cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance among obese siblings of children with type 2 diabetes.

Objective—To test the hypothesis that overweight siblings of children with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a higher prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) compared with other overweight children. Study design—This was a cross-sectional study of overweight (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 95 th percentile) subjects, age 8 to 17 years, with at least 1 sibling age ≥ 12 years. The primary outcome was AGT, as assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test (2-hour glucose ≥ 140 mg/dL). The secondary outcome was insulin resistance by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Results—The sibling (n = 20) and control (n = 42) groups were similar in terms of age, sex, racial distribution (largely African American), pubertal status, and BMI. The prevalence of AGT in the sibling group was 40.0% (n = 8), compared with 14.3% (n = 6) in controls (P = .048, Fisher exact test; unadjusted odds ratio = 4.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.2 to 13.5). Univariate analysis did not identify confounders for either outcome. There were no significant differences in HOMA or hemoglobin A1c between the 2 groups. Conclusions—Overweight siblings of children with T2DM had 4 times greater odds of having AGT compared with other overweight children. This group may represent a particularly high-risk population to target for screening and pediatric T2DM prevention. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Known risk factors include obesity (particularly increased visceral adiposity); decreased exercise; African American, Native American, Asian, or Hispanic race/ethnicity; family history; and insulin resistance. 1 Obesity decreases insulin sensitivity, as does puberty, 2 when all adolescents experience a period of relative insulin resistance thought to be secondary to increased growth hormone secretion. 3 Thus, in obese adolescents already at risk for developing T2DM, the physiological increase in insulin resistance during puberty may be sufficient to unmask disease. Family history also is known to be important. Of children with T2DM, 74% to 100% have a first- or second-degree relative with T2DM. 1 Adult studies have shown increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin secretory capacity in the nondiabetic first-degree relatives of
Thickness-dependent optical and dielectric behaviors of low-k polymer thin films

A study of both thickness dependent optical and dielectric properties of a low-dielectric constant polycrystalline polymer thin film is investigated. It is demonstrated that the refractive index increase with increasing film thickness, but for thickness < 200 nm, abnormal decrease of the refractive index with increasing film thickness is observed. It is also found that the dielectric strength has a strong dependance on film thickness, which decrease with increasing film thickness. Optical spectroscopy and current ramping voltage test are involved to investigate thickness dependence of optical and dielectric properties. The observations are discussed in terms of our and other models for film thickness dependent of dielectric strength as well as refractive index.
A dynamic programming procedure for sequential pattern classification and feature selection

Abstract To classify an input sample to a pattern class in a statistical pattern recognition system, measurements are made on a limited number of features, which are used as a basis for classification. For situations in which the cost of taking measurements is large, sequential techniques are employed, and two problems arise: (1) How many measurements of a specified sequence are required in order to classify a particular sample? (2) In what order should the features be measured to insure that the expected cost of the classification process is minimized? In the past, procedures have been proposed for handling each problem individually under assumptions that excluded consideration of both simultaneously. A procedure based on backward programming, which allows the solution of both optimization problems simultaneously, is proposed. A nontrivial example is presented and results are compared to other sequential and nonsequential statistical schemes. A device for nonsupervised learning is proposed for incorporation into the resulting sequential system. A description of the learning algorithm and an example of its application are presented. An example of the use of this backward programing procedure to solve the problem of selecting an optimum subset of features from a given set for a nonsequential pattern recognition process is also presented.
In vitro synthesis and immunoregulation of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen in man

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 16 chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and from 10 immune individuals (anti-HBs and/or anti-HBc core antigen positive) were studied for their ability to synthesize antibody to hepatitis B viral antigens in vitro. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated B lymphocytes from carriers, synthesized polyclonal IgG and IgM normally but did not synthesize detectable antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) even in the presence of T lymphocyte help and the absence of T lymphocyte suppression from immune individuals. In contrast, B lymphocytes from 80% of immune individuals synthesized anti-HBs in vitro. In cell-mixing experiments, T lymphocytes from carriers were found to provide normal helper function for immunoglobulin and anti-HBs production by B lymphocytes from immune individuals. In addition, the degree of suppressor T lymphocyte activity of chronic carriers was not sufficient to explain the lack of anti-HBs production. The effect of purified HBsAg on anti-HBs synthesis by PBMC from immune individuals was determined. Incubating PBMC for periods ranging from 10 min to 10 days in the presence of concentrations of HBsAg varying from 10 pg/ml to 10 μg/ml had no effect on the synthesis of anti-HBs by PBMC. These results suggest that chronic HBsAg carriers lack circulating B lymphocytes capable of producing anti-HBs and that this cannot be explained by the presence of large amounts of circulating HBsAg.
Three-dimensional free Lagrangian hydrodynamics

The purpose of the discussion is to describe the development of a 3-D free Lagrangian hyrodynamics algorithm. The 3-D algorithm is an outgrowth of an earlier 2-D free Lagrange model. Only the more pertinent issues of the free Lagrange algorithm are presented. A complete production code is being developed to support the free Lagrange algorithm described. 4 refs.
Melting of pore ice with the formation of an extended isothermal zone

