cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast acquisition implementation for high sensitivity global positioning systems receivers based on joint and reduced space search

In Global Positioning Systems (GPS), unique pseudorandom codes allow different satellites to share available frequency spectra without interference. In receivers, the locally generated codes (replicas) are correlated with received signals to extract a particular satellite's signal and wipe-off its pseudorandom code. The signals received are generally misaligned with replicas. As a result, receivers search for signals using different codes, code phases, and additional residual sinusoidal demodulations at several possible frequencies. This search is called acquisition and it is computationally challenging for receivers operating under weak signal conditions. Software GPS receivers have been developed over the past several years and continue to be an area of extensive research. Faster, less complex, and more efficient algorithms are required for software GPS receivers. We present a fast algorithm for accelerating acquisition. Several frequency domain approaches proposed by authors earlier are combined to reduce computational complexity. These are (i) joint code, code delay and frequency search; (ii) limited code-phase search; and (iii) a shifting replica approach. Significant gains in arithmetic complexity are achieved. A novel method for restoring correlation degradation introduced by limited code phase search is also presented in this paper. Overall performance of the acquisition is illustrated on different platforms.
Percutaneous autologous bone marrow injection in the treatment of distal meta-diaphyseal tibial nonunions and delayed unions.

OBJECTIVE To report the outcomes of percutaneous autologous bone marrow injection for nonunion or delayed union of the distal tibial metaphysis in patients with prior plating. DESIGN Consecutive case series. SETTING Tertiary center. PATIENTS Eleven consecutive patients (aged 24-51 years) were referred to us with a nonunion or delayed union of the distal tibial metaphysis after open reduction and internal fixation (plates and screws) at the time of fracture. The average time from initial injury to nonunion or delayed union and bone marrow treatment was 8 months (range, 3-20 months). INTERVENTION A total of 40-80 mL of bone marrow aspirated from the posterior iliac crest and injected in and around the nonunion or delayed union site under fluoroscopic guidance. MEASUREMENTS Healing at the injury site was evaluated using clinical and radiographic criteria, including computed tomography. Measures included American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Lower Limb Core Scale (LLCS), Brief Pain Inventory, and Short Form 12 Physical Component Summary. RESULTS Nine of the 11 patients attained bony union within 6 months of bone marrow injection. Six of these 9 patients who were followed-up an average of 4.4 years (range, 1.3-8.2 years) after the injection reported significant (P < 0.05) improvements in Lower Limb Core Scale (59.9-89.7), pain intensity (2.9-1.7), pain interference (4.6-2.3), and Short Form 12 Physical Component Summary (29.5-46.6) and 5.6 years improvement in quality-adjusted life years. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous autologous bone marrow injection is a minimally invasive, safe, and inexpensive treatment option for distal metaphyseal tibial nonunions or delayed unions after internal fixation and should be considered when the retained hardware seems to be intact and stable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A short latency cortical component of the foveal VEP is revealed by hemifield stimulation

Transient evoked potentials were recorded simultaneously over 5 electrodes placed in a horizontal row across the occiput. A range of spatial frequencies were presented as either full-field or hemifield stimuli. Subjects were 11 normal observers and 5 patients with lesions causing a homonymous hemianopic field defect. The shortest latency peak response was at approximately 70 msec, a negative potential (N70). For all spatial frequencies, full-field stimuli evoked a lower amplitude N70 at the midline than the sum of N70 amplitudes to two hemifield stimuli, suggesting partial cancellation. The latency and amplitude of N70 increased as spatial frequency increased. N70 and P100 differed in respect to their response to spatial frequency and field size, further suggesting that they may not be subsets of a unitary response. For hemifield stimulation, N70 had an ipsilateral maximum and attenuated or completely reversed in polarity across the midline. Consistent with the data of normals using hemifield stimuli, in 5 patients a full-field stimulus elicited an N70 lateralized contralaterally to the homonymous hemianopia, i.e., the ipsilateral N70 was absent. The absolute amplitude difference between the left and right electrodes was significant for hemifield stimulation in normals and full-field stimulation in the patients, but not for full-field stimulation in normals. Our results imply that the evaluation of N70 hemispheric distribution is useful for the evaluation of paramacular visual field defects.
Recurrent disease after negative second-look laparotomy in stages III and IV ovarian carcinoma

Between 1977 and 1984, second-look laparotomy to evaluate disease status after adjuvant chemotherapy was performed in 134 patients originally presenting with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Surgical and histologic assessment did not detect persistent disease in 50 patients (37%). Recurrent carcinoma was subsequently documented in 15 patients (30%), all failures occurring within the abdominal cavity or the retroperitoneal space. Several patient subgroups at high risk for recurrence after negative second-look laparotomy are identified that might benefit from additional adjunctive therapy. Because of different treatment-associated morbidities, the corresponding sensitivities and specificities of the high-risk groups may assist subsequent treatment selection.
Canola Oil Inhibits Breast Cancer Cell Growth in Cultures and In Vivo and Acts Synergistically with Chemotherapeutic Drugs

