cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Placental transfer of fluoride and calcium

Abstract Maternal (uterine) artery, maternal (uterine) vein, umbilical artery, and umbilical vein blood were obtained simultaneously at the time of 16 cesarean sections. Calcium determinations of these blood plasma samples and those from women in their ninth month of pregnancy suggest either that a calcium “pump” operates in the placenta supplying a higher concentration of calcium to the fetal blood supply than is found in the maternal circulation or that the calcium homeostatic mechanisms operate at different levels in the maternal and fetal organisms. The fluoride concentrations found in the blood plasmas suggest that the placental barrier to the transport of fluoride ion does not operate so as to maintain a difference in concentration of fluoride between the maternal and fetal body fluids.
Radiation hardening of pure-silica-core optical fibers by ultra-high-dose /spl gamma/-ray pre-irradiation

Optical absorption in SiO/sub 2/-Core/SiO/sub 2/:F-Clad fibers was investigated in situ during /sup 60/Co /spl gamma/ irradiation. Bands at 610 and 1 MGy(Si) in the presence of injected visible light (/spl sim/5 /spl mu/W).
Direct enantiomeric resolution of cyclic alcohol derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by chiral stationary phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract The enantiomers of some cyclic alcohol derivatives of phenanthrene, benz-[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, cholanthrene, and 3-methylcholanthrene were resolved by high-performance liquid chromatography using a commercially available preparative column packed with an (R)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine ionically bonded to γ-aminopropylsilanized silica. Resolution of enantiomers was confirmed by ultraviolet—visible absorption, mass and circular dichroism spectral analyses. This method has been applied to the determination of optical purity of 1-hydroxycholanthrene and 1-hydroxy-3-methylcholanthrene formed in the metabolism of cholanthrene and 3-methylcholanthrene, respectively, by rat liver microsomes.
Reconstructing the enlightenment project: David rasmussen's immanent critique of aesthetics, modernity and law

Etude de l'oeuvre philosophique de D. Rasmussen qui, repensant le droit et la societe a partir de la phenomenologie, de l'hermeneutique et du marxisme, s'inscrit dans le contexte nord-americain d'une emancipation de la theorie sociale critique apres Horkheimer. Examinant le projet d'une hermeneutique critique fondee sur la notion kantienne de raison constitutive et sur la notion hegelienne de raison transformative, l'A. montre que la pensee de Rasmussen opere un retour post-marxiste a la critique esthetique d'Adorno et a l'hermeneutique de Ricoeur en refutant la critique politique d'Habermas
How to make the most of failure mode and effect analysis.

Current accreditation standards issued by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) require hospitals to carry out a proactive risk assessment on at least 1 high-risk activity each year for each accredited program. Because hospital risk managers and patient safety managers generally do not have the knowledge or level of comfort for conducting a proactive risk assessment, they will appreciate the expertise offered by biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs), occupational safety and health professionals, and others. The skills that have been developed by BMETs and others while conducting job safety analyses or failure mode effect analysis can now be applied to a health care proactive analysis. This article touches on the Health Care Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) model that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for Patient Safety developed for proactive risk assessment within the health care community. The goal of this article is to enlighten BMETs and others on the growth of proactive risk assessment within health care and also on the support documents and materials produced by the VA. For additional information on HFMEA, visit the VA website at www.patientsafety.gov/HFMEA.html.
January northern hemisphere circumpolar vortex variability and its relationship with hemispheric temperature and regional teleconnections

Variability in the hemispheric-scale atmospheric circulation can be directly linked to variations in surface environmental features, such as temperature, precipitation, salinity of water bodies, and pollutant transport. One indicator of the behavior of the hemispheric-scale circulation is the circumpolar vortex (CPV). This research utilizes a geographic information system approach to characterize variability in the Northern Hemispheric (NH) CPV. Specifically, the area, shape, and centroid of the January NHCPV are analyzed for 1959–2001 because it may provide insight about relationships between hemispheric-scale circulation and global temperature change. We also use a new means of characterizing the hemispheric-scale circulation using a ‘circularity ratio’ (Rc). Results suggest that the January NHCPV has exhibited no long-term trends in area or shape, and that the mean centroid is positioned at approximately 85.3°N, 178.0°W. Regional patterns emerge, which suggest that the area and circularity are associated with variability in surface temperature and moist static energy. Furthermore, the area of the January NHCPV is associated with variability in the Arctic Oscillation, while the shape is tied to variability in the Pacific-North American teleconnection pattern. These results will facilitate understanding of the relationship between hemispheric-scale circulation, regional circulation, and local temperatures. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society.
Scanned pulsed eddy current instrument for nondestructive inspection of aging aircraft

