cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of crural myotomy on the incidence and mechanism of gastroesophageal reflux in cats

Abstract Background: Esophagogastric junction (EGJ) pressure is the major barrier to gastroesophageal reflux. Recent studies suggest that contraction of the crural diaphragm increases esophagogastric junction pressure. Whether this increase in EGJ pressure is important in the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux is not known. Our aim in this study was to determine the effects of crural myotomy on the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux. Methods: The spontaneous and stress gastroesophageal reflux before and after a surgical crural myotomy in four cats was studied. Spontaneous gastroesophageal reflux was recorded in the awake cats through a pH probe, placed via an esophagostomy, for periods of 12–24 hours. Stress reflux was studied during periods of airway obstruction and abdominal compression in anesthetized animals using the technique of simultaneous esophageal manometry and pH monitoring. Results: There was a significant increase in the frequency of spontaneous acid reflux after crural myotomy. In anesthetized animals, there was an increase in the EGJ pressure during airway obstruction, which was abolished by a crural myotomy. Abdominal compression caused a reflex contraction at the EGJ that was not affected by crural myotomy. The crural myotomy resulted in a significant increase in the frequency of acid reflux during airway obstruction but not during abdominal compression. Conclusions: It is concluded that the crural diaphragm is important in the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux and its dysfunction leads to an increased incidence of gastroesophageal reflux.
Phosphotransfer reactions in the regulation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels

ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels are nucleotide-gated channels that couple the metabolic status of a cell with membrane excitability and regulate a number of cellular functions, including hormone s...
Does prior infection alter the outcome of TKA after tibial plateau fracture

Total knee arthroplasty performed after tibial plateau fracture has a known high rate of complications. We hypothesized TKAs performed after infected tibial plateau fractures would have an even higher complication rate when compared with noninfected tibial plateau fractures. In a matched case-control study, we retrospectively reviewed 19 patients who underwent primary TKAs after infected tibial plateau fractures between 1971 and 2005. The mean time from the most recent infection to arthroplasty was 5.6 years. The minimum clinical followup after TKA was 2 years (mean, 6.4 years; range, 2–15.1 years). Case patients were matched for age, gender, and arthroplasty year with 19 control subjects who underwent TKAs for tibial plateau fractures with no history of infections. After surgery, the Knee Society scores for the study group improved from 45 to 63 for pain and from 37 to 63 for function. Ten case patients (53%) sustained complications, including surgery for wound breakdown (three), manipulation (one), aseptic loosening (two), definitive resection arthroplasty (two), and above-knee amputation (two). Recurrent infections occurred in five patients (26%) at a mean of 1.1 years. Previously infected knees were 4.1 times more likely to require additional procedures compared with knees with no previous infection. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Structural Analysis of Pick’s Disease-Derived and in Vitro-Assembled Tau Filaments

Pick’s and Alzheimer’s diseases are distinct neurodegenerative disorders both characterized in part by the presence of intracellular filamentous tau protein inclusions. The tight bundles of paired helical filaments (PHFs) of tau protein found in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) differ from the tau filaments of Pick’s disease in their morphology, distribution, and pathological structure as identified by silver impregnation. The filaments of Pick’s disease are loosely arranged in pathognomonic spherical inclusions found in ballooned neurons, whereas the tau pathology of AD is classically described as a triad of neuropil threads, neurofibrillary tangles, and dystrophic neurites surrounding and invading plaques. In this study we used the high-resolution technique of scanning transmission electron microscopy to characterize and compare the filaments found in Pick’s disease with those found in AD. In addition, we determined the mass/nm length and density of arachidonic acid-induced in vitro-assembled filaments. Three morphologically distinct populations of Pick’s filaments were identified but each was indistinguishable from AD-PHFs in mass/nm length and density. Filaments assembled in vitro from single isoforms were similar in mass/nm length, but less dense than AD-PHFs and Pick’s disease filaments. Finally, we provide clear structural evidence that a PHF, whether found in disease or assembled in vitro, is composed of two distinct intertwined filaments.
Activation of Transcription in Vitro by the BRCA1 Carboxyl-terminal Domain

The breast and ovarian specific tumor suppressor protein, BRCA1, has been shown to be a transcription factor because its carboxyl terminus, when fused to the GAL4 DNA binding domain, activates gene expression in cells. In this study, purified GAL4-BRCA1 protein functions in transcriptional activation assays using a minimal in vitro system. When compared with a standard activator, GAL4-VP16, the levels of activation produced by the BRCA1 fusion protein were stronger when in the presence of certain coactivators. The transcriptional activation by BRCA1 is maximal when in the presence of the PC4 (positive component 4) coactivator but not HMG2 (high mobility group protein 2) and when the template is negatively supercoiled. By contrast, transcriptional activation by VP16 was highest in the presence of HMG2 as well as PC4 and when DNA templates had linear topology. Activation by VP16 was largely unaffected by the concentration of TFIIH, whereas activation by BRCA1 was strongly affected by TFIIH concentrations. The differing cofactor and template requirements suggest that GAL4-BRCA1 and GAL4-VP16 regulate different steps in the pathways that lead to transcriptional activation.
Multiple transport pathways for neutral amino acids in rabbit jejunal brush border vesicles

