In vivo properties of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a rare event and treatment has not yet been defined. Because there are no definitive data as to the most appropriate therapeutic approach to CNS leukemia in AML, we retrospectively analyzed a cohort of AML patients with meningeal leukemia in order to increase our knowledge on this particular matter. METHODS: Out of 410 patients with de novo AML observed at our Institute from 1986 to 1995, 9 (2.2%) showed CNS leukemia (CNSL) during the follow-up. CNSL was treated as follows: in a first group of 4 patients we combined systemic HD Ara-C 3 g/m2 (every 12 hours by 3-hour infusion, for 6 doses), cranial radiation therapy and intrathecal (IT) methotrexate (MTX); a second group of 4 patients was treated with HD Ara-C, IT MTX without cranial irradiation; HD Ara-C alone was administered in one patient. RESULTS: All patients of the first group and 2 patients of the second who achieved a complete remission (CR) had a median survival of 10 months (range 5-25+) after CNS involvement, while for the non-remitters it was 2 months (range 1-5). The only patient still living underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: The combination treatment of HD Ara-C, IT MTX and cranial irradiation is well tolerated and seems to be an effective therapy for CNSL, presenting a high incidence of neurologic CR that correlates with a longer survival. As expected, the number of AML patients with CNSL was small, due to the fact that CNS in those patients is a rare complication. However, this study provides further information about the therapeutic possibilities in such restricted subsets of AML patients.     

Structure-property relationships in thermomechanically treated beryllia dispersed nickel alloys

BeO dispersed nickel alloys, produced by powder metallurgy techniques, were studied extensively in stress rupture at 815, 982, and 1093°C (1088, 1255, and 1366 K) and by transmission electron microscopy. The alloys were subjected to a variety of thermomechanical treatments (TMT) to determine the benefits of TMT on properties. It is shown that the use of intermediate annealing treatments after 10 pct reduction steps is highly beneficial on both low and high temperature properties. It is indicated that the high temperature strength is not primarily dependent on the grain aspect ratio or texture but depends strongly on the dislocation density and distribution of dislocations in a stable substructure which is pinned by the fine oxide dispersion.     

Clinical trials of a new anthelmintic, 4-isothiocyanato-4'-nitrodiphenylamine (C.9333-Go/CGP 4540), for the cure of hookworm infection

A new compound, 4-isothiocyanato-4'-nitrodiphenylamine (C.9333-Go/CGP 4540), was tried in 39 hospitalized patients with hookworm infection, using several treatment schedules. At effective dose schedules (125 mg X 3 given 4-hourly; 250 mg X 3, 8-hourly; 1,000 mg X 3, 12-hourly), the egg reduction was 96% to 100%; the zero egg-counts were confirmed by coproculture for larvae. The compound was very well tolerated. Transient and mild side effects--giddiness, diarrhea and sweating--were observed in only three patients. No toxic effects were seen as judged by serial organ function tests, except a transient and mild asymptomatic elevation of transaminases in one patient.     

Application of Kalman filtering to the calibration and alignment ofinertial navigation systems

The development of Kalman filters for the calibration and alignment of complex inertial guidance systems is presented. The attitude error equation is augmented by gyro and accelerometer model parameters. The mechanization of the algorithm involves preprocessing the raw measurements to reduce the computational load. Results for simulated data show that preprocessing has very little effect on the performance of the filter. Other topics discussed include gyro and accelerometer models and a technique for generating parameter excitation trajectories     

Finite element analysis of occupant head injuries: Parametric effects of the side curtain airbag deployment interaction with a dummy head in a side impact crash

In this study, we investigated and assessed the dependence of dummy head injury mitigation on the side curtain airbag and occupant distance under a side impact of a Dodge Neon. Full-scale finite element vehicle simulations of a Dodge Neon with a side curtain airbag were performed to simulate the side impact. Owing to the wide range of parameters, an optimal matrix of finite element calculations was generated using the design method of experiments (DOE); the DOE method was performed to independently screen the finite element results and yield the desired parametric influences as outputs. Also, analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques were used to analyze the finite element results data. The results clearly show that the influence of moving deformable barrier (MDB) strike velocity was the strongest influence parameter on both cases for the head injury criteria (HIC36) and the peak head acceleration, followed by the initial airbag inlet temperature. Interestingly, the initial airbag inlet temperature was only a ~30% smaller influence than the MDB velocity; also, the trigger time was a ~54% smaller influence than the MDB velocity when considering the peak head accelerations. Considering the wide range in MDB velocities used in this study, results of the study present an opportunity for design optimization using the different parameters to help mitigate occupant injury. As such, the initial airbag inlet temperature, the trigger time, and the airbag pressure should be incorporated into vehicular design process when optimizing for the head injury criteria.     

