cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Olfaction in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition that affects more than 5 million Americans. Currently, a definitive and unequivocal diagnosis of AD can only be confirmed histopathogically via postmortem autopsy, demonstrating the need for objective measures of cognitive functioning for those at risk for AD. The single most important genetic risk factor of AD is the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon4 allele. The present study investigated olfactory and cognitive processing deficits in ApoE epsilon4(+) individuals using a cross-modal recognition memory task and an objective electrophysiological measure, the event-related potential (ERP). Ten epsilon4(+) individuals (5 M, 5 F, mean [M]= 75.1 years) and 10 age- and gender-matched epsilon4(-) individuals (5 M, 5 F, M = 71 years) sequentially encoded a set of 16 olfactory stimuli and were subsequently shown names of odors previously presented (targets) or not (foils). EEG activity was recorded from 19 electrodes as participants distinguished targets from foils using a two-button mouse. P3 latencies were significantly longer in epsilon4(+) individuals, and intraclass correlations demonstrated differential activity between the two groups. These findings are consistent with a compensatory hypothesis, which posits that nondemented epsilon4(+) individuals will expend greater effort in cognitive processing or engage in alternative strategies and therefore require greater activation of neural tissue or recruitment of different neural populations. The findings also suggest that cross-modal ERP studies of recognition memory discriminate early neurocognitive changes in ApoE epsilon4(+) and ApoE epsilon4(-) individuals and may contribute to identifying the phenotype of persons who will develop Alzheimer's disease.
SU-FF-T-183: Dosimetric Comparison Of Gamma Knife Vs. CyberKnife Radiosurgery For Patients With Tumors Near Optic Apparatus

Purpose: We reviewed our 10‐year experience with GK radiosurgery (GKRS) and recent experience with CK radiosurgery (CKRS) for patients with tumors near optic apparatus to make a dosimetric comparison between the two modalities. Method and Materials: From 1994 to 2004, a total of 186 patients (165 GKRS and 21 CKRS) with tumors near the optic apparatus were treated. The majority of this group included 80 meningiomas and 93 pituitary adenomas. Dosimetric parameters, such as, the conformity index, tumor coverage, the closest distances and the maximum radiation doses to optic apparatus and brainstem were evaluated between the two modalities. Results: Mean tumor volume was 4.5cm3 (0.2 to 20.7cm3) for GKRS and 11.0cm3 (0.9 to 38.7cm3) for CKRS. The maximum doses to optic apparatus and brainstem were significantly higher (p < 0.05) even though the closest distances to the structures were very similar. For a subgroup of GKRS patients (n=40) with a mean of tumor volume equivalent to that of CKRS, radiation dose to brainstem was virtually comparable. The mean conformity index was1.35 for CKRS, 1.68 for all GKRS patients (n=165) and 1.49 for the subgroup of GKRS (n=40) in favor of CKRS. The mean tumor coverage was 98.4% for CKRS, 96.0% for all GKRS patients, and 90.9% for the subgroup in favor of CKRS also. Conclusion: CKRS provides excellent radiation conformity and tumor coverage by means of the non‐isocentric beam delivery. However, due to the limits of beam access, the dose fall‐off for CKRS is less rapid, resulting in higher radiation doses to the critical structures. GKRS is best used for small tumors located at least 2mm from the visual pathways. CKRS can be used but is not limited to tumors abutting the optic apparatus or for tumors greater than 3 millimeters in size. This is accomplished via dose fractionation.
Crystallizing our understanding of partial agonists

A powerful combination of X-ray crystallography and single-channel current measurements provides new insights into the mechanism by which the binding of agonists opens the AMPA-type glutamate receptor in the central nervous system.
STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION AND THE DEMAND FOR NEW LABOR IN ADVANCED ECONOMIES - INTERWAR BRITAIN

In prosperous and depressed areas sectors of industry representing structural transformation in interwar Britain tended to draw upon new types of workers rather than upon workers displaced in declining export industries. Data on the age and sex composition of people in expanding and declining industries, on new entrants to the labor force, and on interindustry mobility are examined to support this claim. The process reflects a general tendency of capitalist economies to grow through incorporation of new elements.
Augmenting the discrete timed automaton with other data structures

We describe a general automata-theoretic approach for analyzing the verification problems of discrete timed automata (i.e., timed automata with integer-valued clocks) augmented with various data structures. Formally, let C be a class of nondeterministic machines with reversal-bounded counters and possibly other data structures (e.g., a pushdown stack, a queue, a read-write work-tape, etc.). Let A be a discrete timed automaton and M be a machine in b. Denote by A ⊕ M the combined automaton, i.e., A augmented with M (in some precise sense to be defined). We show that if c has a decidable emptiness problem, then the (binary, forward, backward) reachability, safety, and invariance for A ⊕ M are solvable. We give examples of such c's and exhibit some new properties of discrete timed automata that can be verified. We also briefly consider reachability in discrete timed automata operating in parallel.
Thermally activated paramagnetism in carbon chars