Amino acids enter rabbit jejunal brush border membrane vesicles via three major transport systems: (1) simple passive diffusion; (2) Na-independent carriers; and (3) Na-dependent carriers. The passive permeability sequence of amino acids is very similar to that observed in other studies involving natural and artificial membranes. Based on uptake kinetics and cross-inhibition profiles, at least two Na-independent and three Na-dependent carrier-mediated pathways exist. One Na-independent pathway, similar to the classical L system, favors neutral amino acids, while the other pathway favors dibasic amino acids such as lysine. One Na-dependent pathway primarily serves neutral L-amino acids including 2-amino-2-norbornanecarboxylic acid hemihydrate (BCH), but not beta-alanine or alpha-methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB). Another Na-dependent route favors phenylalanine and methionine, while the third pathway is selective for imino acids and MeAIB. Li is unable to substitute for Na in these systems. Cross-inhibition profiles indicated that none of the Na-dependent systems conform to classical A or ACS paradigms. Other notable features of jejunal brush border vesicles include (1) no beta-alanine carrier, and (2) no major proline/glycine interactions.
New retroperitoneal culdoplasty and colpopexy at the time of laparoscopic total abdominal hysterectomy (L-TAH).

Background. After a laparoscopic total abdominal hysterectomy, the safety of the translaparoscopic, prophylactic, retroperitoneal pouch of a Douglas reconstruction and vaginal vault suspension was evaluated. Methods. This operation was adapted from the laparotomy approach and has been investigated from July, 1992, to July, 1996. Modest modifications have been introduced to meet laparoscopic technology requirements. Observational clinical trials have been conducted on 112 women. The surgery was performed through laparoscopy by suturing and tying method, with no vaginal approach. Results, This clinical trial showed positive results for the operation, with no complications observed in this group of patients. After the operation, there were no symptoms or signs of a dysfunctional vagina, or pelvic relaxation. Conclusion. This preventive operation is safe and it restores the pelvic topography, functional anatomy, and it prevents post-hysterectomy vaginal dysfunction disorders.
Release of prothoracicotropic hormone and potentiation of developmental ability during diapause in the bollworm, Heliothis zea

In Heliothis zea, pupal diapause is not due to a deficiency of the prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), as it is in many other insects. However, PTTH is essential for diapause termination and adult development. Removal of the pupal brain 4 hr after larval-pupal ecdysis blocks the insect's ability to initiate adult development. Transplantation of brain neurosecretory cells restores this ability, whereas other tissues such as corpora allata have no effect. In the diapausing pupa, PTTH is released from the brain within 24 hr after larval-pupal ecdysis. Subsequent removal of the brain fails to block the ability for diapause termination, because PTTH potentiates the ability for adult development. Since diapause termination is suppressed in a temperature of 21°C, the bollworm retains the ability to initiate development in 27°C whereas it remains in diapause in 21°C. Diapause continues even though pupae are supplied with additional PTTH via neurosecretory cell transplantation. Ecdysone injection and prothoracic gland-ablation experiments indicate that the prothoracic glands are the source of the prohormone α-ecdysone, and that diapause is maintained by an α-ecdysone deficiency. This evidence, in conjunction with the above results, suggests that PTTH release potentiates prothoracic gland function in the diapausing pupa which is then regulated by a temperature dependent process.
Neoadjuvant systemic therapy or early cystectomy? Single-center analysis of outcomes after therapy for patients with clinically localized micropapillary urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Objectives To analyze the treatment outcomes of patients with micropapillary bladder cancer (MPBC). MPBC is a rare variant of urothelial carcinoma with aggressive clinical behavior. Radical cystectomy is considered the standard approach for treatment of patients with localized disease; however, the role of perioperative systemic therapy has been poorly defined. Material and Methods A retrospective review identified 38 consecutive patients who had been treated at our institution for MPBC from 2000 to 2010. The patient data were analyzed for the pre- and postoperative clinicopathologic features, treatment course, and cancer-specific survival. Results The median follow-up of surviving patients after cystectomy was 17 months (range 2-75). At the initial transurethral biopsy, 28 patients (74%) had clinical Stage T2N0 or less. In this group, 26 (93%) of 28 were upstaged to nonorgan-confined and/or lymph node-positive disease. Overall, 32 patients (86%) had evidence of lymph node metastasis on the final pathologic examination. All patients with cTis-T1 who had undergone initial bladder-sparing therapy with bacille Calmette-Guerin had pathologically advanced disease at cystectomy. All 15 patients who had received perioperative cisplatin-based chemotherapy died of metastatic disease. The 5-year overall survival rate was 40% (95% confidence interval 16-64). Conclusions MPBC is an aggressive disease with a high likelihood of regional lymph node metastasis at the initial presentation. Although radical cystectomy plays a critical role in treatment, systemic neoadjuvant chemotherapy might be a more appropriate strategy than immediate cystectomy. Because of the poor response to current chemotherapy agents, the development of new and effective drugs for this subset of patients could be needed.
Multiple mechanisms of serotonin 5-HT2 receptor desensitization.

