cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitric oxide and portal hypertension: Interface of vasoreactivity and angiogenesis

Portal pressure is described mathematically as a function of flow and resistance across the hepatic vasculature, otherwise known as Ohm’s law: (pressureZflow!resistance) [1]. In cirrhosis, increased intrahepatic resistance results from both intrahepatic vasoconstriction and surrounding mechanical factors including collagen deposition and regenerative nodules. Although recent studies are demonstrating a dynamic component to mechanical factors [2], these are not currently a reliable target for portal pressure reduction. Intrahepatic vasoconstriction is more reversible and probably contributes upwards to 25% of increased resistance [3], however, some recent experimental studies suggest this may be an underestimation of the full effect of intrahepatic vasoconstriction on portal pressure elevation [4]. Within the splanchnic and systemic circulation there is increased cardiac output and hyperdynamic circulation that contributes to increased flow into the portal circulation thereby perpetuating portal hypertension. Vascular remodeling and angiogenesis occurs at the portosystemic interface in attempt to relieve the resulting excess portal pressure and allow decompression by redistributing flow through esophageal and hemorrhoidal collaterals. Unfortunately, the resulting generation of varices is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Nitric oxide (NO) is a central mediator of these vasoreactive and angiogenic abnormalities and is the focus of this review. For more detailed discussion of portal hemodynamics, clinical manifestations, and other non-NO based mechanisms, see other reviews [1,5–7].
Response of air‐sea carbon fluxes and climate to orbital forcing changes in the Community Climate System Model

[1] A global general circulation model coupled to an ocean ecosystem model is used to quantify the response of carbon fluxes and climate to changes in orbital forcing. Compared to the present-day simulation, the simulation with the Earth's orbital parameters from 115,000 years ago features significantly cooler northern high latitudes but only moderately cooler southern high latitudes. This asymmetry is explained by a 30% reduction of the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation that is caused by an increased Arctic sea ice export and a resulting freshening of the North Atlantic. The strong northern high-latitude cooling and the direct insolation induced tropical warming lead to global shifts in precipitation and winds to the order of 10%–20%. These climate shifts lead to regional differences in air-sea carbon fluxes of the same order. However, the differences in global net air-sea carbon fluxes are small, which is due to several effects, two of which stand out: first, colder sea surface temperature leads to a more effective solubility pump but also to increased sea ice concentration which blocks air-sea exchange, and second, the weakening of Southern Ocean winds that is predicted by some idealized studies occurs only in part of the basin, and is compensated by stronger winds in other parts.
Electrochemical reduction of (1R,2r,3S,4R,5r,6S)-hexachlorocyclohexane (Lindane) at carbon cathodes in dimethylformamide

Abstract Direct reduction of Lindane (1R,2r,3S,4R,5r,6S-hexachlorocyclohexane, 1) at carbon cathodes in dimethylformamide (DMF) containing 0.10 M tetra-n-butylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TBABF4) has been explored by means of cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential (bulk) electrolysis. Cyclic voltammograms for reduction of 1 at a glassy carbon electrode exhibit two cathodic peaks at −1.40 V and −2.10 V as well as an anodic peak at −1.93 V; the first cathodic peak is attributed to reduction of 1 itself, whereas the second cathodic peak is due to reduction of chlorobenzene that is derived from 1. Controlled-potential (bulk) electrolyses conducted with reticulated vitreous carbon electrodes held at −1.70 or −2.20 V reveal that reduction of 1 is essentially a six-electron process that affords benzene as major product (80–100% yield) along with small amounts of chlorobenzene (3–10% yield). To account for these products, a mechanism is proposed that is supported by the results of theoretical computations based on density functional theory.
A high-capacity maintenance-free generating system for motor coaches

High electric output and long life without maintenance are achieved in a recently developed generating system designed for use in motor coaches. It is expected that this system will also find application in marine engines, power shovels, and military equipment.
Somatization and conversion disorders: comorbidity and demographics at presentation

Although somatization disorder and conversion disorder are linked in DSM-III and DSM-III-R, they have very different histories. To directly compare these disorders, we reviewed the records accrued for 2 years at a large medical center and identified 65 somatization disorder patients and 51 conversion disorder patients. They differed substantially. The large majority (78%) of conversion disorder patients and nearly all (95%) of the somatization disorder patients were women. Ages at onset occurred throughout the life span among conversion disorder patients but mostly before the age of 21 among the somatization disorder patients. Somatization disorder patients were more likely to have had a history of depression, attempted suicide, panic disorder and divorce.
The E3-10.4K protein of adenovirus is an integral membrane protein that is partially cleaved between Ala22 and Ala23 and has a Ccyt orientation.

