cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypertensive urogram: a nondiscriminatory test for renovascular hypertension

Evidence has accumulated from clinical experience that the hypertensive urogram is not a satisfactory screening test for differentiating hypertension due to renal artery stenosis from essential hypertension. This is contrary to the conclusion reached in the report of the Cooperative Study published in 1972. The present investigation was done to: (1) reassess the value of the hypertensive urogram on the basis of experience at a single institution and (2) to reassess the validity of the Cooperative Study conclusions. In 197 patients operated on at the University of Michigan for renal artery stenosis during 1961-1977, the true-positive rate for hypertensive urography for prediction of surgical cure or improvement was 60.2%. In 131 patients undergoing hypertensive urography in 1977, the incidence of positive examinations in screening was 0.8%. The chance for a favorable surgical outcome in hypertensive patients having positive hypertensive urograms is now calculated as 24%, rather than 50% as stated in the Cooperative Study. Reanalysis of the Cooperative Study data also shows that the false-negative rate for screening is at least 21.8%, rather than 1.7%. A screening strategy fo choosing patients for renal arteriography and surgery on the basis of clinical factors and excluding urography is presented.
Proposal for Fellowship Training in Pediatric Global Health

The developing field of pediatric global health is at a critical point in time. After decades of improvements in child health, the decline in child mortality rates has slowed. Sadly, much of the previous success of community-based child health initiatives has been eroded by an era of HIV/AIDS, conflict, and poverty. Today, child mortality rates remain astonishingly high worldwide, with nearly 10 million children under the age of 5 dying each year, largely from completely preventable diseases.1,2 In light of these sobering facts, there comes an urgency for the development of leaders in pediatric global health who are adequately prepared to address the critical health needs of the world's children. Although there is clear evidence of growing interest in pediatric global health,3 few formal training programs currently exist to provide the requisite skills and mentorship for effective leaders. In contrast, other medical disciplines have long-established global health fellowships, including fellowships in international emergency medicine, internal medicine, and women's health. … Address correspondence to Brett D. Nelson, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Global Health, 3 Longfellow Place, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02114. E-mail: brett.d.nelson{at}gmail.com
Transcriptome analysis reveals specific modulation of abscisic acid signaling by ROP10 small GTPase in Arabidopsis.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a hormone that modulates a variety of agronomically important growth and developmental processes and various stresses responses, but its signal transduction pathways remain poorly understood. ROP10, a member of ROP small GTPases in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), is a plasma membrane-associated protein specifically involved in negative regulation of ABA responses. To dissect the ROP10-mediated ABA signaling, we carried out transcriptome analysis using the Arabidopsis full-genome chip. Our analysis revealed a total of 262 and 125 genes that were, respectively, up- and down-regulated (≥2-fold cutoff) by 1 μm ABA in wild type (Wassilewskija [Ws]); 42 up-regulated and 38 down-regulated genes have not been identified in other studies. Consistent with the nonpleiotropic phenotypes of rop10-1, only three genes were altered in rop10-1 in the absence of ABA treatment. In response to 1 μm ABA, 341 and 127 genes were, respectively, activated and repressed in rop10-1. Interestingly, a particular subset of 21 genes that were not altered by 1 μm ABA in Ws but only activated in rop10-1 was identified. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the existence of three distinct categories of ABA dose-response patterns. One novel category is characterized by their ABA unresponsiveness in Ws and activation in rop10-1 at 1 μm but not 10 and 100 μm of ABA. This indicates that ROP10 gates the expression of genes that are specific to low concentrations of ABA. Furthermore, almost all of these 21 genes are known to be highly induced by various biotic and abiotic stresses. Consequently, we found that rop10-1 enhanced the sensitivity of seed germination inhibition to mannitol and sodium chloride. Our results suggest that ROP10 negatively regulates ABA responses by specifically and differentially modulating the ABA sensitivity of a subset of genes including protein kinases and zinc-finger family proteins.
Variable selection in canonical discriminant analysis for family studies.

Summary In family studies, canonical discriminant analysis can be used to find linear combinations of phenotypes that exhibit high ratios of between-family to within-family variabilities. But with large numbers of phenotypes, canonical discriminant analysis may overfit. To estimate the predicted ratios associated with the coefficients obtained from canonical discriminant analysis, two methods are developed; one is based on bias correction and the other based on cross-validation. Because the cross-validation is computationally intensive, an approximation to the cross-validation is also developed. Furthermore, these methods can be applied to perform variable selection in canonical discriminant analysis. The proposed methods are illustrated with simulation studies and applications to two real examples.
Mössbauer effect in complexes of antimony trihalides with aromatic compounds

Abstract A series of complexes of SbCl 3 and SbBr 3 with aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers, ketones, and aniline have been studied by the Mossbauer technique at 4°K. Both isomer shifts (IS) and quadrupole coupling constants ( e 2 qQ ) indicate little change in electron distribution about Sb upon complexation, and indeed little difference between the two halides, apart from a generally lower coupling constant for the bromide complexes. There appear to be more variations in absorption intensity than in IS or e 2 qQ , but even these do not correlate simply with structural information.
Improved Finite Element Modeling of the Turbofan Engine Inlet Radiation Problem

