cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of serial lesions in cat visual cortex on a brightness discrimination

Studies with many mammalian species have shown that simultaneous, bilateral ablation of the visual cortex in both cerebral hemispheres produces a postoperative deficit in a previously-learned dark-light discrimination but that the habit can be relearned postoperatively with additional training. It has also been reported that, in rats trained in a dark-light discrimination, unilateral ablation of the visual cortex of one hemisphere followed several weeks later by ablation of the contralateral visual cortex results in a postoperative retention deficit less severe than that following simultaneous, bilateral ablations if the animals remain in their normal home environment during the interoperative periodS, 8. This result has been challenged by Thompson 11 who found that interoperative training is necessary if rats with serial, unilateral lesions are to show better retention than rats with one-stage bilateral lesions. Petrinovich and Carew 7 have indicated, however, that the difference in the results of these studies was probably due to larger lesions in Thompson's rats. Other studies have also suggested that sequential cortical lesions in rats 2 and in monkeys s-10 may produce more sparing of learned habits than single stage lesions. In a previous study, Baden et al. 1 reported that simultaneous, bilateral ablation of the principal visual projection areas in the cerebral cortex of the cat produced a postoperative deficit in a previously-learned dark-light discrimination, but that postoperative relearning of the discrimination could be accomplished with a 26 ~ savings in the number of required trials. The present study reports the effects on a dark-light discrimination of serial, unilateral lesions of the visual cortex of cats and compares these results with the previously-reported effects of simultaneous, bilateral lesions. Seven experimentally naive cats of both sexes were studied. They were housed in individual cages under an alternating, 12 h dark-light cycle and were trained in a dark-light discrimination in an automatically-programmed, self-advancing, continuous type 'Y ' maze 1. After initial shaping with the lighter stimulus correct (3.0 ft. cd.), a response to the darker stimulus (1.0 ft. cd.) was rewarded with a small portion of raw spleen, using a training procedure in which errors could be corrected. The animals
Dark Carbon Fixation in the Columbia River’s Estuarine Turbidity Maxima: Molecular Characterization of Red-Type cbbL Genes and Measurement of DIC Uptake Rates in Response to Added Electron Donors

Dark CO2 fixation has been shown to rival the importance of oxygenic photosynthesis in the global carbon cycle, especially in stratified environments, such as salt wedge estuaries. We investigated this process in the Columbia River estuary using a variety of techniques including functional gene cloning of cbbL (the large subunit of form I RuBisCO), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) estimations of cbbL abundance, and analyses of stimulated 14C-bicarbonate assimilation. A diversity of red-type cbbL genes were retrieved from clone libraries, with 28 unique operational taxonomic units determined from 60 sequences. The majority of the sequences formed two clusters that were distinct from the major clusters typically found in soil environments, revealing the presence of a unique community of autotrophic or facultatively autotrophic/mixotrophic microorganisms in the Columbia River estuary. qPCR estimates indicated that roughly 0.03–0.15 % of the microbial population harbored the cbbL gene, with greater numbers of total bacteria and cbbL gene copies found in the estuarine turbidity maxima (ETM) compared to non-ETM events. In vitro incubations with radiolabeled bicarbonate indicated maximum stimulation by thiosulfate and also suggested that a diversity of other potential electron donors may stimulate CO2 fixation, including nitrite, ammonium, and Mn(II). Taken together, these results highlight the diversity of the microbial metabolic strategies employed and emphasize the importance of dark CO2 fixation in the dynamic waters of the Columbia River estuary despite the abundance of organic material.
Pathogenesis of scleroderma. Collagen.

Progressive fibrosis of the skin and of various internal organs, notably, the lungs, heart and gastrointestinal tract, is the pathologic hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc) (for reviews see references 28, 126, 165, 169). The fibrotic process results in disruption of the normal architecture of the affected organs, and ultimately leads to their dysfunction and failure. Wall fibrosis of medium and small size arterioles is also a prominent alteration in SSc and is likely to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension, renal crisis, myocardial dysfunction, and digital gangrene in this disease. Thus, it is clear that excessive collagen deposition in affected tissues is a central event in the pathogenesis of SSc and is responsible for most of the clinical manifestations of this incurable disease. The extent and rate of progression of the fibrotic process are major factors in determining the course and prognosis of SSc. As will be discussed in greater detail, numerous studies have established that skin and visceral fibroblasts in SSc display a biosynthetically activated phenotype producing increased amounts of collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix. Whereas the initial event(s) responsible for fibroblast activation in SSc is (are) not known, it is likely that the profound alterations in fibroblast biosynthetic phenotype are crucial elements in the pathogenesis of SSc. Indeed, it is the persistent activation of the genes encoding multiple extracellular matrix proteins in SSc fibroblasts that distinguishes controlled repair, such as that occurring during normal wound healing, from uncontrolled connective tissue accumulation that results in the pathologic fibrosis characteristic of SSc. Inflammatory cell-derived soluble mediators can influence fibroblast growth, differentiation, and chemotaxis, as well as connective tissue macromolecule synthesis. Compelling evidence indicates that certain cytokines and growth factors are involved in the pathogenesis of the fibrotic process in SSc. It is not known, however, whether aberrant production or activation of these mediators, altered fibroblast responsiveness to the mediators, or impaired down-regulation of fibrogenic stimuli is responsible for the uncontrolled connective tissue accumulation observed in SSc. Pharmacologic manipulation of the multiple steps involved in the complex pathway leading to exaggerated fibrogenesis offers a potentially successful approach to SSc treatment. Therefore, an understanding of the intimate mechanisms responsible for the abnormalities in the regulation of fibroblast function in SSc may lead to the rational design of novel therapeutic interventions. In this article, we review the regulation of the normal homeostasis of collagen production and the alterations in these regulatory mechanisms that may be responsible for the exaggerated accumulation of collagen in affected tissues in SSc.
The effect of testosterone propionate on the concentration of testicular and epididymal androgen binding activity in the hypophysectomised rat.

