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Background Chronic active lesions (CAL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) have been observed even in patients taking high-efficacy disease-modifying therapy, including B-cell depletion. Given that CAL are a major determinant of clinical progression, including progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA), understanding the predicted activity and real-world effects of targeting specific lymphocyte populations is critical for designing next-generation treatments to mitigate chronic inflammation in MS. Methods We analyzed published lymphocyte single-cell transcriptomes from MS lesions and bioinformatically predicted the effects of depleting lymphocyte subpopulations (including CD20 B-cells) from CAL via gene-regulatory-network machine-learning analysis. Motivated by the results, we performed in vivo MRI assessment of PRL changes in 72 adults with MS, 46 treated with anti-CD20 antibodies and 26 untreated, over ~2 years. Findings Although only 4.3% of lymphocytes in CAL were CD20 B-cells, their depletion is predicted to affect microglial genes involved in iron/heme metabolism, hypoxia, and antigen presentation. In vivo, tracking 202 PRL (150 treated) and 175 non-PRL (124 treated), none of the treated paramagnetic rims disappeared at follow-up, nor was there a treatment effect on PRL for lesion volume, magnetic susceptibility, or T1 time. PIRA occurred in 20% of treated patients, more frequently in those with ≥4 PRL (p=0.027). Interpretation Despite predicted effects on microglia-mediated inflammatory networks in CAL and iron metabolism, anti-CD20 therapies do not fully resolve PRL after 2-year MRI follow up. Limited tissue turnover of Bcells, inefficient passage of anti-CD20 antibodies across the blood-brain-barrier, and a paucity of Bcells in CAL could explain our findings.

Microglial activation is readily detected following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury. Activated microglia polarize into either classic pro-inflammatory M1 or protective M2 microglia following ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury. Melatonin is protective immediately after ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury. However, the ability of melatonin to affect longer-term recovery from ischemic/reperfusion-induced injury as well as its ability to modulate microglia/macrophage polarization are unknown. The goal of this study is to understand the impact of melatonin on mice 14 days after injury, as well as to understand how melatonin affects microglial polarization of neuronal MT

This study experimentally investigates a low-temperature, small-scale, Rotary Displacer Stirling Engine (RDSE) prototype for the first time. The RDSE represents a novel configuration utilizing a rotary displacer rather than the reciprocating displacer found in many conventional Stirling configurations. The study aims to systematically evaluate the effect of working fluid, phase angle, heat input and charge pressure. The performance of the RDSE is compared to some of the previously reported performances of Stirling engines using the dimensionless Beale ( B n ) and West ( W n ) numbers. Initial results indicate that 125° phase angle provides more power than the theoretically optimum 90° phase angle. The results also show comparable B n and significantly higher W n values (0.047 and 0.465, respectively) compared to earlier studies, and suggest that the RDSE can potentially be a competitive alternative to other SE configurations.

DoD is reinvigorating SE capabilities so that “system of systems” structures can now be engineered. A benchmarking review reports approaches to the achievement of SE competence in a Research, Development and Engineering Center. For SE competence management most SE organizations contacted reflect tailoring to local and historical conditions more than the effects of integrated development. Current SE governance practices are analyzed here on a continuum between composite models termed the “Strong Form Model” and the “Methods Model.” Systems-engineered Competence Development Plans appear to be in order to address growing dynamic complexity inherent in the “system of systems” environment.

