cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neonatal resuscitation using a nasal cannula: a single-center experience.

Objective The aim of the study was to describe our experience using a modified nasal cannula to deliver nasal continuous positive airway pressure and/or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation during primary neonatal resuscitation of preterm and term newborns. Study Design Data were collected retrospectively for all neonates resuscitated with nasal cannula in the delivery room. The primary outcome was the number of newborns intubated in the delivery room. Secondary outcomes included need for chest compressions, intubations in the first 24 hours, air-leaks, and surfactant administration. Results A total of 102 infants were resuscitated using nasal cannula. Eight (7.8%) were intubated in the delivery room, five (4.9%) required chest compressions, and five (4.9%) had pneumothorax noted on chest X-ray. No deaths occurred in the delivery room. Twenty-eight patients (27.5%) received early rescue surfactant after admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion Neonatal resuscitation can be effectively performed in preterm and term newborns using a modified nasal cannula in the delivery room.
QUALITATIVE EFFECT OF CYTOSINE ARABINOSIDE UPON TRANSCRIPTION IN CULTURED HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES

Previous work has shown that more kinds of DNA-like RNA are transcribed by more rapidly dividing frog embryo cells than by more slowly dividing cells in another region of the embryo (Flickinger & Daniel, 1972). In order to learn if such a difference in transcription is due to the difference in rate of cell division, rather than to differences in RNA and protein synthesis, the compound cytosine arabinoside was used to reduce the rate of cell division in cultured human lymphocytes without decreasing RNA and protein synthesis (Chu & Fischer, 1962; Kim & Eidinoff, 1965; Selagi, 1965). Human lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of cytosine arabinoside (1-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-cytosine) and the qualitative effect upon transcription ascertained by comparison with normal lymphocytes utilizing the method of DNA-RNA hybridization. The normal human lymphocytes have been cultured (Moore et al., 1969) in stationary and spinner flasks for about a year at Roswell Park Memorial Institute. In the present work cells from one stationary culture were seeded into spinner flasks containing 150 ml of R.P.M.I. medium No. 1703 plus 10% (v/v) heat inactivated fetal calf serum without antibiotics. Culture medium is added periodically (200 ml each 48 hr) as cell concentrations rise.
Structural studies on osmium carbonyl hydrides XXVII. The heteronuclear rhodium-triosmium cluster (μ-H)3Os3Rh(CO)9(η6-C6H5me)

Abstract The complex (μ-H) 3 Os 3 Rh(CO) 9 (η 6 -C 6 H 5 Me), previously synthesized by Shore and hsu has been subjected to a single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. The complex crystallizes in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group C 2/ m (No. 12) with a 14.178(2), b 14.683(3), c 10.205(1) A, β 92.89(1)°, V 2121.6(6) A 3 and ϱ(calcd) 3.20 g cm −3 for mol. wt. 1020.78 and Z = 4. Diffraction data were collected with a Syntex P2 1 automated four-circle diffractometer (MO- K α : 2θ 4.0–50.0°) and the structure was solved and refined to R F 3.9% for all 1964 independent reflections ( R F 3.2% for those 1726 data with ¦ F 0 ¦ > 3σ(¦ F 0 ¦). All non-hydrogen atoms were located as were the three hydride ligands which bridge the three OsOs bonds. The η 6 -toluene ligand is bonded to the rhodium atom and is subject to a three-fold disorder; the entire molecule lies about a site of crystallographic C s ( m ) symmetry. The metal—metal distances in the tetrahedral cluster are Os(1)Os(1′) 2.88(1) A, Os(1)Os(2) = Os(1′)Os(2) = 2.888(1) A, Os(1)Rh = Os(1′)Rh = 2.702(1) A and Os(2)Rh 2.703(1) A.
Formation of cockroach interganglionic connectives: An in vitro analysis

Individual ganglia of the cockroach embryo (Periplaneta americana) were explanted on clean glass coverslips immersed in a chemically defined liquid medium and incubated for periods up to eight weeks. Substantial, straight interganglionic connections were formed between: (1) rows of ganglia arranged in the normal in vivo configuration; (2) rows of ganglia placed in abnormal orders; (3) rows of ganglia which never form connections in vivo because they occur singly in the embryo; and (4) rows of ganglia in natural sequences but which have had their rostro-caudal axes rotated 90 degrees in relation to the line of the row. Therefore fascicles and interganglionic connectives were formed without regard to normal in vivo relationships. Daily observations with a Nomarski microscope indicated that several processes are involved in connective formation. (1) Initial outgrowth is in a random, radial pattern. (2) Intersecting fibers from adjacent ganglia are deflected toward each others' perikarya. (3) Initially bowed fiber connectives are straightened, perhaps by increases in fiber tension or by fiber shortening which may be brought about by neuronal or extraneuronal (glial) processes. (4) Outgrowing fibers follow already established fiber pathways. The present results indicate that fiber-fiber and fiber-target interactions play a significant role in the formation of interganglionic connectives. In this system, the spatial relationships between ganglia determine the patterns and varieties of permissible neuronal connections. Thus, major, straight nerve trunks may be formed between adjacent ganglia which are growing out fibers on a glass surface submerged in a liquid medium which offers minimal orientation cues and provides a growth substrate vastly different and simpler than that encountered by outgrowing fibers in vivo.
Viral-related DNA sequences before and after transformation by RNA tumor viruses.