Abstract The Ad2 E3-10.4K protein is required together with the E3-14.5K protein to down-regulate the epidermal growth factor receptor in adenovirus-infected cells. Both proteins are also required to prevent tumor necrosis factor cytolysis under certain conditions. 10.4K is a 91 amino acid membrane-associated protein that migrates as two bands, upper and lower, on SDS-PAGE. We show here that the upper band is the primary translation product which initiates at AUG 2173 in the E3 transcription unit of Ad2. The upper band is processed slowly (>4 hr to complete) into the lower band by proteolytic cleavage between residues Ala 22 and Ala 23 by a microsome-associated protease. The upper and lower bands become equal in abundance, after which they are very stable. The N-terminus of the in vivo-derived upper band is not blocked to sequencing and it retains its initiating Met. 10.4K has a hydrophobic domain (H1) near its N-terminus that is probably a signal sequence for membrane insertion; cleavage of this signal is atypical because it was not contranslational in vivo and it was not complete. 10.4K has a second hydrophobic domain (H2) located within residues 35–60. H2 appears to be a transmembrane (stop transfer) domain because both the upper and the lower 10.4K bands remained associated with membranes after extraction at pH 11.5, because both bands were extracted into the detergent phase with Triton X-114, and because both bands were only partially reduced in size when 10.4K-containing microsomes were digested with proteinase K. These proteinase K-digested bands were immunoprecipitated with an antipeptide antiserum against residues 19–34 but not with an antiserum against residues 68–80 or 77–91, indicating that both 10.4K bands are orientated in the membrane with the C-terminus in the cytoplasm. We conclude that the lower band of 10.4K is a type I bitopic membrane protein and suggest that the upper band is a polytopic membrane protein with both the H1 and the H2 hydrophobic domains spanning the membrane.
Diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis: the Mayo Clinic experience.

Background & Aims: The Japan Pancreas Society criteria for diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) mandate presence of characteristic imaging (diffuse pancreatic enlargement with diffusely irregular, narrow pancreatic duct). AIP has unique histologic features associated with infiltration of tissues of affected organs with abundant IgG4-positive cells. We propose expanded diagnostic criteria for AIP with a cohort of histologically confirmed AIP. Methods: We reviewed the pancreatic imaging findings on computed tomography scans, serum IgG4 levels, other organ involvement, and response to steroids in 29 consecutive patients who met histologic criteria for AIP. Results: Computed tomography scans (n = 22) showed diffuse pancreatic enlargement in 6 (27%) patients; the rest had focal enlargement, distinct mass, normal pancreas, or focal acute pancreatitis. Serum IgG4 level was elevated in 15 of 21 (71%) patients, and other organ involvement (eg, intrahepatic biliary strictures) was noted in 11 of 29 (38%) patients. All 17 patients treated with steroids exhibited resolution/marked improvement of pancreatic/extrapancreatic manifestation. On the basis of this experience we propose that diagnosis of AIP can be made in patients with ≥1 of these criteria: (1) diagnostic histology, (2) characteristic imaging on computed tomography and pancreatography with elevated serum IgG4 level, or (3) response to steroid therapy of pancreatic/extrapancreatic manifestations of AIP. Twenty additional patients met expanded diagnostic criteria for AIP, and their demographic and clinical profile was similar to that of the 29 patients meeting histologic criteria. Conclusions: AIP defined by histological criteria shows a wide spectrum of radiologic features, with characteristic imaging seen only in a minority. Incorporation of additional features into current diagnostic criteria can identify the full spectrum of clinical presentations of AIP.
Note on the role of vibrational modes in molecular electronic transitions

A simple application of a readily available quantum chemistry program (AMPAC) permits an illuminating presentation of the role of vibrational modes in electronic transitions. A direct comparison of modal surfaces for different electronic states of the same molecule can be made by using a perspective plot of the Duschinsky matrix for the transition with mode indices or eigenvalue sequence, as the planar axes. The sum of squares of the off-diagonal elements of the Duschinsky matrix can be used to give a measure of the difference between vibrational modes of the initial and final states. Calculations indicate that, in biacetyl, the triplet state is closer vibrationally to the anion ground state than either the singlet or the neutral ground state, while in glyoxal the ground state neutral has greater vibrational similarity to the anion ground state. The measure also indicates little change in vibrational modes upon intersystem crossing in formaldehyde.
Openings and Closings