Baseball has two seasons. From the spring through the fall, the game belongs to the athletes. Then, as the weather grows cold and winter closes in, the spectators become the participants as baseball's second season, the Hot Stove League, begins. Fans scrutinize rosters, rail against free agency and soaring salaries, engage in nostalgia, and argue over all manner of baseball-related issues. One of the debates that has occupied Oklahoma Hot Stove Leaguers over a number of years is whether Oklahoma is a uniquely prolific incubator of baseball talent. In 1959 Bill Burchardt, in an Oklahoma Today article, claimed that Oklahomans play baseball and play it as well as anyone in the nation. He enthused: "On a per-capita population basis, Oklahoma has contributed more players to Major League ball than any other state in the nation." (1) Some forty years later Bob Burke, working on a book about baseball in Oklahoma, echoed Burchardt's boast, pointing out that as many as 1,400 ballplayers have gone to the majors from the state. (2) It is impossible to verify such claims. The state has produced its fair share of great players, from Jim Thorpe to Johnny Bench, with the likes of the Waner brothers, Warren Spahn, Mickey Mantle, and even sometimes-Oklahoman Dizzy Dean in between. If Oklahoma has spawned an outsized number of ballplayers, it is almost certain that the rural nature of the state has been an important factor in molding Major League careers. In his Oklahoma Today article, Burchardt cited a pioneer spirit of hard work and a shrewdness developed from vying with nature in the great outdoors--aspects that point to the impact of a rural physical and cultural environment. (3) More rural than urban until 1950, the Sooner State was much more farms and villages than bustling metropolises in the first half of the twentieth century. In 1910 54 percent of Americans lived in the country, while Oklahoma was 81 percent rural. By 1920, when a majority of Americans lived in cities, Oklahoma was 74 percent rural. Even by 1940 Oklahoma was over 60 percent rural, while the United States was almost 60 percent urban. (4) So a study of baseball in Oklahoma is almost surely an examination of the influence of small-town America on the sport and its participants. The rhythms and culture of rural America are strikingly evident in the life and early career of one of the greatest ballplayers ever to emerge from Oklahoma, Carl Hubbell. The talent that propelled Hubbell to a stellar career was inborn. But what was it about growing up in the small town of Meeker, Oklahoma, its values, and its residents that nurtured that talent until Major League scouts recognized the potential that lay in the left arm of perhaps the greatest screwball pitcher in the history of baseball? An analysis of the pre-Major League life and career of this National Baseball Hall of Famer, an investigation of the rural social context of the Hubbell family, and a look at the structure of the lower Minor Leagues in Oklahoma reveal several characteristics of the community and some important contexts that guided Hubbell's maturation as a baseball player. Carl Hubbell was born in Carthage, Missouri, in 1903 but grew up in rural Lincoln County, Oklahoma, situated very nearly in the middle of the state. His parents came to Oklahoma in 1908 and finally settled down on a cotton and pecan farm near Meeker in 1919. (5) The 1920 census recorded 33,400 residents of Lincoln County. Meeker was a village of about 500 that had been established along the tracks of a Santa Fe Railroad branch line in 1903. (6) If Meeker was representative of other small towns in the region, it had at least one general store, more than one church, a hotel, a cotton gin, one or two other stores, and several professional offices. For amusement people might occupy themselves with visiting, picnics, school events, hunting and fishing, going to the yearly fair, and, as we will see, viewing a Saturday or Sunday ball game. …

In June 2011, the President announced a national manufacturing initiative. The goals of this initiative are to bring industry, universities, and the federal government together to develop a dynamic domestic advanced manufacturing sector. [1] He called this the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, with the objective of supporting the emerging technologies and skills to encourage companies to invest in the United States.

To investigate perinatal outcomes of fetal echogenic bowel (FEB).This is a retrospective observational study of FEB cases from Jan 2005-Dec 2010. Data from ultrasound and fetal medicine investigations, uterine artery Doppler (UAD), intra-partum care and neonatal outcome were obtained from Fetal Medicine, Obstetric and Neonatal Databases.There were 139 cases presenting at 21(+5) (15(+1) -35(+5) ) weeks gestation. Overall, 106/139 (76.2%) were live born (LB), 8/139 (5.8%) were complicated by intra-uterine deaths (IUD), 11/139 (7.9%) had termination of pregnancy (TOP) and 14/139 (10.1%) were lost to follow-up after 28 weeks gestation. Six had chromosomal/genetic abnormalities, two had congenital cytomegalovirus, none had cystic fibrosis.Uterine artery Doppler was normal in 106/130 (81.5%) cases. In this group, there were no cases of fetal growth restriction (FGR), 95/106 (89.6%) were LB, 1/106 (0.94%) had an IUD. In the abnormal UAD group, 17/24 (70.1%) developed FGR, 11/24 (45.8%) were LB, 4/24 (16.7%) had TOP, 7/24 (29.2%) had IUD.In total, 20/106 (18.9%) live births were admitted for specialist neonatal care, 12/20 (60%) for prematurity. Only one had primary bowel pathology.Pregnancies with FEB and screen positive UAD are at risk of adverse perinatal outcome. Primary bowel pathology is rare following the finding of FEB.

Self-healing ability is a fascinating property of some materials. Structural materials with self-healing ability require a subtle combination of flow and stiffness characteristics. A vivid demonstration of self-healing is the automatic sealing of the bullet hole after bullet penetration of the target material. The ionomer Surlyn® satisfies the needs of both structural requirements and self-healing to a certain extent. The viscosity of Surlyn is very high at room temperature, a favorable property for structural applications but unfavorable for self-healing. However, when it was heated to 100°C and then cooled back down to room temperature, its viscosity remains temporarily low at room temperature for a few minutes, a favorable condition for healing. Here we report the measurement of such short-time relaxation effects on flow properties in Surlyn using an atomic force microscope (AFM)-based local thermal mechanical analyzer (LTA).

