured surfaces and complexity of the behaviour of microorganisms interacting with engineered surfaces has limited rigorous quantitative study of the state of adhesion of fouling microorganisms to engineered surfaces. The work presented here aims to advance the current understanding of cell-textured surface interaction with the ultimate goal of developing an anti-biofilm design framework based on topographical cues.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Investigation of Cr etch kinetics

Studies on Cr etch and its kinetics were carried out using a 50KeV photomask e-beam writing system, an ICP plasma etcher, chemically amplified resist (CAR), and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) metrology tool. A Cr etch rate equation was developed, showing good agreement with experimental data. Both the theoretical rate equation and experimental results showed that the main Cr etch rate effect parameters were oxygen mass flow rate, oxygen partial pressure, and ICP power. It was found that pressure plays a very important role in critical dimension (CD) uniformity etch contribution, loading effects, isolated/dense (I/D) etch CD bias, and etch CD movement. Etch kinetic information was found to be very helpful for improving CD uniformity, reducing pattern (local loading) effects, and controlling CD movement at the etch step. Some obsolete-pattern photomasks were used in the kinetic study. The main advantages of using obsolete photomasks include reducing resist effects on Cr etch rate investigation, obtaining much more etch kinetics data, and significantly lowering process development costs normally incurred from lithography tool time and raw photomask material consumption.
On nonblocking multirate interconnection networks

In a recent paper, Melen and Turner [SIAM J. Comput., 18 (1989), pp. 301–313] determined sufficient conditions for multirate interconnection networks to be strictly nonblocking and rearrangeable. They considered the continuous bandwidth case, which permits the bandwidth of a connection to take an arbitrary value in a given closed interval. In this paper, simple necessary and sufficient conditions for multirate interconnection networks to be strictly nonblocking for both discrete and continuous bandwidth cases are determined. New results for rearrangeable multirate networks with discrete bandwidth requirements are also given.
Field sampling considerations for the stem nitrate test in peppermint

Abstract The stem nitrate test for peppermint (Mentha piperita var.) is a promising nitrogen (N) management tool. When used properly, this test may aid in obtaining significant savings of fertilizer costs and in the protection of groundwater quality. There are several factors related to environmental conditions, N management, and sampling procedures that have not been evaluated and may confound interpretation of test results. The objective of this study was to measure the response of stem nitrate concentrations to factors that would be expected to influence the test and develop guidelines for the collection of stem tissue. The factors considered here were i) solar radiation effects on both hourly and daily scales; ii) spatial variability; iii) differences between alternative plant materials; and iv) the temporal response of tissue nitrate concentrations to soluble N application. The most influential of these variables were the type of stem material (a 441% effect at p=3.55E‐6) and the number of stems coll...
Ontogenetic patterns in bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) feeding ecology and the effect on mercury biomagnification

In this study, bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix; age 0–7, n = 632) and their prey (forage fish, macroinvertebrates, zooplankton; n = 2,005) were collected from the Narragansett Bay estuary (RI, USA), and total Hg concentration was measured in white muscle and whole-body tissues, respectively. Bluefish Hg concentrations were analyzed relative to fish length, prey Hg content, and ontogenetic shifts in habitat use and foraging ecology, the latter assessed using stomach content analysis (n = 711) and stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotope measurements (n = 360). Diet and δ13C analysis showed that age 0 bluefish consumed both benthic and pelagic prey (silversides, sand shrimp, planktonic crustaceans; δ13C = − 16.52‰), whereas age 1 + bluefish fed almost exclusively on pelagic forage fish (Atlantic menhaden, herring; δ13C = − 17.33‰). Bluefish total Hg concentrations were significantly correlated with length (mean Hg = 0.041 and 0.254 ppm wet wt for age 0 and age 1 + bluefish, respectively). Furthermore, Hg biomagnification rates were maximal during bluefish early life stages and decelerated over time, resulting in relatively high Hg concentrations in age 0 fish. Rapid Hg accumulation in age 0 bluefish is attributed to these individuals occupying a comparable trophic level to age 1 + bluefish (δ15N = 15.58 and 16.09‰; trophic level = 3.55 and 3.71 for age 0 and age 1 + bluefish, respectively), as well as juveniles having greater standardized consumption rates of Hg-contaminated prey. Finally, bluefish larger than 30 cm total length consistently had Hg levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criterion of 0.3 ppm. As such, frequent consumption of bluefish could pose a human health risk, and preferentially consuming smaller bluefish may be an inadequate strategy for minimizing human dietary exposure to Hg. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1447–1458. © 2011 SETAC
Transilient Turbulence Theory. Part II: Turbulent Adjustment

