cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elimination of mycoplasmas from cell cultures by a novel soft agar technique

Mycoplasmal infection of cell cultures remains a significant threat to diagnostic and research procedures. In certain defined situations, curing of mycoplasmal infected cultures is a reasonable exercise. Four methods of curing were compared: treatment with BM-cycline, 5 bromouracil, use of specific antisera and treatment of infected cells suspended in soft agar with antibiotics. Antisera treatments were of low efficiency of curing: 50%. None of nine infected cell lines treated with 5-bromouracil were consistently cured of mycoplasmas. The use of BM-cycline was effective for some, but not all lines and required long periods of treatment, 12–21 days. 35 naturally or deliberately infected cultures were treated in soft agar a total of 119 times. This procedure which consisted of suspending infected cultures in soft agar containing appropriate antibiotics resulted in successful mycoplasmal elimination 118/119 times. This soft agar technique took 1–3 days. In separate studies, it was shown that certainMycoplasma fermentans strains were resisted to this and other curing methods. This may be due to their intracellular location. Such strains may be more amenable to antibiotics that penetrate mammalian cells. It is concluded that the soft agar technique is a rapid, efficient and reliable method to eliminate cell culture mycoplasmas.
Brain responses related to semantic meaning

Evoked Potentials from electroencephalogram (EEG) recording were averaged to many visually presented word stimuli whose semantic meanings were specified along Osgood's semantic dimensions of Evaluation, Potency, and Activity [Miron & Osgood, 1966, in R. B. Cattell (Ed.), Handbook of multivariate experimental psychology, Chicago: Rand-McNally; Osgood, 1971, Journal of Social Issues, 27, 5–63; Osgood, May, & Miron, 1975, Cross-cultural universals of affective meaning, Urbana, Ill.: University of Illinois Press]. Multivariate analyses classified the Evoked Potentials to six semantic classes with success rates more than twice chance expectation. The pattern of brain activity related to the six semantic classes was similar for (i) two sets of words, (ii) 10 subjects used to develop the analyses, and (iii) an added, new subject.
Effects of treating western spruce budworm populations on grand fir and Douglas-Fir with acephate, carbofuran, dimethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, and methamidophos☆

Abstract Systemic implantation cartridges containing liquid formulations of acephate or methamidophos provided 98% and 90% population reduction of western spruce budworm larvae on grand fir. Acephate residue levels in midcrown foliage reached laboratory determined LC 90 values for western spruce budworm larvae within 5 days after treatment. Medicap cartridges containing powdered formulations of carbofuran or dimethoate and Mauget injector units containing a liquid formulation of oxydemeton-methyl provided inadequate population reduction: whereas, Medicaps containing a powdered formulation of acephate provided 93% population reduction. Acephate residue levels in midcrown foliage were sufficient to cause mortality of western spruce budworm larvae by 20 days after treatment.
Timeliness and Accuracy of Reporting Preliminary Blood Culture Results: A College of American Pathologists Q-Probes Study of 65 Institutions

Context.— The speed and accuracy of preliminary blood culture reports impacts patient management and outcomes. Objective.— To evaluate the accuracy and timeliness of preliminary blood culture results among multiple laboratories. Design.— Q-Probes participants collected turnaround time (TAT) data on preliminary Gram stains, compared accuracy of up to 100 preliminary to final culture Gram stain results, and described blood culture laboratory practices. Results.— Sixty-four laboratories and 5031 blood cultures were evaluated. All participants used continuously monitoring blood culture systems. Median TAT from initial growth detection to notification of results was 45 minutes, with the longest component being preparation of Gram stains (median time = 25 minutes). Participants (N = 40) reporting a continuous schedule for processing blood cultures had significantly lower overall TAT (medianm= 37 minutes) compared with 15 participants with intermittent processing schedules (medianm= 124 minutes),mPm= .003. Time ...
Psychopathology, GABA, and the Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome: A review and case study

An adult female with congenital Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) and severe mental retardation is described, who presented with symptoms of severe over-activity, short attention span, mood lability, and aggressive outbursts in a cyclical pattern, suggestive of recurrent manic-like episodes. These symptoms improved significantly with divalproex (Depakote) monotherapy. Review of the existing studies showed that 10-76% of persons with RTS may be identified with similar behavioral symptoms. We postulate other persons with RTS may respond to divalproex, and there may be some relationship between the chromosome 16p13.3 deletion and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor or neurotransmitter abnormalities. Recent molecular genetic studies suggest a linkage of this region to bipolar mood disorder and autism, both of which were diagnosed in this patient. Further prospective study is needed of RTS persons regarding behavioral problems, comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, and treatment responses, correlated with genetic abnormalities.
Prenatal ethanol exposure alters the expression of period genes governing the circadian function of β-endorphin neurons in the hypothalamus

