cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transmission filter for the “water-window” wavelength region 23–44 Å

Abstract A transmission filter for the “water-window” wavelength region from 23.3 A to 43.7 A has been developed. The filter is composed of thin layers of Sn and Al on Formvar, and the filter transmits radiation above the M absorption edge of Sn at 24.3 A.
Lipid and carbohydrate abnormalities in patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease

Abstract An increased incidence of both abnormal lipoprotein patterns and abnormal reactions to glucose tolerance tests was found in 134 patients with documented coronary artery disease. Fifty-four per cent had an abnormal lipoprotein pattern and 67 per cent an abnormal response to an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Of subjects under age 50, 96 per cent had one or both of the metabolic abnormalities and 80 per cent had an abnormal lipoprotein pattern. The lipoprotein abnormalities were almost equally divided between type II (29 per cent) and type IV (25 per cent) patterns. The presence of a carbohydrate abnormality did not alter the age of appearance of coronary artery disease, but both the type II and type IV lipoprotein abnormalities decreased the mean age of appearance by approximately seven years. The morphologic features of the atherosclerosis as revealed by coronary angiography did not appear to differ among the different metabolic groups. The importance of determining specific metabolic abnormalities is stressed as (1) an aid in predicting risk from coronary artery disease, (2) an aid in making diagnoses in patients with chest pain and (3) a guide to rational therapy in patients with coronary artery disease.
An Electrodiffusion-Filtration Model for Effects of Endothelial Surface Glycocalyx on Microvessel Permeability to Macromolecules

Endothelial surface glycocalyx plays an important role in the regulation of microvessel permeability by possibly changing its charge and configuration. To investigate the mechanisms by which surface properties of the endothelial cells control the changes in microvessel permeability, we extended the electrodiffusion model developed by Fu et al. [Am. J. Physiol. 284, H1240-1250 (2003)], which is for the interendothelial cleft with a negatively charged surface glycocalyx layer, to include the filtration due to hydrostatic and oncotic pressures across the microvessel wall as well as the electrical potential across the glycocalyx layer On the basis of the hypotheses proposed by Curry [Microcirculation 1(1): 11-26 (1994)], the predictions from this electrodiffusion-filtration model provide a good agreement with experimental data for permeability of negatively charged a-lactalbumin summarized in Curry [Microcirculation 1(1), 11-26 (1994)] under various conditions. In addition, we applied this new model to describe the transport of negatively charged macromolecules, bovine serum albumin (BSA), across venular microvessels in frog mesentery. According to the model, the convective component of the albumin transport is greatly diminished by the presence of a negatively charged glycocalyx under both normal and increased permeability conditions.
A general formulation for magnetic exchange coupling within long-distance radical ion pairs

A Hubbard model-based expression for the magnetic exchange interaction, 2J, between the spins of a radical ion pair is derived for a generic donor-bridge-acceptor (D-B(n)-A) system in terms of the superexchange coupling, t, between molecular orbitals of the donor, bridge, and acceptor and the energies, epsilon, and same-site Coulomb repulsions, U, of these orbitals. The formulation is used to predict 2J for the photophysically well-characterized series phenothiazine-p-(phenylene)n-perylene diimide, n = 2,3,4,5, where the superexchange coupling is calculated with multipathway, second- and third-order perturbation theory coupled with the extended Huckel formalism. U and epsilon are estimated through experimentally determined electrochemical potentials. Due to multiple interactions arising from the large distance between magnetic centers in these donor-bridge-acceptor systems, agreement with experiment was substantially improved when third-order corrections were included in the calculation of t and 2J.
Modulation of the inhibitory action of ATP on acetylcholine-activated current by protein phosphorylation in rat sympathetic neurons.

Modulation by protein phosphorylation of the relation between acetylcholine (ACh)-activated current (IACh) and adenosine triphosphate-(ATP)-activated current (IATP) was investigated with the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique in rat sympathetic neurons. During simultaneous activation by 100 μM ATP of an inward current, the current evoked by 100 μM ACh was reduced to 60–70% of that in the absence of ATP. Effects of compounds that are known to modulate protein phosphorylation were tested by including them in the intracellular solution. The reduction ofIACh by ATP was not observed when K252a (1 μM), a non-selective protein kinase inhibitor, adenosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP[γS], 1 mM) orα,β-methylene ATP (1 mM) were included in the intracellular solution. Activators of protein kinases, adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP, 100 μM), guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP, 100 μM), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 1 μM), also abolished the reduction by ATP ofIACh. The effects of okadaic acid, a protein phosphatase inhibitor, were paradoxical: okadaic acid (2 μM) itself abolished the reduction by ATP ofIACh but it “antagonized” the abolishment by cAMP or cGMP of the reduction ofIACh. Okadaic acid did not affect the disappearance of the reduction ofIACh by ATP in the presence of intracellular PMA. The results suggest that the interaction betweenIACh andIATP is regulated by protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. Possible mechanisms underlying the effects of these modulators of protein phosphorylation are discussed.
Principle-based concept analysis: recognition in the context of nurse-patient interactions