Abstract The static magnetic susceptibility has been measured between 1.25 and 300 K for anthracene chars heat treated at various temperatures between 450 and 900°C. Deviations from simple Curie-Weiss behavior become significant for heat treatment temperatures above 700°C. A model is proposed which postulates the existence of two types of spin centers: one group of spins which is present at all measured temperatures and follows a Curie-Weiss law χ1 = C1/(T+θ), and a second group whose density increases exponentially with temperature, with χ2 = C2 exp (−Δ/T)/T, where Δ is in the range 10–20 K.
Natural Convection in Binary Gases Due to Horizontal Thermal and Solutal Gradients

The influence of augmenting and opposing thermal and solutal buoyancy forces on natural convection of binary gases due to horizontal temperature and concentration gradients is examined through comparison of smoke flow visualization and measured temperature and concentration distributions with numerical predictions. The observed flow at the cold wall was unsteady for opposing body forces. The same basic flow structure was observed, but the unsteady flow intensifies as the opposing solutal buoyancy force increases as compared to the thermal buoyancy force. Comparison of predicted and measured temperatures and concentrations is fair overall, but the steady-state analytical model fails to predict the unsteady flow and heat and mass transport for opposing body forces.
Thyroid function in women with premenstrual syndrome.

We have examined the relationship between thyroid function and the presence of symptoms in women with prospectively confirmed premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in the following ways: 1) basal thyroid function tests (n = 124); 2) thyroid auto-antibody levels (n = 63); 3) TRH stimulation tests performed during the follicular phase (n = 39) or during both the follicular and luteal phase (n = 21); and 4) the efficacy of L-T4 in the treatment of PMS (n = 30). Results: Thirteen women (10.5%) had basal evidence of either grade I or II hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Elevated thyroid auto-antibody titers were observed in eight women (13%). Eighteen women (30%) (all with normal basal TSH levels) had abnormal responses to TRH, either blunted (n = 6) or exaggerated (n = 12). L-T4 was not superior to placebo in the treatment of PMS in a double blind placebo controlled cross-over trial. Although it is clear that PMS is not simply masked hypothyroidism, abnormalities of stimulated thyroid function appear with greater than...
Transformation of Fresnel’s interface reflection and transmission coefficients between normal and oblique incidence

If w denotes an interface Fresnel reflection or transmission coefficient for s - or p -polarized light at an oblique angle of incidence ϕ, and z denotes the same coefficient at normal incidence, we find that w is an analytic function of z, w = f(z), that depends on ϕ but not on the specific optical properties of the two media on both sides of the interface. All four functions that correspond to the four distinct Fresnel coefficients and their inverses are determined. We single out for detailed examination, as an example, the relationship between the reflection of s -polarized light at 45° angle of incidence and at normal incidence for any transparent medium/absorbing medium interface by considering the mapping properties of the associated transformation and its inverse between the z and w planes. A useful byproduct of this investigation is a technique for the determination of the optical properties of isotropic and uniaxially and biaxially anisotropic absorbing media from measurement of reflectance at normal and oblique incidence.
Salmon poisoning disease in juvenile coyotes: clinical evaluation and infectivity of metacercariae and rickettsiae.

Clinical salmon poisoning disease (SPD), and survival of Neorickettsia helminthoeca and metacercariae of Nanophyetus salmincola in fish were evaluated experimentally in 12-wk-old coyotes (Canis latrans) to determine the potential of SPD for biological control of coyotes. Coyotes readily ate fish that contained metacercariae and rickettsiae. They developed diarrhea, anorexia and lethargy within 7 days after feeding. Infected coyotes lost 58% of their body weight when compared to uninfected controls. They died or became moribund and were euthanatized within 17 days after feeding. Rickettsiae were present in the macrophages of lymph nodes of all affected coyotes. Clinical disease occurred in coyotes fed fresh fish, but not in coyotes fed fish stored at 4 C for ≥30 days or at −20 C for 14 days. Metacercariae in fish were viable after 60 days at 4 C. These trematodes developed in coyotes, but clinical SPD did not occur. This indicated survival of metacercariae, but not rickettsiae. Metacercariae were not viabl...
Floating debris in the Mediterranean Sea.

Abstract Results from the first large-scale survey of floating natural (NMD) and anthropogenic (AMD) debris ( > 2 cm) in the central and western part of the Mediterranean Sea are reported. Floating debris was found throughout the entire study area with densities ranging from 0 to 194.6 items/km2 and mean abundances of 24.9 AMD items/km2 and 6.9 NMD items/km2 across all surveyed locations. On the whole, 78% of all sighted objects were of anthropogenic origin, 95.6% of which were petrochemical derivatives (i.e. plastic and styrofoam). Maximum AMD densities ( > 52 items/km2) were found in the Adriatic Sea and in the Algerian basin, while the lowest densities ( 6.3 items/km2) were observed in the Central Tyrrhenian and in the Sicilian Sea. All the other areas had mean densities ranging from 10.9 to 30.7 items/km2. According to our calculations, more than 62 million macro-litter items are currently floating on the surface of the whole Mediterranean basin.
Becoming a Franco-American: Jean Renoir, the Second World War, and A Salute to France