Sleep–wake disturbances and stress hyper-responsiveness have been observed in human neonates, children and adolescents who were exposed to alcohol during the prenatal period. Using the laboratory rat as an animal model, we investigated whether fetal ethanol exposure during gestational days 10–21 affects the circadian function of the stress-axis regulatory β-endorphin neurons in the hypothalamus. Fetal ethanol-exposed rats showed abnormality in the circadian expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA encoding the peptide β-endorphin in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus during the adult period. These rats also showed altered circadian expression of the clock governing Period genes rPer1, rPer2 and rPer3, in the arcuate nucleus, and rPer1 and rPer 2 mRNA levels in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Laser captured microdissection analysis identified constitutive expression of rPer1, rPer2 and rPer3 genes in β-endorphin-containing neurons. These data suggest for the first time that fetal exposure to ethanol significantly alters the clock mechanisms governing the circadian function of β-endorphin neurons.
Excitation transfer from physical exercise to subsequent aggressive behavior.

In a factorial design, Ss were (a) differentially aggressively instigated (low vs high), and (b) placed in different states of sympathetic arousal (low vs high) by means of physical exercise. Subsequent aggressive behavior, as measured by the intensity of shock ostensibly delivered to the earlier instigator, was found to increase significantly with initial instigation. It was also found to increase significantly with residual sympathetic activation from strenuous exercise (bike-riding) interpolated between instigation and retaliation. A significant interaction was obtained deriving from the fact that residual excitation greatly facilitated subsequent aggressiveness under conditions of pronounced initial instigation, whereas its effect was negligible under minimal instigation. The findings were interpreted as consistent with expectations from the two-factor theory and the transfer theory of emotion.
Ambiguous propositions typed

Ambiguous propositions are analyzed in a type system where disambiguation is effected during assembly (i.e. by coercion). Ambiguity is introduced through a layer of types that are underspecified relative to a pre-existing collection of dependent types, construed as unambiguous propositions. A simple system of reasoning directly with such underspecification is described, and shown to be sound and complete for the full range of disambiguations. Beyond erasing types, the system supports constraints on disambiguations, including co-variation.
CARBONACEOUS AEROSOLS-SINGLE SCATTERING ALBEDO AND EFFECT ON WEATHER HEATING

ABSTRACT An experimental setup for the measurement of single scattering albedo of aerosol particles was described. The setup consisted of a nephelometer to measure aerosol light scattering coefficient, a photoacoustic spectrometer to measure aerosol light absorption coefficient, a Single Particle Aerodynamic Relaxation Time (SPART) Analyzer to measure aerosol aerodynamic size distribution, and an aethalometer to measure aerosol mass concentration. Simultaneous measurements of these parameters of a test carbonaceous aerosol were used to determine its single scattering albedo. At the other hand, a theoretical model based on a “two-stream approximation” was developed and used to calculate the effect of an atmospheric aerosol layer on either global or regional weather heating. It appears that carbonaceous particles in atmosphere may contribute to global temperature rise. Finally a method of measuring single scattering albedo of single particle by the use of an electrodynamic trap was suggested for studying th...
Long-Term Outcomes of Patients With Cardiovascular Abnormalities and Williams Syndrome

Williams syndrome (WS) is a congenital disorder affecting the vascular, connective tissue, and central nervous systems of 1 in 8,000 live births. Previous reports have reported high frequencies of cardiovascular abnormalities (CVAs) in small numbers of patients with WS. A retrospective review was undertaken of patients with WS evaluated at our institution from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 2007. WS was diagnosed by an experienced medical geneticist and/or by fluorescence in situ hybridization. CVAs were diagnosed using echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, or computed tomographic angiography. Freedom from intervention was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The study group was 270 patients with WS. The age at presentation was 3.3 ± 5.9 years with follow-up of 8.9 ± 9.0 years (range 0 to 56.9). CVAs were present in 82% of the patients. The most common lesions were supravalvar aortic stenosis in 45% and peripheral pulmonary stenosis in 37%; 20% had both. Other common lesions included mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation in 15%, ventricular septal defect in 13%, and supravalvar pulmonary stenosis in 12%. Surgical or catheter-based interventions were performed in 21%. The rate of freedom from intervention was 91%, 81%, 78%, 72%, and 62% at 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 years. Eight patients died. In conclusion, CVAs are common in patients with WS, but supravalvar aortic stenosis and peripheral pulmonary stenosis occurred less frequently in this large cohort than previously reported. In patients with WS and CVAs, interventions are common and usually occur by 5 years of age. Most patients with WS do not require intervention during long-term follow-up, and the overall mortality has been low.
Diversity of diversity: conceptual and methodological differences in biodiversity estimates of eukaryotic microbes as compared to bacteria

Recent advances such as high-throughput sequencing (HTS) have changed conceptions about the magnitude of diversity on Earth. This is especially true for microbial lineages, which have seen the discovery of great numbers of rare forms in places such as the human gut as well as diverse environments (e.g., freshwater, marine, and soil). Given the differences in perceptions of diversity for bacterial and eukaryotic microbes, including divergent species concepts, HTS tools used to eliminate errors and population-level variation in bacteria may not be appropriate for microbial eukaryotes and may eliminate valid species from the data. We discuss here how the nature of biodiversity varies among microbial groups and the extent to which HTS tools designed for bacteria are useful for eukaryotes.
The modern approach to patent ductus arteriosus treatment: complementary roles of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and interventional cardiology coil occlusion