Abstract Turbulent adjustment is a scheme where dynamic instabilities in the flow are eliminated by turbulence. It is a form of first-order turbulence closure that is applicable to numerical forecast models of the atmosphere. The responsive form of transilient turbulence theory (developed in the companion paper) is shown to be identical to turbulent adjustment for mixing between two points in the vertical. For mixing in a column of many contiguous grid points in a numerical model, turbulent adjustment only approximates the atmosphere's tendency to eliminate instabilities; whereas, transilient turbulence better describes typical atmospheric responses by allowing large-eddy mixing. The utility of turbulent adjustment is demonstrated with a case-study one-dimensional simulation of the Wangara Day 33–34 boundary layer, where nocturnal stable-layer characteristics develop in response to surface forcings. Turbulent adjustment, although inefficient in its ability to eliminate instabilities, is much simpler and q...
Testicular seminoma revisited: time for a multimodal therapeutic approach

The development of effective chemotherapy regimens for germ-cell carcinoma has mandated a reassessment of the management of testicular seminoma, since patients with advanced seminoma respond poorly to radiotherapy. Although traditional radiotherapy regimens are effective against clinical Stages A and B1 disease, cisplatin-based chemotherapy may be preferable for Stages B2 and C disease. Alternatively, vinblastine, actinomycin D (dactinomycin), and cyclophosphamide may be used in conjunction with consolidation radiotherapy, reserving cisplatin and bleomycin for salvage treatment. In stage D disease, cisplatin-based chemotherapy may be advisable. The use of CT scans to improve the accuracy of clinical staging is suggested.
Resonant forward-biased guard-ring diodes for suppression of substrate noise in mixed-mode CMOS circuits

Substrate noise is a serious concern and a limitation in mixed-mode, analogue-digital, CMOS integrated circuits. The use of forward-biased n/sup +/p/sup upsilon /ard-ring diodes which resonate with substrate lead inductance is demonstrated by simulations to be effective in reducing this substrate noise by an order of magnitude.< >
The role of capsule endoscopy in evaluating both suspected and known Crohnʼs disease

Abstract Capsule endoscopy (CE) has revolutionized our approach to evaluating the small bowel. The capsule endoscope is an ingestible and disposable video camera that transmits high-quality images of the small bowel mucosa. Conferring the ability to visualize the entire small bowel, CE has the potential to facilitate the evaluation of Crohnʼs disease (CD), providing access to bowel segments previously inaccessible by push enteroscopy and ileocolonoscopy. CE appears to be complementary to cross-sectional imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance enterography and has demonstrated comparable yields in patients with CD. In addition to facilitating diagnosis of CD, CE also has the ability to document mucosal healing in response to treatment in established CD and has proven instrumental in further categorizing patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease unspecified. As a noninvasive test, CE holds particular promise in the evaluation of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Although the risk of capsule retention remains a concern in patients with stricturing disease, CE is considered safe in most patients.
Material void-opening computation using particle method

