cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The N2-broadened water vapor absorption line shape and infrared continuum absorption—II. Implementation of the line shape☆

Abstract The total line shape model of the previous paper is tested using a set of experimental room temperature H2O continuum measurements of high quality. Parameters of the far wing component of the total line shape are determined from near band experimental data. Grating spectrometer measurements from 300 to 650 cm−1 are used to determine unknown far wing parameters of the pure rotational band of H2O. CO and HF laser measurements taken in the 5 and 3 μm regions are used to determine the far wing parameters of the ν2 and ν1, ν3 fundamental bands, respectively. The total line shape model is applied to the 10 and 4 μm transmission windows with encouraging success. A significant increase in the self-broadening ability of H2O over N2 is predicted in the far wing. This procedure allows the proper modeling of the absorption coefficient vs H2O partial pressure dependence in all window regions. A negative temperature is predicted by the model in the continuum. The observed rate of the temperature decrease is not predicted by the model; however, this limitation is related to the approximations made on the interaction potentials and the perturbation expansion of the Hamiltonians. Although the total line shape has limitations, it does demonstrate the importance of considering far wings of absorption lines in continuum absorption.
Cyclooxygenase inhibition abolishes age-related differences in cerebral vasodilator responses to hypercapnia

Blood flow and vasodilatory responses are altered by age in a number of vascular beds, including the cerebral circulation. To test the role of prostaglandins as regulators of cerebral vascular func...
Block copolymers and melt blends of polylactide with Nodax microbial polyesters: preparation and mechanical properties.

Abstract Completely renewable resource-based, degradable composites of poly( l -lactide) and Nodax™ [poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co -3-hydroxyhexanoate)] were prepared by a melt blending procedure. oligo Nodax- b -poly( l -lactide) diblock copolymers were synthesized and their use as compatibilizers in these melt blends was investigated. The block copolymers were prepared from microbially produced Nodax™ polyhydroxyalkanoate by a two-step transesterification and macroinitiator ring opening polymerization method. Addition of Nodax™ increased the notched Izod impact resistance of the binary blends compared to that of PLLA homopolymer (44 ± 6 J m −1 versus 22 ± 2 J m −1 , respectively). Further addition of the oligo Nodax- b -poly( l -lactide) block copolymers to form ternary blends resulted in composites with improved dispersion and decreased Nodax™ particle size, but no additional improvement in the notched Izod impact properties. Significant Nodax™ degradation during processing coupled with a high Nodax™ entanglement molecular weight, as well as crystallization and low impact resistance of the Nodax™ dispersed phase are implicated as major factors impeding further toughening.
Computational approaches to compensating quasistatic errors of three-axis machining centers

Abstract This paper, the last in a series of three papers dealing with modeling and compensation of quasistatic machine-tool errors, discusses strategies for introducing compensations for quasistatic errors. It is assumed, based on the work presented in the previous papers in this set, that an adequate and accurate model is available for characterizing the volumetric errors in the work space of a machine due to quasistatic effects. Such models indicate that quasistatic errors result in a nonlinear distortion of the work volume. Consequently, the compensations become position dependent and simple strategies such as using constant offsets will not work. Under the assumption of the availability of an error model, strategies are developed for obtaining compensations when locating the cutting tool at a point in the work space or moving it along a straight line or circular trajectory. The motivation behind this analysis is its use in “preprocessing” NC programs so that compensated NC programs can be developed, based on an updated (current) model of the machine's error, and given to the machine for execution. The strategies developed are tested using experimentally obtained error models for a three-axis machine. The computational tests indicate that a high level of compensation accuracy is possible.
Effect of the sample on the posterior probability in bayesian analysis

This paper examines Bayesian posterior probabilities as a function of selected elements within the set of data, x, when the prior distribution is assumed fixed. The posterior probabilities considered here are those of the parameter vector lying in a subset of the total parameter space. The theorems of this paper provide insight into the effect of elements within x on this posterior probability. These results have applications, for example, in the study of the impact of outliers within the data and in the isolation of misspecified parameters in a model.
Adult human vascular endothelial cells express the IL6 gene differentially in response to LPS or IL1