Title. Principle-based concept analysis: recognition in the context of nurse–patient interactions. Aim. This paper is a report of a principle-based concept analysis of recognition in the context of nurse–patient interactions. Background. Recognition is a concept employed in practice and research. Since nursing is patient-centred and care is problem-driven, the specificity and accuracy of recognition may have an impact on how nurses label patient phenomena, interventions initiated and patient outcomes. Data sources. The data set included 98 English language articles published from 1997 to 2008 and retrieved through Medline and CINAHL searches. Methods. Principle-based concept analysis was used to examine the state of the science according to major perspectives of the philosophy of science. Conceptual components were integrated into a theoretical definition and the process of recognition was conceptually modelled. Findings. The scientific literature dealing with recognition in the context of nurse–patient interactions relies on implied meaning. Recognition is a process marked by an awareness of evidence coupled with the formulation of a conceptual label summarizing the identified pattern of patient phenomena. Contextual features of the nurse, patient and organization are relevant during nurse–patient interactions, resulting in pivotal points in nursing care. These pivotal points are the moments of recognition when the nurse consciously applies a summary label to interpreted evidence. Outcomes of recognition include a choice to act or not to act, each option carrying significant outcomes for nurses, patients, and at times, organizations. Conclusion. A working definition was produced that will serve as a foundation for future concept-driven research to advance the concept toward greater precision and usefulness in nursing science.
CONTACT TRANSFER OF DIFLUBENZURON (DIMILIN®) BY BOLL WEEVILS1 AND THE RELATION OF SITE OF APPLICATION AND EFFECT ON EGG HATCH

The growth-regulating chemical diflubenzuron (tested as TH=6040, now formulated as Dimilin®), N(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea) was (1) applied to tarsi or to genital sternites of male or female boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, that were then placed with untreated weevils of the opposite sex; (2) applied to genital sternites of either males or females and then placed with the egg-laying females; (3) placed directly on the genital sternites of egg-laying females; or (4) applied directly to the soft integument under the elytra. TH-6040 applied to the soft dorsal integument produced a higher level of inhibition of egg hatch than did tarsal contact treatment. Application to males had a distinct effect but much smaller, on egg hatch of eggs from their mates than did direct application to the females. Application to hard cuticle (genital sternites) was less effective than to soft integument (i.e., there was less inhibition of hatch, and the rate of recovery was faster). ZUSAMMENFASSUNG KONTAKTUBERTRAGUNG VON DIFLUBENZURON (DIMILIN®) BEIM BAUMWOLLKAPSELKAFER UND ZUSAMMENHANG ZWISCHEN APPLIKATIONSORT UND WIRKUNG AUF DAS EISCHLUPFEN Der Wirkstoff Diflubenzuron (gepruft als TH-6040 und nun formuliert als Dimilin®, Thomson Hayward Chemical Co., Baton Rouge, La., U.S.A.) N(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2,6, difluorobenzoyl)harnstoff) wurde ausgewachsenen Baumwollkapselkafern (Anthonomus grandis. Boh.) mit zwei Verfahren auf die Epidermis appliziert. Dabei sollte bei eierlegenden Weibchen der Effekt des Stoffes und die Ubertragung des Stoffes von andern unterschiedlich behandelten Insekten gepruft werden. Tarsalkontakt wurde erreicht, indem Mannchen und Weibchen in behandelten Glasschalen gehalten wurden. Ferner wurde 2,8 μg des Wirkstoffs am Genitalsternit oder am weichen Integument unter den Deckflugeln appliziert. So behandelte Weibchen wurden mit eierlegenden Weibchen zusammengebracht. Behandelte Mannchen wurden wahrend eines Tages mit eierlegenden Weibchen gehalten. Eierlegende Weibchen wurden auch direkt behandelt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Applikation an den Tarsen und am weichen Integument ahnliche Hemmwirkungen auf das Eischlupfen ausubt. Die Applikation am Genitalsternit war weniger erfolgreich. Der Stoff wurde von behandelten Mannchen auf Weibchen ubertragen und reduzierte das Eischlupfen. Der Effekt war aber schwacher und kurzer dauernd als bei direkter Applikation. Auch von Weibchen zu Weibchen erfolgte eine Ubertragung, allerdings in geringerem Ausmass. Bei Anwendung des Wirkstoffs im Feld kann nicht mit einer grossen Ubertragung von Insekt zu Insekt gerechnet werden. Der Stoff muss direkt auf die Weibchen appliziert werden, oder es muss eine ausreichende behandelte Laubmasse fur Tarsalkontakt vorhanden sein.
On solving problems in the mechanics of solids and fluids by a generalized method of characteristics

Abstract A generalized method of characteristics is used to find solutions to nonlinear problems in the mechanics of solids and fluids. Applicability of the method to partial differential equations of higher order is demonstrated by constructing solutions to the Korteweg-de Vries equation, including soliton and centered wave solutions. Systems of two, first order, nonlinear partial differential equations with two independent variables are solved in order to demonstrate the applicability of the method in such cases. A single, first order partial differential equation need not be treated since the generalized method of characteristics has been shown to reduce to the classical method in this case [14]. We conclude with the construction of generalized characteristic solutions to the equations of antiplane, isotropic, power-law creep (i.e. nonlinear systems with three independent and three dependent variables).
Structural requirements for T-cell recognition of tyrosine-azobenzene-arsonate in the rat and mouse