The melting of pore ice, characterized by the formation of a transition zone in which the two phases simultaneously coexist, is investigated. The extent of the transition zone is related to the rate of inflow of water into the melted region of the pore space from outside.
Bounding the cost of learned rules

Abstract In this article we approach one key aspect of the utility problem in explanation-based learning (EBL)—the expensive-rule problem —as an avoidable defect in the learning procedure. In particular, we examine the relationship between the cost of solving a problem without learning versus the cost of using a learned rule to provide the same solution, and refer to a learned rule as expensive if its use is more costly than the original problem solving from which it was learned. The key idea we explore is that expensiveness is inadvertently and unnecessarily introduced into learned rules by the learning algorithms themselves . This becomes a particularly powerful idea when combined with an analysis tool which identifies these hidden sources of expensiveness, and modifications of the learning algorithms which eliminate them. The result is learning algorithms for which the cost of learned rules is bounded by the cost of the problem solving that they replace.
Phosphatidic acid liposomes as mineralizing surfaces: kinetics and energetics

Abstract Acidic macromolecules have consistently been associated with biological mineral formation in vivo. Several of these macromolecules have been shown to induce mineral formation from metastable solutions when attached to a substrate. However, when free in solution, the same molecules inhibit mineral formation. These results indicate that the surface plays an important role in biomineralization. We have used phosphatidic acid liposomes as model surfaces to evaluate the role of the surface in the kinetics of mineral formation. We determined the effect of lipid concentration and solution supersaturation on the induction time (time before detectable mineral formation). Lipid concentrations from 15 to 0.7 μM showed increased induction times with decreasing lipid concentrations. The rate of mineral induction was linear with lipid concentration at low concentrations, but appeared to saturate at high lipid concentrations. Decreasing the solution supersaturation resulted in increased induction times. Using the supersaturation data, the interfacial tension for mineral induction on phosphatidic acid liposomes was determined to be 295 erg/cm2. This value may reflect the energetics of heterogeneous nucleation on a highly phosphorylated surface.
Reply to Melanoma pathogenesis and Nodal: a partial picture?

We agree with Dr. Salomon that it will be interesting to further explore the mechanisms by which Nodal regulates melanoma cell behavior. We did not intend to slight his work linking Cripto-1 to tumorigenesis and therefore cited his seminal paper1 highlighting the expression of Nodal in testicular and breast carcinoma cells of epithelial origin. However, our paper is the first to report Nodal in melanoma, a mesenchymally derived tumor that does not undergo epithelial-to-mesenchmyal transition and contains fewer than 20% Cripto-1–positive cells. Thus, we did not wish to suggest the involvement of a Cripto-1–dependent pathway without more compelling evidence. A role for Cripto-1 in melanoma pathogenesis also remains uncertain because during development, Nodal apparently signals in part through stimulation—rather than inhibition—of a Cripto-1–independent bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway2. The intent of our study was to use the zebrafish embryo as a biosensor for metastatic melanoma cells expressing a plastic, stem cell–like phenotype to modulate an embryonic microenvironment, which ultimately revealed Nodal as a mediator of melanoma plasticity and progression. As a corollary to our findings, we agree that it will be interesting to explore the possible role of Cripto-1 in Nodal-mediated tumorigenesis, tumor progression and metastasis.
Water: how collective intelligence initiatives can address this challenge

Purpose – The purpose is to examine how collective intelligence initiatives can help address the challenge of water supply globally. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used was desk research and interview. The paper commences with a review of collective intelligence as a subject area. It then assesses water as an issue, paying particular attention to the new set of World Water Scenarios currently being undertaken by the World Water Assessment Program of UNESCO and its latest World Water Development Report (2012). It considers the application of collective intelligence systems to the challenge of water provision with particular reference to a recent initiative led by the International Water Association (IWA), the IWA WaterWiki. It examines potential future developments from a collective intelligence viewpoint. Findings – It is increasingly recognised that the drivers that affect water provision are linked to the change drivers of other global issues. There is a need to deal with the inadequacies...
Analysis of transmembrane segment 8 of the GLUT1 glucose transporter by cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and substituted cysteine accessibility.