Marmoset monkey fibroblasts transformed by non-indigenous RNA tumor viruses (RSV or FeSV) acquire viral DNA sequences not present in normal cells. The newly gained sequences are always related to those of the transforming virus, a result in agreement with the proviral hypothesis. In contrast, the nucleic acid of the indigenous simian RNA tumor virus, SSV-1, exhibits partial homology with the DNA of normal marmoset fibroblasts as well as with SSV-1-transformed cells. Since a similar situation has been observed with avian and lower mammalian systems, it would appear that homology with normal cellular DNA can be used to provide a tool for determining the species of origin of newly isolated RNA tumor viruses.
Truck drivers and heart disease in the United States, 1979-1990.

Background Studies of truck drivers and cardiovascular disease (CVD), myocardial infarction, or ischemic heart disease (IHD) are limited, although studies of other professional drivers reported increased risk. Methods US mortality data from 1979 to 1990 for ages 15–90 were used to calculate proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) for heart disease and lung cancer for short and long haul truck drivers. Analysis was performed for Black (998 short haul and 13,241 long haul) truck drivers and White (4,929 short and 74,315 long haul) truck drivers separately. Results The highest significantly elevated proportionate heart disease (IHD, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and other forms of heart disease) and lung cancer mortality was found for White and Black male long haul truck drivers age 15–54. Mortality was not significantly elevated for short haul truck drivers of either race or gender, nor for truck drivers who died after age 65, except for lung cancer among White males. An indirect adjustment suggested that smoking could explain the excess IHD mortality, but no direct data for smoking or the other known risk factors for heart disease were available and occupational exposures were not measured. Conclusions The highest significant excess proportionate mortality for lung cancer, IHD and AMI was found for long haul truck drivers who were under age 55 at death. A cohort or longitudinal study of heart disease among long haul truck drivers, that obtains data for occupational exposures as well as lifestyle risk factors, could help explain inconsistencies between the findings of this and previous studies. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:113–119, 2005. Published 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Magnetic susceptibility of late quaternary marine sediments, Frobisher Bay, N.W.T.: An indicator of changes in provenance and processes

Abstract Twelve piston cores from the floor of Frobisher Bay and adjacent inner portion of the SE Baffin Shelf, show Holocene variations in volume magnetic susceptibility, K, over three orders of magnitude (1–1000 × 10−5 SI). The variations are a function of changes in provenance, in the inputs of detrital carbonates and organic carbon and grain size. The chronology of depositional events within this region, marginal to the Laurentide Ice Sheet, has been clarified by 14C AMS dates on marine shells or foraminifera. Correlations between cores are further refined by the use of core segmentation and ‘sequence slotting’, algorithms. Two well-defined magnetic susceptibility units are recognized during the last 10,000 years, which are further sub-divided into smaller events which are coeval with intervals of glacial re-advance and retreat. Mapping magnetic susceptibility in time/distance space indicates a double ‘plume’ of high magnetic susceptibility which occurred in the outer bay between 8–10 ka. This plume appears to be associated with a N-NE flow of ice across the tip of SE Baffin Island from Hudson Strait (possibly from Labrador-Ungava?).
Motor cortical modulation of the macaque red nucleus.

The nuclei of the neocerebellum receive inputs from somatosensory receptors and the motor cortex. In cats, the discharge of those nuclear neurons which were driven by passive movement of a limb segment in one direction was suppressed by stimulation of the cortical site from which movement was evoked in the opposite direction (Larsen and Yumiya 1979a). The cortical-evoked suppression of cerebellar neurons resulted in a disfacilitation of red nucleus neurons whose discharge elicited movement in the same direction as the cortical neurons from which the suppression was evoked and which were driven by passive movement in the opposite direction (Larsen and Yumiya 1980a). The purpose of this study was to determine if the cortical modulation of rubral neurons is organized in macaque monkeys in the same way as it is in cats. Red nucleus neurons were characterized by their response to natural stimulation of somatosensory receptors, and their response to cortical microstimulation was examined in peristimulus time histograms (PSTHs). Cortical stimulation evoked a short-latency corticorubral facilitation and a longer latency response which was presumed to be mediated by the cerebellum and which was composed primarily of suppression but was sometimes preceded by a brief facilitation. As was true in cats, over half of the rubral neurons which were driven by passive movement of a limb segment in one direction responded with a facilitation-suppression to stimulation of the “agonistic” cortical site from which movement was evoked in the opposite direction, but only a few responded to stimulation of the “antagonistic” cortical sites. Similar responses were evoked in many rubral neurons by stimulation of other cortical sites from which movement was elicited about the same joint in a different plane or at a joint adjacent to that whose passive movement drove the rubral neuron. Responses were found in neurons which received somatosensory input from proximal or distal limb segments and in neurons in the parvocellular or magnocellular divisions of the nucleus, although the corticorubral facilitation was found more frequently in parvocellular neurons. In conclusion, the motor cortical modulation of the red nucleus and cerebellum is similar in monkeys and cats, and is the same for the proximal and distal limb representation.
Diet-related disparities: understanding the problem and accelerating solutions.

