cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1, 3 propanediol (THAM) in procaine amide cardiotoxicity.

Abstract The organic amine buffer, THAM, had a minimal favorable effect in correcting procaine amide intoxication as compared to the inorganic salt, molar sodium lactate. Hypotension and depressed myocardial contractility, however, appeared to be reversed in part with THAM; this is most likely a result of the alkalosis produced with increased responsiveness to endogenous catecholamines.
Correction of projective distortion in long-image-sequence mosaics without prior information

Image mosaicking is the process of piecing together multiple video frames or still images from a moving camera to form a wide-area or panoramic view of the scene being imaged. Mosaics have widespread applications in many areas such as security surveillance, remote sensing, geographical exploration, agricultural field surveillance, virtual reality, digital video, and medical image analysis, among others. When mosaicking a large number of still images or video frames, the quality of the resulting mosaic is compromised by projective distortion. That is, during the mosaicking process, the image frames that are transformed and pasted to the mosaic become significantly scaled down and appear out of proportion with respect to the mosaic. As more frames continue to be transformed, important target information in the frames can be lost since the transformed frames become too small, which eventually leads to the inability to continue further. Some projective distortion correction techniques make use of prior information such as GPS information embedded within the image, or camera internal and external parameters. Alternatively, this paper proposes a new algorithm to reduce the projective distortion without using any prior information whatsoever. Based on the analysis of the projective distortion, we approximate the projective matrix that describes the transformation between image frames using an affine model. Using singular value decomposition, we can deduce the affine model scaling factor that is usually very close to 1. By resetting the image scale of the affine model to 1, the transformed image size remains unchanged. Even though the proposed correction introduces some error in the image matching, this error is typically acceptable and more importantly, the final mosaic preserves the original image size after transformation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this new correction algorithm on two real-world unmanned air vehicle (UAV) sequences. The proposed method is shown to be effective and suitable for real-time implementation.
Cutting into innate immunity.

Human caspase-12, unlike that found in the mouse, is not involved in apoptosis and thus its physiological function is unclear. However, a unique polymorphism of human caspase-12 has demonstrated its importance in innate immunity.
Effects of Cooking Treatment on the Texture of Root Vegetables

Previous studies of potato varieties indicated that changes during cooking could be mathematically described and that some chemical components and the cell size may influence the cooking behavior. To find out whether the same principles can be adopted for other root vegetables, the cooking behavior of three other low-starch root vegetables were investigated and the results compared. Slices (6 mm thick and 30 mm diameter) were treated in water at 100°C. Mathematical expressions were assessed, and coefficients were determined to describe the kinetic behavior of the products. The cell size and pectin content of the raw materials determined the cooking characteristics. Texture development could be predicted by shear force measurements.
Cryogenic temperature non-scaling of linear resistance in n-MOSFETs exhibiting reverse short-channel effect

Abstract An enhancement of the non-scaling of the linear resistance with channel length is observed at low temperatures, despite reduced reverse short channel effect. This imposes a significant limitation on the low temperature operation of deep submicron CMOS devices. An increased surface roughness scattering in shorter channel devices is suggested to explain the gate overdrive and temperature dependence.
On costs, benefits, and regulatory success: Reply to Crandall

Robert Crandall writes as if the regulatory state is a simple failure. In fact, however, from the economic point of view there have been many successes, in the form of regulations whose benefits exceed their costs. Moreover, economic criteria are inadequate for evaluating regulatory performance, since even well‐aggregated private willingness to pay provides a poor basis for assessing government regulation. It is now necessary to move beyond sterile debates about whether regulation is desirable; nonregulation is not an option, since laissez faire is itself a regulatory system. Democratic, economic, and constitutional criteria hold out the promise of much better regulatory tools, in the form of flexible incentives rather than rigid commands.
A program of industrial consultation by a community mental health center.

A staff member of a community mental health center provided consultation services to untrained industrial counselors at a large private corporation. Characteristics of “newer” workers, ethnically different from supervisors, are described. Attitude change is the key, but difficult to bring about. The consultant had full cooperation of the counselors, but never gained full support from management. The article describes procedures for training counselors and successful and unsuccessful efforts to reach foremen.
The protective effects of glutathione against methylmercury cytotoxicity.