Abstract The effect of testosterone propionate on the level of androgen binding activity in both testis and epididymis was investigated by both a dextran coated charcoal (DCC) method and by equilibrium polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) which measures specifically androgen binding protein. There was a decrease in androgen binding activity in both testis and epididymis after hypophysectomy. Testosterone propionate treatment (1 mg/day), begun at one day posthypophysectomy, maintained androgen binding activity above the level in testes from hypophysectomised rats for 30 days (PAGE) or 60 days (DCC) and 60 days in epididymides (PAGE). The ability of testosterone propionate treatment (250, 500 and 750 μg/day) to restore androgen binding activity in testis and epididymis of chronically hypophysectomised rats (30 days) was tested using a 3-day treatment period. These doses restored testicular androgen binding activity to 60, 36 and 75% of the levels in control animals, respectively. The degree of restoration of androgen binding activity in epididymis in this time interval was inferior to that in the testis at all doses. Prolonged treatment with testosterone propionate (1 mg/day for 10, 30 and 60 days) resulted in complete restoration of androgen binding activity in testis, expressed per mg protein (PAGE and DCC), and over 50% restoration in the epididymis (PAGE). It was concluded that testosterone propionate is able to maintain and restore testicular and epididymal androgen binding activity and, in particular, androgen binding protein, after hypophysectomy and that this hormone may, in the short term, influence testicular rather than epididymal levels of binding activity.
Characterization of P-Rex1 for its role in fMet-Leu-Phe induced superoxide production in reconstituted COSphox cells

P-Rex1 (phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent Rac exchanger 1) is a Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor activated by Gβγ subunits and by PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. Recent studies indicate that P-Rex1 plays an important role in signaling downstream of neutrophil chemoattractant receptors. Here we report that heterologous expression of P-Rex1, but not Vav1, reconstitutes formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1)-mediated NADPH oxidase activation in the transgenic COSphox cells expressing gp91phox, p22phox, p67phox and p47phox. A successful reconstitution requires the expression of a full-length P-Rex1 with intact DH and PH domains, and is accompanied by P-Rex1 membrane localization as well as Rac1 activation. P-Rex1-dependent superoxide generation in the reconstituted COSphox cells was further enhanced by expression of the novel PKC isoform PKCδ and by overexpression of Akt. Heterologous expression of P-Rex1 in COSphox cells potentiated fMet-Leu-Phe-induced Akt phosphorylation, whereas expression of a constitutively active form of Akt enhanced Rac1 activation. In contrast, a dominant negative Akt mutant reduced the fMet-Leu-Phe stimulated superoxide generation as well as Rac1 activation. These results demonstrate that in COSphox cells, P-Rex1 is a critical component for FPR1-mediated signaling leading to NADPH oxidase activation, and there is a crosstalk between the P-Rex1-Rac pathway and Akt in superoxide generation.
Longevity of seven species of cactophilic Drosophila and D. melanogaster on carbohydrates

Abstract Adults of 6 species of Drosophila that use decaying prickly pear cactus ( Opuntia sp.) as breeding and feeding sites were compared to each other and to D. nigrospiracula , whose host is saguaro cactus, and to the cosmopolitan D. melanogaster , in their utilization of 21 sugars for longevity (time to 50% mortality). In general, the utilization of sugars by these flies for longevity followed the pattern observed with the other insects. None of the species were able to live very long on solutions of pentoses, uronic acids, inositol, rhamnose, sorbose or the β-linked disaccharides, lactose and cellobiose. Althogh all could use glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose and melezitose well, their life spans on galactose, mannose, trehalose and raffinose were more variable. Two of the Opuntia feeders were also tested on a number of other carbohydrates. Ribitol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol significantly prolonged the life of D. arizonensis but not that of D. wheeleri . Neither species lived long on solutions of arabitol, galactitol, starch, inulin or on arabogalactan.
Socially facilitated egglaying behavior in Mediterranean fruit flies

