cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An evaluation of androgenic therapy in gynecologic practice

Abstract Effects in 22 women who received androgenic therapy parallel those produced in laboratory animals by injections of testosterone propionate. In my cases, functional uterine bleeding was inhibited by the male sex hormone. In this group, no notable masculinizing changes developed, except occasional temporary hypertrophy of the clitoris. Three of these patients have been under observation for more than two years. Testosterone propionate will bring about a cessation of genital activity in human beings as it has been observed to do in the adult female rabbits and rats. This effect is the result of pituitary rather than ovarian inactivation. The changes produced by the male sex hormone are temporary, with resumption of cyclic phenomena in the genitalia after administration is discontinued. When large doses of testosterone propionate (over 350 to 500 mg.) are injected over a considerable period of time, temporary masculinizing changes, especially hypertrophy of the clitoris, may appear. Inhibition of activity in the lactating breast after the administration of testosterone propionate has been observed clinically and has been demonstrated histologically in animals. Reports in the literature indicate that reproduction is possible and that normal young have been born to human beings who have received male sex hormone prior to their pregnancies. There is considerable evidence to suggest that androgenic therapy has a place in the treatment of functional uterine bleeding, mastalgias and puerperal breast engorgement, and for the inhibition of lactation. Further investigation of its use in dysmenorrhea and the treatment of menstrual molimina seems indicated. The use of male sex hormone may, perhaps, be advantageously used in preference to the estrogens in certain selected instances of menopausal disturbances.
Long-Term Trends of Nutrients and Sediment from the Nontidal Chesapeake Watershed: An Assessment of Progress by River and Season

To assess historical loads of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and suspended sediment (SS) from the nontidal Chesapeake Bay watershed (NTCBW), we analyzed decadal seasonal trends of flow-normalized loads at the fall-line of nine major rivers that account for >90% of NTCBW flow. Evaluations of loads by season revealed N, P, and SS load magnitudes have been highest in January-March and lowest in July-September, but the temporal trends have followed similar decadal-scale patterns in all seasons, with notable exceptions. Generally, total N (TN) load has dropped since the late 1980s, but particulate nutrients and SS have risen since the mid-1990s. The majority of these rises were from Susquehanna River and relate to diminished net trapping at the Conowingo Reservoir. Substantial rises in SS were also observed, however, in other rivers. Moreover, the summed rise in particulate P load from other rivers is of similar magnitude as from Susquehanna. Dissolved nutrient loads have dropped in the upland (Piedmont and above) rivers, but risen in two small rivers in the Coastal Plain affected by lagged groundwater input. In addition, analysis of fractional contributions revealed consistent N trends across the upland watersheds. Finally, total N:total P ratios have declined in most rivers, suggesting the potential for changes in nutrient limitation. Overall, this integrated study of historical data highlights the value of maintaining long-term monitoring at multiple watershed locations.
Low-dose oral methotrexate treatment for recalcitrant palmoplantar pompholyx

We describe 5 patients with severe pompholyx who did not respond to conventional therapy or who had debilitating side effects from corticosteroids. Low-dose methotrexate was added to their treatment regimens and led to significant improvement or clearing with a favorable side-effect profile. In all 5 patients the need for oral corticosteroid therapy was substantially decreased or eliminated, thus decreasing potential corticosteroid-induced morbidity. In this uncontrolled series of patients with recalcitrant palmoplantar pompholyx, methotrexate was an effective treatment and acted as a steroid-sparing agent.
Comprehensive Radiology Management System Without Picture Archival And Communication System (PACS)

Since 1977, the Radiology Operations Management Computer System has been in operation at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). This comprehensive system features registration and scheduling, file room management, automated interpretation reporting, management reporting, patient tracking, accounting and automated teaching file. In 1980, a group of non-profit institutions joined together in a consortium to develop the next generation radiology management system and to take advantage of the collective experience and knowledge of the group while using the HUP system as a model. Although the HUP Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS) was developed independently from this management system, their interdependence is important and will be discussed.
Reactive power compensation and harmonics elimination at Medium-Voltage using Hexagram converter

This paper introduced Hexagram converter - a new type of multilevel converter for reactive power compensation and harmonics elimination at Medium-Voltage (MV) grids to improve the power quality. The Hexagram converter is composed of six three-phase two-level Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) interconnected through the inductors, and has the advantages of modular structure with easy construction, even and much reduced voltage stress, and easy control. A four-dimensional control method which is composed of three two-level One-Cycle Controllers (OCC) is proposed for the Hexagram converter system. The reactive power compensation and harmonics elimination function has been verified with both simulation model and experimental prototype.
Photocatalytic destruction of organic dyes in aqueous TiO2 suspensions using concentrated simulated and natural solar energy