Abstract Desensitization of serotonin 5-HT2 receptor-mediated enhancement of the methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) depolarization was studied in rat cortical neurons. Serotonin and (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) induced long term desensitization. Staurosporine, a nonspecific protein kinase C inhibitor, potentiated the serotonin and DOI facilitation, suggesting acute desensitization was operative. In the case of DOI, long term desensitization was prevented by staurosporine. Activators of protein kinase C abolished the serotonin facilitation, an action prevented by straurosporine. Concanavalin A potentiated the facilitation at 100 μM, but not 30 μM serotonin, suggesting these receptors undergo dose dependent internalization. Calmodulin antagonists prevent long term desensitization induced by serotonin. The depolarization induced by NMDA alone was not altered by straurosporine, protein kinase C activators, concanavalin A or calmodulin antagonists. Serotonin at 100 μM, but not 30 μM, induced heterologous desensitization of phenylephrine and carbachol induced facilitation of the NMDA depolarization. We conclude that serotonin 5-HT2 receptors both induce and undergo several forms of desensitization.
The effets of feed water flow rate on the growth of aquacultured Crassostrea virginiea in Hawaii

Abstract Selected nursed C. virginica with an initial average weight of 3.59 g were grown in vertical suspension in a tank which was divided into three chambers. The oysters were divided into three groups, glued onto strips of polyvinyl chloride and suspended in the three chambers. They were fed commercial shrimp pond effluent at the following flow rates: 4.00 liter/ day/g (high), 1.33 liter/day/g (medium), and 0.45 liter/day/g (low)
Cognitive-physiological discordance as an etiological factor in psychophysiologic disorders

Abstract A number of studies have found that the degree of cognitive-physiological discordance is higher for subjects with, compared to subjects without, psychophysiologic disorders. Although methodological parameters can influence discordance, they are unlikely to account for between-group differences in discordance. The main thesis of this paper is that cognitive-physiological discordance has etiological significance for psychophysiologic disorders. The mechanisms that account for discordance and through which discordance might affect psychophysiologic disorders were reviewed. Additionally, the clinical implications of discordance were considered. The need for empirical evaluation of the hypotheses offered in this paper was emphasized throughout.
Multicentricity of papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid: influence on treatment.

ABSTRACT In a study of 328 cases of papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid treated surgically in the period 1940–1954, it was found that these adenocarcinomas are multicentric in at least 20 per cent of cases. The multicentricity usually involves both lobes. Given a papillary lesion in one lobe, one or more additional deposits occur in the same lobe in more than 10 per cent of cases, and in the opposite lobe in a like proportion of cases. Further resection of the thyroid is advisable in cases in which partial lobectomy or partial thyroidectomy has been carried out previously because of a nodule that subsequently proves to be a papillary lesion. Preservation of a remnant on the apparently uninvolved side together with the nodes in the tracheo-esophageal groove on that side is justified in order to avoid total parathyroidectomy.
Electrophysiological similarities between two eyes with X-linked recessive retinoschisis

Electroretinograms (ERG) and electro-oculograms (EOG) were studied in 88 eyes of 44 male patients with X-linked recessive retinoschisis. Differences of fundus appearance, ERG, and EOG between the eyes of each patient were analyzed. Fundus abnormalities were symmetrical in 77.3% of the cases. The amplitude of the ERG a-wave was normal in 26.1% and was abnormally low in 73.9%. The amplitude of the b-wave was below normal in all eyes; thus a small b-wave/a-wave ratio, which is characteristic of X-linked recessive retinoschisis, was observed in every case. The light peak to dark trough (LP/DT) ratio of the EOG was normal in 90.8% of the cases. The relative electrophysiological differences between the two eyes were calculated and showed that a-wave amplitude was not different between eyes in 75.0% of the cases; b-wave amplitude was not different in 77.3% of the cases; b-wave/a-wave ratio was symmetrical in 93.2% of the cases; and the LP/DT ratio was consistent between eyes in 86.8% of the cases. These results suggest that in most cases of X-linked recessive retinoschisis the fundus appearance, ERG, and EOG are similarly affected in both eyes of the patient.
The Effect of Maternal Labor Force Participation on Child Development

The effect of maternal employment on child development is examined using fixed effects models. Hausman tests suggest that ordinary least squares models produce biased and inconsistent estimates. Fixed effects results show that only one of three tests (PIAT math) was negatively affected by maternal hours and weeks worked in year 1 of the child’s life. The PIAT reading score was negatively affected by weeks worked in year 1 but not hours worked in year 1. None of the tests were affected by weeks or hours worked in year 2. Finally, weeks worked in year 3 positively affected PIAT math scores.
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Supplemental Oral l-Arginine in Patients With Heart Failure

