cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Boussinesq-Flamant problem for an elastic nonlocal half-infinite space

Transmission of a concentrated force into a half-infinite elastic medium is examined assuming that the medium has nonlocal properties. The values of the nonlocal moduli are adopted from the known studies on the wave propagation in nonlocal media. Field equations are solved by using the Fourier transform technique. Inversion of the equations obtained for the stresses and displacements shows that the equations for stresses coincide with those predicted by the conventional theory. The equations for the displacements differ, however, from their classical counterparts, and can only be evaluated approximately. The first approximation leads to the classical equations. The fourth approximation derived for the Poisson material close to the line of loading displays deviations from the classical values amounting to 35%.
Effects of maternal nutritional stress on synaptic plasma membrane proteins and glycoproteins in offspring.

Abstract An earlier study in this laboratory demonstrated a 33 to 50% deficiency of synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) proteins in the brains of developing offspring of rats that were fed a protein-deficient diet during lactation. We have demonstrated that an SPM deficit persisted if the nutritional stress (in this case postnatal protein-calorie deficiency) was continued on a long-term basis. If nutritional rehabilitation was instituted on the 21st postnatal day, however, the SPM deficit was reversible. We also demonstrated abnormalities in the synthesis of fucosylated SPM glycoproteins in the developing offspring rats subjected to protein or protein-calorie deficient diets and in rehabilitated offspring. These abnormalities were detected using sensitive double-label isotopic procedures. Few abnormalities were found in the relative distribution of the dye-binding capacity of SPM proteins from developing control, undernourished, or rehabilitated rats on polyacrylamide gels that had been stained with Coomassie blue. The potential cause and importance of abnormalities in synaptic glycoproteins is discussed.
Plasma and urinary aldosterone measurement in healthy subjects with a radioimmunoassay kit not requiring chromatography

We examined the application of a radioimmunoassay kit, not requiring chromatography, to the measurement of aldosterone in healthy human subjects. Plasma aldosterone, urinary aldosterone, and plasma renin activity measurements were performed on samples from 47 subjects under conditions in which dietary sodium intake, posture, and times of sample collection were rigidly controlled. Nomograms are presented to illustrate the continuous, rather well defined, inverse relationship between 24 h sodium excretion and aldosterone measurements in plasma and urine. Mean plasma and urinary aldosterone values for subjects on normal sodium diets were 0.332 ± 0.211 nmol/liter and 36.6 ± 18.6 nmol/24 h and agreed well with previously reported values. A significant (p
The Groucho-related Gene Family Regulates the Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Gene through Interaction with the Homeodomain Proteins MSX1 and OCT1

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is exclusively expressed in a unique population of hypothalamic neurons that controls reproductive function. GnRH gene expression is highly dynamic. Its transcriptional activity is regulated in a complex spatiotemporal manner during embryonic development and postnatal life. Although a variety of transcription factors have been identified as regulators of GnRH transcription, most are promiscuous in their DNA-binding requirements, and none are solely expressed in GnRH neurons. Their specific activity is probably determined by interactions with distinct cofactors. Here we find that the Groucho-related gene (GRG) family of co-repressors is expressed in a model cell line for the GnRH neuron and co-expresses with GnRH during prenatal development. GRG proteins associate in vivo with the GnRH promoter. Furthermore, GRG proteins interact with two regulators of GnRH transcription, the homeodomain proteins MSX1 and OCT1. Co-transfection experiments indicate that GRG proteins regulate GnRH promoter activity. The long GRG forms enhance MSX1 repression and counteract OCT1 activation of the GnRH gene. In contrast, the short form, GRG5, has a dominant-negative effect on MSX1-dependent repression. Taken together, these data suggest that the dynamic switch between activation and repression of GnRH transcription is mediated by recruitment of the GRG co-regulators.
Qualitative Changes in the Pituitary Gonadotropins of the Male Rhesus Monkey Following Castration

Characterization of pituitary LH and FSH from intact and castrated male monkeys showed that gonadotropins from intact males are smaller in average apparent molecular size, and disappear from the circulation of test rats more rapidly than hormones from castrated males. Furthermore, intact male monkey LH and FSH are smaller and are cleared from the rat circulation faster than the gonadotropins from intact female monkeys. We conclude that 1) in the rhesus monkey changes in the properties of pituitary LH and FSH resulting from orchidectomy are similar to those which follow ovariectomy, 2) the response to gonadectomy of the male monkey with regard to the molecular properties of FSH is opposite to that of the male rat, and 3) the relationship between the influence of male and female sex hormones on the apparent molecular size of FSH in the monkey is the reverse of that in the rat. (Endocrinology 98: 1061, 1976)
Endometrial obstruction of ureter

The importance of complete urologic investigation of patients known to have pelvic endometriosis is stressed. Early detection of ureteral obstruction should significantly lower the high rate of unsalvageable kidneys which result from this lesion.
Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with altered n-back activation and performance in healthy adults: implications for a commonly used working memory task

