cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunocytochemical demonstration of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) along the migration route of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons in mice

Contact between the developing forebrain and the ingrowing central processes of the olfactory, vomeronasal and terminal nerves is preceded by a migration of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-immunoreactive cells from the epithelium of the olfactory pit and the formation of an NCAM-immunoreactive cellular aggregate in the mesenchyme between the olfactory pit and the forebrain. The axons of the olfactory, vomeronasal, and terminal nerves, also NCAM-immunoreactive, grow into the cellular aggregate, which as development proceeds, becomes continuous with the rostral tip of the forebrain. The lateral and more rostral part of the cellular aggregate receives the ingrowing axons of the olfactory nerves and becomes the olfactory nerve layer of the olfactory bulb. The medial, more caudal part receives the central processes of the vomeronasal and terminal nerves. The vomeronasal nerve ends in the accessory olfactory bulb. The central processes of the terminal nerve end in the medial forebrain. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)-immunoreactive neurons, like the vomeronasal and terminal nerves, originate from the medial part of the olfactory pit. These LHRH cells migrate into the brain along and within a scaffolding formed by the NCAM-immunoreactive axons of the vomeronasal and terminal nerves, and they are never seen independent of this NCAM scaffold as they cross the nasal lamina propria. The results suggest that: (1) NCAM is likely to be necessary for scaffold formation, and (2) the scaffold may be essential for the subsequent migration of LHRH neurons into the brain. Because they aggregate, migrating LHRH-immunoreactive neurons, on which we did not detect NCAM immunoreactivity, may interact via other cell adhesion molecules (CAM). Inasmuch as the interaction between the LHRH-immunoreactive neurons and the NCAM-immunoreactive scaffold is heterotypic, the possibility of a heterophilic (NCAM to other CAM) interaction is not ruled out. These findings focus our attention on the functional role of NCAM in this migratory system.
U.S. International Deficits, Debt, and Income Payments: Key Relationships Affecting the International Outlook

A variety of issues and relationships will be of fundamental importance in determining the future paths of the U.S. current account, international debt position, and net international income flows. This paper describes the key relationships and presents projection results that illustrate the sensitivity of the outcomes to those relationships. Although the base case scenario presented in the paper shows a relatively benign outcome based on Blue Chip projections and the likely continuation of historical relationships, alternative projections help to illustrate the risks—and the potential sources of those risks—for a more adverse outcome for U.S. international deficits, debt and income flows.
Expression and Characterization of the Borna Disease Virus Polymerase

Borna disease virus is the prototype of a new family, Bornaviridae, within the order Mononegavirales, that is characterized by nuclear transcription, splicing, low level replication, and neurotropism. The products of five open reading frames predicted from the genomic sequence have been confirmed; however, expression of the sixth, corresponding to the putative viral polymerase (L), has not been demonstrated. Here, we describe expression and characterization of a 190-kDa protein proposed to represent L. Expression of this protein from the third transcription unit of the viral genome is dependent on a splicing event that fuses a small upstream open reading frame in frame with the larger downstream continuous open reading frame. The protein is detected by serum antibodies from infected rats and is present in the nucleus, where it colocalizes with the phosphoprotein. L is also shown to be phosphorylated by cellular kinases and to interact with the viral phosphoprotein in coimmunoprecipitation studies. These findings are consistent with the identity of the 190-kDa protein as the viral polymerase and provide insights and describe reagents that will be useful for Bornavirus molecular biology and pathobiology.
Surgical Nuances in Pancreas Transplantation

The modern surgical era of vascularized pancreas transplantation (PTX) began with the systemic-bladder drainage technique. According to International Pancreas Transplant Registry (IPTR) data, most PTX procedures are performed with systemic venous delivery of insulin and either bladder (systemic bladder) or enteric (systemic-enteric) drainage of the exocrine secretions. Since 1995 the number of PTX procedures performed with primary enteric drainage has increased dramatically, accounting for more than 70% of cases since 2001. Despite an evolution in exocrine drainage, the proportion of enteric drained PTXs with portal venous delivery of insulin (portal enteric drainage) has remained low, representing about 20% of cases. In recent IPTR analyses no differences were reported in short-term outcomes according to surgical technique. Coincident with more physiologic implantation techniques, the surgical complication rate has decreased to 10% to 20%. Experience with donor and recipient selection can reduce morbidity, inasmuch as risk factors for surgical complications include prolonged pre-transplantation peritoneal dialysis, donor or recipient BMI body mass index >28 kg/m2, donor or recipient age older than 45 years, cerebrovascular cause of donor brain death, prolonged preservation, and prior abdominal surgery in the recipient. New techniques include simultaneous living donor kidney and deceased donor PTX, gastroduodenal artery revascularization, laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy and distal pancreatectomy, en bloc kidney and pancreas transplantation, P-E drainage with venting jejunostomy, retroperitoneal PTX with P-E drainage, and unusual vascular grafts. In the future the emphasis will shift from short-term surgical to long-term medical outcomes as the ultimate measure of success.
A micromechanical model of crack growth along polymer interfaces

Abstract The problem of crack growth along the interface of two immiscible homopolymers is studied where the interface is strengthened by the addition of a small amount of diblock copolymer. A micromechanical model of the interface is proposed and a time-dependent Dugdale—Barenblatt model based on this model is used to predict the fracture toughness of the interface as a function of the applied loading, the crack growth rate and the underlying interface properties.
Percutaneous closure of a left ventricular perforation post balloon mitral valvotomy.