Background Patients with heart failure have reduced peripheral blood flow at rest, during exercise, and in response to endothelium-dependent vasodilators. Nitric oxide formed from l-arginine metabolism in endothelial cells contributes to regulation of blood flow under these conditions. A randomized, double-blind crossover study design was used to determine whether supplemental oral l-arginine can augment peripheral blood flow and improve functional status in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. Methods and Results Fifteen subjects were given 6 weeks of oral l-arginine hydrochloride (5.6 to 12.6 g/d) and 6 weeks of matched placebo capsules in random sequence. Compared with placebo, supplemental oral l-arginine significantly increased forearm blood flow during forearm exercise, on average from 5.1±2.8 to 6.6±3.4 mL·min−1·dL−1 (P<.05). Furthermore, functional status was significantly better on l-arginine compared with placebo, as indicated by increased distances during a 6-minute walk test (390±91...
Design of Automatic Transplantor for Flower Seedling

In order to improve the flower-seedling transplanting from trays to pots, an automatic transplantor was designed, the key components of which included the grasper, transit unit and the controller. The grasper for holding the seedling root, was optimized based on the analysis for the grasp force, and it was adaptive for trays of varied size and non-destructive for the seedling. The belt-gear unit was adopted to drive efficient seedling transit, besides the multi-motor control system was built. Finally, the test for the grasper and the control system showed that the control system worked well when 600-1000 cycles per hour were finished, and the grasper performed perfectly when the less than 800 seedlings per hour were transplanted.
Tracing Wavefronts: Can It Be Done?

The starting point of this work is a general solution of the eikonal equation for a homogeneous, isotropic medium which provides a detailed description of the structure of a train of geometrical wavefronts and also of the associated caustic surface. This description depends ultimately on the k-function, an arbitrary function that arises in the general solution. Suppose a known train of wavefronts, with a known k-function, is incident on a refracting surface, tracing a wavefront involves determining the k-function for the refracted wavefront train. To do this a set of boundary conditions needs to be setup and solved.
Pulsed field gel electrophoresis and physical mapping of large DNA fragments in the Tm-2a region of chromosome 9 in tomato

A method has been developed which allows the isolation of very high molecular weight DNA (>2 million bp) from leaf protoplasts of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). The DNA isolated in this manner was digested in agarose with rare-cutting restriction enzymes and separated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. The size range of the reslting fragments was determined by hybridization to a number of single copy clones and the suitability of these enzymes for the mapping of large DNA fragments was evaluated. Furthermore, five genetically tightly linked single copy clones have been used to begin the construction of a physical map in a region of the genome containing the Tm-2a gene which confers resistance to tobacco mosaic virus. Two of the five clones were found to be on the same 560 kb SalI fragment and therefore are no further apart than that distance. The remaining three markers are distributed over at least 3 million bp, so that the total minimum physical distance of that cluster is at least 4 million bp. The results are discussed with respect to correlations between recombination frequencies and physical distance as well as physical mapping large regions of a complex plant genome like tomato.
Noninvasive identification of patients with early coronary atherosclerosis by assessment of digital reactive hyperemia

Objectives We investigated the value of reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) as a noninvasive tool to identify individuals with coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction. Background Coronary endothelial dysfunction, a systemic disorder, represents an early stage of atherosclerosis; RH-PAT is a technique to assess peripheral microvascular endothelial function. Methods Using RH-PAT, digital pulse volume changes during reactive hyperemia were assessed in 94 patients without obstructive coronary artery disease and either normal (n = 39) or abnormal (n = 55) coronary microvascular endothelial function; RH-PAT index, a measure of reactive hyperemia, was calculated as the ratio of the digital pulse volume during reactive hyperemia divided by that at baseline. Results Average RH-PAT index was lower in patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction compared with those with normal coronary endothelial function (1.27 ± 0.05 vs. 1.78 ± 0.08: p Conclusions Digital hyperemic response, as measured by RH-PAT, is attenuated in patients with coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction, suggesting a role for RH-PAT as a noninvasive test to identify patients with this disorder.
4: Psychology of Learning Environments: Behavioral, Structural, or Perceptual?