Certain fatty acids in canola oil (CAN) have been associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. This study assessed the effects of CAN on proliferation and death of human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo in chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis. We hypothesize that CAN reduces breast cancer cell growth by inducing cell death. In a series of in vitro experiments, human breast cancer T47D and MCF-7 cells were cultured and treated with CAN and two chemotherapeutic drugs, tamoxifen and cerulenin. Cell proliferation and caspase-3 and p53 activities were measured. Reduced cancer cell growth and increased expression of caspase-3 and p53 were seen in T47D and MCF-7 cells treated with CAN. Moreover, CAN showed synergistic cancer cell growth inhibition effects with tamoxifen and cerulenin. In a subsequent live animal experiment, 42 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to corn oil (CORN) or CAN diets, and mammary tumors were chemically induced by N-nitroso-N-methylurea. CAN-dieted rats had reduced tumor volumes and showed an increased survival rate as compared to CORN-dieted rats. We demonstrated that CAN has suppressive effects on cancer growth, and reduces tumor volumes. The results suggest that CAN may have inhibitory effects on breast cancer cell growth, and warrants further investigation of the synergistic effects of CAN with anti-cancer drugs.
Yaba virus-specific DNA in the host cell nucleus

Abstract DNA-DNA hybridization studies show that Yaba virus-specific DNA is present in the host cell nucleus late in the infection cycle. The nuclear DNA appears to exist as a complete genome, not covalently linked to host cell DNA, as demonstrated by sedimentation analyses. The DNA appears to be synthesized in the nucleus, since its level of incorporation of label is ten times the background incorporation detectable in the cytoplasm. Extraction of the nuclei by treatment with SDS and EDTA after precipitation with 1 M NaCl separates most of cellular DNA from the Yaba virus-specific DNA.
Depo-Provera and Mood in Adolescence: A Pilot Study

Background Some reports suggest that the use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA or Depo-Provera) as a contraceptive agent may be associated with an increase in depression. Few studies have used standardized instruments to measure changes in mood, especially depression, in adolescents. The purpose of this study is to invesugate mood changes, using standardized questionnaires, in adolescents on Depo-Provera as a contraceptive agent. Methods 22 adolescent females aged 15–21 years choosing Depo-Provera as a method of contraception were enrolled as subjects and 20 adolescents in the same age group coming to an adolescent clinic for well or sick visits, who were not on any hormonal contraception, were enrolled as controls. Females with a history of psychiatric illness requiring hospitalization or psychotropic medication, were excluded. At baseline the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered, demographic profile obtained and Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated for both subjects and controls. Subsequently the BDI was re-administered at 3, 6, and 12 months after the first visit. Baseline BDIs, BMIs and demographics were compared between subjects and controls using two-sample t-tests. The mean changes from baseline BDI scores at 3,6, and 12 months were evaluated using paired t-tests for subjects and controls separately. (BDI scores: 0.9 = normal:10–16 = mild; 17–29 = moderate: 30–63 = severe depression) Results The mean BDI scores for subjects and controls at baseline were 12.5 and 7.1 respectively (p–=–0.06). The mean change in BDI scores from baseline to one year in those who completed 1 year data was + 0.5 for controls and −12.3 in subjects. with the latter decrease being statistically significant (p = 0.013). The mean change in BDI scores from baseline to 3 or 6 months was not statistically significantly different in either subjects or controls. There was no significant difference between subjects and controls considering age. ethnicity, school attendance. employment status. parity and BMIs. However patients were more likely to be sexually active (p = 0.001), and also perfonn worse in school than controls (p = 0.009). Conclusion Adolescents using Depo-Provera for contraception do not get depressed on this contraceptive agent. On the contrary, those who were mildly or moderately depressed at baseline show an apparent improvement as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory.
“To be of one's own time”: High-tech meets tradition in computer graphic art

Abstract This article describes the use of microcomputers to produce graphic art. Computer printmaking has many advantages over traditional graphic printmaking. Relatively inexpensive computers, software, and color printers are now available for printmaking at a cost lower than traditional methods. The advantages of using computers to make graphic prints outweigh those of standard techniques. With a computer, an artist is able to make prints with perfect registrations using 16–200 colors, depending on the capability of the system. The computer can eliminate the accidents that are common to printmaking by allowing the artist to correct mistakes without leaving a trace on the finished composition. The computer is able to repeat, invert, rotate, and focus on details at the pixel level for part of a composition or the entire composition. The computer allows the artist to produce the final work in a manner that will retain the directness, strength, and every nuance of an individual expression.
An endogenous component of the mechanism controlling the vitellogenic cycle in the American cockroach

Abstract The continuous and rhythmic vitellogenic cycle of an oviparous cockroach, Periplaneta americana , is controlled at least in part by an endogenous “clock-like” mechanism within ovarian follicles.
Exact solutions for concentration dependent diffusion and the inverse complementary error function

Abstract A direct method of studying the qualitative behavior of concentration dependent diffusion is based on exact solution of problems with diffusion coefficients which are piecewise constant functions of concentration. Polynomial approximations are given for the inverse of the complementary error function. They facilitate the direct method and also Philip's inverse method of studying qualitative behavior.
Body mass and suicide risk