The Glut1 glucose transporter has been proposed to form an aqueous sugar translocation pathway through the lipid bilayer via the clustering of several transmembrane helices (Mueckler, M., Caruso, C., Baldwin, S. A., Panico, M., Blench, I., Morris, H. R., Allard, W. J., Lienhard, G. E., and Lodish, H. F. (1985) Science 229, 941–945). The participation of transmembrane helix 10 in the formation of this putative aqueous tunnel was tested using cysteine-scanning mutagenesis in conjunction with the membrane-impermeant, sulfhydryl-specific reagent,p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate (pCMBS). A series of 21 mutants was created from a fully functional, cysteine-less, parental Glut1 molecule by changing each residue within putative transmembrane segment 10 to cysteine. Each mutant was then expressed inXenopus oocytes, and its plasma membrane content, 2-deoxyglucose uptake activity, and sensitivity to pCMBS were measured. Helix 10 exhibited a highly distinctive reaction profile to scanning mutagenesis whereby cysteine substitution at residues within the cytoplasmic N-terminal half of the helix tended to increase specific transport activity, whereas substitution at residues within the exoplasmic C-terminal half of the helix tended to decrease specific transport activity. Four residues within helix 10 were clearly accessible to pCMBS as judged by inhibition or stimulation of transport activity. All four of these residues were clustered along one face of a putative α-helix. These results combined with previously published data suggest that transmembrane segment 10 of Glut1 forms part of the sugar permeation pathway. Two-dimensional models for the conformation of the 12 transmembrane helices and the exofacial glucose-binding site of Glut1 are proposed that are consistent with existing experimental data.
Essential Oils of Cultivars of Dalmatian Sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

ABSTRACT The essential oils of eight cultivars of Dalmatian sage (Salvia officinalis L.) from the horticultural trade in North America were compared with the commerical sage oils. Based upon the four principal (” 10%) constituents in previous reports, these cultivars fell into five groups: 1) camphor 1, 8-cineole > β-thujone (‘Berggarten,’ Icterina'); 2) camphor > α-thujone > β-thujone > 1, 8-cineole (‘Tricolor,’ ‘Woodcote Farm’); 3) β-thujone > camphor > 1, 8-cineole > α-thujone (‘Albiflora’); 4) 1, 8-cineole > camphor > α-thujone > β-thujone (‘Compacta’); and 5) α-thujone > camphor > β-thujone > 1, 8-cineole (‘Purpurascens,’ ‘Rubriflora’). While Dalmatian sage oils vary widely and are composite mixtures, ‘Rubriflora’ is the best overall choice with 5.3% l, 8-cineole, 27.1% α-thujone, 6.2% β-thujone, and 18.5% camphor.
STATIC SCHEDULING OF HIERARCHICAL PROGRAM GRAPHS

Many parallel compilation systems represent programs internally as Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs). However, the storage of these DAGs becomes prohibitive when the program being compiled is large. In this paper we describe a compile-time scheduling methodology for hierarchical DAG programs represented in the IFX intermediate form. The method we present is itself hierarchical reducing the storage that would otherwise be required by a single flat DAG representation. We describe the scheduling model and demonstrate the method using the Optimizing Sisal Compiler and two scientific applications.
Effect of Autumn Applications of Potassium Gibberellate on Fruit Production of the Strawberry

IN the autumn of 1957 at New Brunswick, New Jersey, single-row, 30-ft. replicated plots of Sparkle strawberries were treated with 20 and 50 p.p.m. of potassium gibberellate. Three applications were made, with the first application applied on September 13. An additional variable was added by using both a 1-week and 2-week interval between spray applications. No effect was noted in the autumn of 1957 from these sprays except for an occasional inflorescence observed on the plots sprayed with 50 p.p.m. The next spring the sprayed plots had a heavier bloom early in the flowering period as compared with the unsprayed plots. The harvest records for 1958 showed that the treated plots produced about a 30 per cent larger volume of early fruit than the unsprayed checks, with no difference due to interval between spray applications. Due to rains and fruit rots during the latter part of the 1958 harvest season, total yield records were not recorded.
Algal productivity in 49 lake waters as determined by algal assays

Abstract Algal assays were conducted on waters from 49 American lakes to determine whether phosphorus, nitrogen, or some other nutrient was the limiting factor upon algal productivity. A comparison of the known trophic state of 23 American lakes and their bioassay response is presented. Phosphorus limited algal growth in 35 of the 49 lakes assayed. Nitrogen was limiting in eight lakes and constituents other than nitrogen and phosphorus were limiting in six lakes. The results of this study indicated phosphorus limitation decreased as the productivity of the lake waters increased.
Ascorbic Acid Therapy in a Thermal Burn Model of Corneal Ulceration in Rabbits

We studied the effect of topical and systemic ascorbic acid on a rabbit model of corneal ulceration produced by thermal burn. Central stromal ulceration occurred in 77% to 100% of eyes in all treatment groups. The rate of ulceration was accelerated in animals treated with systemic ascorbic acid. Ulceration began after 5.80 ± 2.14 days in control eyes and 2.75 ± 1.26 days in the eyes of rabbits treated with both topical and systemic ascorbic acid (P .05).
A NEW PROOF OF THE BIEBERBACH CONJECTURE FOR THE FOURTH COEFFICIENT

or one of its rotations. The conjecture was proved to be true for n = 2, 3 and 4 by BIEBERBACH [1], LOEWNER [11] and GARABEDIAN & SCHIFFER [5], respectively. Alternate proofs for the case n = 4 have been provided in the papers [19], [4] and [14]. Recent evidence in support of the conjecture has been obtained by GARABEDIAN, ROSS & SCHIFFER [4], GARABEDIAN & SCHIFFER [6] and BOMBIERI [2]. In these papers it was shown that Rean<n if f (z) is sufficiently close to K(z) in various topologies. The author [14] proved that, at the Koebe point, these topologies are all equivalent. It is the purpose of this paper to prove the Bieberbach Conjecture for the sixth coefficient.
Nucleus-splitting phacoemulsification technique

