cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radiative Lifetimes and Excitation Mechanisms in Helium

The radiative decay rates of the $n^{1}S(n=4,5)$, $3^{1}P$, $n^{1}D(n=3,4,5)$, $n^{3}S(n=4,5)$, $n^{3}P(n=3,4,5)$, and $n^{3}D(n=3,4)$ states of helium have been measured using pulsed, variable-energy electron-impact excitation and a sampling method of detection. The results agree well with previously published measurements. Experimental evidence is presented for the mechanisms involved in the collisional-transfer reactions where atoms in $^{1}P$ states excite $^{3}D$ levels; $\mathrm{nF}$ levels ($n\ensuremath{\ge}5$) are populated by collisional transfer from $n^{1}P$ levels and in turn cascade to the $^{3}D$ levels. Possible laser action in the $3^{1}P\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3^{1}S$ and $5F\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3^{3}D$ transitions is suggested.
Effect of oxide dopant on the structure of fluorozirconate glasses studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The effect of oxide dopant on the structure of 62ZrF4-30BaF2-8LaF3 (mol%) glass by equimolar substitution of BaO for BaF2 was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS spectra of La 3d, Ba 3d, F 1s, O 1s and Zr 3d were measured. From the deconvoluted results for the XPS spectra of elements in the glass, it was proposed that the oxide ions added to the glass mainly bond to Zr4+ and replace the bridging fluoride ions resulting in the formation of the F-Zr-O bond. Further analyses indicated that the oxide ions mainly play a non-bridging role instead of a bridging role in the glass structure.
Tissue-specific regulation of gene function: Presetting and erasure

Abstract Evidence is presented for presetting and erasure at the P locus of maize. The presence of an Mp transposable controlling element in the Pvv allele affects the presetting and thus the regulation of gene function in different tissues.
Determination of nickel in gold-nickel alloys

Abstract An ion exchange separation based on the difference in adsorption from a chloride solution combined with an EDTA titration is suggested as a rapid and accurate method for the determination of nickel in nickel-gold alloys.
Library Instruction and Intellectual Stimulation

Library instruction classes often fail to give students the intellectual stimulation they need. Ann Irving, in her thought‐provoking article about bibliographic instruction, recognized the problem, noting that library teachers neglect subject content (Irving 1980, 11). Instead, they emphasize the process of obtaining facts and ideas. Too often, librarians get overinvolved in the process, and ignore the substance, of research. They frequently become lost in the retrieval of data and fail to teach students how to interpret the information they find. John Lubans, Jr., in his book Educating the Library User, discusses the obsessive concern with the layout of the library. A boring list of library services and dull tours are often the result of this approach to bibliographic instruction (Lubans 1974, 86). A bland and mechanical approach to the value of the library is far removed from the psychological and intellectual needs of the students. The result is a lack of student enthusiasm about the research project t...
A Graph-Based Data Model for API Ecosystem Insights

APIs are increasingly important for companies to enable partners and consumers to access their services and resources. API ecosystems deal with related challenges like publication, promotion and provision of APIs by providers and identification, selection and consumption of APIs by consumers. To address these challenges, to match consumers with relevant APIs, and to support API providers and thus ultimately the ecosystem to evolve, API ecosystems rely on information about APIs, their usage and characteristics, and the social environment around them. We present an extensible, graph-based data model to capture the entities in an API ecosystem and their relations. The data model includes temporal information to capture the evolution of API ecosystems. Analysis operations on top of the data model provide insights for consumers, providers and the ecosystem provider to address the introduced challenges. We present a system implementing the conceptualized data model. We integrate this system with an API ecosystem used in the context of a hackathon event to continuously collect data. We furthermore show the data model's capabilities to represent a well-known dataset about ProgrammableWeb and to drive analysis operations on both datasets.
1,3-Dichloropropene Epoxides: Intermediates in Bioactivation of the Promutagen 1,3-Dichloropropene

1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D), a major soil fumigant nematicide, is genotoxic in many types of assays, leading to its classification as possibly carcinogenic in humans. This study tests in three steps the hypothesis that 1,3-D is a promutagen activated by epoxidation and further reaction of the 1,3-D-epoxides. Stereospecific epoxidation of 1,3-D (examined as the cis/trans mixture and as individual isomers) to the corresponding cis- and trans-1,3-D-epoxides is demonstrated here for the first time, both in vitro in a mouse liver microsome−NADPH system and in vivo in the liver of ip-treated mice, using GC/MS for product identification and quantitation. The cis epoxide is observed in higher yield than the trans epoxide, both in vitro and in vivo, and the cis isomer also reacts slower than the trans isomer with GSH alone or catalyzed by GSH S-transferase. cis- and trans-1,3-D-Epoxides are stable in acetone or chloroform but degrade completely in Me2SO exclusively to 2-chloroacrolein (30 min at 40 °C). Epoxide de...
Floppy mitral valve and ventricular septal defect: An anatomic study