Abstract Background In an effort to analyze our experience and develop treatment guidelines, we reviewed all our patients with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or interventional cardiology coil occlusion. Methods One hundred patients underwent 102 cardiac catheterizations. Forty-five children underwent VATS. The entire cohort of patients is 141 because 4 patients underwent both catheterization and VATS. Results Successful PDA coil occlusion occurred in 91 patients (91 of 100; 91%); 8 had unsuccessful attempts at coil occlusion and 1 was referred for surgical ligation after catheterization without any attempt at coil placement. Thirty-nine children had successful VATS PDA closure. Six children required conversion to thoracotomy because of inadequate exposure during VATS. Hospital stay for children more than 45 days of age was as follows: VATS median stay, 1 day, mean, 1.4 days; thoracotomy median stay, 4 days, mean, 4.6 days. One patient treated with PDA coil occlusion developed a recurrent PDA and required reembolization. Three children underwent initial catheterization without successful coil placement with subsequent successful VATS. All VATS patients left the operating theater with echocardiography documenting no residual PDA. Two children who underwent successful VATS with no residual PDA at hospital discharge were found on outpatient follow-up to have developed tiny recurrent PDAs and both were successfully coil occluded; 1 of these 2 children is 1 of the 3 children initially evaluated by catheterization and then referred for VATS. Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and coil occlusion represent complementary techniques for PDA treatment. A rationale for selection of the appropriate treatment modality can be based upon the size and age of the patient and the size and morphology of the PDA.
Distributing CMS Data between the Florida T2 and T3 Centers using Lustre and Xrootd-fs

We have developed remote data access for large volumes of data over the Wide Area Network based on the Lustre filesystem and Kerberos authentication for security. In this paper we explore a prototype for two-step data access from worker nodes at Florida Tier3 centers, located behind a firewall and using a private network, to data hosted on the Lustre filesystem at the University of Florida CMS Tier2 center. At the Tier3 center we use a client which mounts securely the Lustre filesystem and hosts an XrootD server. The worker nodes access the data from the Tier3 client using POSIX compliant tools via the XrootD-fs filesystem. We perform scalability tests with up to 200 jobs running in parallel on the Tier3 worker nodes.
Frozen semen — A poor form of fertility insurance

Abstract Two previously fertile males have requested surgical vasectomy reversal after divorce and failure of their new younger wives to conceive by repeated inseminations with their stored frozen semen. The sperm had been preserved for six and five years, respectively, as “fertility insurance” prior to sterilization by bilateral vasectomy. It is clear that the storage of fertile semen does not guarantee future fertility.
Primary care physician attitudes concerning follow-up of abnormal test results and ambulatory decision support systems.

Objectives: Failures to follow-up abnormal test results are common in ambulatory care. Information systems could assist providers with abnormal test result tracking, yet little is known about primary care providers attitudes toward outpatient decision support systems. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 216 primary care physicians (PCPs) that utilize a single electronic medical record (EMR) without computer-based clinical decision support. Results: The overall response rate was 65% (140/216). Less than one-third of the respondents were satisfied with their current system to manage abnormal laboratory, radiographs, Pap smear, or mammograms results. Only 15% of providers were satisfied with their system to notify patients of abnormal results. Over 90% of respondents felt automated systems to track abnormal test results would be useful. Seventy-nine percent of our respondents believed that they could comply better with guidelines through electronic clinical reminders. Conclusions: Most PCPs were not satisfied with their methods for tracking abnormal results. Respondents believed that clinical decision support systems (CDSS) would be useful and could improve their ability to track abnormal results.
Pupillary cholinergic hypersensitivity predicts cognitive decline in community dwelling elders.

Abstract Previous research demonstrated that it is possible to distinguish patients with probable Alzheimer's disease from age-matched controls based on an exaggerated pupil dilation response to dilute tropicamide. The research reported here employed a prospective longitudinal design to follow over time (2–4 years) a sample of 55 community dwelling elders with and without an exaggerated pupil response using the pupil assay and a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests sensitive to pre-clinical AD. Discrete time survival modeling was used to assess the ability of the assay to predict a pattern of cognitive decline consistent with early AD. Analysis showed that there is an increased risk (odds ratio of 3) with a hypersensitive pupil response (≥13% increase in pupil diameter over baseline diameter) for developing significant cognitive impairment in areas of memory attention and language in a pattern, consistent with pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease. When controlling for ApoE allele type the odds ratio for pupil response as a risk factor increased to 4. The analysis also found that an exaggerated pupil response was a significant ( p = .02) predictor of cognitive decline. This analysis of longitudinal data has shown that over time an exaggerated response on the pupil assay is a significant independent risk factor for developing pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease. The risk for developing pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease is increased four-fold.
Commentary. Association between long-term statin use and mortality after successful aneurysm surgery.