Previous research suggests that a history of early life stress (ELS) impacts working memory (WM) in adulthood. Despite the widespread use of WM paradigms, few studies have evaluated whether ELS exposure, in the absence of psychiatric illness, also impacts WM-associated brain activity in ways that might improve sensitivity to these ELS effects or provide insights into the mechanisms of these effects. This study evaluated whether ELS affects WM behavioral performance and task-associated activity by acquiring 3T functional images from 27 medication-free healthy adults (14 with ELS) during an N-back WM task that included 0- and 2-back components. Whole brain voxel-wise analysis was performed to evaluate WM activation, followed by region of interest analyses to evaluate relationships between activation and clinical variables. ELS was associated with poorer accuracy during the 2-back (79% ± 19 vs. 92% ± 9, p = 0.049); accuracy and response time otherwise did not differ between groups. During the 0-back, ELS participants demonstrated increased activation in the superior temporal gyrus/insula, left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) (both corrected p < 0.001), and middle temporal and parahippocampal gyrus (MTG/PHG)(corrected p < 0.010). During the 2-back, ELS was associated with greater activation in the IPL, MTG/PHG and inferior frontal gyrus (corrected p < 0.001), with a trend towards precuneus activation (p = 0.080). These findings support previous research showing that ELS is associated with impaired neurobehavioral performance and changes in brain activation, suggesting recruitment of additional cognitive resources during WM in ELS. Based on these findings, ELS screening in future WM imaging studies appears warranted.
Analysis of aircraft tires via semianalytic finite elements

A computational procedure is presented for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of aircraft tires. The tire was modeled by using a two-dimensional laminated anisotropic shell theory with the effects of variation in material and geometric parameters included. The four key elements of the procedure are: (1) semianalytic finite elements in which the shell variables are represented by Fourier series in the circumferential direction and piecewise polynomials in the meridional direction; (2) a mixed formulation with the fundamental unknowns consisting of strain parameters, stress-resultant parameters, and generalized displacements; (3) multilevel operator splitting to effect successive simplifications, and to uncouple the equations associated with different Fourier harmonics; and (4) multilevel iterative procedures and reduction techniques to generate the response of the shell.
Prediction of Xaa-Pro peptide bond conformation from sequence and chemical shifts.

We present a program, named Promega, to predict the Xaa-Pro peptide bond conformation on the basis of backbone chemical shifts and the amino acid sequence. Using a chemical shift database of proteins of known structure together with the PDB-extracted amino acid preference of cis Xaa-Pro peptide bonds, a cis/trans probability score is calculated from the backbone and 13Cβ chemical shifts of the proline and its neighboring residues. For an arbitrary number of input chemical shifts, which may include Pro-13Cγ, Promega calculates the statistical probability that a Xaa-Pro peptide bond is cis. Besides its potential as a validation tool, Promega is particularly useful for studies of larger proteins where Pro-13Cγ assignments can be challenging, and for on-going efforts to determine protein structures exclusively on the basis of backbone and 13Cβ chemical shifts.
Cardiac arrhythmias in a population admitted to an acute alcoholic detoxification center

To characterize the relationship between acute alcohol ingestion and its withdrawal with cardiac arrhythmias, we studied 38 patients admitted to an acute community alcoholic detoxification center with 24-hour ambulatory ECGs and serum ethanol levels. We found a mild correlation between the serum ethanol level and the mean rate of ventricular ectopic beats/hour (rs = 0.34, p < 0.05). Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation were more common in patients found to have evidence of previous underlying organic heart disease. There was no change in the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in this population after 2 weeks of ethanol abstinence as judged by repeat 24-hour ambulatory ECG. We conclude that in patients admitted to an acute detoxification center, cardiac arrhythmias are found more commonly in those with underlying organic heart disease, and these arrhythmias do not appear to change after 2 weeks of abstinence from alcohol ingestion.
Using program analysis to identify and compensate for nondeterminism in fault-tolerant, replicated systems

Fault-tolerant replicated applications are typically assumed to be deterministic, in order to ensure reproducible, consistent behavior and state across a distributed system. Real applications often contain nondeterministic features that cannot be eliminated. Through the novel application of program analysis to distributed CORBA applications, we decompose an application into its constituent structures, and discover the kinds of nondeterminism present within the application. We target the instances of nondeterminism that can be compensated for automatically, and highlight to the application programmer those instances of nondeterminism that need to be manually rectified. We demonstrate our approach by compensating for specific forms of nondeterminism and by quantifying the associated performance overheads. The resulting code growth is typically limited to one extra line for every instance of nondeterminism, and the runtime overhead is minimal, compared to a fault-tolerant application with no compensation for nondeterminism.
Measurement system for the high-throughput characterization of metal nanoparticles for biosensors

We present a system for the rapid characterization of nanoparticles for biosensors, providing concurrent atomic force microscopy and scattering spectra of individual nanoparticles and simultaneous spectra from various nanostructures created by electron beam lithography.
Birds are islands for parasites