Abstract When performing two-dimensional Eulerian calculations of material flow, one always encounters difficulties in modeling void opening due to material failure, such as fracture, spallation, or phase change. The present studies use one type of particle to represent the material and another type to represent the void space. According to the flow conditions, the void space may grow with crack propagation, or the neighboring, nonvoid material may recombine when the void space closes up. The penetration of a tungsten rod into an aluminum block, the penetration of a copper rod into a steel plate, the necking of a shaped–charge jet, the formation of a self-forging fragment, and two shaped charges with tungsten–copper liners are calculated using the present code.
Statistical studies of mortality and air pollution multiple regression analyses by cause of death

Multiple regression analyses are presented relating community air quality, socioeconomic variables, and mortality rates for all cancers, respiratory system cancer, respiratory disease, and external causes, for U.S. cities for 1969-1971. Socioeconomic variables included an index of cigarette smoking (by state), which was usually highly significant. Most air pollution variables were not significant, however, with the exception of the trace metal manganese, which was associated with cancers and respiratory disease. Because of the low ambient concentrations in this study, it is likely that manganese is serving as a surrogate for some other effect, such as occupational influences for example.
What is an antidepressant binding site doing in a bacterial transporter

LeuT is a bacterial amino acid transporter belonging to a large family of membrane proteins, including the neurotransmitter transporters that are targets for antidepressant drugs. The high-resolution structure of LeuT has provided an important model for understanding structure and function in this family. Two recent papers found that LeuT can bind tricyclic antidepressants, raising the possibility that it may also serve as a model for the pharmacological properties of neurotransmitter transporters.
Magnetospheric convection during prolonged intervals with southward interplanetary magnetic field

[1] We have used a global magnetohydrodynamic simulation to investigate magnetospheric convection during a prolonged interval with modest southward driving. The interval simulated occurred on 13 and 14 February 2001 during a period when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) remained weakly southward for over 12 hours. Early in the simulation a near-Earth neutral line located between 20 R E and 40 R E in the tail drove flows earthward and then around the near-Earth obstacle to return magnetic flux to the dayside. The earthward flow led to increased ionospheric conductance and developed a modest earthward pressure gradient in the inner plasma sheet. Ionospheric line tying slowed the earthward flow. The pressure gradient caused the inner tail to become interchange unstable and lead to the tailward flow. When the tailward moving flux tube reached the near-Earth neutral line additional reconnection occurred between the tailward moving flux tube and IMF field lines created by lobe reconnection thereby returning flux to the nightside tail lobes. Late in the event the new lobe field lines reconnected at the duskside magnetopause creating additional rapid tailward motion. The tailward flow led to a reduction in both the ionospheric conductance and near-Earth tail pressure gradient and earthward flow was again established. This sequence repeated at least three times during the interval simulated.
The accumulation of low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons of crude oil by coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus).

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus) were exposed to 0.9±0.1 ppm of a water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Prudhoe Bay crude oil in flowing sea water. Both species accumulated a complex spectrum of low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons. Bioconcentration factors (ppm hydrocarbon based on dry weight of tissue/ ppm hydrocarbon in flow-through water) for most hydrocarbons in starry flounder muscle were substantially higher than for coho salmon muscle. After two weeks of exposure, for example, there were 17 ppm (dry weight of tissue) of C4- and C5-substituted benzenes in muscle of starry flounder (bioconcentration factor of 1,700) but only 1.5 ppm of these compounds occurred in muscle of coho salmon (bioconcentration factor of 150). Generally, alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons accumulated in tissues to a greater degree than unsubstituted derivatives. In both species, accumulations of substituted benzenes and naphthalenes in muscle increased in relation to the degree of alkylation. Complex mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbons were found in gills and liver of starry flounder. Accumulated hydrocarbons in coho salmon exposed for six weeks fell below limits of detection within a week when fish were transferred to clean water. Starry flounder exposed for two weeks retained substantial concentrations (7 to 26 ppm) of C2-C3-substituted naphthalene and C4-C5-substituted benzenes in muscle two weeks after the termination of exposure. Substantial variations were found in bioconcentration factors for individual hydrocarbons in both species. Thus the data reflect difficulties in relating specific sources of petroleum pollution to hydrocarbon profiles in tissues.
Uveal Melanoma Metastatic to the Liver: Chemoembolization With 1,3-Bis-(2-Chloroethyl)-1-Nitrosourea.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether chemoembolization with 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) is a safe and effective treatment for bulky uveal melanoma liver metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Over a 7-year period, 63 treatment-naive patients presented with uveal melanoma metastasis replacing 50% or more of the normal liver parenchyma. Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0–2 performance status, no extensive extrahepatic metastases, and adequate liver and renal function were treated with BCNU (200 mg) chemoembolization. Pretreatment tumor burdens were classified by MRI as 50–75% and more than 75%. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were divided into less than or equal to 500 and more than 500 IU/L (i.e., more than twice the normal level). Treatment toxicity was assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0). CT and MRI were used to determine best radiologic response (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors). Overall survival ...
An analysis of barbiturate-induced eating and drinking in the rat