The aging of commercial and military aircraft fleets in the US has led to increased emphasis on detecting accumulated damage such as corrosion and wide-spread fatigue damage in multi-layer airframe structures. Eddy currents are the method of choice for this task, since they can penetrate multiple layers whether or not the layers are mechanically bonded. We have developed a new pulsed eddy-current instrument that is fast, rugged, portable, and relatively inexpensive to build. It has the ability to acquire wide- bandwidth information that can quantitatively characterize the thickness of multi-layered airframe structures. The instrument can also detect cracks growing from fastener holes in the second or third layers of a lap-joint structure. The probe is mounted in a rugged scanner that easily attaches to an aircraft. Data from the instrument are presented to the user in two formats: an instantaneous A- scan of the time-domain pulsed eddy-current signal and a C- scan image of the scanned area. The C-scan image can be time-gated to provide images representing signals form various depths and to discriminate against signals from fasteners or other interfering features. We describe the instrument in detail and provide examples of its use to detect both corrosion and second-layer cracks.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Neutral delay differential equations with positive and negative coefficients

Consider the neutral delay differential equation [display math001] where [display math002] We studied the asymptotic behavior of the nonoscillatory solutions of Eq. (1) and we obtained sufficient conditions for the oscillation of all solutions, all bounded solutions, and all unbounded solutions of Eq. (1)
Fatty acids for myocardial imaging.

Radioiodinated free fatty acids are tracers that can be used to assess both myocardial perfusion and metabolism. There have been several fatty acids and structurally modified fatty acids studied since Evans' initial report of radiolabeled 1-123 oleic acid in 1965. The radiolabeling of a phenyl group added to the long chain fatty acids in the ω-terminal position opposite the carboxyl terminal group prevents nonspecific deiodination and the rapid release of free iodine as the tracer undergoes β-oxidation. The additional inclusion of a methyl or dimethyl group to the chain slows oxidation resulting in prolonged myocardial retention. The longer retention of the radiolabel permits longer image acquisitions more compatible with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, especially with single-detector imaging systems. Several protocols have been implemented using these compounds, particularly 15-(para-iodophenyl)-3-R,S-methyl pentadecanoic BMIPP, to detect abnormal fatty acid metabolism in ischemic heart disease as well as in nonischemic and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. Successful management of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathies depends on the accurate identification of hibernating myocardium. The studies covered in this review suggest that both IPPA and BMIPP, especially when combined with markers of myocardial perfusion, may be excellent tracers of viable and potentially functional myocardium. Future studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm the results of these studies and to compare their eficacy with that of other available imaging modalities. Cost and distribution issues will have to be resolved for these metabolic tracers to compete in the commercial marketplace. Otherwise they will likely be available only on a limited basis for research use. As progress is made with these issues and with the development of newer imaging systems, the use of radioiodinated and fluorinated fatty acids is likely to be increasingly attractive.
A visual interface to a music database

This paper describes a system for exploring and selecting entries from a music database through a visualization interface. The system is designed for deployment in situations in which the user's attention is a tightly limited resource. The system combines research topics in intelligent user interfaces, visualization techniques, and cognitive modeling. Informal evaluation of the system has given us useful insights into the design tradeoffs that developers may face when building visual interfaces for off-the-desktop applications.
Children's academic and behavioral adjustment as a function of the chronicity and proximity of peer rejection.

The experience of peer rejection is associated with a number of concurrent and later problems for children. However, we know very little about differences in risk relative to different experiences of rejection over time. This study examined later academic and behavioral problems as a function of two dimensions by which rejection may vary over time: chronicity and temporal proximity. 622 second- through fourth-grade children (ages 7–12) were tested in the spring of 4 consecutive years. The results indicated that both chronicity and proximity directly influenced later adjustment. Taken together, the findings suggest that all levels of rejection were associated with greater absenteeism from school, and more chronic and proximal experiences of rejection were associated with elevated externalizing behavior problems and teacher-rated internalizing behavior problems. There was evidence that initial level of adjustment, gender, and development moderated the relation among these dimensions of rejection and later adjustment.
On the temperatures of regressing PMMA surfaces

By experimentally establishing bounds on the surgface temperature of polymethylmethacrylate slabs burnings steadily in oxygen-nitrogen mixtures, it is demonstrated that at least for regression rates up to 2 × 10 5 cm/sec, the dependence of regression rate on surface temperature agrees with a theoretical deduction that employs kinetic data for bulk degredation in an asymptotic analyste for large activation energy. If therefore appears that the chemical mechanisms for condensed-phase depolymerization are idntical in bulk degredation and in oxidative flow.
METHODOLOGY FOR THE SELECTION AND APPLICATION OF PROBABILITY MODELS FOR THE SIMULATION OF DAILY RAINFALL AND RUNOFF / Méthode pour le choix et l'application des modèles probabilistes pour la simulation des pluies journalières et de l'écoulement

Abstract Practicing hydrologists are faced with the problems of selecting the appropriate probability model for a particular climatological environment and of using it for operational purposes. A systematic computer oriented procedure was developed to avoid the subjectivity in the selection of the model and to ease the labour in the successful selection and application of the stochastic model underlying the particular hydrological phenomenon. The methodology for the statistical analysis of series of events by Cox and Lewis (1966) was extended and applied to hydrology for the analysis of daily rainfall sequences. The hydrological point process has time trends and cyclicity. A procedure for the detection and calibration of these time trends and cyclicities was developed on the basis of which a homogenization program was produced. Statistical tests can be performed on the homogenized data. A method of statistical analysis utilizing the rate of occurrence function, the spectrum of counts, the variance-time of...
Elective primary repair of acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot in early infancy: overall outcome and impact on the pulmonary valve.