The risk of left ventricular perforation is a rare but well-recognized complication of percutaneous double balloon mitral valvuloplasty that usually requires surgical bailout. We describe a case of left ventricular perforation with cardiac tamponade, caused by the propulsion of the balloons during balloon mitral valvotomy on an 86-year-old female with previous thoracotomies that was resolved using percutaneous coil embolization of the perforation. This approach to these types of complications, although unlikely to be of extensive use, will serve to expand the horizon of options in the field of interventions. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:78-83, 1999.
Release of a Prostaglandin E-Like Substance from Canine Kidney by Bradykinin

Renal vasodilation produced by two dissimilar vasodepressor polypeptides, bradykinin and eledoisin, was correlated with changes in renal venous concentrations of substances having the properties of prostaglandins of the E and F series in anesthetized dogs. Samples of renal venous blood were extracted for acidic lipids, and the prostaglandin E and prostaglandin F zones of the chromatographed extracts were eluted and assayed in vitro for prostaglandins of the E and F series by a parallel bioassay system (sensitivity 0.015 ng/ml blood). During the first 2 minutes of infusion, bradykinin increased the concentration of a prostaglandin E-like substance in renal venous blood from a mean control level of 0.16 ng/ml to 1.05 ng/ml ( P <0.01); this increase occurred simultaneously with the greatest increase in renal blood flow to 432 ml/min from a control value of 282 ml/min. After 12 minutes of bradykinin infusion, the concentration of the prostaglandin E-like substance had decreased to 0.30 ng/ml, and renal blood flow had fallen to 398 ml/min. In contrast, eledoisin infused in equidilator doses did not increase the concentration of the prostaglandin E-like substance. The concentration of prostaglandin F-like substances was not affected by either polypeptide. A transient increase in urine flow occurred during the first 2 minutes of bradykinin infusion only. These results suggest that a prostaglandin E-like substance participates in the renal vasodilator and the diuretic responses to bradykinin.
The law: issues for the information technology educator

Most educators are familiar with copyright and fair use practices. However, there are new considerations for copyright and fair use on the web. Information technology educators need to become aware of the new laws pertaining to copyright. The 1996 Telecommunications Act, the 1998 Digital Millenium Act, and the Teach Act are important for their implications for copyright. In addition, software engineering educators need to be aware of laws pertaining to access, privacy and accessibility when providing course material on the web. These issues are extremely important for not only copyright issues, but also for personal privacy issues. In addition, educators need to understand patents, trademarks and ethics pertaining to their teaching. The new emerging technologies affect how we teach and what we are doing with our materials is important for all educators to know.
ORGAN WEIGHTS OF NORMAL RABBITS

In November, 1921, a systematic study of normal rabbits was undertaken as a part of a more general investigation dealing with the subject of the animal organism in relation to disease. The present paper on organ weights is based on results obtained from a study of 350 male rabbits killed and examined between January 1, 1922, and July 1, 1924. Methods of conducting the experiments are described and the results are summarized in the form of a table and a series of text-figures. The organs studied were the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, thymus, testicles, brain, thyroid, parathyroids, suprarenals, hypophysis, pineal gland, and representative groups of lymph nodes. The results recorded include maximum, minimum, and average weights, the median, the mode, the standard deviation, the probable error, the coefficient of variation, and the percentage distribution of organs of different weights. No final conclusions are drawn but it is pointed out that the results obtained are comparable to those that have been reported from similar studies of organ weight in man. Attention is also directed to the tendency to the occurrence of wide variations in the weights of nearly all organs, and to an apparent difference in the degree of correlation that exists between organ weight and body weight in the case of certain organs. In this connection it is pointed out that within certain limits the weight of the brain, in particular, and of other organs to a lesser degree appears to be independent of body weight. The results recorded in this paper are regarded as representing approximate values which are affected by numerous conditions for which correction should be made. These conditions will be considered in subsequent papers.
A cross-national study to compare the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of sexually transmitted diseases and the sexual risk behaviors of Latino adolescents.