Abstract The photocatalytic destruction of several classes of organic dyes utilizing highly concentrated solar energy is reported. Several commercial samples of anatase TiO 2 varying in particle size and purity were studied to determine catalytic activity with Degussa P25 grade being the most active. When immobilized on glass beads it remained highly active. The rate and extent of decomposition of the organic compounds were determined by UV/Vis spectroscopy and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Complete mineralization was confirmed by total organic carbon analysis as well as wuantitative measurements of CO 2 and various inorganic ions. In general, sulfur in the organic compounds is converted to sulfate ions and nitrogen is converted to ammonium and/or nitrate ions. The effect of increasing the flux of the radiation on the rate of decomposition of the dye was also studied. There is a dramatic rate increase as the flux is increased from 15 “suns” (solar simulator) to 150 “suns” (solar dish concentrator) with the increase being slightly greater than the square root of the increase in flux. This work suggests that potential exists for the use of highly concentrated sunlight in the removal of textile dyes and biological stains from wastewater.
Attachment of Low-Energy Electrons in Mixtures Containing Oxygen

Electron attachment to ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ has been studied for ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$-${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$-${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ mixtures over a wide range of pressures and electric fields. It was found that $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, the probability of capture per cm and per mm Hg of ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, depends on the partial pressures of both gases in the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$-${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ mixture but only on the ${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ pressure in the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$-${\mathrm{C}}_{2}$${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ mixture. The data have been interpreted in terms of an extension of the mechanism postulated by Bloch and Bradbury, and by Bates and Massey, which involves first the formation of ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}*}$ (excited ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) with subsequent collisional stabilization. On this basis estimates were made of the cross section for stabilization of ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}*}$ by collisions with various kinds of molecules.
Comparative Study ofn-Hexane Aromatization on Pt/KL, Pt/Mg(Al)O, and Pt/SiO2Catalysts: Clean and Sulfur-Containing Feeds

Abstract Then-hexane aromatization has been studied on Pt/KL, Pt/ Mg(Al)O, and Pt/SiO2catalysts at 773 K using sulfur-free and 0.6 ppm sulfur containing feedstocks. Examination of the product distribution as a function of conversion suggests that the formation of benzene is preceded by the formation of hexenes. In contrast with previous reports, it has been found that the Pt/KL catalyst exhibits much higher aromatization activity than the Pt/Mg(Al)O catalyst. On Pt/KL the main product is benzene, with hexenes and lighter compounds as the principal by-products. By contrast, on the Pt/Mg(Al)O, the main products were hexenes. Since hexenes are primary products and benzene is a secondary product, the exceptional aromatization activity of Pt/KL is explained in terms of its ability to convert hexene into benzene. In the presence of sulfur, the Pt/KL exhibits a rapid loss inn-hexane conversion and benzene selectivity. Under these conditions, the sulfided Pt/KL catalyst presents a catalytic behavior typical of Pt/Mg(Al)O and Pt/SiO2, generating larger amounts of hexenes. The observed results are consistent with the hypothesis that the most important role of the zeolite is to inhibit bimolecular interactions that lead to coke formation. The formation of coke has the net effect of selectively deactivating aromatization sites which require a large ensemble of atoms to constitute the active site but not affecting the dehydrogenation activity which is less ensemble-sensitive. Therefore, those particles that are not protected against coking inside the channels of the zeolite rapidly become unselective. In support of this hypothesis, the hydrogenolysis reaction which also requires a large ensemble of atoms, decreases in parallel with the aromatization reaction. The high sensitivity of Pt/KL to sulfur may be due to a combination of effects which may involve growth of metal particles outside the zeolite which would become unselective and partial poisoning of the particles inside the zeolite, causing a similar selective deactivation.
Morbidity of the Abdominal Wall Resection and Reconstruction After Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC)

CRS/HIPEC has evolved as a therapeutic option for selected patients with peritoneal surface malignancies. To achieve complete cytoreduction (CC), some patients require extensive abdominal-wall resection (AWR) and subsequent complex reconstructions, which may be associated with wound complications (WC) and delay of postoperative cancer therapy. Review of a prospective database of 350 patients revealed 213 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis who underwent AWR due to suspected or proven wound/port site metastases during CRS/HIPEC. Tumor origin included: appendix, colon, ovarian, peritoneal mesothelioma, primary peritoneal, and others. WC were related to peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI), CC score, length of surgery, type of AWR and closure, blood transfusion, and albumin levels using binary logistic regression (odds ratios (OR) and 95 % CIs) analysis. PCI ≥ 20 was found in 151 (71 %), CC was achieved in 178 (84 %). Mean length of surgery was 613 min. Postoperative WC were detected in 49 of 213 (23 %) patients, 13 (6 %) had Grade III (according to Clavien–Dindo’s classification) WC, and led to delay of postoperative chemotherapy. WC occurred in 21 of 64 (32.8 %) patients with excision of port sites (odds ratio [OR] = 2.11, confidence interval [CI] = 1.09–4.10, p = 0.026). Primary fascial closure was performed in 191 of 213 (89.7 %) patients, 40 (21 %) of whom had WC. Mesh-assisted abdominal wall reconstruction was required in 22 of 213 (10.3 %) patients, of whom 9 (40.9 %) had WC (OR = 2.61, CI = 1.04–6.55, p = 0.035). Port-site excision and mesh-assisted abdominal wall reconstruction were associated with higher incidence of postoperative WC following CRS/HIPEC. The implications of these preliminary findings may need to be considered during surgical planning for these patients.
Survey of catalysts for oxidation of mercury in flue gas