Introduction ^^ Purpose and Scope 4 Acknowledgments ^ General Description of the Study Area 4 Previous Studies ^ Ground Water _^ Surface Water and Bottom Sediment 12 Biota 14 Sample Collection and Analysis 15 Sampling Sites 15 Field Collection and Analytical Techniques 18 Water ^ Bottom Sediment 18 Biota 19 Discussion of Results 20 Field Water-Quality Measurements 20 Major Ions 22 Dissolved Nutrients 24 Trace Elements 27 Arsenic 27 Water and Bottom Sediment 27 Biota ^ Boron 29 Water and Bottom Sediment 29 Biota ^ Mercury 32 Water and Bottom Sediment 32 Biota 33 Selenium 35 Water and Bottom Sediment 35 Biota 36 Other Elements 38 Water and Bottom Sediment 38 Biota 39 Organic Compounds 40 Water 40 Bottom Sediment 40 Biota 44 Bioassessment Results 46 Biological Observations 47 Summary ^ Selected References ^ Supplemental Data Tables 55

The digestive tracts of 20 greater sandhill cranes collected at Grays Lake, Idaho in 1972 and 1973 were analyzed for food habits. Their diet contained 8 plant, 8 insect, and 1 annelid species. Plants made up 73 % of the total by volume, insects and earthworms 2 7%. Important foods include timothy corms, short-horned grasshoppers, and fly larvae. Comparison of food items consumed and food available supports the conclusion that cranes are opportunistic and omnivorous feeders.-Idaho Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83843. Accepted 14 June 1976. LITTLE is known about summer foods of Greater Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis tabida). According to Walkinshaw (1949: 3), Sandhill Cranes eat mainly insects, grubs, spiders, rootlets, tender herbage, grain, berries, and occasionally mice. Barrows (1912: 150) said they feed on roots, grains, bulbs, berries, insects, frogs, lizards, snakes, and mice. Hamerstrom (1938) mentioned cranes in Wisconsin feeding on huckleberries (Gaylussacia baccata), blueberries (Vaccinium sp.), grasshoppers (Melanoplus femur-rubrum), and beetles. Others (Munro 1950, Boeker et al. 1961, Madsen 1967, Guthery 1972) worked primarily with fall and winter populations, where cranes fed primarily in grain fields and pastures.

Breast cyst fluids from 118 women, aged 29 to 69 years, were analyzed by radioimmunoassays for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Blood was drawn at the same time in many cases to compare hormonal levels in serum with those in the breast cyst fluids (BCF). The levels of beta-hCG in BCF were relatively high, with a mean (+/- standard error of the mean [SEM]) of 58.9 +/- 16.8 mIU/ml; serum levels of beta-hCG were negligible. LH and TSH also were elevated in BCF compared with serum levels, exhibiting mean values (+/- SEM) of 26.7 +/- 4.3 mIU/ml and 6.4 +/- 0.44 muIU/ml, respectively. The levels of FSH and PRL in BCF were equivalent to the levels in the serum. The presence of biologically active hCG was suggested in several BCF samples using the rat ovarian hyperemia test. Samples of BCF were assessed for the capacity to stimulate Leydig cell testosterone production in vitro in the presence or absence of an anti-hLH antiserum. Testosterone production was significantly (P less than 0.05) enhanced, even in the presence of the antiserum. These data suggest that BCF contains biologically active hCG.

The interaction of triethyllead chloride with human and rat hemoglobin has been investigated using equilibrium dialysis. In addition the uptake of triethyllead by washed human and rat erythrocytes has been studied in vitro and the distribution of the organolead between blood cells and plamsa has been examined in vivo in the rat. Total lead was determined to atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Equilibrium dialysis demonstrated that human hemoglobin had a very low affinity and capacity for the binding of triethyllead. On the other hand, each tetramer of rat hemoglobin bound 3 mol of triethyllead at sites which did not exhibit cooperativity. ATP, EDTA, Na2S, and NaNO2 had no effect on the binding of triethyllead by rat hemoglobin while urea, glutathione, and N-ethylmaleimide inhibited the interaction. Rat red cells took up more triethyllead than did human red cells and the difference was not due to a higher binding capacity of the rat cell membrane for the organometal. For 80 min following the intravenous injection of triethyllead chloride, the total blood lead in rats was about 10 times the total plasma lead. It was concluded that triethyllead binds to the globin moiety of rat hemoglobin and that organometal binding sites occur on the hemoglobin tetramer but not on the monomers. The results demonstrated that the binding of triethyllead to hemoglobin is a significant determinant of the pharmacokinetics of the organometal in the rat and that the interaction between triethyllead and human hemoglobin would not have a significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of the organometal in the human.

