cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The current status of material used for depot delivery of drugs.

The ideal local antibiotic delivery system has not been created. Antibiotic-laden bone cement has become the gold standard in the treatment of infected orthopaedic implants and there are confirmatory laboratory and clinical data that support the use of these materials. Heat-stable antibiotics elute
Nuclear electron transport. I. Electron transport enzymes in bovine liver nuclei and nuclear membrane.

Abstract The electron transport enzymes NADH-cytochrome c reductase, NADH oxidase and cytochrome c oxidase are present in isolated bovine liver nuclei and highly concentrated in a nuclear membrane fraction. Evaluation of contamination indicates that the enzymes are of nuclear origin. Nuclear NADH oxidase is distinguished from mitochondrial NADH oxidase by the effects of exogenous cytochrome c, DNase and histone on enzyme activity. We suggest that the nuclear electron transport enzymes are located in the nuclear membrane.
Prolactin and prolactin receptors in the lacrimal gland.

Light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and Dot Blot analysis revealed intracellular localization of prolactin-like molecules and prolactin mRNA in epithelial cells of the lacrimal glands of rabbits. There was also positive immunostaining for prolactin receptors on acinar cells and some interstitial cells. On Western blots of homogenates of whole lacrimal gland, isolated lacrimal acinar cells, isolated lacrimal interstitial cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes, prolactin antibody consistently labeled protein bands migrating at approximately 36 and 50 kD. These data confirm that lacrimal gland acinar cells produce endogenous prolactin-like molecules, but also express prolactin receptors. Since prolactin immunoreactivity has been detected in tear fluid and we found no accumulations of immunogold label in endocytic or transport vesicles, we hypothesize that the prolactin-like molecules in tear fluid originate primarily from synthesis within the acinar cells. We hypothesize further that prolactin from pituitary and other non-acinar cell origin has a modulating influence on acinar cell activity as well as immune function in the lacrimal gland, and that some of the prolactin-like molecules produced by the acinar cells contribute to these functions by autocrine/paracrine mechanisms.
Single-Case Evaluation Designs for Practitioners

This article examines single-case designs that omit baseline phases, contain shorter reversal phases, administer treatment across fewer baselines, or have other features that make them easier for practitioners to use in evaluating their own interventions. Particular attention is given to the Repeated Pretest-Posttest and the Periodic Treatments Designs, the Nonconcurrent Multiple-Baseline Design, the short reversal design, the short multiple-baseline design, and the short alternating treatments design. Also discussed and illustrated is how these streamlined designs can raise practitioners' sensitivity to intervention outcomes, assist practitioners in providing evidence-based services while adjusting for client diversity, and advance practitioners' knowledge.
A study of the effectiveness of a surgical unidirectional filtered air flow unit during total prosthetic replacements of the hip.

The purpose of this paper is to study the effectiveness of a surgical horizontal filtered air flow unit on air and total hip replacement (THR) wound contamination. Unidirectional air flow consists of air that has been driven through high efficacy 0.3 μ particle retaining filters (HEPA filters) and then directed through a grit in such a fashion that there is low turbulence and the air moves “en block”. The conclusions of the study, which has been carried out in three groups of cases, are the following:
Genotypic identification of Acanthamoeba sp. isolates associated with an outbreak of acanthamoeba keratitis.

Purpose Significant increases in Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) cases have been observed in the Chicago-Gary-Kenosha area since June, 2003. It was hypothesized that increased rates of AK infections may be due to changes resulting from changes in municipal water treatment, or, alternatively, a more pathogenic strain of Acanthamoeba may be responsible.
Reaction time and heart rate between the GET SET and GO of simulated races.

The results of three experiments are reported in which simulated race situations, i.e., GET SET—5 sec—GO, were used to examine the anticipatory HR response and RT. The first study involved sprinting up a flight of stairs and the second and third a bicycle sprint. The typical pattern of phasic HR found was acceleration until 1 sec prior to GO and then deceleration. Tonic HR appeared to be a function of the degree of anticipated physical effort. Muscle potential, recorded in the first experiment, appeared to he related to HR. No systematic relationship was found between HR and RT.
Pathogenesis of Anemia in Heart Failure

Anemia is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure and is associated with worse long-term outcomes.1,2 Although the mechanisms involved in the development of anemia in patients with heart failure are unclear, data suggest that renal dysfunction, neurohormonal, and proinflammatory cytokine activation in heart failure lead to anemia of chronic disease with defective iron utilization, inappropriate erythropoietin responsiveness, and depressed bone marrow function.1 Likewise, the mechanisms by which anemia worsens heart failure outcomes are also uncertain and may be related to increased myocardial workload to compensate for reduced tissue oxygen delivery leading to unfavorable cardiac remodeling, to the effects of factors that cause anemia in patients with heart failure or because of aggravation of other comorbidities seen in these patients.1 Patients with heart failure and anemia are more likely to be older, have diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, more severe heart failure, lower blood pressure, and greater neurohormonal and proinflammatory cytokine activation.1 Most multivariable analyses, apart from a few exceptions,2 have reported that anemia is an independent predictor of mortality and morbidity in a variety of patients with heart failure including men and women, patients with acute decompensated and chronic heart failure, and those with impaired or preserved ejection fraction.1 Thus, correcting anemia may be an important therapeutic target to improve long-term outcomes in such patients. Although the results of several small studies in patients with anemia and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction have shown that …
Motivating child welfare case managers: An application and extension of feedback information theory