BACKGROUND Adolescents are at high risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, little is known about differences in knowledge and risk behaviors across nationalities. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the knowledge and perceptions of STDs and the sexual risk behaviors in Latino adolescents in the United States (US) and the Dominican Republic (DR). METHODS A survey was administered to 364 high school students after obtaining parental consent. The questionnaire asked about demographics, sources of STD information, risk behaviors, and knowledge of syphilis, gonorrhea, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Mean percentage scores were calculated to compare correct responses by nationality, gender, and sexual activity. Predictors of self-reported high risk sexual behavior were identified by multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS In all, 242 (66%) US and 122 (34%) DR students were interviewed. Of these, 52% were males. Median age was 15 years (range, 13-18). Sexual activity was reported by 40% of the participants and did not differ by gender (p=0.43) or national origin (p=0.53), although it was greater for adolescents older than 15 years of age (60% vs. 35%, p<0.001). US students identified abstinence as an effective STD prevention method more often than their counterparts (p=<0.001). Knowledge of specific STDs was higher in girls (p=0.002) and Dominicans (p=0.003). Predictors of high risk behavior were male gender (OR<uni-003D;2.50, 95% CI 1.35-4.63) and being sexually active (OR<uni-003D;3.09, 95% CI 1.71-5.59). CONCLUSIONS Sexual activity at an early age was prevalent, and knowledge of STDs low in these two groups of high school students. Males and sexually active individuals were more likely to engage in high risk behaviors. Girls and Dominican students exhibited greater knowledge of specific STDs.
Response to “Reduction Mammaplasty and Mastopexy in Previously Irradiated Breasts: Notes on Safety and Pitfalls”

I wish to thank Dr Vindigni and coauthors for their letter (written in response to our previously published article1) raising 2 important points when considering a reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy in a previously irradiated patient. The first point is in reference to the high complication rate typically observed in these patients, ranging from 28% to 60%. It is their contention, based on their experience, that these complications often require correction via a flap placement. Their second point, a corollary to the first, is—given the high likelihood of a severe adverse event—to suggest that surgeons …
THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HAIR I. THE DYNAMIC SONIC MODULUS

Sonic velocity measurements allow instantaneous determination of Young's Modulus of Elasticity during stress-strain testing. These studies can be performed on single human hairs and yield reproducible results. A consistent relationship exists between the sonic velocity and the stress-strain curves of hair. Compared to other materials hair is exceptional with a decrease in Young's Modulus persisting until 25% extension. The sonic velocity curve of hair for its initial 20%–25% extension can be reproduced in isolated α-kerat in filaments, and is not observed in other keratins.
Viagra for home care patients

In March 1998 a totally new type of therapeutic agent, sildenafil citrate (Viagra), was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for marketing in the United States as an oral tablet for erectile dysfunction in men. Extensive media coverage may have overshadowed the actual value and potential limitations of this therapeutic agent. Because sildenafil is a prescription-only medication that may be used in ambulatory and home care patients, home caregivers need to understand its intended use, mechanism and dose, and potential problems that may occur in patients who receive it.
Lay explanations and self-management of diabetes in Kathmandu, Nepal.

OBJECTIVE: This research explores the lay explanations and self-management of diabetes among residents in greater Kathmandu, Nepal. METHODS: Interviews were done with 300 respondents drawn from diabetes patient listings and members of a national diabetes club. Sociodemographic and health-related data were collected with two standardized instruments: the Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities. Hierarchical ordinary least squares regression analyses were employed to examine predictors of self-management of diabetes. RESULTS: Across seven equations, R(2) values ranged from .020 to .221, and with the exception of one domain of self-management (blood sugar testing), one or more lay explanatory factors entered each equation. DISCUSSION: Respondents from this sample appear to hold lay explanations of diabetes that are similar to those of their peers in developed nations. Findings are discussed, including the caveat that these mostly male, relatively educated, and urban-residing adults with diabetes are not necessarily representative of Nepali society.
Effect of cyclic AMP on chromatin-bound protein kinases in WI-38 fibroblasts stimulated to proliferate.

Abstract When resting confluent monolayers of WI-38 fibroblasts are stimulated to proliferate by serum, DNA synthesis begins to increase between 15–18 h after stimulation. Chromatin-bound protein kinase activity increases in stimulated cells within 1 h after the nutritional change, concomitant with an increase in the template activity of nuclear chromatin. Addition of dibutyryl 3′ : 5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic) AMP to the stimulating medium inhibits the entrance of cells into S phase, but only if dibutyryl cyclic AMP (5 · 10 −4 M is added before the onset of DNA synthesis. The increases in chromatin template activity and in the chromatin-bound kinase activty are not inhibited by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in the early hours after stimulation, but are completely inhibited after the 5th hour from the nutritional change. This seems to indicate that in stimulated WI-38 cells, dibutyryl cyclic AMP exerts its inhibitory action somewhere between 5 and 12 h after stimulation. A number of protein kinase activities were extracted from chromatin with 0.3 M NaCl and partially resolved on a phosphocellulose column. Two distinct peaks of protein kinase activity appeared to be markedly increased in WI-38 cells 6 h after serum stimulation. Both peaks of increased activity were inhibited by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in vivo. Adenosine, sodium butyrate and adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) do not inhibit the increase in DNA synthesis nor the increase in protein kinase activity. The results suggest that stimulation of cell proliferation in confluent monolayers of WI-38 cells causes an increase (or the new appearance) of certain chromatin-bound protein kinases, and that this increase is inhibited by cyclic AMP in vivo.
Integrating fire management into land-use planning: A multiple-use management research, development, and applications program