In December of 1991 the AAR Program Committee met in Syracuse. As usual, reports from the various program units about the preceding meeting in New Orleans and the petitions to establish new program units occupied much of the working time of the committee. Another agenda item was to identify possible persons to present the opening lecture for 1991. When we arrived at that item, President-elect Robert Neville announced in a non-discussable and pre-emptory way that I was to do it! When he began, I had just opened my mouth to offer some ideas about possible lecturers; when he concluded, my mouth was, I am certain, agape. In ordinary language, among the many usages of the terms, a mouth is one of the frequent referents of the words "closings" and "openings." By making his announcement, Neville simultaneously closed the conversation and left my mouth wide open. After awhile a title came to mind: "Openings and Closings." All that remained was to conjure up a speech to go with the title. This kind of public speaking at annual meetings has not been the typical genre for my work in the Academy for the past nine years. And the prospect of doing so during my last annual meeting in the office of Executive Director has been daunting, the more so for having to follow the masterful Jonathan Z. Smith and the magisterial Robert Michaelsen, my predecessors since this opening lecture was initiated in 1989. Nevertheless, I feel very honored to have been invited to make this presentation, since this annual meeting does mark the closing of my nine years in this position. For if we know anything at all from our studies, one of those things is that celebratory occasions are important in marking life passages. However, now that the time has arrived, the task remains daunting.
Effect of cordycepin on induction of tyrosine aminotransferase employing hepatoma cells in tissue culture.

Abstract Cordycepin acts like actinomycin in that it prevents the induction of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) by cortisol in the H-35 or HTC cells when added 1 2 h before cortisol. Unlike actinomycin, cordycepin did not further increase the levels of TAT which had been induced by cortisol in either the H-35 or HTC cells. Also in contrast to actinomycin, cordycepin did not interfere with the decline in TAT following removal of cortisol from the H-35 or HTC cells which had been induced with cortisol overnight. The effect of cordycepin on TAT was not a result of an effect at the translational level. Moreover when actinomycin D and cordycepin were added to the same plates the level of TAT increased thus indicating that cordycepin did not interfere with the action of actinomycin D. Cordycepin, like actinomycin D, did not block the induction of TAT by insulin in the H-35 or HTC cells, nor did it block the induction of TAT by DBC in the H-35 cells. The H-35 cells have about ten times more TAT activity than have HTC cells when both are induced with cortisol, and both lines can be induced to proportionately higher levels of activity by insulin in the presence of cortisol. Both lines respond similarly to cordycepin and to actinomycin D. Since both compounds inhibit RNA synthesis, while high levels of actinomycin D produce ‘superinduction’ of TAT with or without the presence of cordycepin it is difficult to see how actinomycin can produce this phenomenon purely in terms of the inhibition of RNA synthesis, as the Tomkins model proposes, without several additional ad hoc hypotheses.
Extra-cardiac neural remodeling in humans with cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias

5.1 Extra-cardiac neural remodeling in humans with cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias O.A. Ajijola, J.J. Wisco, H.W. Lambert, E.M. Stark, A. Mahajan, M.C. FIshbein, K. Shivkumar (University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA), (West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA) Background: Intra-myocardial nerve sprouting after myocardial infarction is associated with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Whether human stellate ganglia remodel in association with cardiac pathology was unknown. The purpose of our study was to determine whether cardiac pathology is associated with remodeling of the stellate ganglia in humans. Methods and Results: Left stellate ganglia (LSG) were collected from patients undergoing sympathetic denervation for intractable ventricular arrhythmias, and from cadavers, along with intact hearts. Clinical data on patients and cadaveric subjects were reviewed extensively. We classified ganglia from normal; scarred; and non-ischemic cardiomyopathic hearts without scar as NL (n = 3); SCAR (n = 24); and NICM (n = 7), respectively. Within LSG, we measured neuronal size, density, fibrosis, synaptic density and nerve sprouting. Nerve density and sprouting were also quantified in obtained cadaveric hearts. Mean neuronal size in NL, SCAR, and NICM groups were; 320 ± 4 μm, 372 ± 10 μm, and 435± 10 μm (p= 0.002). No significant differences in neuronal density and fibrosis were present between the groups. Synaptic density in SCAR and NICM ganglia were 57.8 ± 11.2um/mm (p= 0.039) and 44.5 ± 7.9um/mm (p= 0.084) respectively, compared to the NL, 17.8 ± 7um/mm (overall p = 0.162). There were no significant differences in LSG nerve sprouting ormyocardial nerve density between the groups. In a porcinemodel of chronic infarcts, neurochemical changes were also observed in addition to increased neuronal size. Conclusions: Neuronal hypertrophy within LSG is associated with chronic cardiomyopathy in humans. Ganglionic and myocardial nerve sprouting and nerve density were not significantly different. A porcine model recapitulates these findings, and demonstrates neurochemical rmodeling. These changes may be related to increased cardiac sympathetic signaling and VAs. Further studies are needed to determine the electrophysiologic consequences of extra-cardiac neuronal remodeling in humans. doi:10.1016/j.autneu.2013.05.030
Depressive symptom profiles and severity patterns in outpatients with psychotic vs nonpsychotic major depression