ABSTRACTCommissioned by the American Office of War Information in both English- and French-language versions, A Salute to France/Salut a la France (1944) are traditionally considered minor works of tangential importance to Renoir's career. Yet a close reading of the films' form and ideological content in relation to the director's wartime correspondence suggests that they deserve to be remembered for their clever blend of acted sequences with newsreel clips, as a turning point in the cross-cultural identity crisis that Renoir worked through while in Hollywood, and as a quintessential expression of his politically engaged, international humanism.
Genomic structure and evolutionary context of the human feline leukemia virus subgroup C receptor (hFLVCR) gene: evidence for block duplications and de novo gene formation within duplicons of the hFLVCR locus

Abstract In this paper we sought to analyze the genomic structure and context of human feline leukemia virus subgroup C receptor (hFLVCR), a human glucarate transporter-like gene at chromosome 1q31, and compare it to that of a paralog (FLVCR14q) at chromosome 14q24. Splicing, polyadenylation, and expression patterns, as estimated by in silico analysis, differed between the two FLVCR genes despite their similar genomic structures, suggesting active and independent evolution of transcriptional and messenger RNA processing patterns after gene duplication. Promoter activity was bi-directional for hFLVCR, but not for its 14q paralog. The upstream 1q transcribed sequences were determined to comprise a novel gene of unknown function, LQK1. Annotation of contigs centered at hFLVCR and FLVCRL14q also revealed highly conserved gene clusters on chromosomes 1 and 14, inferred to result from a duplication. The clusters contained members of the FLVCR, Angel (KIAA0759), JDP, p21SNFT, and TGF-β families, as well as two uncharacterized families. The genome-wide locations of both previously recognized and four de novo in silico predicted genes belonging to these seven families were determined. Phylogenetic analyses of these families were consistent with the hypothesis that the 1q/14q duplication occurred early within, or immediately prior to the vertebrate divergence, after the protostome–deuterostome divergence but before the amniote–amphibian divergence.
Choline deficiency selects for resistance to p53-independent apoptosis and causes tumorigenic transformation of rat hepatocytes

The mechanisms which drive initiated cells to progress to form carcinomas are poorly understood. CWSV-1 rat hepatocytes, in which p53 protein is inactivated by SV40 large T antigen, respond by inducing p53-independent apoptosis when acutely switched to medium containing low choline (16% apoptotic at 48 h in 5 microM choline) as compared with controls (1% apoptotic at 48 h in 70 microM choline). The rate of apoptosis was inversely correlated with cellular phosphatidylcholine content. Choline deficiency (CD)-induced apoptosis is probably mediated by TGFbeta1 and reactive oxygen species, since immunoneutralization of TGFbeta1 in the medium or treatment with N-acetylcysteine (an antioxidant) or addition of neocuproine (a transition metal chelator) prevented CD-induced apoptosis. CWSV-1 hepatocytes could be gradually adapted to survive in 5 microM choline. CD-adapted cells had increased membrane phosphatidylcholine concentrations (compared with acute CD cells). Adapted cells acquired relative resistance to CD-induced apoptosis (7% of adapted cells compared with 19% of non-adapted cells were apoptotic at 48 h in 5 microM choline). They also became relatively resistant to another p53-independent form of apoptosis (TGFbeta1-induced). CD-adapted hepatocytes developed increased capability for anchorage-independent growth and formed tumors when transplanted into nude mice; passage-matched control hepatocytes did not possess these properties. Cell transformation was dependent on exposure to the selective pressure of CD apoptosis, as we observed that when CD apoptosis was inhibited with an antioxidant during adaptation, cells did not become anchorage independent. Acquisition by p53-deficient cells of resistance to p53-independent inducers of apoptosis (CD, TGFbeta1 and reactive oxygen species) may leave cells without another important apoptotic defensive barrier and may be responsible for the progression of initiated cells to frank carcinomas.
Pyramidal tract neurons receptive to different forelimb joints act differently during locomotion

During locomotion, motor cortical neurons projecting to the pyramidal tract (PTNs) discharge in close relation to strides. How their discharges vary based on the part of the body they influence is ...
Actin cytoskeleton: The Arp2/3 complex gets to the point

Actin filament polymerization results primarily from the addition of monomers to pre-existing filaments. Recent studies have revealed that the Arp2/3 protein complex, which includes two actin-related proteins, can nucleate new actin filaments, and this capacity can be enhanced by ActA, a protein used by Listeria to polymerize actin.
Insights into Professional Identity Formation in Medicine: Memoirs and Poetry

Doctors in the Making: Memoirs and Medical Education. By Suzanne Poirier (Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa Press, 2009), x + 200 pp. $39.95 cloth. The Inner World of Medical Students: Listening to...
615 Does radiotherapy influence DCIS

The influence of radiotherapy (RT) on DCIS can best be judged from randomized clinical trials. The situation is complicated by the heterogeneity of DCIS with regard to both pathology and extent so that subset analysis might be of importance. Also, since RT may only delay time to recurrence long FU is required. Published results are only available from the NSABP trial. In the 1993 report, with a median FU of 43 months, breast recurrence was reduced from an annual rate of 5.1%/yr to 2.1%/yr with RT: RR = 0.40, P These short-term results indicate a positive influence by RT, but additional FU and the results of other trials will be necessary to make firm conclusions.
Sub-Saharan African University Students' Beliefs about Abstinence, Condom Use, and Limiting the Number of Sexual Partners.