Methods for removing mercury from flue gas have received increased attention because of recent limitations placed on mercury emissions from coal-fired utility boilers by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and various states. A promising method for mercury removal is catalytic oxidation of elemental mercury (Hg0) to oxidized mercury (Hg2+), followed by wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD). FGD cannot remove Hg0, but easily removes Hg2+ because of its solubility in water. To date, research has focused on three broad catalyst areas: selective catalytic reduction catalysts, carbon-based materials, and metals and metal oxides. We review published results for each type of catalyst and also present a discussion on the possible reaction mechanisms in each case. One of the major sources of uncertainty in understanding catalytic mercury oxidation is a lack of knowledge of the reaction mechanisms and kinetics. Thus, we propose that future research in this area should focus on two major aspects: determining the reaction mechanism and kinetics and searching for more cost-effective catalyst and support materials.
Phase Diagram of the System Na2O·Ga2O3-Ga2O3 and its Relation to the System Na2O·Al2O3-Al2O3

A new phase diagram for the system Na2O-Ga2O3 (>50 mol% Ga2O3) is presented. It is based on information from differential thermal analysis, X-ray examination of quenched samples, and a radiochemical technique for determining the compositions of a primary phase and a liquid in equilibrium with it. The diagram provides a guide for the growth of primary crystals of the two ionically conducting sodium gallates that are analogs of the technologically important β- and β″-aluminas.
Some algebraic relations between involutions, convolutions and correlations, with applications to holographic memories

Convolutions * and correlations # in spacesH of doubly infinite sequences are related bya#b=S(a * Sb), whereS is an involution which reflects the order in the integral domainZ on which the sequences are defined. This relation can be used to represent a non-associative correlation algebra ?H, #? by an associative convolution algebra equipped with the involutionS which, as is shown, greatly simplifies derivations. Related matrix representations of #, *,S are given for sequences with finite support in Re n . Some implications for holographic memory models are discussed.
Multiwavelength Pyrometry: An Improved Method

It is demonstrated that the temperature of a thermal radiator can be determined without prior knowledge of the emissivity of the source by curve-fit-ting techniques using multiple spectral radiance measurements. This new passive measurement technique assumes only that a smooth function exists between spectral emissivity and wavelength. The spectral radiance values are fitted to a Planck radiation law relation to yield the temperature of the source. Error analysis shows that relative errors in the temperature measurements are generally an order of magnitude less than in the spectral radiance measure-ments and in the simultaneously calculated spectral emissivity values. Computer simulations are included that show the effects of varying different parameters, such as the number of data pairs, the wavelength range, the spectral emissivity behavior, the source temperature, and the measurement noise, on the accuracy of the temperature determination. Experimental confirmation of this technique is presented, showing temperature measurements within 1% of the actual temperatures on a platinum surface within a temperature range of 1273 to 1724 K.
Designing a phone broadcasting system for urban sex workers in India

In this paper, we present the design, implementation, and deployment of a phone-based broadcasting system designed for reaching out to at-risk populations in urban India. We worked in collaboration with Pragati, a non-governmental organization dedicated to assisting Urban Sex Workers (USWs) in Bangalore, India, with the goal of improving Pragati's outreach to the women they serve. We conducted ethnographic action research to understand and address the needs of Pragati and the lifestyles of USWs. Responding to the unique design constraints of the USW community such as specific privacy and timing constraints, a desire to remain invisible, and the unusually high rate of mobile phone use, we designed a phone-based broadcasting system for Pragati. We then deployed the system on four different occasions and application areas. We present the results and key findings from our study, and conclude with a discussion on how designing for particularly difficult cases such as USWs can shed new light on the design of mobile applications for the developing world in general, such as challenging ubiquity and phone numbers as identity.
REMUS UUV navigation accuracy testing

Three REMUS UUVs were taken to the Kingdom of Bahrain for testing 15 to 24 October 2002. The objective of the test was to measure the Probability of Detection/Classification, Contact Localization Accuracy, and to observe internal vehicle temperatures while operating in warm water. Detection, classification, and localization evaluations were independently performed by human interpretation and by computer aided interpretation. Prior to the test, seventeen mineshapes were installed in three separate minefields to evaluate performance in different locations of a 1000-m by 1000-m operating area. The mineshapes and long baseline navigation transponders were accurately installed using submeter accuracy DGPS. The first week concentrated on installing the minefield and the second week involved three days of testing followed by two days of mineshape removal.
Electron microscopic localization of lacZ expression in the proximal convoluted tubular cells of the kidney in transgenic mice carrying chimeric erythropoietin/lacZ gene constructs.

