cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diazepam (Valium) as preoperative medication in oral surgery: Comparative study with meperidine-promethazine

Abstract Diazepam, 10 mg., was given intravenously to fifty-one patients, and 75 mg. meperidine plus 25 mg. promethazine was given intramuscularly to forty-eight patients undergoing oral surgical procedures under local anesthesia. Over-all sedation was noted as poor in 15 per cent of the patients in the meperidine-promethazine group and in 6 per cent in the diazepam group. It was fair in 17 and 24 per cent, respectively. The excellent or good ratings were about equal, that is, 68 and 70 per cent, respectively. On diazepam, 12 per cent of the patients were rated as “awake-drowsy,” as compared with 16 and 84 per cent, respectively, on meperidine-promethazine. Characteristically, however, the patients given diazepam fell into a light sleep during the operative procedure but could easily be aroused when spoken to. Cooperation was rated as excellent or good in 94 per cent of the patients given diazepam and in 67 per cent of those given meperidine-promethazine. Other clinical manifestations, such as relaxation and ease of induction or apprehension, restlessness, and anxiousness, were similarly distributed in the two groups. The sedative effect of diazepam appeared minutes after the injection and disappeared completely at the end of 40 minutes, whereas that of meperidine-promethazine usually lasted for 1½ hours following the operation. In patients undergoing operative procedures lasting longer than 40 minutes, a small additional dose of diazepam would presumably have completely eliminated residual restlessness and anxiety. Meperidine-promethazine produced dry mouth, dizziness, and nausea. Except for euphoria in three patients, no side effects were noted with diazepam. Intravenous diazepam was found to be a very satisfactory premedication for patients undergoing oral surgical procedures under local anesthesia.
Distributional interaction: Interpretational problems when using incidence odds ratios to assess interaction

It is well known that the incidence odds ratio approximates the risk ratio when the disease of interest is rare, but increasingly overestimates the risk ratio as the disease becomes more common. However when assessing interaction, incidence odds ratios may not approximate risk ratios even when the disease is rare. We use the term "distributional interaction" to refer to interaction that appears when using incidence odds ratios that does not appear, or appears to a lesser degree, when using risk ratios. The interpretational problems that arise from this discrepancy can have important implications in epidemiologic research. Therefore, quantification of the relationship between the interaction odds ratio and the interaction risk ratio is warranted. In this paper, we provide a formula to quantify the differences between incidence odds ratios and risk ratios when they are used to estimate effect modification on a multiplicative scale. Using this formula, we examine the conditions under which these two estimates diverge. Furthermore, we expand this discussion to the implications of using incidence odds ratios to assess effect modification on an additive scale. Finally, we illustrate how distributional interaction arises and the problems that it causes using an example from the literature. Whenever the risk of the outcome variable is non-negligible, distributional interaction is possible. This is true even when the disease is rare (e.g., disease risk is less than 5%). Therefore, when assessing interaction on either an additive or multiplicative scale, caution should be taken in interpreting interaction estimates based on incidence odds ratios.
Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography using high resolution imaging in infants and children with congenital heart disease.

A transesophageal probe recently has been developed for use in pediatric patients, which incorporates 48 rather than 26 elements, and permits continuous-wave Doppler, and pulsed and color Doppler flow modalities. This probe potentially offers significantly enhanced image quality. To evaluate its capabilities, we tested the probe intraoperatively in 53 infants and children undergoing surgical repair of congenital heart disease, and found that clear echocardiographic images with good detail were provided, including the ability to image coronary arteries in patients weighing as little as 2.7 kg. Imaging detail transesophageally is commensurate with the performance of this system from a transthoracic route. This probe also has the capacity for accurate estimates of high velocity jets using continuous-wave Doppler, which is a relatively new development. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 10, November 1993)
The Reinforcing Properties of Repeated Deliberate Self-Harm

The current study tested hypotheses derived from Joiner's (2005) interpersonal theory of suicide, which proposes that deliberate self-harm (DSH) becomes increasingly more reinforcing with repetition. One hundred six participants with a history of DSH completed questionnaires about their emotions and experience of physical pain during their most recent DSH episode. Consistent with prediction, people with more numerous past DSH episodes felt more soothed, more relieved, and calmer following their most recent episode of DSH. Contrary to prediction, greater numbers of past DSH episodes were associated with more intense physical pain during the most recent episode. The findings suggest that the emotion regulation functions of DSH may become more reinforcing with repetition.
An engineering approach to determining visual information requirements for flight control tasks

