cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Allyl alcohol cytotoxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes: mechanism of cell death does not involve an early rise in cytosolic free calcium

We examined the effect of a toxic concentration of allyl alcohol (0.5 mM) on intracellular calcium concentrations in isolated rat hepatocytes. An increase in phosphorylase a activity was evident in the hepatocytes after 30 min of incubation with allyl alcohol, suggesting that the toxicant may produce an early rise in cytosolic free calcium. The increase in phosphorylase a activity was not reversed by the addition of dithiothreitol (DTT), a sulfhydryl compound that reverses the events that initiate cell killing by allyl alcohol. When intracellular calcium concentrations were measured directly, using fura-2 as the calcium indicator, there was no effect of allyl alcohol on cytosolic free calcium during the first 60 min of exposure, a critical period for development of irreversible damage. Incubation with allyl alcohol did not interfere with the measurement of intracellular calcium. The increases in cytosolic free calcium produced by phenylephrine or ATP were similar to those reported by others and not affected by the presence of allyl alcohol. The results from this study demonstrate that increased cytosolic free calcium is not essential for allyl alcohol-induced cytotoxicity to isolated rat hepatocytes.
Fine structure of the fat body and nephrocytes in the life-stages of Dermacentor variabilis.

The fine structure of the fat body and associated nephrocytes of the American dog tick,Dermacentor variabilis (Say), was described in unfed larvae, unfed nymphs, and in unfed and fed adults of both sexes. The fat body consisted of one type of cell, the trophocyte. Morphological changes that occured in the trophocytes of both sexes were dependent on feeding. The ultrastructure of feeding male trophocytes was distinct from trophocytes of feeding females. In the feeding female, the trophocyte developed an ultrastructure characteristic of cells that produce secretory proteins. A type of scalariform cell junction was found associated with rough endoplasmic reticulum of the trophocytes. Nephrocytes were closely associated with trophocytes but were not part of the fat body. Nephrocyte ultrastructure was unaltered throughout the life-stages we examined, except at the end of oviposition. Organelles in the nephrocytes were not randomly distributed, but were found in distinct regions of the cytoplasm. Slit diaphragms at the surface of the nephrocytes were extracellular specializations that had a periodic ultrastructure.
Hydroxyquinone O-methylation in mitomycin biosynthesis.

Mitomycins are bioreductively activated DNA-alkylating agents. One member of this family, mitomycin C, is in clinical use as part of combination therapy for certain solid tumors. The cytotoxicity displayed by mitomycins is dependent on their electrochemical potential which, in turn, is governed in part by the substituents of the quinone moiety. In this paper we describe studies on the biogenesis of the quinone methoxy group present in mitomycins A and B. An engineered Streptomyces lavendulae strain in which the mmcR methyltransferase gene had been deleted failed to produce the three mitomycins (A, B, and C) that are typically isolated from the wild type organism. Analysis of the culture extracts from the mmcR-deletion mutant strain revealed that two new metabolites, 7-demethylmitomycin A and 7-demethylmitomycin B, had accumulated instead. Production of mitomycins A and C or mitomycin B was selectively restored upon supplementing the culture medium of a S. lavendulae strain unable to produce the key precur...
Accurate localization of low-level radioactive source under noise and measurement errors

The localization of a radioactive source can be solved in closed-form using 4 ideal sensors and the Apollonius circle in a noise- and error-free environment. When measurement errors and noise such as background radiation are considered, a larger number of sensors is needed to produce accurate results, particularly for extremely low source intensities. In this paper, we present an efficient fusion algorithm that can exploit measurements from n sensors to improve the localization accuracy, and show how the accuracy scales with n. We report testbed results for a 0.911 μCi source to illustrate the effectiveness of our algorithm, in particular performance comparisons with state-of-the-art fusion algorithms based on Mean of Estimates (MoE) and Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE). We show that ITP is more accurate than MoE, whereas the choice between ITP and MLE is generally a tradeoff between accuracy and run time efficiency. Higher-intensity radioactive sources are not safe for actual experiments. In this case, we present simulation results based on a validated simulation model. We show that a low-intensity 400 μCi source, similar to the radioactivity of a concealed dirty bomb, can be localized to within 32.5 m using a sensor density of about 1 per 1100 m2 in a surveillance area.
Measurement of instantaneous right ventricular compliance by phasic tricuspid flow velocity.

