cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental regulations and the diffusion of clean technologies in the dry cleaning industry

Most dry cleaners in the United States use perchloroethylene, a chemical whose vapors are emitted into the ambient air during the dry cleaning process. Scientific studies have linked perchloroethylene exposure to increased risks for cancer and other health problems. In 2002, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) adopted Rule 1421, a regulation requiring the dry cleaning industry in the South Coast Basin of California to adopt alternative technologies to perchloroethylene. In this article I examine how alternative technologies to perchloroethylene have been diffusing throughout the industry in response to Rule 1421. My research reveals that the industry is highly skeptical of alternative technologies on economic and political grounds. Despite these problems, the industry has made progress in substituting alternative technologies for perchloroethylene. The challenge for policy makers is to mitigate barriers to the diffusion process so the full environmental benefits of Rule 1421 can be realised.
Incarcerated Adolescents in Washington State: Health Services and Utilization

This study describes the health services for incarcerated adolescents in Washington State and their utilization, in 12 juvenile detention facilities statewide, including six state (long-term, postadjudication) and six county (short-term, preadjudication) facilities. Findings differed by facility type, with youth at county facilities having more total visits to emergency rooms and more health care visits per inmate for health problems presenting acutely, such as sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy, urologic problems, and trauma. More were on suicide watch and on psychiatric medication. Health care used by youth at state facilities tended to be for more chronic conditions such as dental, dermatologic, nutritional, and respiratory problems. When utilization was analyzed by size of facility, small facilities had fewer health care visits and fewer nursing hours per inmate. According to our findings, there are at least 14 pregnant adolescents and 2 HIV-infected adolescents incarcerated in this state at any time.
Air-Fluid Levels in the Left Lower Thorax Following a Fall

"From the Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio. Work supported by VA Grant TR 170. Physical examination of the chest revealed no rib fracture. Decreased breath sounds were noted over the left lower lobe. The patient was afebrile. White blood cell count was 28,000 with 89 percent polys. Chest roentgenograms (Fig 1 and 2) were obtained and subsequently a diatrizoate (Hypaque) swallow (Fig 3) was performed.
Thermal Annealment and Nitric Oxide Effects on Free Radicals in X-irradiated Cells

Four kinds of radicals are identified in dry spores (Bacillus megaterium) after x irradiation: those associated with single, doublet, triplet, and oxygen-complex types of spectra. The singlet, present only at low temperatures, gives rise irreversibly to the doublet at 25 deg C. All hyperfine structure is depressed after annealment at 100 deg C and is lost when oxygen or nitric oxide is added. The physical results support the hypothesis that reactions of long-lived free radicals can account for the radiobiological phenomena of thermorestoration, nitric oxide protection, and latent oxygen effect. (auth)
CONCENTRATION DEPENDENCE OF TRANSMISSION LOSSES IN UV-LASER IRRADIATED BOVINE α-, βH-,βL-AND γ-CRYSTALLIM SOLUTIONS

Experiments with calf lens protein fractions in aqeous buffer solutions at room temperature showed that βH - and βL - and γ-crystallin fractions became opaque following ultraviolet exposure at 308 nm, while the α-crystallin fraction remained transparent. Transmission loss, due to UV-irradiation, for all of the crystallin samples was studied in the concentration range of 0.1 mg/mL to 1.0 mg/mL, and for α- and γ-crystallin, in the range up to 5 mg/mL. With increased concnetrations of βH-,βL-and γ-crystallin, the rate of opacification increased. However, with α-crystallin, the loss of transmission was negligble for all of the concentrations and irradiation times studied. Opacification of the crystallins was accompanied by formation of higher molecular weight insoluble proteins as detected by SDS-PAGE.
TIGHT: A Geographic Routing Protocol for Cognitive Radio Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

This paper presents TIGHT, a geographic routing protocol for cognitive radio mobile ad hoc networks. TIGHT offers three routing modes and allows secondary users to fully explore the transmission opportunities over a primary channel without affecting primary users (PUs). The greedy mode routes a packet via greedy geographic forwarding until a PU region is encountered and then further routes the packet around the PU region to where greedy forwarding can resume. It works best when the PUs are only occasionally active. In contrast, the optimal and suboptimal modes route a packet along optimal and suboptimal trajectories to the destination, respectively. They work best when the PUs are active most of the time. The suboptimal mode is computationally more efficient than the optimal mode at the cost of using suboptimal trajectories in rare cases. The efficacy of TIGHT is confirmed by extensive simulations. Index Terms—Cognitive radio, geographic routing, CR-MANET.
Modeling spatial tuning of adaptation of the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex

Gain adaptation of the yaw angular vestibular ocular reflex (aVOR) induced in side-down positions has gravity-independent (global) and -dependent (localized) components. When the head oscillation angles are small during adaptation, localized gain changes are maximal in the approximate position of adaptation. Concurrently, polarization vectors of canal–otolith vestibular neurons adapt their orientations during these small-angle adaptation paradigms. Whether there is orientation adaptation with large amplitude head oscillations, when the head is not localized to a specific position, is unknown. Yaw aVOR gains were decreased by oscillating monkeys about a yaw axis in a side-down position in a subject–stationary visual surround for 2 h. Amplitudes of head oscillation ranged from 15° to 180°. The yaw aVOR gain was tested in darkness at 0.5 Hz, with small angles of oscillation (±15°) while upright and in tilted positions. The peak value of the gain change was highly tuned for small angular oscillations during adaptation and significantly broadened with larger oscillation angles during adaptation. When the orientation of the polarization vectors associated with the gravity-dependent component of the neural network model was adapted toward the direction of gravity, it predicted the localized learning for small angles and the broadening when the orientation adaptation was diminished. The model-based analysis suggests that the otolith orientation adaptation plays an important role in the localized behavior of aVOR as a function of gravity and in regulating the relationship between global and localized adaptation.
The Effect of Selected Residential Carpet and Pad on the Balance of Healthy Older Adults

The purpose of this research was to determine whether selected residential carpet and pad contributed to balance problems among healthy, community-dwelling older adults. Twenty-five older adults (mean age 73.25; SD± 7.48) were recruited, and balance was measured using the NeuroCom Computerized Posturography balance machine. Participants were exposed to the Sensory Organization Test while standing on the selected residential carpet (i.e., a 36-ounce, 1/2-inch pile height, 1/8-inch gauge, cut pile carpet) and pad (i.e., a rebonded polyurethane, 6-pound density, 7/16-inch thick padding). Postural sway significantly increased on the carpet only when participants had their eyes closed and the forceplate on the balance machine moved. Balance strategy was not affected by the carpet. Participants were able to adjust to the sensory limitations by adopting an ankle strategy regardless of the floor surface. The results of this study indicate limited participant difficulty maintaining static balance when standing on ...
The canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway regulates Fgf signaling for early facial development

The canonical Wnt/s-catenin signaling pathway has implications in early facial development; yet, its function and signaling mechanism remain poorly understood. We report here that the frontonasal and upper jaw primordia cannot be formed after conditional ablation of s-catenin with Foxg1-Cre mice in the facial ectoderm and the adjacent telencephalic neuroepithelium. Gene expression of several cell-survival and patterning factors, including Fgf8, Fgf3, and Fgf17, is dramatically diminished in the anterior neural ridge (ANR, a rostral signaling center) and/or the adjacent frontonasal ectoderm of the s-catenin conditional mutant mice. In addition, Shh expression is diminished in the ventral telencephalon of the mutants, while Tcfap2a expression is less affected in the facial primordia. Apoptosis occurs robustly in the rostral head tissues following inactivation of Fgf signaling in the conditional mutants. Consequently, the upper jaw, nasal, ocular and telencephalic structures are absent, but the tongue and mandible are relatively developed in the conditional mutants at birth. Using molecular biological approaches, we demonstrate that the Fgf8 gene is transcriptionally targeted by Wnt/s-catenin signaling during early facial and forebrain development. Furthermore, we show that conditional gain-of-function of s-catenin signaling causes drastic upregulation of Fgf8 mRNA in the ANR and the entire facial ectoderm, which also arrests facial and forebrain development. Taken together, our results suggest that canonical Wnt/s-catenin signaling is required for early development of the mammalian face and related head structures, which mainly or partly acts through the initiation and modulation of balanced Fgf signaling activity.
Commentary on "The Incoherence of Determining Death by Neurological Criteria"

This commentary challenges the conclusions reached by Franklin Miller and Robert Truog in their criticism of the President's Council's White Paper, "Controversies in the Determination of Death." I agree with much of Miller and Truog's criticism of the rationale offered by the President's Council for accepting neurological criteria for determining death but argue that they too quickly dismiss the alternative rationale of determining death by neurological criteria-i.e., the destruction of the psychophysical integrity of the human being that occurs when the potential for consciousness and every other mental function is lost due to catastrophic injury to the brain. By focusing on the death of bodies instead of human beings, their view absurdly implies that decapitation would not necessarily result in one's death. Since total brain failure is a form of physiological decapitation, the neurological criterion coheres perfectly well with the ordinary understanding of decapitation as death.
Use Of Speckle For Determining The Response Characteristics Of Doppler Imaging Radars

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) aboard Seasat in 1978 demonstrated a unique sensitivity to oceanic and geologic features imaged over a 100 km swath with 25 m resolution. The ability of the remote sensor to resolve the fine details of large environmental systems resulted in the orbiting of a similar system, the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B), aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger during October 1984. Coherent speckle noise observed for these Doppler imaging-radar systems is caused by random correlations of the illuminating radar chirp with the surface reflectance downrange. Radar speckle is similar to optical speckle in that respect, but it is also influenced by along-track sampling statistics. The Rayleigh statistics of coherent scattering and the Poisson statistics of radar pulse detection are employed to model the speckle observed in spatially random data samples. Speckle degradation of a radar scene may obstruct interpretations of scene detail, but it can also be useful in determining the spatial response of the remote sensor and scene correlator. Randomly speckled scenes that are otherwise featureless provide a white-noise input to the Doppler imaging process. Several such scenes have been processed with fast Fourier transform methods to estimate the point spread function and its Fourier-domain equivalent, the wavenumber response function. These measure-ments of spatial resolution are used to compare the Seasat SAR and the Challenger SIR-B remote sensors. In addition, two ground-scene correlators are compared in terms of the point spread estimate of spatial resolution for common input data from the SIR-B sensor.
Switchless Tunable Bandstop-to-All-Pass Reconfigurable Filter