Abstract No empirical studies in the child welfare literature have examined how job characteristics impact work motivation. The present study addresses this conspicuous research gap by surveying 419 county-based child welfare case managers across the state of New York. As predicted by feedback information theory, work motivation was enhanced by instrumental feedback and reduced when job complexity was introduced as a moderator. Consistent with the challenge–hindrance stress model, job control positively influenced job complexity's affects on the instrumental feedback–work motivation relationship. Findings advance the child welfare literature by demonstrating that the motivational effects of instrumental feedback are both conditional and dynamic.
Unigenic and multigenicI region control of the immune responses of mice to the GAT10 and GLΦ-GLT terpolymers

Recombinant strains of mice with known alleles in theI region of theH-2 complex were used to map theH-2 linked immune response genes controlling responsiveness to random terpolymers GAT10 and GLΦ. TheIr-GAT gene was mapped to either theIA orIB subregions. In contrast, data obtained in the GLΦ-GLT system indicated multigenic control. The responsiveness of the B10.A(3R), B10.A(5R), and B10.S(9R) recombinants indicated that one immune response gene,IrGLΦ-GLTA, mapped to the right ofIB, i.e., in theIC subregion. The nonresponsiveness of the B10.A(1R), B10.A(2R), B10.M(17R), and AQR mice having responderICd alleles butIAk-IBk nonresponder alleles and the positive response of a (C57BL/6 × A/J)F1 hybrid derived from two nonresponder parental strains indicated the presence of a second gene inIA-IB subregions,Ir-GLΦ-GLTB. The interaction between these two genes, each present in a differentI subregion, controls the immune response.
DNA-DNA hybridization demonstrates apparent genetic differences between Helicobacter pylori from patients with duodenal ulcer and asymptomatic gastritis.

We asked whether different clinical outcomes ofHelicobacter pylori infection might be a reflection of genetic differences in infecting organisms. Using DNA-DNA hybridization we examined whether hybridization levels groupedH. pylori isolates corresponding to the type of disease (gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, asymptomatic gastritis) from which they were recovered. Target DNAs were prepared fromH. pylori strains cultured from gastric biopsy specimens of 25 patients; 5 with gastric ulcers, 9 with duodenal ulcers, and 11 from asymptomatic volunteers endoscopically proven not to have peptic ulcer disease. DNA-DNA hybridization was performed with whole genomic probes made from an isolate from each of the three disease categories. Using a DNA probe from an isolate from a duodenal ulcer patient, we found that isolates from patients with duodenal ulcer and nonulcer gastritis yielded significant differences in levels of hybridization. The levels of hybridization of DNA fromH. pylori isolates from duodenal ulcer patients, gastric ulcer patients and nonulcer gastritis controls were 85.5%±7%, 83%±3%, and 78.3%±5%, respectively (mean±sd), and the difference between the hybridization levels obtained with duodenal ulcer and nonulcer control target DNAs was statistically significant (P=0.025). These data suggest that the outcome of infection (eg, ulcer or no ulcer) may be due to virulence factors encoded by genomic DNA. If such differences exist, it should be possible to produce probes that would identify the ulcer virulence gene(s) and clearly distinguish between ulcerogenic and nonulcerogenic strains ofH. pylori.
The roles of the rel+ gene and of 4-thiouridine in killing and photoprotection of Escherichia coli by near-ultraviolet radiation.

— Photoprotection is a reduction in response to far-UV (190–300. nm) radiation in cells that have been previously exposed to longer wavelengths. It has been proposed that photoprotection operates by means of a growth delay that permits more time for dark repair. Growth delay in Escherichia coli utilizes 4-thiouridine (4Srd) in transfer RNA as a chromophore and it requires the rel+ gene, which exerts a stringent control upon RNA synthesis. Mutants that were either rel or 4Srd− were isolated from E. coli B, utilizing a near-UV-induced growth-delay selection technique. The rel mutants, which undergo little growth delay after near-UV irradiation, show only 50% as much photoprotection as wild types, while 4Srd− mutants show no photoprotection at all. Thus, photoprotection appears to utilize 4Srd as its sole chromophore in E. coli B and B/r, and no more than 50% of photoprotection in these strains can be a result of near-UV-induced growth delay.
Extensive cerebral venous thrombosis.