Eighteen percent of heart specimens with isolated ventricular septal defect also had a floppy mitral valve. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of floppy mitral valve in the three age groups considered ( Complications of floppy mitral valve (ruptured chordae tendineae, bacterial endocarditis, mitral regurgitation and fibrin deposits at the mitral valve-left atrial angle) occurred at approximately the same frequency as that reported in autopsy studies of isolated floppy mitral valve. In the specimens with floppy mitral valve and ventricular septal defect, 63% also had Soppiness of the tricuspid valve, 16% of the pulmonary valve and 5% of the aortic valve. The anatomic basis for floppy mitral valve was considered to be spongiosal invasion and disruption of the fibrosa of the valve leaflet. In this study, spongiosal invasion of the fibrosa was fully developed by 3 months of age and there was no evidence that the incidence or severity of spongiosal invasion increased between the ages of 3 months and 88 years. These data suggest that the floppy mitral valve is a congenital lesion that reaches full anatomic expression in infancy. No evidence was found that ventricular septal defect and floppy mitral valve share a common etiology.
Photoreflectance of cadmium sulfide at the fundamental absorption edge

Abstract The photoreflectance spectra of CdS at 83°K are presented. In constrat to the room temperature spectra, the fine structure near the fundamental band edge is resolved. The A, B and C exciton peaks are identified. In addition there are two anomalous peaks which can either be attributed to the first excited state of the B and C excitons, or to direct band edge transition for the B and C valence bands.
mTOR signaling: RAG GTPases transmit the amino acid signal

mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) is a highly conserved nutrient-responsive regulator of cell growth that is found in all eukaryotes. The mechanism by which amino acids signal to mTOR has remained one of the largest outstanding questions in the field. Two recent complimentary studies provide compelling evidence that the Rag family of small GTPases is both necessary and sufficient to transmit a positive signal from amino acids to mTOR.
Analysis of Acetylsalicylic Acid and Acetylsalicylic Acid Tablets

The U. S. P. assays for acetylsalicylic acid and its tablets are not universally applicable to these dosage forms containing buffers, flavoring agents, coloring materials, and enteric coatings. The U. S. P. test for free salicylic acid is not quantitative and may be subject to error unless additional controls are provided. A method of assay is presented which is applicable to tablets containing the usual excipients used in the preparation of plain, buffered, enteric coated, and children's tablets. A quantitative procedure for the determination of free salicylic acid is also recommended.
Wideband imaging radar for cryospheric remote sensing

A wideband multi-channel airborne sounding and imaging radar for cryospheric remote sensing applications has been recently developed by the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS). The radar is designed to measure ice thickness, image the ice-bed interface, and map internal layers in ice sheets and glaciers. This newly-developed radar uses the wide bandwidth for high-resolution imaging and cross-track array processing for suppression of surface clutter. The radar was integrated onto a BT-67 aircraft and completed its first field deployment in Antarctica during the 2013/2014 Austral Summer season. This paper focuses on the development and deployment of the radar. A few sample results from the field survey in Antarctica are also presented to demonstrate the high resolution features of the radar.
Hepatic effects of acetaminophen. Enhanced toxicity in alcoholics.

Alcoholic patients run an increased risk of developing hepatotoxicity from doses of acetaminophen within or only moderately above the recommended usual therapeutic doses. In this review I examine the scientific evidence and clinical observations that indicate such a heightened susceptibility of the
Intestinal Subepithelial Myofibroblasts Support in vitro and in vivo Growth of Human Small Intestinal Epithelium

The intestinal crypt-niche interaction is thought to be essential to the function, maintenance, and proliferation of progenitor stem cells found at the bases of intestinal crypts. These stem cells are constantly renewing the intestinal epithelium by sending differentiated cells from the base of the crypts of Lieberkuhn to the villus tips where they slough off into the intestinal lumen. The intestinal niche consists of various cell types, extracellular matrix, and growth factors and surrounds the intestinal progenitor cells. There have recently been advances in the understanding of the interactions that regulate the behavior of the intestinal epithelium and there is great interest in methods for isolating and expanding viable intestinal epithelium. However, there is no method to maintain primary human small intestinal epithelium in culture over a prolonged period of time. Similarly no method has been published that describes isolation and support of human intestinal epithelium in an in vivo model. We describe a technique to isolate and maintain human small intestinal epithelium in vitro from surgical specimens. We also describe a novel method to maintain human intestinal epithelium subcutaneously in a mouse model for a prolonged period of time. Our methods require various growth factors and the intimate interaction between intestinal sub-epithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMFs) and the intestinal epithelial cells to support the epithelial in vitro and in vivo growth. Absence of these myofibroblasts precluded successful maintenance of epithelial cell formation and proliferation beyond just a few days, even in the presence of supportive growth factors. We believe that the methods described here can be used to explore the molecular basis of human intestinal stem cell support, maintenance, and growth.
Residual deformity after treatment of pediatric femur fractures with flexible titanium nails.