Ventricular diastolic compliance is usually represented by the ratio of change in volume (V) to that in pressure (P), du/dp. Since both volume and pressure change with time (t), the relationship can be formulated as
Bivariate moment simulation of coagulating and sintering nanoparticles in flames

The design/control of particle synthesis reactors is hampered by the cumbersome nature of simulation methods (such as sectional representations of the particle population balance equation) to track the evolution of coagulating, restructuring populations in complex flow environments. Bivariate PBE-methods were investigated using generalizations of a recent Gaussian quadrature-based moment approach (McGraw, 1997; Wright et al., 2001). A 9-moment method was applied to an extensive data set recently obtained using a seeded laminar flame reactor with laser-based, as well as TEM-grid thermophoretic sampling. Alumina nano-aggregate population evolution is predicted using available rate/transport laws (for coagulation, thermophoresis and sintering) and the efficacy is predicted, and, together with the efficacy of such simulation methods for parameter estimation, is also illustrated inferring a best fit activation energy for nanoparticle sintering. Variants/extensions of these techniques should enable their incorporation into, say, full PDF-methods for turbulent synthesis reactors, using improved rate laws.
Latent inhibition mediates N1 attenuation to repeating sounds

Sound repetition typically reduces auditory N1 amplitudes, more so at higher rates. This has been attributed to refractoriness of N1 generators. However, evidence that N1 attenuation is delayed 300-400 ms after the first occurrence of a repeated sound suggests an alternative process, such as inhibition, that requires 300-400 ms to become fully operational. We examined the N1 to trains of fixed-interval (100, 200, 300, 400 ms) tones for evidence of effects predicted by models of refractoriness and of latent inhibition. Regardless of interval, latency of the eliciting tone from train onset determined N1 amplitudes during the first 400 ms of the train, which decreased in this window. The results show that N1 attenuation cannot be due simply to refractoriness, which would elicit the smallest N1 to the second tone. An inhibitory neural circuit can account for these and previous results, and may be important to auditory perceptual processing.
Phylogeny and Evolutionary History of the Aplodontoidea (Mammalia: Rodentia)

These are two updated data files, one appendix with a character matrix that corrects an error in the one originally published with the paper and one a figure illustrating character changes across the phylogeny for which the figure was left out although the figure caption was published.
Male infertility: Causes and cures

Recent advances in the understanding of congenital and acquired male infertility, coupled with breakthrough treatments in sperm-to-ovum injection and sperm retrieval, have enabled a growing number of previously infertile men to father their own biological offspring.
Estimating Blockage Discounts

When an estate includes publicly traded shares, or a divorce settlement requires equitable distribution of publicly traded shares and these shares constitute a large block of the company’s outstanding shares, the valuation of these shares often anticipates a blockage discount for liquidating large volumes of shares. However, there is very little literature on this blockage discount, which has resulted in a wide divergence in court opinions regarding this subject. This article examines the price-volume relationship in several broad equity indexes (S&P 100, S&P 500, NASDAQ, and Russell 2000) to determine insights into the plausibility of any discount arising from unusually large trading volume. The article also explains a hedging strategy that will mitigate the adverse effect of any blockage discount, if one was presumed to exist.
The reactivation of carbamate-inhibited cholinesterase, kinetic parameters☆

Abstract The rates of spontaneous regeneration or decarbamylation of fly-head and bovine erythrocyte cholinesterase inhibited by methyl- and dimethylcarbamic acid esters were determined under different conditions of pH, salt concentrations, and temperature using Sephadex gel filtration as a means of isolating the carbamylated enzyme. The pH-rate profiles for decarbamylation of the two cholinesterases for both methyl- and dimethylcarbamylated enzyme had maximum rates at pH 8.5–8.9 for bovine erythrocyte and pH 8.1–8.5 for fly-head cholinesterase. Imidazole, hydroxylamine, and inorganic salts did not alter the decarbamylation rate. Values for the energy of activation for the decarbamylation reaction indicate a somewhat unstable and more reactive carbamylated enzyme for bovine cholinesterase compared to fly-head cholinesterase, but entropy factors are more favorable for decarbamylation in the latter. Regeneration rates in deuterium oxide for both enzymes and both methyl- and dimethylcarbamates were approximately six to seven times slower than in water, indicating a secondary isotope effect. A mechanism for decarbamylation consistent with the data is cited.
Introduction to the special issue on Nebraska’s alternative approach to statewide assessment

Nebraska's Standards-based, Teacher-led Assessment and Reporting System (STARS) is unique in its focus on locally developed, classroom-based assessments in lieu of a state test. The purpose of this special issue is to introduce the STARS model and discuss the problems inherent in such a system. Other articles in this issue address issues of quality control and comparability of assessments, the development of teacher assessment literacy, and teachers' reactions to the implementation of STARS.
Cutaneous community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection: a personal perspective of a worldwide epidemic

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a problem of epidemic proportions. Cutaneous manifestations of CA-MRSA frequently accompany this infection and most commo...
Issues Unique to Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation in pediatrics has become an accepted modality of treatment in end-stage liver disease and irreversible acute liver failure. Biliary atresia is the most common indication requiring liver transplantation in children. The diagnosis and causes of acute liver failure in children differ from those in adults. Growth and development require special consideration in children. Regular surveillance of Epstein-Barr virus by polymerase chain reaction and appropriate therapy may reduce the incidence of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease after transplantation. Adherence to the prescribed medical regimen is essential for good graft function. A multidisciplinary approach is the key to success in liver transplantation in children.
A Thermal Analysis of Hot Spots on Fast-Reactor Fuel Cladding Due to Deposition of Low-Conductivity Materials

The formation of hot spots in fuel cladding due to the deposition of a low-conductivity heat-generating fuel or due to fission-gas-jet impingement is a very credible event and can significantly inf...
Load relaxation studies of a metallic glass

Experimental results of load relaxation studies of a commercial metallic glass as a function of temperature are reported. The data suggest that metallic glasses exhibit deformation behavior with flow laws similar to those governing plastic deformation in crystalline solids. The lack of appreciable work hardening in annealed material and the identification of an anelastic component are also indicated by the experimental observations. (GHT)
Ground states and the nature of a phase transition in a simple cubic fully frustrated Ising model.