The authors examined the effects of long-term statin use on carclovascular mortality in patients who underwent successful abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgen/. The study fo> lowed for 4.7 years 519 patients who survived AAA surgery. Patients were evaluated for the use statins. h-blockers, and din cal risk factors and their association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Cardiovascular causes were responsible for 140 deaths n the 205 patients who died during followup. The nciderce of both all-cause and cardiovascular death vas lower in statan users. ji-Blocker use was also assodated with a reduction n all-cause and cardiovascular mortalrv The authors concluded that statin use was associated with a decrease in ai -cause and cardiovascular mortality.
Buyers' and Sellers' Agents in the Housing Market

We explain why buyers in the housing market use an agent employed by the seller. Such agents reduce buyers' search costs so that more buyers search a particular house. This increases the probability of the sale of the house and possibly also its selling price. However, since the selling price increases, if at all, by less than the fee paid by the seller to the agent, both buyers and sellers are better off. We identify two characteristics that give rise to sellers' agents and show that markets that do not have such agents are missing at least one of these characteristics.
ANALYSIS OF FEEDBACK INDUCED HOPF BIFURCATIONS VIA THE CARLEMAN APPROXIMATION

Abstract Introduction of state feedback can cause steady state multiplicity and bifurcation to periodic solutions. Using the Carleman approximation, conditions for Hopf bifurcation induced by linear and nonlinear feedback are given. A limit cycle stability criterion which involves the fourth order Carleman matrix is used to display that nonlinear feedback control for model discrimination and identification can give rise to stable oscillations when simple proportional feedback causes unstable periodic behavior.
Demonstration of (Na++K+)-sensitive ATPase activity in rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte membranes.

Contrary to earlier reports, we have been able to demonstrate the presence of (Na++K+)-activated, ouabain-inhibited ATPase activity in rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte membranes. These results coupled with others suggest that (Na++K+)-ATPase and not cation-sensitive phosphatases are responsible for the regulation of the electrolyte content in these cells.
Using Relative Humidity as a State Variable in Climate Feedback Analysis

An approach to climate change feedback analysis is described in which tropospheric relative humidity replacesspecifichumidityasthestatevariablethat,alongwiththetemperaturestructure,surfacealbedos,and clouds, controls the magnitude of the response of global mean surface temperature to a radiative forcing. Despite being simply a regrouping of terms in the feedback analysis, this alternative perspective has the benefit of removing most of the pervasive cancellation between water and lapse-rate feedbacks seen in models. As a consequence, the individual feedbacks have less scatter than in the traditional formulation. The role of cloud feedbacks in controlling climate sensitivity is also reflected more clearly in the new formulation.
Effect of Dichloromethylene Diphosphonate on Fluoride Balance in Healthy Men

Healthy men with a daily intake of 0.37 mg fluoride were given dichloromethylene diphosphonate (Cl 2MDP) or a placebo during a period of ambulation followed by bed rest. In both groups, serum ionic fluoride was unchanged, and fluoride balances were negative, but Cl2MDP significantly reduced loss of fluoride in the treated groups.
Replication of a mammalian genome: the role of de novo protein biosynthesis during S phase

Abstract ts14 is a temperature-sensitive Chinese hamster lung cell mutant that ceases protein biosynthesis within a short time of transfer to nonpermissive temperature (Haralson and Roufa, 1975; Roufa and Haralson, 1975; Roufa and Reed, 1975). This mutant contains a revertible, presumably a point mutation that renders its 60S ribosomal subunit thermolabile (Haralson and Roufa, 1975). In this report, we describe the relationship between the conditional ability of ts14 to synthesize protein during S phase and the replication of its DNA. After transfer to nonpermissive temperature (39°C), where ts14 synthesizes protein at a rate approximately 20 fold less than wild-type cells, synchronous cultures of the mutant performed all the processes required for replication of their DNA. During prolonged incubations at nonpermissive temperature, S phase ts14 completed approximately one round of DNA replication semi-conservatively as judged by density-transfer experiments. Pulse-labeling experiments performed on S phase cells revealed that ts14 synthesized the intermediates of discontinuous DNA replication at nonpermissive and permissive temperatures at similar rates. In these tests, the mutant was not substantially different from wild-type at both culture temperatures. At the nonpermissive temperature, however, ts14 synthesized significantly less nuclear protein (that is, histone) than did wild-type cells, and the mutant's chromatin appeared deficient in histone by virtue of its increased sensitivity to nuclease.
Literacy, Cognitive Ability, and the Retention of Health-Related Information About Colorectal Cancer Screening