Abstract OBJECTIVES We sought to determine if early primary repair of acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) can be performed safely with low requirement for transannular patching (TAP) and thereafter allow normal right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) growth. BACKGROUND Early primary repair of ToF normalizes intracardiac flow patterns, which may allow subsequent normal RVOT growth. Traditionally repair is deferred until symptoms occur or children are deemed of adequate size for operative risk to be acceptable because of a perceived increased requirement for TAP in small infants. METHODS Between July 1992 and March 1999, 42 acyanotic infants aged 4 to 87 days (median 62) and weight 2.6 to 6.6 kg (median 4.55) underwent complete repair of ToF. Pulmonary annulus measured 4 to 10.5 mm (median 6.5) with “z-value” of −5.6 to +3.0 (median −1.9). RVOT reconstruction was tailored to each patient; pulmonary valvotomy was performed in 26, main pulmonary arterioplasty in 22, and infundibular patching in 2. Only 10 (24%) required TAP. RESULTS Postoperative RVOT gradient was 0 to 30 mm Hg (median 10) and pRV/pLV ratio 0.3 to 0.6 (median 0.44). Pulmonary insufficiency was trivial/mild. There were no deaths. Junctional ectopic tachycardia developed in seven; only one required treatment. ICU stay was 2 to 14 days (median 4) and hospital stay 4 to 22 days (median 7). At follow-up 12 to 64 months later (median 38) there were no deaths. One child required reoperation for recurrent RVOT obstruction and two required balloon pulmonary arterioplasty. Follow-up RVOT gradient was 0 to 36 mm Hg (median 12), unchanged from early postoperative condition, and median z-value was −1.2 (−2.8 to +2.5); pulmonary insufficiency remained trivial/mild. CONCLUSIONS Complete repair of acyanotic ToF can be performed in early infancy with low morbidity and mortality and low requirement for TAP. Though results are not statistically significant, early repair may allow normal RVOT growth thereafter.
The Culture of Claviceps purpurea: III. Tryptophan metabolism

Claviceps purprea was produced in submerged culture in a medium of known chemical composition and the mycelium tested for its ability to synthesize tryptophan and related compounds in replacement culture. Additions of indole resulted in its utilization with subsequent tryptophan production. Added serine increased the rapidity of this reaction, but the requirement for serine was not absolute. Anthranilic acid and shikimic acid failed to serve as tryptophan precursors. Tryptophan disappeared from the replacement cultures in a relatively short time, but lysergic acid was not formed. Nicotinic acid was identified as a product of tryptophan utilization.
Introduction of the shell structure into the Thomas—Fermi energy density functional for neutral atoms

Abstract The Thomas—Fermi energy density functional is constructed for the Na atom using H-like wavefunctions. Minimization of the functional with respect to the Z in the wavefunctions leads to the energy value ot −166.35 eO2/aO, which compares favorably with the Hartree—Fock value of −161.8 eO2/aO.
Magnetism of rare-earth transition-metal nanoscale multilayers. I. Experiments on Dy/Co, Dy/Fe, and Tb/Fe

Experimental investigations of magnetic and structural properties for rare-earth--transition-metal (RE-TM) compositionally modulated films (CMF) are presented in this paper. In particular, ${\mathit{A}}^{\mathrm{RE}}$/${\mathit{B}}^{\mathrm{TM}}$ including ${\mathit{A}}^{\mathrm{RE}}$=Dy and Tb and ${\mathit{B}}^{\mathrm{TM}}$=Fe, Co, and Ni, are studied. The layer thickness and temperature dependence of magnetic properties, which can be interpreted in terms of the antiferromagnetic coupling of RE and TM moments and their atomic distributions, are reported. These ${\mathit{A}}^{\mathrm{RE}}$/${\mathit{B}}^{\mathrm{TM}}$ CMF with nanoscale layer thicknesses exhibit perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and the range of the layer thickness required for PMA is determined. The origin of PMA is also discussed.
Minimal Salt Load required to induce Secretion from the Nasal Salt Glands of Sea Gulls