Disparities in health and disease between various segments of the population, such as racial and ethnic groups, have increasingly become a major focus of public health research, practice, and policy. Diet is a key contributor to disparities in many chronic diseases and conditions. Therefore, in order to address and ultimately eliminate health disparities, it is important to understand how various factors, including diet and nutrition, contribute to these disparities.
Peddling Information in the State Legislature: Closeness Counts:

nations of cue-taking in roll-call voting (Matthews and Stimson 1975; Songer et al. 1986) to those of more elaborate and inclusive forms of information exchange (Porter 1974; Zwier 1979; Sabatier and Whiteman 1985), many researchers have asked the question, Who has the "legislature's ear"? The source of the policy and political information used in lawmaking is important both to legislators, because it serves them as a shorthand cue to judging its veracity (March and Simon 1958: 161-68), and to legislative scholars, because of what it tells us about who has influence in the legislative process. Those who successfully communicate with legislators have a better chance of influencing policy outputs in their favor than those who do not. All information that is commu-
New applications of total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation: use in proximal renal tubular dysfunction.

Total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation is frequently used in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism associated with renal osteodystrophy because of the high incidence of recurrent disease following subtotal resection. A similar argument has been made to support the application of this technique to cases of recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism and to familial polyendocrine syndromes with parathyroid hyperplasia. We have recently had occasion to apply this approach in a new clinical setting of metabolic bone disease. Three patients with congenital hypophosphatemic rickets and 1 with pseudohypoparathyroidism were treated with total parathyroidectomy and autotransplant into the forearm. All 4 had developed secondary hyperparathyroidism with hypercalcemia while being treated with 1,25(OH)2D3(with or without inorganic phosphate). Each had a history of previous vitamin D intoxication. Reduction of parathyroid mass permitted effective treatment of severe bone disease in each case. Two patients developed graft-dependent hypercalcemia which required resection of graft tissue from the forearm under local anesthesia. Both have shown a further recurrence. Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation may be useful in the management of selected patients with metabolic bone disease due to familial hyophosphatemic rickets or pseudohypoparathyroidism.
Frequency-Stabilized Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy in the Mid-Infrared

We report progress towards an ultrasensitive mid-infrared frequency-stabilized cavity ring-down spectrometer designed for CO2 sensing below the pmol/mol (parts-per-trillion) level.
A design procedure for closed end irrigation borders

Abstract Criteria for the design of closed end irrigation borders are generally based on intake rate and irrigation advance for specified inflow and irrigation efficiency. Recession has seldom been included in the design. This study emphasizes inclusion of temporally varying intake rate, irrigation advance, vertical recession, horizontal recession and recession of impounded water. To determine the length of impounding, an iterative procedure is proposed correlating irrigation advance and recession with the depth of flow at the up-stream end. To evaluate the design, irrigation efficiencies are computed for specified conditions and are compared with those based on experimental data.
Distribution of Tetrahymena pyriformis in Europe

SYNOPSIS. One hundred eighty-eight fresh-water samples from France (30), Italy (42), Austria (12), Germany (1), Switzerland (35), Holland (20), England (26), and Sweden (22) were examined for T. pyriformis. The habitats included rivers, mountain streams, lakes, ponds, irrigation ditches, roadside ditches, running and dead water canals, and fountains. The temperature ranged from 10° to 30°C, locations from 42° to 68° North latitude, with elevations from sea level to approximately 3,000 feet. Of the samples taken 28 contained T. pyriformis from which 411 clones were established in axenic media. Thirty-three additional samples contained ciliates other than T. pyriformis. All clones grew well in 1% proteose peptone; when screened for their nutritional requirements a few failed to grow on the completely defined medium and several others survived eight sub-inoculations without thiamine. The nuclear and sexual activity pattern followed that of previous collections. In distribution, variety 6 was found in Italy, variety 3 in Austria, and variety 4 in England. A new variety (variety 10) with two mating types was isolated from four different habitats in England. Several strains from Italy, France, Holland, and England constitute one group which mated among themselves, but only a few of which reacted with mating type I of variety 6 from America. This demonstrates the close affinities of the European and American strains, yet shows the possible evolution of a new variety (species).
Efficiency enhancement and optical guiding in a tapered high-power finite-pulse free-electron laser

We compare the radiation output from simulations of a finite-pulse high-power laser for several tapering rates. A fast taper leads to a tenfold increase in efficiency as compared to a slow taper, with little change in peak radiation intensity. The enhanced power for fast tapering rates is due to an increase in the optical pulse cross section, brought about by a reduction in refractive guiding. This is analyzed by an envelope equation for the radiation beam. For the tapering rates leading to the highest powers, the optical pulse is virtually free of sideband modulation.
CD4-POSITIVE AND B LYMPHOCYTES IN TRANSPLANTATION IMMUNITY: I. PROMOTION OF TUMOR ALLOGRAFT REJECTION THROUGH ELIMINATION OF CD4-POSITIVE LYMPHOCYTES