INTRODUCTION Procurvatum or anterior bow deformity is a potential complication after treatment of femur fractures with flexible titanium nails (FTNs). This article reports on a clinical evaluation of angulation after treating pediatric femur fractures with FTNs. The article also reports on a complementary investigation of potential causes of these deformities using a biomechanical model. METHODS All pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated with FTNs over a 4-year period were reviewed. Fracture location, pattern, angulation, and nail shoe tip orientation were recorded from postoperative radiographs. Malunion was defined as greater than 10 degrees of angulation on the AP radiograph or greater than 15 degrees on the lateral view. As an adjunct to the clinical study, a synthetic femur model was created using midtransverse fractures. These femurs were nailed using 2 FTNs inserted so as to create constructs having the following combinations of nail shoe tip orientation: both anterior (AA), both posterior (PP), both neutral (NN), or 1 anterior and 1 posterior(AP). The resulting angular deformities noticeable upon gross inspection were then measured. RESULTS Of the 70 fractures reviewed, malunion occurred in 16 fractures, of which 11 had increased anterior bow. A majority of malunions was observed in older children with middle third of the femur fractures. They were significantly more prevalent in transverse fractures compared with all other fracture patterns. Clinically, increased anterior bowing did not occur if 1 of the nails was positioned to resist procurvatum, as seen in the lateral radiograph. Depending on nail tip orientation, the biomechanical femur fracture model showed significant differences in mean deformations after nail placement: AA had 12.6 degrees of posterior bow compared with 14.8, 3.7, and 0.3 degrees of anterior bow for PP, NN, and AP, respectively. CONCLUSION Anterior bowing greater than 15 degrees is the most common malunion noted in this series of femur fractures that were nailed using FTN's. We conclude that final nail shoe tip orientation influences the likelihood of anterior bow deformity. The likelihood of large anterior bowing may be reduced if at least 1 of the nails is inserted with the tip pointing in an anterior direction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Level III.
THYROID AUTOANTIBODIES IN HLA-GENOTYPED TYPE 1 DIABETIC FAMILIES: SEX-LIMITED DR5 ASSOCIATION WITH THYROID MICROSOMAL ANTIBODY

SUMMARY Thyroid autoantibodies are common in Type I diabetics and their first degree relatives and may be part of the autoimmune diathesis present within such families. We have measured the prevalence of microsomal (M-Ab) and thyroglobulin (Tg-Ab) autoantibodies in 84 HLA-typed families having a Type 1 diabetic child, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Thyroid autoantibodies were detectable in 201/407 (49%) individuals in these families. Both autoantibodies were significantly more frequent in the subsets of parents, diabetic children and their non-diabetic siblings than in groups of control adults and children. The prevalence of these autoantibodies in the diabetic families was increased in both sexes with a female:male ratio of 1.4:1. Antigen DR5 was significantly associated with M-Ab production but only for male subjects (P= 0.005 after correction for the number of DR antigens tested). No significant associations were encountered for Tg-Ab. Within-family analyses indicated that thyroid autoantibodies occurred with increased prevalence in HLA-identical or haplo-identical siblings of autoantibody-positive index cases in comparison to control children. We conclude (1) the DR association with thyroid autoantibody production in this diabetes-selected population was thyroiditis-related and not diabetes-related, and (2) the DR5 association was restricted to males and the production of M-Ab. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that multiple genetic and non-genetic factors played a role in the high prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in this population.
Mapping the gene for LTW-4, a 26,000 molecular weight major protein of mouse liver and kidney.

The polypeptide LTW-4 has previously been shown by 2D electrophoresis to be a major soluble protein of mouse liver. We now show that it is a major soluble polypeptide of mouse kidney. The Ltw-4 locus has been mapped on Chromosome 1 using the BXD, AKXL and BXH recombinant inbred strains. The gene order is Dip-1-Rnr-(Sas-1, ald)-Ltw-4-Mls. The map distance between (Dip-1, Rnr) and Ltw-4 is estimated to be 12.2±4.2 cM, between Sas-1 and Ltw-4 5.4±2.6, between ald and Ltw-4 7.1±4.6 cM, and between Ltw-4 and Mls 4.3±2.0 cM. The strain distribution pattern of Ltw-4 is reported for the SWXL recombinant inbred strains and for a large number of inbred strains of mice.
A comparison of Xenopus laevis oocyte and embryo mRNA

