cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serotonin depresses excitatory amino acid-induced excitation of cerebellar Purkinje cells in the adult rat in vivo

Abstract The modulatory effects of serotonin (5-HT) on excitatory amino acid (EAA)-induced excitations of Purkinje cells (PCs) were examined in urethane-anesthetized adult male rats using microiontophoresis and extracellular recordings. Application of 5-HT had minimal effects on the spontaneous firing rates of PCs but depressed excitations elicited by glutamate (Glu), aspartate (Asp), kainate (KA), and quisqualate (QA), and to a lesser extent those of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA). Excitations induced by the metabotropic EAA agonist,(±)-1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicar☐ylate ( t -ACPD), were unaffected by 5-HT. In summary, 5-HT depressed EAA-mediated excitations with the following rank order of effectiveness:Glu=Asp=KA=QA>AMPA≫ t -ACPD. These findings suggest that 5-HT shows some selectivity in its modulation of EAA-mediated excitations of PCs and thus may serve an important neuromodulatory role in the cerebellum.
CLINICAL OUTCOMES AFTER TREATING ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME PATIENTS WITH A DRUG-ELUTING STENT: RESULTS FROM REWARDS-EMI (ENDEAVOR FOR MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION REGISTRY)

Drug-eluting stents (DES) have shown promising clinical results in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. However, studies with first-generation DES reported higher rates of stent thrombosis when used in patients with ACS. We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of zotarolimus-
Structural phase transition of alkane molecules in nanotube composites

The structural phase transition and crystallization process of alkane molecules in carbon nanotube (CNT) composites are studied through molecular dynamics simulations. An isotropic-to-nematic transition with molecules aligned with embedded nanotubes is found. Further smectic transition of the alkane molecules is found with small radius armchaired CNT (5, 5) as a nucleation site, where molecules form lamellar layers along the nanotube axis and have two-dimensional structure ordering in planes perpendicular to the tube axis, in analogy to a crystalline polymer. While the translational diffusions are limited in the smectic phase, the molecules have rotation freedom along its long axis with small energy barriers $\ensuremath{\sim}1\char21{}2{k}_{B}T$ $(T=300\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K})$ for decane molecules studied here. The molecule crystallization is found to strongly dependent on CNT chirality, where a lack of two-dimensional ordering of molecules around a similar radius zigzag CNT (10, 0) is due to diverse molecule assembly domains with tilted wrapping angles at the interface, controlled by the interactions with the substrate nanotube lattice. The influence of strength and nature of the interfacial interactions between molecules and nanotubes is also studied. The results in this study would be useful and important for the understanding of structural phases in hybrid polymer materials and for the designs of nanotube based high performance composites.
A low friction and ultra low wear rate PEEK/PTFE composite

This paper presents a PEEK filled PTFE composite that exhibits low friction and ultra-low wear. It is hypothesized that a synergistic effect shuts down the dominant wear mechanism of each constituent. The friction coefficient and wear rate of this composite material on lapped stainless steel were evaluated for samples with PEEK wt.% of 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 70 and 100 using a linear reciprocating tribometer. Tests were performed in filtered, standard laboratory conditions with a nominal contact pressure of 6.35 MPa, a speed of 50 mm/s and total sliding distances ranging from 0.5 km for the unfilled PTFE to 140 km for a 20 wt.% PEEK filled sample. The friction coefficients, averaged over an entire test, ranged from ¯ µ = 0.111 for a 50 wt.% composite to ¯ µ = 0.363 for unfilled PEEK. Wear rates ranged from K = 2.3 × 10 −9 mm 3 /(Nm) for a 20 wt.% PEEK sample to K =6 × 10 −4 mm 3 /(Nm) for unfilled PTFE. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a unique interfacial connection between the PTFE
The brightness of the twilight‐sky and the density and temperature of the atmosphere to about 60 km

Direct observation of the composition, temperature, and density of the atmosphere has been made to an altitude of about 22 km above the surface of the Earth by means of manned balloon flights. Notably, in 1935 the National Geographic Society - United States Army Air Corps balloon Explorer II reached an altitude of 22 km. A few ascensions in Germany of free balloons carrying instruments have attained nearly 30 km. The results have shown that the temperature of the atmosphere decreases with altitude from its sea-level average value of about 287° K to about 220° K at 10- to 14-km altitude and then remains approximately constant to about 30 km. The composition of the atmosphere is closely constant with altitude, being the same at 20 km as it is at sea-level, with the exception of water-vapor and ozone which, however, comprise only a very small fraction of the atmosphere.
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and (207)Pb chemical-shift tensors of lead carboxylates relevant to soap formation in oil paintings.