Understanding the mechanisms driving the extraordinary diversification of parasites is a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Co-speciation, one pro- posed mechanism that could contribute to this diversity is hypothesized to result from allopatric co-divergence of host-parasite populations. We found that islandpopulations ofthe Galapagoshawk(Buteogalapagoensis) anda para- sitic feather louse species (Degeeriella regalis) exhibit patterns of co-divergence across variable temporal and spatial scales. Hawks and lice showed nearly identical population genetic structure across the Galapagos Islands. Hawk population genetic structure is explained by isolation by distance among islands.Lousepopulationstructureisbestexplainedbyhawkpopulationstruc- ture,ratherthanisolationbydistanceperse,suggestingthatlicetightlytrackthe recent population histories of their hosts. Among hawk individuals, louse populations were also highly structured, suggesting that hosts serve as islands for parasites from an evolutionary perspective. Altogether, we found that host and parasite populations may have responded in the same manner to geo- graphical isolation across spatial scales. Allopatric co-divergence is likely one important mechanism driving the diversification of parasites.
Assessment and defence of solitary kangaroo rats under risk of predation by snakes

Prey that spend a large proportion of their time foraging must trade-off between predator defence and feeding. Because predation risk can be a cost in desert granivores, we predicted that kangaroo rats (Dipodomys) should weigh the risk of predation when deciding which behavioural option to pursue. We manipulated apparent predation risk of the giant kangaroo rat, D. ingens, and the desert kangaroo rat, D. deserti, and predicted they should be more vigilant and show greater defensive behaviour to the more dangerous stimulus of a real snake than to an artificial snake decoy. Results showed that kangaroo rats decreased foraging with increased vigilance when the snake and decoy were present. The largest decrease in foraging was in response to the live snake, and both species oriented towards, approached and footdrummed more in the presence of the live snake than the decoy. The species also differed in their antipredator behaviour: D. ingens footdrummed more and spent more time within striking distance of the snake than the decoy. Dipodomys deserti spent more time within 1 m of the snake than the decoy and kicked sand at the snake. Sand kicking was never observed in D. ingens. We conclude that kangaroo rats are able to discriminate predation risk. They decrease foraging and increase vigilance in the presence of live snakes to assess risk and may approach and footdrum as a pursuit deterrent to communicate to the snake its chances of ambush are no longer available to cause the snake to leave. Sand kicking may function to harass the snake to cause it to leave.  2001 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Fish humps in two Colorado River fishes: a morphological response to cyprinid predation?

Extant fishes endemic to the upper Colorado River of the American southwest include only cyprinids and catostomids. A curious attribute in species of both groups is the presence of a large nuchal hump. Largest cyprinid humps occur in humpback chub, Gila cypha, and largest catostomid humps occur in razorback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus. Several authors have suggested the humps confer a hydrodynamic advantage to life in fast flow, but this premise has not been confirmed with experimental work. To test the role of humps in Colorado River fishes, we subjected whole-body casts of preserved specimens with humps and with humps removed to controlled flows in an experimental tank. These tests confirmed that humps increased drag coefficients for X. texanus and G. cypha with no additional lift component. High energetic costs of locomotion and position-holding with a large hump, and the additional metabolic expense of forming large humps, suggest that the humps are not relict structures. Instead, we argue that these large humps represent convergent evolution prompted by predation from a cyprinid piscivore. Colorado pikeminnow, Ptychocheilus lucius, top piscivore in the Colorado River system, is the only native fish capable of consuming large X. texanus and G. cypha, and it also is sympatric with them. However, lack of jaw teeth and a relatively small jaw gape limit the maximum prey size that P. lucius can consume. Based on gape size, about 55% of X. texanus and 71% of G. cypha could be consumed by even the largest P. lucius. However, vulnerability would increase to 73 and 83% respectively if these species did not have humps. Coevolution tends to favor predator defense mechanisms in prey most vulnerable to such a voracious predator. Development of a large nuchal hump provides a deep body that is difficult or impossible for P. lucius to ingest.
Third-generation oral contraceptives: how risky?

Several studies suggest an association between the use of third-generation oral contraceptives (OCs) containing either desogestrel or gestodene and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Current users of third-generation OCs faced about a two-fold increased risk of thromboembolism than users of other OCs even after researchers controlled for possible confounding factors that increase the risk for thromboembolism e.g. smoking. These latest findings suggest that these OCs actually induce the increased risk of thromboembolism. One study showed that body mass index did not account for the added risk of thromboembolism to users of third-generation OCs. Another study found that family history of venous thrombosis did not increase the risk in third-generation OC users. It did find that nulligravidity and the factor V Leiden mutation contributed to the increased risk of venous thromboembolism in third-generation OC users. Health professionals should consider the size of both risks and benefits linked to various OCs when advising women to discontinue or not to begin using third-generation OCs. The increased risk of venous thromboembolism linked to a third generation OC beyond that linked to the use of an earlier OC is 10-15/100000 woman-years of use. Assuming a typical case fatality rate of around 1% the increased rate of fatal thromboembolism would range from 1 to 1.5/million woman-years. One study found that mortality from vascular diseases among current users of third-generation OCs is essentially the same as that of users of other OCs. No studies have examined any possible benefits from third-generation OC use in terms of incidence and mortality related to myocardial infarction or diabetes mellitus. Women and their health providers need to make their decision by weighing an increase albeit small in thromboembolism-related death against a possible decrease in the risk of other serious conditions.
Expression profiles of congenital renal dysplasia reveal new insights into renal development and disease