The elimination of CD4+ cells by anti-CD4 antibody caused regression of a malignant solid tumor allograft that does not lose a cytotoxic T lymphocyte-defined target antigen during tumor progression and requires specific CD8+ CTL for tumor rejection. Treatment with anti-CD4 antibody was effective when started 1-2 weeks after tumor challenge and was at least as effective as treating with anti-CD3 antibody or specific immunization with the antigen expressed on malignant or nonmalignant cells. None of these treatments caused rejection of tumors that were larger than 1 cm3 or had been growing for 3 weeks or longer in the host. Mice bearing large and long-established tumors treated with anti-CD4 antibody rejected a new tumor challenge but failed to reject the long-established tumor. Similarly, mice with established tumors mounted effective CTL responses to reject skin grafts but failed to reject tumors which expressed the same antigen. Treatment with anti-CD4 antibody eliminated primary T lymphocyte dependent antibody responses but failed to suppress ongoing antibody responses to continuous antigenic stimulation. Possibly, the effectiveness of early treatment and the failure of later treatment with anti-CD4 antibody results indirectly from the effect treatment has on B lymphocytes.
Displaying Chemical Formulas in Microsoft Excel

An Excel macro which automates the entry of subscripts in Excel spreadsheets is described. The macro is assigned to a custom button on Excel's standard toolbar, so that, after typing a text label containing a chemical formula, clicking the button automatically formats the text as a chemical formula. The macro operates on text in a cell, a range of cells, or text used as a chart label. Versions are available for either Windows or Macintosh computers, for either Excel 5.0 or Excel 4.0.
Accrual to the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial by participating Community Clinical Oncology Programs: a panel data analysis.

In 1992 patient accrual to the National Cancer Institute-sponsored Breast Cancer Prevention Trial was initiated in the United States and Canada. The Trial will involve 16,000 women who are evaluated to be at high risk of developing breast cancer. Nearly 250 health care organizations are participating in the Trial, including over 40 Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) organizations*, which are a component of the NCI's national clinical trials program. A previous NCI-funded evaluation conducted by the University of North Carolina showed the CCOP program to be an effective means of transferring the latest cancer technology, particularly cancer treatments, to the community setting.
5 Effect of gastric electrical stimulation on cerebral blood flow in patients with gastroparesis

Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) of the stomach is an effective treatment of nausea and vomiting in patients with gastroparesis (Gastroenterology 125: 421–28, 2003). However, the mechanism is unclear, as many patients show resolution of nausea and vomiting yet continue to exhibit delayed gastric emptying. This suggests GES may relieve symptoms by activation of a mechanism involving the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to determine whether GES produces changes in the brain evidenced by alterations in cerebral blood flow on positron emission tomography (PET). Eight patients (6 females, 2 males) ranging in age from 27 to 68 yr were studied. Each patient had profound gastroparesis and had undergone implantation of a GES device from 6 to 57 mo (mean 25) prior. All patients studied had significant improvement in symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and early satiety after implantation of the GES device. PET scans were performed after an overnight fast and with the GES device in the ON mode. Each patient was then given an IV injection 30–40 mCi O15-water. After PET image data were obtained the GES device was then turned to the OFF mode for 30 min. The O15-water injection and PET image scanning was then repeated. Respective PET images obtained with the GES device in the ON and OFF modes were then analyzed and compared. PET images were analyzed using SPM2 (Statistical Parametric Mapping), implemented using Matlab 6.5 Prior to statistical analysis all images were realigned to correct motion movements and spatially normalized into the MNI standard template to remove inter-subject anatomical variability. Spatially normalized images were smoothed using an isotropic Gaussian kernel with 16 mm FWHM to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. Statistical comparisons between ON and OFF scans were performed on a voxel-by-voxel basis using paired t statistics. Significant voxels were superimposed on a high resolution MRI template provided by SPM2, thus allowing anatomical identification. Significant increases in blood flow during GES were noted in the middle, superior, and inferior gyri, in the middle occipital and middle temporal gyri, and in the amygdala and parahippocampal gyri (P < 0.05 for each locus, respectively). Likewise, significant decreases in blood flow during GES were noted in the pre and post central gyri, in the anterior cingulate gyri, and in the caudate head and putamen (p < 0.05 for each locus, respectively). Conclusions: 1) GES produces significant alterations in cerebral blood flow in gastroparetic patients; 2) central nervous system mechanisms during GES may be responsible for the relief of nausea and vomiting in these patients.
C*-ALGEBRAS ASSOCIATED WITH SETS OF SEMIGROUPS OF ISOMETRIES

Let U0, U1, …, Un be a (finite or infinite) sequence of semigroups of isometries which act on the same separable Hilbert space H, n = 1, 2, …, ∞. {Uj} is said to be orthogonal if for all i ≠ j we have With every such sequence we associate a separable C*-algebra . These C*-algebras , n = 1, 2, …, ∞, are the "continuous time" analogues of the Cuntz C*-algebras , n = 2, 3, …, ∞, in the same sense that the Wiener-Hopf C*-algebra is the continuous time analogue of the Toeplitz C*-algebra. For example, we show that they are nuclear unitless C*-algebras which have no closed nontrivial ideals. Indeed, we show that each is stably isomorphic to one of the spectral C*-algebras which arise in the theory of E0-semigroups.
Late Devonian marine ecology and zoogeography of the central Appalachians and New York