MOST investigators1–3 examining the function of the avian nasal salt gland have used a salt load consisting of 1 g NaCl/kg body-wt. administered either intravenously or orally. This form of osmotic stimulation will promptly induce secretion of a hypertonic solution of NaCl, ranging in concentration from 400 to 1,200 m.equiv. NaCl/1., from the salt gland. Nechay, Larimer and Maren4 were able to induce secretion from the salt glands of ringbilled (Larus delawarensis) and herring (Larus argentatus) gulls by constantly infusing at the rate of 0.6 ml./kg/min a salt load of 1.8–7.2 m.mol. This work is reported here since so far there has been no other information concerning the interrelationship of body-weight and the minimum amount of salt required to induce secretion from the salt gland.
Political Benefits as Barriers to Assessment of Environmental Costs in Brazil's Amazonian Development Planning: The Example of the Jatapu Dam in Roraima

Development projects are rapidly changing the landscape in Brazilian Amazonia. Environmental impact assessments have been required since 1986, and the regulatory system is evolving as precedents are set by each new development project. The Jatapu Dam in Roraima provides an illustration of underlying impediments to assessment of environmental costs and to due consideration being given to these assessments when decisions are made. The high priority placed on the dam by the Roraima state government is unexplainable in terms of economic returns. The place of the dam in a long-term political strategy provides the best of several possible explanations, any one of which is incompatible with a “rational” weighing of economic and environmental costs and benefits. A number of lessons can be drawn from the experience of Jatapu, but some of the problems have no solution. The barriers to rational decision making illustrated by Jatapu apply to development projects in many parts of the world.
Associations between use of crack cocaine and HIV-1 disease progression: Research findings and implications for mother-to-infant transmission

Recent in vitro and in vivo research has suggested that cocaine has a direct effect on the pathogenesis of AIDS. These findings are confirmed by epidemiological studies linking the use of injected, inhaled, and smoked (crack) cocaine and indicators of HIV disease progression, even among adherent users of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Recent studies of vertical HIV transmission suggest that cocaine use may play a role in mother-to-child infection via alteration of maternal immune responses, enhanced viral replication in maternal immune cells, or alterations in the immune systems of neonates or infants. The purpose of this article is to review research conducted over the past several decades on associations between use of cocaine and HIV disease progression, especially among HIV+ women, and to explore its potential relevance for understanding mother-to-infant transmission of HIV.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Diagnostic advances

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a group of autosomal recessive disorders resulting from the deficiency of one of the five enzymes required for the synthesis of cortisol in the adrenal cortex. The most frequent is steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency, accounting for more than 90% of cases. Much has been learned about the genetics of the various clinical forms of 21-hydroxylase deficiency, and correlations between the genotype and the phenotype have been studied extensively. Gene-specific diagnosis is now feasible and neonatal screening and prenatal treatment have been widely implemented. This discussion will be limited to the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, with focus on the diagnostic advances in this disease.
Differences in the effects of parental age on offspring life history between tropical and temperate populations of milkweed bugs ( Oncopeltus spp.)

We compare the effects of parental age on several offspring life history traits in two milkweed bug populations: a typically univoltine population ofOncopeltus fasciatus from the Sacramento Valley of California and a typically multivoltine population ofO. cingulifer from Monteverde, Costa Rica. Reared under identical conditions (27°C, 12 h light: 12 h dark photoperiod), these bugs exhibit significant differences in the effects of parental age on offspring life history. As they age,O. fasciatus females from Sacramento lay clutches of eggs of decreasing average weight and a decreasing proportion of their eggs produce offspring that survive to adulthood. Those offspring which do survive have a significantly faster developmental rate and females have a larger body size at adult eclosion. AsO. cingulifer from Monteverde age, they also produce lighter eggs, but there is no significant change in the offspring developmental rate, survival or female adult body size. We suggest that these results are largely explicable as the consequence of different parental investment strategies associated with the predictable relationship between parental age and time of season inO. fasciatus but not inO. cingulifer. AsO. fasciatus from Sacramento age, they may be increasing their investment per developing offspring so as to increase the probability that nymphs hatching late in the season will reach a prereproductive adult diapause before the first killing frost.
A hinged-pad test structure for sliding friction measurement in micromachining

The authors describe the design, modeling, fabrication and initial testing of a new test structure for friction measurement in MEMS. The device consists of a cantilevered forked beam and a friction pad attached via a hinge. Compared to previous test structures, the proposed structure can measure friction over much larger pressure ranges, yet occupies one hundred times less area. The placement of the hinge is crucial to obtaining a well-known and constant pressure distribution in the device. Static deflections on the device were measured and modeled numerically, Preliminary results indicate that friction pad slip is sensitive to friction pad normal force.
Evidence that 8‐hydroxy‐2‐(n‐dipropylamino)tetralin (8‐OH‐DPAT) is a selective α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist on guinea‐pig submucous neurones