The traditional view of fire as a destructive agent requiring immediate suppression is giving way to the view that fire can and should be used to meet land management goals. Thus,fire control is being replaced by the more general concept offire management, which is based on the need to integrate fire policy with land management objectives. The social, economic, and ecologic effects of fire must be evaluated in the selection of land management alternatives.
Impact of measurement invariance on construct correlations, mean differences, and relations with external correlates: an illustrative example using Big Five and RIASEC measures.

The impact of measurement invariance and the provision for partial invariance in confirmatory factor analytic models on factor intercorrelations, latent mean differences, and estimates of relations...
The STAR Silicon Drift Vertex Detector

Abstract The current status of the STAR Silicon Vertex Tracker (SVT) is presented. The performance of the Silicon Drift Detectors (SDD) is discussed. The enhanced physics capabilities of the STAR detector due to the addition of the SVT are addressed.
fcc Fe films grown on a ferromagnetic fcc Co(100) substrate.

Fe films grown at room temperature on a ferromagnetic fcc Co(100) substrate are shown to exhibit three distinct phases at different thickness ranges as in the Fe/Cu(100) system. The Fe overlayer in these three regions was also found to exhibit different magnetic phases. Low-temperature growth Fe films on Co show a ferromagnetic phase for all Fe thicknesses. This ferromagnetic phase persists up to room temperature, and reverts to the nonferromagnetic phase after annealing at 475 K for films between 5 and 11 ML. Antiferromagnetic coupling between two Co films across the fcc Fe spacer layer was observed with an \ensuremath{\sim}11 \AA{} oscillation periodicity. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
44 GHz Methanol Masers and Quasi-Thermal Emission in Sagittarius B2

The Very Large Array has been used to obtain ~3'' resolution observations on the 44 GHz 70 → 61A+ transition of CH3OH (methanol) in the Sgr B2 massive star-forming complex. A total of 18 compact regions showing maser emission are found, which are spread over 2.1 pc × 4.3 pc (α × δ) region. Many of these are offset far from known molecular cores and ultracompact H II regions and may trace the interaction region of a cloud-cloud collision. There is no spatial coincidence between 44 GHz and 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers in this region, as expected, because the pumping mechanisms for these two transitions are different. Isotropic maser luminosities range between 1 × 10-6 and 2.1 × 10-5 L☉. In addition, 17 regions with broad line width quasi-thermal 44 GHz CH3OH emission are identified, many of which are close to known molecular hot cores, in particular those associated with the Sgr B2(N) and Sgr B2(M) continuum sources. In Sgr B2(N), quasi-thermal emission appears to be associated with two 10'' diameter ionized shells. These ionized shells may have swept up and shocked molecular material as they expanded. Also, a quasi-thermal core is observed to be coincident with a source of continuum emission from dust and emission from more complex species. In Sgr B2(M), CH3OH quasi-thermal emission arises predominantly from the western portion of this region. The CH3OH fractional abundance in most of the quasi-thermal cores appears to be quite high at ~10-6. It is argued that grain-surface chemistry is responsible for this high abundance.
Physiologically relevant two-compartment pharmacokinetic models for skin

Abstract Pharmacokinetic (compartment) models for skin have been used to predict or analyze absorption of chemical into and through skin. For highly lipophilic chemicals, the stratum corneum (sc) and the viable epidermis (ve) both contribute a significant resistance to chemical penetration and thus, both should be included in the model. This paper describes two‐compartment models that represent the sc and the ve separately by extending the procedures previously developed for one‐compartment models. The two‐compartment models described here were developed by matching characteristics of a two‐membrane model of skin. These compartment models were compared with membrane representations of the sc and ve for several different dermal exposure scenarios. When valid, which it is for many chemical exposure scenarios, the two‐compartment model developed using characteristic times of the membrane model (model B2) more closely represents the two‐membrane model than the model developed with equilibrium conditions of the membrane model (model B1). When model B2 is invalid, then model B1 is recommended. Criteria are provided for choosing from the various one‐ or two‐compartment model options. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 89: 1212–1235, 2000
Local composition modelling of the thermodynamic properties of refrigerant and oil mixtures