A technique for phacoemulsification that can be used with or without capsulorhexis and that allows surgery to be performed at the 12 o'clock position is described. Following central sculpting, the nucleus is tipped superiorly to the level of the iris plane with a second instrument and the phacoemulsification tip. The hard nucleus is split from the soft nucleus, leaving two bowl-shaped pieces. The nucleus is rotated and the hard nucleus is removed with a phacoemulsification tip while the softer nucleus or epinucleus is ignored. Once the hard nucleus has been removed, the epinucleus follows easily into the phacoemulsification tip. The technique is advantageous for beginning phacoemulsification surgeons and offers an alternative for very hard nuclei with small pupils.
Bayesian probabilistic structural modeling for optimal sensor placement in ultrasonic guided wave-based structural health monitoring

Many optimal sensor placement methods for structural health monitoring establish performance metrics based on the detection of a limited set of damage states and locations. In guided wave-based inspection, however, monitoring is carried out over a continuous region with a continuous distribution of possible damage locations, types, sizes, and orientations. Here, traveling waves are excited and then received by a set of transducers with the intent of detecting and localizing previously unobserved scattering sources that are associated with damage. To measure sensor network performance in this application, we implement a Bayesian experimental design approach by computing the total posterior expected cost of detection over the entire monitoring region. Since the optimization usually must be carried out using a computationally expensive meta-heuristic such as a genetic algorithm, efficient modeling of the interrogation process is key to solving this distributed sensor placement problem. In this work, we implement a previously developed semi-analytical modeling approach for wave scattering within our Bayesian probabilistic framework in order to optimally place active sensors for detecting cracks of unknown location, size, and orientation. This involves assuming a set of a priori probability distributions on the three unknowns and defining spatial distributions of cost associated with type I and type II detection error. These parameters are driven by the geometry, material, in-service structural loading, and performance requirements of the structure. Through a set of sensor placement examples, we demonstrate how changes in the probability and cost distributions will dramatically alter the optimal layout of the transducer network.
Effect of Surface Wetting of Micro/Nano Ratchets on Leidenfrost Liquid Drop Motion

A micro- and nanoscale asymmetric potential enhances propulsion of liquid drop motion in the Leidenfrost (film boiling) regime. However, the requirement of high operation temperature to levitate a liquid droplet is a critical drawback for practical application of micro- and nanosystems. In this study, we show that the threshold temperature for the droplet motion can be reduced by controlling the wetting properties of ratchet surfaces. Various sizes of metallic ratchets down to sub-micrometer period were fabricated using micro- and nanoscale machining tools. Then, the wettability of the ratchet surfaces was modified by coating hydrophobic fluorinated silane molecules after activating the ratchet surfaces with oxygen plasma. Room temperature contact angle induced by the silane coating increased significantly (∼ 20° for brass ratchets and ∼ 70° for nickel ratchets). We found that the hydrophobic coating of ratcheted surface significantly affected the levitating droplet motion, both decreasing the threshold temperature and increasing the average droplet velocity.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Identification of specific sites in the TNF-α molecule promoting insulin resistance in H-411E cells

Abstract Data from a number of laboratories support a potential role for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the loss of insulin sensitivity and the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR) in diabetic animal models and human patients. We designed experiments to establish a dose-response relationship for TNF-α and IR in H-411E cells in culture. IR was measured by inhibition of the ability of graded amounts of insulin to stimulate expression of calmodulin (CaM) mRNA in these cells. This was assessed by autoradiographs of Northern blot(s) of CaM mRNA probed with labeled oligonucleotide cDNA for rat CaM. We found that TNF-α at 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 ng/ml opposed 10,000 μU/ml insulin (i.e., %IR = 20%, 67%, and 88%, respectively). At 1.0 ng/ml TNF-α, insulin at the concentration of 1000 μU/ml (0.006 μmol/L) stimulated CaM mRNA at a 41% level and at 10,000 μU/ml (0.06 μmol/L) at a 63% level. Furthermore, oligopeptide TNF-α homologs (at 1000 × the molar concentration of TNF-α) TNF-α 69–100 and TNF-α 133–157 conferred 66% and 101% IR, respectively, while all other peptide fragments of TNF-α were essentially without effect. Studies done with both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to the TNF-α receptor demonstrated blocking activity by polyclonal but not by monoclonal anti TNF-α receptor antibody. This supports the concept that the activity of the peptide fragments occurs through the TNF-α receptor and not through nonspecific translocation across the plasma membrane. These data suggest that the epitopes on TNF-α that mediate IR reside in two regions of the molecule spanning amino acid residues 69–100 and 133–157.
Investigating the effects of polymer chemistry on activity of biocatalytic plastic materials.