Soap formation in traditional oil paintings occurs when heavy-metal-containing pigments, such as lead white, 2PbCO3·Pb(OH)2, and lead tin yellow type I, Pb2SnO4, react with fatty acids in the binding medium. These soaps may form aggregates that can be 100-200 μm in diameter, which swell and protrude through the paint surface, resulting in the degradation of the paint film and damage to the integrity of the artwork. The factors that trigger soap formation and the mechanism(s) of the process are not yet well understood. To elucidate these issues, chemical and structural information is necessary, which can be obtained using solid-state 207Pb and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). In this article, we report 207Pb and 13C solid-state NMR spectra and 207Pb chemical-shift tensors of lead carboxylates implicated in soap formation: lead stearate, lead palmitate, and lead azelate, in addition to lead oleate and lead heptanoate for comparison. The 13C cross polarization with magic-angle spinning (MAS) spectra of these lead carboxylates show resonance doubling for the carbons closest to the lead, indicating two different conformations of the fatty acid chains in the asymmetric unit. The 207Pb NMR spectra, from which tensors were determined, were obtained with direct excitation and spin-temperature alternation, with and without MAS, and with the wide band uniform rate smooth truncation Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence. The results of these experiments show that the local coordination environment of lead azelate is different from lead palmitate and lead stearate and could thus be distinguished from these in a paint film displaying soap formation. In addition, comparing the 207Pb NMR chemical-shift tensors of the lead carboxylates studied shows that crystal packing of the acyl chains may be a factor in determining the coordination environment around the lead.
Gadolinium inhibits thymidine incorporation and induces apoptosis in chondrocytes

Magnetic resonance arthrography. a procedure where contrast agents containing gadolinium are administered intra-articularly, has become a useful tool in musculoskeletal diagnosis. Although considered safe for systemic use, toxicities in some tissues have been identified for both free gadolinium ion and the gadolinium chelates used as contrast. In this study, the effects of short-term exposure of articular chondrocytes to gadolinium contrast were examined by assaying for proteoglycan synthesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Bovine chondrocytes were grown in monolayer culture and exposed to gadodiamide for 16 h. Proteoglycan synthesis was measured through incorporation of radiolabeled sulfate. Uptake of radiolabeled thymidine assessed cell proliferation. Apoptosis was detected using the TUNEL assay, where DNA strand breaks characteristic of apoptosis are labeled with fluorescent nucleotide. Proteoglycan synthesis was stimulated by lower dose exposure to gadodiamide. At higher doses, proteoglycan synthesis returned to baseline. Cell proliferation decreased following exposure to gadodiamide in a dose-dependent manner. Chondrocyte apoptosis was induced in a dose-dependent manner. Further work is needed to determine if these in vitro effects are present in the intact joint.
Series-array Josephson voltage standards

Series arrays typically including 1500 Josephson junctions driven at 90 GHz have been used to generate quantized reference voltages in excess of 1 V. Such standards simplify the procedure and reduce the measurement uncertainities in the calibration of electrochemical cells.
Age-related changes in footshock avoidance acquisition and retention in senescence accelerated mouse (SAM)

Abstract An inbred strain has been developed which exhibits some characteristics of aging in mice as young 6 months of age. The strain was designated “Senescence Accelerated Mouse” (SAM). A subline of the SAM strain, P/8, has an early onset of impaired learning in appetitive and aversive training tasks. Simple aversive and appetitive tasks were learned normally up to 12 months of age, whereas more difficult tasks detected impairment as early as 6 months of age while the mice still had good general health. Comparable impairment of learning and memory in C57BL/6Nnia mice was not detected until about 24 months of age which is near the end of the strain's lifespan when general health declines. In the present study, we report age-dependent impairment of acquisition and retention for footshock avoidance conditioning. Long-term (1 week) but not short-term (1 h) retention was adversely effected by aging. In 12-month-old P/8 mice, practicing the avoidance response (overtraining) did not alleviate the impairment of long-term memory processing.
Heterogeneity of guinea pig kidney 17β-hydroxy-C-19-steroid dehydrogenase activity observed by disc gel electrophoresis

Abstract Disc electrophoresis of guinea pig kidney cytosol gave five bands which possessed both TPN- and DPN-linked 17β-hydroxy-C19-steroid dehydrogenase activities. The intensity of the enzyme activities decreased from the slowest to the fastest migrating band. Electrophoresis at pH 7.9 shifted the intensity of the bands to the opposite direction. Re-electrophoresis of the individual bands gave the same migration as in the original preparation. The multiple bands persisted during the various purification procedures. Storage at −20 C produced a shift in the intensity of the enzyme activities which was prevented and restored by the addition of mercaptoethanol. Electrophoresis at a series of gel concentrations indicated that the enzymes in the different bands were charge isomers rather than size isomers and were best explained as conformational isomers.
A Montel Theorem for Holomorphic Functions on Infinite Dimensional Spaces that Omit the Values 0 and 1

Let X be a connected complex Banach manifold. We give a proof that the set of holomorphic functions on X that omit the values 0 and 1 is a normal family.
Dementia Severity of the Care Receiver Predicts Procoagulant Response in Alzheimer Caregivers