Abstract Mouse neuroblastoma cells exposed to 2.5 and 5.0 μM methylmercury for 24 h appeared rounded with the loss of processes. Immunohistochemical staining directed against β-tubulin revealed severe alterations in microtubular architecture. Non-membrane-bound condensation product was visualized ultrastructurally in the treated cells and appeared similar to what was seen histochemically. Reduced and oxidized glutathione levels suggest that methylmercury may manifest its deleterious effects via oxidation of tubulin sulf-hydryls, and by alterations due to peroxidative injury. Cells exposed to methylmercury showed a decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity. Simultaneous administration of 10 mM glutathione with 2.5 and 5.0 μM methylmercury dramatically prevented cell injury.
Validation of the STORM response in IRI2000

[1] The latest version of the International reference ionosphere, IRI2000 [Bilitza, 2001], contains a dependence on geomagnetic activity based on an empirical storm-time ionospheric correction model (STORM) [Araujo-Pradere et al., 2002]. The new storm correction in IRI is driven by the previous time history (33 hours) of ap and is designed to scale the normal quiet-time F layer critical frequency (foF2) to account for storm-time changes in the ionosphere. An extensive validation of IRI2000 has been performed during geomagnetic storm conditions to determine the validity of the new algorithms. The quality of the storm-time correction has been evaluated by comparing the model with the observed ionospheric response during all the geomagnetic storms with ap > 150 in 2000 and 2001, a total of 14 intervals. The model output was compared with the actual ionospheric response for all available ionosonde stations for each storm. The comparisons show that the model captures the decreases in electron density particularly well in summer and equinox conditions. To quantify the improvement in IRI2000, the root-mean-square error has been evaluated and compared with the previous version of IRI, which had no geomagnetic dependence. The results indicate that IRI2000 has almost a 30% improvement over IRI95 during the storm days and is able to capture more than 50% of the increase in variability, above quiet times, due to the storms.
Analysis of Fractured Wells Producing at High Flow Rates Using Late-Time Data

This paper presents a method for analyzing late-time data for high-flow-rate wells that cause turbulent flow within the fracture. Fracture conductivity has been determined on the basis of early-time pressure data. The pseudoradial flow period, however, can be used to check the fracture conductivity by identifying the semilog straight line and by determining the total skin factor. Late-time analysis will increase the confidence in the fracture conductivity. In small fractures, early-time data may not be long enough to calculate fracture conductivities. In these cases, late-time data are the only option available for calculating these fracture parameters. In high-flow-rate wells, the calculated fracture conductivity is significantly lower than the true fracture conductivity. Methods have been presented for correcting these apparent values to obtain the true fracture conductivity. The authors have found that early-time correlations cannot be used to correct apparent fracture conductivities obtained in the late-time analysis. This is because the flow regime has changed significantly between the early and late periods. Examples are presented that use either both early- and late-time data or only late-time data for determining the true fracture conductivity.
Effects of non-hydrogen-bonding anesthetics on memory in the chick.

The effects of five non-hydrogen-bonding anesthetics (NHBA) upon memory processing were studied in the neonate chick ( N = 1173), using a one-trial peck avoidance and a one-trial appetitive learning paradigm. No effects were observed with helium, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide, nor with hypoxia. Xenon induced a marginal amnesic effect and nitrous oxide induced a marginal enhancement. An environmental shift required to administer pressurized NHBA treatments (pressure to 9.4 atmospheres) after training reduced subsequent pecking responses at 3-hr and/or 24-hr testing. Results are discussed in light of reported findings and theoretical implications of the NHBA for memory research.
The effect of particle size on the immunodepressive properties of silica.

Abstract Five silica preparations were tested in the mouse for their effects on the in vivo humoral immune response to SRBC, the in vitro macrophage phagocytosis of SRBC and the in vitro blastogenic response of non-adherent spleen cells to Con A and LPS∗. One silica preparation was composed exclusively of small particles and produced the greatest depression of all functions tested with the least variability in results. Four of the silica preparations were heterogeneous with respect to particle size, and the heterogeneous preparations containing the highest percentage of small particles had the most depressive effect on the in vivo humoral immune response to SRBC and on in vitro macrophage phagocytosis of SRBC but not on the in vitro blastogenic response to mitogens. All 4 heterogeneous preparations produced great variability in each of the functions tested. Small sized particles from the 4 heterogeneous preparations were prepared by differential sedimentation, and were more depressive in the in vitro assays for macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte blastogenesis than the corresponding unfractionated heterogeneous preparation. The large sized particles either had no effect or enhanced both functions. All unfractionated silica preparations were toxic for non-adherent spleen cells, but the homogeneous small particle preparation and the small particles from the heterogeneous preparations were more cytotoxic. These data indicate that silica has a direct depressive effect on both macrophage and lymphocyte functions and that the depressive effects are inversely related to particle size.
The vibrational and asymmetry corrections to quadrupole coupling constants determined from 13C satellites in 2 NMR spectra of benzene-d1 and acetonitrile-d1

Abstract The vibrational corrections have been made to the quadrupole coupling constants of benzene-d1 and acetonitrile-d1 previously determined by data from the 13C satellites in nematic oriented phase. A significant isotope effect on such corrections has been evidenced. The vibrational corrections together with asymmetry corrections result in values for the quadrupole coupling constants which are in good agreement with values obtained by other methods.
Characterizations of optimal scalings of matrices