Background: Previous research suggests that patients with psychotic major depression (PMD) may differ from those with nonpsychotic major depression (NMD) not only in psychotic features but also in their depressive symptom presentation. The present study contrasted the rates and severity of depressive symptoms in outpatients diagnosed with PMD vs NMD. Method: The sample consisted of 1112 patients diagnosed with major depression, of which 60 (5.3%) exhibited psychotic features. Depressive symptoms were assessed by trained diagnosticians at intake using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition and supplemented by severity items from the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia. Results: Patients with PMD were more likely to endorse the presence of weight loss, insomnia, psychomotor agitation, indecisiveness, and suicidality compared with NMD patients. Furthermore, PMD patients showed higher levels of severity on several depressive symptoms, including depressed mood, appetite loss, insomnia, psychomotor disturbances (agitation and retardation), fatigue, worthlessness, guilt, cognitive disturbances (concentration and indecisiveness), hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. The presence of psychomotor disturbance, insomnia, indecisiveness, and suicidal ideation was predictive of diagnostic status even after controlling for the effects of demographic characteristics and other symptoms. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with past research suggesting that PMD is characterized by a unique depressive symptom profile in addition to psychotic features and higher levels of overall depression severity. The identification of specific depressive symptoms in addition to delusions/hallucinations that can differentiate PMD vs NMD patients can aid in the early detection of the disorder. These investigations also provide insights into potential treatment targets for this high-risk population.
Clinical process cost analysis.

Abstract Background . New systems of reimbursement are exerting enormous pressure on clinicians and hospitals to reduce costs. Using cheaper supplies or reducing the length of stay may be a satisfactory short-term solution, but the best strategy for long-term success is radical reduction of costs by reengineering the processes of care. However, few clinicians or institutions know the actual costs of medical care; nor do they understand, in detail, the activities involved in the delivery of care. Finally, there is no accepted method for linking the two. Methods . Clinical process cost analysis begins with the construction of a detailed flow diagram incorporating each activity in the process of care. The cost of each activity is then calculated, and the two are linked. This technique was applied to Diagnosis Related Group 75 to analyze the real costs of the operative treatment of lung cancer at one institution. Results . Total costs varied between $6,400 and $7,700. The major driver of costs was personnel time, which accounted for 55% of the total. Forty percent of the total cost was incurred in the operating room. The cost of care decreased progressively during hospitalization. Conclusions . Clinical process cost analysis provides detailed information about the costs and processes of care. The insights thus obtained may be used to reduce costs by reengineering the process.
The multi-dimensional nature of environmental attitudes among farmers in Indiana: implications for conservation adoption

Attempts to understand farmer conservation behavior based on quantitative socio-demographic, attitude, and awareness variables have been largely inconclusive. In order to understand fully how farmers are making conservation decisions, 32 in-depth interviews were conducted in the Eagle Creek watershed in central Indiana. Coding for environmental attitudes and practice adoption revealed several dominant themes, representing multi-dimensional aspects of environmental attitudes. Farmers who were motivated by off-farm environmental benefits and those who identified responsibilities to others (stewardship) were most likely to adopt conservation practices. Those farmers who focused on the farm as business and were most concerned about profitability were less likely to adopt practices. The notion of environmental stewardship in particular was found to be much more complex than the way it is traditionally measured in quantitative studies. The interplay between on-farm and off-farm benefits to practice adoption is an issue that quantitative studies largely do not address. This study seeks to increase understanding of farmers’ environmental attitudes and the connections to conservation behavior.
Ambient 60-Hz magnetic flux density in an urban neighborhood.

A residential neighborhood in Buffalo, NY, was surveyed with a magnetic field meter to evaluate whether or not spot measurements are reliable predictors of the 60-Hz fields at street corners and residences. The results of repeated measurements over 7 days at 33 street corners in this neighborhood indicate that day-to-day variation in power line magnetic fields is negligible (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94). Multivariate linear regression analysis of the data indicates that transmission lines and thick, three-phase primary wires near the field measurement site are strong predictors and account for the majority of the ambient magnetic field variance between locations (multiple correlation coefficient squared = 0.60; F ratio = 22.2, P less than .001). Magnetic fields measured at the front sidewalk were highly correlated with fields at the front doorsteps of 45 homes in this neighborhood (gamma = 0.81). These results suggest that ambient power line magnetic field levels at urban residences can be reliably characterized on a one-time site inspection using a hand-held magnetic field meter and a simple wiring classification system.
Developmental Intervention for Preterm Infants with Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage and/or Periventricular Leukomalacia. † 1219