We investigated the regulation of IL6 biological activity, de novo synthesis, and mRNA levels in adult vascular endothelial cells (EC) by bacterial endotoxin or inflammatory cytokines. Cells incubated without stimulus released scant IL6 activity. IFN gamma, IL2, or PDGF did not augment IL6 release from EC. LPS, lipid A, and TNF increased IL6 release modestly (5 to 20-fold), while recombinant IL1s (rIL1s) stimulated this process 100 to 400-fold. Differential release of IL6 from EC treated with LPS or rIL1 continued for at least 144 hr. Exposure to LPS or rIL1 caused EC to synthesize IL6 de novo. EC secreted the newly synthesized IL6 into the supernatant, rather than retaining it within or bound to cells. EC accumulated IL6 mRNA after 3 hr of exposure to rIL1. However, we could only detect IL6 message in cells incubated with LPS under "superinduction" conditions with cycloheximide, consistent with lower levels of IL6 biological activity in response to LPS compared to IL1 stimulation. We propose that local production of IL6 by vascular EC, which comprise the barrier between tissues and the blood, may influence regional immune and inflammatory responses.
SYNTHESIS OF SOME NEWER 5‐(5‐ARYL‐2H‐TETRAZOL‐2‐YLMETHYL)‐4‐SUBSTITUTED‐S‐TRIAZOLE‐3‐THIOLS AS POSSIBLE ANTIINFLAMMATORY AGENTS

Several 1-(5-aryl-2H-tetrazol-2-ylacetyl)-4-substituted thiosemicarbazides and 5-(5-aryl-2H-tetrazol-2-yl-methyl)-4-substituted-s-triazole-3-thiols were synthesized as possible antiinflammatory agents. These compounds were characterized by their elemental, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.
The Impact of Autonomic Dysreflexia on Blood Flow and Skin Response in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is an inappropriate response of the sympathetic nervous system that commonly occurs when individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), at or above the sixth thoracic (T6) vertebra, are subjected to a noxious stimulus below the level of injury. An AD event can be put into motion by something as simple as an ingrown toenail or a full bladder, with symptoms ranging from headache, high blood pressure, and even stroke. We have characterized the onset of AD and resulting autonomic events in an individual with SCI using a fiberoptic-based probe. Two probes were located above and below the injury level, on the subjects forearm and thigh, respectively, and were connected to a dual channel spectrophotometer. Oxygen saturation was calculated using the reflectance spectra and an algorithm based on melanin and hemoglobin absorption. We noticed that during an AD event the amount of oxygen in the skin below the injury level dropped by as much as 40%, while above the injury level, skin oxygenation remained constant. In addition, we found that the level of skin perspiration below the level of injury increased significantly. We hypothesize that the combination of AD-related ischemia with pressure-related ischemia and increased perspiration places individuals with spinal cord injury level at T6 or above at an elevated risk for developing a pressure sore below the injury site.
PB.14: Visibility of screen-detected invasive carcinoma on digital breast tomosynthesis: do we need two views?

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) increases the sensitivity and specificity of detecting invasive breast carcinoma. Integration into screening raises questions. Should we perform two-view full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and two-view DBT or two-view FFDM and single-view DBT at every screening? DBT is shown to offer greatest benefit in the assessment of a soft tissue lesion. We routinely use two-view DBT in combination mode for all patients recalled from screening for a soft tissue abnormality. The aim of our study is to assess the need for two-view DBT in the detection of breast cancer.
ALGORITHMS FOR APPROXIMATE K-COVERING OF STRINGS

Computing approximate patterns in strings or sequences has important applications in DNA sequence analysis, data compression, musical text analysis, and so on. In this paper, we introduce approximate k-covers and study them under various commonly used distance measures. We propose the following problem: "Given a string x of length n, a set U of m strings of length k, and a distance measure, compute the minimum number t such that U is a set of approximate k-covers for x with distance t". To solve this problem, we present three algorithms with time complexity O(km(n - k)), O(mn2) and O(mn2) under Hamming, Levenshtein and edit distance, respectively. A World Wide Web server interface has been established at for automated use of the programs.
Building the digital library on solid research foundations

The digital library is a socio‐technical concept of great significance. It redefines the relationships between information providers and intermediaries and, potentially, transforms the way that services are delivered to users. This article, based on a British Library Research & Innovation Centre funded study, reviews current themes and directions in digital library research and scholarship. It locates the digital library in a simple work‐oriented framework emphasising its social as well as its systems and informational dimensions. The article highlights differences in understanding of the digital library construct between the library and computer science communities and identifies some critical areas for further research.
The mode of action of enkephalins in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus

Abstract Intracellular recording were made from ganglion cells of of guinea-pig ileum. Methionine-enkephalin and ? enke the nerve membrane were studied by adding them ? che perf? Both opioid pentapeptides elicit concentration-dependent the membranes of neurons; however, met-enkephalin was sho? two to four times as potent as leu-enkephalin. The membrane ? polarization caused by enkephalins was reduced by the narcotic antagonist? one and naltrexone. From these results, it may be speculated that the ? ensitive neurons may be the cholinergic efferents to the muscle layers. By hyperpolarizating these neurons, enkephalins may exert their inhibitory action. This may well explain why opiate analgesics reduce the output of acetylcholine and tile response of this preparation when it is excited.
β-Cell Dysfunction in Adolescents and Adults with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective To compare β-cell function in adolescents and adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Study design Thirty-nine adolescents with T2DM, 38 age- and weight-matched control subjects, and 19 adults with T2DM were studied. The adolescent subjects with diabetes were divided on the basis of whether they needed insulin to control their initial hyperglycemia. The primary outcome variable was the disposition index, computed from the acute insulin response to glucose corrected for insulin sensitivity (1/Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance). Results The disposition index was significantly reduced in all 3 diabetic groups (control n=3360, adolescents with T2DM without insulin n=630, adolescents with T2DM with insulin n=120, adults with T2DM n=200; P P Conclusion At the time of diagnosis, adolescents with T2DM have significant β-cell dysfunction, comparable with adults newly diagnosed with T2DM. Thus, severe β-cell impairment can develop within the first two decades of life and is likely to play a central role in the pathogenesis of T2DM in adolescents.
Structure and dynamics of a helical hairpin and loop region in annexin 12: a site-directed spin labeling study.

A 30-residue nitroxide scan encompassing a helical hairpin and an extended loop in soluble annexin 12 (helices D and E in repeat 2; residues 134−163) has been analyzed in terms of nitroxide side ch...
ISOPERIMETRIC INEQUALITIES ON SURFACES OF CONSTANT CURVATURE

In this paper we introduce the concepts of hyperbolic and elliptic areas and prove uncountably many new geometric isoperimetric inequalities on the surfaces of constant curvature.
Preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing: A situational approach

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a significant problem that affects the marine ecosystem and those who depend on it for survival. Research and theory in criminology can shed light on the problem and suggest policy instruments to reduce IUU fishing. Informed by rational choice theory and situational crime prevention framework, this study examines the relationship between local situational factors and illegal fishing in 53 countries. Results suggest that a country’s risk of illegal fishing is positively related to the number of commercially significant species found within its territorial waters and its proximity to known ports of convenience. Countries that exercise effective fisheries management and have strong patrol surveillance capacity experience less illegal fishing activity within their territorial waters. The presence of legally fishing vessels does not deter illegal fishing activity. These findings demonstrate the utility of thinking about illegal fishing through the lens of criminology, which is equipped with practical tools to address the problem. Findings suggest a dialogue between criminologists and conservationists to work together to address similar problems affecting the environment.
shamans, power symbols, and change in Argentine Toba culture1

Despite nearly four centuries of contact with Europeans, the Argentine Toba symbolic system did not appear to be significantly influenced by Western symbolism until recent decades. This paper discusses the nature of that system, particularly as expressed in cosomology, shamanism, and sorcery, and the nature of change introduced by Pentecostalism. Emphasis is placed upon the communication processes involved when different symbolic systems confront each other through human interaction. Ambiguity is treated as the crucial factor in the communication process.
The Stress of Combat

Stress can do more than make you lose sleep or eat too much junk food: It can also affect cognitive function. In humans, acute stress can impair working memory and attention, but the long-term consequences of severe stress on the brain are unknown. Looking at a select, high-stress cohort, van Wingen et al . evaluated the neural impact of combat stress by examining soldiers before and after deployment to Afghanistan. The authors used a prospective longitudinal neuroimaging study design to examine the brains of 33 healthy soldiers before and 1.5 months and 1.5 years after their exposure to severe stress during their first military deployment to a combat zone. An additional 26 healthy soldiers who were never deployed were studied at similar time intervals to control for repeated testing and other nonspecific effects. van Wingen and colleagues found that combat stress reduced midbrain activity and integrity and resulted in disrupted sustained attention. Long-term follow-up showed that these functional and structural changes observed initially had normalized within 1.5 years. However, combat stress induced a persistent reduction in functional connectivity between the midbrain and prefrontal cortex that lasted 1.5 years. These results suggest that in healthy humans, the brain can largely recover from the adverse effects of stress. However, the results also reveal long-term changes within the network of brain regions that connect the midbrain and the prefrontal cortex. The disruption of this network may increase the vulnerability of the brain to subsequent stressors and lead to more persistent cognitive deficits. Although this study focused on a small cohort of soldiers who sustained no physical injury during their combat exposure (and may therefore not represent the general military population), the authors have highlighted the long-term impact of combat stress on the brain’s most vulnerable regions that support critical cognitive functions. Further study is needed to determine whether strategies such as lengthening time home between deployments would facilitate the brain’s recovery from combat stress exposure. G. A. van Wingen et al ., Persistent and reversible consequences of combat stress on the mesofrontal circuit and cognition. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 109 , 15508–15513 (2012). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.pnas.org/content/109/38/15508.full.pdf+html
Developing Oral Language in Primary Classrooms