A scaling of a non-negative, square matrixA ≠ 0 is a matrix of the formDAD−1, whereD is a non-negative, non-singular, diagonal, square matrix. For a non-negative, rectangular matrixB ≠ 0 we define a scaling to be a matrixCBE−1 whereC andE are non-negative, non-singular, diagonal, square matrices of the corresponding dimension. (For square matrices the latter definition allows more scalings.) A measure of the goodness of a scalingX is the maximal ratio of non-zero elements ofX. We characterize the minimal value of this measure over the set of all scalings of a given matrix. This is obtained in terms of cyclic products associated with a graph corresponding to the matrix. Our analysis is based on converting the scaling problem into a linear program. We then characterize the extreme points of the polytope which occurs in the linear program.
Natural pupation sites of swallowtail butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilioninae): Papilio polyxenes Fabr., P.glaucus L. and Battus philenor (L.)

. 1. Natural pupation sites have been found in Papilio polyxenes and P.glaucus by releasing prepupal larvae marked with UV-fluorescent paint and locating them at night with a UV lamp, and in Battus philenor by searching a forest habitat where the larval foodplant is abundant. 2. P.polyxenes, a species of weedy habitats, pupates off the ground on a variety of substrates including grasses, weed stalks, posts, etc. The pupae may be green or brown, resembling the substrate. 3. P.glaucus, a species of forest habitats, pupates very close to the ground in the litter and has monomorphic brown pupae. 4. B.philenor, also a forest species, pupates on exposed surfaces (chiefly tree-trunks or cliffs) well off the ground. Its pupae may be brown or green, but the latter were found only on the slenderest twigs. 5. The results for polyxenes and glaucus support the generalization of Clarke & Sheppard (1972) that species of stable habitats are likely to have monomorphic pupae, while those of habitats in which available sites may not be so similar from one generation to the next will be dimorphic. 6. B.philenor is more problematical, but its tendency towards pupal monomorphism (brown) is logical in relation to its common pupation sites.
A prospective single institution comparison of peri-operative outcomes for laparoscopic and open distal pancreatectomy.

Background Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LP) is an emerging modality for managing benign and premalignant neoplasms of the pancreatic body and tail. The efficacy of LP has been examined in single and multi-institutional retrospective reviews but not compared prospectively to open distal pancreatectomy (ODP). Methods We maintain a prospectively accruing database tracking peri-operative clinical parameters for all patients presenting to our tertiary care facility for treatment of pancreatic disease. We queried this database for patients undergoing LP or ODP between January 2003 and May 2008. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative characteristics were compared using standard statistical methods. Results One-hundred twelve patients underwent distal pancreatectomy. Eighty-five underwent SDP. Twenty-eight LPs were attempted and 27 completed laparoscopically. One LP was converted to an open procedure because of bleeding and was excluded from study. In comparison to ODP, patients undergoing LP had statistically similar pre-operative demographics, disease comorbidities, tumor size, length of operation, rates of postoperative mortality, postoperative morbidity, and pancreatic fistula. Patients undergoing LP were less likely to have ductal adenocarcinoma and had fewer lymph nodes harvested in their resection but had a significantly shorter postoperative length of stay and significantly lower estimated blood loss than those undergoing ODP. Conclusion Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is a safe, effective modality for managing premalignant neoplasms of the pancreatic body and tail, providing a morbidity rate comparable to that for ODP and substantially shorter length of stay. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy fails to provide a lymphadenectomy comparable to ODP. This may limit the applicability of LP to the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
The influence of culture on perceptions of service employee behavior

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to explore and compare customer perceptions of service encounter behavior in the USA and the Republic of Korea and to identify the relationship of the underlying behavioral dimensions to customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was designed to collect data in the USA and Korea. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to extract the most distinct set of behavioral dimensions underlying each culture. Predictive validity was examined using correlations and regression analysis.Findings – Key differences were found between US and Korean restaurant customers' perceptions of wait‐staff behavior and their impact on performance. While personalization was a significant predictor of satisfaction in the US sample, concern was a significant predictor for the Koreans. Courtesy and civility were important to both samples.Practical implications – Customer satisfaction is strongly influenced by employee behavior. To ensure success in international markets, ...
AIRE and APECED: molecular insights into an autoimmune disease

Mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) protein are the causative factor in development of the human disease autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED). In mice, the absence of the analogous protein aire influences ectopic expression of peripheral tissue antigens in thymic medullary epithelial cells (MECs), resulting in the development of an autoimmune disorder similar to APECED and establishing aire/AIRE as an important player in the induction of central tolerance. However, the molecular mechanism of AIRE's function, in particular its ability to specifically control the expression of peripheral tissue antigens in MECs, is still unclear. Here, we review current evidence relating to the molecular mechanism of AIRE.
Response of Solid-Seeded Soybean to Flood Irrigation. II. Flood Duration