Abstract Six local composition models of the thermodynamic behaviour of mixtures are described. Using data from the literature and a non-linear regression analysis, a comparison of the predictive abilities of the models is undertaken for R12, R22, R134a and R125 with various oils. The Wilson and Heil equations provide the most consistent results, with the Heil equation providing a modest improvement over the Wilson model. Using a 95% confidence interval, the Heil equation predicted the behaviour of R12 with a paraffinic mineral oil to within 3.1%; its worst-case 2-σ error was 10.4% (R22 with a polyol ester oil), and its average 2-σ error for all of the mixtures was 6.2%. Using model parameters and error estimates from the regression analyses, pressure-temperature-concentration behaviour for these mixtures can be predicted for system design and simulation.
Comparison of diaphragmatic wash and scrape specimens in staging of women with ovarian cancer.

Objective. The best technique for obtaining cytologic specimens necessary for evaluation of diaphragmatic spread among women undergoing surgical staging for ovarian cancer has yet to be determined. The aim of the current study was to compare two methods for obtaining diaphragmatic cytology—wash and scrape—in accuracy, correlation to clinical findings, and smear quality. Methods. We conducted a prospective study among women undergoing surgical staging for ovarian cancer. In each patient diaphragmatic scrape and wash specimens were obtained, then the undersurface of the diaphragm was inspected and palpated. The smears were examined for presence of cancer cells, correlated to clinical findings, and scored for quality (cellularity, preservation, and background). Results. In 46 consecutive patients with stage I–III ovarian cancer, the diaphragm was clinically involved in 12 (26.1%). Malignant cells were demonstrated in 21 (45.7%) of wash and scrape specimens. There was perfect agreement between washes and scrapes and good agreement between clinical evaluation and scrapes or washes (κ = 1.0 and 0.592, respectively). Wash specimens had significantly higher overall smear quality and cellularity scores (6.26 ± 1.26 vs 6.11 ± 1.06, P < 0.02, and 2.20 ± 0.81 vs 1.85 ± 0.76, P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion. Although diaphragmatic wash specimens provide better-quality smears than scrape specimens, both techniques are equally diagnostic of diaphragmatic involvement in women undergoing surgical staging for ovarian cancer.
Effects of age and estrogen status on serum parathyroid hormone levels and biochemical markers of bone turnover in women: a population-based study.

Although estrogen deficiency is responsible for the increase in bone turnover in early postmenopausal women, age-related factors, such as the progressive increase in serum PTH levels, are believed to be responsible for the increase in bone turnover in elderly women. Whether estrogen deficiency continues to play a role, either directly or indirectly, in the pathogenesis of the increased bone turnover in elderly women remains unclear. Thus, we measured serum PTH, markers of bone turnover, and serum sex steroid levels in a population-based sample of 351 women (age range, 21-94 yr), which included 47 postmenopausal women who were receiving long term estrogen replacement therapy. Serum PTH increased as a function of age when the premenopausal women and the estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women were analyzed together (r = 0.35; P 20 yr) postmenopausal women. By multivariate analysis, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were highly predictive of serum PTH levels regardless of menopausal status, whereas serum estrone levels were predictive of markers of bone resorption in the postmenopausal women. We conclude that estrogen deficiency may be responsible not only for the increase in bone turnover in early postmenopausal women, but also indirectly for the secondary hyperparathyroidism and increase in bone turnover found in late postmenopausal women. Residual serum estrogen levels are important determinants of bone resorption in postmenopausal women.
Evaluating energy and non-energy impacts of energy conservation programs: A supply curve framework of analysis

Abstract Historically, the assessment of energy-conservation programs has been focused primarily on energy savings and costs. The recent, increased interest in global environmental problems (e.g., acid rain, ozone depletion, and the greenhouse effect) has made decision makers, as well as program evaluators, sensitive to the environmental impacts of all programs, including energy-conservation programs. Economic impacts of programs remain important policy concerns. Many state and local jurisdictions are concerned with the net effects of energy policies on economic growth, jobs, and tax revenues, as well as the impacts of growth and development on local energy issues (e.g., construction of new power plants). Consequently, policy makers need a methodology, as well as data, for easy comparisons of energy and non-energy impacts of a specific program in a consistent way, for both retrospective analysis and for prospective planning. We present the general concepts of a proposed new approach to multiattribute analysis, as an extension of the concept of supply curves of conserved energy. In their simplest form, energy conservation supply curves rank and display the savings from conservation measures in order of their cost-effectiveness. This simple concept is extended to reflect multiple decision criteria and some important linkages between energy and non-energy policy decisions (e.g., a supply curve of reduced carbon emissions or a supply curve of net local job-creation). The framework is flexible enough so that policy makers can weigh and compare each of the impacts to reflect their concerns and see the results in terms of program rankings. The advantages of this analysis framework are that it is simple to use, flexible, and replicable.
Oxygen affinity and equilibrium curve shape in blood of chicken embryos.