We examined the behavior of individual mature female Mediterranean fruit flies (medflies), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), transferred from a holding cage without fruit to a clean host kumquat fruit already occupied by another medfly female engaged in ovipositional behavior. A significantly greater proportion of transferred (=test) ovipositionally naive females initiated ovipositor boring into a fruit in the presence than in the absence of an occupying medfly. Moreover, test females commenced boring significantly sooner in the presence than in the absence of another medfly. Interestingly, similar results occurred when a test medfly was transferred to a kumquat occupied by an ovipositing female oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel. In contrast, there was no enhancement of propensity to bore when a test medfly was transferred to a kumquat occupied by a female Biosteres arisanus (Sonan), a parasitoid attacking medfly eggs. The principal proximate stimulus giving rise to the higher tendency to oviposit of a test medfly in the presence of an occupying medfly or oriental fruit fly appeared to be wing-waving by the occupant during an encounter. We consider our findings to be good evidence of socially facilitated ovipositional behavior in ovipositionally naive medflies, and suggest that such females may benefit from acquisition of a cue demonstrating the acceptability of a host for oviposition.
Genetic and metabolic control of sulfate metabolism in Neurospora crassa: a specific permease for choline-O-sulfate.

Neurospora crassa can use choline-O-sulfate as its sole sulfur source; the utilization of this compound involves its entry followed by intracellular hydrolysis. Neurospora possesses a transport system for the uptake of choline-O-sulfate which is specific for the sulfate ester and does not transport, nor is it inhibited by, either choline or inorganic sulfate. Mutant strains of Neurospora that are unable to transport or grow on inorganic sulfate can, nevertheless, utilize choline-O-sulfate for growth and transport the intact organic sulfate at a normal rate. Methionine, which represses a number of enzymes of sulfur anabolism, also represses the synthesis of the specific permease for choline-O-sulfate. A regulatory gene, cys-3, which controls the synthesis of choline sulfatase, aryl sulfatase, and several other related enzymes, also regulates the synthesis of the choline sulfate permease. Evidence is presented that the activity of choline sulfate permease is also regulated by a turnover process, the transport system having a functional half-life of approximately 3 hr.
Pacifist Brawn and Silk‐Stocking Militarism: Labor, Gender, and Antiwar Politics, 1914–1918

Historians have recently devoted significant attention to exploring the ways in which gendered imagery and assumptions were used to mobilize popular support for U.S. foreign and military policies during World War I. Preparedness and government propagandists routinely conflated manliness with military service and attempted to discredit male opponents of war by casting aspersions on their masculinity. The female Red Cross worker was upheld as the ideal model citizen for American women. But a diverse array of antiwar groups hotly contested the notions of gendered citizenship duties promoted by pro-war activists. This article explores the responses of the Socialist Party, Industrial Workers of the World, and American Federation of Labor to the gendered propaganda of preparedness advocates and the Wilson administration between 1914 and 1918.
High-potency statins and acute kidney injury-associated hospitalizations.

Statins have had a dramatic impact on the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.1-3 In the United States, >10% of the entire population and 40% of those older than 65 years are prescribed an HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase inhibitor.4 The efficacy and relative safety of these agents has led many to argue for universal statin use in everyone older than 50 years.5 However, recent concerns about the risks of rhabdomyolysis, diabetes mellitus, and memory impairment have prompted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue safety warnings.6,7 Now, a new study in the British Medical Journal has identified a higher rate of hospitalization with acute kidney injury (AKI) in individuals who use high- versus low-potency statins.8
A Fully Dynamic Approximation Scheme for Shortest Paths in Planar Graphs

In this paper we give a fully dynamic approximation scheme for maintaining all-pairs shortest paths in planar networks. Given an error parameter $\epsilon$ such that $0<\epsilon$ , our algorithm maintains approximate all-pairs shortest paths in an undirected planar graph G with nonnegative edge lengths. The approximate paths are guaranteed to be accurate to within a 1+ $\epsilon$ factor. The time bounds for both query and update for our algorithm is O( \epsilon -1 n 2/3 log 2 n log D) , where n is the number of nodes in G and D is the sum of its edge lengths. The time bound for the queries is worst case, while that for the additions is amortized. Our approximation algorithm is based upon a novel technique for approximately representing all-pairs shortest paths among a selected subset of the nodes by a sparse substitute graph.
Transmembrane calcium movement in 20,25-diazacholesterol myotonia.

Abstract An abnormality in myoplasmic Ca2+ regulation has frequently been proposed in 20,25-diazacholesterol (20,25-D) myotonia. We report here the results of several studies of transmembrane Ca2+ movement in this animal model. (i) Physiologic Ca2+ release by intact sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was examined in chemically skinned single muscle fibers preloaded in EGTA-buffered Ca2+ solutions (pCa2+ 7.0 to 6.4). Isometric tension development and Ca2+ release thresholds in response to Cl− or caffeine showed no differences between control and 20,25-D fibers at any pCa2+. (ii) The kinetics of energy-dependent Ca2+ accumulation in purified SR vesicles were followed spectrophotometrically using Ca2+-sensitive dyes. The apparent rate for ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+ sequestering capacity were unchanged in SR from 20,25-D animals vs. controls. (iii) Surface membrane Ca2+ ATPase activity was measured in red blood cell ghosts and sarcolemma. Enzyme Vmax was decreased by 25 to 50% in both membranes in the 20,25-D-treated animals with a compensatory increase in the number of Ca2+ ATPase molecules. In general, the SR handling of Ca2+ appears normal in 20,25-D myotonia, although the activity of Ca2+ ATPase in membranes with high sterol content may be altered in response to changes in the lipid environment in this model.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE COLLODION MEMBRANE AND ITS ELECTRICAL BEHAVIOR : VII. WATER UPTAKE AND SWELLING OF COLLODION MEMBRANES IN WATER AND SOLUTIONS OF STRONG INORGANIC ELECTROLYTES.