Abstract Total RNA, extracted from mature oocytes and tadpoles of Xenopus laevis, was used as a template for in vitro protein synthesis. The oocyte RNA is markedly deficient in abundant mRNA species by comparison to tadpole RNA or other somatic RNAs, in agreement with previous experiments using RNA-cDNA hybridization analysis ( S. Perlman and M. Rosbash, 1978, Develop. Biol. 63, 197–212 ). Oocyte pA+ RNA is also larger than tadpole pA+ RNA or other somatic pA+ populations. The larger oocyte pA+ RNA and smaller oocyte pA+ RNA are equally good templates for in vitro protein synthesis, which implies that much, and perhaps all, of the large oocyte pA+ RNA is bona fide mRNA. We suggest that the relatively large size of the oocyte pA+ RNA population is due, at least in part, to the relative lack of abundant mRNA species in the population. This suggestion follows from the observation of 0. Meyuhas and R. P. Perry (1979, Cell 16, 139–148 ) that L-cell-abundant mRNAs are preferentially small and rare mRNAs preferentially large. Most of the oocyte pA+ sequences are also present in tadpoles and are still adenylated at this stage. Oocyte proteins synthesized in vivo do not appear deficient in abundant proteins, suggesting that a translational control mechanism operates to select certain pA+ RNAs at higher frequencies than others.
Reflection, Refraction, and Absorption of Elastic Waves at a Frictional Interface: SH Motion

The reflection, refraction, and absorption of obliquely incident plane harmonic antiplane strain (SH) waves at a frictional interface between dissimilar semi-infinite elastic solids is investigated by an approximate analytical approach. The frictional stress at the interface is assumed to depend on the normal stress and the relative slip across the interface, but remains otherwise arbitrary throughout the analysis. General expressions are developed for the transmission and reflection coefficients, and the partitition of incident wave energy into reflection, transmission, and absorption. The special case of bonding by Coulomb friction is examined in detail as an example of application of the general procedure. An exact solution is also presented for the case of bonding by Coulomb friction, and a comparison between approximate and exact solutions provides an indication of the accuracy of the approximate method of analysis.
Methyl chloride formation by gas phase thermal chlorine atom reaction with methyl iodide and methyl bromide

Thermal chlorine atoms react with gaseous CH3I and CH3Br at 295K to produce CH3Cl with yields of 8.6% and 0.6%, respectively. The studies utilized radioactive 38Cl formed by the 37Cl (n,γ) 38Cl nuclear reaction in gaseous CClF3 at pressures from 760 to 4,000 torr. The initially energetic 38Cl atoms are thermalized by multiple inelastic collisions with CClF3 prior to reaction with the methyl halide. The reaction rate constant for thermal chlorine attack on CH3Br to form CH3Cl at 295K and 1–5 atmospheres pressure is (2.0±0.5) × 10−15 cm³ molecule−1 s−1. The substitution of Cl for Br/I in a methyl halide molecule cannot be a significant source of atmospheric CH3Cl because of its abundance from other sources. However, the replacement of I by Cl in other iodohalocarbons might in some cases provide a marker for the presence of atomic chlorine.
Fracture properties of nanographene reinforced EPON 862 thermoset polymer system

Abstract This paper studies the differences in fracture properties (stress intensity factors and energy release rates) of nanocomposites of thermosetting polymer EPON 862 and its nano-graphene reinforced counterparts. Extremely low (0.1 and 0.5) weight percent nano-graphene platelets were dispersed in EPON 862 matrix and compact tension (CT) fracture experiments were conducted under quasi static loading conditions using displacement control. Significant enhancements in fracture toughness (∼200%), and energy release rate (∼570%) respectively were observed for nano-graphene reinforced matrix for only 0.5 wt% of graphene platelets. Fractography analysis of the fractured CT specimens was used to qualitatively visualize and understand the mechanism(s) responsible for the enhancement in these properties using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Evidence of crack deflection due to increased surface roughness, graphene platelet pullout and plastic deformation of the matrix causing filler-matrix debonding, was observed from SEM micrographs, caused by the addition of nano-graphene platelets (NGP). Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was also used to quantify the magnitude of surface roughness changes between the NGP reinforced and reinforced nano-composite samples, and correlate surface roughness changes due to crack deflection to increased fracture toughness.
Solidification theory for aging creep

Abstract The paper presents a new theory for the basic creep of concrete which takes aging into account in a manner which is better justified physically, better agrees with test results, and is more efficient computationally. The aging is treated as a consequence of volume growth of the load-bearing solidified matter (hydrated cement) whose properties are nonaging and are described by a Kelvin chain with age-independent moduli and viscosities. The thermodynamic restrictions on the aging creep law are satisfied, and the condition of nondivergence of creep curves is met. There are only four free material parameters, and they can be identified from the given test data by linear regression. Deviations from the principle of superposition are also correctly modeled by the theory. Good agreement with typical test data on creep and creep recovery is demonstrated.
UPTAKE OF CARNOSINE AND HOMOCARNOSINE BY RAT BRAIN SLICES.