An experimental and analytical investigation of visual information requirements for a simplified, multiloop flight control tasks was undertaken using a simulated aircraft disturbed in roll attitude by random turbulence. Only lateral control was investigated. The main experimental variable was the amount of information given to the pilot via a CRT display. Root-mean-square (RMS) performance, as well as pilot transfer functions, were measured for six test subjects. Experimental evidence suggesting innerloop pursuit behaviour on the part of one of the subjects is discussed. Analytical pilot modelling of compensatory behaviour is presented with a simplified optimal control model.
Advances in exoplanet science from Kepler

Numerous telescopes and techniques have been used to find and study extrasolar planets, but none has been more successful than NASA's Kepler space telescope. Kepler has discovered most of the known exoplanets, the smallest planets to orbit normal stars and the planets most likely to be similar to Earth. Most importantly, Kepler has provided us with our first look at the typical characteristics of planets and planetary systems for planets with sizes as small as, and orbits as large as, those of Earth.
Leading-Edge Endwall Suction and Midspan Blowing to Reduce Turbomachinery Losses

A turbine cascade flow control scheme was implemented to simultaneously mitigate secondary fiowfield losses using leading-edge endwall suction and spanwise profile losses using vortex generator jet blowing. A proof-of-concept study was performed with a faired cylinder protruding normal from a flat plate. The application of endwall leading-edge suction eliminated the horseshoe-vortex system from the symmetry plane and reduced the total pressure losses by ~20%. A similar control scheme was then implemented in a turbine cascade. The high-lift turbine blades were equipped with discrete vortex generator jets to maximize loading while maintaining a separation-free flow. At Re Cx = 25, 000, the wake total pressure losses were dominated by the profile losses (no vortex generator jets). Total pressure data showed that endwall suction eliminated the horseshoe-vortex system but had minimal impact on the wake total pressure losses at both Re Cx = 25, 000 and 50,000. Simultaneous application of vortex generator jets and leading-edge suction, with matching mass flow rates, reduced the wake losses by 68 % at low Re Cx· The horseshoevortex system was shown to play a secondary role to the passage vortex in total-pressure-loss generation near the endwall.
Directional Wave-Spectra Monitoring Horizontal-Spar Buoy

A center-tethered lightly ballasted spar will be driven parallel to the crests of a uni-directional wavetrain. The application of this phenomenon has been proposed in the design of a wave direction monitoring buoy. Such a system would provide a reliable and inexpensive means for measurement of the direction of the maximum wave energy in an ocean environment. The performance of this system is discussed from both a theoretical and an operational point of view. Model and field test results are presented which reaffirm the viability of the design, with potential developments postulated.
Retrieval and ranking of biomedical images using boosted haar features

Retrieving similar images from large repository of heterogeneous biomedical images has been a difficult research task. In this paper, we develop a retrieval system that uses Haar features as its weak classifiers and builds strong training models using the adaboost algorithm. Our system is trained for each image category separately and the final boosted model is stored during the training phase. In the test phase, the most similar images for a given query image are computed using these boosted models. The main advantages of the proposed system are (1) cheap computation of the most relevant features for each image category and (2) fast retrieval of similar images for a given query image. Using performance metrics such as sensitivity and specificity, our results demonstrate the robustness and accuracy of the proposed system.
Getting started with Passport for Windows macros

Introduces the Passport for Windows OCLC Macro Language (OML), and its ability to automate repetitive user activities in communications sessions. Presents sample macros which illustrate some of OML’s functionality and capabilities. Describes the basic steps for creating, editing, and running macros in Passport for Windows. Highlights the advantages of writing macros in OML, a true programming language.
Assessing womanist thought: The rhetoric of Susan L. Taylor