Ecological and statistical analyses of the Late Frasnian (Late Devonian) fauna of the Java Group of New York reveals the presence of three benthic marine communities. Using sedimentological and stratigraphic criteria, the Java Group may be divided into five physical-environmental zones: nearshore marine, platform, prodelta, open shelf, and slope and basin. The Ambocoelia- Cariniferella, Tylothyris-Schizophoria. and Cyrtospirifer-Douvillina Communities inhabited open shelf, outer platform - prodelta, and inner platform - nearshore habitats. respectively. Java species gradient curves overlap each other continuously, and species optima replace each other in a regular fashion along the onshore-offshore environmental gradient. No evidence for competitive exclusion between species or sharp habitat discontinuities (ecotones) is seen for Java ecosystems. The same three-fold division of communities, in equivalent habitats, can be seen in central Appalachian marine environments located approximately 500 km away along the ancient shoreline. The distribution of communities in this region appears to be directly related to the position and relative size of fluviodeltaic systems along the 500 km of ancient coastline. Palacoecology. communities, Braschiopoda. palaegeography. Devonian. Frasnian, Appalachians, New. York.
Impact of Site of Inseminate Deposition and Environmental Factors That Influence Reproduction of Dairy Cattle

Uterine body and cornual inseminations (n = 2127) were evaluated over a 3-yr period in Holstein and Jersey cattle. For cornual insemination one-half of each semen dose was deposited approximately 2.5 cm into each uterine horn. Conception rate was lower for cervical insemination (39.4%) than uterine body (48.1%) or cornual (49.3%) inseminations. Pregnancy site distribution was equal for both insemination techniques but cervical insemination resulted in 60% right horn pregnancies. Primary housing, service number, inseminator, lactation number, and sire affected conception rate. Older cows were least fertile (31.4%), second service conception rate was lowest (42.6%), and barn housed cattle had a 39.7% conception rate. Days open was affected by primary housing, service number, sire, site of semen placement, and twinning. Twinning increased days open by 10 d. Optimum time for insemination of lactating cows was between 6 and 12 h after the initial observation of estrus. From this study we conclude that shallow cornual insemination is as effective as uterine body insemination, and conception rate is optimized when estrus is positively assessed.
The spencer-lewis equation of electron transport theory: A benchmark

Abstract The Spencer-Lewis equation of electron transport theory with an energy independent screened-Rutherford scattering kernel in an in finite medium is solved using a moment reconstruction technique. The solution is evaluated to a high degree of accuracy for use as a benchmark. The evaluation features general anisotropic scattering for a localized source or for a uniformly distributed source in a half-space.
Treatment of sexual disorders in people with epilepsy.

Abstract Sexual dysfunction is underreported in persons with epilepsy. The evaluation of sexual physiology in small samples of epilepsy patients shows abnormal sexual functioning, and points to low free testosterone levels as a contributing factor. Abnormal sexual physiology in epilepsy patients may be due to antiseizure medication-related altered testosterone metabolism and abnormal central gonadotropin secretion due to epileptic physiology in the brain. More information exists on the sexual side effects of “classic” antiseizure medications than the “new generation” of antiseizure medications; barbiturates appear to have the greatest risk. More active surveying for sexual dysfunction should be undertaken in epilepsy clinics; a simple, self-reported scale of sexual functioning is available. Testosterone replacement for men, dehydroepiandrosterone for women, and sildenafil for restoring sexual performance are appropriate.
Update in Asthma 2008

Last year this update focused on the latest National Asthma Education Program Panel (NAEPP) Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (1, 2). In contrast, the safety of our asthma medications was in the headlines this year rather than how to use those drugs according to the guidelines. The focus of clinical asthma manuscripts shifted away from large clinical trials and toward some of the ‘‘problem’’ clinical areas or the ‘‘different phenotypes’’ of asthma, such as severe disease (3), pediatric asthma with articles from the COAST, CARE and CAMP networks, (4–6) and the role of viruses in children with wheeze (4, 7) and the relationship between obesity and asthma (8–10). Articles published in 2008 have advanced our understanding of the influence of genetics (11–18), factors in early life (19–21), and the environment (19, 22–24) on the development of asthma or the modification of disease severity. Basic pathobiologic studies in humans (25–35) and mice (36–46) have added to our understanding of specific mechanisms in different phenotypes of asthma. Clinical trials have explored novel monoclonal antibodies (47) and new uses for old medications (macrolides) (48) as potential treatment options for patients with the most severe asthma.
Isolation of interleukin 2 (IL-2) from human and mouse lymphocyte culture supernatants by batch adsorption onto silicic acid☆☆☆