Body mass has been neglected as a possible predictor of suicidal behavior. The present investigation explores the association between body mass index and completed suicide. Data are from the National Mortality Followback Survey and refer to 373 suicides, and 518 deaths from motor vehicle accidents as controls. The results of a logistic regression analysis indicated that, for females, the greater the BMI the greater the suicide risk. However, this relationship did not hold up under controls for race and other covariates of BMI. For males, the BMI was not significantly related to suicide risk either at the bivariate or multivariate levels of analysis. The best predictors of suicide were living alone for females, and alcohol abuse for males.
RATIONALLY ℵα-COMPLETE COMMUTATIVE RINGS OF QUOTIENTS

If {Ri}i ∈ I is a family of rings, then it is well-known that Q(Ri) = Q(Q(Ri)) and Q(∏i∈I Ri) = ∏i∈I Q(Ri), where Q(R) denotes the maximal ring of quotients of R. This paper contains an investigation of how these results generalize to the rings of quotients Qα(R) defined by ideals generated by dense subsets of cardinality less than ℵα. The special case of von Neumann regular rings is studied. Furthermore, a generalization of a theorem regarding orthogonal completions is established. Illustrative example are presented.
The Instability of the Solid–Liquid Interface and the Hydrophobic Force

Abstract Fluctuating gaps, generated by thermal perturbations between a hydrophobic solid and water, because of their incompatibility, are considered to be responsible for the long-range attractive hydrophobic force. Their formation is stimulated by the traces of air dissolved in water. The pressure field induced by the fluctuations of one of the water surfaces acts upon the fluctuating gaps of the other surface generating an attractive force. Equations are obtained which predict a dependence of the force on the viscosity η of the liquid of the form η−2. This dependence can explain the threefold increase of the force for a change in temperature from 20 to 40°C observed experimentally. This observation brings support to the suggestion that the hydrophobic force may have a hydrodynamic origin.
Determinants of Tobacco Control Funding: Evidence from U.S. States

The literature on tobacco control funding has focused on its impact on the demand for tobacco products. This paper turns the issue around by utilizing state-level panel data to address the determinants of per capita tobacco control funding. Tobacco control funding is found to be increasing with per capita income, cigarette consumption, and cigarette taxes, but decreasing with population density and neighbor-state tobacco control funding. Political affiliation, cancer and heart attack mortalities, as well as the extent of smoke-free air laws, have little impact on tobacco control funding. Results are robust to addressing the endogeneity of cigarette consumption and cigarette taxes.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE FOOT AND THE HEAD PATTERNING SYSTEMS IN HYDRA VULGARIS

The Cnidarian, hydra, is an appealing model system for studying the basic processes underlying pattern formation. Classical studies have elucidated much basic information regarding the role of development gradients, and theoretical models have been quite successful at describing experimental results. However, most experiments and computer simulations have dealt with isolated patterning events such as the dynamics of head regeneration. More global events such as interactions among the head, bud, and foot patterning systems have not been extensively addressed. The characterization of monoclonal antibodies with position-specific labeling patterns and the recent cloning and characterization of genes expressed in position-specific manners now provide the tools for investigating global interactions between patterning systems. In particular, changes in the axial positional value gradient may be monitored in response to experimental perturbation. Rather than studying isolated patterning events, this approach allows us to study patterning over the entire animal. The studies reported here focus on interactions between the foot and the head patterning systems in Hydra vulgaris following induction of a foot in close proximity to a head, axial grafting of a foot closer to the head, or doubling the amount of basal tissue by lateral grafting of an additional peduncle-foot onto host animals. Resulting positional value changes as monitored by antigen (TS19) and gene (ks1 and CnNK-2) expression were assessed in the foot, head, and intervening tissue. The results of the experiments indicate that positional values changed rapidly, in a matter of hours, and that there were reciprocal interactions between the foot and the head patterning systems. Theoretical interpretations of the results in the form of computer simulations based on the reaction-diffusion model are presented and predict many, but not all, of the experimental observations. Since the lateral grafting experiment cannot, at present, be simulated, it is discussed in light of what has been learned from the axial grafting experiments and their simulations.
Frequency and recency of reward and inferotemporal lesions

The hypothesis that monkeys with inferotemporal lesions are deficient in remembering which cues in visual discrimination learning are rewarded was tested. Contrary to predictions, the performance of operated Ss was controlled by the frequency of reward while that of normal controls was a function of the recency of reward.
Transition-state analogues

Abstract Novel transition-state-analogue inhibitors have been developed for several reactions, and new structural information has been reported concerning the forces by which these analogues are attracted to an enzyme's active site, illustrating some central features of the catalytic process. Exciting progress is also being made in the development of drugs designed to exploit these mechanistic principles, and in the use of transition analogues as haptens to generate antibodies with new catalytic activities.
Effects of chloride and bicarbonate on methemoglobin reduction in mouse erythrocytes.