The development of oral language in classrooms has been an incidental occurrence historically. The amount of oral language that children have is an indicator of their success or struggle in school. To meet the needs of these children, teachers can make oral language development a primary focus for instruction. This article examines ways that teachers can both implicitly and explicitly teach children about language and its functions in primary classrooms through the environment, connections to literature, developmentally appropriate oral language activities, and engaging curricula.
Spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive content addressable memory (CAM) cell structure design with enhanced search noise margin

This paper presents a new memory cell structure for content addressable memory (CAM) based on magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ). Each CAM cell uses a pair of differential MTJs as basic storage element and incorporates transistors to greatly improve the cell search noise margin at low sensing current. Using the same design principle, we further develop an area-efficient cell structure for ternary CAM (TCAM), which occupies about 25% less area compared with directly using two CAM cells to form one TCAM cell. The effectiveness of the proposed CAM and TCAM cell structures has been demonstrated by circuit simulation at 0.18 mum CMOS technology.
Microbial Fermentation in Juvenile and Adult Pond Slider Turtles, Trachemys scripta

Abstract Herbivorous reptiles use microbial gut symbionts to digest plant material. These symbionts ferment cell wall components, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which the host uses as an energy source. In reptiles, fermentation usually occurs in the large intestine; however, the freshwater Florida Red-Bellied Cooter, Pseudemys nelsoni, has both small and large intestine fermentation. Although small intestine fermentation has not been found in other chelonians, no other freshwater turtles have been examined. We measured SCFA concentrations in the digestive tracts of juvenile and adult Pond Sliders, Trachemys scripta. Like many other turtles, T. scripta experiences an ontogenetic diet shift from carnivory to herbivory, and it is unknown whether juveniles can digest plant material. We determined whether (1) this species harbors small intestine fermentation, (2) juveniles possess SCFA concentrations comparable to other herbivorous reptiles, and (3) a change in relative fermentation chamber capacity...
Enhanced Disease and Pulmonary Eosinophilia Associated with Formalin-Inactivated Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination Are Linked to G Glycoprotein CX3C-CX3CR1 Interaction and Expression of Substance P

Vaccination with formalin-inactivated respiratory syncytial virus (FI-RSV) vaccine or RSV G glycoprotein results in enhanced pulmonary disease after live RSV infection. Enhanced pulmonary disease is characterized by pulmonary eosinophilia and is associated with a substantial inflammatory response. We show that the absence of the G glycoprotein or G glycoprotein CX3C motif during FI-RSV vaccination or RSV challenge of FI-RSV-vaccinated mice, or treatment with anti-substance P or anti-CX3CR1 antibodies, reduces or eliminates enhanced pulmonary disease, modifies T-cell receptor Vβ usage, and alters CC and CXC chemokine expression. These data suggest that the G glycoprotein, and in particular the G glycoprotein CX3C motif, is key in the enhanced inflammatory response to FI-RSV vaccination, possibly through the induction of substance P.
Top down image segmentation using congealing and graph-cut

This paper develops a weakly supervised algorithm that learns to segment rigid multi-colored objects from a set of training images and key points. The approach uses congealing to learn a probabilistic spatial model of the multi-colored object class and graph-cut to separate the foreground from the background. The result is a novel approach which can segment heterogeneous objects, in contrast to other recent approaches which are better at segmenting uniform but possibly flexible objects.
USA300 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Emerging as a Cause of Bloodstream Infections at Military Medical Centers

Background. USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of skin and soft-tissue infection (SSTI) in military personnel. USA300 MRSA has emerged as an important cause of healthcare-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) in metropolitan centers.Objective. To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and patient outcomes associated with USA300 MRSA BSI in military tertiary medical centers.Design. Retrospective case-control study.Patients. Patients admitted during the period 2001–2009 with MRSA BSI.Setting. Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Washington, DC) and National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda, MD) tertiary medical centers with 500 inpatient beds combined, which provide care to active duty service members and military beneficiaries.Methods. After identifying patients with MRSA BSI, we collected epidemiological data from electronic medical records and characterized bacterial isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).Results. A total of 245 MRSA BSI cases were ide...
Probiotics in the United States

Probiotics are live microbial products that have a defined health benefit. Scientific research has established that there are validated indications for the use of some probiotics available in the United States; however, in many cases, they are often used for conditions for which no benefit has been established. This article will review the uses of probiotics in the United States, as well as the current state of regulatory issues surrounding probiotics. Although the use and scientific understanding of probiotics are rapidly increasing, it is evident that there is a need to clarify the regulatory issues, which, at present, are unclear and subject to misinterpretation. In addition to efficacy, safety issues must be considered in determining when and how probiotics are to be used.
A Guideline for Applying Systematic Reviews to Child Language Intervention.