The affects of polymer chemistry on the organic solvent activity of α-chymotrypsin-containing biocatalytic plastic materials are investigated in this study. To incorporate α-chymotrypsin into the polymer, the enzyme is first acryloylated, then solubilized into organic solvents via hydrophobic ion paring with surfactant molecules. Once in the organic solvent, a vinyl monomer and crosslinker are added and copolymerized with the enzyme. Due to the intimate contact between the enzyme and the resulting polymer network, the polymer chemistry plays an important role in the activity of these biocatalytic materials. The chemical composition of the monomer/polymer has the greatest effect on catalytic activity. The activity spans a range of 100-fold and appears to correlate with the hydrophilicity of the monomer, with the lowest activity exhibited for poly(methyl methacrylate) and the highest for poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The effect of the chemical structure of the monomer/polymer appears to be an intrinsic kinetic effect, whereas other polymer chemistry conditions investigated, including crosslinker concentration and length and ratio of solvent:monomer during synthesis, appear to effect the rate of substrate diffusion, thereby affecting observed enzyme activity. Changes in the conditions of polymer synthesis can cause as much as a 20-fold change in activity for a given polymeric material. This is most likely due to an increase in the porosity of the materials, and thus a relaxation of diffusional limitations. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 68: 665–671, 2000.
Telephone reminder calls increased response rates to mailed study consent forms

Abstract Background This study assessed the impact of follow-up reminder phone calls on response rates to a mailed consent form packet. Methods Patients with rheumatoid arthritis were invited to enroll in a study by signing and returning consent forms by mail. Patients not returning completed study consent forms were called and reminded to return the signed consent forms. Results Among 724 mailed consent form packets, 376 (52%) were returned without further follow-up. Follow-up reminder calls were made to 220 of the 348 patients who did not return signed consent forms. Among subjects contacted by phone, 67 (31% of those called) returned signed consent forms. Conclusion Follow-up reminder phone calls raised the overall consent rate of 52 to 61%, suggesting that they can be an effective technique in increasing response rates.
Polycrystalline configurations that maximize electrical resistivity

Abstract A lower bound on the effective conductivity tensor of polycrystalline aggregates formed from a single basic crystal of conductivity σ was recently established by Avellaneda. Cherkaev, Lurie and Milton. The bound holds for any basic crystal, but for isotropic aggregates of a uniaxial crystal, the bound is achieved by a sphere assemblage model of Schulgasser. This left open the question of attainability of the bound when the crystal is not uniaxial. The present work establishes that the bound is always attained by a rather large class of polycrystalline materials. These polycrystalline materials, with maximal electrical resistivity, are constructed by sequential lamination of the basic crystal and rotations of itself on widely separated length scales. The analysis is facilitated by introducing a tensor s = 0(0I + σ)−1 where 0 > 0 is chosen so that Tr s = 1. This tensor s is related to the electric field in the optimal polycrystalline configurations.
Discussion of Decomposing Changes in Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities to Isolate Earnings Management Activities

Phillips et al. (2004) (hereafter PPRW) investigate whether changes in eight components of net deferred tax liabilities can be used to identify firms that manage earnings to avoid earnings declines. PPRW extend existing literature that examines whether deferred tax expense can be used to detect earnings management by collecting detailed information about accounts that affect the net deferred tax liability (and deferred tax expense) to identify specific components of the net deferred tax liability that predict whether firms manage earnings. The paper investigates this issue by estimating a system of equations that simultaneously determines a firm’s earnings management classification and eight components of the net deferred tax liability. The eight components include changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities related to: (1) revenue and expense accruals and reserves, (2) compensation, (3) depreciation of tangible assets, (4) other asset valuations, (5) miscellaneous items, (6) tax carryforwards, (7) unrealized gains and losses, and (8) the deferred tax asset valuation allowance account (VAA). For the full sample, only two components, changes in revenue and expense accruals and reserves and other asset valuations, are predictive of earnings management. For firmyears with positive changes in the net deferred tax liability, the probability that a firm manages earnings is positively related to changes in revenue and expense accruals and reserves and negatively related to changes in the VAA. For firm-years with negative changes in the net deferred tax liability, the probability that a firm manages earnings is positively related to changes in revenue and expense accruals and reserves and other asset valuations. The paper addresses an important topic, and I think the analysis of the components of the deferred tax liability provides useful information to academics and financial statement users about how firms manage earnings. However, the empirical analysis in this study presents some challenges. In this discussion, I first summarize the paper’s contribution to the literature and then I detail my concerns about the empirical analysis.
Take-home methadone: contingency effects on drug-seeking and productivity of narcotic addicts.