Abstract A methemoglobinemia generated by phenylhydroxylamine persists longer in mouse red cells suspended in Krebs-Ringer-phosphate-glucose (K-R-PO 4 -G) than in vivo or in shed blood. Heparin or bovine serum albumin added to K-R-PO 4 -G did not shorten the duration of the methemoglobinemic response to phenylhydroxylamine, and phosphate added to shed blood did not prolong it. When a Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate-glucose (K-R-HCO 3 -G) medium was used instead of K-R-PO 4 -G, the pattern of the methemoglobinemic response to phenylhydroxylamine was altered to resemble that of shed blood. When methemoglobinemic cells originally exposed to nitrite are washed, methemoglobin reductase activity, as assessed by net decreases in methemoglobin concentration, is inversely related to the extracellular chloride concentration. This effect of chloride in prolonging a methemoglobinemia is shared by nitrate. Rates of methemoglobin reduction were not influenced by changes in red cell volume as modified by alterations in extracellular osmolality. The addition of bicarbonate to a chloride-free medium did not further stimulate reductase activity, but in the presence of a critical extracellular chloride concentration, bicarbonate stimulates methemoglobin reduction. Since these effects are still seen when lactate is substituted for glucose, they are apparently mediated through the spontaneous NADH-linked reductive system (diaphorase). These findings suggest that the chloride shift may regulate the rate of methemoglobin reduction in mouse red cells.
Emotional and Cognitive Responses to Nonhumorous and Humorous Threat Persuasion Public Service Advertisements

Threat persuasion, also known as fear appeal in advertising, is often employed in public service advertisements (PSAs). In light of its limitations, practitioners have recognized the potential of humor in increasing threat message persuasion, but research on humorous threat persuasion is scarce. Across two studies, responses between the conventional threat persuasion PSA and the humorous threat persuasion PSA were compared. The findings show that the emotional and cognitive responses underlying the two persuasion processes were significantly different, while the overall levels of effectiveness were similar. This supports the proposition that the persuasion routes of these two advertising appeals might be unique. The findings underpin theoretical discussions and several practical implications on increasing effectiveness for the nonhumor and humor threat persuasion PSAs.
Survey Article: Ukraine's Industrial Enterprise: Surviving Hard Times

Ukraine's industrial organizational structure, retaining the features of a planned system, has been slow to change. The state plays a greater role in controlling industrial production there than in Russia. Along with privatization, the government encourages different types of associations and conglomerates. Industry's dismal performance could probably be worse without surviving strategies used by enterprise management, such as retaining working collectives, loyalty to suppliers and buyers, avoiding long-term investment, mergers, and diversification. Enterprise managers, whose attitudes toward privatization were predominantly negative, now accept it as a necessity for their working collectives.
Levels of Issue Voting The Effect of Candidate-Pairs in Presidential Elections

In the last five years studies of the American electorate have found some evidence that voters have adopted more of the attributes that mark the informed citizen. Increasing concern with issues and a greater correlation between issues and the vote have cheered observers who were always uneasy with what appeared to be a blind commitment to voting for the party. However, other recent studies have indicated that candidates also play a role in the level of issue voting which characterizes any election. These data support an early argument that candidates are a critical variable for the level of issue voting in any election; and that higher levels of issue voting since 1964 may be a reflection of different candidates rather than greater ideological concern among voters. This article examines the latter possibility. The article presents a typology of elections based on the nature of the candidate-pair; it documents the similarity of elections with like candidate-pairs but unlike electorates; it attempts a tenta...
Metabolic Response to Chemotherapy in Colon Cancer Patients

The goal of this investigation was to identify the metabolic abnormalities in a group of colon cancer patients before and during 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy. Twenty-two colon cancer patients were prospectively enrolled into a Clinical Research Center for measurement of counter regulatory hormones, fasting hepatic glucose production (HGP), intravenous glucose tolerance test, plasma leucine appearance (LA), and leucine oxidation (LO). Both the cancer group and the normal volunteers were matched for nutrition status (109 +/- 5% of ideal body weight vs 104 +/- 4%, mean +/- SEM, respectively) and history of weight loss (6.3 +/- 2.6 kg vs 4.4 +/- 4.8). Plasma growth hormone was significantly elevated in the colon cancer patients (3.22 +/- 0.62 ng/mL vs 0.73 +/- 0.18, p < .05) despite the fact that insulin-like growth factor-1 levels were not different. Plasma glucose, insulin, cortisol, glucagon, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels were not significantly different than those of the normal volunteers. Fasting HGP rates were slightly but not significantly elevated in the group of colon cancer patients compared with the normal volunteers (2.09 +/- 0.11 mg/kg per minute vs 1.79 +/- 0.10, p = .10). Plasma LA was not significantly elevated in the colon cancer group (63.3 +/- 3.0 mumol/kg per hour vs 57.7 +/- 4.2; p = .25). Five days of continuous 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy was associated with a significant elevation in both the fasting glucose level (97 +/- 3 mg/dL vs 106 +/- 5, p < .05), and HGP (2.09 +/- 0.11 mg/kg per minute vs 2.27 +/- 0.10; p < .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Shunts, indications, problems, and characteristics.