Abstract Described herein is a simple, efficient and inexpensive batch adsorption procedure for the isolation and partial purification of the hydrophobic T cell growth-promoting lymphokine interleukin 2 (IL-2) from crude culture supernatants (SN) of freshly isolated human lymphocytes and leukemic T cells of established lines including human Jurkat J6.2, Gibbon ape MLA-144 and mouse EL-4. In this method, IL-2 was isolated by batch adsorption onto microparticulate silicic acid (SA) by stir-mixing the SA with SN (10 mg/ml; 30 min; 37°C). Thereafter, the SA was pelleted by centrifugation and washed twice with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The IL-2 was eluted by adding to the pelleted IL-2-binding SA 5 vols. of ethylene glycol (EG; 50%, v/v) in PBS (pH 7.2) with high salt (1.4 M NaCl). The lymphokine-rich concentrate was then dialyzed (6 kDa MWCO) against PBS to remove the EG and low molecular weight growth inhibitors. The application of the proposed procedure was further defined in experiments in which SA was successfully employed for recovering IL-2 from SN of cultures in which the medium had been supplemented with fetal calf (FCS) or human serum to achieve maximal lymphokine production. Also presented are the results of experiments defining the SA adsorption of proteins from whole sera (e.g., FCS, calf, human and horse) and the relative affinity of different purified proteins for this matrix (e.g., bovine serum albumin, human serum albumin, casein hydrolysate, bovine γ-globulin and bovine β-lactoglobulin). The proposed SA procedure may prove useful for isolating other hydrophobic immunoregulatory molecules, and a 2-step purification scheme is anticipated in which the SA adsorption procedure will be used as a preparative method preceding reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and monoclonal antibody affinity chromatography.
Real-time algorithm for generating color Doppler ultrasound images on commercially available microprocessors

We have developed a new algorithm for generating color Doppler ultrasound images, i.e., gray-scale images with color velocity overlays. By combining the blood flow velocity computation (VC) and tissue/flow decision (TFD) algorithms into one, our algorithm requires less computing cycles since the time-consuming process of VC is not needed if a pixel is determined to be tissue by the TFD. Our algorithm has been developed so that it can run efficiently on superscalar and very long instruction word processors that can perform multiple operations concurrently. Our algorithm is also designed to handle the tissue and flow characterization and velocity computations concurrently with the input and output (I/O) data loading. Thus, the processing unit's computing power can be dedicated to performing pixel-based operations while the I/O operations are handled by an independent direct memory access controller. Our integrated VC/TFD algorithm was implemented on a multimedia and imaging system based on the Texas Instruments TMS320C80 Multimedia Video Processor. An execution time of 16.6 ms was achieved when the input data are comprised of one 304 X 498 12-bit complex image from the autocorrelator of an ultrasound machine's color flow unit, one 304 X 498 12-bit power image, and one 304 X 498 12-bit gray-scale image.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Treatment of hyperthermia and dehydration with hypertonic saline in dextran

Hyperthermia may be accompanied by dehydration with or without electrolyte loss. To determine the efficacy of hypertonic saline in dextran solution (HSD, 7.5% NaCl in 6% dextran 70) for the treatment of heat stroke, rats were deprived of water for 24 h (DE) or not (ND), and then they were heat-stressed, and 4 mL/kg of saline (SAL) or HSD was administered via jugular cannula at the end of heat stress (a core temperature of 42.3 degrees C). The following four groups of 10 rats (Wistar-Furth) were used: NDSAL, DESAL, NDHSD, and DEHSD. Four control groups not subjected to heat stress were also studied. Percent change in plasma volume (PV) from baseline was significantly decreased by DE vs. ND (-6.8 +/- 1.2 vs. +4.6 +/- 1.6%) and increased by HSD vs. SAL (+10.1 +/- 4.1 vs. -3.5 +/- 1.6%) administration. Rats that were DE had significantly higher heating rates and less water loss during heat than ND rats, but hydration status was not correlated to 24 h survival. HSD groups had significantly higher PV and survival rates than their corresponding SAL groups regardless of hydrational status.
Siderophile geochemistry of Ga, Ge, and Sn: Cationic oxidation states in silicate melts and the effect of composition in iron-nickel alloys.

We report a series of metal–silicate partitioning experiments for Ga, Ge, and Sn to characterize the dependence of the partition coefficient, D, on oxygen fugacity, fO2. These were isothermal (1260°C) and isobaric (1 bar) experiments using a silicate composition that approximates a eucritic meteorite. It is well known that elements such as Ni, which exist in only one valence state under redox conditions of planetary interest, produce linear trends on log D vs log fO2 diagrams. For our experiments on Ga, Ge, and Sn, however, large deviations from linearity were evident and seemed to suggest unusual changes in the oxidation states for these elements in the silicate melt. But such an inference would have been mistaken because the metallic phase of these experiments, Ni–Fe alloys, was not of constant composition; instead, the Ni/Fe ratio was varied systematically to control oxygen fugacity. Although Ni and Fe form alloys that are not far from ideal, binary interactions between the trace elements and either major metallic component, Ni or Fe, are not necessarily similar. Using only information obtained from the literature on binary mixing properties among the metallic components, Fe, Ni, Ga, Sn, and Ge, a simple thermodynamic solution model was formulated to calculate the activity coefficients for the metallic components in our experimental system. It was found that, despite the slight deviations from ideality for Ni–Fe alloys, large differences exist between the way Ni interacts with trace elements and the way Fe does. Activity coefficients calculated from the thermodynamics of the metallic solution rationalized the experimentally derived log D vs log fO2 plots. When the independently derived activity coefficients for the trace elements in the alloys (γ) are used to plot log γ KD vs log fO2, the unusual oxygen fugacity dependencies can be fully reconciled with the expected valences of 3+ for Ga, 4+ for Ge, and predominantly 4+ at high oxygen fugacities changing to predominantly 2+ at low oxygen fugacities for Sn. If a planetary metal–silicate system evolves with increasing oxygen fugacity, the increasing Ni content of the metal will maintain the siderophile character of Ga, Ge, and Sn because these elements are more stable dissolved in Ni compared to Fe.
An analytical approach towards cooperative relay scheduling under partial state information