Given the high risk of HIV infection among university students in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a need for culturally appropriate risk-reduction interventions specifically targeting this population....
Control of nanoparticle dispersion in thin polymer films

We have found larger (>5 nm) nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in a polymer film immediately after spin-coating. However, using the same thin film fabrication process leads to C60nanoparticle segregation to the substrate, resulting in a kinetically trapped state that resists dispersion. The additional processing steps introduced here are found to yield uniform dispersion of these small nanoparticles in polymer films. Moreover, we show that although very small nanoparticles, such as C60 fullerenes, can be homogeneously distributed in the film, larger organic nanoparticles subsequently phase separate to the solid substrate. Both processes, dispersion and segregation in thin films, are primarily driven through entropic terms dictated by the relative size of the nanoparticle and polymer statistical segment. This is in agreement with a simple theory and supported by density functional theory calculations that predict uniform dispersion in thin films when the nanoparticle diameter is less than ∼1.5 times the size of a polymer statistical segment. This is despite the fact that both the larger and C60nanoparticles are miscible in the bulk, demonstrating the thermodynamic influence of a hard substrate. Morphologies are characterized vianeutron reflectivity measurements throughout the study to accurately characterize nanoparticle dispersion.
A study of burnout in accident investigators in the US mining industry

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was administered and scored for 154 Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) employees from the US Department of Labour. These employees serve as accident investigators for serious accidents and fatalities as part of their job duties. During a workshop on stress designed for them, subjects volunteered anonymous written anecdotes, confirming and illustrating the findings. The subjects represented locations across the USA and all mining commodities coal, metal, non-metal, stone, and sand and gravel. The Maslach Burnout Inventory assesses three aspects of experienced burnout emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishments. The average results of the scores for each of the three subscales for the study group of MSHA accident investigators fell in the moderate range. These scores show that the subject population was at some risk for emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, tending toward burnout. The group evidenced a lower sense of personal accomplishment in their jobs, indicating a higher risk for burnout. From this outcome, accident investigators may be at moderate (note this does not mean average) risk for burnout. The authors recommend follow-up with this population, specifically in training to work with grieving families, and greater organisational support for the accident investigators in this area would be appropriate.
Smad1 and Smad5 differentially regulate embryonic hematopoiesis

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway regulates multiple steps of hematopoiesis, mediated through receptor-regulated Smads, including Smad1 and Smad5. Here, we use loss-of-function approaches in zebrafish to compare the roles of Smad1 and Smad5 during embryonic hematopoiesis. We show that knockdown of Smad1 or Smad5 generates distinct and even opposite hematopoietic phenotypes. Embryos depleted for Smad1 have an increased number of primitive erythrocytes, but fail to produce mature embryonic macrophages. In contrast, Smad5-depleted embryos are defective in primitive erythropoiesis, yet have normal numbers of macrophages. Loss of either Smad1 or Smad5 causes a failure in the generation of definitive hematopoietic progenitors. To investigate the mechanism behind these phenotypes, we used rescue experiments and found that Smad5 is unable to rescue the Smad1 loss-of-function phenotype, indicating that the 2 highly related proteins have inherently distinct activities. Microarray experiments revealed that the 2 proteins redundantly regulate the key initiators of the hemato-vascular program, including scl, lmo2, and gfi1. However, each also regulates a remarkably distinct genetic program, with Smad5 uniquely regulating the BMP signaling pathway itself. Our results suggest that specificity of BMP signaling output, with respect to hematopoiesis, can be explained by differential functions of Smad1 and Smad5.
Economies of Scale and Farm Size in the Antebellum Sugar Sector

This article explains the emergence of a plantation economy in the antebellum sugar sector. The hypothesis of increasing returns to scale was tested using a Zellner-Revankar generalized production function model. Economies of scale were found using samples from the manuscript censuses, but these scale economies diminished with size. A second important factor in explaining the size distribution of farms was the dual technology in the manufacturing stage of sugar production. Farms with inferior horse-power mills had poorer survival records and less flexibility in expansion than those using steam power mills.
Theory of Generalized Branch and Combine Clock Networks

In a recent development a new clock distribution scheme, called Branch-and-Combine or BaC, has been introduced. The scheme is the first to guarantee constant skew bound regardless of network size. In this paper we generalize and extend the work on BaC networks. We establish some interesting results on clocking paths, node input sequences, node inputs' relative timing, network stability, and skew bound. Furthermore, this study establishes an upper bound on maximum clocking rates for BaC networks which is about double that predicted by earlier studies.
A DYNAMIC COMPETING RISKS MODEL

We consider a series system with p components where the failure rate of each component depends on the residual number of defects present. Successive tasks are given to the system with each task completion time independent of each component failure time. Based on the outcomes over a fixed testing period, the asymptotic properties of the estimators of the component parameters, task completion parameters, and eventual system reliability are obtained.
Membrane continuities within cells and intercellular contacts in white adipose tissue of young rats.