Abstract Regulated expression of the erythropoietin (EPO) gene in the adult kidney plays a key role in the regulation of erythropoiesis. However, uncertainty exists regarding the type of kidney cells involved in EPO gene expression. We previously showed by light microscopy that the lacZ reporter gene is expressed and inducible by hypoxia/anemia in the proximal convoluted tubular (PCT) cells of the kidneys of transgenic mice carrying the 5′-lacZ construct, in which the lacZ gene was placed downstream of a 7.0-kb mouse EPO gene segment containing 6.5 kb of the 5′-flanking sequence. We, report here the light and transmission electron microscopic examination of lacZ expression in the kidneys of transgenic mice carrying the 5′-lacZ construct and two additional constructs carrying the 6.5-kb 5′-flanking sequence with the body of the gene alone, or along with the 1.2-kb 3′-flanking sequence. The electron microscopic analyses unequivocally demonstrated that lacZ under the regulatory control of the 6.5-kb 5′-flanking sequence with or without the body of the gene and the 1.2-kb 3′-flanking sequence was expressed predominantly in the proximal convoluted tubular cells of the kidney following hypoxia induction.
Technique for colon antirefluxing diversion in patient with ileal conduit.

Abstract Colon conduits have increased in popularity because of the possibility of creating an antireflux ureterocolic anastomosis. Also the higher incidence of stomal problems associated with ileal conduits have led many to remove the ileal conduit and use a colonic segment instead. A case is presented of a patient who had a previous ileal conduit which was remodeled into an antirefluxing colon conduit.
Laboratory Test of the Finlay-Freundlich Red Shift Hypothesis

A NEW round of discussion and experiment has been set off by a recent suggestion made by A. Ward1. He points out that recent developments in physics make possible a laboratory test of a proposal by E. Finlay-Freundlich2 for an alternative interpretation of the galactic red shift. The Finlay-Freundlich hypothesis was based on anomalies in various stellar red shifts and suggested that these, as well as the Hubble-Humason red shift in galactic spectra, commonly interpreted as Doppler shifts in an expanding universe, are in fact the result of loss of energy by observed photons traversing a radiation field. No generally accepted physical mechanism has been proposed for this loss. It may be noted that an as yet unknown photon-photon interaction has been suggested in which the energy lost somehow reappears as lower frequency radiation, or alternatively, it has been proposed that the energy lost reappears as neutrino pairs resulting from the exchange of a graviton between two photons3. The empirical relation first offered by Finlay-Freundlich may be written as: where ρrad is the energy density in ergs/c.c. of the radiation field traversed by the red-shifted photon, and l is the path length from source to observer. The Finlay-Freundlich hypothesis was attacked strongly when it was made. M.A. Melvin4 and others have emphasized the seemingly serious astronomical counter-evidence, particularly binary star data assembled by H. L. Helfer5. While holding no brief for the relation, Melvin nevertheless revaluated the numerical constant in equation (1) to obtain a better representation of the various data on which Finlay-Freundlich based his relation. The improved version of equation (1) due to Melvin is smaller by 10−3: The proposal made by Ward was to verify or disprove equation (2) by an experiment combining the high sensitivity for resonant absorption associated with the Mossbauer effect with the high-radiation fields in a laboratory device for thermonuclear fusion studies.
Planning for capacity expansion: Stochastic process and game-theoretic approaches

Abstract Under- and over-capacity design is a major consideration in public infrastructure systems. Traditional engineering economies of scale leading to overdesign errors must be counterbalanced by greater attention to high cost financing. Increased uncertainty in demand forecasting and financial markets make decision tools which incorporate measures of information imperfection more appropriate. These tools, however, do not lead to consistent identification of optimal design levels.
Targeting of Miz-1 Is Essential for Myc-mediated Apoptosis

The c-Myc oncoprotein plays a central role in human cancer via its ability to either activate or repress the transcription of essential downstream targets. For many of the repressed target genes, down-regulation by c-Myc relies on its ability to bind and inactivate the transcription factor Miz-1. Although Miz-1 inactivation is suspected to be essential for at least some of the biological activities of c-Myc, it has been difficult to demonstrate this requirement experimentally. Using a combination of short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown and a previously characterized mutant of c-Myc that is defective for Miz-1 inactivation, we examined whether this inactivation is critical for three of the most central biological functions of c-Myc, cell cycle progression, transformation, and apoptosis. The results of this analysis demonstrated that in the in vitro assays utilized here, Miz-1 inactivation is dispensable for c-Myc-induced cell cycle progression and transformation. In marked contrast, the ability of c-Myc to induce apoptosis in primary diploid human fibroblasts in response to growth factor withdrawal is entirely dependent on its ability to inactivate Miz-1. These data have a significant impact on our understanding of the biochemical mechanisms dictating how c-Myc mediates opposing biological functions, such as transformation and apoptosis, and demonstrate the first requirement for Miz-1 inactivation in any of the biological functions of c-Myc.
Finding overlapped communities in online social networks with Nonnegative Matrix Factorization