The theory of a new type of bandstop-to-all-pass reconfigurable filter is developed in this work. A bandstop filter structure with both source-to-load and inter-resonator coupling is implemented. The synthesis equations are manipulated such that the signals in the filter's resonators and source-to-load transmission line can be made to constructively or destructively interfere at the output port through tuning of the resonant frequency of the filter's resonators. The relationship between resonator quality factor, filter bandwidth, and the all-pass response state is shown for the first time. The theory is proven through fabrication of a bandstop-to-all-pass filter with resonator unloaded quality factors greater than 500. Measured results show that the filter can continuously tune from insertion loss of 2.1 dB in the all-pass state to insertion loss of 69 dB in the bandstop state at the center frequency of the filter. Analog tuning of the attenuation level is also shown. The capability to switch from an all-pass to a variable-attenuation bandstop response enables a spectrally aware system to operate over wide bandwidths when interference levels are low and to dynamically add bandstop responses when interference affects its performance or signal equalization is required.
Invertebrate drift, discharge, and sediment relations in a southern Appalachian headwater stream

Drifting invertebrates and suspended sediments were collected at monthly intervals from June 1977 to May 1978. The numbers and biomass of drifting organisms reflected the seasonal cycles of aquatic insects. Some aquatic organisms showed behavioral drift either during a sample day or during some portion of their life cycle. Parapsyche cardis Ross and Diplectrona modesta Banks (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) dispersed as first instar larvae; few later instars of these two net-spinning caddisflies drifted. The drift of nymphal Peltoperla maria Needham et Smith (Plecoptera: Peltoperlidae) was apparently related more to detritus transport than to benthic densities or discharge alone. Power law relations between the magnitude of daily invertebrate drift and discharge or sediment variables are demonstrated for some taxa in Hugh White Creek. The general level of stream invertebrate drift appears to be related to detritus transport, and drift during storms is also related to detritus transport. During storms, terrestrial invertebrate drift was related to rainfall intensity, canopy washing, and channel expansion.
Mantle shear zones and the evolution of the northern North Sea basin

Mantle reflections observed on deep seismic profiles across the northern North Sea may be tentatively interpreted as extensional shear zones. Modeling them as such explains many of the features of the basin, in particular the broad regions of postrift onlap onto the basin flanks. Consequently, it seems likely that the mantle reflections represent mantle shear zones, which control the extension of the subcrustal lithosphere.
Improved preparation of h5-C5H5 Fe(CO)2(h1-alkyl) complexes from [h5-C5H5Fe(CO)2(h2-alkene)]+BF4−

Abstract Sodium cyanoborohydride has been found to be very effective for the conversion of [( h 5 -C 5 H 5 )Fe(CO) 2 ( h 2 -alkene)] + BF 4 − complexes to the corresponding h 1 -alkyl derivatives.
Stability of an imploding spherical shell

It is shown that, in an imploding spherical shell, the surface instabilities are of two different types. The first, which occurs at the outer surface, is the well-known Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The second instability occurs at the inner surface. The characteristics of this instability are similar to those of amplified sound waves in an imploding plasma shell. It is suggested that this instability is driven by the amplified sound waves.
A parametric analysis of the effects of cardiopulmonary vagal electrostimulation on the digastric reflex in cats.

Abstract The thoracic trunk and the cardiac branch of the vagus were stimulated electrically in chloralose-anesthetized cats. The experiments were conducted to determine the parameters of vagal afferent stimulation (VAS) capable of producing an inhibition of the digastric reflex (DGR), to assess the duration of this inhibition, and to test whether endogenous opioids mediate the inhibitory effects. In experiments using intermittent trains of pulses, the effects of pulse number (1, 2, 7 or 35 pulses), frequency (13, 66 or 333 Hz), intensity (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 mA), and duration (1 or 3 ms) were evaluated. A 7 pulse train (3 mA) was sufficient to produce maximal inhibition (77 ± 7%) of the tooth-pulp stimulation-evoked DGR regardless of the pulse duration of frequency. These effects were mediated by vagal afferents since stimulation of the central end produced as much inhibition as stimulation of the intact nerve. VAS also significantly reduced the DGR when elicited by tooth-pulp intensities at 1x −5x threshold. In experiments using 90 s of continuous VAS, 16 combinations of frequency and intensity yielded a threshold intensity for DGR inhibition between 0.1 and 0.5 mA and a threshold frequency at 2 Hz. Maximal DGR inhibition was produced at 5 Hz−0.5 mA by VAS. Reflex inhibition occurred within 10 s and outlasted VAS for longer than 60 s. Opiate-receptor blockade did not alter VAS inhibition of the DGR and, thus, opioids are not likely to mediate VAS-induced digastric inhibition. These results demonstrate that vagal affarent stimulation is capable of producing a profound suppression of the DGR and further support a role of vagal afferents in nociceptive modulation.
The issue of harmonic injection from utility integrated photovoltaic systems. II. Study results