White adipose tissue of suckling rats was examined for evidence of continuity of membranes within cells, and areas of contact between adipocytes and capillary endothelial cells. Extracellular space, invaginations of cell surfaces, and lumens of channels and vesicles within both types of cells were marked with electron-opaque material in tissues which were treated with tannic acid after being fixed with glutaraldehyde. The electron-opaque material also marked channels that extended from extracellular space to the surface of intracellular lipid droplets in fat cells. Presence of this material in channels and vesicles, but not in cytoplasm, indicates they were open to extracellular space during treatment with tannic acid and, furthermore, that their membranes were continuous with plasma membrane. Cell processes of adipocytes and endothelium extended through basement membrane to make contact with each other. Apparent continuity of the external leaflet of plasma membrane of one cell with that of another cell was observed. These findings demonstrate membrane continuity between plasma membrane and membranes of intracellular channels in adipocytes and endothelial cells, and intercellular contacts in adipose tissue.
N2-dependent growth and nitrogenase activity in the metal-metabolizing bacteria, Geobacter and Magnetospirillum species

Cells of Geobacter metallireducens, Magnetospirillum strain AMB-1, Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum and Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense showed N2-dependent growth, the first anaerobically with Fe(III) as the electron acceptor, and the latter three species microaerobically in semi-solid oxygen gradient cultures. Cells of the Magnetospirillum species grown with N2 under microaerobic conditions were magnetotactic and therefore produced magnetosomes. Cells of Geobacter metallireducens reduced acetylene to ethylene (11.5+/-5.9 nmol C2H4 produced min(-1) mg(-1) cell protein) while growing with Fe(III) as the electron acceptor in anaerobic growth medium lacking a fixed nitrogen source. Cells of the Magnetospirillum species, grown in a semi-solid oxygen gradient medium, also reduced acetylene at comparable rates. Uncut chromosomal and fragments from endonuclease-digested chromosomal DNA from these species, as well as Geobacter sulphurreducens organisms, hybridized with a nifHDK probe from Rhodospirillum rubrum, indicating the presence of these nitrogenase structural genes in these organisms. The evidence presented here shows that members of the metal-metabolizing genera, Geobacter and Magnetospirillum, fix atmospheric dinitrogen.
Osteology of the Middle Triassic pseudosuchian archosaur Arizonasaurus babbitti

Arizonasaurus babbitti is rediagnosed from a well-preserved partial skeleton from the early Middle Triassic Moenkopi Formation of northern Arizona. The skull, excluding the braincase, is described and compared to other “rauisuchians” and basal archosaurs. Two possible autapomorphies include a deep fossa hidden from lateral and medial views on the posteroventral edge of the ascending process of the maxilla and a tongue (pubic peduncle of the ilium) and groove (proximal portion of the pubis) articulation between the pubis and the ilium. The postcrania is described in detail. Tall neural spines form a sail that is similar to those of other basal archosaurs with unknown affinities (Ctenosauriscus, Lotosaurus, Bromsgroveia, “Hypselorhachis”). Additional characters in the pelvic girdle in Arizonasaurus unite this taxon with Ctenosauriscus, Lotosaurus, Bromsgroveia, and Hypselorhachus to form a group, the ctenosauriscids. Pelvic characters of the ctenosauriscids are also found in Poposaurus and “Chatterjeea”, su...
No Evidence for a Common Evolutionary Origin of 5S rRNA and tRNA

MULLINS et al.1 state that homology in excess of chance expectation was observed between Escherichia coli 5S rRNA, the tyrosine, glutamine and tryptophan tRNAs from E. coli and the tRNAs for aspartate (yeast), serine (rat) and phenylalanine (wheat). In their Fig. 1, they compare the base sequence of (a) E. coli tyrosine tRNA, eighty-two residues, with that of (b) residues seventy-nine to 120 and ten to forty-five of E. coli 5S rRNA. The sequences (a) and (b) were arranged to obtain maximum homology by inserting nine gaps in the tRNA and eight in the rRNA.
Prostaglandin E2 formation by rat gastroduodenal tissue following intragastric acid perfusion