Multisensory intervention in the NICU was implemented in a randomized study population of preterm infants ≤32 wk GA at birth with neurosonogram findings of grade 3-4 intraventricular hemorrhage &/or cavitary periventricular leukomalacia (CNS Injury). A stress-reduced environment was in place for all infants. The experimental group received a program of in-hospital Auditory, Tactile, Visual and Vestibular (ATVV) intervention sessions for 15 min. each, twice a day, 5 days/ week, for 3-6 weeks by trained nurses, beginning at 33 weeks postconceptional age after informed consent. Infants were polygraphically monitored for heart rate, respiratory rate, SpO2, temperature, color and behavioral state before, during, and after intervention. A matched group of infants with normal neurosonograms were compared, with and without ATVV. Infant groups were comparable with regard to Apgar scores (p>.78), GA at birth (p>.35), medical(Minde p>.70) and social factors (p>.05), except for fewer male intervention infants (p=02). Parents were trained regarding continuation of intervention at home. The infants were evaluated blindly in a multidisciplinary developmental follow-up program at 2, 4, 8, and 12 mo. corrected age: physical and neurological and motor assessment, Bayley mental and motor testing. A total of 39 infants were enrolled, 20 intervention, 19 control--22 infants have been evaluated thus far at 12 mo. Kruskal-Wallis analysis of percent CNS injured infants scoring < 50(moderate/severe delay) on the Bayley scales at 12 mo. revealed significantly fewer numbers in the intervention group (p<.05).Table
Cerebral brain endocast pattern of Australopithecus afarensis hominid.

It is rare for cerebral convolutional details to be imprinted on the internal table of cranial bone of fossil hominids. To date, the South African examples have shown the best detail, although surrounded by considerable controversy1–3. Given that the Hadar specimens are the oldest hominids known (3–4 Myr BP)4,5, and have been the subject of considerable debate and interpretation, it is fortunate that such details are found on the cranial bones of at least one specimen, AL 162-28, a small adult6. I report here a preliminary description of that endocast and it appears that despite its smallish pongid-sized brain, some degree of cerebral organization had occurred almost 3–4 Myr ago towards a more human pattern. If correct, this would mean that brain size increase may well have followed locomotion, but that brain organization may have occurred early in hominid evolution. Such a finding would call for a re-examination of our understanding about human evolution, and would require much more caution in assuming either ‘gradualist’ or ‘punctuated equilibria’ models in hominid evolution7,8.
Radiative transfer by the YIX method in nonhomogeneous, scattering, and nongray media

A numerical solution of the integral equation of radiative heat transfer using the YIX method involving a mixture of highly anisotropic scattering particles and a nongray absorbing gas is presented. To validate the three-dimensional calculation, bench mark solutions are established on a model problem using a high-order accuracy method, the product integration method (PIM). Various effects, e.g., the discrete ordinates sets, first integration point of the YIX quadrature, optical thickness of the medium, grid sizes, and spectral resolution on the accuracy of the three-dimensional calculation are discussed. Results for three-dimensional calculations are presented. For all cases, the pressure variation has less significant effect on the results than those by particle density or temperature variations. The three-dimensional nonhomogeneous cases have different trends of variation in radiative flux and divergence due to their nonuniform particle density distribution and nonisothermal participating medium. The use of the YIX method with discrete ordinates for the multidimensional calculations of highly anisotropic scattering and spectrally-dependent medium is shown to be accurate and flexible.
Statistical analysis of wing/fin buffeting response

Abstract The random nature of the aerodynamic loading on the wing and tail structures of an aircraft makes it necessary to adopt a statistical approach in the prediction of the buffeting response. This review describes a buffeting prediction technique based on rigid model pressure measurements that is commonly used in North America, and also the buffet excitation parameter technique favored by many researchers in the UK. It is shown that the two models are equivalent and have their origin based on a statistical theory of the response of a mechanical system to a random load. In formulating the model for predicting aircraft response at flight conditions using rigid model wind tunnel pressure measurements, the wing (fin) is divided into panels, and the load is computed from measured pressure fluctuations at the center of each panel. The methods used to model pressure correlation between panels are discussed. The coupling between the wing (fin) motion and the induced aerodynamics using a doublet-lattice unsteady aerodynamics code is described. The buffet excitation parameter approach to predict flight test response using wind tunnel model data is derived from the equations for the pressure model formulation. Examples of flight correlation with prediction based on wind tunnel measurements for wing and vertical tail buffeting response are presented for a number of aircraft. For rapid maneuvers inside the buffet regime, the statistical properties of the buffet load are usually non-stationary because of the short time records and difficulties in maintaining constant flight conditions. The time history of the applied load is segmented into a number of time intervals. In each time segment, the non-stationary load is represented as a product of a deterministic shaping function and a random function. Various forms of the load power spectral density that permits analytical solution of the mean square displacement and acceleration response are considered. Illustrations are given using F-4E and F-5A wing data to demonstrate the usefulness of this technique.
Prediction of fatal or near fatal arrhythmias in patients with a depressed left ventricular function after an acute myocardial infarction.