Flood-irrigated soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] can be exposed to extended periods of soil-saturated conditions, depending on the producers method of application, watering capacity, and field size. Field studies were conducted on a Crowley silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, thermic Typic Albaqualf) soil in southwest Louisiana during 1982 to 1984 to evaluate the effects of flood duration on solidseeded (i.e., nonbedded narrow rows) ‘Ransom’ soybean. Soybean was flooded at the V6 (vegetative), R2 (bloom), or R2 + R5 (bloom and pod fill) growth stages. Within each timing treatment, water was applied to a standing depth of 0.076 m and allowed to stand for 0 (nonflooded control), 1, 2, 4, or 8 d. Soybean stand density did not change as flood duration increased. Yields for individual timing treatments were generally similar when flood periods were 0, 1, or 2 d. When water was held longer than 2 d postflowering, significant yield reductions were noted in all years and were as much as 1390 and 1520 kg ha⁻¹ in 1982, when water was applied at R2 or R2 + R5, respectively. In 1982 and 1984, when water was applied at R2 + R5, average yield reductions associated with increasing flood duration from 2 to 4 d and from 2 to 8 d were 20 and 10% higher, respectively, compared with R2 only. Increasing flood duration at V6 from 4 to 8 d decreased yields in 1982 and 1984 an average of only 340 kg ha⁻¹. For those 2 yr, with flood periods of 4 or 8 d, yields for soybean flooded at V6 were substantially higher than yields from the R2 or R2 + R5 treatments. Increased numbers of both seeds per pod and seeds per plant accounted for the higher yields in the V6 treatment. When flood irrigating solid-seeded soybean after flowering, attempts should be made to remove standing water within 2 d to avoid yield reductions. Contribution from the Louisiana Agric. Exp. Stn., Louisiana State Univ. Agric. Ctr. Manuscript no. 86-86-0154.
Effect of insulin on free amino acids in Caiman tissue and plasma

Abstract 1. 1. Caimans ( Caiman latirostris ) were injected with insulin and the free amino acid concentrations of plasmas and tissue homogenates were compared with non-injected controls. 2. 2. Insulin decreased the concentration of all amino acids in the plasma and kidney, and of essential amino acids in the muscle, liver, heart and brain. 3. 3. Tissue non-essential amino acids generally, and glutamine, glycine and alanine particularly, were either not affected by insulin, or were actually increased in tissues other than kidney. 4. 4. It was concluded that after insulin amino acids of the cells and extra-cellular fluids are converted into protein, and that those in excess of requirements for protein synthesis are used in the synthesis of glutamine, glycine and alanine.
IMPROVING UTILIZATION OF CROP RESIDUES. EVALUATION OF TWO CHEMICALS USED TO IMPROVE DIGESTIBILITY OF CROP RESIDUES

Abstract Two chemical treatments involving chelating metal caustic swelling (CMCS) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were evaluated for their ability to affect in vitro dry matter and in vitro cellulose disappearance (IVDMD and IVCD, respectively), dry matter disappearance in sacco and the chemical composition of two low-quality crop residues, cornstalks (CS) and soya bean residue (SBR). At chemical substrate ratios ranging from 0.25:1 to 5:1, linear increases in IVCD of both roughages were noted. Improvements in IVCD of CS and SBR were noted at 1:1, 3:1 and 5:1 chemical substrate ratios, regardless of whether the treated roughages were used immediately after treatment (fresh basis) or preserved by drying or freezing. Decreased concentrations of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and crude protein (CP) resulted from chemical treatment. No effects of the water component of the solvent solutions were observed. Dry matter disappearance in sacco of CMCS- and NaOH-treated roughages was increased at all chemical substrate ratios tested. Treatment of either roughage with CMCS resulted in greater digestibility in sacco than did treatment with NaOH. Treatment of CS with CMCS resulted in higher rates of digestion than did treatment with NaOH. No differences in rates of digestion of SBR were noted between chemicals. Both chemicals were more effective in improving digestibility of CS than of SBR.
Constitutive properties of hard-alpha titanium

The flow and fracture behavior of hard-alpha Ti was studied as a function of nitrogen content, stress state, strain rate, and temperature. Hard-alpha Ti specimens with nitrogen contents ranging from 2 to 11.6 wt pct were fabricated by powder-metallurgy techniques. Stress-strain curves were obtained under various states of stress by performing uniaxial compression, indirection tension, indentation, and plane-strain compression tests at two strain rates. By varying the test technique and the specimen geometry, deformation and fracture in hard-alpha Ti was characterized for mean pressures as high as 6 times the flow stress. Most of these tests were conducted at 954 °C, but some were performed at 25 °C, 927 °C, and 982 °C. The experimental results indicated that, during compression testing at 927 °C to 982 °C, hard-alpha Ti exhibited substantial plastic deformation for nitrogen contents less than 4 wt pct, but showed brittle fracture with little plastic flow for nitrogen contents of 5.5 to 11.6 wt pct. Both the yield and fracture strengths increase with increasing nitrogen content and pressure, but decrease with increasing temperature. The yield strength increases with strain rate, while the fracture strength shows little or no rate sensitivity. The fracture strength in tension is substantially lower than that in compression. These observed deformation and fracture characteristics are explained on the basis of microcrack formation during inelastic deformation.
The Separation of Railroad Operating Expenses Between Freight and Passenger Services