Before overviewing the purpose and parts of this chapter, it may be helpful to mention the general features of the three models of learning process that are contrasted in the discussion (Figure 1). In the behavioral model the teacher presents stimuli to the student, observes or psychometrically assesses the responses, and selectively reinforces them by reward and punishment. In the structural model, the preprogrammed development of internal mechanisms mainly determines the course of learning; the teacher stimulates the maturation of these mechanisms, draws them out, or provides the environment in which they can be acted upon or be concretized. The perceptual model allows for behavioral and structural mechanisms but holds that the student's con-
Predicting high-risk program modules by selecting the right software measurements

A timely detection of high-risk program modules in high-assurance software is critical for avoiding the high consequences of operational failures. While software risk can initiate from external sources, such as management or outsourcing, software quality is adversely affected when internal software risks are realized, such as improper practice of standard software processes or lack of a defined software quality infrastructure. Practitioners employ various techniques to identify and rectify high-risk or low-quality program modules. Effectiveness of detecting such modules is affected by the software measurements used, making feature selection an important step during software quality prediction. We use a wrapper-based feature ranking technique to select the optimal set of software metrics to build defect prediction models. We also address the adverse effects of class imbalance (very few low-quality modules compared to high-quality modules), a practical problem observed in high-assurance systems. Applying a data sampling technique followed by feature selection is a relatively unique contribution of our work. We present a comprehensive investigation on the impact of data sampling followed by attribute selection on the defect predictors built with imbalanced data. The case study data are obtained from several real-world high-assurance software projects. The key results are that attribute selection is more efficient when applied after data sampling, and defect prediction performance generally improves after applying data sampling and feature selection.
A Comparison of Video Laryngoscopy to Direct Laryngoscopy for the Emergency Intubation of Trauma Patients

Direct laryngoscopy (DL) has long been the gold standard for tracheal intubation in emergency and trauma patients. Video laryngoscopy (VL) is increasingly used in many settings and the purpose of this study was to compare its effectiveness to direct laryngoscopy in trauma patients. Our hypothesis was that the success rate of VL would be higher than that of DL. Data were collected prospectively on all trauma patients, from January 2008 to June 2011, who were intubated emergently in an academic level I trauma center. After intubation, the physician that performed the intubation completed a structured data collection form that included demographics, complications, and the presence of difficult airway predictors. Our primary outcome measure was overall successful tracheal intubation, which was defined as successful intubation with the first device used. During the study period, 709 trauma patients were intubated by either VL or DL. VL was performed in 55 % of cases. The overall success rate of VL was 88 % compared to 83 % with DL (P = 0.05). Cervical (C-Spine) immobilization was predictive of higher initial success with VL (87 %) than with DL (80 %) (P < 0.05). In multivariate regression analysis DL was associated with higher risk of intubation failure compared to VL (OR 1.82, CI: 1.15–2.86). In trauma patients intubated emergently, VL had a significantly higher success rate than DL. These data suggest that, in select circumstances, VL is superior to DL for the intubation of trauma patients with difficult airways.
Development of substance dependence in two delinquency subgroups and nondelinquents from a male twin sample.

ABSTRACT Objective The effect of delinquency subtype on the development of substance dependence symptoms was examined. It was proposed that early-onset delinquents possess characteristics that increase their likelihood of developing substance dependence problems earlier and more rapidly than late-onset delinquents and nondelinquents. Method The development of alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis dependence symptoms ( DSM-III-R ) was examined over a 6-year period of adolescence (age 11–17) among 36 early-onset delinquent, 86 late-onset delinquent, and 25 nondelinquent boys from a large epidemiological twin sample. Multilevel/random coefficients models were used to compare groups on the rate of growth in number of symptoms over time. Results As expected, early-onset delinquents showed an earlier onset and a faster rate of increase in the number of cannabis and nicotine dependence symptoms than late-onset delinquents and controls. Both delinquent groups had a more rapid increase in alcohol dependence symptoms than controls. Conclusions The data showed that early-onset delinquency is associated with earlier onset of substance use disorder symptoms and more rapid acceleration of problems with drugs than late-onset delinquency. Treatments for boys with early-onset delinquency should account for their increased risk for drug use problems in adolescence and the potential effects of those problems on the course of antisocial behavior.
The Heterosocial Assessment Inventory for Women: A psychometric and behavioral evaluation

This paper presents a preliminary psychometric and behavioral evaluation of the Heterosocial Assessment Inventory for Women (HAI-W), a novel self-report instrument that evaluates five dimensions that may influence performance in 12 heterosocial situations: likelihood of initiation, anxiety, skillfulness, expectation of outcome, and influence of attractiveness. Study I obtained acceptable reliability and concurrent validity data and described the factor structure of the HAI-W with female college students. Study II found a significant relationship between the HAI-W factors and global ratings of the role-play performances of high- and low-heterosocially competent female college students as rendered by the male confederate, peer judges, and expert judges. The implications of these findings for the multidimensional assessment and facilitation of heterosocial competence are discussed.
Basic fibroblast growth factor is highly neuroprotective against seizure-induced long-term behavioural deficits