This article focuses on applying systematic reviews to the Early Intervention (EI) literature. Systematic reviews are defined and differentiated from traditional, or narrative, reviews and from meta-analyses. In addition, the steps involved in critiquing systematic reviews and an illustration of a systematic review from the EI literature are detailed.
FAS/FAE: Focusing Prevention on Women at Risk

Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is well recognized as a risk factor associated with adverse fetal development. While precise safe or dangerous levels of maternal drinking have not been identified, it is clear that the women who drink most heavily are at the greatest risk. Prevention of alcohol-related birth defects requires development of programs directed to the special needs of addicted women and their families. The nature of addiction suggests that direct interventions focused on changing individual drinking behavior have the best chance of success.
Incidence, prevalence, and clinical course of hepatitis C following liver transplantation.

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the agent responsible for posttransfusion hepatitis. The incidence, timing, and clinical course of HCV positive hepatitis in liver transplant recipients are unknown. Three hundred and seventeen donor-recipient liver transplant pairs were grouped on the basis of their pretransplant HCV antibody status. The biopsy findings were examined. Four distinct groups were identified on the basis of HCV serology: group I, both were negative; group II, donor was negative and recipient was positive; group III, donor was positive and recipient was negative; group IV, both were positive. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in recipients was 13.6%. The rate of seroconversion was 9.2%. Histologic hepatitis not ascribable to any specific cause other than non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis occurred in 13.8%. The incidence of histologic chronic active hepatitis was 1.6%, and none progressed to cirrhosis. The concordance rate for a positive anti-HCV serology and NANB hepatitis was 2.8%. Of the 35 patients (group II and IV) with positive anti-HCV serology pretransplant, only 17 were positive posttransplantation. Based on these data it can be concluded that posttransplant NANB hepatitis occurred in 13.8% of liver recipients. Twenty percent of these were anti-HCV positive. Progression to histologic chronic active hepatitis occurs over a period of 1–5 years in 1.6% of cases.
Radiotherapy in the treatment of hereditary breast cancer.

Hereditary breast cancer represents approximately 5% to 10% of breast cancers and a larger portion of patients with early-onset disease. Given the relatively recent identification of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, the available literature with respect to outcomes related to radiation therapy has inherent limitations with relatively small patient numbers and a lack of prospective randomized trials. There is, however, a growing body of literature describing treatment and toxicity outcomes in patients undergoing radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery and after mastectomy for breast cancer patients who have BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Acknowledging the limitations in the available data, there does not appear to be any evidence of more severe normal tissue reactions or compromised long-term survival rates in women electing breast-conserving surgery and radiation. These studies are reviewed in this article. Outcomes related to radiation therapy in patients with variants in other breast cancer–related genes, such as p53, ATM, CHEK2, PALB2, and PTEN, are even less well documented because of the paucity of data. Available reports on radiation-related outcomes in these and single nucleotide polymorphisms in radiation repair and response genes are discussed.
The Fast Fourier Transform and Its Applications

The advent of the fast Fourier transform method has greatly extended our ability to implement Fourier methods on digital computers. A description of the alogorithm and its programming is given here and followed by a theorem relating its operands, the finite sample sequences, to the continuous functions they often are intended to approximate. An analysis of the error due to discrete sampling over finite ranges is given in terms of aliasing. Procedures for computing Fourier integrals, convolutions and lagged products are outlined.
Commissioning experiences of the ALS booster synchrotron

Installation of the ALS (Advanced Light Source) booster synchrotron proper was completed on April 30, 1991, and commissioning has just begun. A circulating beam around the booster was observed on the first day of operation, May 3, 1991. The beam was visible for about 400 turns. The status and commissioning experience of the 1.5-GeV electron synchrotron accelerator are described. >
Intermolecular orientations of adenosine-5′-monophosphate in aqueous solution as studied by fast fourier transform 1H nmr spectroscopy

Proton magnetic resonance spectra of 5′AMP were taken in the concentration range of 0.001–2.2M. The concentration profiles of all the nonexchangeable protons were determined. The data for 5′AMP was compared to those of adenine, adenosine, and poly(A). Theoretically computed isoshielding lines of the adenine moiety were used to qualitatively predict a preferred stacking geometry of 5′AMP in aqueous solution. It is concluded that 5′AMP at pH 8 forms multistacked aggregates at high concentration levels and that a preferred orientation is such that the bases are aligned face to back with considerable, though less than 100%, base overlap; and that the ribose moieties of adjacent molecules are near one another with the phosphate groups well separated. Mn(II) ion binding studies show that the stacks are not restricted to one unique orientation type. Specific evidence is given showing that base-stacking orientations in the solid state may in some cases be considerably different from that in aqueous solution, due in part to numerous hydrogen bonding differences, and this is shown to be the case for base-stacked adenosine. In the case of 5′AMP the stacking orientations between the solid and liquid states are also different, except in this comparison the solid-state structure carries a positive charge.
Incremental Doses of Dobutamine Induce a Biphasic Response in Dysfunctional Left Ventricular Regions Subtending Coronary Stenoses