In this work, we introduce two approaches, namely iSNMF and iANMF, for effectively identifying social communities using Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) with I-divergence as the cost function. Our approaches work by iteratively factorizing the nonnegative input matrix through derived multiplicative update rules. By doing so, we can not only extract meaningful overlapping communities via soft community assignments produced by NMF, but also nicely handle all directed and undirected networks with or without weights. To validate the performance of our approaches, we extensively conduct experiments on both synthesized networks and real-world datasets in comparison with other NMF methods. Experimental results show that iSNMF is among the best efficient detection methods on reciprocity networks while iANMF outperforms current available methods on directed networks, especially in terms of detection quality.
Early induction of mRNA for calbindin-D28k and BDNF but not NT-3 in rat hippocampus after kainic acid treatment

The influence of kainic acid (KA), which induces acute seizures, on expression of mRNA for the calcium-binding protein, calbindin-D28k, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and early-response genes [c-fos, zif268 (NGFI-A), nur77 (NGFI-B)] was examined in rat hippocampus by Northern blot analysis. A significant increase (3.2-fold) in BDNF mRNA was observed 1 h after KA injection (12 mg/kg i.p.) and peak expression (9.4-fold) occurred 3 h after KA. The induction of BDNF mRNA was preceded by the induction of c-fos, mRNA (30 min after KA) and was followed by the induction of calbindin-D28k mRNA (3.5-fold 3 h after KA; a maximal response was at 3-6 h after KA). Region-specific changes, analyzed by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization, indicated that the most dramatic increases in calbindin protein and mRNA after KA treatment were in the dentate gyrus. Although calbindin-D28k and BDNF mRNAs were induced, a 3.4-3.8-fold decrease in NT-3 mRNA was observed by Northern analysis 3-24 h after KA treatment. Calbindin-D28k gene expression was also examined in rats with a chronic epileptic state characterized by recurrent seizures established with an episode of electrical stimulation-induced status epilepticus (SE). When these animals were examined 30 days post-SE, no changes in hippocampal calbindin-D28k mRNA were observed. Our findings suggest that the induction of calbindin-D28k mRNA (which may be interrelated to the induction of BDNF mRNA) is an early response which may not be related to enhanced neuronal activity or seizures per se, but rather to maintaining neuronal viability.
Scheduling observations on the LCOGT network

LCOGT is deploying a world-wide telescope network to enable near-continuous coverage of variable or transient sources. We desire the telescopes in this network to be scheduled for efficiency with respect to a coherent set of science goals. To achieve this, we are developing a software structure to carry observing programs from initial proposal through data acquisition and feedback to the schedule. Key elements in this structure are a database of observation requests, requirements, and status, a protocol to describe observations, and a set of planners that work by successive refinement of the schedule.
Colossal anelasticity in polycrystals deforming under conditions of diffusional creep

Since diffusional creep viscosity depends strongly on the grain size, a variability in the grain size in a polycrystal can generate significant internal stresses. Upon unloading, the non-uniform internal stresses recover, leading to anelastic strains. The anelastic strains can be very large, approaching 100 times the elastic strains. We solve the case of bimodal viscosity in closed form to highlight the features of this type of anelasticity. The results are compared to the anelastic behavior of two-phase superplastic alloys. In such alloys the spatial variability in the diffusional viscosity can arise from the variability in the activation energy of grain boundary diffusion, which, because of its Arrhenius nature, can produce a much higher degree of variability than the grain size.
Cyclic Interlaced Quadtree Algorithms for Quincunx Multiresolution

Recent advances in wavelet theory and in finite element computations draw attention to a well-known, simple, and computationally efficient triangulation method. We take a new look at this triangulation, which is obtained by repeated symmetric bisection, starting with a half square. The cells form the leaves of a binary tree and the nodes of a directed graph consisting of a single simple cycle. Computational speed is facilitated by the binary and quad-digit expression of triangle vertices, which reduce all vertex calculations to simple integer and logical operations. The leaf cycle interlaces a pair of quadtrees whose orientations differ by ?/4. Detailed analysis leads to algorithms which exploit the structure and computational efficiencies in calculations such as pyramid algorithms for image processing with non-separable wavelets.
Saving Our Digital Heritage

Digital information is exploding, being used for research, scientific, business, industrial, personal, and entertainment purposes. Notes that to preserve this new way of creating and storing information is extremely important.and suggests that advocacy in educating the public, designing best‐practice policies, and using various preservation techniques is necessary.
LOCAL IMMUNITY IN EXPERIMENTAL ERYSIPELAS