Abstract Sixty-nine methadone maintenance patients were randomly assigned to an immediate contingency for take home or the same contingency 2 months later. The contingency required zero rate drug-seeking as measured by randomly scheduled and monitored urinalyses once per week and full-time production activity, verified every other week. These were examined two months before and after the contingency. Significant decreases in drug-seeking and increases in productivity were associated with the contingency. Control over drug-seeking was evidenced by increased consecutive “clean urines” although there was little change in overall percent “clean urines”. Although no diversion incidents were observed, experimenters felt unrecorded diversion occurred and discuss implications of this and other results, concluding take-home methadone can be a powerful reinforcer of rehabilitation behaviors in methadone programs.
Atorvastatin Promotes Presenilin-1 Expression and Notch1 Activity and Increases Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation After Stroke

Background and Purpose— Presenilin1 (PS1) regulates Notch1 signaling activity, which liberates Notch intracellular domain (NICD). Notch activation promotes neural progenitor cell (NPC) self-renewal in the developing brain. In this study, we tested whether atorvastatin-induced NPC proliferation after stroke is mediated by PS1 and Notch1 activation. Methods— PS1 and NICD expressions were measured in retired breeder rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion that were left untreated or treated with atorvastatin. To investigate the mechanisms of atorvastatin-induced NPC self-renewal, subventricular zone (SVZ) neurosphere culture and knockdown of Notch1 gene expression by short interfering RNA were used. SVZ neurosphere formation, cell proliferation, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting were performed. Results— Atorvastatin significantly increased the numbers of newly generated neuroblasts and promoted PS1 and NICD expression in the ipsilateral and homologous contralateral SVZ comp...
Management and outcome of patients with sporadic gastrinoma arising in the duodenum.

Zollinger Ellison Syndrome (ZES) is characterized by hypersecretion of gastrin from a neuroendocrine tumor resulting in profound gastric acid hypersecretion and a spectrum of clinical presentations including symptoms of refractory peptic ulcer disease, severe diarrhea, or intestinal perforation.1 In the past, surgical intervention consisted mainly of palliative gastrectomy to prevent the morbid consequences associated with uncontrolled gastric acid hypersecretion. With improvement in medical management using proton pump inhibitors, gastric acid hypersecretion can be effectively controlled in 100% of individuals in most series,2,3 which has effectively eliminated the need for emergent or palliative surgical intervention in patients diagnosed with the condition. Currently, surgical management is directed towards identification and resection of the primary tumor and regional metastases to lymph nodes or liver to prevent malignant progression of disease. In addition, cure as defined as 10-year biochemically confirmed disease-free survival can be achieved in 34% of patients with sporadic gastrinoma undergoing resection with curative intent.4 Primary duodenal gastrinomas are now recognized to be a more common etiology of sporadic ZES than previously thought and the use of routine duodenotomy during surgical exploration has resulted in improved identification and resection of these frequently very small primary tumors.5–7 Our institution has previously reported that small primary duodenal gastrinomas are associated with lymph node metastases in over 50% of individuals at operation,6 but the long-term outcome of patients with primary duodenal tumors and the significance of associated lymph node metastases are not known. The current study was undertaken to characterize our current results for patients who have sporadic gastrinomas arising in the duodenum who underwent resection with curative intent. Primary tumor size and location, the frequency and location of associated lymph node metastases, and overall and disease-free survival were analyzed.
Differentiating Co-Occurring Behavior Problems in Children with ADHD: Patterns of Emotional Reactivity and Executive Functioning.

Objective: This study examined whether “top-down” and “bottom-up” control processes can differentiate children with ADHD who exhibit co-occurring aggression and/or internalizing symptoms. Method: P...
Cardio-Pulmonary Function in Bullous Emphysema: A Preliminary Report

SUMMARY The development of pulmonary hypertension is dependent upon an increase in pulmonary resistance. Factors influencing the increase in pulmonary resistance are destruction of small vascular channels, anoxia, arteriolar constriction, polycythemia, hypervolemia, and increased cardiac output. Three patients with diffuse obstructive emphysema associated with giant unilateral bullae have been observed pre- and post-operatively following resection of emphysematous bullae. Two of the patients were first observed with episodes of right heart failure. Post-operatively there was an increase in vital capacity in all three patients and an increase in maximum breathing capacity in two. In the two patients who had cardiac catheterization performed, both before and after surgery, there was a fall in pulmonary artery pressure in both and an increase in arterial oxygen saturation in one following resection of the bullae. All patients tolerated surgery without development of complications and were able to return to their former occupations. The two with heart failure were maintained in a state of adequate cardiac compensation on an ambulatory basis. The follow-up period has ranged from seven to 22 months. The clinical improvement of these patients seems to correlate with the reduction of pulmonary artery pressure although the exact mechanism is not apparent. Further studies are in progress to more fully evaluate the results.
Disordered verbalizations in Schizophrenia: a speech disturbance or thought disorder?