Background The procoagulant factor D-dimer has been shown to be associated with thrombus formation and degradation as seen with conditions such as myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Research has demonstrated that spousal dementia caregivers have elevated levels of D-dimer relative to their noncaregiving peers. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of basal level and laboratory stressor-induced concentration of D-dimer to severity of dementia in spousal care recipients. Methods Seventy-one elderly caregivers were compared with a comparison group of 37 noncaregivers (average age: 71 years). Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), a global measure of dementia, was used to assess severity of spousal dementia. Plasma D-dimer was measured at baseline and in response to an acute speech stressor. Results Regression analysis revealed a significant positive association between severity of spousal dementia and caregiver D-dimer, both at baseline and in response to acute stress, while controlling for age. The model examined an exponential relationship, with D-dimer increasing progressively across the span of dementia stages. Discussion Dementia severity of the care recipient was associated with increasing hypercoagulability among elderly caregivers. Effect size estimates suggest that such D-dimer increases may have clinical implications, particularly among late-stage caregivers.
On time focusing and phase space dynamics in time-of-flight mass spectrometer design

Abstract General considerations regarding time focusing and time resolution in time-of-flight mass spectrometers are presented from a phase space dynamics point of view. A time-focusing equation is found in which time is the central variable rather than a parameter. The one-dimensional form of the equation is used in the derivation of a time dispersion relation. The relationship between the time dispersion and the incompressibility of particles in phase space gives an alternative way of conceptualizing particle motion in time-of-flight mass spectrometers. Designs of current time-of-flight mass spectrometers and approaches to improving these designs are then discussed in terms of these developments.
Brain injury in the premature infant – from pathogenesis to prevention

Brain injury in the premature infant is an extremely important problem, in part because of the large absolute number of infants affected yearly. The two principal brain lesions that underlie the neurological manifestations subsequently observed in premature infants are periventricular hemorrhagic infarction and periventricular leukomalacia. The emphases of this article are the neurology, neuropathology and pathogenesis of these two lesions. Recent work suggests that the ultimate goal, prevention of the lesions, is potentially achievable. Periventricular hemorrhagic infarction may be preventable by prevention of germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia, by detection of impaired cerebrovascular autoregulation, prevention of impaired cerebral blood flow and interruption of the cascade to oligodendroglial cell death by such agents as free radical scavengers.
Are organic choices really better

IN this issue of The Journal Christensen et al (page 1077) present findings suggesting that an organic lifestyle is associated with a lower incidence of hypospadias in the offspring of parents who make this dietary choice. 1 Organic foods have been shown to reduce exposure to persistent organic pollutants like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and pesticide residues. 2 A recently published systematic review of the literature suggests that exposure to pesticide residues may be lower with organic choices than with conventional ones. 3 However, the authors could find no strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods. So should we choose organic? An important point directly related to the study by Christensen et al is that high fat foods like dairy products bioamplify the hundreds of lipophilic toxicants that trespass from our environment into our bodies. These toxicants include approved chemicals like bisphenol A, atrazine, vinclozolin, cadmium and xylene, as well as ones that were banned years ago (www.endocrinedisruption.com/ endocrine.TEDXList.overview.php). These are all known endocrine disrupting chemicals that perturb organism biology, organ function and embryogenesis. The human fetus is particularly susceptible to the effects of these chemicals. Many of these toxicants cross the placental membrane and essentially bathe the fetus during development. It is biologically plausible that these same chemicals impact the genitourinary organ development of susceptible individuals during this critical window of vulnerability. However, the clinical data are mixed. Some studies suggest a significant association with maternal exposure to these chemicals while others do not. 4‐6
Image-based synthesis of airborne minefield MWIR data

It is practically impossible to collect an exhaustive set of minefield data for all different environment conditions, diurnal cycle, terrain conditions and minefield layouts. Such a data collection may in fact be even more expensive to ground truth, register and maintain than to acquire. This paper explores minefield synthesis using patch-based sampling of previously acquired airborne mid-wave infra-red (MWIR) images. The main idea is to synthesize a new (minefield) image by selecting appropriate small patches from the existing images and stitching them together in a consistent manner to simulate realistic imagery for different minefield scenarios. The selected patches include those from different background types, emplaced cultural clutter and different mine types. We assume a first order Markov model for the image so that the image-patch at a particular location is dependent on the characteristics of the image patch in the immediate neighborhood only. The proposed model is capable of generating any desired terrain condition (homogenous or inhomogeneous) based on a given terrain map. In addition, it supports generating different minefield layouts such as patterned or scattered minefields using mine patches from appropriate backgrounds. The paper presents representative synthesized minefield imagery and image sequences using previously collected real airborne data. Minefield image data synthesized using this procedure should be valuable in an airborne minefield detection program for evaluating most mine detection as well as minefield detection algorithms.
THE ECOLOGY OF CHONDRUS CRISPUS AT PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS. II. FIELD STUDIES