The uptake of the dipeptides, carnosine and homocarnosine (γ-aminobutyrylhitidine), by rat brain slices was studied and compared to that of histidine. Carnosine and histidine uptake were found to be qualitatively similar with respect to oxygen requirement and stimulation by glucose. Both were also concentrative. However, uptake of the amino acid approached maximal values within 30 minutes, whereas uptake of the dipeptide continued linearly for over 4 hours. Homocarnosine, on the other hand, was not concentrated. Of the carnosine taken up by brain slices, approximately 30% was hydrolyzed and the corresponding amount, of β-alanine recovered. In contrast to brain, sarcoma-37 ascites cells actively took up histidine but did not concentrate carnosine or homocarnosine.
Mobilization of transuranic radionuclides from disposal trenches by natural organic matter

Abstract Transuranic (TRU) radionuclides in groundwater at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory migrate rapidly and with little retardation of the radionuclides over distances of 80 m. Several interacting hydrogeochemical processes contribute to the observed releases of actinides ( 244 Cm and 241 Am) from the shallow unlined disposal trenches, through the highly weathered, fractured shale (saprolite) and to the surface-water seeps at White Oak Creek. Major releases are promoted when seasonal fluctuations in the water table permit groundwater to contact actinide-contaminated waste. Local recharge of stormwater into the trenches appears to permit minor releases, perhaps due to transient saturation within the trenches but above the local water table. Although the hydrogeology of the site permits contact of the TRU waste with the groundwater, the expected inorganic species of the actinides should strongly adsorb to the layer silicates and mineral oxides of the shale saprolite. Yet the timing of the actinide releases relative to when rising groundwater intercepts the trenches suggests that actinide transport is rapid, and the relative magnitude of peak actinide levels in wells near the trenches and at downgradient seeps suggests that there is very limited retention of the actinides by the formation. Based on anion exchange chromatography of the groundwater and geochemical modeling, the mobilization and transport of the actinides is demonstrated to result from complexation of the actinides by natural organic matter (NOM). Storm events contribute to mobilization by promoting hydrologic links between the TRU waste and groundwater, and by increasing the concentration of NOM in the mobile soil and groundwater. This study demonstrates that even in formations characterized by abundant mineral phases known to strongly adsorb actinides, the actinides can be transported essentially conservatively as NOM complexes.
The effects of CO2 laser and Nd:YAG with and without water/air surface cooling on tooth root structure: correlation between FTIR spectroscopy and histology

Morphologic and chemical characterization of root surfaces treated with either the CO2 laser, Nd:YAG, or Nd:YAG with water/air surface cooling (Nd:YAG-C) was completed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR/PAS). Specimens for morphologic analysis consisted of 20 extracted single rooted teeth unaffected by periodontal disease. The specimens were exposed at varying energy densities to a single pass of the laser. SEM examination revealed, for all lasers, a direct correlation between increasing energy densities and depth of tissue ablation and width of tissue damage. The Nd:YAG-C required higher energy densities than either the CO2 or Nd:YAG lasers to achieve the same relative depth of tissue ablation. Regardless of energy density, and in contrast with other laser types, areas treated with the Nd:YAG-C did not exhibit collateral zones of heat damage. Specimens for spectroscopic examination consisted of 12 disks, 6 x 2 mm, cut from debrided root surfaces of extracted, unerupted human molars. The spectral results indicate a substantial reduction in the absorption bands attributable to protein and an additional band at 2015 cm-1 in specimens exposed to the Nd:YAG without water. In the presence of water/air coolant, the band at 2015 cm-1 appears only at a substanially higher energy density. The spectra of the CO2 treated specimens, with the char layer present, show a significant reduction in the protein bands and additional bands at 2015 and 2200 cm-1, that are tentatively assigned to the cyanamide and cyanate ions, respectively. These results suggest a reaction of the organic matrix and mineral with laser exposure.
Silybin treatment is associated with reduction in serum ferritin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

GoalsThe goal of this study was to examine the effect of a standardized silybin and soy phosphatidylcholine complex (IdB 1016) on serum markers of iron status.BackgroundMilk thistle and its components are widely used as an alternative therapy for liver disease because of purported antioxidant, anti-
Neuroendocrine contributions to sexual partner preference in birds

A majority of birds are socially monogamous, providing exceptional opportunities to discover neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying preferences for opposite-sex partners where the sexes form extended affiliative relationships. Zebra finches have been the focus of the most systematic program of research to date in any socially monogamous animal. In this species, sexual partner preference can be partially or largely sex reversed with hormone manipulations during early development, suggesting a role for organizational hormone actions. This same conclusion emerges from research with Japanese quail, which do not form long-term pairs. In zebra finches, social experience manipulations during juvenile development also can sex reverse partner preference, either alone or in combination with an early hormone manipulation. Although there are several candidate brain regions where neural mechanisms could underlie these effects of hormones or social experience, the necessary research has not yet been done to determine their involvement. The neuroendocrinology of avian sexual partner preference is still frontier territory.
A complete NMR spectral assignment of the conserved region of the MESD protein, MESD(12-155)

The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family members control diverse developmental and physiological pathways. Mesoderm development (MESD) protein is a 195-residue protein that functions as a specialized molecular chaperone to promote the proper folding of the six-bladed β-propeller/EGF modules of the LDL receptor family members. Here we report a complete NMR spectral assignment of the most conserved region of MESD protein, MESD(12-155).
Embryonic Mortality in the Rabbit is Not Increased After Fertilization by Young Epididymal Spermatozoa