For pt.I see ibid., vol. 3, no.3, p.507-10 (1988). The results of several research efforts investigating power-line harmonics injected by photovoltaic systems are summarized. These efforts indicate that while harmonic injection from photovoltaic systems cannot be ignored, it is no more a problem than the harmonic injection from several commonly used household appliances. >
A four-group analytic rod transport problem for (n, γ) and (n, n′γ) verification

Abstract Forward and adjoint transport problems are solved analytically on a homogeneous rod (the forward-backward model) with four energy groups. Groups 1 and 2 represent fast and thermal neutrons; groups 3 and 4 represent gamma rays born from thermal neutron capture and fast neutron inelastic scattering, respectively. Neutron scattering includes self-scattering and downscattering. There is no fission. Gamma rays are treated as lines, so gamma-ray scattering is ignored. Neutron scattering and gamma production are isotropic. In the forward problem, there are neutron sources incoming at the rod endpoints but no internal neutron sources; there are no extrinsic gamma sources. In the adjoint problem, there are gamma detectors at the rod endpoints but no neutron detectors anywhere. PARTISN results agree to seven significant figures with the analytic results in a numerical benchmark problem using hydrogen and carbon. The equivalence among the rod transport problem, diffusion theory, and the S2 discrete ordinates method is demonstrated for didactic purposes.
EM Estimation of Nanostructure Interactions With Incomplete Feature Measurement and Its Tailored Space Filling Designs

Automatic assessment of nanostructure quality is essential for scale-up nanomanufacturing. In our previous work, we have developed a method to quantify nanostructure growth quality and detect structural defects through interaction analysis. However, because the method builds on complete feature measurement, its direct application to nanomanufacturing systems is severely constrained by nanostructure metrology. For current inspection techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), the major difficulties of measuring nanostructures lie in two aspects: (i) taking and calibrating images for seamless coverage and (ii) extracting and matching feature information from the images. In this paper, we develop a tailored sampling strategy to relax the metrology constraint. It not only explores the growth region with greatly reduced metrology efforts but maintains desired sampling resolution. In addition, we customize Expectation-Maximization algorithm to optimize interaction estimation with corresponding “incomplete” measurement. Our developed approach enables nanostructure characterization within manufacturing relevant time spans and thus provides a supporting tool for nanomanufacturing. Note to Practitioners-Automatic assessment of nanostructure quality is essential for scale-up nanomanufacturing, but current characterization of nanostructures based on SEM or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is labor and computation intensive. This paper develops methods to quantify nanostructure local variability and detect defects with minimum metrology efforts.
Drive and incentive combinations during acquisition, shift and extinction

For 16 days, rats received 1 trial a day training in a straight runway with either 3 or 23 hr. of food deprivation (D) and.2gm or.8gm of food incentive (K). This training was followed by D and K shift for 32 days and 16 days of extinction. Significant differences were obtained for D and K; however, the D × K interaction was not significant. The D and K shifts suggest some stability of performance over time, and the D and K were related to rates of extinction.
An analysis of Ext4 for digital forensics

Abstract This paper presents a low-level study and analysis of Ext4 file system data structures. It includes descriptions of extents, extent trees, directory indexing HTrees, and flex block groups. Currently, data about the file system is scattered with most sources focusing on one particular feature. This paper provides a more comprehensive analysis with the forensics community in mind and states some brief implications of the file system behavior with respect to data recovery.
The utility of neural network in the diagnosis of Cheyne-Stokes respiration

The aim of this study was to design a diagnostic model to identify patients with Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR-CSA) based on indices of oximetric spectral analysis. A retrospective analysis of oximetric recordings of 213 sleep studies conducted over a one-year period at a Veterans Affairs medical facility was performed. A probabilistic neural network (PNN) was developed from salient features of the oximetric spectral analysis, desaturation events and the delta index. A fivefold cross-validation was used to assess the accuracy of the neural network in identifying CSR-CSA. When compared to overnight polysomnography, the PNN achieved a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 85%-100%) and a specificity of 99% (95% 97%-100%) with a corresponding area under the curve of 99% (95% CI 99%-100%). When combined with overnight pulse oximetry, PNN offers an accurate and easily applicable tool to detect CSR-CSA.
SrI2, a Novel Scintillator Crystal for Nuclear Isotope Identifiers