Congenital renal dysplasia (RD) is a major cause of renal failure in the pediatric population. Although molecular and genetic aspects of RD have been studied in animal models, limited studies have been done in human RD primarily due to lack of available material. To identify novel genes that are associated with RD and normal kidney development, we performed microarray analysis on total RNA extracted from age-matched fetal kidneys of normal and RD patients. In midgestational RD kidneys, we found 180 upregulated and 104 downregulated transcripts compared with normal kidneys. Among the increased transcripts in the dysplastic kidneys were matrix-degrading enzymes (MMP7, MMP19, TIMP1), inflammation- and immunity-related genes, and growth factors. Expression of genes known to be essential for normal kidney development, such as WT1, BMP7, renin, angiotensin receptor 2 (AGTR2), SAL-like 1 (SALL1) and glypican 3 (GPC3), were decreased in dysplastic kidneys. Expression of selected gene products (BMP7, renin, and MMP7) was further confirmed in parallel sections and in several normal and human dysplastic kidneys, supporting the role of these genes as putative RD biomarkers. These results are among the first to reveal disrupted expression profiles during gestation in human RD patients.
Prebiotic synthesis of imidazole-4-acetaldehyde, imidazole-4-glycol and imidazole-4-ethanol

A wide var iety of chemical processes have been used for the synthesis of amino acids from prebiot ic molecular precursors under plausible pr imi t ive Earth conditions (M i l l e r , 1982). The prebiot ic formation of a l l protein-type amino acids has been demonstrated except for three amino acids: h is t id ine , lys ine, and arginine (Weber and Mi l l e r , 1981). As a continuation of our work on the prebiot ic synthesis of imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, and 4-methylimidazole (Or6 et a l . , 1984), th is paper reports the prebiot ic synthesis of other imidazoles (l~-4-acetaldehyde, Im-4-glycol, and Im-4-ethanol), which are among the intermediate products in the proposed prebiot ic synthet ic pathway of h is t id ine.
Parallel, Gradient-Based Anisotropic Mesh Adaptation for Re-entry Vehicle Configurations

Two gradient-based adaptation methodologies have been implemented into the Fun3d refine GridEx infrastructure. A spring-analogy adaptation which provides for nodal movement to cluster mesh nodes in the vicinity of strong shocks has been extended for general use within Fun3d, and is demonstrated for a 70 sphere cone at Mach 2. A more general feature-based adaptation metric has been developed for use with the adaptation mechanics available in Fun3d, and is applicable to any unstructured, tetrahedral, flow solver. The basic functionality of general adaptation is explored through a case of flow over the forebody of a 70 sphere cone at Mach 6. A practical application of Mach 10 flow over an Apollo capsule, computed with the Felisa flow solver, is given to compare the adaptive mesh refinement with uniform mesh refinement. The examples of the paper demonstrate that the gradient-based adaptation capability as implemented can give an improvement in solution quality.
Evaluation of Infectious Disease Knowledge in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Effects of Varying Durations of Training

Objective:The amount, origin, and resources ofinfectious disease knowledge in the field ofobstetrics and gynecology were investigated. If this knowledge is lacking, the exact length of the specific infectious disease training during residency should be defined to meet the ever-increasing knowledge required in training. Methods:A 50-question test was developed by one faculty member utilizing questions that incorporated the basic sciences of microbiology and pharmacology and clinical knowledge of infectious diseases in the area of obstetrics and gynecology. Multiple choice and matching questions were structured so as to ascertain the source of the knowledge, including medical school curriculum, recentjournal articles, and clinical experience. Results: The test was given yearly to all students and residents on the Obstetric and Gynecology Service over a period of 2 years. The questions were the same for each group, but were reshuffled each exam period. Three hundred and seven tests were properly administered and recorded. There was no statistical improvement in any successive year’s scores unless specific infectious disease training occurred. Increasing improvement in scores was noted, with an increasing duration of infectious disease training specific for obstetrics and gynecology, beginning at 2 weeks (22% improvement), 4 weeks (30% improvement), and 6 weeks (31% improvement) (P .05-.001). Basic science questions were most frequently answered correctly by medical students and early residents, while correctly answered clinical questions correlated with increasing clinical experience except in the area ofambulatory care. Conclusions: The infectious disease knowledge of residents in obstetrics and gynecology can be improved with 4 weeks ofintensive training. Re-exposure to basic science knowledge and improved training in ambulatory care in this resident group appear to be necessary. This test or similar tests can be helpful in defining areas ofdeficiencies and their possible remedies. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Structure in asynchronous cellular automata