Abstract 1 Intracellular recordings were made from neurones of the submucous plexus and from submucosal arteriolar smooth muscle of guinea-pig ileum for the purpose of examining the the actions of 8-hydroxy-2-(n-dipropylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). 2 8-OH-DPAT (10 nM-20 microM) had no direct presynaptic or postsynaptic actions on submucous plexus neurones. 3 Membrane hyperpolarizations induced in neurones by noradrenaline or UK 14304 were competitively antagonized by 8-OH-DPAT. For dose-ratios up to 40, Schild plots were linear with slopes not significantly different from unity; pA2 values for the 8-OH-DPAT antagonism of postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors were 6.9-7.2. 4 The inhibitory synaptic potential, which is due to activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors located on submucous plexus neurones, was selectively inhibited by 8-OH-DPAT; the IC50 value for inhibition of the inhibitory synaptic potential was 250 nM. 5 Neuronal hyperpolarizations mediated through activation of delta-opioid receptors or somatostatin receptors were unaffected by 8-OH-DPAT (0.1-1 microM). 6 The ability of noradrenaline and UK 14304 to inhibit the release of acetylcholine at synapses in the submucous plexus, and to inhibit the release of the transmitter which mediates the excitatory junction potential in the submucosal arteriolar smooth muscle, was also blocked by 8-OH-DPAT. 7 These results suggest that some of the actions of 8-OH-DPAT previously ascribed to agonism at 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors may actually result from blockade of the actions of endogenously released noradrenaline acting on alpha 2-adrenoceptors.
Observations of Magnetic Fields on T Tauri Stars

We present measurements of magnetic field strength and geometry on the surfaces of T Tauri stars (TTS) with and without circumstellar disks. We use these measurements to argue that magnetospheric accretion models should not assume that a fixed fraction of the stellar surface contains magnetic field lines that couple with the disk. We predict the fractional area of accretion footpoints, using magnetospheric accretion models and assuming field strength is roughly constant for all TTS.
The development of a group B streptococcus prevention policy at a community hospital.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In 1996, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued guidelines for antepartum antibiotic prophylaxis of group B streptococcal (GBS)-positive women. The objective of this study is to document results of a GBS prophylaxis policy at one nonacademically affiliated, community hospital and discern its effectiveness with regard to compliance as well as in decreasing the incidence of early onset GBS (EOGBS) disease. METHODS: The development of a GBS-prevention policy at the Women's Hospital of Greensboro (WHG) was documented by means of interviews and examination of minutes of meetings. Effectiveness of the policy was assessed by calculating the percentage of all GBS+ or unknown mothers who received antepartum antibiotics during a 1-year period. Additionally, all newborns with any positive GBS culture during the past 13 years at WHG were identified. RESULTS: The policy was formulated and distributed during a 6-month period by strong leadership, community “buy-in,” and an educational seminar. A preprinted physician order was written so that all GBS-positive/unknown mothers would receive antepartum antibiotics. Additionally, a clinical pathway was used to track and monitor maternal GBS status. During October 1, 1999 to September 30, 2000, 1124 (23.1%) mothers were found to be GBS positive/unknown. Of those who delivered an infant >37 weeks' gestation and who could be linked to the pharmacy database, 777 (91.1%) received antepartum antibiotics. The incidence of EOGBS disease at WHG before 1996 was 1.93±0.7/1000 births compared to 0.4±0.05/1000 after the issuance of the guidelines (p=0.002, t-test). CONCLUSIONS: Over 90% of GBS-positive mothers were treated with antibiotics at WHG. Associated with this high adherence rate to the CDC guidelines has been a five-fold decrease in the incidence of EOGBS disease. We attribute these results to the implementation of a preprinted physician order sheet to direct intrapartum antibiotics for women with GBS positive or unknown colonization and the use of a clinical pathway to track GBS colonization status.
Testing for the functional form of labor-demand equations: The textile industry

Abstract Owing to concerns over the secular decline in employment and trade deficits in the U.S. textile industry, this study estimates the variable employment elasticities of demand for labor in this sector by applying an expanded version of the Box-Cox extended autoregressive (BCEA) model of Savin and White (Journal of Econometrics 8(1): 1–12, 1978). The major findings suggest that (1) all of the functional forms except the semilog A form can be rejected in favor of the BCEA model; (2) the elasticities of demand for labor are variable; and (3) wage elasticities have become more elastic and the textile industry has exhibited constant or slightly decreasing returns to scale in recent years.
A systemic approach to the treatment of depression with only one family member present

The purpose of the present article was to demonstrate a systemic treatment of depression for a 70 year-old woman. In this treatment, other family members were unavailable, but a family therapy systems perspective was used throughout. Results of the demonstration ABAB single case design and two year followup were suggestive of treatment effectiveness in decreasing depression. The need for additional replication of the study was noted.
Hydroxylation of γ-butyrobetaine to carnitine in human and monkey tissues