Improvements have been made in the finite element model of the acoustic radiated field from a turbofan engine inlet in the presence of a mean flow. The problem of acoustic radiation from a turbofan engine inlet is difficult to model numerically because of the large domain and high frequencies involved. A numerical model with conventional finite elements in the near field and wave envelope elements in the far field has been constructed. By employing an irrotational mean flow assumption, both the mean flow and the acoustic perturbation problem have been posed in an axisymmetric formulation in terms of the velocity potential; thereby minimizing computer storage and time requirements. The finite element mesh has been altered in search of an improved solution. The mean flow problem has been reformulated with new boundary conditions to make it theoretically rigorous. The sound source at the fan face has been modeled as a combination of positive and negative propagating duct eigenfunctions. Therefore, a finite element duct eigenvalue problem has been solved on the fan face and the resulting modal matrix has been used to implement a source boundary condition on the fan face in the acoustic radiation problem. In the post processing of the solution, the acoustic pressure has been evaluated at Gauss points inside the elements and the nodal pressure values have been interpolated from them. This has significantly improved the results. The effect of the geometric position of the transition circle between conventional finite elements and wave envelope elements has been studied and it has been found that the transition can be made nearer to the inlet than previously assumed.
Synthesis and characterization of actinide phosphates

Abstract The immobilization of actinides by incorporation into synthetic monazite is an attractive concept for the long term storage of actinides. This stems from the known stability, over geological age, of natural monazites (which contain uranium and thorium) toward radiation and sea water. In seeking methods for the preparation of metal phosphates from insoluble metal compounds by simple reactions, we have identified both BPO4 and SiP2O7 as convenient reagents for such a task. a large variety of reactions, involving compounds of Th, U, Np, Pu, Am and all the lanthanides were studied. The results obtained, based mainly on Raman spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction, allowed for postulating reaction mechanism and for optimizing conditions for the preparation of ortho-, pyro- and trimeta-phosphates and actinide oxide phosphates. Some of the ternary phosphates thus prepared were used to prepare other phosphate, e.g., Pu(PO3)3 and sodium -containing quaternary phosphates, e.g. Na3Pu(PO4)2 and Na3Ln(PO4)2 Ln is a lanthanide element). Raman spectroscopy proved to be a very sensitive technique for identifying most of the compounds and for establishing their purity.
Average-case performance analysis of scheduling random parallel tasks with precedence constraints on mesh connected multicomputer systems

We investigate the problem of scheduling parallel tasks with precedence constraints on mesh connected multicomputer systems. It is still an open problem on whether there exists an approximation algorithm with finite asymptotic worst-case and/or average-case performance bound for this scheduling problem. As an early attempt to solve our problem, we propose and analyze the performance of a level-by-level scheduling algorithm LL. In fact, we solve a special case of the problem when all tasks request for square submeshes and run on a square mesh system whose size is a power of 2. There are three basic techniques in algorithm LL, i.e., the level-by-level scheduling strategy for handling precedence constraints, the largest-task-first algorithm for scheduling tasks in the same level, and the two-dimensional buddy system for system partitioning and processor allocation. Algorithm LL does not have a finite worst-case performance bound; however, it has quite acceptable average-case performance. The main contribution of the paper is to show that under the assumptions that task sizes are independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables with a common probability distribution, and that task execution times are i.i.d. random variables with finite mean and variance, and that the probability distributions of task sizes and execution times are independent of each other, for wide task graphs and typical task size distributions, algorithm LL has an asymptotic average-case performance bound about two for all probability distributions of task execution times.
Measuring parent beliefs about child acceptance of pain: A preliminary validation of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire, parent report

Parent perceptions of and responses to pain have been identified as important factors in understanding pain-related disability among children and adolescents with chronic pain. The ability to accept chronic pain rather than focus on ways to avoid or control it has been linked to positive outcomes in chronic pain research. To examine parent beliefs about child acceptance of pain, the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire, parent report (CPAQ-P), was developed and administered to 195 parents of children with persistent pain evaluated in a multidisciplinary pain clinic. Analyses support the internal consistency of the CPAQ-P (α=.89) and 1-month stability estimates were acceptable for the total scale score (α=.72), and results suggest some responsivity to change. Exploratory factor analysis identified a 2-factor model with 4 items removed from the original 20-item measure. Confirmatory factor analysis strongly supported the modified version. For construct validity, parent beliefs about child acceptance were negatively correlated with parent pain catastrophizing and parent fear of pain. Greater acceptance was also negatively associated with protective parent responses to pain. These results support the CPAQ-P as a promising measure for assessing parent beliefs about child acceptance of pain and reinforce the importance of the social context and parental influence on child functioning.
Glass transition and viscosity in metallic glasses and liquids