The growth and scintillating properties of undoped and Eu2+ doped Strontium Iodide indicate excellent potential for gamma ray spectroscopy. Energy resolution at 662 keV was found to be as good as 2.7% at 662 keV. The effect of purification by zone refining was also studied and crystal growth of SrI2 by the Bridgman technique was found to be less subject to cracking compared to the growth of lanthanum halide scintillators.
Host-seeking behaviour of tracheal mites (Acari: Tarsonemidae) on honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The behaviour of the endoparasitic tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi (Rennie) on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) is a challenge to observe because of its small size. Through a microscope, we videotaped this mite's movement on young bees, dead bees and bees exposed to vegetable oil. Previous studies have shown that solid vegetable oil decreases mite infestations in a bee colony. We hypothesized that the oil alters mite behaviour to the detriment of the parasite, thus helping to safeguard the host. Habitat-seeking behaviour, identified as necessary for mites to locate a new host environment, was disrupted on both dead and oil-treated bees. Questing behaviour, which is associated with transfer between hosts, increased significantly on the dead and oily bees. The behaviours of mites were significantly different between all three treatments (x2=494.96, p<0.001 on dead bees and x2=851.11, p<0.001 on oily bees). Both questing and seeking behaviours were significantly different on each of the thoracic treatments (F2,66=7.88, p<0.001 and F2,66=21.28, p<0.001) and mite questing behaviour was not altered between males and females on live or oily bees (F1,22=0.25, p<0.62), but habitat seeking was (F1,22=7.42, p<0.012). The male questing and habitat-seeking behaviours were observed. We conclude that oil-treated bees gained protection from habitat-seeking mites because the normal behaviour of the mites seeking an oviposition site is interrupted.
Deformation of a thin, elastic plate to a deep parabolic cylinder

Equations governing the elastic deformation of thin plates through large displacements to deep parabolic cylinders are presented and solved. The solution consists of expressions for a spatially distributed surface pressure and uniform rim loads which, when applied to the plate, produce the specified, deep parabolic cylindrical shape. These forming loads are written in dimensionless form for parabolic cylinders of arbitrary focal length and arbitrary rim to rim aperture. Numerical results are presented and limiting values are discussed. The solution and results find immediate application to mechanical forming and adhesive retention of parabolic solar collector components.
Dramatic Increases in Obesity and Overweight Prevalence among Asian Subgroups in the United States, 1992–2011

We examined trends in adult obesity and overweight prevalence among major Asian/Pacific Islander (API) subgroups and the non-Hispanic whites from 1992 to 2011. Using 1992–2011 National Health Interview Surveys, obesity, overweight, and BMI differentials were analyzed by logistic, linear, and log-linear regression. Between 1992 and 2011, obesity prevalence doubled for the Chinese, the Asian Indians, the Japanese, and the Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders; and tripled for the Filipinos. Obesity prevalence among API adults tripled from 3.7% in 1992 to 13.3% in 2010, and overweight prevalence doubled from 23.2% to 43.1%. Immigrants in each API subgroup had lower prevalence than their US-born counterparts, with immigrants’ obesity and overweight risks increasing with increasing duration of residence. During 2006–2011, obesity prevalence ranged from 3.3% for Chinese immigrants to 22.3% for the US-born Filipinos and 41.1% for the Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders. The Asian Indians, the Filipinos, and the Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders had, respectively, 3.1, 3.8, and 10.9 times higher odds of obesity than those of the Chinese adults. Compared with Chinese immigrants, the adjusted odds of obesity were 3.5–4.6 times higher for the US-born Chinese and the foreign-born Filipinos, 9 times higher for the US-born Filipinos and whites, 3.8–5.5 times higher for the US-born and foreign-born Asian Indians, and 21.9 times higher for the Native Hawaiians. Substantial ethnic heterogeneity and rising prevalence underscore the need for increased monitoring of obesity and obesity-related risk factors among API subgroups.
Modulation of prostaglandin of the renal vascular action of arginne vasopressin

To determine whether the renal vascular effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) is modulated by renal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined during the infusion of AVP in dogs during control conditions and after the administration of the inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, indomethacin. During control conditions, intrarenal administration for 10 min of a dose of AVP calculated to increase arterial renal plasma AVP concentration by 75 pg/ml produced a slight renal vasodilation (p<0.01) and an increase in renal venous plasma concentration of PGE2. Renal venous PGE2 concentration during control and AVP infusion averaged 33 ± 7 and 52 ± 12 pg/ml (p<0.05), respectively. After administration of indomethacin, the same dose of AVP induced renal vasoconstriction (p<0.05) and failed to enhance renal venous PGE2 concentration (9 ± 1 to 8 ± 1 pg/ml). Intrarenal administration of 20 ng/kg. min of AVP for 10 min induced a marked renal vasoconstriction (p<0.01) and increased renal venous plasma PGE2. Renal venous PGE2 during control and AVP infusion averaged 31 ± 10 and 121 ± 31 pg/ml (p<0.01), respectively. Administration of the same dose of AVP following indomethacin produced a significantly greater and longer lasting renal vasoconstriction (p<0.01) and failed to increase renal venous plasma PGE2 (10 ± 1 to 9 ± 1 pg/ml). These results indicate that a concentration of AVP comparable to that observed in several pathophysiological conditions induces a slight renal vasodilation which is mediated by renal prostaglandins. The results also indicate that higher doses of AVP induce renal vasoconstriction and that prostaglandin synthesis induced by AVP attenautes the renal vasoconstriction produced by this peptide.
On the Measurement of Stress Sensitivity of NRM Using a Cryogenic Magnetometer