A B S T R A C T Growth and reproduction were examined periodically through a full year at four stations located in a dense population of Chondruls. Growth rates of germlings and of mature plants reach a maximum in late summer and a minimum in winter, paralleling temperature. At the time of maximum growth, nitrate is at its lowest seasonal concentration. Ammonia, however, is available and apparently utilized. Fronds are smaller but more numerous at -3 m MLW than at -6 m MLW and deeper and regrow from holdfasts with twice the original density after removal. Large fronds are torn off by storms at lesser depths. The average weight and density varies with season and possibly with depth. Chondrus at Plymouth is similar to populations investigated elsewhere in average density of plants per unit area, but the average weight per unit area was approximately twice that reported for other populations. Presence or absence of sori gives a false picture of reproductive periodicity because at some seasons most sori are empty or contain non-viable spores. Carposporic reproduction reached a sharp maximum in October. Tetrasporic reproduction did likewise, with an additional lesser peak in May. At the time of greatest reproductive intensity, approximately half of all mature plants were shedding spores. Spores settle, germinate, and produce germlings successfully on initially sterile surfaces; no prior macroscopic or microscopic successional events are required. Seasonal composition of associated flora and epiphytes of Chondrus are discussed.
Rapid extinction of nail biting by covert sensitization: A case study

Abstract This paper describes a case of chronic compulsive nail-biting treated by covert sensitization. Two 1-hr treatment sessions resulted in complete cessation of the nail-biting.
Polarization near the Lyman Edge in Accretion Disk Atmosphere Models of Quasars

We calculate self-consistently the structure, spectrum, and polarization of optically thick atmospheres under the conditions expected in quasar accretion disks. We consider a pure-hydrogen composition and neglect the effects of external illumination. We show that, blueward of the Lyman edge, the polarization rises above the value expected from an optically thick, pure electron-scattering atmosphere. This arises because of the wavelength dependence of the absorption opacity, combined with the fact that the source function in this region of the spectrum has a steep variation with optical depth. We suggest that this effect may help explain the recent Hubble Space Telescope observations of steep rises in polarization blueward of the Lyman edge in several quasars. We predict that the polarization should continue to rise blueward of the wavelength at which the current observations end, that cooler spectra should be more polarized, and that the polarization angle in this region should be parallel to the disk plane.
Metabolomics applications of FT-ICR mass spectrometry

Metabolomics, also known as Metabolic Profiling, is an emerging discipline under the umbrella concept of systems biology. The goal of metabolomics is to know and understand the concentrations and fluxes of endogenous metabolites within a living biological system under study. General tools are being developed for the rapid measurement of many metabolites in a single experiment, most of which are mass spectrometric methods. FT-ICR has unique advantages, as a mass spectrometric method, in this regard. Applications of FT-ICR to metabolomics analyses will be discussed and reviewed in the context of the single publication currently available.
The vexing urticaria problem: Present concepts of etiology and management

Abstract The recognition and symptomatic management of urticaria and angioneurotic edema usually are quite simple. Good long-range results, however, in the treatment of such cases require the physician to exert every effort to determine the etiology of the hives in each individual case. The recent literature (since 1945) has been reviewed in an attempt to find new, helpful information which might be of aid in evaluating the more difficult cases. A procedure for the management of these patients has been described.
Starvation and the size structure of zooplankton communities

Summary The survival time of zooplankton under conditions of total starvation is expressed as a function of weight-specific respiration rate and the fraction of initial (pre-starvation) body weight which may be lost prior to death. Data from the literature on these two components of survival time are used to formulate a general expression of survivorship of zooplankton at 20°C as a function of body weight: t=2·95 w0·25, where t is in days and w is μg dry weight. Survival time data from the literature on 25 marine and freshwater species are compared to this prediction as are new data on Daphnia pulex Leydig, D. magna Straus and Simocephalus serrulatus (Koch). The effects of age-specific (non-starvation) mortality are considered; in particular, older individuals of each of these species survive for shorter periods of time than predicted and an interaction between age-specific and starvation-induced mortality is proposed. The effects of total and partial starvation on the size structure of zooplankton communities are discussed.
The "So-Called History" of the Study of Religion

While it is the case that Christian values and priorities (in particular, Protestant Christian ones) were fundamental in the making of the modern discipline of religious studies, scholars of religion have struggled within and against this inheritance over the past two centuries in their work of understanding other religions. Western religious scholarship developed in a worldwide circulation of comparisons and commentaries that even within discrepancies imperial power included interlocutors from elsewhere. Nor was the "West" itself singular. Religious studies practitioners today inherit a polyvalent tradition of scholarship that offers rich theoretical possibilities amid its ironies.
HF…Cl2. Bending dynamics of an antihydrogen-bonded van der Waals dimer