Systemic injections of pentobarbital and phenobarbital induced nondeprived animals to eat and to drink. The feeding was not secondary to osmotic changes brought on by drinking, and the drinking was not dependent upon eating. Responses to pentobarbital were quantitatively and qualitatively different from behaviors elicited by lateral hypothalamic stimulation.
Enteral feeding preserves gut Th-2 cytokines despite mucosal cellular adhesion molecule-1 blockade.

BACKGROUND Parenteral nutrition (PN) decreases gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), the intestinal IgA stimulating cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 in gut homogenates, intestinal IgA levels and the expression of Peyer patch (PP) mucosal cellular adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), an adhesion molecule found on the high endothelial venules of PP and other tissues. IL-4 in PP stimulates MAdCAM expression in vitro. MAdCAM-1 blockade with MECA-367 reduces GALT cell populations to PN levels but maintains intestinal IgA levels if the animals are chow fed. This study compares IL-4 levels in PP of chow and PN fed mice and measures the effects of MAdCAM blockade on IL-4 and IL-10 levels in gut homogenates of chow fed mice. We hypothesized that in vivo IL-4 levels drop in PP of PN fed mice and IL-4 and IL-10 levels are maintained after MAdCAM-1 blockade in chow fed mice. METHODS Exp 1: 18 mice received chow or PN for 5 days to determine PP IL-4 levels. Exp 2: 44 mice were randomized to chow + control monoclonal antibody (mAb), chow + MECA-367 (anti-MAdCAM-1 mAb) or PN for 4 days before measurement of IL-4 and IL-10 levels in gut homogenates. RESULTS Exp 1: IL-4 levels in vivo were lower in PP of PN-fed mice than chow fed mice (92.0 +/- 15.1 pg/mL vs 251.1 +/- 14.8, p = .0003). Exp 2: IL-4 levels were significantly higher in chow + control mAb (187.1 +/- 44.1 pg/mL) and chow + MECA-367 (110.9 +/- 19.1 pg/mL) groups than PN mice (21.8 +/- 30.6 pg/mL, p < .02 vs chow + control or chow + MECA-367). IL-10 levels were significantly lower with PN (23.1 +/- 40.9 pg/mL) with chow+control (174.0 +/- 22.2 pg/mL p < .01), or chow + MECA-367 (181.7 +/- 23.1 pg/mL, p < .02 vs PN). CONCLUSIONS PN-feeding reduces in vivo IL-4 levels in PP (consistent with lowered MAdCAM-1 expression) and IL-4 and IL-10 levels in gut homogenates compared with chow. Despite MAdCAM-1 blockade, enteral feeding preserved gut IL-4 levels and increased IL-10 levels consistent with preserved IgA levels.
The influence of differential response on decision-making in child protective service agencies