Abstract Oxygen equilibrium curves of blood from 4- to 18-day chicken embryos were investigated at 38°C. Curves were recorded at the P CO 2 measured in the air cell of each egg. Since arterial P CO 2 is known to closely approximate that of the air cell, these curves reflect in vitro arterial pH. Curves were also recorded at a second, higher P CO 2 , allowig calculation of he curve at estimated venous P CO 2 and of physiological curves by interpolation. Half saturation P O 2 of physiological curves increased from 38 Torr at 4 days to 52 Torr at 8 days, and then decreased to 31 Torr at 198 days. Increasing blood oxygen affinity late in development favors oxygen loading at the falling P O 2 that exists at the chorioallantoic surface, while higher affinity before 8 days may be related to diffussion resistance of the inner shell membrane early in incubation. In blood from 4- to 6-day embryos, the Hill coefficient, n H , of curves at air cell P CO 2 increased from 1.5 at oxygen saturation 0.1 to 6.5 at saturation 0.85. After 6 days, n H steadily increased at low saturation and decreased at high saturation. By 18 days, n H varied only from 2 to 3.4. A biphasic equilibrium curve shape (hump at the low end of the oxygen equilibrium curve) developed in 4- and 5-day embryo blood after a period of storage on ice, and was accentuated if some of the cells were intentionally lysed.
Feasibility study using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the quantitative detection of excitatory amino acids.

The release of excitatory amino acids (EAAs) from injured neurons has been associated with secondary injury following head trauma. The development of a rapid and sensitive method for the quantification of EAAs may provide a means for clinical management of patients affected by head trauma. We explore the potential application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for rapid quantification of the concentration of EAAs in aqueous silver colloids. The EAAs glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) are released following head injury and have been observed to exhibit SERS spectra that should enable them to be distinguished in a complex aqueous media. Of the two EAAs, the concentration of Glu has been shown to be more indicative of injury to the central nervous system. Using 30-s scans and a 50-mW argon laser, aqueous Glu is quantifiable from 0.4 to 5 micromol/L and is spectrally distinguishable from Asp. In addition, initial in vivo microdialysis experiments suggest that this SERS system is capable of measuring chemical changes following head trauma in the rat brain. Compared with current high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques for amino acid detection, the short scanning and processing time associated with the SERS approach enables measurement on a near-real-time basis, providing clinical information in anticipation of pharmaceutical intervention.
Some observed characteristics of solar radar echoes and their implications

The results of a series of radar studies of the sun at 38.2 MHz are presented. The echoes imply ever-present compressional waves in the corona, and these waves are likely associated with coronal heating. Some echoes are refracted by plasma clouds high in the corona. Other echoes are reflected by dense plasma irregularities moving outward very slowly at 0 to 20 km/sec. These are sometimes found as far out as three solar radii from the sun's center. Suggestions for future solar radar experiments and the need for them are outlined.
Validity of the Neuromuscular Recovery Scale: a measurement model approach.

Abstract Objective To determine how well the Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (NRS) items fit the Rasch, 1-parameter, partial-credit measurement model. Design Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and principal components analysis (PCA) of residuals were used to determine dimensionality. The Rasch, 1-parameter, partial-credit rating scale model was used to determine rating scale structure, person/item fit, point-measure item correlations, item discrimination, and measurement precision. Setting Seven NeuroRecovery Network clinical sites. Participants Outpatients (N=188) with spinal cord injury. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure NRS. Results While the NRS met 1 of 3 CFA criteria, the PCA revealed that the Rasch measurement dimension explained 76.9% of the variance. Ten of 11 items and 91% of the patients fit the Rasch model, with 9 of 11 items showing high discrimination. Sixty-nine percent of the ratings met criteria. The items showed a logical item-difficulty order, with Stand retraining as the easiest item and Walking as the most challenging item. The NRS showed no ceiling or floor effects and separated the sample into almost 5 statistically distinct strata; individuals with an American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) D classification showed the most ability, and those with an AIS A classification showed the least ability. Items not meeting the rating scale criteria appear to be related to the low frequency counts. Conclusions The NRS met many of the Rasch model criteria for construct validity.
Measuring the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Access to a Personal Healthcare Provider: The Use of the National Survey of Children’s Health for an External Comparison Group