Abstract The ability of various analogues of tyrosine-azobenzenearsonate (ABA-tyr) to elicit responses in CBA mice and Lewis rats was studied in order to determine the essential features for association with Ia molecules on accessory cells and T-cell recognition. Exquisite specificity for the AsO 3 H 2 group was found in the rat while substantial cross-reactivity was seen in the mouse when other acidic but not neutral groups were substituted. The azo linkage was found to be essential for specificity as was the phenolic ring of tyrosine. Reaction was found to be less specific for changes in the COOH group than the NH 2 group of the tyrosine moiety indicating the associations of this end with Ia molecules was dependant on both charge and hydrophilic interactions and differed also between rat and mouse cells. It was concluded that an antigen's reaction with T-cells is affected by an epitope, determining specificity, an agretope, determining association with an appropriatela molecule, and an ability to be processed down to these minimal essential structures.
Analysis of the data for the beta decays Rb86 → Sr86 and Rb84 → Kr84

The correlation coefficients, the average shape factor, and relativistic matrix elements for the beta decays Rb/sup 86/ ons in pyrolyti Sr/sup 86/ and Rb/sup 84/ ons in pyrolyti Kr/sup 84/ were calculated. The res ults were given in terms of the six nuclear parameters. Recent measurements of the angular distribution of circularly polarized rays following the forbidden materials at decays were used. (C.E.S.)
Listening to immigrant latino men in rural Oregon: exploring connections between culture and sexual and reproductive health services.

This study explored factors that affect access to and use of sexual and reproductive health services including family planning among immigrant Latino men residing in rural Oregon communities that have experienced a high growth in their Latino population. In-depth interviews were conducted with 49 sexually active men aged 18 to 30 years who recently immigrated to the United States. Findings from content analysis identified multiple overlapping individual-level barriers, including lack of knowledge, perception of personal risk for unintended pregnancy and STIs, and fear of disease. On a service delivery level, structural factors and the importance of confianza when interacting with providers and clinic staff were dominant themes. The majority of these themes were grounded in a cultural context and linked to men’s cultural background, beliefs, and experiences. Examining the needs of immigrant Latino men through this cultural lens may be critically important for improving access and use of sexual and reproduc...
SINGLE CYTOPLASMIC DYNEIN MOLECULE MOVEMENTS : CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPARISON WITH KINESIN

Cytoplasmic dynein is a major microtubule motor for minus-end directed movements including retrograde axonal transport. To better understand the mechanism by which cytoplasmic dynein converts ATP energy into motility, we have analyzed the nanometer-level displacements of latex beads coated with low numbers of cytoplasmic dynein molecules. Cytoplasmic dynein-coated beads exhibited greater lateral movements among microtubule protofilaments (ave. 5.1 times/microns of displacement) compared with kinesin (ave. 0.9 times/micron). In addition, dynein moved rearward up to 100 nm over several hundred milliseconds, often in correlation with off-axis movements from one protofilament to another. We suggest that single molecules of cytoplasmic dynein move the beads because 1) there is a linear dependence of bead motility on dynein/bead ratio, 2) the binding of beads to microtubules studied by laser tweezers is best fit by a first-order Poisson, and 3) the run length histogram of dynein beads follows a first-order decay. At the cellular level, the greater disorder of cytoplasmic dynein movements may facilitate transport by decreasing the duration of collisions between kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein-powered vesicles.
Maximal Flow Through a Network

Introduction. The problem discussed in this paper was formulated by T. Harris as follows: “Consider a rail network connecting two cities by way of a number of intermediate cities, where each link of the network has a number assigned to it representing its capacity. Assuming a steady state condition, find a maximal flow from one given city to the other.”
Thermal Decomposition of Energetic Materials 33: The Thermolysis Pathway of the Azidodinitromethyl Group

Rapid-scan FT-IR studies are reported for the thermal decomposition of R (CH2)3C(NO2)2N3 (R = CH3OC(O)-, HO-, -OC(O)O-, and O2NO-) at a heating rate of 70°C/s or higher. The thermolysis is initiated by the -C(NO2)2N3 group. At 15 psi Ar, a sharp exotherm occurs at about 180°C. Except when R = O2NO-, the gas products are NO2, N2 (inferred), and R(CH2)3CN, making the rapid thermal decomposition one of the most straightforward yet observed for an energetic functional group. At an Ar gas pressure of 500 psi, the products are altered only to the extent that partial oxidation of the organonitrile occurs. The exotherm remains at about 180°C but is greatly accentuated. When R = O2NO-, the thermolysis temperature profile is very similar to the other compounds, but an organonitrile is not detected. Instead, at 15 psi Ar, a mixture of gas products resulting from the reaction of NO2 with the backbone is detected, indicating that the nitrate ester also reacts. At 500 psi Ar, the products and thermal profile of this compound are characteristic of an explosion.
The Justice of Need and the Activation of Humanitarian Norms

The distinctiveness of the justice of need and of humanitarian norms is examined and it is suggested that people do indeed sacrifice their own resources for the benefit of others without hope of external reward, motivated by internalized personal norms. A theoretical process leading from awareness of need through norm activation to overt behavior based on the justice of need is outlined, situational and personality determinants of the activation of personal humanitarian norms and of efforts to neutralize these norms and deflect the moral costs of violating them are explored, and the relationship between humanitarian and exchange norms is discussed.
The isolated bowel segment (Iowa model II) created in functioning bowel.