The ground state of a fully frustrated simple cubic lattice on $N$ Ising spins is worked out. A degeneracy of the order ${2}^{\frac{{N}^{\frac{2}{3}}}{4}}$ is found. A possible phase transition is discussed within a Bethe-Peierls approximation and on the basis of symmetry arguments. The transition temperature is in good agreement with recent computer simulations.
Gender differences and hormonal Modulation in Visceral Pain

Women seek healthcare and are diagnosed more frequently with chronic somatic and visceral pain conditions relative to men. These conditions tend not to be life-threatening disorders, but rather ones that decrease people’s quality of life, impinge on work and recreational activities, and increase healthcare resource utilization. With increased awareness of basic gender differences in biology and responsiveness to therapies, there has been renewed interest in factors which may account for the gender disparity in chronic visceral pain conditions. Basic and clinical evidence primarily from patients with irritable bowel syndrome has provided initial insights into visceral pain sensitivity, perception, and responsitivity.
Clinical Reasoning: a 75-year-old man with 3 years of visual difficulties.

A 75-year-old man with hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented with 3 years of progressive visual difficulties. Ophthalmologic evaluation revealed cataracts, but his vision was unchanged following cataract surgery. The patient described difficulty reaching for objects accurately and distinguishing objects from their background (for example, identifying his cat sitting on his couch). On one occasion, he intended to sit on a chair, but inadvertently sat on an adjacent table. He had sustained several car accidents. He had no difficulty reading or recognizing faces.
Solubility and phase behavior of PEP binders in supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract Solubility and phase behavior data to temperatures of 300°C and pressures to 3000 bar are presented for various propellant, explosive, and pyrotechnic (PEP) binder polymers in supercritical (SC) carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) with and without modifiers. The binder polymers investigated in this study are polyethylene (PE), oxidized PE, poly(urethane), cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) with ∼20mol% hexafluoropropylene (Fluorel™ and Viton™), and poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene-co-vinylidene fluoride) with 24 mol% (Kel-F™ 800) and 69 mol% (Kel-F™ 3700) vinlyidene fluoride. CO 2 has the characteristics of a weak polar solvent which does not dissolve polyethylene although it is can dissolve low molecular weight nonpolar waxes. However, CO 2 is not polar enough to dissolve very polar polymers, such as oxidized PE, polyurethane, Kel-F™ 3700, and CAB. Moderately polar poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), which is a partially fluorinated polyolefin, and Kel-F™ 800 are soluble in CO 2 due to the polar contributions of the vinylidene fluoride repeat units. The solubility of these two copolymers can be further enhanced using acetone as a modifier with CO 2 . Additionally, oxidized PE is soluble in CO 2 with acetone and ethanol as modifiers, but temperatures greater than ∼200°C are needed. The fact that many of these polymers are soluble in neat CO 2 suggests the potential for a substantial impact upon environmentally sound processing technologies for polymer-based PEP materials.
Trends in the development of baculovirus expression vectors

We describe the current status and potential use of baculovirus vectors for the expression of foreign genes in insect cells. Trends in the development of transfer vectors for the expression of foreign genes under the control of the strong polyhedrin promoter of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus and strategies for maximizing levels of expression are discussed. Baculovirus vectors have achieved widespread acceptance for their ability to express proteins of agricultural and medical importance. A baculovirus vector was used to express the first recombinant HIV envelope proteins to receive F.D.A. approval for clinical evaluation as a candidate vaccine for AIDS. These insect DNA virus vectors are contributing to understanding the molecular biology of gene and protein function and regulation in both vertebrate and insect systems.
The Value of Information in Fishery Management

Abstract Fishery management is often characterized by trade-offs among conflicting objectives. One important trade-off exists between investments in assessment (reducing uncertainty) and in implementation of management actions in a system. Resource-intensive assessment programs are often used to inform decision makers, and we argue that the value of these assessments should be measured not only in terms of the information the information they provide, but also relative to other management actions that could be funded in their place. In this article, we illustrate the importance of accounting for all aspects of the value of information using examples drawn from three critical areas of fishery management: invasive species control, commerical fisheries stock assessments, and marine protected area design. We discuss how experts have judged the value of assessment programs in the past, and provide suggestions as to how these methods could be expanded to examine the value of information in a more holistic manner.
Exaggerated Free α-Subunit Levels during Pulsatile Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Replacement in Women with Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism1