This paper examined the effect of Hurricane Katrina on children's access to personal healthcare providers and evaluated the use of propensity score methods to compare a nationally representative sample of children, as a proxy for an unexposed group, with a smaller exposed sample. 2007 data from the Gulf Coast Child and Family Health (G-CAFH) Study, a longitudinal cohort of households displaced or greatly impacted by Hurricane Katrina, were matched with 2007 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) data using propensity score techniques. Propensity scores were created using poverty level, household educational attainment, and race/ethnicity, with and without the addition of child age and gender. The outcome was defined as having a personal healthcare provider. Additional confounders (household structure, neighborhood safety, health and insurance status) were also examined. All covariates except gender differed significantly between the exposed (G-CAFH) and unexposed (NSCH) samples. Fewer G-CAFH children had a personal healthcare provider (65 %) compared to those from NSCH (90 %). Adjusting for all covariates, the propensity score analysis showed exposed children were 20 % less likely to have a personal healthcare provider compared to unexposed children in the US (OR = 0.80, 95 % CI 0.76, 0.84), whereas the logistic regression analysis estimated a stronger effect (OR = 0.28, 95 % CI 0.21, 0.39). Two years after Hurricane Katrina, children exposed to the storm had significantly lower odds of having a personal health care provider compared to unexposed children. Propensity score matching techniques may be useful for combining separate data samples when no clear unexposed group exists.
The Asking Rules of Reciprocity in Networks of Care for Children

This article enumerates those unspoken but observed conventions, “the asking rules,” by which people abide when they are engaged in relations of give and take. By studying networks that employed parents construct to help them care for and raise their school-age children, this article analyzes the dynamics of reciprocity. It explores a distinction in Gouldner's theory between status obligation and normative reciprocity. Based on the evidence, the article argues that kinship status and class location shape the ways that asking rules are interpreted and invoked.
Tellurium Thin Films in Hybrid Organic Electronics: Morphology and Mobility

Elemental Te displays a wide variety of nanoscale morphologies of vapor-deposited films, depending on the substrate surface and temperature. These morphologies are correlated to field-effect mobilities in transistors made with Te as the lone semiconductor or from Te-organic multilayer semiconductors. Two examples of morphologies and transistor output characteristics, i.e., on a room temperature oxide and heated organic, are shown in the figure.
Monitoring of oil composition by an automated system for esterification- GC analysis

An automatic system for transesterification of fats and oils was developed and coupled with an auto-injector type gas chromato-graph. Using a timer sequencer, electronic valving for sample and reactant solution introduction and appropriate pumps and a real-time computer, the system permits programmed monitoring of vegetable oil for fatty acid composition. The system can be used with batch or continuous reactors to determine the progress of composition modification and in processing streams to confirm uniformity of incoming stocks or finished products.
The Security Incident Cycle of Ports

The security incident cycle of ports consists of four phases: prevention, detection, response and recovery. There have been significant improvements in securing (prevention and detection) ports since the events of September 11, 2001, but little investigation of the response to and recover from a security incident once it has occurred. This paper provides a study of the security incident cycle of a port by investigating how ports and governments have addressed prevention and detection of and response to and recovery from port security incidents.
Dietary intake and bio-activation of nitrite and nitrate in newborn infants

Nitrate and nitrite are commonly thought of as inert end products of nitric oxide (NO) oxidation, possibly carcinogenic food additives, or well-water contaminants. However, recent studies have shown that nitrate and nitrite play an important role in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal homeostasis through conversion back into NO via a physiological system involving enterosalivary recirculation, bacterial nitrate reductases, and enzyme-catalyzed or acidic reduction of nitrite to NO. The diet is a key source of nitrate in adults; however, infants ingest significantly less nitrate due to low concentrations in breast milk. In the mouth, bacteria convert nitrate to nitrite, which has gastro-protective effects. However, these nitrate-reducing bacteria are relatively inactive in infants. Swallowed nitrite is reduced to NO by acid in the stomach, affecting gastric blood flow, mucus production, and the gastric microbiota. These effects are likely attenuated in the less acidic neonatal stomach. Systemically, nitrite acts as a reservoir of NO bioactivity that can protect against ischemic injury, yet plasma nitrite concentrations are markedly lower in infants than in adults. The physiological importance of the diminished nitrate→nitrite→NO axis in infants and its implications in the etiology and treatment of newborn diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis and hypoxic/ischemic injury are yet to be determined.
NON-VON's performance on certain database benchmarks

In a paper by P.B. Hawthorn and D.J. DeWitt (1982) the projected performance of several proposed database machines was examined for three relational database queries. The present authors investigate the performance of a massively parallel machine called NON-VON for the same queries under comparable assumptions. In the case of simple queries, a NON-VON machine of comparable size to those considered by Hawthorn and DeWitt is found to be somewhat faster than the fastest machines examined in their study; for a more complex database operation, NON-VON is shown to be five to ten times faster than the fastest of these machines.
Slow vertex potentials: interactions among auditory, tactile, electric and visual stimuli.