Abstract Rat gastroduodenal mucosa forms prostaglandin (PG) E 2 . However, little is known about regional differences in PGE 2 formation or the effect of gastric hydrochloric acid (HCl) perfusion on regional PGE 2 formation. In this study, the rats were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 received intravenous (i.v.), 1 ml/h, and intragastric (i.g.), 8 ml/h, perfusions of saline simultaneously for 3 h. Group 2 received saline i.v. and 0.15 N HCl i.g., 8 ml/h. Group 3 was injected with a bolus of aspirin (ASA), 60 mg/kg, followed by ASA, 40 mg/kg/h i.v., and 0.15 N HCl i.g.. The gastric aspirates were analyzed for volume and pH. Segments of gastroduodenal tissue from the fundus, corpus, antrum, and duodenum were minced and then incubated in 1 ml of 50 mM Tris buffer, pH 8.4, for 30 sec with mixing; the incubate was assayed for PGE 2 by radioimmunoassay. Intragastric HCl decreased the pH of aspirate without producing gastric mucosal lesions. However, when combined with i.v. ASA, ulcer formation was present in all animals (p 2 was formed by isolated tissue from four different gastroduodenal regions. The duodenum formed significantly greater amounts than the fundus, antrum, or corpus, which were similar. Intragastric HC1 produced a trend toward increased PGE 2 formation (pmol PGE 2 /mg tissue) in the fundus, 143 ± 36 to 237 ± 57; corpus, 87 ± 13 to 200 ± 57; antrum, 157 ± 28 to 224 ± 65; and duodenum, 235 ± 56 to 338 ± 51. However, statistical significance was not reached. Intragastric HC1 combined with i.v. ASA reduced PGE 2 formation by tissue from all four regions below detectable levels. The data indicate that PGE 2α formation by rat gastroduodenal tissue differs regionally, and i.g. HCl perfusion did not significantly increase PGE 2 formation. However, when i.g. HCl perfusion combined with i.v. ASA, the PGE 2 formation was reduced below detectable levels.
The scope of unmet maternal health needs in pediatric settings.

Objective. Previous work has focused attention on the prevalence of specific maternal health problems known to affect children, such as smoking or depression. However, the cumulative health burden experienced by mothers and the potential for a practical pediatric health services response have not been examined. The aims of this study were to characterize: 1) the prevalence and cumulative burden of maternal health behaviors and conditions, 2) maternal access to a source of comprehensive adult primary care, and 3) maternal perceptions of a pediatric role in screening and referral. Methods. We surveyed 559 consecutive women bringing a child 18 months of age or less to one of four pediatric primary care sites between July 1996 and May 1997. The pediatric sites included one outpatient program in an academic hospital, one in a community health center, and two in-staff model practices of a managed care organization (these last two were combined for analysis). The self-administered questionnaire contained previously validated questions to assess health behaviors and conditions (smoking, alcohol abuse, depression, violence, risk for unintended pregnancy, serious illness, self-reported health) and access to care (regular source, regular provider, health insurance, care delayed or not received). Maternal attitudes toward a pediatric role in screening and referral were also elicited. Results. In the three settings, response rates ranged from 75% to 84%. The average age of the women ranged from 25.1 to 32.1 years and the average age of the children ranged from 6.5 to 8.0 months. Across the settings, the percentage of women reporting at least one health condition (66%–74%) was similarly high, despite significant demographic differences among sites. Many women reported more than one condition (31%–37%); among all women who smoked, 33% also screened positive for alcohol abuse, 31% for emotional or physical abuse, and 48% for depression. Access to comprehensive adult primary care was variable with 23% to 58% of women reporting one or more barriers depending on the site. Across all sites, >85% of mothers reported they would “not mind” or “would welcome” a pediatric role in screening and referral. Conclusions. Two-thirds of women bringing their children for pediatric care had health problems regardless of the site of care. Many women also reported substantial barriers to comprehensive health care. Most women reported acceptance of a pediatric role in screening and referral. Given the range and depth of maternal health needs, strategies to connect or reconnect mothers to comprehensive adult primary care from a variety of pediatric settings should be explored.
A Method of Virtual Displacements for Electrical Systems with Applications to Pulse Transformers

A method of virtual displacements is developed for obtaining the transient behavior of electrical systems with distributed constants. This method involves the association of a number of assumed "current modes" with generalized co-ordinates, and gives a set of equations which duplicates the mesh equations of a corresponding equivalent lumped network. The procedure developed is applicable to many different types of problems. Here, however, it is applied to the pulse transformer, the result being equivalent networks and procedures for calculating the constants in these networks.
Deaths among tuberculosis cases in Shanghai, China: who is at risk?

Background Information about the risk factors associated with death caused by tuberculosis (TB) or death with TB would allow improvements in the clinical care of TB patients and save lives. The present study sought to identify characteristics associated with increased risk of death during anti-TB treatment in Shanghai, a city in China with one of the country's highest TB mortality rates.
On the destruction of availability (exergy) due to combustion processes — with specific application to internal-combustion engines

Abstract The destruction of availability (exergy) during combustion processes is examined for an adiabatic, constant volume system. This is an analytical examination and did not involve experimental measurements. The fraction of the fuel's availability that is destroyed due to the irreversible processes is obtained as a function of temperature, pressure, and equivalence ratio for octane–air mixtures. In general, the destruction of the fuel's available energy due to the combustion process decreases for operation at higher temperatures. In addition, the effect of equivalence ratio on the destruction of availability is significant and depends on the particular operating conditions. Specifically, for the conditions of this study, the destroyed availability due to the combustion process ranged between about 5 and 25% of the original reactant availability. The implications of these results to combustion processes in internal combustion engines are described.
Computation of Local Elastic and Torsional Properties of Soft Hydrogels