In experimental rats (n = 15), an isolated bowel segment (IBS) was created by (1) initial enteropexy between an 8-cm-long jejunal segment and the liver margin (hepatoenteropexy; Iowa model II) with its proximal and distal ends divided and immediately reanastomosed in an end-to-end fashion to reconstruct the bowel; and (2) secondary division of the IBS mesentery 5 weeks later. The IBS is then completely free of its mesentric and intramural nervous and vascular communications. The viability of the IBS is preserved by vascular collaterals developed at the hepatoenteropexy. Twelve rats proceeded to the second procedure, having tolerated regular rat chow with satisfactory weight gain. The Iowa model II created in functioning bowel was evaluated by contrast studies and myoelectrical activities. Contrast studies demonstrated peristalsis in the IBS. In the myoelectrical recordings, the frequency of slow wave was 32.5 +/- 1.0 in the IBS and 36.3 +/- 0.8 in the normal bowel (P less than .05). During fasting, the migrating motor complex (MMC) was observed to propagate aborally in the IBS in a coordinated fashion. The cyclic period of the MMC was 17.2 +/- 1.1 minutes in the IBS and 15.8 +/- 0.8 minutes in the normal bowel (P = .30). We conclude from this study that (1) the IBS (Iowa model II) retains motor function as demonstrated by successful feeding, as well as contrast studies and myoelectrical recordings that were essentially identical to those in the normal bowel; and (2) the IBS (Iowa model II) has significant research potential for studies of bowel physiology.
Eflornithine treatment of refractory Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Eflornithine was offered as compassionate treatment of 33 episodes of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in 31 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who were intolerant of and/or unresponsive to conventional trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or pentamidine therapy. A full course of eflornithine consisted of ten days at 400 mg/kg/d but no more than 30 g/d in four divided intravenous doses, four days at 300 mg/kg/d in four divided intravenous doses, and then up to six weeks at 300 mg/kg/d in four divided oral doses where tolerated. Of 33 patient-episodes, 15 patients were discharged from the hospital without need for supplemental oxygen after receiving ten or more days of parenteral therapy and were classified as responders. Of the 16 episodes classified as treatment failures, death occurred within the first 10 days of therapy in 12, and supplemental oxygen could not be withdrawn in 4. The other two patients left the hospital without need of oxygen after receiving one and six days of treatment with eflornithine and were not considered evaluable for efficacy. The most serious adverse effect was thrombocytopenia, which occurred in 12 of 19 patients treated for ten days or more. Serious bleeding associated with thrombocytopenia was observed in two patients. Other common adverse effects were anorexia, nausea, and diarrhea. Prior to receiving eflornithine, 13 of 15 responders had received ten or more days of conventional therapy without demonstrating clinical improvement. Two had improved while receiving conventional therapy but were switched to eflornithine because of a treatment-limiting adverse effect of standard therapy. These results suggest that eflornithine may be useful as an alternative therapeutic agent for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Studies designed to determine proper dosage, duration of therapy, and efficacy as primary therapy are warranted. (Chest 1992; 101:67-74)
Vertebrate aging research 2006.

Summary This Hot Topics review, the first in a projected annual series, discusses those articles, published in the last year, which seem likely to have a major impact on our understanding of the aging process in mammals and the links between aging and late-life illnesses. The year's highlights include studies of oxidation damage in the very-long-lived naked mole-rat, and of caloric restriction in monkeys, humans, and growth hormone-unresponsive mice. Two studies of resveratrol, one showing its ability to extend lifespan in a short-lived fish, the other demonstrating beneficial effects in mice subjected to a diet high in fat, may well be harbingers of a parade of intervention studies in the coming decade.
Detection of human papilloma virus and p16 expression in high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, particularly basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, may be difficult to distinguish from high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma. Evidence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, particularly HPV 16, is frequently found in non-keratinizing oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Immunoreactivity for p16, a surrogate marker for HPV infection, often parallels the HPV infection status in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. However, the incidence and correlation between p16 expression and HPV infection in high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma is unknown. Sixteen cases of high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma, three cases of dedifferentiated adenoid cystic carcinoma and eight cases of low-/intermediate-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma were identified for inclusion in the study. All cases were tested by immunohistochemistry for p16 expression and in situ hybridization for high- and low-risk HPV. Eight cases (100%) of low-to-intermediate-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma were focally positive for p16, all of which were negative for HPV. In all, 14 of 16 cases (88%) of high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma and three cases (100%) of dedifferentiated adenoid cystic carcinoma were positive for p16; strong and diffuse staining was noted in three cases (3 of 19, 16%). Two cases (11%) of high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma, which were also diffusely positive for p16, showed the presence of high-risk HPV. These findings suggest that the presence of HPV infection in high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma is infrequent, even in the presence of p16 immunostaining. Nevertheless, HPV positivity should not be used to exclude the possibility of high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma when the differential diagnosis includes squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, although p16 overexpression is often used as a surrogate marker for HPV in squamous cell carcinoma, it cannot be used in this manner in high-grade adenoid cystic carcinoma.
The elemental composition of tumors: Kerma data for neutrons