The Π-bending fundamental of the HF…Cl_2 complex has been observed at high resolution near 33 cm^(−1), yielding a vibrational energy separation and rotational and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants. From these, estimates of the van der Waals stretching and Σ-bending frequencies are made, and a quartic—quadratic potential is fit to the data, with a barrier of 48 cm^(−1) to the linear H-F…Cl-Cl conformation. HF…Cl_2 is decidedly quasilinear, and the consequences of the flat θ_(HF) bending coordinate are discussed as they relate to the interpretation of recent photo-initiated bimolecular reactions HX…Y_2 → X + Y_2 → XY + Y.
Nucleotide sequences from the rabbit beta globin gene inserted into Escherichia coli plasmids

A 169-nucleotide region from the rabbit beta globin gene has been sequenced by analysis of complementary DNA's cloned in bacterial plasmids. Comparison of these sequences with those established for this gene by other techniques provides evidence of a high degree of fidelity and allows the unambiguous establishment that these plasmids do not contain harmful sequences.
Resource allocation in the intertidal salt-marsh mussel Geukensia demissa in relation to shore level

Ribbed mussel populations at two levels of the intertidal shore were studied for 3 yr at a salt marsh site in Jamaica Bay (New York). Length-specific dry body weight was determined monthly and shell growth was monitored between April and November of each year. Production (Pi) was measured as monthly changes in body dry weight. Annual reproductive output (PR) was estimated indirectly for mussels between 10 mm and 80 mm by determining the gain in body weight prior to spawning (Weight Gained Method). Using a second method (Basal Weight Method), monthly rates of somatic production (Pg) were determined by assuming that, as mussels grow in length, a fraction of monthly Pt is allocated to increasing body weight. The monthly production allocated to growth (Pg) was estimated based on the length-specific body weight (basal weight) in March, when body weights in these populations begin to increase due to gametogenesis. Monthly rates of reproductive output (Pr) were then estimated be substraction as the difference between monthly Pt and Pg. Total PR determined by both methods were very similar. Shell and body growth were concurrent in sexually immature mussels, but body weight preceeded shell growth in older, larger animals. Annual shell increments were correlated with annual PG. In sexually mature mussels, Pr preceeds Pg in larger mussels, that is, allocations of net production to reproduction and somatic growth diverge in time with increasing shell length. Between April and November, shell growth rates were correlated with water temperature. At the higher shore level, mussels allocated a much smaller proportion of total production to growth, exceeding the reproductive effort of the lower-shore population. Variation in mussel production between years probably is related to variability in nannoplankton biomass. Although mussels higher on the shore can reduce somatic growth in order to increase fecundity and reproductive effort, total reproductive output is much reduced as compared to the marsh edge.
Radiometric Technique for Measuring Changes in Lung Water (Short Papers)

In this paper, we describe a new approach to continuous, noninvasive monitoring of changes in lung-water content based on radiometry. It is shown theoretically, as based on a planar model of the lung, that a one-percent change in lung-water content corresponds to a 0.260-K change in brightness temperature, which is within the detection sensitively of available radiometers. Practicably, taking into account reflections at the tissue interfaces and attenuation in the chest wall, it is estimated that it is possible to detect a three to four-percent change in lung-water content. Initial experimental measurements at 1 GHz also have shown promising results. Some of the basic problems associated with the adaptability of the radiometric technique for clinical use have been identified and are discussed along with suggested solutions.
Preparation and properties of the Ti2O3(047) surface

Abstract A method has been developed for preparing nearly perfect (047) surfaces of single-crystal Ti 2 O 3 for studies of surface electronic structure, chemisorption and the origin of strong metal/support interactions. Ion bombardment followed by rapid annealing to 585°C produces a surface whose ultraviolet and X-ray photoemission spectra and LEED patterns are essentially identical to those of cleaved surfaces. Exposure of the sputtered and annealed surface to O 2 produces changes in the surface band structure that are in excellent agreement with the data for cleaved surfaces. The manner in which the properties of ion-bombarded Ti 2 O, surfaces change with annealing temperature indicates that the five-fold coordinated Ti 2 O 3 (047) surface has one of the lowest surface energies in the Ti oxide system.
The continuing u.s. Helium saga.

Helium, resident in relatively high concentrations in certain natural gas fields in the United States, can be lost to the atmosphere when the natural gas is burned as fuel. In 1960, Congress amended the Helium Act of 1925 to provide for stripping natural gas of its helium, for purchase of the separated helium by the government, and for its long-term storage. In 1971, after about 28 billion cubic feet had been stored, the purchase program was terminated by the government, an action that unleashed several lawsuits and not a little acrimony. After more than a decade of controversy, much of the litigation has been concluded, much of the helium that could have been saved has been wasted to the atmosphere, and the gas fields supplying the helium are almost depleted. A new rich source of helium has been discovered in southwestern Wyoming that could ensure adequate supplies for many decades if an appropriate new federal policy on helium is developed and implemented.
A suicide in an online mental health support group: reactions of the group members, administrative responses, and recommendations.