The experiments recorded show that the skin involved in the zone of inflammation produced by the endodermal injection of virulent living erysipelas streptococci into rabbits becomes, after the lesion has healed, partially but not completely resistant to subsequent infection with the homologous organism. In the majority of experiments the lesion resulting from the first endodermal injection spread downward, i.e., ventrally, to the site of needle puncture forming an oval or elongated inflammatory zone. Subsequent injections of the same strain into the skin beyond and ventral to the apparent edge of the lesion showed that these areas in the supposed direction of the lymph flow likewise became resistant but not quite to the same degree as in the inflammatory area. The contiguous areas above, behind, and in front of the healed lesion exhibited only a very mild degree of resistance. The other side of the rabbit where no previous injections had been made reacted as did the normal skin. Repeated injections on the same side bring about diminishing local reaction until there is almost no lesion following the injection of the standard skin dose. Thus there is a gradual spread of skin resistance on the inoculated side, whereas the non-injected side of the rabbit reacts normally. Finally, however, after many injections over relatively long periods the non-injected side becomes resistant, but at this time, there is evidence of general humoral immunity as shown by the presence of agglutinins and antitoxin in the blood. The local resistance is apparently not entirely specific, for the areas with the previous lesion and ventral to it become more resistant to another strain of beta hemolytic streptococcus, though in less degree, and to a virulent strain of Staphylococcus aureus to a still less degree. The most plausible explanation of the spread of the local immunity ventrally is that the streptococci follow the lymph channels. Indeed, in human erysipelas, the organisms are recovered by cutipuncture as far as 3 cm. beyond the advancing edge of the lesion where there is no gross evidence of inflammation. This aspect of local immunity will be considered in subsequent publications. The skin of the rabbit involved in the inflammatory reaction following the endodermal injection of living streptococci becomes resistant to subsequent injection of the homologous strain and of other strains of erysipelas streptococci which are not immunologically identical. The local immune areas are resistant but not to the same degree to a strain of hemolytic streptococci isolated from follicular tonsillitis and to a virulent Staphylococcus aureus. The areas contiguous to the local lesion but outside the apparent boundary of inflammation become more resistant to subsequent injection. But the regions ventral to those areas become more resistant than those dorsal, anterior, or posterior to the inflammatory zone. The skin on the non-injected side of the rabbit becomes resistant pari passu with the development of humoral immunity.
The "domino theory" of hunger: the hypothalamus is hot.

Mechanisms by which the hypothalamus senses nutritional status are important for many metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. Now, Coppola et al. (2007) report that hypothalamic neurons sense nutritional deficit through a cascade of events involving leptin, corticosterone, and glial production of thyroid hormone, leading to neuronal induction of uncoupling protein.
Desde el republicanismo clásico hasta el contractualismo moderno: el De Principatu de M. Salamone y el Principatus Politicus de F. Suárez

A la doctrina del “absolutismo regio” formulada por N. Maquiavelo en El Principe , y luego apoyada por las Reforma Protestante, se contrapuso en el siglo XVI (1513) la doctrina republicana del “contrato social” celebrada por Mario Salamone en El Principado . Esta doctrina fue luego respaldada por los jesuitas espanoles, como F. Suarez, y los calvinistas franceses o alemanes, como J. Althusius, que defenderan el principio de la Soberania popular, es decir el origen etico-juridico del poder politico, o el estado de derecho, frente a la Teocracia
Effects of repetitive pulsing on multi-kHz planar laser-induced incandescence imaging in laminar and turbulent flames

Planar laser-induced incandescence (LII) imaging is reported at repetition rates up to 100 kHz using a burst-mode laser system to enable studies of soot formation dynamics in highly turbulent flames. To quantify the accuracy and uncertainty of relative soot volume fraction measurements, the temporal evolution of the LII field in laminar and turbulent flames is examined at various laser operating conditions. Under high-speed repetitive probing, it is found that LII signals are sensitive to changes in soot physical characteristics when operating at high laser fluences within the soot vaporization regime. For these laser conditions, strong planar LII signals are observed at measurement rates up to 100 kHz but are primarily useful for qualitative tracking of soot structure dynamics. However, LII signals collected at lower fluences allow sequential planar measurements of the relative soot volume fraction with a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio at repetition rates of 10–50 kHz. Guidelines for identifying and avoiding the onset of repetitive probe effects in the LII signals are discussed, along with other potential sources of measurement error and uncertainty.
Plasma heating by energetic particles

The interaction of a tenuous energetic test-particle species with a multispecies high temperature plasma is calculated. The Balescu-Lenard kinetic equation is used in order to include collective effects through the dielectric constant. Quantum corrections are made for close collisions. The theory is first applied to the slowing down of fusion born alpha particles in a mirror-confined plasma and theory and numerical results are compared to previous treatments and corrections are found. In Tokamak-like plasmas most of the alpha-particle energy goes into the electrons and the thermalization time is somewhat larger than the plasma lifetime but heating can nevertheless be substantial. Heating of a Tokamak-like plasma by injection of energetic neutrals is shown to be effective at injection energies ≤ 70 keV, possibly doubling the ion temperature when the injected particle density reaches 1% of the plasma density. For analytic estimates, a simple binary collision model for injection heating is given.
A distributed asynchronous algorithm for spectrum sharing in wireless ad hoc networks