The elemental composition of a variety of tumor samples, including squamous cell lungcarcinoma,sarcoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, melanoma, and rectal carcinoma have been measured by combustionanalysis. Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen content have been determined. Using the elemental neutron kerma data published in ICRU Report #46 the neutron kerma factors for the various tumor samples have been calculated in the energy range 11 eV to 29 MeV. The average neutron kerma values for all tumor samples are approximately 6%–7% lower than those for average soft tissue in the energy range of interest in fast neutron therapy (energies > 1 MeV).
A Bayesian Cross-Validated Likelihood Method for Comparing Alternative Specifications of Quantitative Models

There are many situations in marketing in which several alternative quantitative models may be built to model a particular marketing phenomenon or system. Few methods exist for comparing the fit of such models if the models are not nested, especially if their performance on each of several criteria is important. This paper proposes a Bayesian cross-validated likelihood BCVL method for comparing quantitative models. It can be used when the models are either nested or nonnested, and is especially useful for nonnested models. A simulation based upon a typical marketing modeling situation shows the incremental benefit of using the BCVL method rather than existing techniques, and explores the circumstances under which BCVL works best. The applicability of the BCVL method is demonstrated using several typical marketing modeling situations.
Diffusion‐controlled surfactant adsorption studied by pendant drop digitization

Pendant drop tensiometry enhanced by video-image digitization is shown to be a useful tool for the experimental measurement of the relaxation in interfacial tension due to the adsorption of surfactant at a fluid interface. Using this method, profiles of the relaxation in surface tension of a diffusion-controlled, nonionic polyethoxy surfactant were measured. A diffusion coefficient was computed by comparing these profiles with numerical solutions of the bulk surfactant diffusion equation and a Frumkin equilibrium adsorption isotherm. This comparison was made for the entire relaxation period. This method establishes a more reproducible diffusion coefficient than current techniques that utilize only the short- or long-time parts of the relaxation spectrum. In addition, lower bounds on the kinetic constants for the sorption process are inferred for the polyethoxy surfactant used by comparing numerical solutions of mixed diffusion and surface kinetic transfer with the diffusion-limited result.
Backward population projection by a generalized inverse

Abstract The Leslie population projection matrix may be used to project forward in time the age distribution or age-sex distribution of a population. As it is a singular matrix, it does not have an inverse, and so it is not clear that there is a corresponding procedure for backward projection. In terms of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the Leslie matrix, certain generalized inverses are constructed that can sometimes be used advantageously for backward projection.
Rapid Detection and Titration of Antihuman Serum Albumin Antibody

HUMAN serum albumin (HSA) is an antigen frequently used for the examination of the synthesis of antibody in various species. The techniques usually utilized are variants of either precipitin or haemagglutinating methods. Although these procedures are extremely sensitive, both suffer from the disadvantage of requiring a time-interval between the addition of reagents and final reading of the results. The haemagglutinating techniques, furthermore, require absorption, frequently multiple times, of the sera with the red cells which are used in the testing method. The following technique, a slight modification of a method described1, has proved to be reproducible, rapid, and to have the sensitivity of tanned red cell haemagglutination. Ten ml. of bentonite stock solution prepared according to the method of Bozicevich et al.1 is centrifuged at 1,800 r.p.m. for 15 min. The pellet is re-suspended in 1 ml. of distilled water and an equal volume of a 1 per cent saline solution of human serum albumin is then added. The mixture is shaken gently and permitted to incubate at room temperature for 15 min. One ml. of 0.1 per cent aqueous methylene blue and 15 ml. of distilled water is added, the suspension shaken, and after 10 min recentrifuged for 10 min. The pellet is re-suspended and washed twice in 10 ml. of distilled water. The final suspension is made up with 5 ml. with distilled water. A suspension so prepared and stored at 4° C is shaken gently before use. The flocculating characteristics are retained for periods of two weeks with no change in titre.
Simulation study of semi-crystalline polymer interphases

The study of structure and properties of semi-crystalline polymer interphases is important to explain and extend polymer applications. In this region, polymer chains exist in three distinct populations: tie chains that bridge the two crystals, chain folds and chain ends. The distribution of these populations influences the properties of the interphase. We have developed off-lattice Monte Carlo simulations of constrained interphases of semi-crystalline polymers which utilize robust off-lattice moves. A united atom model with polyethylene-like interactions and with freely rotating bonds is used to mimic the prototypical flexible chain structure. These simulations capture the limiting distributions of tight and loose chain folds and of tie chains within the metastable phase. The dissipation in order and density between the crystal and amorphous regions has been studied, and results for freely rotating chains indicate that the characteristic decay of anisotropy occurs in a length scale of ca. 10 A. Simulation results for the effect of system size and molecular weight for freely rotating chains have also been investigated.
Modified glass fiber membrane and its application to membrane affinity chromatography