1. The assumption, has generally been made that collodion membranes are rigid and non-swelling in water and aqueous solutions of strong electrolytes, and considerable uncertainty exists as to the manner in which water is taken up by "dried" collodion membranes. In approaching these problems experimentally, the weight and volume changes of collodion membranes when placed in water and when transferred from water to solutions of strong electrolytes were determined. 2. Dried collodion membranes swell reversibly to an appreciable extent when placed in water, the swelling varying from 5 to 11 per cent depending on the brand of collodion. The water uptake and swelling of oxidized collodion is the same as the original unoxidized preparation. 3. The water uptake as determined by the weight increase is larger than could be accounted for by the volume increase, swelling accounting for only 60 to 70 per cent of the water taken up by the membranes. 4. When the "water-wetted dried" collodion membranes were transferred from water to solutions of various strong electrolytes, there was no detectable change in volume. Similarly, when the "porous" membranes were transferred from water to solutions of strong electrolytes, there was no significant volume change. 5. When dried collodion membranes swell in water, some of the water becomes "bound" water, and both intramicellar and intermicellar swelling seem to occur. Therefore, neither the weight increase nor the volume increase nor their difference can be taken as a measure of the true pore space of the membrane. It is concluded that the important problem is not the absolute water content, but how much water in the water-wet membranes is available in useful pathways for the different solutes.
The impact of a recent relapse on patient-reported outcomes in subjects with multiple sclerosis.

In this study, we estimate the impact of a recent relapse on physical and mental health in subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) using validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. Subjects enrolled in the Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigation of MS at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital with RRMS were eligible for enrollment. Subjects with a clinical visit within 45 days of a relapse were identified and divided into groups based on whether the relapse occurred before (recent relapse) (n = 59) or after the visit (pre-relapse) (n = 31). A group of subjects with no relapses was also identified (remission) (n = 336). PRO measures in these three groups were compared. All outcomes were compared using a t test and linear regression controlling for age, disease duration, sex, and EDSS. Subjects with a recent relapse had significantly worse functioning on several physical and mental health scales compared to subjects in remission even after adjusting for potential confounders. Subjects with a recent relapse also showed significant deterioration on PRO measures over 1 year compared to subjects in remission (P < 0.05 for each comparison). Subjects in the pre-relapse group were not significantly different than subjects in remission. Clinical relapses have a measurable effect on PRO in subjects with RRMS.
Peripheral adenosine deaminase 1 activity is a biomarker for placental malaria and inflammation

CENTAL MALARIA AND INFLAMMATION DANAE STEELE, ATIS MUEHLENBACHS, MICHAL FRIED, THEONEST MUTABINGWA, PATRICK DUFFY, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington OBJECTIVE: Placental malaria (PM) complicated by placental inflammation is associated with low birthweight (LBW) at delivery, and has been estimated to cause 75,000 to 200,000 infant deaths per year in sub-Saharan Africa. Peripheral blood smears detect parasitemia in only about half of women with PM, making diagnosis difficult. Our objective is to find a simple, inexpensive prenatal test that can detect PM and inflammation and thereby identify pregnant women who are at the highest risk for delivery of LBW infants. STUDY DESIGN: Placental and peripheral blood samples were obtained from consenting women age 18-45 years who delivered in Muheza, Tanzania, an area of intense malaria transmission. Microscopy of placental blood and placental tissue sections was used to detect PM and inflammation in mothers delivering singleton infants. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR and immunostaining were performed for adenosine deaminase 1 (ADA1). Total ADA plasma activity was assessed using a colorimetric assay, and ADA isotyping was performed by the addition of an ADA1 inhibitor, EHNA. RESULTS: Placental ADA1 mRNA levels were elevated during infection and correlated with inflammation. By immunohistochemistry, ADA1 protein was demonstrated to be produced only in PM-positive placentas, in maternal polynuclear cells located in intervillous spaces. Plasma ADA activity was elevated in women with PM compared to those without (p!0.001), in women with PM and inflammation compared to those with PM only (p=0.002), and in mothers of LBW infants compared to mothers of normal birthweight infants (p=0.01). Isotyping indicated that ADA1 is the predominant plasma isotype of women with PM. We estimate that the cost of reagents to measure ADA1 is approximately $0.01 per test. CONCLUSION: Plasma ADA1 activity is a simple and inexpensive test that may help to identify those women with PM who are at risk of LBW infants. Applied prenatally, this assay could allow more intensive anti-malarial treatment of women with inflammatory PM and thereby potentially improve outcomes for their infants.
GOAT induced Ghrelin Acylation Regulates Hedonic Feeding

Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone that regulates homeostatic and reward-related feeding behavior. Recent evidence indicates that acylation of ghrelin by the gut enzyme ghrelin O-acyl transferase (GOAT) is necessary to render ghrelin maximally active within its target tissues. Here we tested the hypothesis that GOAT activity modulates food motivation and food hedonics using behavioral pharmacology and mutant mice deficient for GOAT and the ghrelin receptor (GHSR). We evaluated operant responding following pharmacological administration of acyl-ghrelin and assessed the necessity of endogenous GOAT activity for operant responding in GOAT and GHSR-null mice. Hedonic-based feeding behavior also was examined in GOAT-KO and GHSR-null mice using a "Dessert Effect" protocol in which the intake of a palatable high fat diet "dessert" was assessed in calorically-sated mice. Pharmacological administration of acyl-ghrelin augmented operant responding; notably, this effect was dependent on intact GHSR signaling. GOAT-KO mice displayed attenuated operant responding and decreased hedonic feeding relative to controls. These behavioral results correlated with decreased expression of the orexin-1 receptor in reward-related brain regions in GOAT-KO mice. In summary, the ability of ghrelin to stimulate food motivation is dependent on intact GHSR signaling and modified by endogenous GOAT activity. Furthermore, GOAT activity is required for hedonic feeding behavior, an effect potentially mediated by forebrain orexin signaling. These data highlight the significance of the GOAT-ghrelin system for the mediation of food motivation and hedonic feeding.
Developments for High-Speed Analysis of Diverse Ferrous Alloys:

High-power positionally stabilized sparks were used to sample several types of ferrous alloys. The power was increased by sparking at repetition rates up to 1920 sparks/s and peak discharge currents up to 800 A. The signal/background ratios of several spectral lines were measured photographically and photoelectrically, while the power was varied and the number of coulombs held constant. The coulombs were measured by gated integration of the discharge current waveform. Analysis time decreased by a factor of 16 while the signal/background ratio for sample spectral lines decreased by a factor of 2.5.
Advances in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy instrumentation and methodology: instrument evaluation and new techniques with special reference to biomedical studies

Abstract Advances in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) instrumentation and methodology have led to progress in the study of fragile organic, polymeric and biological systems. Basic XPS instrument performance is critical for achieving the energy resolution needed to distinguish the fine features more accurately. To clarify the issues in achieving high energy resolution with good signal-to-noise ratios, a strategy for comparing instrumentation is offered. Enhancements that further expand the possibilities for XPS in biology and medicine include studies of hydrated frozen specimens and chemical derivatization techniques.
Transmembrane potentials and steroidogenesis in normal and neoplastic human adrenocortical tissue.

Trans-membrane potentials and steroidogenesis were measured in superfused slices of non-tumor and neoplastic human adrenocortical tissue. Non-tumor tissue was obtained at the time of renal transplant or from tissue removed along with tumors. Non-tumor human adrenocortical tissue had electrophysiological and steroidogenic properties similar to those of the rat and rabbit. In normal medium ACTH stimulated steroidogenesis but had no effect on the membrane potential. In K+-free medium, the cells hyperpolarized, and subsequent addition of ACTH caused depolarization. Trans-membrane potentials of adrenocortical tumors were lower than those of non-tumor cells. Ommission of K+ from the medium caused hyperpolarization of the tumor cells, but the trans-membrane potentials did not reach the values of hyperpolarized nontumor cells. ACTH, added to the K+-free medium, caused little or no change in membrane potential of tumor cells except in one case of a virilizing adenoma, which responded very much like non-tumor tissu...
Risk of stroke in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUNDAdults with cyanotic congenital heart disease and elevated hematocrit levels are often phlebotomized because of an assumed risk of cerebral arterial thrombotic stroke. Whether a relation exists between hematocrit level, symptomatic erythrocytosis (hyperviscosity), and stroke remains to be established in this patient population.METHODS AND RESULTSAccordingly, 112 cyanotic patients 19-74 years old (mean, 36 +/- 11.7 years) in the UCLA Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center Registry were selected for study by virtue of continuous observation for 1-12 years (total, 748 patient-years). Patients with independent risk factors for embolic or vasospastic stroke were excluded. The study patients were then divided into two groups: 1) compensated erythrocytosis (stable hematocrit levels of 46.0-72.7% [mean, 57.5 +/- 7.2%], iron replete, absent or mild hyperviscosity symptoms), and 2) decompensated erythrocytosis (unstable rising hematocrit levels of 61.5-75.0% [mean, 69.5 +/- 10.6%], iron deficiency, marked-...
The Magic Fix: A Critical Analysis of, Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Methadone maintenance is a modality which has been widely hailed and extensively funded as a treatment for heroin addiction. Study of a large New York City program found that three-fifths of the patients who entered treatment had terminated before the end of the second year. Among those in treatment, failure to pick up methadone was common. When patients were divided into cohorts based on eventual length of retention, there was found to be an increase in failure to pick up medication among those retained longest. Crime declined less than had been expected, and decrease in crime was most evident in drug-related crimes rather than in the category of crimes with victims. Re-analysis of evaluations which had reported higher rates of success revealed that many such findings were based on unreliable research methods.
Sequential estimation of a linear function of mean vectors