Experimental results on the structure and dynamics of metallic liquids and glasses are most frequently discussed in terms of phenomenological theories, such as the free-volume theory and the mode-coupling theory. However, the atomistic bases for these theories have been lacking. We propose a more fundamental, microscopic approach that may fill this gap. It is based upon the concept of fluctuating topology of atomic bonds described in terms of the atomic-level stresses. While this approach is still under development, it already has enabled quantitative description of some of the properties of metallic glasses, including glass transition, viscosity and glass formation.
Block and graft copolymers by selective cationic initiation. III. Synthesis and characterization of bigraft copolymers

The synthesis and characterization of new bigraft copolymers poly[(ethylene-co-propylene-co-1,4-hexadiene)-g-styrene-g-α-methylstyrene] (Nordel-g-PSt-g-PαMeSt) and poly[(ethylene-co-propylene-co-1,4-hexadiene)-g-isobutylene] (Nordel-g-PSt-g-PIB) are described. The synthesis involves the use of a polyhydrocarbon backbone containing allylic chlorines and bromines (chlorobrominated Nordel) in conjunction with a suitable alkylaluminum compound to initiate selectively the polymerization of a monomer (generally styrene) from the chloride sites and subsequently to initiate the polymerization of another monomer (α-methylstyrene or isobutylene) from the bromide sites. Conditions conductive to selective and sequential initiation have been worked out. The pure bigrafts are obtained by selective solvent extraction and their homogeneity (by gel permeation chromatography), overall composition (by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and molecular weight (by osmometry) are determined.
Selection of a polyethylene tubing formulation of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol formate and its use in disrupting pheromone communication inHeliothis zea (Boddie)

The release rates of (Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol formate (Z9TDF) from four sizes of polyethylene tubing were measured periodically for 50 days by collecting the Z9TDF vapors on a polymeric adsorbent. The resulting release rate curves had shapes that were determined by the tubing's diameter and wall thickness. One tubing size that combined good longevity with adequately high release rates was tested in the field to determine whether it could disrupt pheromone communication of the corn earworm,Heliothis zea (Boddie). We observed a low percentage of disruption, but release rate measurements made concurrently showed that the tubing was releasing Z9TDF normally. In a second field test, a larger quantity of Z9TDF was released, and 87% disruption was attained for 66 days.
External leg compression in the treatment of vascular disease

In summary, external compression of the limbs is a mode of therapy that has enjoyed a long history in the treatment of venous and arterial disease. Evidence suggests that its beneficial effects are mediated through enhancement of venous and arterial blood flow, promotion of vasodilation, enhancement of fibrinolysis, and, in the case of obstructive arterial disease, promotion of the development of collateral circulation. The utility of external leg compression in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis and in the management of chronic venous stasis disease has been well documented, and it has become an accepted treatment for these disorders. The use of pneumatic compression in the treatment of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular and cardiovascular disease is less widespread and its indications are less well defined. Though the work of a few investigators in each of these areas shows striking benefits of the technique, further investigation in these areas is warranted. Potential benefits to patients of external limb compression therapy include its non-invasive nature, its ability to be applied in an out-patient setting, and long-term cost savings through possible avoidance of hospitalization and invasive procedures.
Necessary Conditions for Isolation of Tightly Coupled Higher Plant Mitochondria

A number of parameters associated with the isolation of plant mitochondria were carefully examined in the hope of optimizing the isolation technique. Dark-grown mung bean (Phaseolus aureus var. Jumbo) hypocotyls were used as the source of mitochondria. Necessary conditions for the isolation of tightly coupled plant mitochondria include: (a) gentle tissue disruption; (b) rigorous exclusion of contaminating particles from the mitochondrial fraction; (c) the use of an optimal grinding medium containing a high concentration of mannitol, 10 mm phosphate or triethanolamine buffer to maintain the pH above 7.2, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at 1 mm level, cysteine at a low concentration (0-5 mm), and a high concentration of bovine serum albumin (0.1-1.0%); and (d) the use of the proper wash and suspending medium consisting of mannitol, buffer, and bovine serum albumin at the same concentration as in the grinding medium.
Isothermal Sintering of Spheroidized Cordierite‐Type Glass Powders

Jagged (ball–milled) glass particles were spheroidized and pressed into compacts which were isothermally sintered in air. Both jagged- and spheroidized-particle compacts showed about the same 0.7 anisotropy of the ratio of axial to diametral shrinkage, but spheroidizing reduced the shrinkage rate. Thus, shrinkage anisotropy is not a simple particle shape effect; it may relate to differences in the axial and radial distributions of particle sizes present in these compacts.
Interaction of Anionic Compounds with Gelatin. II: Effect on Some Physicochemical Properties of Gelatin