Background Dobutamine stress echocardiography has been proposed as a diagnostic tool to identify viable myocardium. How regional wall thickening responds to dobutamine in the ischemic or short-term hibernating myocardium has not been adequately defined. We hypothesized that regional wall thickening would improve initially and subsequently deteriorate with incremental doses of dobutamine in viable myocardial regions supplied by a stenotic coronary artery. This study was undertaken to determine whether this biphasic pattern of regional function characterizes the response of ischemic or hibernating myocardium to dobutamine and to explore the factors and mechanisms that determine this response. Methods and Results Twenty-six pigs in four groups were studied: a control group (n=5) to assess the response of myocardium perfused by nonstenotic coronary artery to incremental doses of dobutamine, and three experimental groups with a left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis producing acute myocardial ischem...
Legislative Governing Coalitions in Parliamentary Democracies The Case of the French Third Republic

A neglected aspect of parliamentary democracies that do not conform to the British model is the relation between executive and legislative leadership. In multiparty systems with strong legislative committees, committee chairmen constitute a governing coalition comparable to the cabinet. Given the coalitional nature of each leadership group, their partisan composition may not be identical; nor need they be equally stable. These are matters of importance for the operation of government. This article examines the relations between the two coalitions in the primordial parliamentary democracy, the French Third Republic. Using correlation analysis, I found a weak partisan relation between the two coalitions during the five legislatures of the interwar years. Using two measures of stability, durability and the continuity of coalitions beyond formal tenure, I found the legislative coalition always more stable. Institutional rules and the multiparty system helped account for these differences. Nevertheless, there ...
Closed-form approximation of the periodic response of a system with a saturating non-linearity†

A technique for approximating harmonic, periodic solutions of a class of non-linear equations involving u saturation non-linearity is applied to a fourth-order equation which describes an electrical circuit containing a non-linear amplifying element. The computational effort required to obtain the closed-form approximation which this method yields is compared with that required for a numerical solution by the conventional methods of quasilinearization and patching. The various methods use comparable amounts of computer time, but the other classical methods do not offer the advantage of the closed-form approximation which our technique provides.
Methionine Excess and Chick Growth

Abstract IT IS generally accepted that levels of methionine well beyond those required for growth or maintenance cause toxic effects distinct from those caused by an amino acid imbalance (Anonymous, 1965). In response to an inquiry, we recently searched the literature for information on the level of methionine that would, when added to a conventional starter feed, cause a growth depression in young chicks. We found that little information was available on this subject. The addition of 2.42% l -methionine to an otherwise adequately balanced purified diet had been shown to produce a severe growth depression in young chicks (Boorman and Fisher, 1966). Moderate growth depression was observed by Tamimie (1967) on supplementation of a conventional diet with 1.2% l -methionine. Essentially all other work on methionine toxicity reported in the literature was carried out with rats. Following is a report of several experiments, comparing the effect of graded levels of dl -methionine on . . .
Nutrient Transport Across Vertebrate Intestine

Modern vertebrates are diverse in their trophic characteristics. All higher classes of vertebrates, for example, include species which feed at some point in their life on diets with relatively high proportions of carbohydrate (e.g., herbivores and omnivores) and species which feed on nearly carbohydrate-free diets (e.g., carnivores). Vertebrates also differ tremendously in the amounts of foods they eat daily. For example, daily metabolic rates and hence food requirements of endothermic mammals and birds are generally more than an order of magnitude greater than those of ectothermic fish, amphibians, and reptiles.
Autocrine Signals Control CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein β Expression, Localization, and Activity in Macrophages

The transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ, or NF-IL6) is expressed in macrophages, where it participates in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated induction of proinflammatory cytokine genes such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β. We have identified activities in conditioned medium from a macrophage tumor cell line that regulates the expression, localization, and transcriptional activity of C/EBPβ. One factor was shown to be tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-), which increased C/EBPβ expression by a posttranscriptional mechanism. A second activity, designated autocrine macrophage factor (AMF), elicited a change in C/EBPβ localization from a punctate nuclear staining pattern to diffuse nuclear distribution. The punctate form of C/EBPβ correlated with increased susceptibility of this protein to cleavage by an endogenous protease during nuclear extract preparation. Conditioned medium stimulated the ability of C/EBPβ to transactivate a reporter gene and activated the expression of two cytokine genes that are putative targets of C/EBPβ. These observations suggest that diffuse distribution of C/EBPβ in the nucleus corresponds to an activated form of this protein. AMF activity could not be mimicked by an extensive set of recombinant cytokines and growth factors and therefore may represent a novel extracellular factor.
Firm Characteristics, Cross-Sectional Regression Estimates, and Intertemporal Asset Pricing Tests

Researchers typically employ cross-sectional regression methods to identify firm-level characteristics that help to explain the cross-section of average stock returns. I develop a straightforward approach for testing whether the coefficient estimates produced by these methods satisfy the pricing restrictions imposed by a given stochastic discount factor. The empirical analysis reveals that the evidence from cross-sectional regression studies poses a substantial challenge to existing asset pricing models. The tests produce emphatic rejections for several candidate SDF specifications that perform well in prior research. It appears that the rejections are driven in part by the presence of nonlinearities in the data.
Antihypertensive combination therapy.