Differential response (DR) profoundly changes the decision pathways of public child welfare systems, yet little is known about how DR shapes the experiences of children whose reports receive an investigation rather than an alternate response. Using data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), this study examined the relationship between DR implementation and decision outcomes in neglect cases, as measured by investigation, substantiation, and removal rates in 297 U.S. counties. Multivariate regression models included county-level measures of child poverty and proportions of African American children. Path analyses were also conducted to identify mediating effects of prior decision points and moderating effects of DR on poverty and race's influence on decision outcomes. Results indicate that compared to non-DR counties, those implementing DR have significantly lower investigation and substantiation rates within county populations but higher substantiation rates among investigated cases. Regression models showed significant reductions in removal rates associated with DR implementation, but these effects became insignificant in path models that accounted for mediation effects of previous decision points. Findings also suggest that DR implementation may reduce the positive association between child poverty rates and investigation rates, but additional studies with larger samples are needed to confirm this moderation effect. Two methods of calculating decision outcomes, population- and decision-based enumeration, were used, and policy and research implications of each are discussed. This study demonstrates that despite their inherit complexity, large administrative datasets such as NCANDS can be used to assess the impact of wide-scale system change across jurisdictions.
Ag and Au Monometallic and Bimetallic Colloids: Morphogenesis in Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Solutions

We report here a facile synthesis of Ag colloids with various morphologies (e.g., spherical nanoparticles, plates, wires) through autoreduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in formamide solutions containing poly(ethylene oxide)−poly(propylene oxide) (PEO−PPO) block copolymers at ∼100 °C. The PEO−PPO amphiphilic block copolymers act in tandem as reducing, stabilizing, and morphogenic agents. Judicious selection of conditions leads to spherical Au−Ag core−shell nanoparticles or Ag−Au bimetallic nanonetworks (e.g., spherical Au or Ag nanoparticles connected by Ag or Au nanowires, respectively) that are generated in the same solution (“one pot”) without additional agents and/or energy input.
Risk avoidance : Graphs versus numbers

There have long been speculations that graphical and numerical presentations of risk statistics differ in their impact on people’s willingness to pursue actions that could harm or even kill them. But research has been unclear about the processes whereby the pictorial character of graphical displays per se might affect those risky decisions or even whether such effects actually occur. In two studies, we demonstrate that the pictorial nature of a graphical risk display can, indeed, increase risk avoidance. This increase is associated with a heightened impression of the riskiness of less safe alternatives. The results suggest that this picture-driven, intensified sense of riskiness, in turn, rests on two kinds of mechanisms: one cognitive, the other affective. Cognitively, pictorial presentations impose weaker upper bounds on people’s internal representations of the chances that riskier alternatives will bring about actual harm. Affectively, pictures ignite stronger, more aversive negative associations with riskier options and their outcomes.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon dermal tumorigens: Comparison of high-boiling petroleum crude oils and distillates and coal-derived liquids☆

Abstract Two petroleum crude oils were distilled into two sets of fractions patterned after the boiling ranges of crude coal-derived liquids, including a heavy oil/heavy distillate ( bp > 232 ° C 450 ° F ) and a high-boiling vacuum gas oil ( b p > 343 ° C 650 ° F ). Samples of these distillates and two naturally occurring, undistilled, high-boiling, petroleum-derived crude oils were analysed for selected four- to six-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) dermal tumorigens. The PAH were isolated using semipreparative-scale high performance liquid chromatography, and quantitated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the single-ion monitoring mode. The isomer distributions of these PAH in petroleum- and crude coal-derived samples exhibiting similar boiling ranges were different, and the concentrations of the PAH were one to two orders of magnitude greater in the coal-derived liquids. Their distributions and concentrations in the petroleum-derived samples were more like those in hydrogenated coal liquids than those in the crude coal liquids.
Epitaxy of Si-Ge heterostructures by Si MBE