Abstract The interaction of gelatin with four monosulfonated or monocarboxylated azo dyes was investigated by measuring the surface tension and intrinsic viscosity of gelatin solutions containing the dyes at different concentrations, the rigidity and melting point of their gels, and the moisture regain of their films. The dyes, which were used as models for anionic drugs, differed in the size of their aromatic hydrocarbon moieties. Surface tension measurements showed that the gelatin did not affect the critical micelle concentration of the free dyes and that the bound dyes increased the surface activity of the gelatin. The dyes reduced the intrinsic viscosity of gelatin by as much as 2β. They also lowered the rigidity and the melting point of dilute gelatin gels and reduced the moisture regain of dry gelatin films. These changes became more pronounced with increasing dye concentrations. The effectiveness of the dyes in producing these changes increased with the size of their hydrocarbon moieties because, as had been shown in a previous study, increasingly larger hydrocarbon moieties increased the binding of the dyes to gelatin. At the pH of the measurements, which was 1.9 units below the isoelectric point of the gelatin, the gelatin was a cationic poly electrolyte. Binding of the dye anions by ion pairing, hydrogen bonds, and other secondary valence forces rendered the gelatin less ionic and less hydrophilic, which accounts for the present observations.
Methods of sample preparation for chemical determination of chromic oxide in bovine feces.

Abstract Fecal samples were prepared by four different methods to observe the variation and per cent recovery of added chromic oxide with each method. Variation was greatest in the samples dried and ground with a Wiley mill and those homogenized and analyzed wet. The standard errors of the samples dried and ground with a hand grinder and those homogenized and analyzed dry were lower than those of the other two groups of samples. The average per cent recovery ranged from a low of 98.8% (homogenized, analyzed wet) to a high of 100.2% (homogenized, analyzed dry). The variation in chromic oxide concentration tended to be greater in samples containing the highest per cent moisture at time of analysis.
The uses and benefits of cluster analysis in pharmacy research.

Abstract Purpose Cluster analysis (CA) refers to a set of analytic procedures that reduce complex multivariate data into smaller subsets or groups. Compared with other data reduction methods, such as factor analysis, CA yields groupings that are based on the similarity of whole cases, as opposed to the individual variables that comprise those cases. CA represents a valuable analytic tool for the health sciences, and may be used to devise patient or consumer profiles, or in the development of classification systems or taxonomies. CA has become a more widely used analytic tool because before the advent of personal computers with high processing power, CA methods were too complex to be time efficient. Yet in the past few decades, interest in and the applied use of CA have advanced considerably. CA tools are now integrated into most popular statistical software packages and are therefore more accessible. Methods The authors provide a discussion of CA that seeks to introduce the various methods, issues, and considerations to the researcher who is largely unfamiliar with CA. A conceptual understanding of CA is guided through breaking down CA into a series of steps and issues to consider including composition of the dataset, selection of variables, decisions about standardizing variables, selecting a measure of association, selecting a clustering method, determining the number of clusters, and interpretation. Results/Conclusions Because the range of CA methods is diverse, and because the steps within each method are so varied, an attempt to offer a complete “how-to” process in a single article is imprudent. Rather, the novice reader will be able to use this article as a starting point for conducting his or her own particular CA study.
Repeated freezing induces oxidative stress and reduces survival in the freeze-tolerant goldenrod gall fly, Eurosta solidaginis.

Abstract Freeze tolerant insects must not only survive extracellular ice formation but also the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during oxygen reperfusion upon thawing. Furthermore, diurnal fluctuations in temperature place temperate insects at risk of being exposed to multiple freeze–thaw cycles, yet few studies have examined metrics of survival and oxidative stress in freeze-tolerant insects subjected to successive freezing events. To address this, we assessed survival in larvae of the goldenrod gall fly Eurosta solidaginis , after being subjected to 0, 5, 10, 20, or 30 diurnally repeated cold exposures (RCE) to −18 °C or a single freeze to −18 °C for 20 days. In addition, we measured indicators of oxidative stress, levels of cryoprotectants, and total aqueous antioxidant capacity in animals exposed to the above treatments at 8, 32, or 80 h after their final thaw. Repeated freezing and thawing, rather than time spent frozen, reduced survival as only 30% of larvae subjected to 20 or 30 RCE successfully pupated, compared to those subjected to fewer RCE or a single 20 d freeze, of which 82% pupated. RCE had little effect on the concentration of the cryoprotectant glycerol (4.26 ± 0.66 μg glycerol·ng protein −1 for all treatments and time points) or sorbitol (18.8 ± 2.9 μg sorbitol·mg protein −1 for all treatments and time points); however, sorbitol concentrations were more than twofold higher than controls (16.3 ± 2.2 μg sorbitol·mg protein −1 ) initially after a thaw in larvae subjected to a single extended freeze, but levels returned to values similar to controls at 80 h after thaw. Thawing likely produced ROS as total aqueous antioxidant capacities peaked at 1.8-fold higher than controls (14.7 ± 1.6 mmol trolox·ng protein −1 ) in animals exposed to 5, 10, or 20 RCE. By contrast, aqueous antioxidant capacities were similar to controls in larvae subjected to 30 RCE or the single 20 d freeze regardless of time post final thaw, indicating these animals may have had an impaired ability to produce primary antioxidants. Larvae lacking an antioxidant response also had elevated levels of oxidized proteins, nearly twice that of controls (21.8 ± 3.2 mmol chloramine-T·mg protein −1 ). Repeated freezing also lead to substantial oxidative damage to lipids that was independent of aqueous antioxidant capacity; peroxides were, on average, 5.6-fold higher in larvae subjected to 10, 20 or 30 RCE compared to controls (29.1 ± 7.3 mmol TMOP·μg protein −1 ). These data suggest that oxidative stress due to repeated freeze–thaw cycles reduces the capacity of E. solidaginis larvae to survive freezing.
Lymphotoxin signalling in immune homeostasis and the control of microorganisms