Abstract Affinity membranes containing trypsin and papain-immobilized as affinity ligands were prepared from glass fiber filters. The filters were first treated with a concentrated solution of H2SO4+H2O2 (‘piranha’ solution), and then modified by silanization to introduce epoxyl or amino functional groups, which were further modified to carboxyl or aniline moieties, respectively. Onto the modified membranes, bovine serum albumin, trypsin and papain were immobilized as ligands. Three immobilization methods based on glutaraldehyde, carbodiimide and diazotization were used and compared to conclude that the one based on glutaraldehyde was the most efficient. Using the papain-immobilized membranes, papain inhibitors from potato tubers were separated.
Strategy and the Reading Method

Author's Summary— The reading method, despite virtues, suffers from strategic weaknesses. It tends to attract poorer students, leads to rash abandonment of traditional values, finds difficulty in justifying its achievements, and weakens our tactical position.
Control of the heparosan N -deacetylation leads to an improved bioengineered heparin

The production of the anticoagulant drug heparin from non-animal sources has a number of advantages over the current commercial production of heparin. These advantages include better source material availability, improved quality control, and reduced concerns about animal virus or prion impurities. A bioengineered heparin would have to be chemically and biologically equivalent to be substituted for animal-sourced heparin as a pharmaceutical. In an effort to produce bioengineered heparin that more closely resembles pharmaceutical heparin, we have investigated a key step in the process involving the N-deacetylation of heparosan. The extent of N-deacetylation directly affects the N-acetyl/N-sulfo ratio in bioengineered heparin and also impacts its molecular weight. Previous studies have demonstrated that the presence and quantity of N-acetylglucosamine in the nascent glycosaminoglycan chain, serving as the substrate for the subsequent enzymatic modifications (C5 epimerization and O-sulfonation), can impact the action of these enzymes and, thus, the content and distribution of iduronic acid and O-sulfo groups. In this study, we control the N-deacetylation of heparosan to produce a bioengineered heparin with an N-acetyl/N-sulfo ratio and molecular weight that is similar to animal-sourced pharmaceutical heparin. The structural composition and anticoagulant activity of the resultant bioengineered heparin was extensively characterized and compared to pharmaceutical heparin obtained from porcine intestinal mucosa.
Binding of cytidine triphosphate to aspartate transcarbamylase

Abstract Equilibrium dialysis studies reveal that cytidine triphosphate (CTP) binds to a total of six sites on native aspartate transcarbamylase (ATCase) from E. coli . Analysis of the binding curves suggests that there are two discrete classes of CTP binding sites on each native ATCase molecule. Two models are discussed in which a paired arrangement of regulatory chains in the native enzyme leads to heterogeneous binding of CTP. One model assumes that the folding of polypeptide chains in the regulatory dimer produces two CTP binding sites which are physically different and differ in their intrinsic affinities for CTP. Alternatively, interference between CTP molecules binding to identical CTP sites on each regulatory dimer may cause the two sites to bind the ligand with different affinities.
Partial scan flip-flop selection by use of empirical testability

Partial serial scan as a design for testability technique permits automatic generation of high fault coverage tests for sequential circuits with less hardware overhead and less performance degradation than full serial scan. The objective of the partial scan flip-flop selection method proposed here is to obtain maximum fault coverage for the number of scan flip-flops selected. Empirical Testability Difference (ETD), a measure of potential improvement in the testability of the circuit, is used to successively select one or more flip-flops for addition or deletion of scan logic. ETD is calculated by using testability measures based on empirical evaluation of the circuit with the acutal automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) system. In addition, once such faults are known, ETD focuses on the hard-to-detect faults rather than all faults and uses heuristics to permit effective selection of multiple flip-flops without global optimization. Two ETD algorithms have been extensively tested by using FASTEST ATPG [1, 2] on fourteen of the ISCAS89 [3] sequential circuits. The results of these tests indicate that ETD yields, on average, 35% fewer uncovered detectable faults for the same number of scanned flip-flops or 27% fewer scanned flip-flops for comparable fault coverage relative to cycle-breaking methods.
Municipal Bond Ratings: New Results, New Directions

Using multiple discriminant analysis, this article examines the factors that affect municipal bond ratings through the use of a data set that includes more municipalities and municipal characteristics than the data sets used in previous studies. This data set permits a more detailed examination of the role of city size and location in the bond rating process. The study concludes with some observations on the directions for further research.
Mutation of the Dictyostelium fbxA gene affects cell-fate decisions and spatial patterning.