Suicides in online mental health support groups are inevitable. This case report of such a suicide describes the responses of the group members and the moderator and makes recommendations. Members ...
Effects of Inhaled Phosgene on Rat Lung Antioxidant Systems

A concentration-response and C×T study were undertaken to determine the effect of phosgene (COCl2) inhalation on pulmonary antioxidant processes as determined by changes in endogenous glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant-associated enzymes (GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and superoxide dismutase). Rats were exposed to 0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 ppm phosgene for 4 hr and 0.25 ppm phosgene for 8 hr. The endpoints were assayed at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 7 days after exposure cessation. The lowest effective concentration was 0.1 ppm phosgene (increases in measured variables from 8 to 35% above control values). At all concentrations, major effects were observed 1 to 2 days after exposure (12 to 159% above control), peaking at 2 to 3 days postexposure (11 to 253% above control), and in some cases were still evident 7 days (10 to 65% above control) after exposure. The C×T study using the same dose (120 ppm-min), but different times and concentration (0.25 ppm for 8 hr and 0.5 ppm for 4 hr), showed a concentration dependence. The peak antioxidant enzyme changes observed for the higher concentration (0.5 ppm) were at least double those observed for the lower concentration (0.25 ppm). These enzyme changes were similar to those reported for the oxidants O3 and NO2. Although the suspected mechanism of initial damage between phosgene and these oxidants is different (acylation vs oxidation) the biological result is similar (i.e., damage, repair, and influx of cells), thus eliciting similar biochemical changes in response to pulmonary injury. These changes, observed as increases in the pulmonary antioxidant enzymes, appear to play a role in the lung's ability to recover from significant toxic injury to near normal preinjury homeostasis.
Clinically Driven Safety Benchmarks

Enhancing the capacity of preclinical studies to predict efficacy in humans would be a welcome move and its usefulness would reach beyond stem cell-based trials. Such an adaptation, however, would be incomplete as regards the more specific field pf cellular transplantation studies. In addition to concerns regarding predictions of efficacy, preclinical benchmarks aimed at assessing safety also require adaptation –and rethinking- in order to successfully do their work in the area of stem cell-based interventions. For example, hESC-based intervention involve risks that are potentially more durable and cannot be easily tamed through point-in-time validation of preclinical benchmarks. A further example is the concept of purity, which is crucial in the assessment of safety in preclinical drug assessment but cannot simply be transposed to stem cell-based interventions. Rather than true preclinical criteria, such benchmarks should be viewed as proxies intended to assess different components of safety and efficacy in preparing for research with human subjects.
In Situ Annealing Studies of Sol‐Gel Ferroelectric Thin Films by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

Spectroscopic ellipsometry was utilized to follow in situ the annealing of sol-gel Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 films on sapphire and platinum-coated silicon substrates. Low-temperature processes, such as pyrolysis of organics and film densification, could be identified readily. Crystallization of the perovskite phase was initiated between 500° and 600deg;C for the film on sapphire. This was coincident with the roughening of the film surface. Identification of higher-temperature processes in the film on platinum-coated silicon was complicated by temperature-dependent changes in the substrate. In situ annealing studies on the substrate alone confirmed that, for the lengthy annealing profiles utilized in these experiments, substantial and irreversible changes in the effective substrate dielectric function occurred at temperatures >550deg;C. In addition, the role of extended, high-temperature annealing on the optical frequency dielectric properties of the films was investigated.
Molecular structure in non-Born–Oppenheimer quantum mechanics

Abstract We present the first fully non-Born–Oppenheimer (BO) calculations of the wave function of a molecule with more than two atoms: H 3 + and its isotopomers. We also calculate expectation values of the internuclear distances (i.e., the molecular geometry). Since the operators representing the internuclear distances do not commute with the internal non-BO Hamiltonian, the only information that can be acquired from the wave function are the average values of bond distances and for each subset of identical nuclei in the system only one unique interparticle distance can be determined.
Quantitation of Nizatidine in Capsules Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

AbstractA stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography method for the quantitation of nizatidine in capsules has been developed. The method is accurate and precise with a percent relative standard deviation of 0.34 based on 6 readings. A number of inactive ingredients present in the capsules did not interfere in the assay procedure. The recovery from the synthetic mixtures was quantitative. The extraction procedure from the capsules is very simple. The drug appears to be very sensitive to bases (such as sodium hydroxide) since 100% of the drug decomposed on boiling for 35 minutes. The drug was very stable when boiled with sulfuric acid.
Prevalence of visible third molars with caries experience or periodontal pathology in middle-aged and older Americans.