Lymphotoxin (LT) is a member of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily that was originally thought to be functionally redundant to TNF, but these proteins were later found to have independent roles in driving lymphoid organogenesis. More recently, LT-mediated signalling has been shown to actively contribute to effector immune responses. LT regulates dendritic cell and CD4(+) T cell homeostasis in the steady state and determines the functions of these cells during pathogenic challenges. The LT receptor pathway is essential for controlling pathogens and even contributes to the regulation of the intestinal microbiota, with recent data suggesting that LT-induced changes in the microbiota promote metabolic disease. In this Review, we discuss these newly defined roles for LT, with a particular focus on how the LT receptor pathway regulates innate and adaptive immune responses to microorganisms.
Comparison of intravenous contrast agents for CT studies in children.

One hundred and eighty children undergoing CT examination were randomly allocated to receive meglumine diatrizoate, iohexol, or iopamidol as their i.v. contrast agent. Minor side effects were detected in 85% of children receiving meglumine diatrizoate, in 18% of those receiving iohexol, and in 36% of those receiving iopamidol. Because many of these minor side effects cause patient motion or delay scanning after contrast medium injection, they potentially degrade image quality. These findings are an indication for the use of low osmolarity contrast agents for i.v. use in pediatric CT imaging.
Severe functional declines, work disability, and increased mortality in seventy-five rheumatoid arthritis patients studied over nine years

Seventy-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were reviewed 9 years after an extensive evaluation which included quantitative measures of functional capacity. These patients had received multiple intraarticular injections of thiotepa with corticosteroids early in their course, but appear demographically and functionally similar to other RA patients who had not received this therapy. Severe morbidity was seen over the 9-year period in the 55 surviving patients, including significantly lower overall functional capacity in 92% of patients studied, lower grip strength in 93%, and longer button test results in 84%. Work disability occurred in 85% of patients under age 65 who had been working full-time at disease onset. There was increased mortality at the 9-year review, similar to most reported series of RA patients from referral centers; however, a significant increase in neoplasia, which was of concern because of the use of intraarticular thiotepa, was not seen. In terms of functional capacity, including responses to questions about ability to perform activities, walking time, and the button test, those patients who had died prior to review had significantly lower baseline values than did those who survived. Of the 75 patients, 20 had died and 51 had lost significant functional capacity over a 9-year period, documented by quantitative measures of functional capacity.
Endothelial metallothionein expression and intracellular free zinc levels are regulated by shear stress

We examined the effects of fluid shear stress on metallothionein (MT) gene and protein expression and intracellular free zinc in mouse aorta and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Immunostaining of the endothelial surface of mouse aorta revealed increased expression of MT protein in the lesser curvature of the aorta relative to the descending thoracic aorta. HUVECs were exposed to high steady shear stress (15 dyn/cm2), low steady shear stress (1 dyn/cm2), or reversing shear stress (mean of 1 dyn/cm2, 1 Hz) for 24 h. Gene expression of three MT-1 isoforms, MT-2A, and zinc transporter-1 was upregulated by low steady shear stress and reversing shear stress. HUVECs exposed to 15 dyn/cm2 had increased levels of free zinc compared with cells under other shear stress regimes and static conditions. The increase in free zinc was partially blocked with an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, suggesting a role for shear stress-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity. Cells subjected to reversing shear stress in zinc-supplemented media (50 μM ZnSO4) had increased intracellular free zinc, reduced surface intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression, and reduced monocyte adhesion compared with cells exposed to reversing shear stress in normal media. The sensitivity of intracellular free zinc to differences in shear stress suggests that intracellular zinc levels are important in the regulation of the endothelium and in the progression of vascular disease.
Cinnamoyl Esters of Lesquerella and Castor Oil: Novel Sunscreen Active Ingredients