Epididymal spermatozoa were compared with ejaculated spermatozoa from the white rabbit to determine if there were differences in the extent of embryonic mortality. 2 New Zealand White female rabbits were inseminated in each experiment. Ejaculated and epididymal spermatozoa from the same male were injected respectively into the cranial third of contralateral uterine horns. 100 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (HC G) was given to induce ovulation. Cleaved embryos were placed in 10% serum-Tyrodes solution and transferred into the oviducts of recipient females injected with HCG at the same time as the embryo donors. Ova fertilized by each kind of sperm were transferred in equal numbers to contralateral oviducts of the same recipient. 1-cell ova were examined for evidence of fertilization. Naturally mated controls were maintained. Spermatozoa from the lower corpus epididymidis inseminated into the uterus fertilized 76.5% of 204 ova in comparison with 75.9% of 199 ova fertilized by ejaculated spermatozoa. 27 hours after insemination and HCG injection the 4-cell stage was reached by 11.4% of the ova fertilized by lower corpus sperm vs. 17.4% fertilized by ejaculated sperm. When transferred to contralateral oviducts of synchronized recipients 60.3% of 63 ova fertilized by epididymal spermatozoa implanted and 50.8% developed normally to term. This compares with 57.1 and 47.6% respectively for those ova feritilized by ejaculated spermatozoa. Differences between the 2 kinds of spermatozoa seem insignificant.
Effects of tumor necrosis factor-α, epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-α on interleukin-8 production by, and human rhinovirus replication in, bronchial epithelial cells

Abstract Previous studies have shown that the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), members of the EGF growth factor family, regulate processes involved in airway repair after injury. Our studies were conducted to determine whether EGF and TGF-α directly control processes involved in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation and/or modulate the inflammatory effects of TNF-α in the airway mucosa. We have found that these cell growth factors directly induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by an immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B cells). Furthermore, EGF and TGF-α enhanced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced IL-8 production by BEAS-2B cells. On the other hand, EGF but not TGF-α increased viral replication by BEAS-2B cells exposed to HRV-14. Moreover, TNF-α increased viral replication in the presence of EGF but not TGF-α. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that both EGF and TGF-α play an active role in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation.
A Method for Highway Agency to Estimate Highway Construction Durations and Set Contract Times

Construction duration of a highway project depends on many factors, such as type of project, project size, weather conditions, project location, manpower, equipment, and construction management. It...
Genes and subtypes of schizophrenia.

Abstract The complex heterogeneity of schizophrenia renders identification of a specific etiology extremely difficult. Nevertheless, there is strong heritability in affected families, and linkage has been demonstrated at several loci. A recent study has bypassed some of these complexities, with the identification of a gene mutation in some individuals with a specific subtype of schizophrenia, periodic catatonia – and points to new strategies for the analysis of other polygenic neurological disorders.
The experience of an academic medical center with endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abstract Background: Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is gaining momentum although it is not yet approved in the United States by regulatory agencies. The Endovascular Grafting System (EGS), the first device to enter clinical trials in 1993, is now in phase III testing. Methods: We reviewed the first 50 patients to undergo an EGS repair of AAA over 24 months at our institution. Results were compared with 69 patients who underwent open repair during the same time period by the same surgeon. Results: Devices were successfully implanted in 47 of 50 (94%) patients. Three were converted to standard repair. Although length of stay was shorter, costs were similar. Follow-up was 3 to 24 months. Perigraft flow was noted in 33% at discharge; 73% of those stopped either spontaneously or with coiling. Three graft limbs occluded, requiring thrombolytic therapy. Conclusions: The EGS repair of AAA is feasible and effective. Cooperation between surgery and radiology is important for the success of a new endovascular program.
On thermomechanical instability in viscoelastic structures

Abstract A thermomechanical instability in viscoelastic structures subject to prescribed alternating loads is discussed. The source of the instability is the softening of the material with increasing temperature, which allows the external loads to deliver power to the structure at an increasing rate as the internal dissipation heats up the structure. A simple model of a temperature-dependent structure is adopted and conditions under which unstable heating of the model occurs are obtained. Data taken from rubber paper-mill roll covers are compared to these conditions and it is shown that the thermomechanical instability discussed here might be expected to occur in the roll covers.
Effect of Ozone Treatment on the Safety and Quality of Malting Barley

Molds and their mycotoxins are an expensive problem for the malting and brewing industries. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that is associated with Fusarium spp. These fungi frequently cause Fusarium head blight in wheat and barley in the midwestern region of the United States; Manitoba, Canada; Europe; and China. Barley growers and malt producers would benefit from a postharvest control method for mold growth and DON production. We evaluated the use of gaseous ozone (O3) for preventing Fusarium growth and mycotoxin production while maintaining malt quality characteristics. Micromalting was performed in three replications under standard conditions. Ozone treatment was applied to malting barley during steeping via a submerged gas sparger. Ozone treatment conditions were 26 mg/cm3 for 120 min after 2 and 6 h of steeping. The effects of gaseous ozone on DON, aerobic plate counts, Fusarium infection, and mold and yeast counts of barley throughout the malting process were measured. Various quality paramete...
Drought and Grazing Disturbances and Resistance to Invasion by Warm- and Cool-Season Perennial Grassland Communities