This research provides empirical data relevant to the long-standing theoretical issue of whether disordered speech in schizophrenia should be viewed as a speech disturbance or a thought disorder. The study analyzed whether schizophrenia patients with disordered speech on one test also show strange nonverbal behavior and unrealistic ideas on other assessments. One hundred eighty-four patients, including 55 schizophrenia patients, were assessed at the acute phase and followed up twice, over 4.5 years. Patients were assessed (1) with a standardized measure that can elicit disordered speech, (2) with a different measure that can elicit an atypical sorting of objects and an intermingling of personal ideas, and (3) for delusions (unrealistic thinking). Schizophrenia patients with disordered speech on the Proverbs Test also (1) sorted objects strangely on the Object Sorting Test (P <.05), (2) showed an intermingling of personal ideas into their thinking (P <.01), and (3) had delusional ideas when assessed at two successive follow-ups over a multiyear period (P <.001). The data suggest that most schizophrenia patients and other psychotic patients with disordered speech also show strange nonverbal behavior and unrealistic ideas/beliefs. These data support a theoretical framework in which disordered speech in schizophrenia and other types of psychotic patients is viewed as not just due to a speech disorder, but is often part of a broader constellation that includes gross reality distortions, strange behavior and ideas, and disordered thinking.
Human plasma lipid and immunologic responses to eggs and ascorbic acid

Abstract The possibility that dietary eggs and ascorbic acid have a positive and synergistic influence on human high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was investigated. The influences of these diet variables on other plasma lipids and on some immune functions were also evaluated. Twenty men, ages 36 to 60 years, followed each of four, 12-week modifications of their daily habitual diet: no visible eggs or supplemental ascorbic acid (Basal); 3 eggs (EG); 1.5 g ascorbic acid (AA); and both 3 eggs and 1.5 g ascorbic acid (EGAA). Although average HDL cholesterol concentrations were unchanged by these diet modifications, HDL cholesterol was positively correlated with plasma levels of ascorbic acid. Total cholesterol was the only plasma lipid that was affected significantly by any of the treatments, and the difference was only between diets EG and AA (mean±SEM); 209±9 mg/dl and 194±6 mg/dl, respectively. These diet variables had no significant effect on plasma concentrations of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, or complement C3 nor on mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation. However, the latter measure of immune response, mitogen-induced lymphoproliferation, tended to increase during the AA diet period. Although these data do not support an eggs-ascorbic acid synergism, ascorbic acid appears to play a role, as yet undefined, in cholesterol metabolism.
A new iodinated liver phantom for the quantitative evaluation of advanced CT acquisition and reconstruction techniques

An iodinated liver phantom is needed for liver CT related studies, such as the quantification of lesion contrast. Prior studies simulated iodinated hepatic lesions with tubes of iodine solution, which involved complications associated with the setup, differences from actual lesion morphology, and susceptibility to iodine sediments. To develop a dedicated liver phantom with anthropomorphic structures and solid lesions, we designed a phantom with iodinated liver inserts and lesions of different sizes and contrasts. The concentration of iodine in liver parenchyma was determined according to the HU measured from clinical images. The concentrations in high and low contrast lesions were selected so as to provide challenging but reasonable detection tasks. The application of the liver phantom was initially validated at different doses and reconstruction settings.
Drug Therapy of Dissecting Aortic Aneurysms: Some Reservations

The records of 56 patients with proved acute aortic dissection were studied for factors bearing on the applicability of vigorous drug therapy to reduce arterial pressure. Fourteen patients had an arterial pressure of 120 mm Hg systolic or less. Fifteen additional patients had evidence of occlusion of a major branch of the aorta. More than half of the 56 patients, therefore, could not have received antihypertensive drugs. The presence of a contraindication to drug therapy marked a patient for an early death. All 29 died within 2 weeks. Twelve of the 27 in whom no contraindications to drug therapy were observed survived more than 2 weeks and six survived more than a year even though none were placed on a vigorous antihypertensive regimen. Assessment of the efficacy of drug therapy of dissecting aortic aneurysm should take into account these facets of the natural history.
Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney

Abraham Lincoln and Chief Justice Roger B. Taney may have met only twice—in 1849, when Lincoln made an oral argument before the Supreme Court, and in 1861, when Chief Justice Taney administered the presidential oath of office to Lincoln. The two men's roles in American history are inextricably bound nonetheless, as I will attempt to demonstrate in this essay.
Interpreted Reflection Seismic Events Near the North Central Corporation Well, Newark Basin, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