Lesquerella and castor oils were esterified with cinnamic acid (CA) and 4-methoxycinnamic acid (MCA). Esterification of the hydroxy oils reached 85% completion with CA and 50% conversion with MCA. The hydroxy oils were esterified at 200°C under a nitrogen atmosphere within a sealed system. Unreacted CA and MCA were removed from the reaction mixtures by sublimation at 100°C under vacuum. The resultant methoxycinnamic oils possessed a broader, more blue-shifted UV absorbance, 250 to 345 nm with a λmax of 305 nm, compared with the cinnamic oils, which absorbed from 260 to 315 nm, λmax of 270 nm. The methoxycinnamic oils provide better UV-B absorption and thus are better candidates to be used as sunscreen active ingredients. Esterifications of the hydroxy oils with MCA at 200°C resulted in conversion of 40% of the MCA to undesirable by-products. Esterifications with MCA performed at 175°C in the presence of a tin catalyst resulted in similar percent conversions to product without degradation of MCA. Esterifications of lesquerella oil with MCA at 175°C resulted in higher conversions, 43%, than analogous esterifications with castor oil, 29%. The hydroxyl groups of the lesquerella and castor oils provide their excellent emolliency, lubricity, and noncomedogenicity in skin and personal-care products. Therefore, reactions that convert only 50% of the available hydroxyl groups of the lesquerella oil to cinnamoyl-esters are preferred.
Rates of ribosomal protein and total protein synthesis during Drosophila early embryogenesis.

Abstract Embryos at various stages of early development from 1.5 to 5 hr after oviposition were made permeable with octane and labeled for 1 hr with [ 3 H]phenylalanine. Measurements of the rate of incorporation of [ 3 H]phenylalanine into ribosomal proteins and total protein were made using these synchronized Drosophila embryos. The rate of synthesis of those ribosomal proteins incorporated into ribosomes increases until 3 to 4 hr after fertilization (550 pg/embryo-hr) then declines later in embryonic development. The rate of total protein synthesis is maximal as early during embryonic development as could be measured. During the period between 1.5 and 2.5 hr after fertilization this rate is 9.4 ng/embryo-hr and then also declines. The synthesis of ribosomal proteins accounts for a substantial portion (4.5%–8.9%) of total protein synthesis in early embryos. These results indicate that ribosome formation is a significant activity during the earliest stages of Drosophila development.
Analysis of total diet study foods for gamma-ray emitting radionuclides

Foods collected for radionuclide analysis under the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Total Diet Study (TDS) Program were analyzed by the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) as quality assurance (QA) for analyses performed at FDA's Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center (WEAC). 200-ml QA portions were analyzed for gamma-ray emitting fission products and naturally occurring radionuclides. Efficiency, pileup correction, absorption effects, and accuracy were determined by analyzing a variety of certified reference materials and KNO3 and KCl solutions. 40K results agreed well with those from WEAC and with total K results from other techniques. Count times as low as 2 minutes were sufficient to confirm that radioactivity concentrations were below regulatory limits.
Water-soluble copolymers. 68. Polyelectrolytes of N-vinylformamide with sodium 3-acrylamido-3-methylbutanoate, sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate, and sodium acrylate : Solution behavior

Dilute solution properties of copolymers of N-vinylformamide (NVF) with sodium 3-acrylamido-3-methylbutanoate (NaAMBA), sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate (NaAMPS), and sodium acrylate (N...
The Influence of Selected Temperatures and Ventilation Rates on Egg Production

Abstract INTRODUCTION MANY factors are known to contribute to the variation in egg production of chicken hens. Some of these factors are genetic, others are environmental and both contribute in varying degree to egg production over a particular period. The environmental factor of major concern in this study was ambient temperature and its effect on egg production. The different environments selected for testing were designed for the primary purpose of evaluating different ambient temperatures while randomizing all other variables. There has been considerable difference in the research findings as to the optimum environmental temperature in the laying house and whether or not it should remain the same throughout the entire production period. In addition, there is a lack of research based on sizeable numbers of hens tested over long production periods. The objective of this study was to investigate various environmental temperatures which, based on reports available in the literature, were …
Design and Synthesis of Ley-Bearing Glycopeptides that Mimic Cell Surface Ley Mucin Glycoprotein Architecture

Five Lewisy-based glycopeptide anti-cancer vaccine candidates have been designed and synthesized to target tumor-associated cell-surface glycoprotein antigens and to improve the immunizing performance in comparison to related vaccines. The peptide backbone consisted of two regions, a glycodomain AcNH-SSS- and a nonglycosylated sequence, -AVAV-. The resultant glycopeptide was conjugated, via an additional spacer, to the lipid carrier PamCysSer. In this series of totally synthetic molecular vaccine candidates, one or three of the sequentially arranged serine residues were glycosylated. Furthermore, the Ley tetrasaccharide determinant region was kept constant while the internal glycan core was systematically varied. Glycal assembly was used to prepare the glycosyl donors, and two strategies were applied to provide the serine-O-linked polysaccharide domains. In the first approach, a protected serine derivative was attached directly to the fully elaborated glycan. Following this course, both α- and β-Ser deriv...
“Clubbed fingers” and ulcerative colitis