Interventions to mitigate the impact of low literacy on patients' recall of information by simplifying language have had limited success. The current study examines the extent to which cognition explains the relationship between literacy and retention of health information. Primary care patients aged 40 to 85 years watched a video about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and then answered knowledge-based questions about the video's content as well as a literacy assessment and cognitive assessments measuring processing speed, working memory, and-long term memory. A week later, available participants completed the knowledge assessment a second time. In regression models for immediate knowledge, literacy significantly predicted knowledge. However, once cognition (i.e., processing speed, working memory, and long-term memory) was added to the model, it explained 70.7% of the relationship between literacy and performance. A week later, literacy again significantly predicted knowledge, but entering cognition into...
Reinvestigation of the 2v1 band in trifluoropropyne using a frequency stabilized 1.5 μm color center laser in conjunction with a laser field build-up cavity

The highly perturbed spectrum of the first overtone of the acetylenic CH stretch in trifluoropropyne has been reinvestigated with an improved multi-laser, optothermal detection, molecular beam spectrometer. The modifications include installing a build-up cavity to enhance the coupling between a 1.5 μm color center laser and the molecular beam, and stabilizing the laser frequency to improve the spectrometer's resolution. Upon injecting 25 mW into the cavity, a power enhancement of about 600 is measured. The laser frequency is stabilized by locking it to an external, temperature stabilized, etalon and applying the feedback to an intracavity electro-optic crystal. The frequency stability reached is estimated to be less than 4 parts in 10 10 or 75 kHz (in a 30 Hz bandwidth centered at 300 Hz). Utilizing infrared/infrared double resonance, the K components of this highly perturbed spectrum were assigned. The results indicate that the lifetime of the acetylenic CH stretch is approximately 1.4 ns and does not change as a function of J' for 0 ≤ J' ≤ 4. In agreement with a previous lower resolution study [J. Chem. Phys. 95, 3891 (1991)], the P (1) clump shows an experimental density of states almost equal to the calculated one and the level spacing distribution is similar to that of a Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble indicating chaotic classical dynamics
Absorption of steroid hormones from the human small intestine.

Absorption of steroid hormones was measured as disappearance rate from the human small intestine during steady state perfusion of aqueous solutions through a transintestinal tube. Absorption correlated inversely with the extent of hydroxylation of the molecule put into the gut. Esters or ethers of polyhydroxysteroids were more rapidly absorbed than the parent compounds. Lipoidal molecules lacking—OH were very rapidly absorbed. Cortisol absorption rate (weight/unit time) was directly proportional to concentration, suggesting that steroid hormones are absorbed by diffusion. The unabsorbed residues from cortisol acetate and 1-methyl-Δ1androstenolone acetate were chiefly the parent unesterified steroids. Thus, steroid esters may be hydrolyzed intraluminally, and hence be absorbed as both free steroid and ester. In general, steroid hormones and their derivatives are well absorbed from aqueous solutions. Small intestinal absorption rate of the dissolved molecule is not crucial for determining potency by the ora...
Military medical revolution: military trauma system.

Abstract : The development and advancement of trauma care has shown stepwise improvements for centuries owing to the interrelationship of civilian and military medical systems. With respect to trauma systems, the sophisticated civilian trauma system in the United States was born directly out of the successes and lessons learned from the Vietnam War. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) took the lead in advocacy for US trauma systems and, in 1972, published Early Care of the Injured Patient followed in 1976 by the first iteration of the Optimal Resources for Care of the Injured Patient. These documents outlined resources and practices to optimally care for injured patients across the continuum of care within the civilian spectrum. Numerous subsequent studies and analyses demonstrated that inclusive trauma centers and trauma assistance systems improve trauma outcomes. The development of combat casualty care capabilities during the current contingency operations has been a revolutionary story of successful adaptation and evolution, which has driven substantive improvements in the care of the battlefield casualty. This revolution was initiated in 2004 with the inception of a formal military trauma system, the Joint Trauma System (JTS). The purpose of the JTS was to develop a novel systematic and integrated approach to organize and coordinate combat casualty care. The basic principles of the trauma system were founded on four simple tenets: right patient, right place, right time, right care with the guiding vision that every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine injured in the battlefield will have the optimal chances of survival and functional recovery. In 2005, the JTS was originated within the US Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR) to support the overarching architecture of the entire continuum of combat casualty care from point of injury through rehabilitation.
The Development Mechanism for Tibetan Plateau Warm Vortices

Abstract The low-level cyclonic vortices which form over the Tibetan Plateau in the summer monsoon season are major rain-producing systems and have the potential to trigger cyclogenesis on the lee side when they move off the plateau. Two cases of the plateau vortices which occurred in July 1979 are studied. The characteristics of the vertical structure in their developing stage, and the circulation condition favorable for the eastward movement in the mature stage are diagnosed and presented by use of FGGE IIIb datasets. Numerical simulations with real data were performed using the GFDL limited-area mesoscale simulation model. Results suggest that the latent heating is an essential driving force for the development of the vortices studied here. The analysis of a continuous CISK model with a basic state resembling that actually observed over the summer plateau shows that the predicted unstable mode has a preferred scale, growth rate and vertical structure, all of which are qualitatively comparable to observ...
Comparison of Measured and Computed Values of the Rapid Fading-Rate of Ultra High-Frequency Signals reflected from the Moon