Abstract The properties of synchronous cellular automata are compared with two types of cellular automata which iterate asynchronously either at random or with clocks of slightly different periods. It is shown that some of the apparent self-organization of cellular automata is an artifact of the synchronization of the clocks. The structure which does exist in asynchronous cellular automata is compared with that found in the synchronous case and some apparently new forms of self-organization which appear are studied.
Nuclear magnetic resonance study of aluminum chloride-n-Butylpyridinium chloride melts

Abstract High resolution proton and 13 C-NMR measurements were used to follow the variation of the n -butylpyridinium (BP + ) cation spectra in BP + Cl − AlCl 3 molten mixtures. The mole fraction of AlCl 3 was varied between 0.45 and 0.60. It was found that chemical shifts and proton coupling constants are significantly affected by the BP + -Cl − and BP + -AlCl − 4 associations. Analysis of the NMR results shows that in the melts the ionic association into ion pairs is essentially quantitative. Lithium-7 NMR of BPCl-AlCl 3 -LiCl melt shows that when the mole-fraction of AlCl 3 is 2 − ion is formed, while in the acidic melts the Li + ion probably interacts with two AlCl 4 − ions to form LiAl 2 Cl − 8 ion.
Calibration of the borated ion chamber at NIST reactor thermal column

In boron neutron capture therapy and boron neutron capture enhanced fast neutron therapy, the absorbed dose of tissue due to the boron neutron capture reaction is difficult to measure directly. This dose can be computed from the measured thermal neutron fluence rate and the (10)B concentration at the site of interest. A borated tissue-equivalent (TE) ion chamber can be used to directly measure the boron dose in a phantom under irradiation by a neutron beam. Fermilab has two Exradin 0.5 cm(3) Spokas thimble TE ion chambers, one loaded with boron, available for such measurements. At the Fermilab Neutron Therapy Facility, these ion chambers are generally used with air as the filling gas. Since alpha particles and lithium ions from the (10)B(n,alpha)(7)Li reactions have very short ranges in air, the Bragg-Gray principle may not be satisfied for the borated TE ion chamber. A calibration method is described in this paper for the determination of boron capture dose using paired ion chambers. The two TE ion chambers were calibrated in the thermal column of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) research reactor. The borated TE ion chamber is loaded with 1,000 ppm of natural boron (184 ppm of (10)B). The NIST thermal column has a cadmium ratio of greater than 400 as determined by gold activation. The thermal neutron fluence rate during the calibration was determined using a NIST fission chamber to an accuracy of 5.1%. The chambers were calibrated at two different thermal neutron fluence rates: 5.11 x 10(6) and 4.46 x 10(7)n cm(-2) s(-1). The non-borated ion chamber reading was used to subtract collected charge not due to boron neutron capture reactions. An optically thick lithium slab was used to attenuate the thermal neutrons from the neutron beam port so the responses of the chambers could be corrected for fast neutrons and gamma rays in the beam. The calibration factor of the borated ion chamber was determined to be 1.83 x 10(9) +/- 5.5% (+/- 1sigma) n cm(-2) per nC at standard temperature and pressure condition.
Conditioned tolerance provides protection against ethanol lethality

To produce conditioned drug tolerance, mice were given twice daily injections of 3.5 g/kg of ethanol for four days and were tested on the fifth day in the same environment or in a novel environment. A range of doses of ethanol were utilized on the test day to assess lethality. The LD50 for ethanol was higher in mice tested in the environment previously associated with the administration of ethanol than in those tested in a novel environment. Therefore, conditioned tolerance can provide protection against ethanol lethality.
Review: Ulcerative colitis: current treatment strategies and future prospects:

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by inflammation of the mucosa and occasionally the submucosa of the colon. Conventional drug therapy for UC involves use of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporine and anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. Alternative therapies include probiotics, nicotine and fish oil. Drugs like tacrolimus, rosiglitazone and Trichuris suis ova are being evaluated for use in UC patients. With the new biologic agents, new treatment options for UC continue to evolve. In this article we will discuss the conventional drugs, the alternative therapies and the management strategies according to the severity and extent of UC.
Free electron lasers for the XUV spectral region

Abstract The generation of high intensity coherent radiation in the soft X-ray region from a free electron laser will require the FEL to operate in the high gain or collective instability regime. In this mode of operation, which does not require a cavity resonator, the radiation field grows exponentially along the undulator until nonlinear effects bring on saturation. We discuss the conditions that the electron beam and the undulator must satisfy for the collective instability to develop. We present an example of an electron storage ring with an undulator in a bypass section which satisfies these conditions. We present estimates of the output power that one can expect from such systems.
Hplc determination of monoamines in rat brain after enzymatic treatment with ascorbate oxidase and sulfatase

Abstract The simultaneous analysis of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin along with their respective metabolites, MHPG, DOPAC and 5HIAA is accomplished in rat brain by using a recently developed HPLC technique. Sulfated MHPG is decongegated with sulfatase for detection purposes and endogenous ascorbate is diminished with ascorbate oxidase to reduce the front.
Morphological evidence for the folding of polyproline II helices