Let π1,...,πk be k independent populations where we assume that the ith population distribution is The parameters and σi e (0,∞) for i = l,...,k are all assumed unknown, but H1einf:,...,Hk are known positive definite pzp matrices. We estimate parameters of the form where ci's are known nonzero constants for i = 1,...,k, by means of ellipsoidal confidence regions. Various two-stage and sequential procedures are proposed and some of their exact and asymptotic properties are studied. Statistical methods and some of their characteristics are discussed both when H1,...,Hk are simultaneously diagonalizable as well as when they are not.
Visible (639 nm <or= lambda <or=661 nm) vertical cavity surface emitting laser diodes

Summary form only given. The demonstration ofInAlGaP visible VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) diodes is reported. The structures were grown by MOVPE (metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy) on GaAs substrates and consist of an InAlGaP optical cavity active region surrounded by AlGaAs DBRs (distributed Bragg reflectors). Gain-guided 'etched post' test devices were fabricated. A top annulus contact defines emitting diameters of 10 mu m and 20 mu m with a 5 mu m radial thickness; thus, a large percentage of the injected current does not directly contribute to lasing but to device heating. Despite this, lasing wavelengths from 639.1 nm to 660.7 nm were measured on unrotated wafers, at room temperature without heat sinking. The pulsed excitation was approximately 100 ns pulses at 10 kHz to 1 MHz. Many devices continued lasing with up to a 40% duty cycle at 1 MHz. The larger devices typically have a threshold of 30 mA at 2.7 V. The peak output power is 3.38 mW with a resistance of less than 15 Omega . >
Multi-physics modeling of the fabrication and dynamic performance of all-metal auxetic-hexagonal sandwich-structures

Abstract In the present paper, various computational methods and tools are used to investigate the effect of the prior processing and the resulting microstructure on the performance of all-metal sandwich-structures with an auxetic-hexagonal core. Specific fabrication processes analyzed in the present work include: (a) sheet-metal fabrication using cold flat rolling; (b) a simple stamping process used to impart the desired corrugation to the as-cold rolled sheet-metal blanks; and (c) laser welding used to join the corrugated and stacked adjacent blanks over their areas of contact. The computational analyses employed yielded the results which clearly revealed how each of the three fabrication processes affects the grain microstructure of the sheet-metal blanks, the presence of residual stresses within the sandwich-structure as well as the presence of distortions. In the last portion of the present work, a series of transient nonlinear dynamics finite-element computational analyses is carried out in order to demonstrate how the prior fabrication processes and the material microstructure, residual stresses and distortions yielded by them affects the dynamic performance of the all-metal auxetic sandwich-structures subjected to blast loading. The results obtained clearly showed that the effect of prior processing must be taken into account in order to obtain accurate insight into the dynamic response of sandwich structures when subjected to blast loading.
Polyurethane Film Formers

Development and understanding of the principles of polyure thane science has led to new progress in the technology of film formers. Of particular current interest are those compositions de signed to provide finishes for microcellular and integral skin foams and for fabrics. Primarily as a result of stimulus arising from introduction of the polyurethane rubber bumper, new polyurethane lacquers have been demonstrated to possess acceptable per formance but could stand improvement in application engineering. Flexible polyurethane-melamine copolymers exhibit promise in performance in these uses and are easier to apply. The prosaic oil modified urethanes provide a basis for further development of flexible types in approaches which maximize urethane rather than oil.
A comparison of bone marrow leukocytes in hibernating and nonhibernating woodchucks and ground squirrels.

Abstract Woodchucks and thirteen-lined ground squirrels were used to compare leukocytes in the bone marrow of hibernating and nonhibernating animals. Active animals were kept at 23 °C with a photoperiod of LD 12:12. Hibernating animals were kept at 10 °C, LD 8:16. Animals were sacrificed and cells of the blood and bone marrow were examined. The data indicate that there is a reduction in the leukopoietic activity of the bone marrow which corresponds to the decrease in metabolic activity of the animal during hibernation. This is shown by the decrease in circulating leukocytes, the decrease in bone marrow cells present and by the lack of immature cells in the bone marrow. The large number of mature cells present in the bone marrow from hibernating animals suggests that the bone marrow is a storage site for mature leukocytes which are released upon arousal.
Can Children Teach their Parents about Asthma