Preliminary stress sensitivities of NRM of two rocks from along the San Andreas fault, California, have been investigated using a cryogenic magnetometer and uniaxial pressure vessel. Of particular interest has been the irreversible behavior in response to cycling in the stress range 0–500 bars. The effect of hydrostatic pressure has also been examined. Sensitivities parallel to the compression axis behave as predicted by simple theory and show irreversible behavior during initial stress cycles. In contrast, transverse sensitivities show significant deviations from simple theory. Stress sensitivities of NRM do not appear to be appreciably affected by increase in hydrostatic pressure up to 0.5 kb.
Association among EPHB2, TrkA, and MYCN expression in low-stage neuroblastomas.

Background The EPH family is the largest subfamily of receptor protein-tyrosine kinases, consisting of EPHA and EPHB subgroups. Ligands of EPH family receptors are called ephrins, which include ephrin-A and ephrin-B subgroups. We recently found that transcripts encoding the EPHB subgroup (EPHB) and the ephrin-B subgroup (EFNB) were expressed together in neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines. Procedure In this study, we examined the expression of EPHB and EFNB transcripts in 24 NB specimens representing all clinical stages. We found that several EPHB and EFNB transcripts were expressed together in all NBs examined. Results Among the transcripts examined, EPHB6 expression was most significantly associated with low stage tumors (stages 1, 2, and 4S; P = 0.0048). TrkA expression was significantly cor-related with EPHB6, EFNB2, and EFNB3 expression (P < 0.01 in each case). Taken together, these data indicate that the expression of EPHB6, EFNB2, and EFNB3 may serve as prognostic indicators of favorable NBs. In the low-stage NBs without MYCN amplification, EPHB2 expression was correlated both with MYCN expression and with TrkA expression (P < 0.01 in each case). Moreover, MYCN expression was correlated with TrkA expression (P < 0.01) in the low-stage NBs. Conclusions This observation points to the possibility that MYCN expression might contribute to favorable outcome of low-stage NBs. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:80–82, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ferrosilite (FeSiO3): Synthesis at High Pressures and Temperatures

The FeSiO(3) (ferrosilite) end member of the pyroxene series is not known as a pure mineral in nature and cannot be synthesized at atmospheric pressure. It is readily synthesized, however, at pressures from 18 to 45 kb and temperatures from 1150 degrees to 1400 degrees C. Its refractive indices approach those predicted for ferrosilite and it melts incongruently to an Fe, SiO(4)-rich liquid plus quartz.
Executive Function, Neural Circuitry, and Genetic Mechanisms in Schizophrenia

After decades of research aimed at elucidating the pathophysiology and etiology of schizophrenia, it has become increasingly apparent that it is an illness knowing few boundaries. Psychopathological manifestations extend across several domains, impacting multiple facets of real-world functioning for the affected individual. Even within one such domain, arguably the most enduring, difficult to treat, and devastating to long-term functioning—executive impairment—there are not only a host of disrupted component processes, but also a complex underlying dysfunctional neural architecture. Further, just as implicated brain structures (eg, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) through postmortem and neuroimaging techniques continue to show alterations in multiple, interacting signaling pathways, so too does evolving understanding of genetic risk factors suggest multiple molecular entry points to illness liability. With this expansive network of interactions in mind, the present chapter takes a systems-level approach to executive dysfunction in schizophrenia, by identifying key regions both within and outside of the frontal lobes that show changes in schizophrenia and are important in cognitive control neural circuitry, summarizing current knowledge of their relevant functional interactions, and reviewing emerging links between schizophrenia risk genetics and characteristic executive circuit aberrancies observed with neuroimaging methods.
Matrix Continued Fraction Algorithms For Inverse Kinematics/Dynamics With Application To Simulation of Supermaneuverable Trajectories On Centrifuges

By viewing a centrifuge simulator as a 3 revolute axes robot manipulator, the solution of the inverse kinematics problem associated with the simulation of a motion field is studied. A Matrix Continued Fraction algorithm is introduced to assist the solution involving a Damped Least Squares procedure.
17O NMR investigation of oxidative degradation in polymers under γ-irradiation

Abstract The γ -irradiated-oxidation of pentacontane (C 50 H 102 ) and the polymer polyisoprene was investigated as a function of oxidation level using 17 O nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that by using 17 O labeled O 2 gas during the γ -irradiation process, details about the oxidative degradation mechanisms can be directly obtained from the analysis of the 17 O NMR spectra. Production of carboxylic acids is the primary oxygen-containing functionality during the oxidation of pentacontane, while ethers and alcohols are the dominant oxidation product observed for polyisoprene. The formation of ester species during the oxidation process is very minor for both materials, with water also being produced in significant amounts during the radiolytic oxidation of polyisoprene. The ability to focus on the oxidative component of the degradation process using 17 O NMR spectroscopy demonstrates the selectivity of this technique over more conventional approaches.
Development of a guidebook for senior students applying for residency training in obstetrics and gynecology.