Energy harvesting and cooperative communication are promising solutions to overcome the power limitations of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) comprising of battery-powered nodes. In order to maximize the efficiency of such systems, measured in terms of packet delivery ratio achieved over time, efficient scheduling algorithms need to be designed. In particular, relay usage scheduling is critical for addressing the trade-off between energy consumption and efficiency in the network. However, the stochastic nature of the recharge and traffic generation processes at the sensor nodes, along with partial state information availability about neighboring nodes, makes the transmission and relay scheduling problem quite challenging. To address this problem, we model the system using a stochastic framework, and formulate the scheduling problem at source sensor node, when only partial state information about the relay is available at the source, as a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP). We characterize an approximate solution to the optimality equations, which provides us with useful insights into the system dynamics. We observe that the structure of optimal policy is quite sensitive to system parameters, which makes it unsuitable for practical deployment. Therefore, we design a simple and practical threshold based relay scheduling policy, and show using simulations that it achieves close to optimal performance.
The occurrence of Chalara elegans.

Soil was assayed for Chalara elegans by app!ying field soil or plant roots to the surface of slices from commercially-washed carrots and incubating these dry in closed Petri dishes. This “dry” meth...
Characterization of the Renal Handling of Vasopressin in the Dog by Stop-Flow Analysis*

The stop-flow technique has been used to characterize the renal handling of vasopressin in the anesthetized dog. To facilitate the measurement of vasopressin in small urine samples by a specific RIA, the plasma vasopressin concentration was elevated by the iv infusion of arginine vasopressin. Under control conditions, the urinary clearance of vasopressin did not differ significantly from the glomerular filtration rate. The data obtained with the stop-flow technique indicate that vasopressin was reabsorbed from or degraded in the proximal nephron and secreted into the distal nephron. Thus, vasopressin excreted in the final urine is the result of glomerular filtration (which is limited to the extent that vasopressin is bound to plasma proteins), proximal reabsorption or degradation of filtered vasopressin, and distal secretion of vasopressin. It is likely that the tubular secretion of vasopressin is an important component of the renal organ clearance of this hormone.
Influence of Scurvy and Lathyrism (Odoratism) on Hydroxyproline Excretion

SINCE nearly all the hydroxyproline in the body is found in collagen, it has been suggested1–3 that abnormal amounts of hydroxyproline may be excreted in conditions which alter the metabolism of collagen. The availability of a specific and relatively simple method for analysing hydroxyproline in urine4 encouraged us to measure hydroxyproline excretion in scurvy and lathyrism (odoratism), two experimental conditions known to affect collagen.
Erroneous mass spectrometer readings caused by desflurane and sevoflurane.

Objective. Medical mass spectrometers are configured to detect and measure specific respiratory and anesthetic gases. Unrecognized gases entering these systems may cause erroneous readings. We determined how the Advantage 1100 (Perkin-Elmer, now Marquette Gas Systems, Milwaukee, WI) and PPG-SARA (PPG Biomedical Systems, Lenexa, KS) systems that were not configured to measure desflurane or sevoflurane respond to increasing concentrations of these new potent volatile anesthetic agents.Methods. Desflurane 0% to 18% in 3% increments or sevoflurane 0% to 7% in 1% increments in 5-L/min oxygen was delivered to the Advantage and PPG-SARA mass spectrometry systems. For each concentration of each agent, the displayed gas analysis readings and uncompensated collector plate voltages were recorded.Results. The Advantage 1100 system read both desflurane and sevoflurane mainly as enflurane and, to a lesser extent, as carbon dioxide and isoflurane. For enflurane(E) readings 9.9% because of saturation of the summation bus. PPG-SARA read desflurane mainly as isoflurane(I) and, to a lesser extent, as nitrous oxide. PPG-SARA read sevoflurane mainly as enflurane(E) and, to a lesser extent, as nitrous oxide and halothane. The approximate relationships are: %Desflurane=1.11 (for I < 9%); %Sevoflurane=2.1E.Conclusions. Advantage 1100 and PPG-SARA systems not configured for desflurane or sevoflurane display erroneous anesthetic agent readings when these new agents are sampled. Advantage 1100 also displays falsely elevated carbon dioxide readings when desflurane is sampled.
Music Lessons and Books as Reinforcement Alternatives for an Academic Task