Healthy and robust grasslands are better able to compete with invasive plants for available resources. Disturbances can reduce the competitive ability of perennial grass communities by creating niches that allow invasive plants to establish. In established warm-season and cool-season perennial grass communities, a study was conducted to determine the effects of repeated grazing and extreme drought on the establishment of introduced musk thistle ( Carduus nutans ). For each community, the following treatments were applied: over seeding of musk thistle or no musk thistle in the first year (2011), and simulated grazing or no grazing in both years (2011 and 2012). Annual precipitation was extremely low in the second year. In warm-season, grazed communities with musk thistle, grass cover declined to less than 10% as musk thistle became dominant by the second year. The grasses in all warm season, non grazed communities had 65% cover and heights of 100 cm from June to October, which prevented establishment of musk thistle. In cool-season grass communities, biomass was low in 2012, yet early emergence of grasses from dormancy and high amount of cover ( 50% in May) most likely contributed to the suppression of musk thistle seedlings the previous year (2011) and further restricted their development in combination with the drought conditions the second year. Our results support the practice of properly grazing warm-season and cool-season grasses to create sustainable perennial grass communities, especially in areas subjected to continuous or heavy grazing, extreme drought, and the threat of invasive plant species.
Assertions about past and future: Communication in a high-performance distributed system Highways

Highways is a distributed-programming system, we are building, with high-performance as a major goal. The suite of send primitives implemented in Highways, called Global-Flush Primitives, have three no-table aspects. (1) Global-Flush Primitives permit one to make an assertion about messages sent in the past of sending m, in the future of sending m, about both or neither. (2) The past and the future of an event is defined using the relation "happened before." (3) A message can be sent to any subgroup of processes specified as a parameter. >
Effect of skin indentation on heat transfer during cryogen spray cooling.

Background and Objectives: Cryogen spray cooling (CSC) is used to pre-cool the epidermis during dermatological laser procedures such as treatment of port wine stain (PWS) birthmarks, hair removal, and non-ablative photorejuvenation. Thus far, heat transfer studies related to CSC optimization have assumed a flat surface but clinical observation suggests that human skin indents due to the force of an impinging cryogen spray. Study Design/Materials and Methods: High-speed videos of cryogen spray impingement on in vivo human skin were taken and the resulting indentations characterized as a function of both nozzle-to-skin distance and anatomic location. Detectors with pre-formed indentations were constructed and heat flux measurements were performed at two nozzle-to-surface distances. Results: Indentation causes cryogen accumulation that reduces the efficiency of heat transfer when compared to spray impingement on a flat surface. Large indentations, however, encourage convective flow within the cryogen pool that mitigates many of the negative effects of liquid layer thickening and improves the heat flux. Conclusions: Flat surfaces produce the most efficient heat transfer, but once indentation exists (as it does in all clinically relevant cases), larger indentations produce a higher maximum heat flux. This suggests that higher momentum sprays (which produce larger skin indentations for identical spurts) than those in current clinical use may improve CSC efficiency. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:155–163, 2004. 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sequence Similarity by Gapped LZW

Measures of sequence similarity based on some underlying notion of relative compressibility are becoming increasingly of interest in connection with massive tasks of textfile classification such as, notably, in document classification and molecular taxonomy on a genomic scale. Sequences that are similar can be expected to share a large number of common substrings, whence some successful measures in this class have been based on the substring composition of the input sequences. Among the corresponding methods, one finds suitable extensions of the bag-of-words together with more explicit resorts to data compression techniques such as LZ77. The approach presented in this paper explores the potential of LZW -- the variant of LZ78 proposed by Welch -- as well as of some of its lossy variants, in this context. Whereas LZW has a faster and simpler implementation than LZ77, the vocabulary underlying LZW is significantly smaller than that of LZ77. In addition, recently introduced "gapped" variants of LZW are considered that are equally straightforward to implement but allow for a controlled number of don't cares to be introduced in the substrings that constitute the dictionary used in compression. This study assesses the robustness of compressibility based measures of similarity under these faster yet inherently more dispersive paradigms built around LZW.
Type I and type II Fc receptors regulate innate and adaptive immunity

Antibodies produced in response to a foreign antigen are characterized by polyclonality, not only in the diverse epitopes to which their variable domains bind but also in the various effector molecules to which their constant regions (Fc domains) engage. Thus, the antibody's Fc domain mediates diverse effector activities by engaging two distinct classes of Fc receptors (type I and type II) on the basis of the two dominant conformational states that the Fc domain may adopt. These conformational states are regulated by the differences among antibody subclasses in their amino acid sequence and by the complex, biantennary Fc-associated N-linked glycan. Here we discuss the diverse downstream proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory consequences of the engagement of type I and type II Fc receptors in the context of infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic disorders.
The natural history of adolescent alcohol use disorders