Spherulites of poly-L-proline II were grown by film casting from a dilute formic acid solution. Electron diffraction indicated that the molecular axis was parallel to the surface and essentially normal to the face of the lamellae. The molecular length was five times greater than the width of the lamellae. This is considered to he substantial evidence for the molecular folding of poly-L-proline II. A correlation between the molecular conformation of poly-L-proline in solution and the observed morphological form in the solid state has been determined. As the solution mutarotates from form I to form II, the solid morphology varies from an indistinetly shaped spherulite with little inner detail to a well formed crystalline spherulite complete with lamellae.
Amikacin therapy. Use against infections caused by gentamicin- and tobramycin-resistant organisms.

Amikacin sulfate was used in 24 treatment courses for 25 serious infections caused by aerobic or facultative anaerobic Gram-negative organisms resistant to numerous drugs. Sites of infection included urinary tract (11 cases), pleuropulmonary (6 cases), primary bacteremia (5 cases), and miscellaneous (3 cases).Serratia marcescensandPseudomonassp accounted for 73% of the isolates. The mean minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these organisms to amikacin was 3.6 μg/ml; to gentamicin, 39 μg/ml; and to tobramycin, 32 μg/ml. The mean peak serum concentration of the drug was 20.8 μg/ml. Eleven patients were critically ill at the onset of therapy, and seven patients were bacteremic. The overall favorable response rate was 80%. The most serious side effect was ototoxicity, which occurred in three of 15 patients examined by serial audiometry. (JAMA238:943-947, 1977)
Prevalence of Chorioretinal Scars Associated With Coccidioidomycosis

• A retrospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence and spectrum of chorioretinal involvement among individuals with previously documented systemic coccidioidomycosis. Fifty-four subjects were given a modified ocular examination, and their medical records were abstracted for clinical classification of the disease and its correlation with ocular findings. Five of 54 subjects with documented past infection withCoccidioides immitishad characteristic inactive peripheral chorioretinal scars. No relationship between the presence of scars and the extent of disease was evident; typical scars were found in patients who had experienced mild respiratory tract infection as well as in more extensively disseminated disease. We conclude that dissemination ofC immitisto the eye can occur during benign pulmonary coccidioidomycosis as well as with more severe systemic disease, and the prevalence of chorioretinal lesions is more common than isolated case reports would indicate.
Radioactive strontium fallout from the nuclear-powered satellite Cosmos-1402

The presence of 50.5-day 89Sr was detected in most of the rain samples collected at Fayetteville (36°N, 94°W), Arkansas, during the period between 20 February and 3 June, 1983. The pattern of variation of the 89Sr/90Sr ratio in rain indicates that the fresh nuclear debris came most likely from the nuclear reactor on board the Soviet satellite Cosmos-1402, which fell over the South Atlantic Ocean on 7 February, 1983.
A rule based model of the United States military expenditure decision‐making process

I argue that the theoretical foundations of the U.S. military expenditure decision‐making (MEDM) tradition, incrementalism and bounded rationality, suggest that policymaker's behavior is rule based. I also argue that the standard way that these rules are formalized, outputs are generated by a linear and additive combination of the base and relevant informational variables, is neither descriptively accurate nor consistent with the basic assumptions of procedural rationality. A rule based model constructed of a set of hierarchically and conditionally organized “if‐then” rules is developed as an alternative. Models of this form provide an opportunity to develop and rigorously test more descriptively accurate representations of how individuals and organizations make decisions and which capture hierarchical and conditional relations of the MEDM process. An empirical analysis of the model demonstrates both its explanatory and predictive power.
Classic Plane EHL Problem for Pre-Critical Heavy-Loaded Contacts

The paper is aimed at considering the classic plane EHL problem for heavy-loaded contacts lubricated by Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. The analytical analysis of the problem is based on matched asymptotic expansions. It is shown that depending on the behavior of the lubricant viscosity there are two distinct lubrication regimes: pre- and over-critical regimes. A specific way for determining which regime occurs for given conditions is proposed. For these two lubrication regimes the relationships of the mechanical mechanisms determining the solution are different and, therefore, the solution structures for the two regimes are different. Asymptotic equations for pressure and gap are derived and solved numerically for pre-critical regimes in the inlet and exit zones. The numerical solutions are stable. Formulas for lubrication film thickness for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids for pre- and over-critical regimes are derived based on the asymptotic analysis.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Hemodynamic alterations and regional myocardial blood flow during supraceliac aortic occlusion in dogs with a critical coronary stenosis