Carnitine serves as a carrier of acyl groups into and out of mitochondria and hence is considered to have a central function in the metabolic utilization and synthesis of fatty acids [l-4]. In the rat, the species most extensively studied, adipose tissue, heart, kidney and skeletal muscle catalyze the entire sequence of reactions from e-N-trimethyl-L-lysie to r-butyrobetaine; the same tissues, however, are reported not to hydroxylate the latter compound to carnitine [5-81. Indeed, several studies suggested that the liver is the primary site of carnitine biosynthesis, and that the testis is a secondary site with much less capacity for such synthesis [6-91. In fact it has been considered that extrahepatically synthesized y-butyrobetaine is converted to carnitine exclusively in the liver, and that the carnitine so formed is rapidly transported to other organs [7,10]. That species differences may exist in tissue localization of carnitine synthesis was evidenced by the finding that, in the sheep, kidney and muscle tissues have significant capacity to hydroxylate y-butyrobetaine, albeit relatively low as compared with liver (11). More recently, crude extracts from kidneys of cat, hamster, rabbit, and a single Rhesus monkey were shown to convert y-butyrobetaine to camitine [ 12,131. In those species, the levels of y-butyrobetainehydroxylating activity in kidney nearly equaled or exceeded that measured in the corresponding liver. In contrast, dog, guinea pig, mouse and rat kidney exhibited little or no capacity to hydroxylate y-butyrobetaine. In this study, in which additional primate species
Enhancing students' engagement by increasing teachers' autonomy support

Engagement refers to the behavioral intensity and emotional quality of a person’s active involvement during a task. Recognizing the benefits highly engaged people experience, we tested whether classroom teachers could incorporate the relatively foreign concept of autonomy support into their motivating styles as a way to promote their students’ engagement during instruction. Teachers in an experimental group and teachers in a delayed-treatment control group received information and guidance consistent with self-determination theory on how to support students’ autonomy. Over a series of 3 classroom observations, trained raters scored each teacher’s autonomy support and 2 measures of their students’ engagement–task involvement and influence attempts. Trained teachers displayed significantly more autonomy-supportive behaviors than did nontrained teachers. Further, the more teachers used autonomy support during instruction, the more engaged were their students. This was true on both measures of engagement.
Star tracker focal plane evaluation for the JIMO mission

The Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter (JIMO) mission was planned as the first implementation of Prometheus, an ambitious space exploration project proposed by NASA. The mission would provide a rigorous scientific investigation of Jupiter and three of its moons Callisto, Ganymede, and Europa. To safely and efficiently power and maneuver the spacecraft in deep space, novel technologies would be incorporated. Though launch is currently indefinitely postponed, this mission, as conceived, already presents a significant technical challenge for a robust attitude control system (ACS) design due to severe radiation environment of the Jovian system, and because navigation sensors must survive and function properly throughout the mission. It is particularly relevant to a spacecraft's ACS that relies on star trackers for an accurate attitude determination. A star tracker focal plane is very susceptible to impinging charged particles and cosmic gamma rays. The radiation will degrade the device performance through false signal appearance and increased noise. At Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology an extensive study has been initiated to understand available visible imager technologies such as charge coupled device (CCD), charge injection device (CID), active pixel sensor (APS) in applications for radiation-tolerant star trackers. More specifically, this paper includes the results of a detailed technical study and presents relevant parameters and performance characteristics (e.g., read noise, dynamic range, dark current, hot pixel rates, quantum efficiency, linearity) that must be considered in a challenging star tracker design.
Management of the Dislocated Crystalline Lens with a Perfluorocarbon Liquid

Abstract Vitreoretinal surgery allows the effective removal of soft to moderately dense crystalline lens fragments, using the vitrectomy probe and the ultrasonic fragmentation probe. Hard lenses cannot be removed with these instruments. Previously described techniques for removal of hard lenses include trapping the lens anteriorly with needles, cryoextraction of the lens in an air-filled eye, and manipulation with sodium hyaluronate. These methods are difficult and dangerous in some cases. We used perfluorocarbon liquid to facilitate the safe removal of a surgically luxated hard crystalline lens. Injection of the perfluorocarbon liquid floated the lens off the retinal surface and into the anterior vitreous cavity. In this location, the lens was delivered by using standard extracapsular cataract extraction techniques. This technique allowed removal of the hard crystalline lens with minimal manipulation, and was helpful in the setting of poor media clarity.
Metabolic regulation of steroidogenesis in isolated adrenocortical carcinoma cells. ACTH regulation of guanosine cyclic 3' :5' - monophosphate levels.

Abstract In the adrenocortical carcinoma cell, 2.5 to 10 μunits of ACTH do not raise the adenosine cyclic 3′:5′ - monophosphate (cyclic AMP) level, protein kinase activity, and steroidogenesis, whereas there is a sharp increase in the level of guanosine cyclic 3′:5′ - monophosphate (cyclic GMP). This change in the level of cyclic GMP indicates an active guanylate cyclase system since carcinoma cells are devoid of detectable cyclic 3′:5′ - nucleotide monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity. In a normal adrenal cell these concentrations of the hormone markedly increase cyclic GMP level with the concomitant increase in protein kinase activity and corticosterone formation. These results indicate therefore that the lack of regulation of corticosterone synthesis by cyclic GMP in adrenocortical carcinoma cell may be due to the abnormal cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase. That the tumor ACTH - sensitive guanylate cyclase system is not under the transcriptional or translational control is indicated by the findings that actinomycin D and cycloheximide do not inhibit the ACTH - activated level of cyclic GMP.
Overregulation of conflicts hinders medical progress.