In each of the seven cases of clubbed fingers presented there was associated severe chronic ulcerative colitis. Clubbing of the fingers occurs as a sequel of chronic ulcerative colitis more commonly than is generally realized. Chronic debilitating inflammatory disease of the bowel may lead, in certain cases, to digital deformity in the same manner as disease of the lungs.
Analysis of dynamics and planar motion strategies of a swimming microorganism — Giardia lamblia

We studied the dynamics associated with planar swimming in the microorganism Giardia lamblia. Giardia parasitizes the small intestine of humans and other animals, and has evolved a robust attachment and swimming mechanism to survive this harsh environment, which provides potential bio-inspiration for microrobot design. In this paper, a 2D dynamic model of flagella-body-fluid interaction was developed to analyze the actuation of the flagellum, energy supply and dissipation, and thrust along the flagellum. We found that to achieve the observed flagella motion, the required actuation bending moment decreases in magnitude from the proximal to the distal end, and that energy only needs to be supplied to the proximal half portion of the flagellum. The supplied energy is dissipated to the fluid continuously along the flagellum, with almost linearly increasing magnitude towards the distal end. Consistently, thrust mainly comes from the posterior portion of the flagellum. We also analyzed the kinematics of the flagella. The characteristics of the forward and turning motion are revealed through simulation. These results may help the gait planning and actuation for energy efficient propulsion in swimming micro-robotic design.
Targeting miRNAs involved in cancer stem cell and EMT regulation: An emerging concept in overcoming drug resistance

Although chemotherapy is an important therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment, it fails to eliminate all tumor cells due to intrinsic or acquired drug resistance, which is the most common cause of tumor recurrence. Emerging evidence suggests an intricate role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-type cells in anticancer drug resistance. Recent studies also demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in the regulation of drug resistance. Here we will discuss current knowledge regarding CSCs, EMT and the role of regulation by miRNAs in the context of drug resistance, tumor recurrence and metastasis. A better understanding of the molecular intricacies of drug-resistant cells will help to design novel therapeutic strategies by selective targeting of CSCs and EMT-phenotypic cells through alterations in the expression of specific miRNAs towards eradicating tumor recurrence and metastasis. A particular promising lead is the potential synergistic combination of natural compounds that affect critical miRNAs, such as curcumin or epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with chemotherapeutic agents.
Modulation of petite induction by low concentrations of ethidium bromide

Abstract When starved, exponential phase cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are exposed to 10–25 μM ethidium bromide in buffer, the proportion of respiration deficient mutants in the population exhibits a rapid increase, followed by a pronounced decrease. This “self-rescue” by the mutagen can be dissociated from and studied independently of its mutagenic action and is shown to exhibit different requirements. These and related observations have been used to formulate a consistent model for mutagenesis by ethidium bromide and its modulation under a variety of conditions.
Adhesion of thermoplastic matrices to carbon fibers: Effect of polymer molecular weight and fiber surface chemistry

A structure property study between the interfacial adhesion and the polymer molecular weight, fiber chemistry and processing temperature in thermoplastic composites was undertaken. In the first pha...
Crystallization of n-octacosane by the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions

Crystals of a model wax (n-octacosane) were produced by the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) containing n-octacosane and carbon dioxide. Pre-expansion temperatures and pressures were varied to study their effects on crystal morphology. Four distinct types of particles were observed, including regular hexagonal crystals and irregular fused particles. Particle size decreased and the particle size distribution narrowed with an increase in pre-expansion temperature. On the other hand, changes in pre-expansion pressure showed no significant influence on particle size.
A group process for defining local software quality: field applications and validation experiments

‘Global’ measures of software quality are generally not used by practitioners because they have not been calibrated for local operating environments. A participative process for defining local software quality has been defined, applied in the field, and evaluated in formal validation experiments. In four field applications of the process, a ‘jury’ of seasoned practitioners ranked a sample of modules from the organization's inventory of code and produced a ‘software quality rule set’. The results of each field application were tested in a formal validation experiment to determine whether the obtained rule set was a valid representation of the organization's sense of quality, i.e. whether the locally-derived rules could enable non-organizational programmers to make judgments about quality that were similar to those of the jury. In each experiment, non-organizational programmers ranked the same set of modules that were ranked by the organization's jury, using either the locally-derived rules, generic (textbook) rules, placebo (non-helpful) rules, or no rules. The correlation between the judgments of non-organizational programmers using local rules and the jury was statistically significant at p < 0–005; all other correlations were significant at p < 0–005. The results support a conclusion that the group process for defining local software quality is reliable in producing valid rule sets.
SEO announcement returns and internal capital market efficiency

Abstract We test the hypothesis that efficient internal capital markets mitigate the negative announcement returns surrounding seasoned equity offerings (SEOs). Our predictions are based on the argument that efficiency reduces uncertainty regarding the value of assets-in-place. Having established the inverse association between our efficiency measures and uncertainty, we show that the efficiency measures are positively associated with SEO announcement returns, particularly among firms with multiple segment codes. The positive relation suggests that efficiency mitigates uncertainty regarding the value of assets-in-place, and this is the channel through which more favorable announcement returns are produced in response to the SEOs of high efficiency firms.
Mechanism for the Reduction of Threading Dislocation Densities in Si0.82Ge0.18 Films on Silicon on Insulator Substrates