The hemodynamic consequences and myocardial blood flow alterations associated with cross-clamping of the thoracic aorta were studied during pentobarbital (control), halothane (1 MAC), and isoflurane (1 MAC) anesthesia in dogs with a critical stenosis of the left circumflex coronary artery. Aortic clamping at the level of the diaphragm resulted in significant and equivalent increases in mean aortic pressure and left atrial pressure during the control clamp, halothane clamp, and isoflurane clamp periods. Likewise, aortic clamping resulted in a significant and equivalent decrease in cardiac output during control-clamp, halothane clamp, and isoflurane clamp. Myocardial contractility as assessed by dP/dt was depressed during halothane and isoflurane anesthesia when compared with control, but no further change in contractility was associated with aortic clamping. No significant alterations in regional or transmural myocardial blood flow were found with halothane or isoflurane anesthesia, or with aortic clamping during halothane or isoflurane anesthesia. It is concluded that there are significant hemodynamic consequences associated with aortic clamping, that neither halothane nor isoflurane anesthesia alters these consequences when compared with pentobarbital anesthesia alone, and that the deterioration in myocardial function observed during aortic clamping with halothane and isoflurane anesthesia cannot be attributed to any maldistribution of myocardial blood flow.
How information technology professionals keep from being outsourced or offshored

This paper introduces the concept of the "vendible line" partitioning jobs in a company into those that are likely to be lost to outsourcing (onshore or offshore) and those that are not likely to be lost. Using this concept, we identify the critical professional skills IT graduates must have to maximize their ability to stay above the vendible line and be immune to such job loss. We then suggest changes to the proposed accreditation standard for IT being synthesized by SIGITE. Suggested changes include the addition of communication, management, and security courses.
Chemical modification of carbon fiber surfaces by nitric acid oxidation followed by reaction with tetraethylenepentamine

Amino groups react rapidly with both isocyanates and epoxides. Thus, to prepare carbon fibers which might exhibit enhanced adhesion to both polyurethanes and epoxy resin matrices, attempts were made to introduce a high surface amine concentration onto high-strength carbon fibers (derived from PAN) by nitric acid oxidation followed by reaction with excess tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). Fibers were oxidized with concentrated (70%) nitric acid at 115 °C (20, 40, 60 and 90 minutes) to generate surface acidic functions, primarily carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups. These oxidized fibers were then reacted with TEPA at 190–200 °C to introduce surface-bound amino functions onto the surface via amide functions. The amide functions formed at the surface to graft TEPA to the surface. TEPA does not react with hydroxyl functions so hydroxyls remain on the surface. Decarboxylation of surface carboxyl groups was minor during the TEPA grafting. The quantity of surface-bound acidic and basic functions on these modified fiber surfaces was measured by NaOH and HCl uptake experiments. Then, methylene blue and metanil yellow dye adsorption experiments were employed to provide a measure of the surface area and both the surface density and steric availability of surface acidic and basic functions. The dye adsorption gave lower values of acidic and basic functional group surface concentrations than did NaOH/HCl uptake measurements. The number of acidic groups increased continuously with increasing oxidation times but after an initial jump in acidic groups per 100 A2 at the start of the oxidation, the density of the surface acidic was approximately constant. Instead, the surface area increased, which accounted for the increase in total acidic groups. Nitrogen BET measurements were also performed and the BET surface areas were compared to those derived from dye adsorption experiments. Similarly, both HCl and metanil yellow adsorption measurements led to a value of 5.6 basic (amine) groups per 100 A2 after reaction with TEPA. The results were consistent with an increase in surface area during nitric acid oxidation. About 52% of the surface acidic functions, which were generated during nitric acid oxidations of 20–60 minutes, had reacted with TEPA. An average of 2.6 amino groups were introduced for each carboxyl group consumed in the reaction with TEPA. Thus substantial looping of TEPA occurs where more than one amino function of TEPA has formed an amide bond at the surface. The average ratio of the total amino groups introduced to the total amount of acidic groups present after nitric acid oxidation was about 1.35.
Endoscopic chemodiagnosis. Improvement in the recognition of upper gastrointestinal disorders.

To rapidly assess intraluminal pH during gastrointestinal endoscopy, 115 unselected patients were consecutively examined using Congo-red indicator (CRI) and phenol-red indicator (PRI) applied to the mucosa under direct vision. CRI was useful in screening for achlorhydria. PRI combined with CRI can confirm alkaline reflux in postgastrectomy gastritis. These agents were useful in the differential diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Alkaline reflux in the esophagus can be demonstrated by PRI. Endoscopic chemodiagnosis correlates visual and chemical findings. It can provide information otherwise requiring separate, costly, and time-consuming procedures.
Policy temporality and marked bodies: feminist praxis amongst the ruins

This article introduces the challenges of temporality into policy studies utilizing US education policy and young mothers as a working example. Situating the need for attention to temporality amidst the ruins of inquiry and ruins of education outcomes for young mothers, the author builds on recent ‘spatial policy sociology’ and turns to queer theory/queer time as a way to infuse policy studies with embodied inquiry toward reimagined futurities. This move raises questions about doing policy studies and inquiry as a post-studies scholar. Pillow approaches these questions through her experiences thinking through data with a group of policy administrators, practitioners, and young mothers. Queer theory and queer time offer ways of looking at inquiry, data and policy subjects, not as a solution, but as re-imaginary methodology through a post-feminist queer praxis of working the ruins.
Meta-leadership in a Farm to School program: improving childhood nutrition in Kentucky