A50-year-oldmanwithahistoryofhyperlipidemiapresentedwith worseningheadachefollowingamotorvehiclecrashthathadcaused a closed head injury. He had no neurologic deficits and optic discs weredifficult to appreciate.Hypercoagulable panel results (including antithrombin III, factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210Amutation, protein C, protein S, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, and β-2 microglobulin) were unremarkable. Computed tomographicheadnoncontrastonadmissionhaddemonstratedpossible cerebral venous thrombosis, and computed tomographic venography was performed to confirm this diagnosis (Figure 1). Thepatientwas treatedwithanticoagulationconsistingofheparin drip with bridge to warfarin. Pain medications were administered on an as-needed basis. He subsequently underwent follow-up imaging 1.5months later (Figure2).Thepatientalso reported at that time that his headache had improved. He continues taking maintenance warfarin therapy.
Modelling mutations and homologous proteins

Abstract A protein sequence with at least 40% identity to a known structure can now be modelled automatically, with an accuracy approaching that of a low-resolution X-ray structure or a medium-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance structure. In general, these models have good stereochemistry and an overall structural accuracy that is as high as the similarity between the template and the actual structure being predicted. As a result, the number of sequences that can be modelled is an order of magnitude larger than the number of experimentally determined protein structures. In addition, evaluation techniques are available that can estimate errors in different regions of the model. Thus, the number of applications where homology modelling is proving useful is growing rapidly.
Chronic dose-response studies in mice fed 2-AAF.

Large numbers of mice were exposed to 2‐acetylaminofluorene (2‐AAF) in the diet in order to provide quantitative information on carcinogenic dose‐response relationships. Weanling BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice of both sexes were fed 2‐AAF ad libitum in their diet for 18 months at concentrations of 0, 100, 250, and 500 ppm. Occurrence of a bladder tumor was considered as the endpoint for determination of dose‐response curves. Data were accumulated from mice that died during the 18‐month period, from moribund mice that were necropsied, and from mice necropsied at the terminal sacrifice after 18 months of exposure to the carcinogen. A dose response was noted for the body weights of all animals and for the mortality rate and bladder tumor development of the females. In the males the dose of 500 ppm of 2‐A A F appeared to be above the maximum tolerated dose and resulted in early death of the animals, a decreased tumor incidence, and the lack of a dose‐related response. Bladder tumor development in the females followe...
The Sequential Selection of Approaches to a Task

A task e.g., development of a satisfactory item by a Research and Development team is to be performed. A population of distinct approaches to the task is available. The decision maker's preferences over completed approaches are representable by a utility indicator. The utility of an approach is unknown until it is completed, but as the approach is pursued successive estimates of its utility become available at each of a finite sequence of decision points. The vector composed of an approach's estimates and its true utility is a random variable with known distribution. Pursuing an approach from one decision point to the next costs a fixed amount. Starting from an initial random drawing from the population of approaches, the set of approaches to be further pursued is narrowed down at each decision point. The paper seeks, under alternative conditions on the distribution, computationally and economically interesting properties of an optimal policy, prescribing both the sequential narrowing down and the size of the initial drawing.
Superconducting materials for large scale applications

The main reason for the application of superconductivity to large-scale electrical devices is that superconductors are capable of handling extremely large current densities. The normally allowed maximum rating of uncooled copper is 2 × 106 A/m2. This can be increased by forced cooling; however, the need for passages through which the coolant can flow reduces the overall current density to a value usually less than 108 A/m2. Superconductors are capable of carrying current densities of 109 to A/m11. in the conductor itself, reduced to 108 to 1010 A/m10. overall, because of the need for stability and mechanical reinforcement. These high current densities allow the construction of smaller, lighter, and more compact machines, and it is largely this reduction in size that makes a superconducting machine attractive, lowering both capital and running costs. The reduced power requirements for large superconducting magnets are also an important consideration.
Luteolytic Actions of Peroxide in Rat Ovarian Cells

A hallmark of luteolysis is leukocyte infiltration. Phagocytic leukocytes are well known to evoke a burst release of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) of sufficient magnitude to injure cells. We, therefore, evaluated the effect of H2O2 in isolated rat luteal cells. Peroxide (100 μM; the near-half-maximal dose) markedly inhibited both LH-sensitive cAMP accumulation and progesterone production within 5 min of treatment. Cell levels of ATP were also reduced by H2O2, but not until 10 min after exposure, with more than 50% depletion within 60 min. This depletion of ATP by H2O2 was prevented by nicotinamide or 3- aminobenzamide, inhibitors of DNA repair, but these inhibitors did not prevent the antigonadotropic action of H2O2. cAMP accumulation in response to forskolin was not inhibited by H2O2 when ATP depletion was blocked with 3-aminobenzamide. The specific binding of radiolabeled hCG to isolated cells or the biological activity of LH was not affected by H2O2 pretreatment of the cells. Isobutylmethylxanthine had no e...
The Case Study Method in Social Inquiry