DURING August 1957, a bistatic moon reflexion experiment was carried out between South Dartmouth, Massachusetts (41.5395° N., 76.9512° W.), and Alpha, Maryland (39.3224° N., 76.9258° W.). The continuous-wave transmitter fed approximately 40 kW. of power, at a frequency of 412.85 Mc./s., into a horizontally polarized feed mounted in a 60-ft. diameter parabolic antenna. The antenna was movable in azimuth and elevation. The receiving system at Alpha used a dual-polarization feed in a 28-ft. diameter parabolic antenna, which was free to move in azimuth and elevation.
Effects of marital status on the risk of mortality in poor and non-poor neighborhoods.

Abstract PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to consider whether the mortality risks associated with marital status are conditioned by the socioeconomic quality of neighborhoods. METHODS: The analysis is based on the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1971–1974 (NHANES I), and the 1987 NHANES I Epidemiologic Followup Survey (NHEFS). Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to assess whether the effect of marital status on the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality is altered by local area poverty. Analyses are stratified by age, sex, and urbanicity. RESULTS: The interaction between neighborhood poverty and marital status is suggested for non-elderly men, particularly for cancer mortality and for men in urban areas. Interaction effects are evident among older women residing in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of a spouse elevates the risk of mortality but this risk is moderately higher in impoverished neighborhoods, notably in urbanized areas, for non-elderly men and elderly women. Future studies with larger samples of non-married persons where marital status changes are incorporated are needed to improve our understanding of the joint mortality effects of local area poverty and marital status.
Third Annual Mario S. Verani, MD, Memorial Lecture: The future of clinical nuclear cardiology.

It is a great honor and privilege to present the Third Annual Mario S. Verani, MD, Memorial Lecture. Mario Verani (1943–2001) will be remembered foremost for his major contributions to the field of nuclear cardiology (Figure 1).1,2 For instance, he was one of the first investigators to recognize that fixed thallium defects were often not just scar but could be reversed by coronary revascularization. This led to an extensive revision of accepted traditional concepts on the meaning of image patterns. Mario’s work on risk stratification by myocardial perfusion and function imaging after acute myocardial infarction was equally pioneering. He also laid out the basic principles for the safe use of adenosine for pharmacologic stress testing. Adenosine is now the preferred procedure all over the world in millions of patients. Dr Verani was a founding member and past president (1996–1997) of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC). The day before he died, he received the ASNC Distinguished Service Award. Personally, I will remember Mario as a very dear friend. We spent many hours together at meetings and gatherings all over the world. I still miss his outgoing personality, his warmth, his humor, and his enthusiasm. Above all, I enjoyed his comfortable friendship. That this friendship extended itself naturally to our wives, Regina and Marjan, made it all the more special. One of the best times we had was during a cardiology meeting in Recife, in the country of his birth, Brazil. I was greatly amused and, at the same time, impressed by the admiration and respect bestowed on him by his fellow Brazilians. One evening, we were going some place in the street on foot. We could not walk down the street without Mario being stopped by one or another Brazilian cardiologist who wanted to speak and consult with him. He was clearly greatly admired and appreciated in his country. I jokingly called him“King of Recife,” and the king was holding audience. We arrived rather late where we were going.... I will always cherish the memories of our times together. I am grateful that I could visit Mario at his sickbed on the day before he passed away. He was so fragile and, at the same time, so courageous. I felt sad that there was so much that we could have discussed that we did not. Life seems sometimes full of missed opportunities....
Theory of Raman-mediated pulsed amplification in silicon-wire waveguides

We present a comprehensive theoretical study of pulsed stimulated Raman scattering in silicon wires. The pulse dynamics is described by a system of coupled equations, which describes intrinsic waveguide optical losses, phase shift and losses due to free-carriers (FCs) generated through two-photon absorption (TPA), first- and second-order frequency dispersion, self-phase and cross-phase modulation, TPA losses, and the interpulse Raman interaction. Furthermore, the influence of the FCs on the pulse dynamics is incorporated through a rate equation. The corresponding system of equations has then been numerically integrated, and phenomena such as noise-seeded Raman amplification, pulsed Raman amplification, and Raman-mediated pulse interaction have been described.
Plasma norepinephrine is an independent predictor of vascular endothelial function with aging in healthy women

We tested the hypothesis that reductions in vascular endothelial function (endothelium-dependent dilation, EDD) with age are related to increases in sympathetic activity. Among 314 healthy men and ...
The microstructure of rapidly solidified path a prime candidate alloys following irradiation with Fe and He ions

Abstract A rapidly solidified,titanium modified, cold worked Type 316 stainless steel has been irradiated simultaneously with Fe and He ions at temperatures between 450 and 650°C. The material shows no void swelling at 450°C even at 50 dpa. At 550°C the swelling is very low below 40 dpa (
Outcomes of management of acute coronary syndrome in patients with congenital bleeding disorders: a single center experience and review of the literature.