While studies of effective reinforcers for academic subject matter have been extensive, the effect of possible subject matter gain for that subject when used as reinforcement for another subject has only recently been investigated. Initial studies indicated that correct math scores increased as a function of a televised music contingency for subjects who were reinforced for correct academic responses. These studies also demonstrated that subjects showed a significant music subject matter gain. The present study investigated two academic rewards as contingencies for correct math responses: receipt of books and televised music lessons. The study used an extended reversal design and was conducted by a regular classroom teacher. Results indicated that both receipt of books and televised music lessons functioned to increase math performance. More importantly, there was significant pre-, mid-, and posttest gain in music subject matter in direct relationship to subjects' viewing televised lessons.
Survival of Bovine Spermatozoa Stored at 5 and 25° C. In Extenders Containing Varying Levels of Egg Yolk, Glucose, Glycine, Glycerol, Citrate, and Other Salts

Summary Combinations of 20% egg yolk with 1.5 to 3.0% solutions of glycine resulted in poor survival of spermatozoa. Inclusion of 10% glycerol resulted in sperm survival comparable to that obtained in 50% egg yolk-glycine extenders with or without glycerol. A 20% egg yolk extender containing 1.16% sodium citrate dihydrate, 0.75% glycine, and 1.0% glucose was evolved. Twenty ejaculates of semen stored in this extender averaged 41% motile spermatozoa after 12 days of storage at 5° C. Results at 5° C. were superior to those at 25° C. (P 0.05). The high sperm survival in both of these extenders at 5° C. indicated they might be useful in preserving the fertility of sperm stored for several days at this temperature.
The SLC polarized electron source

A polarized electron source consisting of a 3-electrode photocathode gun and a flashlamp-pumped dye laser has been designed and built for the SLC and is currently undergoing commissioning. The source is described, and the operating configuration is discussed. The present status of the source and future plans are briefly indicated.
Microsecond pulsed glow discharge optical emission spectrometry — investigation of temporal emission characteristics

A high voltage, microsecond regime, pulsed glow discharge has been applied to a standard Grimm type source on a LECO SA-2000 multichannel optical spectrometer. The spectrometer system has been equipped with fast time-resolved electronics in order to study the temporal response of the elemental emission lines. The aim of the research was to investigate possible gains in signal-to-background ratio (S/B) and detection limits compared to a conventional direct current (dc) mode of operation. It was found that the high instantaneous pulse power in itself gives approximately a factor 2 increase in S/B. By utilising time-resolved detection, gains in the range 5–10 are achieved. For nitrogen, it was found that the background from leakage of air could be reduced to approximately 1/3 compared with the dc mode. Another interesting observation was that certain nearly non-conducting materials, which cannot be run in dc mode, could be run in the microsecond pulsed mode.
Serum concentrations of deoxycorticosterone in women during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle are not suppressed by dexamethasone treatment.

We determined the serum levels of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in plasma of six healthy, apparently ovulatory women during the mid-follicular and mid-luteal phases of their ovarian cycles; and we evaluated the effect of dexamethasone (1 mg by mouth) on the concentrations of DOC and cortisol in serum at times when plasma progesterone levels were high or low. The serum levels of DOC, unlike those of cortisol, did not vary significantly in single blood samples obtained in the morning (8–10 a.m.) and afternoon (3–5 p.m.); and serum DOC levels in women were significantly higher (P < 0.05) during the mid-luteal phase than during the mid-follicular phase of the cycle. There were unmistakable diurnal variations in serum levels of cortisol, and cortisol concentrations were reduced to less than 20% of pretreatment levels after the ingestion of 1 mg dexamethasone during the mid-follicular or mid-luteal phase. The serum concentrations of DOC were reduced only to approx 70% of pretreatment levels after dexamethasone ingestion during the follicular phase. The serum levels of DOC did not decline significantly after administration of dexamethasone during the mid-luteal phase, when progesterone levels in serum are high (14–16 ng/ml). Blood samples also were obtained at hourly intervals during the 24 h before and after dexamethasone administration in one woman during the follicular phase and in another woman the during the early luteal phase (progesterone levels = 1−3 ng/ml) of the ovarian cycle. DOC levels (pre-dexamethasone) fluctuated in synchrony with those of cortisol in the woman studied during the follicular phase but not in the woman studied during the early luteal phase of the cycle. In the post-dexamethasone period, plasma cortisol levels were suppressed for at least 24 h in both women whereas DOC levels were decreased only partially. We conclude that plasma DOC is derived from both adrenal secretion and from extraadrenal 21-hydroxylation of progesterone—the latter source of DOC is not affected by dexamethasone suppression of ACTH secretion.
Experimental study of sliding mode control for a benchmark magnetic bearing system and artificial heart pump suspension

This paper deals with the sliding mode control of a balance beam on two symmetric magnetic bearings. A state-space model of the system is developed and implemented. The sliding mode controller is separated into linear and nonlinear components. A reaching condition to bring the system states to a sliding surface is developed and a continuous function boundary layer is used to avoid chattering. The system performance with a small and large boundary layers is illustrated by experimental results. The effect of a nonlinear component gain to the system performance is analyzed. A new experimental setup is introduced using a real-time operating system, which gives a designer a convenient method to change the controller parameters. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the sliding mode controller. A potential application of this study to an artificial heart pump system is demonstrated.