✓ The authors report a case of rotational fixation of the atlanto-axial joint in which the diagnosis was not reached by conventional radiographic techniques. The clinical impression of rotational fixation was ultimately confirmed by computerized tomography. This new diagnostic modality can be very helpful in arriving at a very difficult diagnosis.

An analytical method has been developed for determining the unique shape and internal load distribution that satisfies equilibrium and boundary conditions for a parachute under the influence of known riser and aerodynamic forces. The parachute is treated as a deformable membrane, using finite elements with nonlinear elastic properties to represent the structure. An iterative procedure, performed by a digital computer, is used to find the equilibrium shape. The method is applicable to polysymmetric parachutes which have meridional members (cords or radial tapes) that can be assumed to carry all meridional forces in the canopy. Reefed and nonreefed configurations can be analyzed, and the canopy may be fully or partially inflated. Predicted canopy shapes and failure loads are shown to agree with aerial drop test results.

The alexandrite laser is a flashlamp pumped, solid state pulsed laser that utilizes the alexandrite crystal for the lasing medium with output radiation between 0.755 and 0.760 micron wavelengths. Since the alexandrite laser is relatively new, little work has been done to study the propagation effects at this wavelength. The U.S. Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama recently acquired two alexandrite lasers which have been used to study the effects of this radiation under different conditions, including atmospheric propagation. Baseline information was gathered in the laboratory for each laser prior to propagation studies at range. The lasers were characterized in terms of pulse length, energy, pulse shape, and pulse-to-pulse energy variation. Energy measurements were taken with a special device at 200 and 400 meters to determine the intensity profile of the beam. Energy measurements were taken at 1200 meters with a 1 cm2 detector, positioned in the approximate center of the beam. At the same time a 3-inch diameter section of the beam was sampled by using a beam splitter and lens to focus that portion into a radiometer. Beam spot shape and location at the target were observed. Statistical techniques including frequency distribution curves of fluence in the two sample areas were used to analyze the fluence at 1200 meters and the effects of atmospheric conditions, especially scintillation, on the transmitted energy. Atmospheric data was recorded by an Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory Meteorological Station at the range. A scintillometer located adjacent to the beam path continuously recorded Cn2 values during the test program.

Elevated levels of circulating immune complexes (IC) occur in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in several strains of mice that spontaneously develop a lupus-like illness. An increase in circulating IC might occur as a result of increased IC formation or decreased IC clearance. Previous work with one murine lupus strain, NZB/W, demonstrated normal clearance of soluble IC. We studied the in vivo behavior of stable model IgG IC in two murine lupus strains. MRL/l and BXSB, and in two normal strains, C3H/HeN and BALB/c. IC were injected intravenously, and blood radioactivity was measured over 3 hr. A clearance curve was derived for each mouse using the Marquardt-Levenberg curve-fitting method. A formula is derived which predicts the formation rate of IC in each animal from the blood level of IC and the clearance curve parameters. All mice exhibited biphasic exponential clearance of IC over 3 hr. Clearance of IC was significantly slower in MRL/l mice than in normal strains (P less than 0.02), and clearance in BXSB mice was significantly faster than in normals (P less than 0.02). However, the derived formula suggests that the observed differences in IC clearance have only a small effect on the blood levels of IC in the mice studied, and therefore suggests that the major factor which accounts for increased blood levels of IC in lupus mice is an increase in the IC formation rate.

Nuclear Science Series'' of the National Research Council. Committee on Nuclear Science. The radiochemistry of sodium is discussed. The nuclear and chemical features are reviewed. Problems of dissolution of a sample and counting techniques are described. A collection of radiochemical procedures for the element as found in the literature is presented. (M.C.G.)

We have presented a pooled clinical investigation in 1,091 patients with coronary atheroslcerosis treated with long-term anticoagulants for 3 to 100 months, for a total of 24,454 months. The average duration of therapy was 22.4 months. Four and four-tenths per cent developed non-fatal thromboembolism, and 131 patients, or 12.0 per cent, died on the regimen, mostly from cardiac disease. Three hundred nineteen patients, or 29.2 per cent, abandoned the regimen; an average 18.4 months' follow-up of these showed that 28.2 per cent died within 4 years, chiefly with cardiac disease. These 319 patients serve as “controls”. Six hundred sixty-nine patients, or 61.3 per cent, continued the regimen an average of 27.6 months of therapy. Four hundred seventeen patients not given anticoagulants were used as additional “controls” and were followed by 5 of the authors for 3 to 120 months, averaging 38.1 months. Of these, 37.4 per cent died, the majority from cardiovascular disease.