The goals of this study were to determine whether women with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) respond to pulsatile GnRH replacement therapy with exaggerated glycoprotein free α-subunit (FAS) levels, as reported in GnRH-deficient men, and to determine whether this pattern is unique to congenital GnRH deficiency or is also characteristic of patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism caused by other factors. GnRH was administered iv at a physiologic frequency and dose (75–100 ng/kg·bolus) to women with IHH (n = 11; n = 6 with anosmia); acquired GnRH deficiency secondary to treatment for cranial tumors (AHH; n = 7); and secondary hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA; n = 8). Results were compared with 24 normal cycling women. Gonadotropins, sex steroids, and FAS levels were measured in samples drawn daily across induced or normal menstrual cycles in patients or normal women, respectively. Samples were drawn at the same time of day and were collected 45 min after a GnRH bolus in patients. All women ovula...
Alternatives to two classic data structures

Red-black trees and leftist heaps are classic data structures that are commonly taught in Data Structures (CS2) and/or Algorithms (CS7) courses. This paper describes alternatives to these two data structures that may offer pedagogical advantages for typical students.
Isothermal Annealing of Deuteron-Irradiated Al and Au below 60°K

Foils, made out of 99.999% pure Al (4 mil) and 99.999% pure Au (2 mil), were bombarded with 21-MeV deuterons at a temperature not exceeding 8.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. With a total flux of 2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{16}$ d/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, the damage introduced was 0.33\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ ohm-cm and 0.45\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ ohm-cm, respectively, about five times smaller than the theoretical value. For Au the $\frac{1}{E}$ law for the damage production holds. No radiation annealing was observed for either metal. Isothermal annealing was performed in steps of 1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for one hour at each temperature. Up to 50\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K 65% of the damage anneals out in Al, 17% in Au. The isochronal plot of the resistance decrease for Al shows a small peak (5%) centered at 17\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, a large one at 34\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and two at 39 and 46\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The annealing in Au, appreciable already at the lowest annealing temperature, 9.7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, was rather constant over the whole temperature range examined except for a large peak at 33\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and a smaller one at 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Changes in the temperature-dependent part of the resistivity can for both metals be explained as a deviation from Mathiessen's rule as resistance measurements at 6\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K indicate. This is in agreement with measurements on Al and Au alloys. The activation energy spectrum for Al, obtained with a frequency factor of $\mathrm{ln}B=29$, shows also 4 peaks, at 0.056 eV, 0.110 eV, 0.130 eV, and 0.146 eV. The spectrum for Au is rather complex, due to the large range of the interaction of defects and the anisotropy of this metal. A recalculation of data for the annealing of deuteron-irradiated Cu and Ag shows a fine structure in peak ${I}_{D}$. A way to choose the proper temperature increase for isothermal annealing measurements is given.
Radiation therapy for T1 and T2 prostate cancer: Prostate-specific antigen and disease outcome*

Abstract Objectives To evaluate disease outcome using serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as an outcome measure in patients with T1 or T2 prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy in the PSA era. Methods We reviewed the outcome for 461 patients with T1 (n = 205) or T2 (n = 256) prostate cancer followed for a median of 31 months after radiation therapy as the sole initial treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to delineate significant prognostic factors. Results The freedom from relapse or rising PSA rate was 70% at 6 years and the survival rate was 83%. Although T stage, Gleason grade, serum prostatic acid phosphatase level, and serum PSA level were each significant determinants of outcome in univariate analysis, pretreatment PSA level was the only clearly independent covariate ( P Conclusions Radiation therapy is an acceptable modality for treating T1 or T2 disease and produces results comparable to those following radical prostatectomy when patients are stratified according to their pretreatment PSA value. The rapid PSA doubling times observed in patients with relapsing disease are more consistent with a "selective" rather than an "aggravation" mechanism.
Mediation analysis and categorical variables: Some further frontiers

Abstract Iacobucci (2012) provides a conceptually appealing, readily implemented measure to assess mediation for a far wider range of data type combinations than traditional OLS-based analyses permit. Here, we consider potential applications and extensions along several lines, particularly in terms of random utility models, simulation-based estimation, and potential nonlinearities, as well as some methodological and cultural impediments.
Optimal topologies for wireless sensor networks

Since untethered sensor nodes operate on battery, and because they must communicate through a multi-hop network, it is vital to optimally configure the transmit power of the nodes both to conserve power and optimize spatial reuse of a shared channel. Current topology control algorithms try to minimize radio power while ensuring connectivity of the network. We propose that another important metric for a sensor network topology will involve consideration of hidden nodes and asymmetric links. Minimizing the number of hidden nodes and asymmetric links at the expense of increasing the transmit power of a subset of the nodes may in fact increase the longevity of the sensor network. In this paper we explore a distributed evolutionary approach to optimizing this new metric. Inspiration from the Particle Swarm Optimization technique motivates a distributed version of the algorithm. We generate topologies with fewer hidden nodes and asymmetric links than a comparable algorithm and present some results that indicate that our topologies deliver more data and last longer.
Causality and faster than light particles