The Open Airways for Schools (OAS) program has been shown to improve the self-management skills and health outcomes of students with asthma in Grades 3 to 5. This report examines the impact of OAS on students’ parents. Because pilot studies showed that parental attendance at school-based sessions was low, the authors held six sessions at school for children and gave children homework assignments to complete with parents at home to teach parents about asthma and build support for children’s self-management efforts. Analysis of 1-year follow-up data showed that children’s participation in OAS was a significant predictor of parental self-management skills (p < .03) and that OAS children’s communication was more strongly associated than controls’ with parents’ self-management (p = .05). The findings show that health education activities brought home from school by children can positively influence parents’ self-management of a complex chronic disease such as asthma.
Testosterone Treatment Is a Potent Tumor Promoter for the Rat Prostate

Testosterone is increasingly prescribed to middle aged and older men, but the safety of this treatment has been called into question, and the possible risk of prostate cancer is unknown. We treated Wistar Cpb: WU rats chronically via slow-release Silastic implants with doses of testosterone that increased circulating levels in a dose-related fashion with or without a preceding single injection of the carcinogen N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU). Without MNU, testosterone induced prostate carcinomas in 10%-18% of rats, and after MNU injection, testosterone treatment caused prostate cancer in 50%-71% of rats with a very steep dose response, producing a 50% prostatic tumor incidence even at a testosterone dose that did not elevate circulating testosterone levels. Prostate cancers did not occur in rats given MNU or no treatment, whereas testosterone alone induced a low incidence of prostate cancer and increased the number rats bearing tumors at other sites, particularly malignant tumors. Thus, testosterone was shown to be a weak complete carcinogen and a strong tumor promoter for the rat prostate in this study. These findings have potential significant public health implications for the use of testosterone therapy in men.
Evaluation of Several Turbulence Models for Turbulent Flow in Concentric and Eccentric Annuli

Turbulent flow in concentric and eccentric annuli is numerically simulated as part of an investigation aimed at modeling drilled cuttings transport in wellbores. A numerical code is developed to solve the time-averaged momentum equation wherein the Reynolds stresses are modeled using the eddy viscosity approach. A nonorthogonal curvilinear, boundary-fitted coordinate system is used to facilitate the implementation of boundary conditions. Several turbulence models, including a one-layer mixing length model developed as part of this study, a two-layer mixing-length model, and a low Reynolds number, two-equation (k -τ) model are used to simulate turbulent flow in several concentric and eccentric annuli. Performance of these turbulence models is evaluated by comparing numerical predictions to experimental data obtained from several sources. Results show that the proposed one-layer mixing length model performs as well as the two-layer mixing length model and the two-equation model while avoiding some of the difficulties associated with the implementation of these models.
Risk of subsequent primary malignancies after dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans diagnosis: A national study

Background Patients frequently live many years after diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). Objective We sought to determine the risk of subsequent primary malignancy (SPM) after DFSP diagnosis. Methods Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1973-2008) for 3734 patients with DFSP, we compared the risk of developing 14 SPMs (12 most prevalent cancers in the United States plus other nonepithelial and soft tissue) relative to risk in the general population of same sex, race, and age and year of diagnosis. Results Patients given the diagnosis of DFSP had an overall increased risk of SPM (observed:expected [O:E], 1.20; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.04-1.39), with much of the overall increased risk attributable to increased risk of nonepithelial skin cancer (O:E, 9.94; 95% CI, 3.38-22.30). Specifically, female patients with DFSP were at increased risk of other nonepithelial skin cancer (O:E, 14.50; 95% CI, 3.46-38.98), melanoma (O:E, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.02-5.35), and breast cancer (O:E, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.00-2.00). Male patients were not at increased overall risk (O:E, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.96-1.44) of SPM or at increased risk of any specific malignancy ( P > .05) adjusted for multiplicity of t tests. Limitations Surveillance bias may have led to increased rates and earlier detection of primary malignances in patients with DFSP compared with the general population. Individual data that may reveal shared environmental causes of DFSP and SPM were unavailable. Conclusions Patients with DFSP are at increased risk of a number of SPMs.
Synthesis of Cp‘Ru(CO)(L)(η2-olefin)+ Complexes and Kinetic Studies of Olefin Substitution

The ruthenium(II)−olefin complexes [Cp‘Ru(CO)(L)(η2-olefin)]+ (Cp‘ = Cp, Cp*; L = CO, PPh3; olefin = methyl oleate, cis-3-hexene, trans-3-hexene, 1,4-pentadiene) have been synthesized and characterized by IR and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. An X-ray structure of [CpRu(CO)(PPh3)(η2-cis-3-hexene)]+ shows that the olefinic bond is nearly parallel to the plane of the Cp ligand. The olefins in [CpRu(CO)2(η2-trans-3-hexene)]+ and [Cp‘Ru(CO)2(η2-trans-3-hexene)]+ rotate rapidly about the Ru−olefin bond, even at −30 °C, as established by the presence of a single methyl signal for the olefin in the 1H NMR spectrum, whereas olefin rotation in [CpRu(CO)(PPh3)(η2-trans-3-hexene)]+ is slow on the 1H NMR time scale at −25 °C. The [CpRu(CO)(PPh3)]+ unit exhibits a unique diastereoselectivity by binding to only one face of trans-3-hexene, due to steric repulsion between the ethyl groups of the trans-3-hexene and the bulky Cp and PPh3 ligands. Kinetic studies of the substitution of the olefin in [Cp'Ru(CO)2(η2-olefin)]+ b...
Osteonecrosis in patients with Hodgkin disease following combination chemotherapy