The ambitious study by Huikuri et al. 1 for the CHARISMA study group deserves our attention, careful reading, and contemplation about our current practices in predicting malignant arrhythmias in patients with an acute myocardial infarction and depressed left ventricular function, and what we should go from here. Methodologies employed in the study of 312 patients included standard electrocardiogram, heart rate variability/turbulence, ambient arrhythmias, signal-averaged electrocardiogram, T-wave alternans (TWAs), and programmed electrical stimulation (EPS). Ventricular fibrillation or symptomatic sustained ventricular tachycardia, the primary endpoint, was …
Photolysis of SO2 in the presence of foreign gases III. Quenching of emission by foreign gases

Abstract The emission yields of SO 2 at 2.0 Torr pressure were measured in the presence of foreign gases at 25° C with incident radiation at 3130 A. Experiments were performed without and with 0.33 Torr of NO present in order to measure the total and singlet relative emission efficiencies. The foreign gases studied were NO, CO 2 , CO, N 2 , O 2 , N 2 O, H 2 O, OCS, and thiophene. The main purpose of the study was to extend the quenching gas pressure range beyond that used previously, to see if deviations occurred from the Stern-Volmer quenching plots. Such deviations did occur for the emitting singlet state, 1 SO 2 , but not for the emitting triplet state, 3 SO 2 . It is concluded that 1 SO 2 is neither the state initially produced when the radiation is absorbed, nor the exclusive precursor state to 3 SO 2 formation. Relative quenching constants obtained for the singlet and triplet emitting states agree well with previous work. There is no excess 3 SO 2 produced over that predicted from Stern-Volmer quenching.
Nuclear collective flow as a function of projectile energy and mass

The dependence of collective nuclear flow on multiplicity and beam energy for Ca+Ca, Nb+Nb, and Au+Au collisions has been measured with the Plastic Ball detector at the Bevalac. Event by event the data are analyzed with the transverse-momentum method and a new quantitative measure of the flow effect is extracted. It is expected that comparison of the present systematic results with model calculations will lead to a more precise determination of the nuclear-matter equation of state.
Aimed throwing of stones by tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella)

The purpose of this research was to examine aimed throwing of stones by tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Three capuchins (two adults and one juvenile) threw stones at a stationary target located outside their home cages. The monkeys subsequently discriminated between stationary targets and threw stones at a moving target. Each subject exhibited a distinct manual and postural throwing preference. These results demonstrate that capuchins have throwing capabilities which are thought to have been associated with early hominid evolution.
Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam in brain tumor patients

Seizures are a common complication of primary (PBT) and metastatic (MBT) brain tumors, affecting approximately 50% of all patients during the course of their illness. Anti-convulsant therapy of these tumor-induced seizures is often inadequate with conventional anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), due to a variety of factors, including activation of glutaminergic NMDA receptors, immune-mediated neuronal damage, and anatomic alterations of neuronal input pathways. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a new AED with a novel mechanism of action, which includes reducing the Ca++ current through neuron-specific, high voltage activated Ca++ channels (n-type). Because of this unique mechanism, it has been postulated that LEV may be effective in controlling tumor-induced seizures. A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who had received LEV for seizure control. Forty-one patients were reviewed (22 female, 19 male), with a median age of 47.5 years (range 25–81). There were 34 patients with PBT and 7 with MBT. LEV was used as an add-on AED in 33 patients and as monotherapy in eight patients, with a median dose of 1500 mg/day (range 500–3500). The baseline median seizure frequency for the cohort was 1 per week. After the addition of LEV and follow-up for a minimum of 4 weeks, the median seizure frequency was reduced to 0 per week (59% of patients noted complete seizure control). Overall, the seizure frequency was reduced in 90% of patients (P<0.0001; Sign test). The most common toxicity was somnolence, noted in 37% of patients. LEV was very effective and well tolerated in brain tumor patients with seizures, and should be considered for add-on therapy to current AEDs, or as a substitute anti-convulsant for monotherapy.
The effect of the local delivery of platelet-derived growth factor from reactive two-component polyurethane scaffolds on the healing in rat skin excisional wounds

A key tenet of tissue engineering is the principle that the scaffold can perform the dual roles of biomechanical and biochemical support through presentation of the appropriate mediators to surrounding tissue. While growth factors have been incorporated into scaffolds to achieve sustained release, there are a limited number of studies investigating release of biologically active molecules from reactive two-component polymers, which have potential application as injectable delivery systems. In this study, we report the sustained release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) from a reactive two-component polyurethane. The release of PDGF was bi-phasic, characterized by an initial burst followed by a period of sustained release for up to 21 days. Despite the potential for amine and hydroxyl groups in the protein to react with the isocyanate groups in the reactive polyurethane, the in vitro bioactivity of the released PDGF was largely preserved when added as a lyophilized powder. PUR/PDGF scaffolds implanted in rat skin excisional wounds accelerated wound healing relative to the blank PUR control, resulting in almost complete healing with reepithelization at day 14. The presence of PDGF attracted both fibroblasts and mononuclear cells, significantly accelerating degradation of the polymer and enhancing formation of new granulation tissue as early as day 3. The ability of reactive two-component PUR scaffolds to promote new tissue formation in vivo through local delivery of PDGF may present compelling opportunities for the development of novel injectable therapeutics.
Respiratory Patterns and Chronic Heart Failure