Abstract Introduction Evidence-based guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with congenital bleeding disorders are lacking and largely confined to case reports. Methods Outcomes of acute and long-term management of ACS in patients with mild hemophilia and von Willebrand disease managed at our institution from 2000-2011 were reviewed. Results Between 2000-2011, 8 patients (median age 74 years) experienced 10 ACS events. In the emergency room, 3 of 4 patients received aspirin 325 mg and intravenous unfractionated heparin therapy, with no acute bleeding complications. The 8 patients underwent 10 coronary angiography procedures. Prophylactic factor concentrates were not administered for 6/10 (60%) of the procedures; bleeding complications (groin hematoma) occurred in 1/6 (17%). Two patients receiving bare metal stents and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor infusion with factor concentrates experienced no acute hemorrhagic complications. On discharge, aspirin was initiated/continued in 6/10 events; the 2 patients receiving dual anti-platelet therapy for 1 month did not receive factor concentrates and experienced no bleeding complications. During a median follow-up of 8.5 years (1 – 11.5 years), 2 of 5 patients developed minor bleeding complications while on aspirin. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that in patients with mild congenital bleeding disorders, despite not receiving factor concentrates prior to coronary angiography, the acute management of ACS did not result in severe hemorrhagic complications. Short-term dual anti-platelet therapy seemed to be well tolerated. In patients receiving long-term aspirin for secondary prevention for ACS, bleeding complications were mild, however such patients warrant close follow-up.
Patient education preferences in ophthalmic care.

Background The learning preferences of ophthalmology patients were examined. Methods Results from a voluntary survey of ophthalmology patients were analyzed for education preferences and for correlation with race, age, and ophthalmic topic. Results To learn about eye disease, patients preferred one-on-one sessions with providers as well as printed materials and websites recommended by providers. Patients currently learning from the provider were older (average age 59 years), and patients learning from the Internet (average age 49 years) and family and friends (average age 51 years) were younger. Patients interested in cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and dry eye were older; patients interested in double vision and glasses were younger. There were racial differences regarding topic preferences, with Black patients most interested in glaucoma (46%), diabetic retinopathy (31%), and cataracts (28%) and White patients most interested in cataracts (22%), glaucoma (22%), and macular degeneration (19%). Conclusion MOST OPHTHALMOLOGY PATIENTS PREFERRED PERSONALIZED EDUCATION: one-on-one with their provider or a health educator and materials (printed and electronic) recommended by their provider. Age-related topics were more popular with older patients, and diseases with racial risk factors were more popular with high risk racial groups.
Factors Modifying the Stimulatory Action of Norethynodrel on the Mammary Gland

The effect of norethynodrel on the mammary gland of the intact, ovariectomized or hypophysectomized rat was investigated. Subcutaneous administration of as little as 0.09 mg/100 g body wt/day for 10 days caused significant lobulo-alveolar development in the intact animal. A higher dose (1.5 mg/100 g body wt/day) for 5 days also significantly stimulated the mammary gland of the intact animal. While the mammary gland of the ovariectomized rat responded to norethynodrel, hypophysectomized animals were completely refractory. The data are discussed in terms of a possible mechanism for norethynodrel action. (Endocrinology 77: 162, 1965)
Aberrations: Their Effect On Off-Axis Beam Steering

The effect of aberrations on off-axis beam steering for multi-aperture systems was qualitatively investigated. A new expression analogous to Goodman's Thin Lens is proposed which shows the beam degradation that occurrs at angles (with respect to the optic axis) much greater than five degrees for a thin lens, and two degrees for a thick lens. This expression was then applied to three multi-aperture configurations as a way to correctly predict the field-of-view for various optical systems. Analytical predictions supported by computational and experimental results are included. Although the beam degradation as the field-of-view or field angle is increased has a dramatic effect on the image quality, the power loss as the field angle increases will be the major factor in the design of a system of this type.
Urinary phosphate excretion in the dairy cow

Analyses of cow urine showed that about 10% of housed cows excreted phosphate greatly in excess of ‘normal’. The phosphaturia only occurred when the cows were permanently housed. No high phosphate concentrations were found in. urines from grazing cows although a significant increase in phosphate concentrations occurred when these cows were temporarily transferred to housed conditions.No significant differences were detected between the high and low phosphate excreting cows with respect of urinary concentrations of creatinine, calcium, or chloride, urine specific gravity or pH, or plasma concentrations of calcium, inorganic phosphate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, alkaline phosphatase, chloride or bicarbonate.Complete phosphorus balance measurements on four cows during the last six weeks of pregnancy showed that an increase in urinary phosphate excretion occurred in both high- and low-phosphate excreting cows when a dietary 'steaming-up' schedule was employed, and that the phosphaturia was accompanied by an increase in absorption of dietary phosphorus.The cause of the phosphaturia does not appear to be acidosis. Little change in urinary phosphorus excretion occurred after oral doses of ammonium chloride but some increase occurred after equivalent doses of sodium and potassium carbonates. It is concluded that a small proportion of cows have a tendency to excrete relatively large amounts of phosphorus in the urine but that this only occurs under housed conditions.
Effects of gastrin and difluoromethylornithine on growth of human colon cancer