Abstract Slow V potentials (Cz−M1:N100−P200) were evoked from 8 adult human subjects by filtered clicks (1200 c/sec), electric shocks to left median nerve, vibration of left middle finger or binocular flashes of light. The strengths of the stimuli were adjusted to be comfortably strong and to give equal magnitudes of sensation among the various modalities. Stimuli of the same or of different modality were paired, with an intra-pair interval of 0.5 sec. The amplitude of the responses to the second stimulus was much less than that of a reference single response about 5.0 sec after a previous response. The reduced amplitude of the second response of a pair, expressed as a percentage of its corresponding reference response, measures the interaction. The average depression of a response to a second stimulus in the same modality, after 0.5 sec, was significantly less (5% level of confidence) for flashes than for clicks or shocks, and for shocks it was significantly less than for clicks or vibration. The average intramodal second response, across all modalities, subjects and conditions was 39% of reference. Depression was significantly less with cross-modal than with intramodal pairs. The second responses averaged 64% of the reference response. With subjectively equated stimuli the depressions did not differ significantly among click-shock, shock-click, click-vibration, vibration-click, shock-vibration, vibration-shock, flash-click, click-flash, flash-shock and shock-flash. Although both shock and vibration activate the same cortical sensory projection area, the cross-modal shock-vibration interactions were less than intramodal shock-shock or vibration-vibration and they did not differ significantly from cross-modal shock-click or vibration-click. The general rules for intramodal and cross-modal effects hold true for the individual subjects in nearly all cases, although within-subject variability was considerable and the responses of one particular subject tended to be quite erratic.
Saprophytic fungal-bacterial biomass variations in successional communities of a semi-arid steppe ecosystem

A major goal in attempting to understand plant succession is to assess the implications of fungal and bacterial biomass changes over time as plant-soil systems develop. In this study, the soil fungal and bacterial biomass of three successional semi-arid steppe communities, sampled 4, 12, and 38 years after cultivation ended, were compared with an uncultivated native plant community using microscopic procedures. In the course of the succession, significant increases in fungal hyphal lengths occurred, reaching a maximum in the oldest successional (38-year) community. Active (cytoplasm filled) hyphae decreased along the chronosequence, with the native plant community having the lowest values. Similar decreases in active bacterial biomass values occurred. In contranst, microscopically determined total bacterial numbers did not differ in soils associated with the 4-year-old and native plant communities. The ratio of active bacterial to fungal biomass, which increased over the chronosequence tested in this study, appears to provide a valuable integrative measure of plant-soil resource system development and ecosystem maturity.
Hyperpycnal sediment discharge from semiarid southern California rivers: Implications for coastal sediment budgets

Southern California rivers discharge hyperpycnal (river density greater than ocean density) concentrations of suspended sediment (>40 g/L, according to buoyancy theory) during flood events, mostly during El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions. Because hyperpycnal river discharge commonly occurs during brief periods (hours to occasionally days), mean daily flow statistics often do not reveal the magnitude of these events. Hyperpycnal events are particularly important in rivers draining the Transverse Range and account for 75% of the cumulative sediment load discharged by the Santa Clara River over the past 50 yr. These events are highly pulsed, totaling only ∼30 days (∼0.15% of the total 50 yr period). Observations of the fate of sediment discharge, although rare, are consistent with hyperpycnal river dynamics and the high likelihood of turbidity currents during these events. We suggest that much of the sediment load initially bypasses the littoral circulation cells and is directly deposited on the adjacent continental shelf, thus potentially representing a loss of immediate beach sand supply. During particularly exceptional events (>100 yr recurrence intervals), flood underflows may extend past the shelf and escape to offshore basins.
Reply to “comments on ‘the brittle-to-ductile transition—I: A cooperative dislocation generation instability; II: Dislocation dynamics and the strain rate dependence of the transition temperature’”

Recently, Hirsch and Roberts (HR) have commented on the model for the brittle-to-ductile transition (BDT) and its strain-rate dependence which was proposed by Khantha, Pope and Vitek (KPV) and Khantha (MK), respectively. HR conclude that the KPV-MK model predicts either a strain-rate independent sharp transition or a strain-rate dependent gradual transition for the case of silicon. Previously, the sharp strain-rate dependent BDT in Si, was modeled by Hirsch et al. using a `Dynamic Simulation Model` (DSM) for interacting dislocations with homogeneous distribution of dislocation sources along the crack front. Hirsch et al. also examined separately the effect of heterogeneous sources along the crack front. HR maintain that a strain-rate dependent sharp transition can be obtained only by using a heterogeneous source model and not using the KPV-MK and DSM models based on homogeneous sources. In this paper, the authors begin with a brief summary of the KPV-MK and DSM models, then address the specific issues raised in HR and demonstrate that their conclusions regarding the KPV-MK model are not warranted.