It is widely believed that case studies are useful in the study of human affairs because they are down-to-earth and attention-holding but that they are not a suitable basis for generalization. In this paper, I claim that case studies will often be the preferred method of research because they may be epistemologically in harmony with the reader’s experience and thus to that person a natural basis for generalization.
Comparison of methods for isolation of Mycobacterium avium complex DNA for use in PCR and RAPD fingerprinting

Abstract Different methods for DNA isolation from Mycobacterium avium complex cultures were judged on the basis of their (1) ability to yield DNA from small culture samples, (2) speed of processing, (3) low number of manipulations and low potential for DNA cross-contamination, and (4) ability to provide DNA suitable for use as template in PCR and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) reactions. The glass-bead disruption methods yielded more amplifiable DNA than chemical or heat-induced lysis methods. The simplest DNA preparation method to give reproducible PCR results required only disrupting mycobacterial cells with glass beads, treating the lysate with proteinase K, and heating to 95°C for 10 min. Using the glass-bead lysis method, 20 culture samples could be prepared for PCR in less than 1 h. Addition of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) treatment, chloroform extraction to remove cellular debris, and isopropanol precipitation, yielded DNA suitable for restriction endonulease digestion, PCR, and RAPD fingerprinting while minimizing the number of manipulations and possibilities of contamination.
Familial Leucine-Sensitive Hypoglycemia of Infancy Due to a Dominant Mutation of the β-Cell Sulfonylurea Receptor

Familial leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia of infancy was described in 1956 as a condition in which symptomatic hypoglycemia was provoked by protein meals or the amino acid, leucine. The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic basis for hypoglycemia in a family diagnosed with leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia in 1960. Recently diagnosed family members showed a dominantly transmitted pattern of diazoxide-responsive hyperinsulinism (HI). However, they did not fit the characteristics of HI caused by glutamate dehydrogenase gene mutations, previously felt to explain leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia. Islet function was examined using acute insulin response (AIR) tests to calcium, leucine, glucose, and tolbutamide as well as oral protein tolerance tests. Five of five affected family members showed an abnormal positive calcium AIR, and two of five showed a positive leucine AIR. Protein-induced hypoglycemia was demonstrated in five of six affected subjects. Mutation analysis of four known HI genes (sulfonylurea receptor 1, Kir6.2, glutamate dehydrogenase, and glucokinase) in family members identified an R1353H missense mutation in exon 33 of SUR1. (86)Rb(+) efflux and electrophysiological studies of R1353H SUR1 coexpressed with wild-type Kir6.2 in COSm6 cells demonstrated partially impaired ATP-dependent potassium channel function. Leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia in this family was found to result from a dominantly expressed SUR1 mutation.
A probabilistic computational framework for bridge network optimal maintenance scheduling

This paper presents a probabilistic computational framework for the Pareto optimization of the preventive maintenance applications to bridges of a highway transportation network. The bridge characteristics are represented by their uncertain reliability index profiles. The in/out of service states of the bridges are simulated taking into account their correlation structure. Multi-objective Genetic Algorithms have been chosen as numerical tool for the solution of the optimization problem. The design variables of the optimization are the preventive maintenance schedules of all the bridges of the network. The two conflicting objectives are the minimization of the total present maintenance cost and the maximization of the network performance indicator. The final result is the Pareto front of optimal solutions among which the managers should chose, depending on engineering and economical factors. A numerical example illustrates the application of the proposed approach.
Average time for the full pure literal rule

The simplified pure literal algorithm solves satisfiability problems by choosing variables in a fixed order, and then generating subproblems for various values of the chosen variable. If some value satisfies every relation that depends on the chosen variable, then only the subproblem for that preferred value is generated. Otherwise, a subproblem is generated for every value of the variable. The full pure literal algorithm chooses variables that have a preferred value before choosing those that do not. A recurrence equation is found for the average time used by the full pure literal rule algorithm when solving random conjunctive normal form satisfiability problems. The random problems are characterized by the number of variables (v), the number of clauses (t), and the probability that a literal is in a clause (p). An asymptotic lower bound analysis shows that running time is more than polynomial in v when t increases more rapidly than (ln v)2 (when p is set to maximize the running time). A numerical study indicates that the results of the lower bound analysis are close to the true results. Thus, the full pure literal rule is faster than the simple pure literal rule (where the polynomial time boundary occurs at t = Θ(lnv)), but slower than Franco's infrequent variable algorithm (where the time is polynomial for all p when t = O(v16)).
Critical Assessment 4: Challenges in developing high temperature materials

AbstractMaterials are a key enabling feature for high efficiency engines for power generation or transportation. While significant research continues, progress in this century has certainly slowed compared to the previous century where modern materials science spawned a rapid advance in high temperature materials. One area that hampers new high temperature materials is a lack of inherent (i.e. uncoated) oxidation or environmental resistance, especially for the highest temperature applications such as Ni-base superalloys for turbomachinery. Thus, there appears to be more opportunity to develop materials for 600–1000°C applications than for higher temperatures. New materials requirements ranging from mechanical and environmental resistance to manufacturing and joining need to be clearly defined and experimental work focused on validating these properties for successful alloy development to proceed. For most applications the materials requirements have become so broad and complex that progress by single rese...
Charge modification in InAs/AlxGa1−xSb HEMT structures