Effects of phenyl mercury acetate administered to captive game farm pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hens in both capsule and feed form were investigated. Total mercury level in hens given 20 mg Hg/kg body weight in capsules rose sharply in kidney, liver, and ovarian follicle samples. Soon after administration, these levels decreased rapidly, approaching control levels 2 weeks after administration. Compared to control birds, hens treated with 20 mg Hg/kg body weight in capsules showed significant decreases in egg hatchability, eggshell thickness, chick weight, and chick survivability (P 0.05). Hens fed wheat ad libitum which had been treated with phenyl mercury fungicide at the normal field rate showed highest total mercury levels in kidney tissues, lowest in muscle tissues. Compared to controls, this group had no significant differences in any of the parameters tested. We concluded that low amounts of phenyl mercury in the diet are not harmful to game farm pheasants.

In 1970 aerial applications were made to a 24-hectare section in southwestern Idaho utilizing ethyl parathion in May, demeton and DDT-toxaphene in June, and trichlorfon and demeton in July. Aerial application resulted in a very uneven distribution of chemicals on the ground. Gas chromatographic analysis of residues collected on glass plates during aerial applications showed ranges of 0-2058 ,igrams per plate within the treated area. Observations on penned and radio-equipped wild pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) revealed no direct mortality from the spraying. Penned pheasants 5-15 days old exhibited symptoms of organophosphorus poisoning, but recovered. Cholinesterase and weight gains did not differ significantly in treated and untreated penned pheasants. According to the results of sweep net samples, insect populations were significantly lower in the treated area compared to the untreated area. Juvenile pheasants collected in the treated area consumed significantly fewer insects than birds taken in the untreated area. Applications of certain organochlorines and organophosphorus pesticides probably kill some pheasants, especially young birds, but results suggest that use of demeton, ethyl parathion, DDT-toxaphene, and trichlorfon at recommended application rates does not cause major pheasant losses in southwestern Idaho. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 38(4):679-685 Pesticides, particularly the persistent organochlorines, have contributed to the decline of several species of raptorial and fish-eating birds (Peakall 1970). Organochlorines have also produced harmful effects in the ring-necked pheasant (Azevedo et al. 1965, Baxter et al. 1969). The use of DDT and many other organochlorines has rapidly declined in the pheasant range of southwestern Idaho in recent years. The development of insect resistance and legal restrictions have deleted a number of uses for organochlorines. Organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides have replaced the organochlorines. Some of these chemicals have a high initial toxicity but residue problems are comparatively minor. The organophosphorus pesticides may pose a threat to ground-feeding birds. The pheasant, a ground resident, may be directly harmed by the high dermal and oral toxicity of certain organophosphorus insecticides. Christensen (1969) found that methyl parathion caused substantial mortality of 1to 10-day-old pheasant chicks under minimum exposure conditions. Thus, additional research with other organophosphorus pesticides is justified, especially under field conditions. The objective in this study was to evalu1 Contribution from the Idaho Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Came Department, the Wildlife Management Institute, and the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Sciences, University of Idaho, cooperating. 2 Present address: Department of Zoology, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T iW5. 3 The laboratory portion of the research was supported under Contract 68-02-0552 by the Division of Pesticide Community Studies, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, through the Idaho Department of Environmental and Community Services. J. Wildl. Manage. 38 (4):1974 679 This content downloaded from 40.77.167.21 on Mon, 25 Jul 2016 04:07:01 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 680 PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS AND PHEASANTS * Messick et al. Table 1. Pesticides applied by fixed-wing aircraft to the spray zone on Gold Island, Idaho, during 1970. Rate of Date of Chemicals and application application concentration (kg/ha) a 22 May ethyl parathion (47%) 0.9 24 June demeton (25%) DDT0.3 (demeton) toxaphene (25% DDT, 2.4 (DDT-) 50% toxaphene) 4.7 (toxaphene) 23 July demeton (25%) 0.3 (demeton) trichlorfon (80%) 1.2 (trichlorfon) a Expressed as active ingredient applied with 46.7 kg H20 per hectare. ate the effects of selected organochlorines and organophosphates on pheasants and their insect food supplies, utilizing both wild and penned birds. We explored the degree of exposure, survival, nesting success, movement patterns, consumption of insects, and cholinesterase inhibition under pesticide-treated and control conditions. We thank the following who helped with various phases of this work: J. Uranga, J. Gabica, H. Homan, B. Wood, V. Bowman, M. Howard, J. Martin, and scouts in Explorer Post 60.