Aim To utilize meta-leadership in the implementation of the Farm to School model for improving childhood nutrition and for promoting local agriculture in Fayette County, Kentucky.
Appendage obliteration to reduce stroke in cardiac surgical patients with atrial fibrillation

Background. Left atrial appendage obliteration was historically ineffective for the prevention of postoperative stroke in patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation who underwent operative mitral valvotomy. It is, however, a routine part of modern "curative" operations for nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation, such as the maze and corridor procedures. Methods. To assess the potential of left atrial appendage obliteration to prevent stroke in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation patients, we reviewed previous reports that identified the etiology of atrial fibrillation and evaluated the presence and location of left atrial thrombus by transesophageal echocardiography, autopsy, or operation. Results. Twenty-three separate studies were reviewed, and 446 of 3,504 (13%) rheumatic atrial fibrillation patients, and 222 of 1,288 (17%) nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation patients had a documented left atrial thrombus. Anticoagulation status was variable and not controlled for. Thrombi were localized to, or were present in the left atrial appendage and extended into the left atrial cavity in 254 of 446 (57%) of patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation. In contrast, 201 of 222 (91%) of nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation-related left atrial thrombi were isolated to, or originated in the left atrial appendage ( p Conclusions. These data suggest that left atrial appendage obliteration is a strategy of potential value for stroke prophylaxis in nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation.
P-989 - Psychosocial risk factors for postpartum depression: a descriptive sample of pregnants

Introduction PostPartum Depression (PPD) is a common problem connected to pregnancy. Related previous data show a prevalence of depressive symptoms between 8% and 51% and a prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder between 10% and 17%. Objectives Find a correlation between Psychosocial Risk Factors and the develop of Mood Disorders during pregnancy and post-delivery. Aims Develop strategies of prevention and treatment of PPD. Methods A population of pregnants has been analyzed proposing an anamnestic questionnaire, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Hypomania checklist Symptoms (HCL), in two times: between the 35th and the 37th week of pregnancy and 2–3 days after the delivery. Results We found that at the first survey were depressed (EPDS score >9) 21 women of 149 (14.1%) and hyperthymic (HCL score >14) 59 women of 149 (39.9%).We noticed that risk factors for depression were a complicated pregnancy (p = 0.004), a conflicting relationship with the partner (p = 0.009) and a permanence in Italy At the second survey, data were confirmed: the incidence of depression was 17,4% (12/69 women) and that of hyperthymia was 44% (30/69 women). Conclusions Our data confirm previous evidences about the incidence of PPD and the contribution of risk factors of the pregnancy in its pathogenesis; moreover, high scores at HCL can express an hyperthymic dimension peculiar of pregnancy, rather than a mood disorder, considering HCL as a dimensional assessment.
Solution Processed Polymer Near-Infrared Photodiode With Electron and Hole Blockers

A solution-processed polymer near-infrared photo- detector with charge blocking layers is reported using a low-bandgap polymer, poly[(4,4’-bis(2-ethylhexyl)dithieno [3, 2-b:2’,3’-d]silole)-2,6-diyl-alt-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)4,7-diyl]. Zinc oxide nanoparticles and poly[(9,9’-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)- co-(4,4’-(N-(4-sec-butyl))diphenylamine)] are used as a hole blocking layer and an electron blocking layer, respectively. A maximum detectivity of \(2\times 10^{\mathrm {\mathbf {13}}}\) Jones is achieved with a 330-nm-thick photoactive layer that absorbs 98% of the incident light at 780 nm.
The influence of simvastatin on adrenal corticosteroid production and urinary mevalonate during adrenocorticotropin stimulation in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

The adrenal gland requires a continuous supply of cholesterol for the biosynthesis of adrenal corticosteroids, which can be supplied by low density lipoprotein receptor-mediated uptake or local synthesis. The present study examined whether hypolipidemic therapy with a potent HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, simvastatin, compromises the adrenal response to ACTH stimulation in adult patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. The adrenal response to a 36-h continuous ACTH infusion was determined at baseline and after 2 months of simvastatin treatment (40 mg, twice daily) in eight patients. Simvastatin reduced total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 36% and 45%, respectively. The time course of the increase in serum cortisol concentrations with continuous ACTH infusion was the same before and during simvastatin therapy, as were the rates of urinary excretion of free cortisol, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, and 17-ketosteroids. Urinary excretion of mevalonate, which correlates with rates of whole body cholesterol synthesis, decreased from 3.8 +/- 0.42 (+/- SEM) mu,ol/24 h at baseline to 2.75 +/- 0.56 on simvastatin; no significant changes were seen in the urinary mevalonate levels before and after simvastatin therapy during ACTH stimulation. We conclude that the hypolipidemic effects of simvastatin in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia are paralleled by a decrease in urinary mevalonate, but that the drug does not adversely affect ACTH-stimulated adrenal corticosteroid production.