I. Importance attached by Interstate Commerce Commission to cost of service, 209. — II. Its early requirements as to separation of expenses, 212. — Summary of present (1915) requirements of the Commission, 213. — Maintenance of way, 214. — Maintenance of equipment, 215. — Traffic, 217. — Transportation, 217. — General expenses, 219. — III. Diversity in opinion as to maintenance of way, 219. — Distinction between deterioration and wear and tear, 221. — Standard of maintenance for passenger service, 223. — IV. Tabulation of various bases used for maintenance of way expenses, 225. — The train mile, 225. — V. The gross ton mile, 229. — The locomotive mile, 230. — The locomotive ton mile, 230. — The car mile, 231. — The train mile and car mile combined, 231. — The weighted train ton mile and locomotive mile, 232. — Direct expenses, 232. — Operating revenue, 233. — VI. Locomotive fuel, 235. — Effect of use of ten different bases in the Boston and Maine milk case, 238. — Cost accounting problems now being considered, 239.
Point Analysis in Java applied to histological images of the perforant pathway: a user's account.

The freeware Java tool Point Analysis in Java (PAJ), created to perform 3D point analysis, was tested in an independent laboratory setting. The input data consisted of images of the hippocampal perforant pathway from serial immunocytochemical localizations of the rat brain in multiple views at different resolutions. The low magnification set (×2 objective) comprised the entire perforant pathway, while the high magnification set (×100 objective) allowed the identification of individual fibers. A preliminary stereological study revealed a striking linear relationship between the fiber count at high magnification and the optical density at low magnification. PAJ enabled fast analysis for down-sampled data sets and a friendly interface with automated plot drawings. Noted strengths included the multi-platform support as well as the free availability of the source code, conducive to a broad user base and maximum flexibility for ad hoc requirements. PAJ has great potential to extend its usability by (a) improving its graphical user interface, (b) increasing its input size limit, (c) improving response time for large data sets, and (d) potentially being integrated with other Java graphical tools such as ImageJ.
Magic Lands: Western Cityscapes and American Culture After 1940

The American West conjures up images of pastoral tranquility and wide open spaces, but by 1970 the Far West was the most urbanized section of the country. Exploring four intriguing cityscapes - Disneyland, Stanford Industrial Park, Sun City, and the 1962 Seattle World's Fair - John Findlay shows how each created a sense of cohesion and sustained people's belief in their superior urban environment. This first book-length study of the urban West after 1940 argues that Westerners deliberately tried to build cities that differed radically from their eastern counterparts. In 1954, Walt Disney began building the world's first theme park, using Hollywood's movie-making techniques. The creators of Stanford Industrial Park were more hesitant in their approach to a conceptually organized environment, but by the mid-1960s the Park was the nation's prototypical 'research park' and the intellectual downtown for the high-technology region that became Silicon Valley. In 1960, on the outskirts of Phoenix, Del E. Webb built Sun City, the largest, most influential retirement community in the United States. Another innovative cityscape arose from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair and provided a futuristic, somewhat fanciful vision of modern life. These four became 'magic lands' that provided an antidote to the apparent chaos of their respective urban milieus. Exemplars of a new lifestyle, they are landmarks on the changing cultural landscape of postwar America.
Separation of lipophilic fractions by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract An approach to the preparative isolation of different lipid classes is described. It was applied to the separation of a lipophilic fraction from Antarctic krill on a silica column using a multistep gradient (both the mobile phase composition and flow-rate were changed). Hydrocarbons (including those of the carotinoid type), sterol esters, waxes, triglycerides, free fatty acids, sterols, mono- and diglycerides, phosphatidylinositols, phosphatidic acids, phosphatidylethanolamines, lecithin and corresponding lyso-derivatives were isolated on a single column and some of them were identified by high-performance thin-layer chromatography, gas—liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. These results are considerably in advance of those previously published.
Failure of Anisotropic Unstructured Mesh Adaption Based on Multidimensional Residual Minimization

An automated anisotropic unstructured mesh adaptation strategy is proposed, implemented, and assessed for the discretization of viscous flows. The adaption criteria is based upon the minimization of the residual fluctuations of a multidimensional upwind viscous flow solver. For scalar advection, this adaption strategy has been shown to use fewer grid points than gradient based adaption, naturally aligning mesh edges with discontinuities and characteristic lines. The adaption utilizes a compact stencil and is local in scope, with four fundamental operations: point insertion, point deletion, edge swapping, and nodal displacement. Evaluation of the solution-adaptive strategy is performed for a two-dimensional blunt body laminar wind tunnel case at Mach 10. The results demonstrate that the strategy suffers from a lack of robustness, particularly with regard to alignment of the bow shock in the vicinity of the stagnation streamline. In general, constraining the adaption to such a degree as to maintain robustness results in negligible improvement to the solution. Because the present method fails to consistently or significantly improve the flow solution, it is rejected in favor of simple uniform mesh refinement.
Neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of mivacurium chloride in surgical patients receiving nitrous oxide-narcotic or nitrous oxide-isoflurane anaesthesia

The neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of mivacurium chloride were studied during nitrous oxide-oxygen narcotic (fentanyl) (n = 90) and nitrous oxide-oxygen isoflurane (ISO) anaesthesia (n = 45). In addition, a separate group (n = 9) received succinylcholine during fentanyl anaesthesia to compare its neuromuscular effects with mivacurium. Mivacurium was initially administered as a single bolus in doses from 0.03 mg · kg−1 to 0.25 mg · kg−1 to study the dose-response relationships, as well as the cardiovascular effects of mivacurium. Neuromuscular block (NMB) was measured by recording the twitch response of the adductor pollicis muscle following ulnar nerve stimulation (0.15 Hz, 0.2 ms supramaximal voltage). The ED95 values for mivacurium were estimated to be 0.073 mg · kg−1 and 0.053 mg · kg−1 in the fentanyl and ISO groups respectively. The duration of block (time from injection to 95 per cent recovery) for a dose of 0.05 mg · kg− 1 mivacurium was 15.3 ± 1.0 min and 21.5 ± 1.3 min for fentanyl and ISO anaesthesia, respectively. The recovery index (25–75 per cent) between initial bolus dose (6.1 ± 0.5 min), repeat bolus doses (7.6 ± 0.6 min), mivacurium infusion (6.7 ± 0.7 min) and succinylcholine infusion (6.8 ± 1.8 min) were not significantly different. There was minimal change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) or heart rate (HR) following bolus doses of mivacurium up to 0.15 mg · kg−1. Bolus administration of 0.20 mg · kg−1 or 0.25 mg · kg−1 of mivacurium decreased MAP from 78.2 ± 2.5 to 64.0 ± 3.2 mmHg (range 12–59 per cent of control) (P < 0.05). The same doses when administered slowly over 30 sec produced minimal change in MAP or HR.
A meta-analysis of coffee, myocardial infarction, and coronary death.

This paper presents a meta-analysis of 22 studies of coffee use and myocardial infarction or coronary death. In the eight case-control studies, a fairly homogeneous increased risk was found among coffee users (geometric mean rate ratio of 1.42 for 5 cups per day vs none, with 95% confidence limits o
Meta-analyses of brain cancer and farming.

Background A series of meta-analyses of peer-reviewed studies of brain cancer and farming were performed, using 33 studies published between 1981 and 1996. Methods Before the meta-analyses, all studies were reviewed and evaluated for heterogeneity and publication bias. A random-effect model was used to estimate the combined relative risk. Results A meta-analysis including all the studies yielded an estimator of relative risk equal to 1.30, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 1.09, 1.56. The estimator of relative risk obtained from a meta-analysis restricted to female farmers was 1.04 (95%CI = 0.84, 1.29). A third meta-analysis restricted to studies of farmers residing in the central United States resulted in an estimator of relative risk equal 1.25 (95%CI = 1.09, 1.44). These findings were not influenced by either a publication bias or a specific study design. Conclusion The consistent significant positive findings suggests that there is a weak association between brain cancer and farming. Exposures commonly experienced by farmers including infectious microorganisms and pesticides may contribute to the increased risk of brain cancer. Am. J. Ind. Med. 34:252–260, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of Soil Compaction and Biomass Removal on Soil CO2 Efflux in a Missouri Forest

Forest disturbances associated with harvesting activities can affect soil properties and soil respiration. A soda-lime technique was used to measure soil carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux rates in clearcut plots of a Missouri oak-hickory (Quercus spp. L.-Carya spp. Nutt.) forest 4 years after being treated with two levels of forest biomass removal and two levels of compaction, both separate and in combinations, and an uncut control. Respiration rates were measured twice a month from mid-April through October. Soil CO2 efflux rates were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in uncut control plots than in clearcut plots, but differences between biomass removal or soil compaction treatments were not significant. Soil CO2 efflux rates were positively correlated with soil temperature. The lack of difference between soil CO2 efflux rates in weed control and no weed control subplots suggests that several more years may be required for regenerating clearcut plots to produce soil respiration rates similar to those in uncut control plots.
Shapes and alignments at high spin in some rare-earth nuclei

Abstract Properties of quasirotational rare-earth nuclei at high spins are studied with continuum γ-ray spectra. It is shown that the height of these spectra at each rotational frequency gives an effective moment of inertia which includes both collective and alignment effects. At high frequencies it is necessary to correct these spectra for incomplete population of the highest spin states. This feeding correction method is presented and studied in detail. It is shown that, in quasirotational nuclei, it can in general be applied successfully. The results are discussed in terms of an interplay between alignment and deformation effects. At high spins, the highly aligned orbitais from the first empty major shell (above the valence shell) play a major role. When they reach the Fermi surface, they produce large alignments visible in our spectra. The effect of the Fermi level position and of the softness toward deformation are discussed.
Ultrastructural localization of catalase and D-amino acid oxidase in 'normal' fetal mouse liver.