My presentation consists of three very specific aspects of shunting system—indications, problems, and characteristics. I have chosen to place these aspects in this order since the indications determine when a shunt is necessary, the problems place its shortcomings in relief, and the two provide us with the desired characteristics. This discussion is about the diagnostic entities of hydrocephalus. It is not a discussion either of the etiology or the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus.
A “SHOOTING” APPROACH TO CHAOS

Toplogical shooting is a method for proving existence of solutions to certain types of problems in ordinary differential equations. We show how one-dimensional shooting provides an elementary proof that particular equations have solutions which exhibit properties associated with “chaos.” After an introductory illustration of how the method works for a forced pendulum equation, we outline a proof that the Lorenz equations have behavior typical of chaotic systems. Until 1993, there had been no rigorous proof that the Lorenz equations have any kind of chaotic behavior.
Relationship Suggestions from Self-Help Books: Gender Stereotyping, Preferences, and Context Effects

Popular books on heterosexual relationships often present gender-dichotomized views of behavior. To test predictions derived from gender schema and social role theories, relationship suggestions from Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus (Gray, 1992) were presented in masculine, feminine and neutral versions to 355 undergraduate students in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Participants either made descriptive stereotyping ratings or indicated their own preferences for the relationship suggestions. Half of each group was asked to respond as if the relationship in question was a romantic one, and half for a college roommate. When making descriptive stereotyping ratings, participant responses were in the stereotypic direction but with the means all close to the neutral midpoint. When making preference ratings, both women and men preferred neutral versions of the items over masculine and feminine versions, and women liked all types of items more than did men, but the average ratings indicated general appreciation for the items. Participants also liked the items better if the relationship was with a romantic partner rather than a college roommate. The highly positive reactions of all participants to all types of items and the failure to find consistent patterns of gender-stereotypic responses across rating methods and relationship contexts suggest that gender differences in relationship preferences may be less dramatic than portrayed in popular books. It is argued, however, that such books can impact readers’ perceptions of gender and relationships.
Chemistry of BDI*M(2+) complexes (M = Mg, Zn) and their role in lactide polymerization where BDI* is the anion derived from methylenebis(C-tBu, N-2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imine BDI*H

The bulky diimine CH2{C(tBu)N-2,6-Pri2C6H3}2, BDI*H, is shown to exist in two isomers trans-trans, 1a and cis-trans, 1b that interconvert slowly on the NMR time-scale. Treatment of the diimine with nBuLi in hexane proceeds slowly to give the lithium β-diketoiminate LiBDI*, 2, which upon hydrolysis yields the eneimine tautomer of BDI*H which has been characterized by X-ray studies in three rotamers, 3a, 3b and 3c. Dialkylmetal compounds (M = Mg, R = Bu; M = Zn, R = Et) react with either 1 or 3 in hydrocarbon and ether solvents to give BDI*Mg(nBu)THF, 4, and BDI*ZnEt, 5, which have been structurally characterized. M(N(SiMe3)2)2 compounds where M = Mg, Zn or Ca failed to react with either 1 or 3 in hydrocarbon solvents. The reactions between ZnCl2 and 2 yield BDI*ZnCl, 6, and a further reaction with LiNMe2 yields BDI*ZnNMe2, 7. The compounds 5 and 6 are shown to contain trigonal planar, M(2+) ions. Compounds 4, and 7 initiate ring-opening polymerization, ROP, of rac-lactide to give atactic polylactide, PLA. The rate of ROP depends on the metal M = Mg > Zn and is slower than that observed for the related β-diketoiminate complexes where the bulky-tBu group is replaced by Me.
Are aquatic phycomycetes present in the air

IN the course of a study of the seasonal variation of micro-organisms in the air of Montreal, in connexion with departmental studies on airborne fungi1, nutrient agar plates were exposed at regular intervals by the G—E Duplex electrostatic bacterial air sampler2 on the roof of the Biological Building of McGill University. The number of micro-organisms per cubic foot air was readily calculated from the countings of colonies versus times of exposure, the sampler having a uniform flow of 1 cu. ft. per ruin. The length of the sample was ten minutes. Among many common species of bacteria, actinomycetes, yeasts and moulds, an interesting aquatic phycomycete later identified as Hyphochytrium catenoides Karling was encountered. This organism was found on an agar plate 223 exposed on the positive electrode of the sampler in the morning of April 29, 1949, on the roof of the Biological Building of McGill University. The weather that morning was clear, with the air temperature 48–50° F. and light winds. In the past week, it had been mainly overcast or cloudy, with occasional light rains and showers. There were altogether eighty-two colonies on the plate, including seventy-two bacteria, one actinomycete, one yeast and seven other fungi. The colony of this fungus was well isolated, slightly raised, pale yellow, slimy, yeast-like, and had attained a diameter of 5 mm. The medium used in this investigation was Czapek's solution agar modified by substitution of 5 gm. glucose instead of sucrose and the addition of 1 gm. yeast extract per litre. All plates were incubated at 24° C. for 10–14 days before examination.
Disruptive influence of norepinephrine depletion on sensory preconditioning, but not first-order conditioning, in preweanling rats