The rationale behind employing combination antihypertensive therapy stems from growing evidence that there is a greater need for more aggressive control of systemic arterial pressure to levels below what we have traditionally accepted (140/90 mmHg), and that we have had historically poor control rates with existing approaches to antihypertensive therapeutics. Single agent therapeutic approaches result in only a 40-50% control rate after 6 months of therapy, illustrating that there is a dramatically high rate of discontinuation of antihypertensive drugs in clinical practice. These poor results suggest that there are issues about inadequate education, insufficient efficacy or poor tolerability for which we need to be concerned. Consequently, efforts are under way to reapproach antihypertensive care by focusing on the need for improved education, as well as to reevaluate the traditional teaching of starting with one drug and titrating it upward until an adequate clinical response is achieved. The problem with the latter approach is that it frequently results in an increased incidence of adverse events which interfere with patient tolerability and compliance. Utilization of lower doses of two or more agents may provide satisfactory reduction of blood pressure without the increased risk of adverse events with higher doses of the individual monotherapies. Moreover, there may be complimentary, additive, or even synergistic effects of two drugs working together by different mechanisms. Therefore, a low-dose therapeutic combination may represent an optimal approach, not only for patients unresponsive to higher doses of individual monotherapies, but perhaps also to initiate treatment.
Rapid measurement of glomerular filtration rate in small animals

The conventional inulin clearance method for estimating GFR in experimental animals requires extensive surgery as well as continuous intravenous infusion of fluids and maintenance of body temperature, arterial hematocrit, and blood pressure during the collection of multiple urine samples over a prolonged time period. To obviate these problems, a number of single bolus tracer-injection techniques have been developed for estimating GFR [1–5]. These methods are based on several assumptions, including rapid distribution of tracer [1], a two-compartment tracer distribution [2, 3], and identical tracer distribution volumes in different animals [4]; any one or more of these assumptions may not be valid in pathophysiological conditions such as expanded extracellular fluid volume [5], diabetes [6], etc. The frequent blood sampling necessary to obtain reliable curve fitting [1–3, 5] is a particular problem for measuring GFR by these methods in small animals. Conventional inulin clearance (which requires relatively long urine collection times) and single-injection techniques (which require frequent blood sampling) may be especially difficult to perform on small animals in poor health, such as, diabetes. The single bolus tracer-injection method for assessing GFR described in this report is: 1) independent of urine flow rate, 2) noninvasive (to the urinary tract), 3) requires no assumptions regarding the number of compartments in which the tracer is distributed or the general form of the plasma tracer activity curve, and 4) can be completed in less than 10 minutes following cannulation of vessels for injection of radiolabeled tracers and withdrawal of blood samples. Estimates of GFR obtained by this method agree closely with those obtained by conventional inulin clearance. The major limitation of the method is that it can be used only terminally, since the kidneys, ureters, and bladder are removed for quantification of tracer activity.
Review of Research on Fire Prevention of Traffic Tunnel

In order to provide convenient transportation conditions,a lot of traffic tunnel was built all over the world,and the length of the tunnel construction is still increasing.However,once the fire,the tunnel structure will be damaged by high temperature,and people inside the tunnel will also be killed by the poisonous and harmful gas caused by combustion due to the internal space of tunnel is limited.And it was many times within such accidents occurred around the world.So,in this paper,the severity and particularity of tunnel fire is explained and some tunnel fire prevention work is introduced based on statistical analysis of tunnel fire accident in recent years.At last,some suggestions of future research on fire prevention of tunnel fire were put forward.
Structure and biologic properties of the atrial natriuretic peptides

Since its discovery, ANF has provided multitudinous opportunities to explore its relationship to various biologic functions. Hundreds of publications investigating various aspects of this newly discovered hormone system have appeared. ANF exhibits a plethora of direct and indirect biologic activities that oppose the hypervolemic and hypernatremic effects exerted by the renin-aldosterone-angiotensin system. Additionally, ANF and ANF receptors are present in the central and peripheral nervous system, and ANF administered in the brain exerts striking effects relating to vasopressin and water consumption. It thus appears that ANF functions as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in consort with its direct peripheral actions. One may anticipate that continued research will uncover more interesting biology and elucidate the interplay between ANF and various control systems responsible for volume and electrolyte homeostasis.
Acute Heart Failure in the Postoperative Period