Abstract We report the growth of various Si/Si 1− x Ge x and Si/Ge heterostructures including thin quasi-periodic strained-layer super-lattices and ultra-thin layers of Ge n (1 ≤ n ≤ 128) and multilayers of Si m Ge n ( m , n ≤ 6). The structural properties of these films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The Raman spectroscopy of the ultra-thin structures showed unusual results. It is shown both experimentally and theoretically that the phonons in these systems cannot be treated with the usual boundary conditions. The presence of the substrate, the multilayer structure and the explicit boundary conditions on the surface need to be considered to account for the observed peak structure and intensities. The three mode behavior for the optical phonons in the Si-Ge systems is discussed for the case of thin Ge films on Si.
Knowledge about transplantation tolerance gained in primates

Research in transplantation tolerance relies on application of successful strategies in a nonhuman-primate organ transplant model for preclinical testing. Three principal approaches are being evaluated: hematopoietic chimerism, lymphocyte depletion and costimulation blockade. Interactive work in these three areas has yielded much new information on mechanisms of tolerance and opened the door to pilot clinical trials. Clinical application of xenotransplantation is likely to depend on such strategies.
Use of the Supermolecule Approach To Model the Syn and Anti Conformations of Solvated Cyclic 3',5'-Adenosine Monophosphate

The supermolecule approach has been used to model the hydration of cyclic 3‘,5‘-adenosine monophosphate, cAMP. Model building combined with PM3 optimizations predict that the anti conformer of cAMP is capable of hydrogen bonding to an additional solvent water molecule compared to the syn conformer. The addition of one water to the syn superstructure with concurrent rotation of the base about the glycosyl bond to form the anti superstructure leads to an additional enthalpy of stabilization of approximately −6 kcal/mol at the PM3 level. This specific solute−solvent interaction is an example of a large solvent effect, as the method predicts that cAMP has a conformational preference for the anti isomer in solution. This conformational preference results from a change in the number of specific solute−solvent interactions in this system. This prediction could be tested by NMR techniques. The number of waters predicted to be in the first hydration sphere around cAMP is in agreement with the results of hydration ...
Effects of Hounsfield number conversion on CT based proton Monte Carlo dose calculations

The Monte Carlo method provides the most accurate dose calculations on a patient computed tomography (CT) geometry. The increase in accuracy is, at least in part, due to the fact that instead of treating human tissues as water of various densities as in analytical algorithms, the Monte Carlo method allows human tissues to be characterized by elemental composition and mass density, and hence allows the accurate consideration of all relevant electromagnetic and nuclear interactions. On the other hand, the algorithm to convert CT Hounsfield numbers to tissue materials for Monte Carlo dose calculation introduces uncertainties. There is not a simple one to one correspondence between Hounsfield numbers and tissue materials. To investigate the effects of Hounsfield number conversion for proton Monte Carlo dose calculations, clinical proton treatment plans were simulated using the Geant4 Monte Carlo code. Three Hounsfield number to material conversion methods were studied. The results were compared in forms of dose volume histograms of gross tumor volume and clinical target volume. The differences found are generally small but can be dosimetrically significant. Further, different methods may cause deviations in the predicted proton beam range in particular for deep proton fields. Typically, slight discrepancies in mass density assignments play only a minor role in the target region, whereas more significant effects are caused by different assignments in elemental compositions. In the presence of large tissue inhomogeneities, for head and neck treatments, treatment planning decisions could be affected by these differences because of deviations in the predicted tumor coverage. Outside the target area, differences in elemental composition and mass density assignments both may play a role. This can lead to pronounced effects for organs at risk, in particular in the spread-out Bragg peak penumbra or distal regions. In addition, the significance of the elemental composition effect (dose to water vs. dose to tissue) is tissue-type dependent and is also affected by nuclear reactions.
Vacuum-excited surface plasmon polaritons

International College and Department of Physics,Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan(Dated: March 20, 2013)In a process analogous to photon-photon creation via the dynamical Casimir e ect (DCE), afterseparating Maxwell’s equations using Hertz vectors in a generalized Lorenz gauge, and which allowsfor both electric and magnetic time-dependent media, we discuss how surface plasmon polaritons(SPPs) can be created out of vacuum via the time-dependent variation of the medium. We ndthat vacuum excited SPPs dominate the photon creation rate for TM modes in a dielectric slab,modulated in time inside a cylindrical cavity. The possible experimental detection of vacuum SPPsis also discussed.
Apparent Alveolar Bronchiolar Tumors Arising in the Mediastinum of F344 Rats