Learning and memory processes are known to be influenced by the action of norepinephrine (NE). The present study evaluated the influence of neonatal administration of the NE neurotoxin DSP4 on sensory preconditioning (SPC) in 16- and 28-day-old rats. Rats were subcutaneously administered 50 mg/kg DSP4 or saline within 24 h after birth and tested at 16 or 28 days in two experiments. The results from Experiment 1 indicated that nondepleted 16-day-old rats exhibited strong SPC, whereas this conditioning was disrupted by neonatal administration of DSP4. No SPC was seen in either neonatal treatment group at 28 days of age, confirming previous reports of an ontogenetic decline in SPC. In Experiment 2, no effects of DSP4 were observed on first-order conditioning at either age. The brains of representative subjects were separated into forebrain, cerebellum, and brain stem samples and were analyzed to determine the extent of NE depletion. This analysis showed that DSP4 produced a marked reduction in NE concentration in the forebrain, but not in the cerebellum or brain stem. The results of this study suggest a role for forebrain NE in SPC in preweanling rats. This modulatory noradrenergic influence appears to be exerted on the formation of associations between two relatively neutral stimuli during the preexposure phase, given the absence of an effect of DSP4 on primary conditioning.
Interfacial strength and fracture energy of individual carbon nanofibers in epoxy matrix as a function of surface conditions

Abstract The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and fracture energy of individual carbon nanofibers embedded in epoxy were obtained for different surface conditions and treatments by novel, MEMS-based, nanoscale fiber pull-out experiments. As-grown vapor grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) with turbostratic surface and 5 nm peak-to-valley surface roughness exhibited high IFSS and interfacial fracture energy, averaging 106 ± 29 MPa and 1.9 ± 0.9 J/m2, respectively. Subsequent high temperature heat treatment and graphitization resulted in drastically reduced IFSS of 66 ± 10 MPa and interfacial fracture energy of 0.65 ± 0.14 J/m2. The smaller IFSS values and the reduced standard deviation were due to significant reduction of the fiber surface roughness to 1–2 nm, as well as a decrease in surface defect density during conversion of turbostratic and amorphous carbon to highly ordered graphitic carbon. For both grades of VGCNFs failure was adhesive with clear nanofiber surfaces after debonding. Oxidative functionalization of high temperature heat-treated VGCNFs resulted in much higher IFSS of 189 ± 15 MPa and interfacial fracture energy of 3.3 ± 1.0 J/m2. The debond surfaces of functionalized nanofibers had signs of matrix residue and/or shearing of the outer graphitic layer of the VGCNFs, namely the failure mode was a combination of cohesive matrix and/or cohesive fiber failure which contributed to the high IFSS. For all three grades of VGCNFs the IFSS was independent of fiber length and diameter. The findings of this experimental study emphasized the critical role of nanofiber surface morphology and chemistry in determining the shear strength and fracture energy of nanofiber interfaces, and shed light to prior composite-level strength and fracture toughness measurements.
Basic calcium phosphate crystals cause coordinate induction and secretion of collagenase and stromelysin.

Synovial fluid basic calcium phosphate crystals (BCP) are often found in severely degenerated joints. Crystalline BCP is a growth factor stimulating fibroblast mitogenesis and acting as a compentence factor similar to platelet-derived growth factor. In human fibroblasts (HF), the synthesis of collagenase and stromelysin is coordinately induced after stimulation with a variety of cytokines and growth factors. We sought to determine whether BCP, like other growth factors, might induce protease that would damage articular tissue. Northern blot analysis of mRNA for collagenase and stromelysin in HF stimulated with BCP was performed. Secreted enzymes were analysed by immunoblot using a monoclonal antibody to collagenase and by immunoprecipitation using a polyclonal antibody to stromelysin. Stromelysin activity was confirmed using casein substrate gels. A significant, dose-dependent accumulation of collagenase and stromelysin message was evident after 4 h had continued for at least 24 h in BCP-stimulated cultures. Fortynine and 54 kD proteins immunoreacting with collagenase antibody were identified in the conditioned media (CM) from BCP-stimulated cultures while 50 and 55 kD proteins were identified by immunoprecipitation with stromelysin antibody. Collagenase activity was increased significantly in the CM from BCP treated cells; casein substrate gels showed casein degrading bands at molecular weights consitent with stomelysin. BCP stimulates coordinate induction of collagenase and stromelysin which may mediate the joint destruction associated with these crystals. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Do Adolescent Drug Users Fare the Worst? Onset Type, Juvenile Delinquency, and Criminal Careers:

Although substance abuse often accompanies delinquency and other forms of antisocial behavior, there is less scholarly agreement about the timing of substance use vis-a-vis an individual's antisocial trajectory. Similarly, although there is extraordinary evidence that onset is inversely related to the severity of the criminal career, there is surprisingly little research on the offense type of onset or the type of antisocial behavior that was displayed when an individual initiated his or her offending career. Drawing on data from a sample of serious adult criminal offenders (N = 500), the current study examined 12 forms of juvenile delinquency (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft, arson, weapons, sexual offense, drug sales, and drug use) in addition to age at arrest onset, age, sex, race to explore their association with chronicity (total arrests), extreme chronicity (1 SD above the mean which was equivalent to 90 career arrests), and lambda (offending per year). The only onset offense type that was significantly associated with all criminal career outcomes was juvenile drug use. Additional research on the offense type of delinquent onset is needed to understand launching points of serious antisocial careers.
Cost considerations in the treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives. To determine the cost of treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OP SCCA) with transoral surgery with concomitant neck dissection (TOS), TOS with adjuvant radiation therapy (TOS + RT), TOS with adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (TOS + CRT), and primary chemoradiation therapy (CRT).Study Design. Case series.Setting. Two tertiary care teaching hospitals.Subjects and Methods. Using the databases of 2 teaching hospitals, patients were identified who had OP SCCA treated with TOS, TOS + RT, TOS + CRT, and primary CRT in 2009 to 2010. Costs were analyzed from an institutional perspective looking at reimbursement. Patients with government payers and patients with private payers in each group were identified, and net revenue data obtained for the 3-month period from diagnosis were calculated and averaged for each group. Cost was defined as the reimbursement for all charges surrounding the 3-month episode of treatment. All revenue associated with inpatient and outpatient care, including pharma...
Aortic valve replacement reduces valvuloarterial impedance but does not affect systemic arterial compliance in elderly men with degenerative calcific trileaflet aortic valve stenosis.

Objective Standard methods of quantifying aortic valve stenosis (AS), which focus entirely on the valve itself, do not adequately characterize the magnitude, predict the onset, progression, and severity of symptoms, or identify the incidence of subsequent adverse events. Valvuloarterial impedance (Zva) is an index of global left ventricular (LV) afterload that incorporates valvular and arterial loads. The authors tested the hypothesis that aortic valve replacement (AVR) reduces Zva but does not affect the arterial component of LV afterload in elderly patients with degenerative calcific trileaflet AS. Design Observational study. Setting Veterans affairs medical center. Participants Eight elderly (age, 79±4 years) men with moderate-to-severe AS and normal preoperative LV function (ejection fraction, 61%±9%) scheduled for AVR with or without coronary artery bypass graft surgery were studied after institutional review board approval. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results A comprehensive TEE examination was performed during isoflurane-fentanyl-rocuronium anesthesia. Doppler echocardiography was used to measure pressure gradients across the aortic valve, stroke volume (continuity equation), and aortic valve area using standard techniques. Zva was determined as (systolic arterial pressure+mean gradient)/stroke volume index. Energy loss index was calculated as (aortic area×aortic valve area)/([aortic area – aortic valve area]×body surface area). The stroke work loss was obtained as (mean gradient×100/[systolic arterial pressure+mean gradient]). The ratio of stroke volume index to pulse pressure was used to measure systemic arterial compliance. Zva, energy loss index, stroke work loss, and systemic arterial compliance were assessed before and 15 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass. Systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics (invasive catheters) were similar after versus before AVR. Aortic valve area increased significantly (p Conclusion The current results showed that AVR acutely reduced Zva, improved energy loss index, and decreased stroke work loss, but did not affect systemic arterial compliance in elderly men with degenerative calcific trileaflet AS.
Alzheimer Amyloid β‐Peptide A‐β25‐35 Blocks Adenylate Cyclase‐Mediated Forms of Hippocampal Long‐Term Potentiation

Progressive memory loss and deposition of amyloid beta (Abeta) peptides throughout cortical regions are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies in mice and rats have shown that overexpression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) or pretreatment with Abeta peptide fragments results in the inhibition of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) as well as impairments in learning and memory of hippocampal-dependent tasks. For these studies we have investigated the effects of the Abeta(25-35) peptide fragment on LTP induced by adenylate cyclase stimulation followed immediately by application of Mg(++)-free aCSF ("chemLTP"). Treatment of young adult slices with the Abeta(25-35) peptide had no significant effect on basal synaptic transmission in area CA1, but treatment with the peptide for 20 min before inducing chemLTP with isoproterenol (ISO; 1 microM) or forskolin (FSK;10 microM) + Mg(++)-free aCSF resulted in complete blockade of LTP. In contrast, normal ISO-chemLTP was observed after treatment with the control peptide Abeta(35-25). The ability of the Abeta(25-35) peptide fragment to block this and other forms of synaptic plasticity may help elucidate the mechanisms underlying hippocampal deficits observed in animal models of AD and/or AD individuals.
An application of partition of indices to enclosings of triple systems

An enclosing of BIBD(v,3,λ) into BIBD(v+s,3,λ+1) is point-wise minimal if s is the smallest positive integer for which an enclosing is possible. We show that the necessary conditions are sufficient for a minimal point-enclosing of any BIBD(v,3,λ) into BIBD(v + s,3,λ+1) for 1 ≤ λ ≤ 6. Some other general results on enclosings are presented.
Über die Beeinflussung von Festkörperreaktionen durch feste Katalysatoren. II. Der thermische Zerfall von Magnesiumformiat, Nickelformiat und Magnesium‐ Nickelformiat‐Mischkristallen sowie von Gemengen aus Magnesiumformiat mit Nickelformiat, Kobaltformiat und Kupferformiat