Abstract Intrinsic sheet charge levels in unintentionally doped AlSb/InAs/AlSb quantum wells are reproducibly ∼10 12 /cm 2 . While these levels are suitable for depletion-mode operation, realizing enhancement-mode devices ultimately depends on the ability to significantly reduce sheet charge. In an effort to limit carrier accumulation in the InAs quantum well, we have studied the impact of the addition of a p-type, Be, doping plane between the channel and the cap and the modification of defect densities present in the films. Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) process conditions including substrate temperature, Be-doping density, and doping plane spacing above the quantum well were varied during growth of InAs–Al x Ga 1− x Sb high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) structures. Utilizing a 2 3 -full factorial statistical experimental design plus eight additional runs, the ranges for Be-doping (0–2e12/cm 2 ), substrate temperature (350–420°C), and separation above the quantum well (60–80 A) were examined. Relationships between MBE process conditions and transport properties in Be-doped InAs–Al x Ga 1− x Sb HEMT structures were established. Among the process parameters investigated, substrate temperature during Be-doping had the most significant impact on 2DEG concentration. Substrate temperature and sheet charge exhibited an inversely proportional relationship, where increasing substrate temperature resulted in decreasing sheet charge values. The lowest charge with corresponding mobility was 6.6×10 10 at 6000 cm 2 /V/s.
Analysis of Claudin Genes in Pediatric Patients with Bartter's Syndrome

Bartter's syndrome is a constellation of symptoms characterized by hyper-reninemic hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, elevated renin and aldosterone, low or normal blood pressure, and hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. So far, five gene mutations in proteins regulating the sodium chloride transport in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop have been described. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the presentation of hypomagnesemia in some of these patients remains unclear. Claudins are a family of transmembranous proteins within the tight junctions that have been shown to be important for the paracellular movement of ions. Mutations in claudin-16 have been identified in patients with familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. To test the hypothesis that mutations in claudin genes may be involved in the altered magnesium and calcium transport in Bartter's syndrome, we began to examine the genes of claudins known to be present in renal tubules in four pediatric patients with Bartter's syndrome. All four patients were African Americans with hypomagnesemia and hypercalciuria. In this study, we did not find any mutation in the coding regions of claudin-2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -10, -11, or -16 genes in these patients. However, all patients had a single nucleotide substitution of C for T at the position of 451 of claudin-8 gene sequence that changes amino acid residue from serine to proline at the position of 151 in the second extracellular domain of claudin-8 protein. The significance of this known single nucleotide polymorphism remains to be determined.
Nucleophilic displacements in mixed self-assembled monolayers

Synthetic elaboration of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provides a powerful method for the preparation of smooth, ordered surfaces with carefully controlled functionality. Chemically rugged siloxane-based SAMs have been employed as a foundation for the preparation of a variety of functionalized surfaces. Nucleophilic displacements are described between halide-terminated SAMs and anionic nucleophiles (e.g. azide, thiocyanate, thiolate). Problems were encountered due to the steric congestion surrounding the terminal bromomethylene carbon. The concept of trajectory control is applied to these displacement reactions. In addition, reactions between ester-terminated SAMs and neutral nucleophiles (e.g. amines, hydrazine, hydroxylamine) are described. Evidence is presented suggesting that a modest amount of cross-linking (i.e. imide formation) takes place in the amidation reactions, while reaction stoichiometry indicates that cross-linking is virtually complete for the bifunctional nucleophiles. These synthetic elaborations were also carried out on mixed monolayers to create functionalized SAMs with systematically varied loading densities. Linear correlation (or lack thereof) of elemental composition to predicted functional composition is used to provide an estimation of reaction efficiency. 66 refs., 11 figs.
Ambiguity of the Moment Tensor

An earthquake on a fault separating two dissimilar materials does not have a well-defined moment density tensor. We present a complete characterization of this bimaterial ambiguity in the general case of slip on a fault in an anisotropic medium. The ambiguity can be eliminated by utilizing a potency density rather than a moment density representation of a bimaterial source.
Inhibition of cholesterol-induced increases in arterial wall permeability by propranolol.