We have made an extensive study of Si0.82Ge0.18 film relaxation on silicon on insulator (SOI) substrates having a top Si layer 40, 70, 330nm, and 10[.proportional]m thick. SiGe films were deposited with a thickness up to 1.2[.proportional]m in an ultrahigh vacuum chemical vapor deposition system at 630°C. Following growth, films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and a dislocation revealing etch. The same level of relaxation is reached for each thickness of SiGe film independent of the substrate structure. Accompanying the film relaxation is the development of a tetragonal tensile strain in the thin Si layer of the SOI substrates. This strain reached 0.22% for the 1.2[.proportional]m film on the 40nm SOI and decreases with SOI thickness. The Si thickness of the SOI substrate also effected the threading dislocation density. For 85% relaxed films the density fell from 7×106 pits/cm2 on bulk Si to 103pits/cm2 for the 40, 70, and 330nm SOI substrates. The buried amorphous layer of the SOI substrate alters the dislocation dynamics by allowing dislocation core spreading or dislocation dissociation. The reduced strain field of these dislocations reduces dislocation interactions and the pinning that results. Without the dislocation pinning, the misfit dislocations can extend longer distances yielding a greatly reduced threading dislocation density.
Local soil knowledge and site suitability evaluation in the Dominican Republic

Abstract Mounting evidence shows that soil surveyors can learn a great deal from traditional farmers. Most studies of local soil knowledge, however, focus on unique cultural groups with centuries of accumulated knowledge of their environmental surroundings. Many farmers in the developing world are non-indigenous peasants who do not benefit from a rich cultural tradition. This paper examines peasant agriculture and awareness of soil in the Central Cordillera of the Dominican Republic. Information on soils was extracted from a geo-coded environmental database compiled by the Dominican Republic's State Secretariat for Agriculture and processed to produce site suitability ratings for six land uses (coffee, beans, grazing, pigeon peas, garlic, and rice). Farmer information dealing with environmental perception, agricultural technology, and agricultural decision-making factors was obtained in a field survey of 80 farmers. Survey statistics on technology were used to derive a numerical index of modern agricultural technology while factors conditioning choice of principal enterprise were examined using point score analysis. It is shown that peasant farmers in the Dominican Republic use a blend of modern and traditional methods that is neither productive nor ecologically sensitive. In addition, their soil taxonomy is comparatively unsophisticated. On the other hand, this study demonstrates that their empirical knowledge of site suitability is of great value for verification of scientific site suitability ratings derived from parametric indices. It is concluded that the participatory approach to agricultural research and development is particularly relevant in soil survey.
Ultrawideband FMCW radar for detection of antipersonnel mines buried at shallow depth

An ultra-wideband frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar was used to detect plastic anti-personnel (AP) mines. The study was conducted sign AP mines that were flush buried in a test bed prepared form crushed gravel. The ultra- wideband radar resolved the signals reflected from the top and bottom surfaces of the AP mines. It was not possible to detect these mines using the surface reflection as a detection threshold because of the high ground clutter. However, the ability to detect these mines improved greatly when the sub-surface reflections were used as a detection threshold. The study demonstrated that an ultra-wideband FMCW radar can be used to reject the ground clutter and to detect the AP mines buried at shallow depth.
200-mm CVD Grown Si/SiGe Resonant Interband Tunnel Diodes Optimized for High Peak-to-Valley Current Ratios

Negative differential resistance (NDR) devices in conjunction with MOS transistors provide a high speed, low power alternate to complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Boolean logic with gate-level pipelining has been demonstrated using monostable-bistable logic (MOBILE) gates. Application to low-power embedded memory is also promising. A key hurdle for tunneling based devices is development of a manufacturable process that can be integrated into a CMOS process line. Monolithic integration of low- temperature molecular beam epitaxy (LT-MBE) grown Si/SiGe resonant interband tunnel diodes (RITD) with NMOS has been demonstrated. However, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the dominant epitaxial growth technique for semiconductor manufacturing. The first CVD grown Si/SiGe RITD was demonstrated with a peak-to-valley current ratio (PVCR) of 1.85. In this work, further optimization of boron δ-doping has resulted in high PVCR up to 5.2. Current density dependence on tunneling barrier thickness is also investigated.
Orthopaedic war injuries: from combat casualty care to definitive treatment: a current review of clinical advances, basic science, and research opportunities.

Composite flexor-tendon grafts (both tendons with sheath and pulleys intact) were performed in adult chickens comparing fresh autografts with allografts stored in 1:5,000 merthiolate under refrigeration for two months. The gross and microscopic findings were assessed one week to one year after transfer. The allografts were somewhat slower to heal but otherwise differed little from the autografts, and were readily accepted eventually with only minor adhesions between the grafted tendon and the sheath.