This essay focuses on the rhetoric of Susan L. Taylor, communications director and former editor of Essence, a national magazine targeted to African American women. Taylor is also the author of the magazine's monthly column, “In the Spirit.” Her monthly columns focusing on African American women's empowerment epitomize the tenets of womanist epistemology and methodology and therefore are worthy of scholarly attention.
Vitronectin interacts with Candida albicans and augments organism attachment to the NR8383 macrophage cell line

Abstract Candida albicans is an increasingly important cause of mucocutaneous and bloodstream infections. The potential role of circulating adhesive glycoproteins such as vitronectin (Vn) in host defense against C. albicans is currently unknown. Accordingly, we investigated the binding of plasma-derived Vn with C. albicans strain 36082. Vn specifically bound to C. albicans in a concentration-dependent fashion. Higher affinity binding sites numbered 9.8 × 104 sites per organism, with a dissociation constant, Kd of 3.5 × 10−7M. Vn binding with C. albicans was significantly inhibited by heparin, suggesting interaction of the organism with Vn's glycosaminoglycan-binding region. To further determine which molecule(s) on the fungus interacted with Vn, C. albicans components were extracted, separated by SDS and blotted with radiolabeled Vn. These studies revealed that Vn binds to a 30 kDa molecule on C. albicans. Finally, we investigated the role of Vn in promoting interaction of C. albicans with phagocytic cells. Incubation of C. albicans in the presence of Vn significantly increased binding of the organism to cultured NR8383 macrophages compared to incubations performed in the absence of Vn. These data demonstrate that C. albicans interacts with the heparin-binding domain Vn and further suggest that Vn augments organism uptake by phagocytic cells.
Crosslinking kinetics: Partitioning according to number of crosslinks

To mathematically describe crosslinking kinetics for polymers, we have proposed a novel method that accounts for the number of crosslinks, that is, partitioning according to number of crosslinks (PANC). By contrast, the well-known method of numerical fractionation tracks generations of crosslinked molecules, defined to include a range of cross-links. The proposed crosslinking kinetics yield a population balance model that provides moments and hence measurable average properties such as number average molecular weight and weight average molecular weight, polydispersity and average crosslink number. The gel points for batch and continuous-flow stirred-tank reactors are derived. Because the usual closure methods do not yield satisfactory convergence, new representations for post-gelation moments are proposed. The results realistically show how the moments change with time in the post-gel region.
A review of "noncontingent" reinforcement as treatment for the aberrant behavior of individuals with developmental disabilities.

The term noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) refers to the delivery of an aberrant behavior's known reinforcer on a response-independent basis. The typical result is a decrease in responding from baseline (i.e., reinforcement) levels. NCR has become one of the most reported function-based treatments for aberrant behavior in the recent literature. The purpose of this review is to briefly discuss the history of the procedure and summarize the findings from the treatment research literature. The review is organized into the following sections: (a) basic research on NCR, (b) NCR as a control procedure, (c) NCR as a function-based treatment, (d) considerations in the programming of NCR schedules, (e) behavior-change mechanisms underlying NCR effects, and (t) directions for future research.
An evaluation of co-extruded poultry silage and culled jewel sweet potatoes as a feed ingredient for hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus×O. mossambicus)

Abstract Two experiments were conducted with hybrid tilapia to evaluate a meal made by extrusion co-processing culled sweet potatoes and poultry mortality silage (ESPFP). In both experiments, dried, cull sweet potatoes and fermented whole turkey carcasses (60:40 ratio, w/w wet basis) were co-extruded, dried, and hammer-milled to make the ESPFP test ingredient. The resulting ESPFP meal was included at 0%, 11%, 22%, and 33% by weight in isocaloric, isonitrogenous pelleted diets. In an 87-day growth trial, no significant differences were found in the growth parameters or carcass (market) yields among the treatment groups. Tank water quality parameters were also unaffected by inclusion of the experimental ingredient. A consumer panel found no significant differences in the sensory indices (aroma, flavor, and texture) of the fillets from fish fed with the graded levels of ESPFP in the diet versus those from fish fed the control diet. The digestibility of the diets containing the ESPFP meal was evaluated in a second trial. The apparent dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), and crude protein (CP) digestibility coefficients were reduced linearly with increasing levels of the ESPFP meal in the diets (P
Applied behavioral intervention in rural school settings: Problems in research design, implementation, and evaluation