Increased arterial permeability to [125I]albumin is one of the earliest abnormalities found in the cholesterol-fed rabbit model for atherosclerosis and precedes morphologic changes in the arterial wall. Since propranolol is reported to retard atherogenesis in this model, the current study was undertaken to study the effect of propranolol on arterial permeability to albumin in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Carotid permeability to [125I]albumin was measured after 1 week of (a) a control diet containing only trace cholesterol (N = 9), (b) a 1.5% cholesterol diet (N = 11), or (c) a 1.5% cholesterol diet plus intraperitoneal propranolol 5 mg/kg/day (N = 19). The carotid artery was cannulated proximally and distally and peristaltically perfused with oxygenated Modified Eagle's Medium to which [125I]albumin had been added. The permeability of the carotid artery to albumin was estimated by measuring 125I activity in peripheral venous samples obtained after 0, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min of carotid perfusion. 125I-radioactivity of the perfused carotid artery was also counted at the end of the experiment to measure 125I retained in the arterial wall. The transfer of [125I]albumin across the arterial wall to the venous circulation was greater in the untreated cholesterol-fed group than in controls (P < 0.05), but cholesterol-fed animals treated with propranolol did not differ significantly from controls. 125I-albumin in the arterial wall after 240 min of perfusion was decreased in both untreated cholesterol-fed animals (1444 dpm/cm ± 350) and in propranolol-treated animals (1629 ± 309) when these were compared to controls (3909 ± 693, P < .05). These data suggest that cholesterol feeding increases both the penetration of albumin into the arterial wall and its rate of clearance from the wall to the venous circulation. Furthermore, treatment with propranolol appears to prevent this increase in trans-carotid albumin flux by preventing increases in both penetration and clearance. These findings further support the hypothesis that propranolol's ability to retard atherogenesis is mediated by a direct effect on the arterial wall.
Notes On the Interpretation of Arator

A short time ago, Professor A. Hudson-Williams contributed to this review 1 a series of instructive notes on the newly-appeared edition of Arator's poem De actibus apostolorum by Mr A. P. McKinlay.2 Since in my review of this edition, which is soon to be published in ,,Mnemosyne", I could not deal with all the points which caught my attention, I would like here to add a discussion of other passages which, in my opinion, require a further explanation. I quote McKinlay's text.
Two-dimensional gels: An easy method for large quantities of proteins

A new two-dimensional gel technique has been developed that makes it possible to load large amounts of protein and still retain good resolution. Protein samples are added to the isoelectric-focusing acrylamide solution prior to polymerization. Focusing times are short, making it possible to complete both dimensions of a two-dimensional gel in five to six hours. The technique yields larger amounts of separated protein for sequencing, and also greatly increases the quality of two-dimensional immunoblots.
Quantitative ultrastructural differences in the development of normal and dystrophic muscle.

Abstract Ultrastructural alterations in developing dystrophic muscle, which can be clues to the initiation and timing of the dystrophic lesion, have not yet been carefully studied. We studied ultrastructural changes in the developing pectoral muscle of a line of dystrophic chickens and closely related normal chickens using stereological methods. These methods provided a quantitative estimate of the relative volume and surface area of cell structures and can often detect subtle changes. We found that most ultrastructural differences between normal and dystrophic fibers were not apparent unitl between 18 days in ovo and 1 week posthatching, but that differences in myofibril development were apparent as early as 10 days in ovo . This relative lack of myofibril development may be related to the increased myosin and myofibril degradation that has been shown in young chicks.
Embedded production relations and the rationality of tenant quiescence in tenure reform

The tenure reform policy model in operation in South Asia has generally failed to achieve its modest aims and has often led to net deterioration in the life chances of the class it claims to protect and rehabilitate. The causes for failure include the distribution of political power, as is frequently recognized, but as importantly include the nature of production relations, the social matrix within which production relations are embedded, and the consequent ideational and material multiplex dependency of direct producers, as well as certain structural features of the liberal state. The policy logic of tenure reform depends on assumptions about the rural world and about the relationship between state and society at the local level which are systematically inaccurate for frequently‐encountered agrarian configurations, making an independent contribution to policy failure. Empirical evidence from the subcontinental region indicates that there exist specifiable structural conditions under which the acquiescenc...
Repeatability of the Submitochondrial Particle Assay

A study assessing the intralaboratory precision of the in vitro submitochondrial particle (SMP) electron transfer (ETr) and reverse electron transfer (RET) assays was undertaken using the standard reference toxicants, pentachlorophenol (PCP), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and zinc sulfate 7-hydrate (ZnSO4 7H2O). One to three trials of each assay were manually conducted daily for at least 5 days with each toxicant using commercially available sources of particles and reagents. Composite coefficients of variation (CVs) for the ETr assay ranged from 20.6% for ZnSO4 to 29.3% for PCP (n > or = 15). Composite CVs for the RET assay ranged from 6.5% for SDS to 16.5% for PCP (n > or = 15). Comparison of intralaboratory results with in-house and published data demonstrates that the precision of both of these SMP assays is comparable to that of the more common in vivo, whole-organism bacterial, invertebrate, and fish toxicity tests.
Comet Halley - the orbital motion.