Aim To examine clinically relevant research on the development, course and outcomes of adolescence alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Methods Observational studies with adolescent samples were selected for inclusion based on systematic assessment of AUDs and clinical relevance. The literature was searched using Medline and Psychinfo. Articles on childhood predictors, characteristics, course, complications and adult outcomes of adolescent AUDs were reviewed. Results The developmental trajectory toward adolescent AUDs begins with the emergence of childhood mental disorders. These problems are transmitted from parent to child in a developmentally specific fashion, reflect psychological dysregulation dimensions and predict adolescent AUDs. While most DSM-IV AUD diagnostic criterion items are valid for adolescents, tolerance and impaired control items are problematic, and some adolescents with significant alcohol problems are not identified by this diagnostic system. Understanding the psychosocial and biomedical complications that accompany AUDs requires attention to factors other than alcohol involvement itself, including childhood maltreatment and comorbid psychopathology. While some adolescents with AUDs manifest chronic alcohol dependence in adulthood, a substantial proportion overcome alcohol problems and transition to abstinence or normative drinking. Conclusions Developmentally specific phenotypic characteristics define the natural history of adolescent AUDs, inform clinical assessment and provide the developmental context for treatment research. While alcohol consumption may be the primary treatment focus, other important consequences, comorbidities and complications need to be addressed for successful developmental outcomes to result.
Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach

Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach. Joseph A. Maxwell. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1996. 155 pp.
Effect of perceptual isolation and arousal on anxiety, complexity preference, and novelty preference in psychopathic and neurotic delinquents.

Psychopathic and neurotic delinquents were subjected to perceptual isolation (PI) and arousal (A) and were given pre- and postmeasures of novelty, complexity preference, and anxiety. The results showed that (a) there was a significant negative correlation between novelty preference and anxiety level and between complexity preference and anxiety level; (b) the psychopathic delinquents had significantly lower pretest anxiety and significantly higher novelty and complexity preference scores; (c) after PI psychopathic delinquents increased their complexity preference scores significantly more; and (rf) after A psychopathic delinquents did not shift scores, while neurotics significantly increased anxiety scores and decreased complexity preference scores. This investigation was concerned with the preference behavior of psychopathic and neurotic delinquents for novelty and complexity of stimuli under experimental conditions of perceptual isolation and arousal. Its principal aim was to test the validity of a theory concerning the etiology of psychopathy proposed by Quay (1965) which holds that the psychopathic personality represents pathological stimulus seeking. Quay (196S) states: "We are suggesting that the level and variability of sensory inputs which are necessary for the maintenance of pleasant affect are much greater for the psychopath than for the ordinary individual [p. 181]." In order to
Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: chamomile.

1. Paula Gardiner, MD* 1. *Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass Chamomile is a common flowering plant and a member of the daisy family. There are two primary types: German chamomile ( Matricaria recutita ) and Roman chamomile ( Anthemis nobilis ). Most research has focused on German chamomile. Chamomile is one of the most widely used herbs in the world, especially in children. (1)(2) It is used topically for rashes, eczema, and hemorrhoids or orally as a mild sedative or for indigestion, diarrhea, and colic. (3)(4)(5)(6) ### Colic Only two clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of chamomile for the treatment of colic in children, and both combined chamomile with other herbs. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 68 healthy term infants who had colic (2 to 8 weeks old) received either herbal tea (German chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, balm mint) or placebo tea (glucose, flavoring). (7) Each infant was offered treatment with every bout of colic, up to 150 mL/dose, no more than three times a day. After 7 days of treatment, parents reported that the tea eliminated the colic in 57% of the infants, whereas placebo was helpful in only 26% ( P <0.01). No adverse effects were noted in either group. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 93 breastfed colicky infants compared a standardized extract of …
Newsmap: a knowledge map for online news

Information technology has made possible the capture and accessing of a large number of data and knowledge bases, which in turn has brought about the problem of information overload. Text mining to turn textual information into knowledge has become a very active research area, but much of the research remains restricted to the English language. Due to the differences in linguistic characteristics and methods of natural language processing, many existing text analysis approaches have yet to be shown to be useful for the Chinese language. This research focuses on the automatic generation of a hierarchical knowledge map NewsMap, based on online Chinese news, particularly the finance and health sections. Whether in print or online, news still represents one important knowledge source that people produce and consume on a daily basis. The hierarchical knowledge map can be used as a tool for browsing business intelligence and medical knowledge hidden in news articles. In order to assess the quality of the map, an empirical study was conducted which shows that the categories of the hierarchical knowledge map generated by NewsMap are better than those generated by regular news readers, both in terms of recall and precision, on the sub-level categories but not on the top-level categories. NewsMap employs an improved interface combining a ID alphabetical hierarchical list and a 2D Self-Organizing Map (SOM) island display. Another empirical study compared the two visualization displays and found that users' performances can be improved by taking advantage of the visual cues of the 2D SOM display.