This article discusses a number of theoretical, practical, and methodological difficulties encountered in the design, implementation, and evaluation of treatment programs conducted in the natural environment. In order to illustrate how these difficulties might be overcome, a case example is provided. Contingency contracts were used to modify the assaultive and disruptive behaviors of a 6-year-old child attending a preschool program for emotionally and physically handicapped children. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated through the use of a multiple baseline design and maintenance of behavior change was assessed in periodic follow ups of the child for 1 year after his admittance to public school. The importance of, planning for the generalization of newly acquired behaviors to different environments is stressed and suggestions for facilitating this process are discussed.
The incidence of bilateral well-differentiated thyroid cancer found at completion thyroidectomy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcome of completion thyroidectomy in patients with presumed unilateral well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). The medical records of all patients having had unilateral thyroid lobectomy for WDTC, who subsequently underwent completion thyroidectomy, were reviewed. From 1980 to 1991, 60 patients with WDTC underwent completion thyroidectomy. Forty-seven patients had presumed unilateral WDTC, with no evidence of residual disease prior to their completion thyroidectomy. Twenty-five (53%) of these patients were found to have residual neoplastic disease in the neck. In 20 (43%) of 47 patients, a focus of cancer was found in the remaining thyroid lobe and in 5 additional patients no cancer was found in the contralateral lobe, however, unsuspected nodal disease was found. The remaining 13 of the 60 patients presented with either regional recurrence (n=12) or distant metastases (n=1) at the time of their completion thyroidectomy. All (92%) but 1 of these 13 patients had cancer in the remaining thyroid lobe. Multifocal disease in the primary lobe was associated with bilateral thyroid cancer (p<0.01). Complications were infrequent; transient hypocalcemia occurred in 5 (8%) patients, permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 1 (1.7%) patient, and transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 3 (5%) patients. Residual WDTC was found in 37 (62%) of 60 patients undergoing completion thyroidectomy. Multifocal disease in the primary resected lobe was associated with a high incidence of contralateral thyroid cancer. Completion thyroidectomy is a safe procedure and may prevent the development of regional recurrence by eliminating an unsuspected focus of cancer.
A double-label study demonstrating that all serotonin-like immunoreactive amacrine cells in the larval tiger salamander retina express GABA-like immunoreactivity

A previous study localized serotonin-like immunoreactivity to amacrine cell populations in the larval tiger salamander retina. The present double-label immunocytochemical analysis of the tiger salamander retina was performed to determine if gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-like immunoreactivity is expressed by serotonin-immunoreactive amacrine cells. More than 3,000 serotonin-amacrine cells were observed in double-label preparations, and all were found to express GABA-like immunoreactivity. This finding extends previous studies of serotonin-GABA coexistence in the retina by providing the first report of the co-localization of endogenous serotonin and GABA-like compounds in a retinal neuron.
Indian Jihadism: The Evolving Threat

India has been confronting jihadist violence for decades. Although expeditionary terrorism by Pakistani militants typically receives the most focus, indigenous actors, many benefitting from Pakistani support, are responsible for the majority of jihadist attacks in India. Yet the dynamics of Indian jihadism remain under-explored. This article examines the Indian Mujahideen (IM), which constitutes the primary indigenous jihadist threat. It argues the IM is best understood as a label for a network of modules, with a loose leadership, that is connected to smaller, self-organizing clusters of would-be militants as well as to foreign militant groups like the Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Within-session patterns of responding when rats run in a T-maze

Free-operant responding changes systematically within experimental sessions, usually increasing and then decreasing, even when the contingencies of reinforcement remain constant within the session. The present study extended this finding to running times in a T-maze. In Experiment 1, running times changed significantly within the session. Furthermore, the within-session pattern of running times changed with changes in the amount or rate of reinforcement. In Experiment 2, the within-session change in running times was found to be independent of the accuracy of responding. In Experiment 3, manipulating whether responding and/or reinforcement occurred early in the session did not affect the pattern of running times later in the session. The present results increase the generality of within-session changes in responding to a discrete-trials procedure. Furthermore, within-session patterns of running times usually changed in a similar manner as within-session patterns of free-operant responding when similar factors were manipulated. Thus, the same factors may be producing the changes in both situations.
Pain and inflammatory bowel disease