Summary Cell-fate decisions and spatial patterning in Dictyostelium are regulated by a number of genes. Our studies have implicated a gene called fbxA, which codes for an F-box protein, in these pathways. The FbxA protein is one of the controls on a cAMP phosphodiesterase called RegA, mediating its degradation via ubiquitin-linked proteolysis. Using marked strains, we showed that the fbxA– mutant has defective cell-type proportioning, with a dearth of prestalk cells compared to prespore cells. In this work, we show that this effect occurs earlier during the 24 hour developmental cycle than previously thought. The normal sorting of the prestalk and prespore cells in aggregates and mounds is not affected by the mutation. The mutant cells sort abnormally at the tipped mound stage, when prespore and prestalk cells normally distribute into their proper compartments. The fbxA– mutant forms prestalk cells in low numbers when not in chimeras, but in the presence of wild-type amoebae the mutant preferentially forms viable spores, driving the wild type to form non-viable stalk cells. In an attempt to identify the signal transduction pathway that mediates proportionality in prestalk and prespore cells, we asked whether certain signal transduction mutants were immune to the effects of the fbxA–cells and formed spores in chimeras.
Characteristic mode analysis of a shorted microstrip patch antenna

The shorted microstrip patch antenna (or Planar Inverted-F Antenna - PIFA) is extremely effective at achieving significant miniaturization over the conventional microstrip patch antenna. In this paper, we perform an analysis on the shorted microstrip patch antenna and in so doing, provide insight into its true mode of operation. Using characteristic mode theory, we show that the insertion of the shorting component dramatically alters the antenna operation such that the fundamental characteristic mode no longer represents a patch-like but rather a monopole-like mode.
Potassium fertilization of cotton on two high testing soils under two tillage systems

Abstract Potassium (K) fertilization of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has been a major research focus the last few years throughout the cotton belt. The objective of this field research, conducted from 1991 through 1994 on two high Mehlich I extractable K (EK) soils, was to evaluate broadcast and foliar applied K for conventional‐ (CT) and no‐tillage (NT) production. Main plot broadcast K rates were 0, 28, 56, and 112 kg K ha‐1. Foliar sub‐plot treatments were a non‐foliar check, KNO3, and Ca(NO3)2. The KNO3 was applied four times per year at 4.1 kg K ha‐1 application‐1. Calcium nitrate was applied at 1.6 kg N ha‐1 to equal the N applied in the KNO3. Extractable K increased annually with broadcast K for both tillage systems and soils and was higher for NT than CT. Lint yields from CT of both soils were increased two of the eight site‐years while yields from NT were increased five of eight site‐years by broadcast K. Three of the NT site‐year yields plus four‐year mean yields of both soils were increased b...
Prehospital tourniquet use in Operation Iraqi Freedom: effect on hemorrhage control and outcomes.

Background:Up to 9% of casualties killed in action during the Vietnam War died from exsanguination from extremity injuries. Retrospective reviews of prehospital tourniquet use in World War II and by the Israeli Defense Forces revealed improvements in extremity hemorrhage control and very few adverse
The Effect of Blind-Protected Specimen Brush Sampling on Antibiotic Use in Patients with Suspected Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

The diagnosis of pneumonia in ventilated patients is exceedingly difficult. Although culture of tracheal aspirates have poor diagnostic value they are frequently used to diagnose ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Recently a number of studies have reported on the diagnostic value of “blind” protected specimen brush (B-PSB) sampling in the diagnosis of VAP. B-PSB sampling can readily and safely be performed by respiratory care practitioners (RCPs). The aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of B-PSB sampling performed by respiratory therapists in patients with suspected VAP. During a 3-month run-in period, patients in our medical intensive care unit (MICU) with suspected VAP were treated based on clinical criteria and tracheal aspirate culture. Following this run-in period the house staff, nurses, and RCPs were prevented from sending tracheal aspirates for culture. All patients suspected of having VAP underwent B-PSB sampling with quantitative culture. The B-PSB sampling was performe...
Evidence for highly specific interactions between Δ8- and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and hydrocortisone in the rodent tyrosine aminotransferase system

The purpose of the study was to characterize further the mechanism of action of cannabinoid compounds by measuring their effects on the induction of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) by various types of inducers. Δ 8 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 8 -THC) produced a marked, dose-dependent increase in TAT activity, ranging from 156% at 12.5 mg/kg to 335% at 200 mg/kg. In contrast, pretreatment with Δ 8 -THC significantly inhibited the hydrocortisone-mediated induction of TAT when administered at doses ranging from 12.5–50 mg/kg. Both these effects had previously been observed with Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC), but at larger doses. TAT activity was increased 350% by glucagon (1.5 mg/kg, 3 hr prior to sacrifice) and was further increased in an additive fashion to 540% and 497% by pretreatment with Δ 8 -THC and Δ 9 -THC, respectively. Neither Δ 8 -THC nor Δ 9 -THC had any effect on substrate-type induction of TAT by tryptophan in liver from adrenalectomized Sprague-Dawley rats. Treatment of mice with either Δ 8 -THC or Δ 9 -THC (25 mg/kg, twice weekly) for 4.5 weeks produced the same effects on TAT activity as seen in the acute studies—a stimulation of basal TAT activity and an inhibition of steroid-mediated induction. When Δ 8 -THC and Δ 9 -THC were administered in submaximal doses in combination, no additive effect was observed on TAT activity. These data are consistent with the possibility that these two cannabinoid compounds might be exerting their effects at different steps in the steroid-mediated induction pathway.
Sex and activity dependency of distances between Thomson's gazelles (Gazella thomsoni Günther 1884)

Abstract The preferred distances between adjacent individuals in a file or line of Thomson's gazelles in the wild were greater when grazing than when resting or moving, and greater between males than between females. These differences appear to be related to (a) the resemblance of the postures in grazing and fighting, and (b) the generally greater aggressiveness among males. Grazing with its distance component can initiate territory formation among males, and it plays an important role in boundary encounters of territorial neighbours.
Response times for emergency cesarean delivery: use of simulation drills to assess and improve obstetric team performance.