This article describes a detailed residency guidebook that I developed over the course of 4 years based on interaction with 42 student advisees. Questions most frequently asked by the students were recorded, and comprehensive written responses were prepared that addressed their specific concerns. The completed guidebook contains several major sections. The introductory portion provides a general description of the discipline of obstetrics and gynecology, outlines the format of residency training programs, and assesses the competitiveness of residencies in obstetrics and gynecology compared with other disciplines. The second section lists deadlines for completing various tasks, such as selecting an adviser, planning the senior curriculum, requesting and submitting applications, preparing the curriculum vitae and personal statement, and soliciting letters of recommendation. The next section of the guidebook provides suggestions for the senior curriculum and specifically addresses the issue of “audition electives” in obstetrics and gynecology. The next two sections present formats for the student's personal statement and curriculum vitae. Next, guidelines for requesting letters of recommendation are presented. Thereafter, information is provided to help students determine the number of applications they should submit, and training programs targeted by the student are classified by size, type, and competitiveness. Finally, the guidebook addresses questions related to scheduling and preparing for interviews.
Absorbed Dose in Water: Comparison of Several Methods Using a Liquid Ionization Chamber

In the present investigation a liquid ionization chamber has been used as a transfer instrument for the quantity absorbed dose in water in a cobalt-60 gamma-ray beam. The characteristics of the liquid ionization chamber are described. The transferred dosi-metric information has been compared with absorbed-dose determination using air-ionization-chamber dosimetry, water calori-metry and ferrous-sulphate dosimetry. The agreement between the different measured absorbed-dose values is very good, i.e. within 0.2%. This is an indication that the consistency in the methods used to determine absorbed dose in water is good. The impact of the new standard for air kerma in air, introduced in 1986 by the BIPM, on the air-ionization-chamber dosimetry is investigated. It is shown that any differences in the dosimetry when using the old or the new set of data cancel out for the cobalt-60 beam. The investigation also shows that the value of E, C for the ferrous-sulphate dosimeter recommended in ICRU 35 for electrons can ...
Immunological Response of an Elasmobranch to Human Influenza Virus

INVESTIGATIONS here concerning virus infections of marine animals and of their cells in tissue culture indicated the need for an understanding of the immunological responses of such animals. To our knowledge there are no published reports on antibody production in marine fish (elasmobranchs or teleosts), although such investigations have been reported for fresh-water fish1–4. This paper represents a preliminary report on the production of viral antibodies in sharks.
Whistleblowing in Dentistry: What are the Ethical Issues?

What should you do when you see another dental professional's substandard work? What dental professionals are most likely to encounter whistleblowing dilemmas? Generic components of whistleblowing that apply to dentistry and factors to consider when choosing to report are discussed.
Effect of Gamma-Radiation on Ferriprotoporphyrin

IN dilute aqueous solution the oxidized prosthetic group of haemoglobin and catalase, ferriprotoporphyrin (the ferric iron derivative of 1,3,5,8-tetramethyl-2,4-divinylporphine-6,7-dipropionic acid) may be affected by ionizing radiation at several places in its complex structure. Dale and Russell1 and Barron and Johnson2 observed spectroscopic changes which led them to conclude that the porphyrin ring was broken. In addition, Barron and Johnson found that in the absence of oxygen the spectrum was changed to that of a ferroprotoporphyrin. We have obtained spectroscopic evidence that a new compound is produced before the ring is broken, and that the vinyl side-chains play an important part in its formation. It is also found that hydrogen peroxide will produce this compound.
STAT5b Down-regulates Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor α Transcription by Inhibition of Ligand-independent Activation Function Region-1trans-Activation Domain

Growth hormone-activated STAT5b inhibits by up to 80% the transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha, a nuclear receptor activated by diverse environmental chemicals and hypolipidemic drugs classified as peroxisome proliferators. This inhibitory cross-talk between STAT5b and PPAR is now reported for PPAR forms gamma and delta and for thyroid hormone receptor, indicating a more general potential for inhibitory cross-talk between JAK/STAT and nuclear receptor signaling pathways. Further investigations revealed that SOCS-3, a growth hormone-inducible negative regulator of cytokine signaling to STAT5b, abolished the STAT5b inhibitory response. A constitutively active STAT5b mutant failed to inhibit PPARalpha activity, indicating that STAT5b does not induce synthesis of a more proximal PPARalpha inhibitor. STAT5b inhibition was not reversed by overexpression of the heterodimerization partner of PPAR (retinoid X receptor) or the nuclear receptor coactivators P300 and SRC-1, suggesting that STAT5b does not inhibit PPARalpha by competing for these limiting cellular cofactors. STAT5b did not inhibit a chimeric receptor comprised of yeast GAL4 DNA-binding domain linked to the ligand binding/AF-2 trans-activation domain of PPARalpha, indicating that the COOH-terminal AF-2 domain of PPAR is not the target of STAT5b inhibition. Rather, STAT5b inhibited transcription driven by the NH(2)-terminal ligand-independent AF-1 trans-activation domain of PPARalpha in a GAL4-linked chimera by approximately 80%. The conservation of this AF-1 trans-activation function in many nuclear receptors suggests that AF-1 may serve as an important target for inhibitory cross-talk between STAT transcription factors and nuclear receptors in a variety of signaling pathways.
Dissolved and particulate trace metals in meltwater from the Rhône glacier