Basic fibroblast growth factor has been reported to protect neurons of various structures from excitotoxic damage. To study the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on seizure-induced brain damage we infused the growth factor into the lateral ventricles of 35-day-old rats receiving convulsant dosages of kainic acid. Artificial cerebrospinal fluid or basic fibroblast growth factor at dosages of 0.5 ng/h or 2.5 ng/h was infused into the lateral ventricle continuously for seven days starting two days before and continuing for five days after the animals had kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. At age 80 days the animals underwent behavioural testing using the water maze, open field, and handling tests and at age 95 days were tested for seizure threshold using flurothyl inhalation. Neither artificial cerebrospinal fluid or basic fibroblast growth factor modified the latency or duration of the acute seizures following kainic acid. However, rats infused with 2.5 ng/h, but not 0.5 ng/h of basic fibroblast growth factor, had fewer spontaneous recurrent seizures, a higher seizure threshold, better performance in the handling, open field and water maze test, and less cell loss in the hippocampus when compared to rats receiving artificial cerebrospinal fluid or 0.5 ng/h of basic fibroblast growth factor. These results show that basic fibroblast growth factor has a dose-related neuroprotective effect against seizure-induced long-term behavioural deficits when administered by osmotic pump prior to seizure onset. This neuroprotective effect is not related to an anticonvulsant effect.
External reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy study of lung surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C in phospholipid monolayers at the air/water interface

The interactions of the hydrophobic pulmonary surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C with 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine in mixed, spread monolayer films have been studied in situ at the air/water interface with the technique of external reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (IRRAS). SP-C has a mostly alpha-helical secondary structure both in the pure state and in the presence of lipids, whereas SP-B secondary structure is a mixture of alpha-helical and disordered forms. When films of SP-B/1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine are compressed to surface pressures (pi) greater than approximately 40–43 mN/m, the protein is partially (15–35%) excluded from the surface, as measured by intensity ratios of the peptide bond amide l/lipid C==O stretching vibrations. The extent of exclusion increases as the protein/lipid ratio in the film increases. In contrast, SP-C either remains at the surface at high pressures or leaves accompanied by lipids. The amide l peak of SP-C becomes asymmetric as a result of the formation of intermolecular sheet structures (1615–1630 cm-1) suggestive of peptide aggregation. The power of the IRRAS experiment for determination of film composition and molecular structure, i.e., as a direct test of the squeeze-out hypothesis of pulmonary surfactant function, is evident from this work.
Robust utopias and civil repairs

In the wake of Marxism, the decline of socialism and the debacle of state Communism, critical social theory must be saved from the narrow letter of the Frankfurt School, though not from its utopian spirit. Criticizing the totalizing packages of modernist utopias, this article tries to sustain the idea of utopia and its connection to critical social thought. It suggests that self-limiting, partial and plural utopias inform the social and cultural struggles of contemporary life. There has not been an end to utopian thought and action, but a movement away from socialism to movements of difference, movements against arms, movements for sexual citizenship, movements to create an ecologically harmonious society. In conclusion, the suggestion is made that what unites and underlies these movements is not a totalizing project, but the shared aim of producing a more civil society.
Modeling of transient modal instability in fiber amplifiers

A model of transient modal instability in fiber amplifiers is presented. This model combines an optical beam propagation method that incorporates laser gain through local solution of the rate equations and refractive index perturbations caused by the thermo-optic effect with a time-dependent thermal solver with a quantum defect heating source term. This model predicts modal instability a fiber amplifier operating at 241, 270, and 287 Watts of output power characterized by power coupling to un-seeded modes, the presence of stable and unstable regions within the fiber, and rapid intensity variations along the fiber. The instability becomes more severe as the power is increased.
Breakup-fusion description of nonequilibrium protons from (α, p) reactions

Abstract The nonequilibrium part of the proton spectra from a few ( α , p) reactions is calculated, assuming the breakup-fusion (BF) mechanism. It is shown that the calculation reproduces very well the higher-energy parts of the observed spectra, but underestimates the lower-energy parts. The reason why this happens and a plausible mechanism that may fill up this gap are discussed.
Decapod and stomatopod assemblages on a system of seagrass-covered mud banks in Florida Bay

The latticework of seagrass-covered mud banks in Florida Bay, Florida Keys, USA, divides the bay into distinct subenvironments and supports a robust seagrass community subject to pronounced physical stress. Throw-trap sampling of decapods and stomatopods during 1984 and 1985 (December–April, May–August and September–November of each year) showed that bank sides exposed to turbulence had low abundance but similar species richness to that of bank tops and sheltered sides. The fauna was more Gulf-Carolinean than Antillean. The crustacean communities of the different subenvironments, however, were distinct, with both Antillean and temperate assemblages represented and with one isolated area markedly depauperate. The two subenvironments adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico had the greatest densities. Multiple-regression techniques suggested that vegetational habitat characteristics played a secondary role compared to various physical factors. We hypothesize that (1) restricted circulation (compounded by winter cold-fronts or other seasonal causes of density minima), (2) juxtaposed faunal provinces, and (3) the wider salinity range of the isolated regions of the bay were primarily responsible for the strikingly different communities of the various subenvironments.
Aspects of substrate utilization and energy requirement during molluscan phagocytosis.