Purpose To assess the prevalence of periodontal pathology and caries experience in visible third molars, as well as the relationship of these findings to periodontal pathology and caries experience in teeth more anterior in the mouth. Patients and Methods Data were from 6,793 Dental Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities participants who underwent a clinical examination for periodontal disease and coronal caries experience and who retained at least 1 visible third molar. Outcome variables were the detection of periodontal pathology or coronal caries experience on visible third molars and on teeth more anterior in the mouth (non–third molars). Periodontal probing depths at least 4 mm (PD4+) and clinical attachment levels at least 3 mm (CAL3+) were indicator variables for periodontal pathology. At least 1 carious/decayed coronal surface or filled coronal surface was an indicator variable for caries experience. Outcomes for third molar and non–third molar teeth were compared by descriptive statistics and χ 2 tests with statistical significance set at P Results A third of the 6,793 Dental Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities subjects, who averaged 62 years of age, had at least 1 visible third molar. Subjects were more likely to have at least 1 third molar CAL3+ as compared with at least 1 third molar PD4+: 78% versus 61%. PD4+ and CAL3+ were significantly more prevalent among non–third molars as compared with third molars ( P Conclusions Most subjects had clinical evidence of caries experience or periodontal pathology on visible third molars; few subjects had visible third molars that were disease free. Subjects with periodontal pathology or caries experience on third molars were significantly more likely to have these findings detected on teeth more anterior in the mouth.
Resonant-cavity-enhanced mid-infrared photodetector on a silicon platform

In this paper, we demonstrate high optical quantum efficiency (90%) resonant-cavity-enhanced mid-infrared photodetectors fabricated monolithically on a silicon platform. High quality photoconductive polycrystalline PbTe film is thermally evaporated, oxygen-sensitized at room temperature and acts as the infrared absorber. The cavity-enhanced detector operates in the critical coupling regime and shows a peak responsivity of 100 V/W at the resonant wavelength of 3.5 microm, 13.4 times higher compared to blanket PbTe film of the same thickness. Detectivity as high as 0.72 x 10(9) cmHz(1/2)W(-1) has been measured, comparable with commercial polycrystalline mid-infrared photodetectors. As low temperature processing (< 160 degrees C) is implemented in the entire fabrication process, our detector is promising for monolithic integration with Si readout integrated circuits.
Negatively charged strangelet search using the E864 spectrometer at the AGS

We provide a status report on the progress of searching for negatively charged strangelets using the E864 spectrometer at the AGS. About 200 million recorded events representing approximately 14 billion 10% central interactions of Au + Pt at 11.5 GeV/c taken during the 1996-1997 run of the experiment are used in the analysis. No strangelet candidates are seen for charges Z = -1 and Z = -2, corresponding to a 90% confidence level for upper limits of strangelet production of ~1 × 10−8 and ~4 × 10−9 per central collision, respectively. The limits are nearly uniform over a wide range of masses and are valid only for strangelets which are stable or have lifetimes greater than ~50 ns.
A model for the permeation of gases in block copolymer membranes with lamellar morphology

A model for the permeability of gases through block copolymer membranes with lamellar microstructure is developed. The model is presented in a generalized form which can also be applied to partially oriented systems with the use of an appropriate probability function for the frequency of occurrence of a particular orientation of the lamella which may be obtainable from independent experiments. The equations for the permeability of systems with perfect orientation (parallel and series) and random orientation are special cases of this model.
Accounting for consistency and change in responses to influence attempts: An examination of preference for consistency

The long-standing question of individual differences' impact in influence research was addressed by examining the possibility that an individual's level of Preference for Consistency (PFC) may account for some of the variability. Consistent with predictions, high and low PFC individuals did not differ in susceptibility to influence attempts when they did not hold an initial position on an issue. However, when an initial position was stated, high PFC individuals altered their position (from initial to final) significantly more than low PFC individuals, indicating that PFC may moderate the effects of influence. Discussion focuses on the salience of commitments made by participants as explanations for the pattern of results, and the implications of PFC for psychological research.
The Effect of Irradiated Cock Sperm on Fertility and Hatchability

Abstract THE interest in irradiation as a new tool in poultry research has been on the increase during the past few years. The fowl lends itself to this type of research since a new generation can be developed in a short time and the sperm, the egg or the bird itself may be readily exposed to irradiation. Muller (1927) was the first to show that mutations could be caused in drosophila by X-ray irradiation. In one of the few studies of its kind, Kosin (1944) made a comprehensive study of the physiological effect of X-ray on cock sperm. He found a correlation coefficient of −.9631 between fertility and radiation dose. Lowry et al. (1960) propagated a line of White Leghorns for a period of eight years, from semen that had been irradiated by X-ray. The semen received about 1,000 r each generation, the total cumulative dosage being 8,000 r. The genetic…
Telephone-based anticoagulation management in the homebound setting: a retrospective observational study.