Abdominal pain is a common symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis). Pain may arise from different mechanisms, which can include partial blockage and gut distention as well as severe intestinal inflammation. A majority of patients suffering from acute flares of IBD will experience pain, which will typically improve as disease activity decreases. However, a significant percentage of IBD patients continue experiencing symptoms of pain despite resolving inflammation and achieving what appears to be clinical remission. Current evidence suggests that sensory pathways sensitize during inflammation, leading to persistent changes in afferent neurons and central nervous system pain processing. Such persistent pain is not only a simple result of sensory input. Pain processing and even the activation of sensory pathways is modulated by arousal, emotion, and cognitive factors. Considering the high prevalence of iatrogenic as well as essential neuropsychiatric comorbidities including anxiety and depression in IBD patients, these central modulating factors may significantly contribute to the clinical manifestation of chronic pain. The improved understanding of peripheral and central pain mechanisms is leading to new treatment strategies that view pain as a biopsychosocial problem. Thus, improving the underlying inflammation, decreasing the excitability of sensitized afferent pathways, and altering emotional and/or cognitive functions may be required to more effectively address the difficult and disabling disease manifestations.
The use of restraint for pediatric psychiatric patients in emergency departments.

Objective To identify current practice and staff education regarding the use of restraint in emergency departments for children undergoing psychiatric evaluations and to compare restraint practice and education in emergency medicine residencies (EMRs) and pediatric emergency medicine fellowships (PEMFs). Methods A self-administered survey regarding staff and resident education and the use of restraint for emergency pediatric patients undergoing psychiatric evaluation was mailed to the directors of EMRs and PEMFs. Main outcome measures included frequency of restraint use, staff trained in restraint use, favored positions for physical restraint, and agents regularly used for chemical restraint. Results Forty-one percent (48/118) of EMRs and 66% (33/50) of PEMFs completed the survey. The great majority of both EMRs and PEMFs report use of physical and chemical restraint in 5% or less of pediatric psychiatric patients. Forty of 47 EMRs and 29 of 32 PEMFs have formal policies on physical restraint use. Far fewer programs have formal policies for chemical restraint (13/33 EMRs and 5/28 PEMFs). A large percentage of both EMRs and PEMFs do not teach their trainees about the application of restraints (EMR = 52%, PEMF = 82%) or the appropriate situations in which to use restraint (EMR = 35%, PEMF = 64%). However, EMRs were more likely than PEMFs to teach about both appropriate restraint application and appropriate situations for their use (RR = 2.6, 1.2-5.8 and RR = 1.8, 1.1-2.9, respectively). The supine position was the position favored by both groups for physical restraint. Therapeutic holding was infrequently used, mostly for younger children. Seventy-two percent of EMRs and 85% of PEMFs used chemical restraint in children. Benzodiazepines and butyrophenones were the most commonly used agents. However, butyrophenones were often misclassified as phenothiazines by both EMRs and PEMFs. Conclusion Restraint, both physical and chemical, is a widely, but uncommonly used, intervention for pediatric psychiatric patients in emergency departments. Many EMRs and PEMFs do not teach residents about restraint.
Studies on the relationship of human natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cells with lysosomal staining and analysis of surface marker phenotypes

Abstract We have previously demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cells are lysosome-rich and stain more intensely with lysosomotropic agents such as neutral red and quinacrine (Qu) than do non-NK cells. In this study we combined the quantitation of Qu staining with surface marker staining to define subpopulations of NK cells. While all NK activity was contained within the Qu+ population, most but not all NK cells expressed the surface marker CD16. A subpopulation of NK cells was found to be Qu+ CD16− composed of medium- to large-sized cells with a granular appearance on Giemsa staining. Culture with interleukin-2 (IL-2) induced enhanced cytotoxicity in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) against NK-sensitive and NK-resistant tumor cells. Like NK cells, these lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells were predominantly Qu+ CD16+. However, some LAK cells were Qu+ CD16−. The Qu+ CD16+ cells were typical large granular lymphocytes (LGL). The Qu+ CD16− cells were also large lymphocytes, more than 50% of which were proliferating. However, the granulation in some Qu+ CD16− cells, as detected by Giemsa staining, was more prominent and numerous than others in the same population. No LAK activity was ever detected in Qu− cells, which were uniformly small lymphocytes. Quantitation of Qu staining in effector cells was therefore demonstrated to have a good correlation with NK and LAK functions and with surface markers can help to characterize both types of cells. Moreover, these results indicate that both NK and LAK populations include a small subset of CD16− cells in each.
Some regulatory properties of a glucose-6-phosphate-dependent form of glycogen synthase purified from rabbit renal medulla.