This paper intends to argue neither for nor against the existence of faster than light particles in nature. Its purpose is to resolve the controversy concerning whether such particles are compatible with retarded causality.
The Cardiac Lethal Mutant of Ambystoma mexicanum: A Re-examination

SYNOPSIS. Hearts of embryonic axolotls ( Ambystoma mexicanum ) homozygous for gene c do not beat in situ . Under appropriate culture conditions they rapidly commence beating, albeit less vigorously than similarly explanted hearts of comparably staged normal siblings. As part of this symposium, we have shown a cine record demonstrating heartbeat in mutant hearts and comparing it to normal heartbeat. Myocardia of normal embryos exhibit a characteristic pattern of birefringent, striated myofibrils. Mutants of the same stage contain hearts with birefringent fibrils organized in a pattern similar to that found in normal myocardia. A striking difference is that obvious striations are lacking in fibrils of the mutant. Electrophoresis of normal and mutant hearts in SDS-polyacrylamide gels shows that the major myofibrillar proteins are present. We conclude that induction of c/c hearts has been relatively normal and suggest that, due to the rapidity of recovery, the observed phenomena are perhaps due to something as simple as a defect in ionic conditions.
Propagation of a plane-strain hydraulic fracture with a fluid lag: Early-time solution

Abstract This paper studies the propagation of a plane-strain fluid-driven fracture with a fluid lag in an elastic solid. The fracture is driven by a constant rate of injection of an incompressible viscous fluid at the fracture inlet. The leak-off of the fracturing fluid into the host solid is considered negligible. The viscous fluid flow is lagging behind an advancing fracture tip, and the resulting tip cavity is assumed to be filled at some specified low pressure with either fluid vapor (impermeable host solid) or pore-fluids infiltrating from the permeable host solid. The scaling analysis allows to reduce problem parametric space to two lumped dimensionless parameters with the meaning of the solid toughness and of the tip underpressure (difference between the specified pressure in the tip cavity and the far field confining stress). A constant lumped toughness parameter uniquely defines solution trajectory in the parametric space, while time-varying lumped tip underpressure parameter describes evolution along the trajectory. Further analysis identifies the early and large time asymptotic states of the fracture evolution as corresponding to the small and large tip underpressure solutions, respectively. The former solution is obtained numerically herein and is characterized by a maximum fluid lag (as a fraction of the crack length), while the latter corresponds to the zero-lag solution of Spence and Sharp [Spence, D.A., Sharp, P.W., 1985. Self-similar solution for elastohydrodynamic cavity flow. Proc. Roy. Soc. London, Ser. A (400), 289–313]. The self-similarity at small/large tip underpressure implies that the solution for crack length, crack opening and net fluid pressure in the fluid-filled part of the crack is a given power-law of time, while the fluid lag is a constant fraction of the increasing fracture length. Evolution of a fluid-driven fracture between the two limit states corresponds to gradual expansion of the fluid-filled region and disappearance of the fluid lag. For small solid toughness and small tip underpressure, the fracture is practically devoid of fluid, which is localized into a narrow region near the fracture inlet. Corresponding asymptotic solution on the fracture lengthscale corresponds to that of a crack loaded by a pair of point forces which magnitude is determined from the coupled hydromechanical solution in the fluid-filled region near the crack inlet. For large solid toughness, the fluid lag is vanishingly small at any underpressure and the solution is adequately approximated by the zero-lag self-similar large toughness solution at any stage of fracture evolution. The small underpressure asymptotic solutions obtained in this work are sought to provide initial condition for the propagation of fractures which are initially under plane-strain conditions.
The freezing potential effect

Abstract “The freezing potential effect” is rationalized in terms of a model of the ice-solution interface. The model is derived using the charge densities and ion densities found in the vicinity of the ice-solution interface during freezing. Several of the model parameters are evaluated using data obtained from freezing experiments.
The effect of salt concentration on the local atomic structure and conductivity of PEO-based NiBr2 electrolytes

Abstract High molecular weight poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) ( MW = 5 × 10 6 ) based NiBr 2 electrolytes of compositions, NiBr 2 (PEO) n , n = 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 100, where n is the number of oxygen per Ni(II) ion, were prepared by solution casting. An unusually high oxygen/metal ratio of 2 could be achieved with NiBr 2 salt. X-ray powder diffraction study and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis indicate that no crystalline PEO-salt complex phase exists until n ≤16. At low salt concentration ( n > 16), the electrolyte consists of two components: amorphous PEO containing dissolved salt and crystalline PEO in which salt ions may exist as imperfections. The interchain correlation of PEO is virtually unaffected by dilute concentrations of salt. With increasing salt concentration, a new PEO-salt crystalline complex starts to form and the interchain correlation of PEO is drastically increased. These results are consistent with those obtained from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and show a possible correlation between changes in local atomic structure and ionic conductivity.
Liver, renal and subcutaneous histopathology in PEPCK-bGH transgenic pigs.