Background Anticoagulation management is currently performed through anticoagulation clinics or self-managed with or without the help of medical services. Homebound patients are a unique population that cannot utilize anticoagulation clinics or self-testing. Telephone-based anticoagulation management could be an alternative to the traditional methods of monitoring warfarin in this subgroup. The objective of this retrospective, observational study is to investigate the feasibility of warfarin management in homebound patients. Methods This study was performed through the use of telephone-based adjustments of warfarin dose based on an international normalized ratio (INR) result. Four hundred forty-eight homebound patients referred to the anticoagulation clinic at Staten Island University Hospital were visited at home by a phlebotomist; a blood sample was drawn for initial laboratory testing. A nurse practitioner then called the patient or designated person to relay the INR result and to direct dosage adjustment. INR results and dosage changes were entered into an electronic medical record and analyzed statistically. Results The mean percentage of INR values in range was 58.39%. The mean time when the INR was in the therapeutic range was 62.75%. The percent of patients who were therapeutically controlled decreased as the number of medications increased. The complication rate was 4% per patient year, with an equal distribution between bleeding and clotting. These values compared favorably to other studies in which monitoring was performed through anticoagulation clinics or self-monitoring. The cost per visit at our anticoagulation clinic was found to be approximately $300 compared with $82 when utilizing our homebound service. Conclusion Telephone-based management of warfarin therapy in the homebound setting is feasible. It can lower the cost of health care expenditures compared to other modalities of anticoagulation management.
Dynamic Proximity Clouds on the GPU

Ray tracing is a widely used technique in rendering realistic scenes in Computer Graphics. Its main drawback has been that it is time consuming, requiring the rendering to finish from hours to sometimes days. For decades, the goal has been to speed up the processing of these scenes. Two popular grid traversal techniques have emerged: (a) Three Dimensional Digital Differential Analyzer (3DDDA) and (b) the Proximity Cloud (PC), which is a variation of 3DDDA. Both of these techniques try to limit the number of collision tests, which can be the most time consuming part of the algorithm. While both techniques allow impressive speedups, large dynamical varying scenes topology still challenge the real time rendering process. These techniques are optimal on static scenes, but object movement forces recalculation of the scene. This is a problem when using CPUs because parallelization is not easily available. Running these on GPUs, however, allows for parallelization. Apart from briefly summarizing some of our previous results from Ryan and Semwal (Proceedings of the world congress on engineering and computer science 2014, San Francisco, pp. 376–381 [1]), we also look to answer some of the more relevant questions about ray tracing, and what future holds for this area.
Leaf ontogeny influences leaf phenolics and the efficacy of genetically expressed Bacillus thuringiensis cry1A(a) d-endotoxin in hybrid poplar against gypsy moth.

We tested the hypothesis that ontogenetic variation in leaf chemistry could affect the efficacy of genetically expressed Bacillus thuringiensiscry1A(a) d-endotoxin, and thus provide spatial variation in (1) foliage protection and (2) selective pressures that could delay the resistance of folivores. Our model consisted of clonal hybrid Populus plants (NC5339). Consumption of foliage and relative growth rates of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) increased, and phenolic glycoside concentrations decreased, as leaves from transformed plants containing the cry1A(a) d-endotoxin and nontransformed plants matured from leaf plastochron index (LPI) 1–6. Feeding and growth rates were negatively correlated with phenolic glycosides in both transformed and nontransformed foliage. The presence of the B. thuringiensisd-endotoxin was at most, additive to the effect of the phenolic glycosides. Feeding and growth rates were positively correlated with condensed tannins in transformed foliage, but there was no relationship with condensed tannins in nontransformed foliage. The results indicate that the presence of foliar allelochemicals of poplar can enhance the effectiveness of genetically expressed B. thuringiensisd-endotoxin against gypsy moth larvae. However, the spatial variation in gypsy moth performance in response to the combination of foliar allelochemicals and d-endotoxin was not greater than the effect of ontogenetic variation in foliar allelochemicals alone. These results suggest that for this important pest, foliage protection may be obtained without genetically engineered defenses, and instead, by relying on ontogenetic and clonal variation in allelochemicals. The benefits of combining novel resistance mechanisms with natural ones will depend upon the specific folivore's adaptation to natural resistance mechanisms, such as allelochemicals. Moreover, some of the greatest benefits from transgenic resistance may arise from the need to protect trees from multiple pests, some of which may not be deterred by, or may even prefer, allelochemicals that confer protection from a few species.
Advanced Techniques and Algorithms for Reservoir Simulation, III: Multiphysics Coupling for Two Phase Flow in Degenerate Conditions

The multiphysics algorithm for coupling of two phase and single phase flow models is presented. The algorithm is built on a domain decomposition or multiblock formulation for multi phase flow and can be seen as a way to locally reduce the interface problem to a simpler one. Such an approach offers reduction in computational complexity. The key to implementation is flexibility in the choice of interface variables which may require application of a nonlinear boundary condition. Computational experiments demonstrate the strength of the method as well as its sensitivity to physical conditions.