In the perioperative period, heart failure is one of the most common conditions requiring evaluation and treatment. Furthermore, heart failure is the most frequently encountered postoperative cardiac complication of noncardiac surgery (1, 2). Postoperatively, acute heart failure (AHF), defined as the rapid onset of symptoms and signs secondary to abnormal cardiac function, often presents in patients with underlying chronic heart failure. However, occasionally, it may present acutely in previously healthy patients. With such prevalence, it is vital for clinicians caring for patients in the perioperative period to be skilled in managing AHF. This chapter discusses acute postoperative heart failure.
MONOTEISMO E VIOLENZA

L’autore affronta il dibattito sul rapporto tra monoteismo e violenza a partire dallo stato del dibattito, mettendo in evidenza come esso da una parte va ben oltre i confini della dimensione scientifica e dall’altra ha una lunga tradizione alle spalle; in questa tradizione, che viene presentata a partire dall’Illuminismo, la violenza politica e la violenza religiosa si sono sovrapposte e, talvolta, profondamente distinte, creando una memoria storica che pesa nella societa del XXI secolo. L’articolo si conclude con una riflessione sulle ragione che spingono a considerare il monoteismo come elemento in grado di scatenare violenza e intolleranza.
Elimination of tin whisker growth by indium addition to electroplated tin in electronic packages

Whisker growth from Sn coatings is a serious reliability concern in electronic packages particularly when the required service life is over a decade e.g in aerospace and defense applications. Until recently whisker growth from tin coatings was mitigated by the addition of a small amount of Pb. However current requirements for lead-free electronics preclude using Pb as an additive requiring an alternate approach to whisker mitigation. Here we present the results of In-alloying on whisker growth from 1 pm and 3 pm thick electroplated Sn films and demonstrate that when 5–10% indium is incorporated throughout the thickness of the Sn films whisker growth is completely eliminated. The reasons behind this mitigation are experimentally explored using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and finite element analysis (FEA). XRD is used to elucidate the role of Cu-In intermetallic formation. FEA is used to investigate the role of In-incorporation in the surface-oxide as revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Based on the analyses it is inferred that the observed mitigation due to In addition occurs due to a multitude of factors including reduction of the driving force for whisker growth due to incorporation of In in the native Sn-oxide film and the formation of Cu-In intermetallics at the substrate-coating interface.
BRCA1-mimetic compound NSC35446.HCl inhibits IKKB expression by reducing estrogen receptor-α occupancy in the IKKB promoter and inhibits NF-κB activity in antiestrogen-resistant human breast cancer cells.

We previously identified small molecules that fit into a BRCA1-binding pocket within estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα), mimic the ability of BRCA1 to inhibit ERα activity (“BRCA1-mimetics”), and overcome antiestrogen resistance. One such compound, the hydrochloride salt of NSC35446 (“NSC35446.HCl”), also inhibited the growth of antiestrogen-resistant LCC9 tumor xenografts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the down-stream effects of NSC35446.HCl and its mechanism of action. Here, we studied antiestrogen-resistant (LCC9, T47DCO, MCF-7/RR, LY2), ERα-negative (MDA-MB-231, HCC1806, MDA-MB-468), and antiestrogen-sensitive (MCF-7) cell lines. Techniques utilized include RNA-seq, qRT-PCR, cell growth analysis, cell-cycle analysis, Western blotting, luciferase reporter assays, TUNEL assays, in silico analysis of the IKKB gene, and ChIP assays. SC35446.HCl inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in antiestrogen-resistant LCC9, T47DCO, MCF-7/RR, and LY2 cells but not in ERα-negative breast cancer cell lines. IKKB (IKKβ, IKBKB), an upstream activator of NF-κB, was identified as a BRCA1-mimetic-regulated gene based on an RNA-seq analysis. NSC35446.HCl inhibited IKKB, IKKA, and IKKG/NEMO mRNA and protein expression in LCC9 cells. NSC35446.HCl also inhibited NF-κB activity and expression of NF-κB target genes. In silico analysis of the IKKB promoter identified nine estrogen response element (ERE) half-sites and one ERE-like full-site. ChIP assays revealed that ERα was recruited to the ERE-like full-site and five of the nine half-sites and that ERα recruitment was inhibited by NSC35446.HCl in LCC9 and T47DCO cells. These studies identify functional EREs in the IKKB promoter and identify IKKB as an ERα and NSC35446.HCl-regulated gene, and they suggest that NF-κB and IKKB, which were previously linked to antiestrogen resistance, are targets for NSC35446.HCl in reversing antiestrogen resistance.