We propose a distributed asynchronous spectrum allocation algorithm that achieves performance close to that of a centralized optimal algorithm. In our network model, nodes are grouped into a number of clusters. Each cluster chooses its transmission frequency band based on its knowledge of the interference that it experiences. The convergence of the proposed distributed algorithm to a sub-optimal spectrum assignment strategy is proved. Moreover, asymptotic bounds on the performance of the algorithm are derived for one dimensional spatial distribution of the clusters in the network. These analytic results and additional simulation studies verify performance close to that of an optimum centralized frequency allocation algorithm. It is demonstrated that the algorithm achieves about 90% of the Shannon capacities corresponding to the optimum centralized frequency band assignments.
The evolution of eusociality

Eusociality, in which some individuals reduce their own lifetime reproductive potential to raise the offspring of others, underlies the most advanced forms of social organization and the ecologically dominant role of social insects and humans. For the past four decades kin selection theory, based on the concept of inclusive fitness, has been the major theoretical attempt to explain the evolution of eusociality. Here we show the limitations of this approach. We argue that standard natural selection theory in the context of precise models of population structure represents a simpler and superior approach, allows the evaluation of multiple competing hypotheses, and provides an exact framework for interpreting empirical observations.
Preschoolers' Processing of False Beliefs Within the Context of Picture Book Reading

Research Findings: The current study examined preschoolers' processing of false belief situations presented in published picture books. Children were read one story with a plot that revolved around a single false belief occurrence and one story with multiple false belief occurrences. Children's narrative retellings of the stories were utilized as a measure of their processing of the stories. Story effects were found such that children's performance was significantly better for some stories than for others. Results also revealed that children who passed the false belief question in the story tended to process the story in terms of an explicit integration of the false belief with the story events, whereas children who failed this question tended to focus on the reality of the situation or did not mention the instance in their retellings. Practice or Policy: Implications for caregivers reading to children and for future literary writers are discussed.
Role of phospholipid in electron transfer in a reconstituted liver microsomal enzyme system containing cytochrome P-450.

Abstract Phosphatidylcholine, which is required for fatty acid, hydrocarbon and drug hydroxylation in a reconstituted liver microsomal enzyme system, is essential for the enzymatic reduction of cytochrome P-450.
Cluster Condensation by Thermolysis: Synthesis of a Rhomb-Linked Re12Se16 Dicluster and Factors Relevant to the Formation of the Re24Se32 Tetracluster

The cluster cis-[Re6Se8(PEt3)4I2] undergoes substitution reactions with neutral ligands L in the presence of AgSbF6 to afford the cis-disubstituted clusters [Re6Se8(PEt3)4L2]2+ (L = MeCN (6), t-BuCN, DMF, Me2SO (9)). Cluster 6 reacts with pyridine to give [Re6Se8(PEt3)4(py)2]2+. Retention of stereochemistry was demonstrated from 31P NMR spectra and the crystal structure of [9](SbF6)2, which revealed the two Me2SO ligands to be O-bonded at adjacent Re sites of the face-capped octahedral [Re6(μ3-Se)8]2+ core. The clusters cis-[Re6Se8(PEt3)4L2]2+ are of interest as possible precursors to oligomeric clusters under thermolysis conditions where one or both ligands L are removed. Thermolysis of orange-red [6](SbF6)2 (180 °C, 24 h) afforded a brown-green crystalline product identified by an X-ray structure determination to contain the dicluster [Re12Se16(PEt3)8(MeCN)2]4+ (11). Two [Re6Se8]2+ cluster units are bridged by a Re2Se2 rhomb to afford the centrosymmetric core [Re12(μ3-Se)14(μ4-Se)2]4+, established recen...
Long-range Side-scan Sonar Imaging of Hydrocarbon Seeps And Sediment Mass Wasting On the Louisiana Continental Slope, Gulf of Mexico

Summary: In the northern Gulf of Mexico, deep salt movement causes faulting, oversteepening of slopes and resultant mass wasting, as well as hydrocarbon and brine seepage. To better understand these processes, we imaged ~2400 km 2 of the Louisiana slope using long-range side-scan sonar in areas of known hydrocarbon seeps. Sonar image features were interpreted based on morphology and a limited set of ground-truth data provided by near bottom geophysical data, cores, and observations collected by submersibles. The sonar records show extensive faulting, zones of seep-related sediments alteration, sediment flows, mass wasting, authigenic carbonate mounds, fluid expulsion features (mud volcanoes), erosional gullies, and possibly sand waves. Because of high spatial resolution as well as ease are rapidity of data collection, side-scan sonar data are a useful adjunct to traditional geophysical records for seafloor geologic interpretation.
Dislocation-like defects in an amorphous Lennard-Jones solid

Abstract Line defects in an amorphous Lennard-Jones solid have been studied using computer simulation techniques with static relaxation. It has been found that both edge and screw dislocations can be stably introduced into the model and can be moved through the model to form a diffuse step on the surface of the model.
Mathematical modeling of vesicle drug delivery systems 1: vesicle formation and stability along with drug loading and release.