Glacial meltwater and sediment at the source of the River Rhone have been analyzed to determine: 1. the partitioning of Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr. Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn between the water and particulate phase. 2. the particle size ranges which affect the dissolved trace metal ion composition of the meltwater and 3. the availability (potential release) of the ten trace metal ions from the sediment. Greater than 80% of the total Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn were found to be in operationally-defined (0.4 μm) dissolved forms. Fe and Al in the meltwater are primarily associated with particles in the size range 0.4–8 μm, while Cd. Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn occur with particles smaller than 0.1 μm. For the sediment, Cu, Ni and Pb were significantly present as exchangeable forms; only Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined as organicallybound forms.
Partial Sequence and Survey Analysis Identify a Multipartite, Negative-Sense RNA Virus Associated with Fig Mosaic.

ABSTRACT RNA and nucleotide sequence-based analyses were used to identify viruses in fig mosaic (FM)-affected fig (Ficus carica) trees. Nucleotide sequence analyses of 267 cloned cDNAs identified sequences corresponding to four viruses representing four distinct taxa from fig trees in California. Virus sequences corresponding to members of the family Closteroviridae were most common (55 sequences). We also found two sequences for an Umbravirus, one sequence corresponding to a Luteovirus-associated RNA, and two sequences that showed homology to European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus (EMARAV). Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and northern hybridization analyses were used to confirm the presence of specific virus RNAs in fig trees. A survey of 184 fig trees from a germplasm collection, a commercial orchard, backyards, and feral fig trees showed that one virus was most common (detected in 96% of tested samples), while none of the other virus sequences were detected in more tha...
Programming Maintenance after Correspondence Training Interventions with Children.

Interventions were employed to program maintenance following correspondence training. The use of reinforcement of verbalization and a mixed sequence of procedures designed to establish indiscriminable contingencies was evaluated in multiple-baseline designs across subjects and behaviors. The results indicated that target behaviors were maintained under less intrusive interventions and in the absence of programmed contingencies during extended follow-up conditions. The results are discussed in terms of changes in reinforcement schedules established in maintenance interventions.
Outpatient Management of Home Oxygen for Bronchiolitis

Objective. Home O2 has been shown to reduce hospitalizations for bronchiolitis but data on outpatient management of home O2 are lacking. We aim to describe outpatient management and challenges to home O2 for bronchiolitis. Methods. We surveyed Colorado and Utah (where home O2 use is prevalent) chapter members of the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding bronchiolitis home O2 management. Results. A total of 1030 providers were surveyed. The response rate was 21% (n = 214). Ninety percent of practicing primary care providers reported experience with home O2. Of those, 46% see patients on postdischarge day 1. Most providers see patients 1 to 3 times before stopping O2. Eighty percent continue O2 for 3 to 7 days. Weaning procedures vary and 56% practice more than 1 method. Most (41%) do not use continuous pulse oximetry. Challenges include parental noncompliance (51%) and difficulty knowing when to stop the O2 (57%). Conclusions. Management of home O2 in patients with bronchiolitis is a common in UT and CO...
Lifting the veil on the transcriptome

Inhibition of the cellular RNA surveillance system in Arabidopsis thaliana results in the accumulation of thousands of transcripts arising from annotated and unannotated regions of the genome. This normally hidden transcriptome is replete with noncoding RNAs with the potential to regulate wide-ranging physiological activities.
Two Studies Feed the Debate on Active Surveillance for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Carriage: To Screen or Not to Screen?

[5] are but a few examples. Two of the more prominent antibiotic-resistant pathogens are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycinresistant enterococci (VRE). According to a recent report from the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), MRSA accounted for nearly 60% of all nosocomial S. aureus infections in intensive care units (ICUs), whereas 29% of enterococcal infections in this population were caused by vancomycin-resistant species [6]. Infection with either pathogen leads to substantial morbidity and mortality, even compared with infection with their antibiotic-sensitive counterparts. MRSA infections have been associated with more prolonged hospitalizations, higher costs, and higher mortality than methicillin-sensitive S. aureus infections [7-10]. VRE, which is sometimes wrongly considered to be a minor pathogen, can also cause substantial morbidity. Bacteremia caused by VRE, after adjustment for severity of illness, is associated with higher recurrence, mortality, and excess costs than vancomycin-sensitive enterococcal infection [11-13]. Individuals can become colonized with