The revolution in medicine and technology over the past few decades is largely the result of partnerships ¯ or a "harmony of interests"-between private companies and entrepreneurial scientists and clinicians. Regulations to prevent conflicts of interest by restricting medical education, medical research, expert advisory functions, or researcher ownership of inventions may have the unintended consequence of slowing medical progress.
Minimal Free Resolutions and (G, n)-Complexes for Finite Abelian Groups

let G be a finite abelian group and let n be a non-negative integer. A (G, n)-resolution is a partial free resolution of the ZG-module Z with n+1 intermediate finitely generated free FG-modules F 0 ,..., F n . The kernel K of the map from F n to F n−1 is called a (G, n)-module, and K is called a minimal (G, n)-module if it has the smallest possible Z-rank. We shall calculate the number of isomorphism types of minimal (G, n)-modules and various related numbers. In particular, we shall calculate the number of minimal (G, n)-complexes for all n ≥ 2. This extends work of Browning, Dyer and Sieradski who had already dealt with the case n = 2
A study of the role of sulfhydryl groups in the interaction of troponin and myofibrils

Abstract The ATPase activity of myofibrils (3.6.1.3) extracted with mersalyl and subsequently treated with cysteine is calcium-insensitive. Mersalyl displaces a protein fraction which restores the calcium-sensitivity of mersalyl-extracted myofibrils. This protein resembles troponin. Tropomyosin appears to remain bound to myofibrils during mersalyl extraction.
Europe strikes out on its own

Abstract Europe's Sixth Environmental Action Programme (EAP), which has been proposed by the European Commission's Environment Directorate General, places special emphasis on the development and use of more renewable energies. In fact, the Commission has gone so far as to state, ‘In energy, we need to promote a further shifting from the coal- and oil-fired power generation towards lower CO 2 emission sources…Increasingly, the shift should be to renewable energy sources with the target of achieving 12% of electricity producing from these sources by 2010’.
Increased serum amylase levels in prostatic diseases

Abstract Serum amylase levels were found to be increased in 95 per cent of patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy and in 70 per cent of patients with prostatic cancer. No known causes for high serum amylase levels were present in these patients. Investigation of a possible relationship between amylase activity and prostatic diseases suggested that benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostatic cancer should be considered in the differential diagnosis of disorders associated with increased serum amylase levels.
Implementation of a High-Throughput Ion Chromatographic Assay To Assess Glass Degradation in Drug Product Formulations

The primary container for parenterals is usually composed of glass. Given the recent industry-wide spike in glass-related problems, assays capable of detecting glass degradation before glass-related particles are visible in solution have practical significance. A rapid, high-throughput ion chromatography method coupled with molybdate reaction is described here for detection and quantitation of silicic acid (soluble form of silica) in complex samples. The method involves ion exchange separation of the silicate anion at high pH followed by a post-column derivatization step with sodium molybdate reagent. The resulting molybdo-silicate complex is detected with high sensitivity in the visible wavelength range at 410 nm and correlates to the level of soluble silica in solution. This assay is high-throughput and amenable for implementation during the early phase of product development. The assay provides a direct measurement to assess potential incompatibility between the formulation and its glass container. The Si levels measured by this method showed a direct correlation to the vial surface morphology changes as monitored by differential interference contrast microscopy. LAY ABSTRACT: Recently, the pharmaceutical industry has been faced with glass quality challenges that have resulted in many products being recalled from the market. Monitoring levels of soluble silica in solution is critical because silica is the primary component of glass containers used in the pharmaceutical industry. Given this recent industry-wide increase in glass-related problems, assays capable of detecting glass degradation before glass-related particles are visible in solution have practical significance. A rapid assay to detect the soluble form of silica is presented here. The method presented will enable earlier detection of a formulation and container incompatibility instead of waiting until glass-related particles are visible in solution.
Ethnomedicine in healthcare systems of the world: a semester at sea pilot survey in 11 countries.