The effect of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a specific inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase activity, was evaluatedin vivo andin vitro on the growth of a gastrin-sensitive human colon carcinoma (WiDr).In vivo, mice bearing the tumor treated with pentagastrin had larger tumors with higher ornithine decarboxylase activity and polyamine content (P<0.05) than mice not treated with pentagastrin. Difluoromethylornithine treatment significantly decreased ornithine decarboxylase in both the pentagastrin-treated and the untreated animals; however, DFMO had no effect on tumor volume, weight, protein, or DNA content. In cell culture, gastrin treatment increased WiDr cell number and [3H]thymidine incorporation in the presence or absence of serum. In serum-free conditions, however, gastrin stimulated cell growth without concomitantly increasing ODC activity. DFMO, on the other hand, decreased both ODC activity and growth. These studies suggest that the trophic effect of gastrin on WiDr human colon cancer is independent of ODC activity. Since gastrin treatment increased ODC activityin vivo, gastrin may interactin vitro with other factors present in serum that can alter ODC activity.
ANTONIO SQUARCIALUPI: MAN AND MYTH

‘… Squarcialupi, a famous organist, but who remains a rather mythical figure’. Of course we know that Antonio degli Organi, as he was called throughout his life, was a real person, and if we trust in the verisimilitude of Benedetto da Maiano's portrait bust of him (made ten years after his death, strongly classicising in design, and altered at least once in the early sixteenth century), we have an idea of what he looked like. Antonio degli Organi (1416–80) was not born with the surname Squarcialupi, nor do we know precisely when or under what circumstances he took this name (but see below). We have enough information about his life to form a preliminary notion of his character, but the mental image we create is not altogether a coherent one. He was organist at Santa Maria del Fiore, the Florentine cathedral, for an extraordinarily long period, from 1432 until his death. This alone makes him a ‘famous organist’; but a good deal of the fame is posthumous, and there is next to no meaningful comment from contemporaries about his playing. He judged the quality and state of repair of organs but is not known to have had organ-building expertise. Antonio presumably taught his son Francesco, who succeeded him at the cathedral on his death and served until his own death in 1509. His only other student of note is the Greek organist Isaac Argyropoulos, whose playing was much admired in Naples, Bologna, Florence and Milan in the 1470s.
Loess failure in northeast Afghanistan

Mass movements in northeastern Afghanistan include large-scale rockslides and complex slope failures, as well as failures in loess. The loess region in northeastern Afghanistan occurs in the Badakhshan and Takhar provinces and was likely created by dust blown to the east from the Karakum Desert and the alluvial plains of northern Afghanistan. This loessic dust was deposited against the Hindu Kush mountain range which rises up along the eastern half of Afghanistan as a result of transpressional tectonism. It overlies less permeable crystalline and sedimentary bedrocks such as Triassic granite, Proterozoic gneiss, and Miocene and Pliocene clastics in the area with the largest concentration of slope failures. Thirty-four loess slides and flows were mapped and analyzed using remote satellite imagery over digital elevation models on Google Earth™. This source enabled location, classification, and measurement of failures. Findings revealed that most failed slopes faced north, west, and northwest. This trend can be explained possibly as different moisture contents resulting from the primarily westerly wind direction, which may cause more precipitation to be deposited on west-facing slopes, and sun position during the hottest part of the day. Additionally, the easterly rising Hindu Kush range may cause more slope area to face west in the study region. Other contributing factors could be the very high seismicity of the area, which may cause rapid dry fluidized loess flows, and landscape modification by humans. Several loess slope failures appear to be generated by water concentration through irrigation ditches and possible rutted tire tracks, which can create tunneling between the loess and its less permeable bedrock. Causes and effects of loess failure in Afghanistan need to be investigated in more depth. Further study may lead to the adoption of more sustainable and safe farming practices and more informed housing locations, which may prevent loss of property, crop, and transport routes.
Observations of winter polynyas and fractures using NOAA AVHRR TIR images and nimbus-7 SMMR sea ice concentration charts

The validity of the daily sea ice concentration charts obtained from Nimbus-7 SMMR data is tested against thermal IR NOAA AVHRR-4 images with a 1.1 x 1.1 km resolution. Polynyas and fractures recorded in both data sets are compared for the same times over the same areas. Although the coarser resolution of SMMR data leads to a loss of detail, it is found that the ice concentration charts provide valuable data on openings in the ice. The SMMR data on the location, orientation, and size of polynyas and fractures are shown to be in good agreement with the AVHRR data. Also, the results suggest that the location and orientation of plynyas and fractures are related to the direction of surface winds.