To the Editor: A primary rhythm in the central nervous system that entrains both heart rate, blood pressure, and ventilation1 is suggested by profound effects on angina through consciously focusing on breathing and intervening pauses; adaptation to stress manifested by slower, …
Smoking Is an Independent Risk Factor for the Development of Oral Candidiasis (OC) in HIV-1 Infected Persons

Article title and bibliographic information Smoking as a risk factor for oral candidiasis in HIV-infected adults. Chattopadhyay A, Patton LL. J Oral Pathol Med 2013;42(4):302-08 . Reviewers Caroline H. Shiboski, DDS, MPH, PhD, Stephen C. Shiboski, PhD Purpose/Question Is smoking an independent risk factor for OC among adults with HIV/AIDS, and does smoking modify the relationship between OC and other important risk factors like CD4 cell count? Source of funding This investigation was supported by USPHS Grant 5T32DE07191, P30-HD27360, and R29DE11369 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA Type of study/Design Cohort study Level of evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of recommendation grade Not applicable
Emerging Adult Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors Does Shyness Matter

Numerous studies have shown how shyness affects individuals in childhood and adolescence; however, little is known about the effects shyness may have in emerging adulthood. This study addressed how...
The interaction of hydrogen with simple metal surfaces

Abstract The interaction of atomic and molecular hydrogen with a number of simple metal surfaces (Mg(0001), Mg(1120), Li(110), K(110)) has been studied using EELS, TDS, and core-level spectroscopy. Although no evidence for molecular hydrogen adsorption is observed at ⩾ 100 K, atomic hydrogen is bound to the surface in a strongly chemisorbed phase (hydride). When the substrate is annealed, hydrogen is irreversibly absorbed into the bulk region; in the case of the alkali metals, clusters of bulk hydride are nucleated within the bulk clean metal. Overall trends of the H/simple metal interaction are discussed in light of theoretical (jellium model) predictions and experimental results from similar systems.
Analysis of the supersymmetry breaking induced by N = 1 supergravity theories

Abstract We investigate the scalar potential for low energy fields that results from an N = 1 supergravity theory. By requiring that the low energy lagrangian be renormalizable and contain no positive powers of M = (8πG) − 1 2 , we find that the low energy potential is automatically the sum of a globally supersymmetric term | ∂g / ∂y a | 2 plus soft breaking terms. Both canonical and non-canonical kinetic energies are treated.
Overexpression of rhodopsin alters the structure and photoresponse of rod photoreceptors.

Rhodopsins are densely packed in rod outer-segment membranes to maximize photon absorption, but this arrangement interferes with transducin activation by restricting the mobility of both proteins. We attempted to explore this phenomenon in transgenic mice that overexpressed rhodopsin in their rods. Photon capture was improved, and, for a given number of photoisomerizations, bright-flash responses rose more gradually with a reduction in amplification—but not because rhodopsins were more tightly packed in the membrane. Instead, rods increased their outer-segment diameters, accommodating the extra rhodopsins without changing the rhodopsin packing density. Because the expression of other phototransduction proteins did not increase, transducin and its effector phosphodiesterase were distributed over a larger surface area. That feature, as well as an increase in cytosolic volume, was responsible for delaying the onset of the photoresponse and for attenuating its amplification.
Study of the interactions between hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in water by polymer solvent method

The hydrophobic interactions between poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), PNIPAM, and hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide, HMPAM, have been investigated by means of the polymer solvent viscometry method in dilute solutions. When HMPAM aqueous solution is used as a solvent, a divergence from linearity between the reduced viscosities of PNIPAM (as a solute) and CPNIPAM is observed. While PNIPAM aqueous solution is used as a solvent, the linearity is better and the intrinsic viscosity of HMPAM is higher than that in 0.1 M NaCl. The magnitude of mutual interaction parameter KAB suggests the presence of the hydrophobic interaction between HMPAM and PNIPAM, which is dependent on the hydrophobic groups content of HMPAM and temperature. Especially, as temperature increases from 25 to 30°C, the degree of hydrophobic interactions is enhanced, as is reflected in the Huggins coefficient KH of HMPAM increase from 1.954 to 7.987.
Extreme leucocytosis in accidental electric shock.