Does decreased mowing frequency enhance alkaloid production in endophytic tall fescue and perennial ryegrass?

Tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea, and perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne, are widely infected with fungal endophytes (Neotyphodium spp.). The symbiosis between plant and fungus leads to synthesis of alkaloids that have been shown to be either toxic or act as feeding deterrents against insect pests. As cultural practices have the potential to regulate production of plant secondary metabolites, we evaluated the influence of mowing frequency on the levels of major alkaloids in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass in the greenhouse. Tall fescue and perennial ryegrass maintained in 15-cm-diam. pots were cut to 5-cm height weekly or biweekly. Samples were taken monthly and the alkaloids extracted and analyzed by reverse-phase LC-MS. In tall fescue, ergovaline, ergonovine, and ergocristine were identified, whereas only ergocristine was identified in perennial ryegrass samples. In tall fescue, we observed a trend showing higher levels in samples cut biweekly than in those cut weekly. A similar pattern was seen in some putative alkaloids that were not identified. In perennial ryegrass, ergocristine and two putative alkaloids followed a pattern similar to that of alkaloids in tall fescue. A survey of a few samples of perennial ryegrass using extractions specific to peramine and lolitrem B yielded evidence suggesting their presence as well as several other identified alkaloids. These data support the hypothesis that decreased mowing frequency enhances alkaloid production/accumulation in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass.     

Structure-property relationships in thermomechanically treated beryllia dispersed nickel alloys

BeO dispersed nickel alloys, produced by powder metallurgy techniques, were studied extensively in stress rupture at 815, 982, and 1093°C (1088, 1255, and 1366 K) and by transmission electron microscopy. The alloys were subjected to a variety of thermomechanical treatments (TMT) to determine the benefits of TMT on properties. It is shown that the use of intermediate annealing treatments after 10 pct reduction steps is highly beneficial on both low and high temperature properties. It is indicated that the high temperature strength is not primarily dependent on the grain aspect ratio or texture but depends strongly on the dislocation density and distribution of dislocations in a stable substructure which is pinned by the fine oxide dispersion.     

Does mowing height influence alkaloid production in endophytic tall fescue and perennial ryegrass?

The mutualistic symbiosis following infection of tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea, and perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne, by fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium spp.) results in the production of alkaloids that are feeding deterrents or toxic to insects and livestock. If the levels of the alkaloids can be manipulated by cultural practices in the grasses that are used for home lawns and golf courses, this could alleviate the need for pesticide applications in urban environments. We evaluated the influence of mowing height on the levels of some alkaloids in a greenhouse experiment for two consecutive months. In tall fescue, levels of four of the nine alkaloids, including one presumptive alkaloid, showed increased levels with increasing the mowing height from 2.5 to 7.5 cm. The alkaloids were ergonovine, ergocryptine, perloline methyl ether, and an unidentified alkaloid designated as unknown C. In perennial ryegrass, three out of six alkaloids, perloline methyl ether, chanoclavine, and unknown A, showed similar increases. The alkaloid levels in perennial ryegrass showed more variability than those in tall fescue between the two sampling dates. It was clear in both grasses that the relative levels of the alkaloids varied with mowing height, as well as over time.     

Optimization of a load shedding scheme

An integrated process facility recently went through an update of its existing load shedding scheme in the context of process changes planned for the coming years. Transient simulations indicated that by changing the load shedding philosophy, the frequency profile during power shortages could be significantly improved. This article discusses the plant's electrical/steam load balance issues and the development of a high speed load shedding scheme. Shortage of power in a network is invariably reflected in collapse of frequency. Traditionally, frequency decay patterns have been calculated using simplified methods. Simplifications have included the assumption of constant deceleration constant voltages, and constant generator power. The results obtained using the simplified methods were generally adequate for simple, slow-acting load shedding systems. In the case at hand, the loads assigned for shedding and those to be “saved“ by load shedding are part of an integrated process plant sequence, where speed of operation and selectivity of the load shedding is crucial to the continuity of the oil-production process. In the search for ways to optimize the load shedding scheme, transient stability simulations were used to calculate frequency profile, taking into account generators' transient responses and those of the excitation and speed governor systems. This article describes the outcome of the analysis in terms of possible improvements in load shedding performance through the use of rate of change of frequency as the shedding indicator