Vesicles represent an important class of nanoscale drug delivery vehicles. To significantly reduce the time and resources that are required to optimize these drug carriers, this review article disc...
Reliability-Based Design Optimization With Confidence Level Under Input Model Uncertainty

For obtaining correct reliability-based optimum design, an input model needs to be accurately estimated in identification of marginal and joint distribution types and quantification of their parameters. However, in most industrial applications, only limited data on input variables is available due to expensive experimental testing costs. The input model generated from the insufficient data might be inaccurate, which will lead to incorrect optimum design. In this paper, reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) with the confidence level is proposed to offset the inaccurate estimation of the input model due to limited data by using an upper bound of confidence interval of the standard deviation. Using the upper bound of the confidence interval of the standard deviation, the confidence level of the input model can be assessed to obtain the confidence level of the output performance, i.e. a desired probability of failure, through the simulation-based design. For RBDO, the estimated input model with the associated confidence level is integrated with the most probable point (MPP)-based dimension reduction method (DRM), which improves accuracy over the first order reliability method (FORM). A mathematical example and a fatigue problem are used to illustrate how the input model with confidence level yields a reliable optimum design by comparing it with the input model obtained using the estimated parameters.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The operant assessment of taste discrimination

The present report represents a new technique for the assessment of taste discrimination in rats. Rats were trained to lick a three-tube configuration for the presentation of a 0.01-cc taste stimulus. Following the sampling of a specific taste (S D ), rats were further required to make 20 additional licks for a 0.05-cc tap water reinforcer. Following the sampling of a second taste (S Δ ), licking was not reinforced. Rats acquired this discrimination in an average of 200 S D and 200 S Δ trials. This technique can be used to determine taste discrimination without the confounds of taste and position biases noted in earlier work on taste discrimination and should prove useful in studies of taste psychophysics.
Pre-Architecture Studio: The Pattern Project

Abstract In this, the first project in the first-year design studio, we analyze a common household tool until we feel we know it intimately. Paradoxically, it becomes less familiar the longer we explore it. “Making strange” and the reciprocal relations between analysis and invention are our operating principles. The project culminates in drawings and constructions that faithfully describe the tool and stand as marvelous things in their own right.
Composition of atherosclerotic plaques in the epicardial coronary arteries in juvenile (type I) diabetes mellitus.

Abstract The composition of atherosclerotic plaques in 331 five-mm segments of the 4 major (left main, left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right) epicardial coronary arteries of 8 patients with juvenile (mean age at onset, 9 years; mean age at death, 29 years) diabetes mellitus was determined by computerized planimetric analysis. Analysis of all coronary segments disclosed that the plaques consisted primarily of dense (53%) and cellular (38%) fibrous tissue. Pultaceous debris (7%), foam cells (1.2%) and calcific deposits (0.7%) occupied a small percentage of the plaques. Thus, 91% of the coronary plaques in these young diabetic patients consisted of fibrous tissue and nearly all of the remaining 9% consisted of lipid deposits. Analysis of composition according to degrees of cross-sectional luminal narrowing revealed marked increases in dense fibrous tissue (from 31 to 74%), pultaceous debris (from 3 to 12%), and calcific deposits (from 0% to 3%) as the cross-sectional area narrowing increased from ≤ 25% to >75%. Compared with older patients with fatal coronary artery disease, the patients with juvenile diabetes had more dense fibrous tissue and pultaceous debris and less calcific deposits.
Ion yields from strong optical field ionization experiments using 100-femtosecond laser pulses

The ultra-fast ionization of argon, krypton and xenon by intense ultra-short laser pulses is studied. Intensities in the range 10 14 to 10 16 W/cm 2 at a wavelength of 616 nm are provided by a colliding pulse mode-locked dye laser system. To date, ion yields have been monitored using a 1 meter time.of flight spectrometer. Intensity dependent photoelectron signals are deduced from ion data. In an ultra-fast strong field environment, ionization times can be less than an optical period, affording a better distinction between a field ionization picture and a multiphoton ionization picture. For most cases that we study, Keldysh parameters are below 1, indicating that we are in a field ionization regime. As a laser system under development progresses towards the design goal of 1 joule per 100 femtosecond pulse, we will extend these investigations to peak intensities of order 10 18 to 10 19 Watts/cm 2 .