Transgenic pigs were created that harboured a phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase-bovine growth hormone construct (PEPCK-bGH). Four founder animals and two transgenic offspring from one line were evaluated between 61/2 and 12 months of age. There was no evidence of severe hepatic or renal lesions in these pigs, which characterised transgenic PEPCK-bGH mice previously described. While glomerular and tubular lesions in kidney sections were not identified in the transgenic pigs, mesangial cell proliferation was observed in two transgenic offspring from a single line. Additionally, glomerular size was significantly increased in four of four puberal transgenic swine when compared to age- and sex-matched controls (28.30±4.1 vs. 14.2±2.7×105 μm3; representing 3 transgenic lines,p<0.05). Surprisingly, no mature adipocytes were observed in subcutaneous sections obtained in transgenic GH pigs. Histological evaluation of these transgenic pigs further illustrates the requirement for precise control of growth-related genes and their protein products.
Effects of Temperature and High-speed Sliding on the Friction of `Teflon' on `Teflon'

IN a recent study in this laboratory of the frictional properties of ‘Teflon’ (polytetrafluoroethylene) two experimental results stand out: (1) the coefficient of friction at low sliding speeds is very low (0.05–0.08), as reported in the literature, only if the surfaces have not previously been subjected to high-speed sliding; (2) with rising temperature, there is a marked increase in the friction of ‘Teflon’ on ‘Teflon’ in the vicinity of 20° C, where a phase transition in ‘Teflon’ is known to occur.
Intraocular pressure magnitude and variability as predictors of rates of structural change in non-human primate experimental glaucoma

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of intraocular pressure (IOP) mean, maximum and variability on the rate of structural change in experimental glaucoma. Data were taken retrospectively from 59 non-human primates involved in ongoing studies of experimental glaucoma. IOP was measured by tonometry every 1–3 weeks, and these readings split into non-overlapping fixed-length windows. First, different characterizations of IOP variability were tested to find the one that was least correlated with the mean IOP within the same window. Next, the rates of change of the Mean Position of the Disc (MPD) from confocal scanning laser tomography, and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness (RNFLT) from spectral domain ocular coherence tomography, were calculated over each window. Mixed effects models were formed to predict these rates based on the characterizations of IOP. Normalized root mean squared residual (RMSR) from the trend of IOP during windows of five IOP measurements provided a characterization of variability showing lowest correlation with mean IOP (r<0.001). In univariate analyses, rate of change of MPD and RNFLT were predicted by mean IOP (p<0.001 for both) and maximum IOP (p<0.001 for both). IOP variability did not significantly predict change in MPD (p=0.129) or RNFLT (p=0.438). In bivariate models, maximum IOP was the most significant predictor of change. We conclude that normalized RMSR allows the effects of IOP variability to be assessed independently of mean IOP. Maximum IOP provided the best predictability of structural change, either causally or because it captures the contributions of both mean and variability.
THE INTERACTION OF HYDROGEN WITH GaAs SURFACES

Aspects of the interaction of hydrogen with MBE grown GaAs surfaces have been studied in situ with synchrotron radiation excited photoemission core level spectroscopy. We show how this characterization technique is a sensitive probe of the surface chemical composition. Using this technique, the GaAs(100) and (111) surface phase diagram at room temperature has been obtained as well as aspects of the AlAs surface. The measurements showed that for GaAs(100) the surface reconstructions proceed through a series of centered [c(4x4), c(2x8), c(8x2)] and primitive structures [(1x6) ,(4x6)] and for the (111) surface (2x2), (√ 3x √ 3)R(30°), (√ l9x √ l9)R(23.4°) as the surface As to Ga ratio is decreased. The study of the clean surfaces has been extended with an investigation of the interaction with atomic and molecular hydrogen. This is of interest both because hydrogen is a common growth ambient and because there is some indication that MBE growth in the presence of hydrogen improves crystal electrical quality. In all cases, the experiments showed a saturation hydrogen coverage was achieved at an exposure of 106L of hydrogen when a cracking filament is used. Core level spectroscopy shows that the surface composition is modified by the presence of hydrogen and we have deduced a mechanism whereby the hydrogen forms a surface gallium hydride which sublimes. The hydrogen converts the clean surface reconstructions to a distinct semiconducting reconstruction with a specific composition independent of the starting reconstruction. These results indicate that hydrogen could modify the MBE growth surface thereby effect impurity incorporation.
6970 Preliminary results of extended sigmoidoscopy (ext-sig) for colon cancer screening in unselected, average risk, asymptomatic persons.