dril led a 10,500-ft well in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to test for oil and gas in TriassicJurassic strata of the Newark Group in the Newark basin. The hole was located about 5 mi southeast of the border fault on the crest of the Revere anticline, a transverse structure that plunges northwestward to-ward the border fault on the crest of the Revere anticline, a transverse structure that plunges northwestward toward the border fault. This drill hole, No. 1 Cabot-KBI, penetrated in descending order 2900 ft of lacustrine red and gray shale (Passaic Formation of Jurassic and Triassic age), 3600 ft of Lacustrine gray and black shale (Lockatong Formation of Triassic age), and 4000 ft of fluvial sandstone and red shale (Stockton Formation of Triassic age). Although the drill hole was abandoned, it revealed excellent gas shows throughout the Lockatong Formation and parts of the Stockton Formation. Acoustic and density logs from the well were converted to a synthetic seismogram that ties stratigraphic intervals in the borehole with seismic events on the nearby, 33-mi-long Seitel ND-l seismic line. Formation contacts, probable intraformational unconformities and lithologic units such as 50-ft-thick fluvial sandstones in the Stockton Formation are identified and traced for tens of miles away from the well. Moreover, beneath the drill site in the Stockton Formation, the 48-fold seismic line shows a large anticline that is subparallel to the border fault. This anticline has no surface expression; Interpreted reflection seismic events near the North Central Corporation Well, Newark Basin, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Predicting the range of linkage disequilibrium

A generally accepted strategy in the mapping of a disease gene is to initially apply linkage analysis for an approximate estimate of the location of the trait gene and to subsequently make use of linkage disequilibrium (association) for a more accurate localization. The thinking behind this approach has been that disequilibrium extends over much shorter distances from a disease gene than does linkage. On the other hand, biotechnology companies are gearing up to develop large numbers of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers (1) to localize disease genes by the disequilibrium mapping approach alone, for example, in case-control studies. It is then of interest to know how many such markers will be required on a genome-wide basis. Thus, the question is, how rapidly does disequilibrium decay as one moves away from a disease locus? The answer to this question is obviously of more than academic interest. Whether several 1,000 or several 100,000 SNP markers are needed will have a major impact on such association mapping studies. An early prediction was that in large outbred populations, disequilibrium should …
A model for thunder based on heat addition

Abstract Thunderclap generation by lightning is analyzed in terms of a linear model in which heat addition-rather than an initial distribution of condensation—is responsible for the emission. The analysis is based on the basic formulation proposed by Chu to study the fundamental properties of sound waves emitted by heat sources. For the lightning discharge it is assumed that heat is released along a straight line of infinite extent. The time variations of heat release are taken to be of the simplest type to allow closed form solutions. The analysis results in acoustic signatures which are very similar to those obtained in the field. They indicate that some of the main features in the observed thunderclap signatures are due to the time duration of the heat-addition stages. The results are also used to compute the far field power spectrum of a thunderclap. The calculated spectrum is found to be similar to those obtained experimentally. In particular, its maximum amplitude peak occurs at a frequency which is of the same order of magnitude as the values reported in the literature.
Efficacy and tolerability of once-weekly rosuvastatin in patients with previous statin intolerance.

Background Many patients who could benefit from hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors (statins) are unable to take statins because of myalgias while taking previous statin therapy. Objective The primary objective was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of once-weekly rosuvastatin in patients with documented myalgias on statins who were not currently taking a statin and not at low-density lipoprotein (LDL) goal. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study we enrolled a total of 17 Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care patients with a diagnosis of hyperlipidemia and a history of myalgias on statin therapy who were not currently on a statin and not at LDL goal. Two 8-week treatment phases consisted of rosuvastatin 5 mg once-weekly or matching placebo, with a dose titration to 10 mg once-weekly if not at LDL goal at week 4. The primary efficacy outcome was the difference in the mean percentage change in LDL from baseline between rosuvastatin and placebo. Results A significant difference in the mean percentage change in LDL from baseline for rosuvastatin vs. placebo was identified (12.2% reduction vs. 0.4% reduction, respectively; P = .002). Two of the 17 patients (11.8%) in the placebo treatment phase and three of the 15 patients (20%) in the rosuvastatin treatment phase experienced myalgias requiring cessation of therapy. In addition, three patients (20%) were able to attain LDL goal on rosuvastatin compared with zero patients (0%) on placebo. Conclusion Once-weekly low-dose rosuvastatin is an effective and well-tolerated lipid-lowering therapy option for patients not at LDL goal and previously unable to tolerate statins because of a history of myalgias.
HIGH ORDER CARTAN'S HOMOTOPY FORMULAE AND THE ALGEBRAIC APPROACH TO ANOMALIES

The homotopy operators in high-dimensional parameter space are introduced and the high order Chern-Simons-like characteristic polynomials are precisely defined. These quantities are closely related to the algebraic approach to anomalies recently proposed by Faddeev.
Concentration of Uranium and Lead and the Isotopic Composition of Lead in Meteoritic Material

The cosmic abundance of lead and uranium have been determined by studying the lead and uranium contents of meteoritic materials. Lead is found to be present to 8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ atom/10 000 atoms of silicon, and uranium to 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ atom/10 000 atom of silicon. The new value for lead removes the hump in the cosmic abundance curve in the 206-208 mass region. The relative primordial abundances of lead isotopes of mass 204, 206, 207, and 208 are found to be 1:9.4:10.3:29.2, respectively.