In the hepatocytes of ‘normal’ fetal mice from mothers which were carriers of muscular dysgenesis, catalase and D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) positive as well as negative peroxisomes were observed. DAAO reaction product was occasionally localized in patches around cell membranes and DAAO-positive peroxisomes were frequently observed near mitochondria.
Luminescent gold(I) and silver(I) complexes of 2-(diphenylphosphino)-1-methylimidazole (dpim): characterization of a three-coordinate Au(I)-Ag(I) dimer with a short metal-metal separation.

The Au(I) and Ag(I) closed-shell metal dimers of 2-(diphenylphosphino)-1-methylimidazole, dpim, were investigated. dpim formed the discreet binuclear species [Ag2(dpim)2(CH3CN)2]2+ (1) when reacted...
LNAPL Retention in Sandy Soil

The vertical distribution of free and residual aviation gasoline, a light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL), through the capillary fringe of a uniform, medium sand is measured and used to calibrate an existing model. The total saturation profile is governed by a classical moisture retention characteristic, with the matric pressure head scaled by LNAPL/air surface tension in the presence of free LNAPL and water/air surface tension in the absence of free LNAPL. The residual LNAPL is described by an empirical equation reflecting hysteretical trapping due to a fluctuating water table. The existing theory is calibrated with new and published field data at an aviation gasoline spill site in Traverse City, Michigan.
The future of Earth observations in the USA

Abstract Earth observations is a controversial subject because of the diversity of interests involved, but one that should not be ignored, as is currently the case, by the US government. This article describes the changing character of Earth observations and the opportunities it provides for economic benefit and national and international economies of scale. Such opportunities can best be met by the formation of an international Earth observations body, in which the USA, represented by an expanded EOSAT, should play a leading role.
Short-term acute hypercapnia affects cellular responses to trace metals in the hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria

Estuarine and coastal habitats experience large fluctuations of environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, partial pressure of CO2 ( [Formula: see text] ) and pH; they also serve as the natural sinks for trace metals. Benthic filter-feeding organisms such as bivalves are exposed to the elevated concentrations of metals in estuarine water and sediments that can strongly affect their physiology. The effects of metals on estuarine organisms may be exacerbated by other environmental factors. Thus, a decrease in pH caused by high [Formula: see text] (hypercapnia) can modulate the effects of trace metals by affecting metal bioavailability, accumulation or binding. To better understand the cellular mechanisms of interactions between [Formula: see text] and trace metals in marine bivalves, we exposed isolated mantle cells of the hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) to different levels of [Formula: see text] (0.05, 1.52 and 3.01 kPa) and two major trace metal pollutants - cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu). Elevated [Formula: see text] resulted in a decrease in intracellular pH (pHi) of the isolated mantle cells from 7.8 to 7.4. Elevated [Formula: see text] significantly but differently affected the trace metal accumulation by the cells. Cd uptake was suppressed at elevated [Formula: see text] levels while Cu accumulation has greatly accelerated under hypercapnic conditions. Interestingly, at higher extracellular Cd levels, labile intracellular Cd(2+) concentration remained the same, while intracellular levels of free Zn(2+) increased suggesting that Cd(2+) substitutes bound Zn(2+) in these cells. In contrast, Cu exposure did not affect intracellular Zn(2+) but led to a profound increase in the intracellular levels of labile Cu(2+) and Fe(2+). An increase in the extracellular concentrations of Cd and Cu led to the elevated production of reactive oxygen species under the normocapnic conditions (0.05 kPa [Formula: see text] ); surprisingly, this effect was mitigated in hypercapnia (1.52 and 3.01 kPa). Overall, our data reveal complex and metal-specific interactions between the cellular effects of trace metals and [Formula: see text] in clams and indicate that variations in environmental [Formula: see text] may modulate the biological effects of trace metals in marine organisms.
Entropy Based Evaluation of Communication Predictability in Parallel Applications