Soft hydrogels serving as substrates for cell attachment are used to culture many types of cells. The mechanical properties of these gels influence the cell morphology, growth and differentiation. Young’s moduli of such hydrogels were calculated by our group using spherical beads of 400μm radius embedded in micro-liter samples [1]. This concept of inclusion-based measurement has also been utilized by other researchers to measure local viscoelastic responses [2, 3]. The present research involves scaling down the size of the inclusions to the level at which local inhomogeneties in the media become significant, thus allowing us to evaluate the local elastic behavior of the hydrogels.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Equivalent recognition of free and act‐complexed PSA in a monoclonal‐polyclonal sandwich assay is conferred by binding specificity of the monoclonal antibody

The Bayer Immuno 1 PSA Assay measures free and ACT-complexed PSA on an equimolar basis, although it uses a monoclonal antibody (MM1) for capture and polyclonal antibodies for detection. Competitive inhibition studies using antibodies directed at various epitopes on PSA and PSA-ACT demonstrated that the capture antibody, MM1, does not bind to free PSA simultaneously with antibodies against Epitope E which is exposed only in free PSA. Affinity studies showed that the affinity constants of MM1 for both free PSA and PSA-ACT are similar. One explanation for the properties of MM1 is that it precludes the binding of antibodies to Epitope E due to steric hindrance. Alternatively, the binding of MM1 causes a conformation change within the free PSA molecule, so that Epitope E is altered in a way that causes a loss of binding affinity. The unusual properties of MM1 are responsible for the equimolar response of this monoclonal-polyclonal sandwich assay for free and ACT-complexed PSA.
Point Defects and Cation Diffusion in Cobaltous Oxide

The deviation from stoichiometry, δ, in Co 1-δ O was measured in-situ as a function of oxygen activity at temperatures between 1000 and 1400 oC, using ahigh resolution microbalance. The experiments were conducted over the entire Co 1-δ O phase stability region at atmospheric pressure. The experimental results were analyzed with regard to the point defect structure and also in comparison with mass and charge transport data. Contrary to prior belief, it was found that the average mobility of the cationic defects and holes varied with their respective concentration.
Calcium binding by organic matrix of developing bovine enamel

Abstract Flow-rate dialysis was used to define the Ca-binding parameters of demineralized fetal bovine enamel matrix in the presence and absence of physiologic concentrations of F. There were 5.45 × 10−5 mol/g protein of high-affinity Ca-binding sites with a dissociation constant of 1.95 × 10−6 mol/l. The presence of F had no effect on these parameters. The binding of Ca by the organic matrix may be important in heterogeneous nucleation of the mineral phase in developing enamel.
KINETIC MODELING OF THE CATALYTIC OXIDATION OF BENZO(A)PYRENE

A catalytic microreaclor has been used to elucidate rates of benzo(a)pyrene oxidation over a wide range of temperature and composition conditions. Catalysts with widely differing properties were utilized in an effort to obtain a single best catalyst. Statistical correlation of the data showed strong preference for the classical Langmuir-Hinshelwood model in all cases.
Formulation-based approach to support early drug discovery and development efforts: a case study with enteric microencapsulation dosage form development for a triarylmethane derivative TRAM-34; a novel potential immunosuppressant

Enteric microencapsulation of the potential immunosuppressant TRAM-34 was investigated as a means of enhancing oral drug delivery and minimizing or eliminating hydrolysis of pyrazole substituted triarylmethane to the respective alcohol. Microparticles were successfully formulated with the pH sensitive Eudragit L100 polymer using the coacervation method and water miscible ICH class 3 organic solvents suitable for safe scale up production. The resulting microparticles were spherical and uniform with an average particle size of 460 µm at 15% theoretical loading. The encapsulation efficiency was 90 ± 1.9% and the percentage yield was found to be 91.5 ± 0.3%. Although the oral administration in rhesus macaques of TRAM-34 loaded enteric coated microparticles illustrated 6 times enhancement in its oral bioavailability. However, the TRAM-34 plasma concentration was less than the therapeutic effective level. This could be attributed to the compound’s inherent absorption characteristics and high lipophilicity.
The misperception of angles: Estimating the vertex of converging line segments

Estimates of the point of intersection of converging line segments depended upon the angle between lines and the orientation of the display. Main conclusion: The tilt of a line is perceptually altered to appear more nearly parallel to the more closely aligned axis, either horizontal or vertical, of an O’s visual field.
Algorithm 826: A parallel eigenvalue routine for complex Hessenberg matrices

A code for computing the eigenvalues of a complex Hessenberg matrix is presented. This code computes the Schur decomposition of a complex Hessenberg matrix. Together with existing ScaLAPACK routines, the eigenvalues of dense complex matrices can be directly computed using a parallel QR algorithm.This parallel complex Schur decomposition routine was developed to fill a void in the ScaLAPACK library and was based on the parallel real Schur decomposition routine already in ScaLAPACK. The real-arithmetic version was appropriately modified to make it work with complex arithmetic and implement a complex multiple bulge QR algorithm. This also required the development of new auxiliary routines that perform essential operations for the complex Schur decomposition, and that will provide additional linear algebra computation capability to the parallel numerical library community.
Effect of Gd3+ substitution for Y3+ in YLiF4, KLiYF5, and YVO4