Unlike the case of mammalian phagocytes, there is no increase in oxygen consumption by hemolymph cells of Mercenaria mercenaria actively phagocytosing Bacillus megaterium. The utilization of glucose and glycogen, coupled with the production of lactate and no increase in oxygen utilization, by M. mercenaria cells actively engaged in phagocytosis indicates that glycolysis is the energy-providing pathway. This conclusion is strengthened by the fact that KCN does not inhibit phagocytosis. Nitroblue tetrazolium reduction characteristic of mammalian phagocytes is absent in M. mercenaria hemolymph cells. The myeloperoxidase-H2O2-halide antimicrobial system of mammalian phagocytes is absent in hemolymph cells of M. mercenaria.
O.21 Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS), autophagic myopathy, and cognitive dysfunction caused by mutations in DPAGT1

We recently identified two CMS patients with CNS involvement. Patient 1 is a16-year-old mentally retarded girl with severe generalized CMS since infancy. One of her siblings is also affected and has autistic features. Patient 2 is a 14-year-old girl with mild cognitive deficits and progressive limb-girdle CMS since infancy. Both respond poorly to anti-AChE therapy. Intercostal muscle specimens in both show small tubular aggregates in type 2 fibers, type1 fiber atrophy, and a vacuolar myopathy with autophagic features. Endplate studies reveal that quantal release, postsynaptic response to acetylcholine, and endplate AChR content are reduced to ∼50% of normal. Quantitative EM of 65 endplate regions shows hypoplastic endplates, very small nerve terminals, and poorly differentiated postsynaptic regions. Neither patient harbors mutations in currently recognized CMS disease genes but exome sequencing in each identified two heteroallelic mutations in DPAGT1 coding for dolichyl-phosphate N-acetylglucosamine phosphotransferase, an enzyme subserving protein N-glycosylation. Immunoblots of muscle extracts probed by two different antibodies demonstrates reduced to absent glycosylation of ∼70 kDa proteins in Patient 1 but not in Patient 2. We conclude that DPAGT1 mutations result in both pre- and postsynaptic structural and electrophysiologic abnormalities. We hypothesize that hypoglycosylation of synapse-specific proteins causes defects in motor as well as central synapses.
Development of Critical Thinking Skills: An Analysis of Academic Library Experiences and Other Measures

The purpose of this study is to determine the influences that affect the development of critical thinking skills in undergraduate students. This study examines data from the College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CSEQ), a national, cross-sectional survey completed by students during the 1992–1993 academic year. Using Astin’s I-E-O model and Pace’s quality of effort theory as the conceptual framework, the study examined students’ background characteristics, library experiences, experiences with faculty, course learning, and experiences with writing to determine the greatest influences on gains in critical thinking development. Results of the factor analyses and the hierarchical multiple regression indicated that grades, class year, focused academic library activities, informal faculty interaction, active course learning, and conscientious writing all resulted in gains in critical thinking. Implications of these findings suggest that academic librarians should design library research skills courses to increase students’ focused use of the academic library and its resources in order to increase their critical thinking skills.
The ontogeny of opioid receptors mediating opiate-induced feeding in rats.

Abstract Acute administration of naloxone to preweanling rats does not attenuate independent ingestion of milk until 14 days of age suggesting that the full expression of an endogenous opioid system(s), regulating feeding rats, is not complete prior to this age. The present study was undertaken to examine the functional ontogeny of opioid receptors mediating opiate-induced feeding in rats. Rat pups, satiated with milk, were given intraperitoneal injections of the opiate receptor agonist, morphine, and were allowed free access to milk. Morphine stimulated the intake of milk at 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days of age, within 2 hr of injection. A time-course analysis in 7-day-old pups showed greater enhancement of intake between hours 2 and 4, than between hours 0 and 2, for large doses of morphine (0.3 and 1.0 mg kg ) suggesting that morphine-induced behavioral depression, which was observed early in the test session, confounded intake at earlier hours. Administration of the opiate receptor antagonist, naltrexone, produced no effect on intake of its own, but blocked the stimulation of intake by morphine in 5-day-old pups confirming that the effect of morphine on the intake of milk was mediated by opioid receptors. Thus, while a functional endogenous opioid system(s), regulating feeding in rats, is not fully mature until 14 days postpartum, the present results suggest that opioid receptors mediating feeding are functional very early in the postnatal development of the rat.
Superior semicircular canal dehiscence in a young child: Implication of developmental defect

In recent years, superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) has been recognized as a structural cause of a number of auditory and vestibular symptoms, such as vertigo and conductive hearing loss. Prior clinical studies on SSCD have commonly described this entity in adults, but rarely in the pediatric population. We present a pediatric patient with right-sided SSCD which was initially diagnosed radiographically at age seven. This rare and unique case demonstrated SSCD can be found in young children, although the majority of patients with SSCD are adults. It also provides strong evidence that canal dehiscence may be a developmental defect.
Integrating two industrial robots into a coordinated system