In der Quarzfederthermowaage wurden Magnesiumformiat und Mischkristalle aus Magnesiumformiat und Nickelformiat sowie Gemenge aus Magnesiumformiat und Nickelformiat, Kobaltformiat und Kupferformiat im Wasserstoff-, Kohlenoxyd-, Stickstoffstrom und im Vakuum zersetzt. An Hand der Zersetzungskurven konnte eine Beeinflussung einer Festkorperreaktion durch feste Katalysatoren nachgewiesen werden. Es wurde versucht, den Reaktionsverlauf dieser katalytischen Festkorperzersetzungen zu klaren. The thermal decomposition of pure magnesium formate (I), of mixed crystals between I and nickel formate as well as of mechanical mixtures between I and nickel, cobalt or copper formate has been investigated by thermogravimetric measurements in H, N and CO-atmosphere and in vacuo, respectively. The decomposition diagrams indicate a remarkable influence of solid catalysts on a solid-state-reaction. Possible reaction mechanism are discussed.
Modeling Centrifugal Cell Washers Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Reinfusion of shed blood during surgery could avoid the need for blood transfusions. Prior to reinfusion of the red blood cells, the shed blood must be washed in order to remove leukocytes, platelets, and other contaminants. Further, the hematocrit of the washed blood must be increased. The feasibility of using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to guide the design of better centrifuges for processing shed blood is explored here. The velocity field within a centrifuge bowl and the rate of protein removal from the shed blood has been studied. The results obtained indicate that CFD could help screen preliminary centrifuge bowl designs, thus reducing the number of initial experimental tests required when developing new centrifuge bowls. Although the focus of this work is on washing shed blood, the methods developed here are applicable to the design of centrifuge bowls for other blood-processing applications.
Epigenetic Silencing of Transposons in the Green Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Transposons are mobile genetic elements that live parasitically within the genome of cellular organisms. They can affect the fitness of their hosts by influencing gene function, gene activity, genome structure, and overall DNA content. Since excessive transposon activity can result in a high mutagenic rate and genomic instability, eukaryotes have evolved epigenetic mechanisms to reduce transposition to manageable levels. The alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii appears to have several, at least partly independent, transposon repression pathways that operate at either the transcriptional or the post-transcriptional level. Two genes have been implicated in the transcriptional silencing of transposons and single-copy transgenes: Mut9, which encodes a novel serine/ threonine protein kinase capable of phosphorylating histones H3 and H2A, and Mut11, which encodes a WD40-repeat containing protein. The Mut11 protein functions as a subunit of a histone methyltransferase complex(es) that is required for monomethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 and the maintenance of repressed euchromatic domains. These mechanisms of transcriptional gene silencing operate independently from the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery.
On the Subcellular Location of Vitamin D Metabolites in Intestine

Abstract Following the intravenous injection of radioactive vitamin D, no radioactivity appeared in intestinal chromatin isolated according to the procedure of Marushige and Bonner, J. Mol. Biol., 15, 160 (1966). Instead the radioactivity of intestinal nuclei remained with a membrane fraction which is separated from chromatin at the initial step in the preparation. When "chromatin" was prepared by the method of Haussler, Myrtle, and Norman, J. Biol. Chem., 243, 4055 (1968) as much as 40% of the intestinal radioactivity appeared in the chromatin fraction in the case of chicks and 20% in the case of rats. However, the chromatin prepared by this method was heavily contamined with membranes and cell organelles whereas the Marushige and Bonner preparations were composed of homogeneous chromatin as revealed by electron microscopy. Chemical analysis and ultraviolet spectra confirmed the electron microscopic data. Thus the previous contention that intestinal chromatin is a major site of vitamin D metabolite location is without experimental basis.
Declines in Invasive Breast Cancer and Use of Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy in a Screening Mammography Population

Whether a recent large decline in use of postmenopausal hormone therapy after the release of the Women's Health Initiative findings in July 2002 and/or a decline in screening mammography use is related to a recently reported decline in breast cancer incidence in the United States is controversial. We prospectively collected data from four screening mammography registries from January 1997 through December 2003 for 603411 screening mammography examinations performed on women aged 50-69 years. Of these women, 3238 were diagnosed with breast cancer within 12 months of a screening examination. We calculated quarterly rates of self-reported current postmenopausal hormone therapy use and of invasive breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and estrogen receptor (ER)-positive invasive breast cancer adjusted for age, registry, and time between screening examinations. All statistical tests were two-sided. Between 2000 and 2002 and between 2002 and 2003, annual rates of postmenopausal hormone therapy use declined by 7% and 34%, respectively (P(trend) < .001 for both). Between 2000 and 2003, annual rates of invasive cancer declined by 5% (P(trend) = .003). Between 2001 and 2003, annual rates of ER-positive invasive breast cancer declined by 13% (P(trend) = .002). Rates of DCIS were stable during the study period. Our finding of a statistically significant decline in the rate of ER-positive invasive breast cancer in a screening mammography population after the start of a concomitant substantial decline in postmenopausal hormone therapy use suggests that a decline in screening mammography rates is unlikely to account for the recent decline in US breast cancer incidence.