The performance of parallel computing applications is highly dependent on the efficiency of the underlying communication operations. While often characterized as dynamic, these communication operations frequently exhibit spatial and temporal locality as well as regularity in structure. These characteristics can be exploited to improve communication performance if the correct prediction model is selected to a suitable communication topology. In this paper we describe an entropy based methodology for quantifying and evaluating the success of different prediction models on actual workloads drawn from representative parallel benchmarks. We evaluate two different prediction criteria and combinations thereof: (1) Messages are partitioned by source node. (2) Use of a first order context model. We also describe the threshold for predication designed to largely avoid incorrect predication overheads. Our results show for simple predication models, even on highly dynamic benchmark applications, predictability can be improved by several orders of magnitude. In fact, using simple prediction techniques, over 75% of the communication volume is accurately predictable.
GABA receptor binding and hemodynamic responses to ICV GABA in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract Blood pressure and heart rate responses after central administration of GABA (100–1000 μg, ICV) and after ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium (25 mg/kg, i.a.) were compared in conscious 12 week-old spontaneously hypertensive (SH) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Ganglionic blockade produced an equivalent change in mean arterial pressure between SH and WKY rats. Thus, the total functional sympathetic nervous system contribution to blood pressure is equivalent in these two strains. Intraventricularly-administered GABA produced a greater absolute decrease in mean arterial pressure in the SHR compared to the WKY. However, the percent changes in arterial pressure produced by GABA were not different between these strains. This greater absolute depressor effect of GABA does not appear to be due to differences in GABA receptor binding constants since GABA receptor affinity and number of binding sites were not significantly different in the forebrain, cerebellum or pons-medulla between SH and WKY rats.
Trace metal chemistry of Galveston Bay: water, sediments and biota

Abstract Galveston Bay is the second largest estuary in Texas. It receives major urban runoff from the Houston area, its major river drains the Dallas-Ft Worth Metroplex, and the area surrounding the Bay is intensely industrialized, with chemical and petroleum production being especially prominent. Consequently, there are serious concerns about the possible contamination of the Bay and previous studies have indicated toxic metals at elevated concentrations (e.g. NOAA, 1989a). We have conducted an extensive investigation of Galveston Bay trace metals, in which their distribution in the water column, oysters and sediments were determined. Results of the water column and oyster analyses indicate that metal levels in open areas of Galveston Bay are currently similar to those in more pristine bays elsewhere. Industrial metal inputs to the Bay have not led to greatly increased concentrations in water, sediments and biota. However, the sediment analyses indicated that such inputs may have been significant in the past. Total Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ag concentrations in the waters, determined by state-of-the-art clean
Dyakonov–Tamm waves guided by a phase–twist combination defect in a sculptured nematic thin film

Abstract The propagation of Dyakonov–Tamm waves guided by a phase–twist combination defect in a sculptured nematic thin film (SNTF) was studied theoretically by numerical solution of a dispersion equation. The phase defect was fixed at 180°, whereas the twist defect was kept variable as also the direction of propagation. Multiple Dyakonov–Tamm waves that differ in spatial profile, degree of localization, and phase speed were found to propagate guided by the combination defect, depending on the angle between the morphologically significant planes of the SNTF on either side of the defect as well as on the direction of propagation. The most strongly localized Dyakonov–Tamm waves turned out to be essentially confined within one structural period of the SNTF normal to the combination defect.
Macroporous periodic mesoporous organosilicas with diethylbenzene bridging groups

Abstract Periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) with diethylbenzene bridging groups (DEB) in the pore walls are promising adsorbents for harmful compounds including nitroenergetics. The hierarchical macropore–mesopore structures developed here are expected to facilitate diffusion for such applications and to offer the potential for application in column formats. DEB-functionalized PMOs were synthesized with triblock copolymer Pluronic®P123 and the swelling additive mesitylene. Many of the materials were prepared through co-condensation of the DEB precursor bis(trimethoxysilylethyl)benzene with 1,2-bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane (BTE) to improve mesostructure. Conditions were optimized to form micron-scale macropores by polymerization-induced phase separation. PMOs were also produced using only the DEB precursor. These materials exhibited relatively high surface areas (ca. 400 m 2 /g) and mesopore sizes (ca. 45 A) as well as isolated macropores. As-synthesized materials were fabricated as centimeter-scale monoliths that became powders after multiple solvent refluxes. Soxhlet extraction could be used to preserve monolithic morphology while removing enough P123 to access mesopores. Nitrogen sorption, powder X-ray diffraction, SEM, TEM, and TGA were applied to characterize the PMOs.
Immunochemical detection of multiple conformations within a 36 base pair oligonucleotide.

Abstract A 36 base pair chimeric oligonucleotide containing a central core of DNA duplex flanked by RNA/DNA hybrid at each end was synthesized. These distinct regions of the oligonucleotide adopt different conformations which were detected with antibody probes. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and a gel electrophoresis retardation assay were used to demonstrate the binding of antibodies which recognize B-DNA, Z-DNA and RNA/DNA hybrid. The DNA duplex core of this oligonucleotide adopts the B-conformation in 0.14 M NaCl. In high salt solution (4 M NaCl) the DNA core adopts the Z-conformation. The RNA/DNA hybrid at the ends of the oligomer adopt a conformation which is distinct from both B-DNA and A-RNA.