The orbital motion of Comet Halley is investigated over the interval from A.D. 837 to 2061. Using the observations from 1607 through 1911, least-squares differential orbit corrections were successfully computed using the existing model for the nongravitational forces. The nongravitational-force model was found to be consistent with the outgassing-rocket effect of a water-ice cometary nucleus and, prior to the 1910 return, these forces are time-independent for nearly a millennium. For the 1986 return, viewing conditions are outlined for the comet and the related Orionid and Eta Aquarid meteor showers.
Investigation of the effect of three sprue designs on the porosity and the completeness of titanium cast removable partial denture frameworks.

Abstract Statement Of Problem. Although titanium has been used to cast removable partial denture frameworks, the casting process is arduous and requires specialized equipment. Purpose. This study evaluated the ability of 3 sprue designs (tree, ball, and circular) to produce complete, void-free castings of removable partial denture frameworks made from commercially pure titanium. Methods And Material. A cast with a Kennedy class III, modification 1, partially edentulous arch was used. The blocked-out cast was modified to facilitate assessment of the completeness of the casting of the clasp arms. Thirty refractory casts were made, and 10 wax patterns for each sprue design were fabricated and invested with ethyl silicate investment. Castings were made with an arc-type automatic casting machine in an argon atmosphere. Castings were examined with radiographic equipment to detect the presence of voids in the castings, and the completeness to each casting was visually verified. Data on porosities were tabulated and statistically analyzed with 1-way ANOVA followed by Student Newman-Keuls test. Chi-square analysis was used to identify statistically significant differences in casting defects among the 3 sprue designs. Results. No statistically significant differences in the total number of porosities were found between the 3 sprue designs ( P =.51). Results of completeness of castings evaluated by using chi-square test revealed a statistically significant deference among the 3 sprue designs ( P =.008). Conclusion. The ball-sprue design produced the most complete castings for the removable partial denture titanium frameworks. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;82:15-21.)
Peak demand forecasting for a seasonal product using Bayesian approach

An actual demand-forecasting problem of the US apparel dealers is studied. Demand is highly fluctuating during the peak sale season and low prior to the peak season. The model is described by the continuous time stochastic process applying the Bayesian process. The standard gamma distribution is selected for the demand process and an inverse gamma distribution is chosen as the conjugate prior for the model. The choice is supported by the maximum likelihood estimate among a number of non-negative distribution models. The proposed Bayesian models predict the probability of the future demand expressed explicitly conditional on the observed demand prior to the peak season. The data set illustrates partial demand of a seasonal product procured by the US dealers from overseas. In recent years, hazard and operational risks due to weather disasters and equipment shutdowns were felt significantly. These caused supply chain disruption and unrecorded demand. The model is extended to contribute to forecast from an unrecorded data set due to supply disruption. Forecasts are compared with real data and a widely implemented adaptive Holt-Winters (H-W) seasonal forecasting model. Results show that the forecasts calculated by the proposed methods do better than those of the adaptive H-W model.
Ion-assisted molecular beam epitaxy of GaAs on Si(100)

GaAs was grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and ion-assisted MBE on Si(100) substrates. Three-dimensional (3D) island nucleation, observed during MBE growth, was eliminated during ion-assisted MBE when the ion energyE was >25 eV and the product ofE and the current densityJ was ≈6-12 eV mA/cm2. IncreasingEJ to ≈15 eV mA/ cm2 resulted in excessive ion damage. Decreasing the substrate temperature from 280 to 580° C during ion-assisted MBE yielded a slight decrease in surface roughness, and flatter surfaces were obtained for lower As4/Ga flux ratios. The suppression of 3D island nucleation led to an improvement in the crystalline perfection of thicker GaAs films. For example, the x-ray diffraction rocking-curve full-width-at-half-maximum values for 0.5 μm thick films grown at 380° C decreased from 1700 arcsec to 1350 arcsec when ion irradiation was used during nucleation. IAMBE allowed nucleation of thin, relatively flat-surfaced GaAs films even at 580° C, resulting in FWHM values of 1850 arcsec for 0.14 /μm thick films.
Stochastic methods for neural systems

Abstract This paper is a survey of recent developments in the application of stochastic modeling and statistical analysis of biological and artificial neuron systems. We focus first on a general description of information processing in the central nervous system including the basic physiology of synaptic communications. We discuss some of the current models of and inference for membrane potential including temporal models. We discuss some of the stochastic modeling and analysis of neural spike trains. From a focus on communications between individual pairs of neurons, we turn our attention to broader scale neural network considerations, closing our discussion with models of networks with hidden layers.
Origin of organic matter in early solar system—II. Nitrogen compounds

Organic matter origin in early solar system from carbonaceous meteorites composition, stressing nitrogen compounds
Investigation of the Giant Monopole Resonance in the Cd and Pb Isotopes: The Asymmetry Term in Nuclear Incompressibility and the MEM Effect