The effect on Nd 3+ Stark levels of substituting Gd for Y in YLiF 4 , KLiYF 5 , and YVO 4 laser crystals is slight, as demonstrated in our spectra and in our best-fit crystal-field parameters. Gd-based crystals maintain the spectral properties of Y-based crystals while allowing for larger Nd concentrations
Paraunitary Filter Bank Design using Derivative Constraints

In this paper two new algorithms are presented for designing finite impulse response (FIR) paraunitary (PU) filter banks. Each algorithm minimizes the mean square error between the desired response and the FIR PU approximation subject to constraints on either the derivative of the complex frequency response or the power response of individual channel filters. The derivative constraints are useful for shaping the response of a channel filter at particular frequencies of interest. An example illustrating the utility of derivative constraints is presented whereby a FIR PU approximation is derived for an ideal principal component filter bank (PCFB).
Steady state hydrogen transport in solids exposed to fusion reactor plasmas, part II: Applications of theory

Abstract The previously developed steady state analytical theory of plasma-driven H transport through wall membranes is applied to several materials of interest to controlled fusion. The theory is used to predict H isotope inventory, recycle time and permeation rate under nonisothermal conditions and includes the effects of H traps. The materials included in this study were 304 stainless steel, INCONEL, α-Fe, Al, Mo, Cu, W, Ni, Ti, V, Ta, Zr, Be, C, B, and Si.
A Novel Glucosyltransferase Is Required for Glycosylation of a Serine-rich Adhesin and Biofilm Formation by Streptococcus parasanguinis

Fap1-like serine-rich glycoproteins are conserved in streptococci, staphylococci, and lactobacilli, and are required for bacterial biofilm formation and pathogenesis. Glycosylation of Fap1 is mediated by a gene cluster flanking the fap1 locus. The key enzymes responsible for the first step of Fap1 glycosylation are glycosyltransferases Gtf1 and Gtf2. They form a functional enzyme complex that catalyzes the transfer of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues to the Fap1 polypeptide. However, until now nothing was known about the subsequent step in Fap1 glycosylation. Here, we show that the second step in Fap1 glycosylation is catalyzed by nucleotide-sugar synthetase-like (Nss) protein. The nss gene located upstream of fap1 is also highly conserved in streptococci and lactobacilli. Nss-deficient mutants failed to catalyze the second step of Fap1 glycosylation in vivo in Streptococcus parasanguinis and in a recombinant Fap1 glycosylation system. Nss catalyzed the direct transfer of the glucosyl residue to the GlcNAc-modified Fap1 substrate in vitro, demonstrating that Nss is a glucosyltransferase. Thus we renamed Nss as glucosyltransferase 3 (Gtf3). A gtf3 mutant exhibited a biofilm defect. Taken together, we conclude that this new glucosyltransferase mediates the second step of Fap1 glycosylation and is required for biofilm formation.
Chemistry of compounds associated with endophyte/grass interaction: ergovaline- and ergopeptine-related alkaloids

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) infested with the endophytic fungus, Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams, is responsible for fescue toxicoses in cattle, sheep and horses. A number of ergopeptine and related alkaloids are produced by the fungus which may, individually or in combination, contribute to these toxicoses. The fact that ergovaline, the most predominate ergopeptine alkaloid, is present at biologically active concentrations in endophyte-infested (E+) tall fescue, has led to renewed scientific interest in these alkaloids as they relate to animal health and economic consequences. Biosynthesis of the ergopeptine alkaloids begins with the formation of chanoclavine from tryptophan, source of the indole ring structure, and dimethylallylpyrophosphate (.)
Considerations in the Treatment of Dyslipidemia Associated With Chronic Kidney Failure and Renal Transplantation

In comparison to the general population, individuals with chronic kidney failure experience an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease attributed predominantly to pronounced abnormalities in lipid metabolism. The emerging consensus is that patients with chronic kidney failure should be treated aggressively for dyslipidemia. Statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in a range of at-risk patients; this class of lipid-lowering drugs should be considered first-line treatment of dyslipidemia observed in renal disease patients. Although the statins share a common lipid-lowering effect, there are differences within this class of drugs. The statins differ in their pharmacokinetic effects, drug interaction profiles, and risk of myotoxicity. This article characterizes the dyslipidemia observed in the renal failure setting and reviews the therapeutic considerations involved in selecting among the statins. Lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin are the available statins in the United States.
A microfluidic method for the selection of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells and in situ analysis

Conventional cell-sorting methods such as fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) or magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) can suffer from certain shortcomings such as lengthy sample preparation time, cell modification through antibody labeling, and cell damage due to exposure to high shear forces or to attachment of superparamagnetic Microbeads. In light of these drawbacks, we have recently developed a label-free, microfluidic platform that can not only select cells with minimal sample preparation but also enable analysis of cells in situ. We demonstrate the utility of our platform by successfully isolating undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) from a heterogeneous population based on the undifferentiated stem-cell marker SSEA-4. Importantly, we show that, in contrast to MACS or FACS, cells isolated by our method have very high viability (~90 %). Overall, our platform technology could likely be applied to other cell types beyond hESCs and to a variety of heterogeneous cell populations in order to select and analyze cells of interest.