Background: An understanding and appreciation for the varied healthcare systems in use throughout the world are increasingly vital for medical personnel as patient populations are now composed of ethnically diverse people with wide-ranging belief systems. Objective: While not a statistically valid survey, this pilot study gives a global overview of healthcare differences around the world.Design: A pilot study of 459 individuals from 11 different countries around the world was administered by 33 students in the upper division course, People, Pathology, and World Medicine from Semester at Sea, Fall 2007, to ascertain trends in healthcare therapies. Open-ended surveys were conducted in English, through an interpreter, or in the native language. Results: Western hospital use ranked highly for all countries, while ethnomedical therapies were utilized to a lesser degree. Among the findings, mainland China exhibited the greatest overall percentage of ethnomedical therapies, while the island of Hong Kong, the largest use of Western hospitals. Conclusions: The figures and trends from the surveys suggest the importance of understanding diverse cultural healthcare beliefs when treating individuals of different ethnic backgrounds. The study also revealed the increasingly complex and multisystem-based medical treatments being used internationally. Keywords: ethnomedicine; global healthcare; western medicine (Published: 17 June 2009) Citation: Global Health Action 2009. DOI: 10.3402/gha.v2i0.1969
Kinetics of Soot Combustion During Regeneration of Surface Filters

Soot particles can be removed from combustion products by using high-temperature surface filters. Regeneration in these filters can be accomplished by burning off the soot deposit. The effects of operating conditions on the regeneration kinetics are analyzed both experimentally and theoretically. The rate of regeneration drops significantly at high conversions. The total regeneration time increases with the initial loading at high temperatures but is insensitive to loading at low temperatures. The size distribution of residual particles can be predicted using the proposed model.
Sensors for measuring primary zone equivalence ratio in gas turbine combustors

In lean-premixed combustion, the narrow range of operating conditions where stable, low-emissions combustion, is achieved make it necessary for a fuel-air equivalence ratio sensor to be incorporated into the combustor. Such a sensor should be capable of determining nozzle-to-nozzle variations in the equivalence ratio, and have a reasonably fast response time so that the control mechanism can meter the flowrates accordingly. This paper describes the development of a flame chemiluminescence based equivalence ratio sensor, which can be installed in the individual nozzles of a gas turbine combustor. The first stage of the development involves studying the chemiluminescence characteristics of CH* and CO2* in a dump combustor. It was observed that fuel-air mixedness does not affect the overall flame chemiluminescence, and inlet temperature variations over 50K have not produced discernible differences in the chemiluminescence intensities. Combustor velocities do affect the flame chemiluminescence intensities, and this parameter has to be taken into account while developing the sensor. An optical fiber based sensor, which can easily installed in a combustor, has been designed. Based on this study, a methodology for determining the equivalence ratio from the chemiluminescent intensities and flowrates is proposed for use with the sensor under development.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement Model Evaluation

The mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide developed under NCHRP Project 1-37A employs mechanistic models to calculate pavement primary responses for predicting pavement performance. Therefore, it is imperative that the primary response models be evaluated in relation to their prediction accuracy. In this study, both theoretical accuracy verification and comparison with field measurement were employed to judge the prediction quality of three primary response models commonly used in concrete pavement analysis, namely, ISLAB2000, JSLAB2004, and EverFE2.22. The theoretical evaluation involved simulations, sensitivity trials, and comparisons of calculated slab stress, strain, and deflection responses of a number of hypothetical pavement systems. The field evaluation involved direct comparison of model-simulated responses against those measured from the SHRP Ohio test section. It was found that the agreement between analytical solutions and those obtained by the three analysis programs was affected by the...
Relaxation of electrode processes with simultaneous consideration of double-layer charging and faradaic current. Part II

Summary Explicit forms of the response-time equation are given for the following relaxation methods: single-step and double-step galvanostatic, coulostatic and potentiostatic. A numerical example shows that this treatment differs from the classical one only if there is marked specific adsorption of reactant and/or product.
Lung-Sparing Surgery After Penetrating Trauma Using Tractotomy, Partial Lobectomy, and Pneumonorrhaphy

Objective To evaluate the role of lung-sparing surgical techniques in the surgical management of penetrating pulmonary injuries. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Academic level I trauma center. Patients and Methods Forty patients underwent thoracic surgery for penetrating lung injuries during a 63-month period from January 1993 to March 1997. Five (12.5%) underwent anatomical lobectomy, 3 (7.5%) pneumonorrhaphy, 9 (22.5%) stapled wedge resection, and 23 (57.5%) stapled tractotomy. In total, 34 patients (85%) were treated with stapling techniques (1 anatomical lobectomy, 1 pneumonorrhaphy, 9 stapled wedge resections, and 23 stapled tractotomies) and 35 (87.5%) underwent had lung-sparing surgery for trauma. Results Morbidity and mortality rates were 40% and 5%, respectively. Patients who underwent anatomical lobectomy required longer mechanical ventilatory support, intensive care unit stay, and hospital stay and had a higher morbidity rate compared with patients who underwent lung-sparing surgery for trauma but had central and extensive pulmonary injuries. Stapled tractotomy was efficient in controlling bleeding and bronchial leaks, but, in 3 patients, parts of the divided lung parenchyma were devascularized and had to be resected. Conclusions Lung-sparing surgery for trauma with the use of staplers can be used in the majority of patients with penetrating pulmonary injuries requiring operation. Stapled tractotomy is a rapid and effective method for controlling hemorrhage and air leaks.