Background: patient comfort, quality of the prep, and length of the endoscope determine the extent of the colon examined during screening sigmoidoscopy (Screen-sig). Using a colonoscope could increase the extent of colon sceened during Screen-sig if the subject is prepped properly and comfortable.We present the initial results of this concept, called Ext-sig. Methods: we enrolled 41 unselected, average risk, asymptomatic, 50-60 year olds (11 women; 13 from VA) referred for Screen-sig by their primary care MD's. Ext-sig after PEG prep was terminated either because of pain or if full colonoscopy and polypectomy was performed. Results: Ext-sig was performed proximal to the splenic flexure in 38 (92.7%); 29 (70.7%) tolerated unsedated full colonoscopy and polypectomy. Pain stopped the procedure at the descending (3), transverse (5), or ascending colon (4). Ext-sig took 18.3±5.1 min and time to cecum was 6.0±2.5 min; it took 10.2±4.6 min in the 12 subjects who could not tolerate full colonoscopy. Ext-sig was terminated before reaching the cecum in 63.6% of women vs 16.7% of men (p
Endoscopic therapy for stenosis of the biliary and pancreatic duct orifices.

Abstract Background: Manipulation of the duodenal papilla may lead to symptomatic stenosis of the orifices of bile duct, main pancreatic duct or accessory pancreatic duct. Methods: Seventeen patients with stenosis of the orifice (bile duct 7, bile duct/main pancreatic duct 7, accessory pancreatic duct 3) underwent sphincterotomy and/or dilation and stent placement for a median of 140 days (range 30 to 1080 days). Patients were interviewed at a median of 720 days (range 120 to 990 days) after removal of the final stent. Results: Median age was 50 years (range 17 to 68 years); 78% were women.The etiology of stenosis of the orifice was sphincterotomy in 8, sphincteroplasty in 7 and papillectomy in 2 patients. Indications for treatment were abdominal pain (100%), dilated bile duct and/or main pancreatic duct (14 patients) and pancreas divisum (3 patients). Sixty procedures (median 4 per patient) were performed with mild morbidity (hospital stay less than 3 days) in 17% of procedures and 35% of patients. Symptoms improved in 100%, 57% and 33% of patients with bile duct, bile duct/main pancreatic duct and accessory pancreatic duct, respectively. Surgery was ultimately needed in 3 (43%) patients with bile duct/main pancreatic duct and 2 (67%) with accessory pancreatic duct stenosis. Conclusions: Endoscopic therapy successfully relieves pain due to biliary stenosis of the orifice but less frequently relieves pain due to pancreatic stenosis of the orifice. (Gastrointest Endosc 2000;52:500-5.)
EVIDENCE FOR TRIAXIAL SHAPES IN Pt NUCLEI

Abstract Positive parity levels in 191Pt obtained from (α, xnγ) reactions and β-decay are presented as a first example of a rather complete i 13 2 level family. The spectrum confirms triaxial shapes found before from h 11 2 and h 9 2 proton structures in this mass region. In addition to the usual decoupled yrast band, a second ΔI = 2 band within the i 13 2 family, built on a low-lying j−1 = 11 2 state, is observed in agreement with theory.
A Long-Memory Model of Motor Learning in the Saccadic System: A Regime-Switching Approach

Maintenance of movement accuracy relies on motor learning, by which prior errors guide future behavior. One aspect of this learning process involves the accurate generation of predictions of movement outcome. These predictions can, for example, drive anticipatory movements during a predictive-saccade task. Predictive saccades are rapid eye movements made to anticipated future targets based on error information from prior movements. This predictive process exhibits long-memory (fractal) behavior, as suggested by inter-trial fluctuations. Here, we model this learning process using a regime-switching approach, which avoids the computational complexities associated with true long-memory processes. The resulting model demonstrates two fundamental characteristics. First, long-memory behavior can be mimicked by a system possessing no true long-term memory, producing model outputs consistent with human-subjects performance. In contrast, the popular two-state model, which is frequently used in motor learning, cannot replicate these findings. Second, our model suggests that apparent long-term memory arises from the trade-off between correcting for the most recent movement error and maintaining consistent long-term behavior. Thus, the model surprisingly predicts that stronger long-memory behavior correlates to faster learning during adaptation (in which systematic errors drive large behavioral changes); greater apparent long-term memory indicates more effective incorporation of error from the cumulative history across trials.
Consumer adoption of online collaborative customer co‐design

Purpose – “Collaborative customer co‐design websites” (CCCWs), reflect a combination of co‐design and social networking. While this technology is presently emerging, little research has explored consumer perception of the underlying benefits and impediments of CCCW features. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived benefits and impediments offered by a CCCW and its influence on consumer acceptance of this technology.Design/methodology/approach – The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with additional variables (perceived playfulness, perceived social risk, and mass confusion) was employed to examine the effects of CCCW features on consumers' beliefs about the CCCW and their consequent intention to use a CCCW. An online, scenario‐based survey was used to collect responses from college students (n=223). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.Findings – Results of structural model testing indicated that perceived playfulness had the largest influence on intentions to ...
Immune correlates of XMRV infection