Abstract Electric shock is a known cause of leucocytosis. It is rarely seen because of the severity of the electrical injury with rapid death. The mechanism of the leukaemoid reaction seems to be pituitary-adrenal stimulation; release of adrenaline, haemoconcentration, and muscular activity are contributory factors.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments: An Overview of Risk-Related Issues

ABSTRACT This series of articles address site-specific issues associated with evaluating exposure and toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments. These include factors that influence the opportunity to come into contact with PAHs in sediments (bioaccessibility) and those that affect the potential for transfer from sediment to ecological and human receptors (bioavailability). Although organic carbon is viewed as an important matrix for sorbing PAHs, studies have shown that there are various forms of carbon, some of which are highly sorptive. These latter forms vary on a site-specific basis and including this form of carbon in the assessment can reduce the uncertainty associated with estimating exposure. Other site-specific factors associated with water clarity, depth, and light penetration can result in enhanced toxicity of PAHs as a result of photoactivation. Chemical analyses of sediments increasingly include the alkylated PAH compounds. Although analyses of this suite of PAH compou...
Effects of statin treatment and withdrawal on angiotensin II-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract Abrupt discontinuation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-A-reductase inhibitors (statins) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. To investigate the molecular mechanisms determining the increased cardiovascular risk after statin withdrawal, we studied the effects of statin treatment and withdrawal on angiotensin II (AII) actions in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in culture. In VSMC, AII stimulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), with an EC50% of 0.86 and 3 nM, respectively. Maximal stimulation was observed after 5–10 min of exposure to AII. Pretreatment with 1–3 μM simvastatin for 24 h inhibited AII-mediated stimulation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation; without affecting the levels on non-phosphorylated MAPK. Washout of simvastatin produced a rebound increase above control levels of AII-mediated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. As previously reported for other agonists, the rebound increase of AII effects was observed from 1 to 3 h after statin withdrawal, and was lost at later times. The basal levels of phosphorylation and the amount of non-phosphorylated kinases were unaffected by statin withdrawal. Similar effects were observed with lovastatin. Our results suggest that statins modulate AII effects in VSMC, and that transient increases in AII effects mediated via the MAPK pathway may play a role in the vascular dysfunction associated with statin withdrawal.
Microwave Measurements on Metallic Delay Media

This paper presents rf index-of-refraction data for metallic delay-lens media containing square and circular obstacles. The equipment used in measuring this data is described, and the necessary correction formulas are given. The test specimens consisted of alternate layers of polyfoam spacers and thin polystyrene sheets imprinted with conducting obstacles. The data may be extended readily to other techniques of fabrication.
Observations of order and chaos in nonlinear systems

Experiments on nonlinear electrical oscillators, the Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction, Rayleigh-Benard convection, and Couette-Taylor flow have revealed several common routes to chaos that have also been found in numerical studies of models with a few degrees of freedom. Experimental results are presented illustrating the following transition sequences; period doubling and the U-sequence, intermittency, the periodic-quasiperiodic-chaotic sequence, frequency locking, and an alternating periodic-chaotic sequence.
Solidification microstructure evolution in the presence of inert particles

Abstract The development of solidification microstructure can be significantly influenced by the presence of inert particles in the liquid during the processing of particulate composites by the solidification techniques. The effect of particles on the microstructural development is characterized through directional solidification experiments in a transparent organic system, succinonitrile, in which the interactions between the particles and the interface can be examined in situ . These particle-interface interactions have been examined in an alloy system in which the long-range solute field interactions between the particles and the interface are dominant. These interactions have been found to be significantly different for different interface morphologies, i.e. planar, cellular or dendritic interfaces. The effect of particles on the morphological changes and on the nature of the particle trapping processes are characterized for different particle distributions, particle sizes and interface morphologies. It is shown that the presence of particles in binary alloys can either cause the instability of the interface, such as dendrite tip splitting, or lead to morphological transitions, such as a dendritic-to-cellular transition. When the particle density is large, the presence of particles significantly influences the interface shape and thereby alters the interface growth characteristics such that an oscillatory behavior of the interface can be obtained under constant externally imposed velocity. Appropriate theoretical ideas are developed to explain the effects of particles on the morphological development of the interface.
The effects of institutional change on geographic variation and health services use in the USA

Abstract This paper examines the impact of institutional change on patient care. Using panel data on obstetric deliveries from the state of California in the United States between 1983 and 2001, it develops and tests hypotheses predicting impacts of three features of institutional change—managed care insurance, changing professional controls and public attention to cost-control practices—on cesarean use and geographic variation in cesarean deliveries. It finds that managed care insurance promotes the diffusion of cost-effective patient care practices, reducing cesarean use and increasing variation. I found that over time, managed care patients experience continued lower use and reduced geographic variation as new practices become established. The combined effects of changing professional controls—the growing importance of clinical guidelines—and public attention to cost-control practices also diffuses cost-effective practices, increasing variation and decreasing cesarean use. Cesarean use increases and geographic variation declines in a period of managed care retreat in the late 1990s. The analysis extends prior research by documenting the impact of institutional change on health services use and variation and by suggesting that geographic variation is caused, in part, by the diffusion of new patient care practices.