Rare tumors were observed in chronic studies in F-344 rats that were purely or largely free in the mediastinal cavity, yet had the histological architecture of alveolar bronchiolar tumors. They had originally been diagnosed as either pulmonary alveolar bronchiolar tumors, mediastinal mesotheliomas, or thymomas. The authors described these tumors, estimated the fraction of thoracic tumors that they represented, and carried out a preliminary immunohistochemical investigation of whether they were of pulmonary or mesothelial origin. Sections of 715 thoracic tumors originally diagnosed as alveolar bronchiolar tumors, mesotheliomas, or thymomas from control or treated F-344 rats in NTP two-year studies were reviewed. Thirty (4%) were found to be purely or largely mediastinal, yet to have an alveolar bronchiolar histological pattern. A subset of these tumors and some typical intrapulmonary alveolar bronchiolar carcinomas and pleural mesotheliomas were immunostained for Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP), b-tubulin IV, and Wilm’s tumor 1 susceptibility gene products (WT1). The tumors with the histological architecture of alveolar bronchiolar tumors immunostained positive for CCSP and negative for WT1, implying they might have been of alveolar bronchiolar origin, despite their predominantly mediastinal location, although more certain identification would require the use of a larger panel of antibodies.
Microstructural development and solidification cracking susceptibility of Cu deposits on steel: Part II—use of a Ni interlayer

The tool and die industry is interested in depositing Cu onto steel using direct metal deposition techniques in order to improve thermal management of mold dies manufactured from steel alloys. However, Cu is a known promoter of solidification cracking in steel. Ni, however, is known to improve weldability of Cu containing alloys and steel. The goal of this work was to identify the range of Ni concentrations necessary to eliminate solidification cracking in Steel–Cu deposits and understand the cracking susceptibility through analysis and modeling of microstructural development. A wide range of Steel–Ni–Cu deposits, containing up to 75 wt% Ni, and Ni–Cu deposits were fabricated using the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process with cold wire feed. The Ni–Cu and Fe–Ni deposits were found to be crack free over the entire concentration range. However, Ni concentrations of up to 75 wt% were insufficient to eliminate cracking when subsequent layers of Cu were deposited. Therefore, to ensure crack free deposition of Cu onto Steel, the concentration of the interlayer must be 100 wt% Ni. The resultant microstructures were characterized by various microscopy techniques to understand the influence of Ni and Cu on solidification cracking of Steel. Additionally, solidification modeling was undertaken to determine the amount of terminal Cu rich liquid and solidification temperature range that would form under non-equilibrium solidification conditions.
Morphologic evidence of lamellae forming directly from thin, clayey bedding planes in a dune

An excavation in a sand dune in southern Michigan revealed numerous, thin - 3m m clay-enriched strata between otherwise weakly stratified, clean, fine sand deposits. The parallelism of both the sandy and clayey strata suggest that they have direct geologic origins, having been deposited during formation of the dune. Although the clay-enriched strata and the intervening sandy layers are both within the sand textural class, the former contained between 3.0% and 5.4% clay, and the latter - 1.8% clay. In areas of preferred leaching, such as below vertical root traces, the clayey strata thin out and become absent, or Abend downwardB, become wavy and contorted, and take on the appearance of typical pedogenic lamellae. These observations support a theory of lamellae genesis that is both pedogenic and geogenic. Thin sedimentary strata may be pedogeni- . cally AtransformedB into features that would normally be described as entirely pedogenic lamellae. Thus, many thin lamellae in Pleistocene-aged soils may simply be deformed and pedogenically altered sedimentary strata. This conclusion has implications for the nature and cyclicity of clay deposition in environments where thin lamellae are common in sandy soils. q 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.