The giant monopole resonance (GMR) has been investigated in the even-A Cd and Pb isotopes 112−124 Cd, and 204−208 Pb, with the aim of obtaining a confirmatory "experimental" value for the asymmetry term in nuclear incompressibility, Kτ , and to test the Mutual Enhancement Magicity (MEM) effect in nuclear incompressibilities. The latter was advanced as a possible explanation of the puzzling "softness" of the Sn and Cd nuclei, as evidenced by their low GMR energies as compared to theoretical predictions. The GMR results in the Cd isotopes give a value Kτ = �490± 100 MeV, in close agreement with the value obtained previously from the Sn isotopes. Our results rule out the MEM effect as an explanation of the aforementioned "softness" observed for the Sn and Cd nuclei. The asymmetry term of nuclear incompressibility, Kτ , associated with the neutron-excess (NZ), is crucial in obtaining the radii of neutron stars in the equation of state (EOS) calculations. 1)-4) It has been suggested that the radius of a neutron star whose mass is between about 1.0 and 1.5 solar masses (M� )i s mostly determined by the density dependence of the symmetry-energy term. 5),6) In recent measurements on the giant monopole resonance (GMR) in the even- A Sn isotopes (A = 112 � 124), we had obtained an "experimental" value for this term, Kτ = �550 ± 100 MeV. 7),8) This number is in agreement with the value Kτ = �500 +125100 MeV, obtained by Centelles et al. 9) from constraints put by neutron- skin data from anti-protonic atoms across the mass table; Kτ = �500 ± 50 MeV obtained by Sagawa et al. 10) by comparing our Sn GMR data with calculations using different Skyrme Hamiltonians and RMF Lagrangians; and, Kτ = �370 ± 120 MeV obtained from an analysis of the isotopic transport ratios in medium- energy heavy-ion reactions. 11) Combined with the value of K∞ = 240 ± 10 MeV extracted from data on GMR and the other compression-mode, the isoscalar giant dipole resonance (ISGDR), 12),13) this value for Kτ may provide a means of selecting the most appropriate of the interactions commonly used in nuclear structure and EOS calculations. To confirm the value of Kτ obtained from the GMR in the Sn isotopes, we have investigated the GMR in the another series of isotopes, viz. 106,110,112,114,116 Cd using inelastic scattering of 400-MeV α particles at extremely forward angles, including 0 ◦ . The measurements were performed at the Research Center for Nuclear Physics (RCNP) at Osaka University, Japan, using the Grand Raiden spectrometer. The experimental techniques and data analysis procedures were identical to those in the measurements described previously for the Sn isotopes. 7),8)
Disposition and pharmacodynamics of diuretics and antihypertensive agents in renal disease

The pharmacodynamic actions and disposition of diuretic and antihypertensive agents may be significantly modified in subjects with renal disease. Most studies on this question have dealt with alterations in the elimination kinetics of these drugs and, while they generate descriptive data, minimal insight about changes in dose-response relationships or mechanisms of drug action are provided by such investigations. Several basic principles which may serve as useful guidelines in determining how renal failure will influence the response to drugs have been considered. They include the following: degree of renal malfunction, intrinsic toxicity of the drug, alternative pathways for drug metabolism and elimination, elimination pharmacokinetics and dose-response characteristics. Several classes of diuretic agents (thiazides, furosemide) and antihypertensive drugs (hydralazine, methyldopa, propranolol, prazosin, and clonidine) have been used as models to define how basic knowledge of renal and non-renal pathways for elimination of drugs and their pharmacodynamic actions may assist in establishing rational therapeutic regimens for these agents in patients with renal failure.
Direct Writing of Copper Lines From Copper Formate Film

The focused output from an argon ion laser (514 nm) has been used for direct writing of copper by photothermal decomposition of copper formate film on quartz and silicon substrates. The low decomposition temperature of the metallo-organic (∼200°C) allows deposition of fairlys thick copper lines at writing speeds as high as 10 mm/sec. The processing can be done in air since the rapid decomposition and cooling under scanning condition results in minimal oxidation of the deposited copper. The temperature distribution produced during laser writing on silicon substrate has been calculated to help explain some of the observed results.
Conservative Surgery for Breast Carcinoma Associated with Pregnancy

: Thirty-five patients with pregnancy-associated breast carcinoma diagnosed between 1985 and 1995 were identified and characterized from a prospectively generated database. Twenty-two of these patients had stage 1 or 2 disease and were therefore potential candiates for conservative surgical management. The median age was 36 years. Two thirds of the patients were pregnant at the time of diagnosis; the median gestational age of the fetus at diagnosis was 7 months. Twenty-one of the 22 of the patients presented with a palpable mass. The majority of tumors were estrogen-receptor negative. Nine patients were treated with breast-conservation therapy, and 13 were treated with mastectomy. In the breast-conservation therapy group, there were three distant recurrences and no local recurrences with a median follow-up of 24 months. In the mastectomy group, two patients developed distant metastases and one developed a local recurrence with a median follow-up of 28 months. The results of breast-conservation therapy are similar to the results of mastectomy for stage 1 and 2 cancers associated with pregnancy. Therefore, breast-conservation therapy is an option for selected patients with pregnancy-associated breast cancer.