Response times for emergency cesarean delivery: use of simulation drills to assess and improve obstetric team performance
Spectroscopic characterization of the Stentor photoreceptor.

Abstract 1. 1. On the basis of chromatographic and spectroscopic (absorption, fluorescence and its polarization, fluorescence lifetime, circular dichroism) characterization of the Stentor photoreceptor (stentorin) for photophobic response, the photoreceptor chromophore released from mild acid hydrolysis has been identified as hypericin. 2. 2. The native chromophore is apparently linked to a protein (65 K) containing Lys and several hydrophobic residues, which is soluble in acetone and n -pentane. The peptide-linked stentorin (I) chromophore exhibits circular dichroism in the visible region due to the induced optical activity provided by the peptide. 3. 3. The sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of a 38% fraction of the sucrose density centrifugation has resolved stentorin II proteins having molecular weights of 13 000, 16 000, 65 000 and 130 000. These proteins, as well as the acetone-soluble peptide, have been spectroscopically characterized with particular emphasis on their primary photoreactivity as the photophobic receptor of Stentor coeruleus . 4. 4. Irradiation of whole living Stentor in dilute buffer solutions induces a decrease in the pH of the medium. A strong dependence upon pH in the fluorescence spectra of both synthetic and native chromophores is also evident, showing a significant drop in the p K a of one or more hydroxyl groups in the excited state. A mechanism for the photophobic response, based on this lowering of the p K a as the primary photoprocess, has been discussed.
Development of thiamine deficiency in the cat on a diet of raw fish.

SummaryCats fed an exclusive diet of raw carp or raw herring develop all the signs of thiamine deficiency characteristic for this species.
CAMCORE: Twelve years of contribution to reforestation in the Andean region of Colombia

Abstract This report describes the 12 year period (1980–1992) during which the Central America and Mexico Conifer Resources Corporative (CAMCORE) program has been in operation at Smurfit Carton de Colombia (SCC) and illustrates how this program has contributed to reforestation in the Andean region of Colombia. CAMCORE was organized in 1980 and SCC was one of the founding members. During its first 12 years, SCC has established almost 100 ha of CAMCORE trials and CAMCORE conservation banks. The results of these trials have made important contributions to improve forestry operations, such as identification of more suitable species and provenances and progress in seed production in Colombia. Reforestation was almost non-existent in Colombia prior to 1912, and the reforestation rate is still only in the order of 8000 ha year−1, with many native species growing too slowly for commercial use. The SCC forestry research program of CAMCORE trials has identified Pinus tecunumanii (Schw.) Equiluz et Perry (elevation 1200–2000 m) and Pinus maximinoi H.E. Moore (pilot scale planting, 2000 m and above) as promising species. Pinus maximinoi has severe problems at low elevation with foxtailing. When planted at higher elevations, this species can produce an equal volume of wood to Pinus patula Schl. et Cham. For the elevation 1500–2000 m where precipitation is high (over 2000 mm year−1), Pinus chiapensis (Mart.) Andresen is also recommended for pilot planting. Pinus chiapensis has high volume growth, almost equal to that of P. tecunumanii. Its wood is extremely white and value-added products are expected from this. Unfortunately, its seed loses viability rapidly when stored. Pinus patula has been the most widely planted conifer in plantations throughout Colombia, and CAMCORE trials based on South Africa seed orchard trees and collections from Mexico will greatly expand the genetic base. Pinus tecunumanii will grow up to 2.5 m year−1 in height and 30 m3 ha−1 year−1 in the first 8 years after establishment on suitable sites with a specific gravity of approximately 0.37. The species' potential has been widely shown from 1200 to 2200 m. Yucul, Villa Santa, Mountain Pine Ridge, San Rafael (low elevation sources) and San Jeronimo (high elevation source) are observed to be promising and commercially available sources of P. tecunumanii. This information on species and provenance will be shared among reforestation agencies throughout the region and can improve forestry productivity in the region. In addition, the CAMCORE program at SCC has contributed to the conservation of endangered species and provenances through conservation banks. Some of the provenances such as P. chiapensis, San Juan, Cotzal, and P. tecunumanii, San Esteban are already extinct at the original sites and the CAMCORE trial and conservation bank of Abies guatemalensis Rehder are the only ex situ plantings of this species from Guatemala (W.S. Dvorak, personal communication, 1992).
A minimum problem with free boundary for a degenerate quasilinear operator

In this paper we prove $C^{1,\alpha}$ regularity (near flat points) of the free boundary $\partial\{u > 0\}\cap\Omega$ in the Alt-Caffarelli type minimum problem for the p-Laplace operator: $$J(u)=\int_\Omega\left( |\nabla u|^p + \lambda^p\chi_{\{u>0\}}\right)dx\rightarrow \min\qquad (1<p<\infty).$$