Abstract The scheme of integrating two industrial robots into a coordinated system is discussed in this paper. The scheme makes full use of the original computer systems of individual robots and needs a minimum addition of new hardware and software resources. The integrated system, however, is flexible for both coordinated and independent motions of the industrial robots. As a result, the scheme is suitable for research institutions as well as industries to coordinate existing robots at a moderate expense and without losing independent motion capabilities of individual robots. To present the scheme, the algorithm of the coordinated motion, the hardware of the integrated system and the design of the operating system are discussed in the paper.
A Density Functional Study of the Completion of the Methane Monooxygenase Catalytic Cycle. Methanol Complex to MMOH Resting State

In the final stage of the hydroxylation of methane to methanol by the methane monooxygenase (MMO) enzyme, a binuclear iron−methanol complex (II), expels the methanol and restores the resting state (RS) FeIII−FeIII form of the hydroxylate (MMOH) component to complete the catalytic cycle. The overall process, II → RS, can include protonation, addition of water, expulsion of methanol, and ligand rearrangement, all in an unknown order of occurrence. A model previously applied successfully to describe the hydroxylation mechanism that produces II is used here with the density functional theory to examine a series of intermediate structures and reaction steps to find the lowest-energy reaction path for II → RS. Two different groups of structures and reaction steps are considered; those involving proton transfer from the protein/environment to the complexes (group A) and those that are charge neutral with consideration of internal hydrogen atom migration among the oxygen ligands of the diferric complexes (group B...
Non-commutative arithmetic

The problem of determining the conditions that must be imposed upon a system having a single associative and commutative operation in order to obtain unique factorization into irreducibles has been studied by A. H. Clifford [1],1 Konig [1], and Ward [2]. The more general problem of determining similar conditions for the non-commutative case has been treated by M. Ward [1], However, the conditions given by Ward are more stringent than those satisfied by actual instances of non-commutative arithmetic, for example, quotient lattices and non-commutative polynomial theory (Ore [1, 2]). Moreover, in both of these instances the factorization is unique only up to a similarity relation, and instead of a single operation of multiplication the additional operations G. C. D. and L. C. M. are involved.2 Accordingly, we shall concern ourselves with the arithmetic of a non-commutative multiplication defined over a lattice.
Degradation of Insecticides by Esterases of the American Cockroach

At least 14 different bands hydrolyzing alpha -naphthyl acetate were recognized in the homogenate of the American cockroach, periplaneta americana (L.), by using an agar gel electrophoresis technique. Each band was isolated from the agar plate and tested against various substrate esters, including insecticidal organophosphates and a carbamate to characterize its ability to degrade the insecticides and their analogs. At least 3 distinctly different A-type and 2 B-type esterases were active in hydrolyzing toxic phosphates and carbamates in the American cockroach. In all cases each insecticidal ester was hydrolyzed by more than 2 different esterases.
Language sample measures and language ability in Spanish-English bilingual kindergarteners

Measures of productivity and sentence organization are useful metrics for quantifying language development and language impairments in monolingual and bilingual children. It is not yet known what measures within and across languages are most informative when evaluating the language skills of bilingual children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how measures of language productivity and organization in two languages converge with children's measured language abilities on the Bilingual English Spanish Assessment (BESA), a standardized measure of language ability. 170 kindergarten age children who produced narrative language samples in Spanish and in English based on a wordless picture book were included in the analysis. Samples were analyzed for number of utterances, number of different words, mean length of utterance, and percentage of grammatical utterances. The best predictors of language ability as measured by the BESA scores were English MLU, English grammaticality, and Spanish grammaticality. Results are discussed in relationship to the nature of the measures in each of the languages and in regard to their potential utility for identifying low language ability in bilingual. Learning outcomes: The reader will be able to identify (1) why narratives are useful for evaluating bilingual language ability, (2) which measures of productivity and sentence organization in narratives best capture language ability and development in bilingual children, (3) how a bilingual or composite language ability across two languages can be determined, and (4) what relationship exists between measures of productivity and sentence organization in each language with a bilingual language ability score.
Monitoring fluoride in Vermont's drinking water.

The two contributors to this report illustrate thoroughly the frustrations in maintenance of 1 ppm of F in a community's supply of drinking water and how to overcome them.
Emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty during acute myocardial infarction for patients more than 70 years of age

Abstract Thirty-five patients >70 years of age with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were treated with emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Seventeen (49%) patients received previous thrombolytic therapy: streptokinase (10 patients), tissue plasminogen activator (6) and combined tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase (1). Infarct-related artery patency was achieved in 26 patients (74%) after PTCA. Total in-hospital mortality was 34%. Univariate analysis showed a higher in-hospital mortality in patients with an occluded vessel after PTCA (78%) than in those patients with a patent infarct-related artery (19%) (p = 0.003). Symptomatic coronary reocclusion occurred in 3 patients (15%) during the hospital stay. Compared with emergency PTCA in 200 consecutively treated patients