Three cases of osteonecrosis in patients receiving prednisone as part of multi-drug chemotherapy for lymphoma are presented. These patients are discussed in the context of previously reported series. The etiology of steroid-induced osteonecrosis and its radiologic manifestations are reviewed with regard to the need for biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. In light of this complication, the need for prednisone in lymphoma chemotherapy is considered.
Adhesion and Friction Studies of Silicon and Hydrophobic and Low Friction Films and Investigation of Scale Effects

Tribological properties are crucial to the reliability of microelectromechanical systems/ nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS). In this study, adhesion and friction measurements are made at micro and nanoscales on single-crystal silicon (commonly used in MEMS/NEMS) and hydrophobic and low friction films. These include diamondlike carbon (DLC), chemically bonded perfluoropolyether (PFPE), and self-assembled monolayer (SAM) films. Since MEMS/NEMS devices are expected to be used in various environments, measurements are made at a range of velocities, humidities, and temperatures. The relevant adhesion and friction mechanisms are discussed. It is found that solid films of DLC, PFPE, and SAM can reduce the adhesion and friction of silicon. These films can be used as and-adhesion films for MEMS/NEMS components under different environments and operating conditions. Finally, the adhesion and friction data clearly show scale dependence. The scale effects on adhesion and friction are also discussed in the paper.
A polyconductor beam detector

A sensor circuit for the purpose of thermal detection and power measurement of incident microwave and laser beams due to accidental or targeted exposure is described. In this sensor, a polyconductor device acts as a microwave or optical beam absorber. The basic feature of the polyconductor is that its terminal resistance in the transition region can vary by many orders of magnitude with small changes in excitation over a wide frequency range. Thus the heating effect of the incident wave changes the terminal resistance, which in turn is converted into an imbalance of a sensitive Wheatstone bridge circuit with appropriate display. The sensor proved adequate for a wide range of fluctuations in incident power levels and ambient temperature. >
Position operators for systems exhibiting the special relativistic relation between momentum and velocity

Abstract We have previously shown [1] that if the position operator is defined as in ref. [2], the movement of the mean position of a free particle obeys the classical equation ν = P P 0 where P 0 is the total energy, including the rest mass. Conversely, it will be demonstrated here that the validity of this equation implies that, for spinless particles, the position operator is that of ref. [2]. For spin 1 2 particles, however, another choice is also possible (eq. (7)). The corresponding value of the orbital angular momentum in the latter case is unity, whereas for the state of ref. [2] it is zero.
File access performance of diskless workstations

This paper studies the performance of single-user workstations that access files remotely over a local area network. From the environmental, economic, and administrative points of view, workstations that are diskless or that have limited secondary storage are desirable at the present time. Even with changing technology, access to shared data will continue to be important. It is likely that some performance penalty must be paid for remote rather than local file access. Our objectives are to assess this penalty and to explore a number of design alternatives that can serve to minimize it. Our approach is to use the results of measurement experiments to parameterize queuing network performance models. These models then are used to assess performance under load and to evahrate design alternatives. The major conclusions of our study are: (1) A system of diskless workstations with a shared file server can have satisfactory performance. By this, we mean performance comparable to that of a local disk in the lightly loaded case, and the ability to support substantial numbers of client workstations without significant degradation. As with any shared facility, good design is necessary to minimize queuing delays under high load. (2) The key to efficiency is protocols that allow volume transfers at every interface (e.g., between client and server, and between disk and memory at the server) and at every level (e.g., between client and server at the level of logical request/response and at the level of local area network packet size). However, the benefits of volume transfers are limited to moderate sizes (8-16 kbytes) by several factors. (3) From a performance point of view, augmenting the capabilities of the shared file server may be more cost effective than augmenting the capabilities of the client workstations. (4) Network contention should not be a performance problem for a lo-Mbit network and 100 active workstations in a software development environment.
Influenza vaccination is not associated with a reduction in the risk of recurrent coronary events

Acute respiratory infections, including influenza, have been suggested as possible precipitants of acute cardiac events. To evaluate whether influenza vaccination prevents recurrent coronary events, the authors conducted a population-based inception cohort study of 1,378 Group Health Cooperative enrollees who survived a first myocardial infarction in 1992 through 1996. Recurrent coronary events, influenza vaccinations, and other covariates were identified by chart review and from administrative data systems. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association of receipt of each year's influenza vaccine with subsequent risk of recurrent myocardial infarction and death from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A total of 127 recurrent coronary events were identified during the median 2.3-year follow-up period. Influenza vaccination was not associated with risk of recurrent coronary events during the corresponding period of November through October (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79, 1.75) or during the corresponding periods of expected influenza activity (November through April) (HR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.63, 1.78) or inactivity (May through October) (HR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.76, 2.36). These results suggest that the benefit of influenza vaccine for older adults does not extend to protection against recurrent coronary events.