Methods This hypothesis was addressed by multiplex profiling of plasma cytokines and chemokines on a LuminexTM platform and phenotypic analysis of leukocyte subsets by multi-parameter flow cytometry in XMRV infected CFS patients versus uninfected controls. XMRV-infected subject and control samples were assayed blindly. Analysis was performed using the Gene Expression Pattern Analysis Suite and Random Forest tree classification algorithms. For immune profiling, 63 XMRV infected CFS patient samples were analyzed within 6 hours using an LSRII flow cytometer with BD FACSDiva software. Six normal donors and reference values based on a healthy population were used as normal baselines. Results
Patients with Alcohol Problems in the Emergency Department, Part 1: Improving Detection*

Medical and social problems related to alcohol use are frequently seen in the ED. Often, the tempo of emergency medicine practice seems to preclude assessment beyond that required by the acute complaint. However, detection of ED patients with alcohol problems can occur using brief screening tools. This article was developed by members of the SAEM Substance Abuse Task Force, and describes screening tools that have been used successfully to identify at-risk and dependent drinkers. Their brevity, reproducibility, and accuracy vary somewhat, but screening can be realistically performed in the busy ED setting. The early detection of patients with alcohol problems would provide the opportunity for early intervention, and may reduce subsequent morbidity and mortality in this patient population.
SU‐E‐T‐784: Automated VMAT Treatment Planning for Stage III Lung Cancer: How Does It Compare with IMRT?

Purpose: To develop a version of an automated inverse planning system (mdaccAutoPlan) for VMAT based on the previous developed system for IMRT in order to improve the efficiency and quality of VMAT treatment planning, and to discover the plan quality of VMAT in comparison to IMRT for stage IIIlungcancer. Methods: Two groups of patients with stage IIIlungcancer were randomly selected in this study. For each patient, three plans were studied — two IMRT plans respectively designed by an experienced dosimetrist from our institution and by mdaccAutoPlan, and a VMAT plan generated by mdaccAutoPlan. For group I, the dosimetrists have spent their best effort in designing the IMRT plans in order to compete with mdaccAutoPlan; however, in group II, the dosimetrists were not in competition and has spent their regular effort. Dosimetric measurements were performed to evaluate the plan quality of the three types of plans. An experienced radiation oncologist blind‐reviewed the three plans of each patient and ranked them based on their plan quality. Results: For both groups, the VMAT plans resulted in comparable plan quality to the IMRT plans generated by the mdaccAutoPlan system. Compared to the IMRT plans generated by dosimetrists — for group I, the VMAT plans show similar overall quality and better PTV conformality, esophagus sparing and complication‐free tumor control probability (p+); for group II, the VMAT plans show superior plan quality in terms of PTV conformality, lung,heart, and esophagus sparing, and p+. On average, the VMAT plans received better ranking from the oncologist than the IMRT plans. Conclusions: Combining with our in‐house mdaccAutoPlan system, VMAT is capable of generating high quality treatment plans for stage IIIlungcancer. VMAT plans result in superior/similar quality to the IMRT plans that were designed from mdaccAutoPlan or from a dosimetrist's best effort.
Effect on Dough Functional Properties of Partial Fractionation, Redistribution, and In Situ Deposition of Wheat Flour Gluten Proteins Exposed to Water, Ethanol, and Aqueous Ethanol

ABSTRACT The application of the cold-ethanol laboratory fractionation method to the bulk separation of wheat starch and gluten is accompanied by incidental dissolution, removal, or redeposition of a small part of the functional gliadin protein. The new distribution resulting from process incidental redeposition of soluble components or by purposeful add-back of soluble and leached components can lead to differences in functionality and more difficult recovery of native properties. To assess this issue, we exposed several wheat flour types to ethanol and water (50–90% v/v) solutions, water, and absolute ethanol at 22°C and –12°C. The exposure was mass conserving (leached components returned to substrate by evaporation of the solvent without separation of phases) or mass depleting (leached components not returned to substrate). The result of the mass-conserving contact would be flour with altered protein distributions and intermolecular interactions. The result of the mass-depleting contact would also inclu...
Dopamine transporter polymorphism associated with externalizing behavior problems in children

Early childhood externalizing behavior is a stable and heritable pattern of aggressive and delinquent behavior that often leads to the development of serious psychiatric disorders such as conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. We examined the relationship between parent reported externalizing behavior (assessed at ages 4, 7, and 9 years) and the VNTR polymorphism of the 3' untranslated region of SLC6A3 (DAT1) in a community sample of 790 children ascertained as part of our longitudinal twin and adoption studies. We applied the sibling-based methodology developed by Fulker et al. [1999: Am J Hum Genet 64:259-267] for estimating allelic association with quantitative traits, while controlling for population stratification. An extension of these methods allowed for the inclusion of monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins, siblings, and singletons. We have demonstrated that the 9-repeat variant of the DAT1 is a significant risk allele for externalizing behavior at ages 4 (P=0.001) and 7 years (P=0.02). Although the effect size was negligible at age 9 (P=0.92), a formal test of the developmental decrease in effect across the three ages was non-significant (P=0.70).