Abstract 1. l. Glycogen synthase D was purified > 1000-fold from rabbit renal medulla. The enzyme was almost completely dependent upon glucose-6-P for activity (activity ratio ≈0.01). The A0.5 for glucose-6-P activation was 420 μM when UDPGlc was present at 4.4 mM and the A0.5 was 2.23 mM when UDPGlc was present at physiological concentration (100 μM). 2. 2. The S0.5 for UDPGlc of glycogen synthase D was dependent on glucose-6-P. The S0.5 ranged from 250 to 70 μM when glucose-6-P was varied from 0.2 to 10 mM. The Vmax increased 3-fold. 3. 3. Inhibition of glycogen synthase D by ATP was competitive with respect to UDPGlc. The Ki for ATP inhibition was 340 μM. At physiological concentration of UDPGlc, the enzyme was inhibited 50% by 500 μM ATP. ATP inhibition was not reversed by glucose-6-P. 4. 4. These results suggest that renal medullary glycogen synthase D would be inactive at normal cellular concentrations of the substrate UDPGlc, the activator glucose-6-P, and the inhibitor ATP.
Noise phenomena associated with dislocations in bipolar transistors

Abstract The effect of emitter-edge dislocations on the low-frequency noise of bipollar transistors was studied via phosporus surface concentration. A threshold in both noise factor and dislocation density was observed for surface concentration greater than 4.3 × 10 20 cm −3 . It has been found that the dislocations affect the noise considerably when their density is in excess of 10 6 cm −2 .
Spectroscopic study of NEMCA promoted alkene isomerizations at PEM fuel cell Pd-Nafion cathodes

Abstract We recently reported the electrochemical promotion of the heterogeneously catalyzed isomerization of 1-butene to cis- and trans-butene with ρ values of 38 and 46, respectively, at the remarkably low temperature of 70°C using Nafion as the electrolyte in a fuel cell configuration. This was the first reported case of a NEMCA promoted unimolecular and non-redox reaction concomitant with the reduction of butene to butane. We now present isotopic mass spectral and FTIR data confirming the mechanism involves abstraction of a proton from the catalytic surface for Markovnikov addition to the C-1 carbon concomitant with removal of a proton from C-3 to yield the isomer. This striking example of an acid catalyzed reaction at a metal surface is facilitated by the use of the super acidic Nafion electrolyte.
PHASE RELATIONS BETWEEN PALLADIUM OXIDE AND THE RARE EARTH SESQUIOXIDES IN AIR.

The equilibrium phase relations were determined in an air environment between PdO and each of the following: La2O3, NH2O3, Sm2O3, Eu2O3, Gd2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3, Y2O3, Er2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3, and Lu2O3. In air PdO dissociates to Pd metal at 800 °C. The dissociation of PdO is apparently a reversible process. The Nd2O3-PdO and Sm2O3-PdO systems were studied in detail inasmuch as they typified several of the Ln2O3-PdO systems. Three compounds, 2Nd2O3 · PdO, metastable Nd2O3 · PdO, Nd2O3 2PdO occur in the Nd2O3-PdO system. The 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 compounds, of unknown symmetry, dissociate or decompose at 1135, 860, and 1085 °C, respectively. The 2:1 compound dissociates to the solid phases, Nd2O3 and Pd. No further reactions occur between Nd2O3 and Pd up to 1300 °C Three compounds, 2:1, metastable 1:1, and 1:2 occur in the Sm2O3-PdO and Eu2O3-PdO systems. Two compounds, 2:1 and 1:2 occur in the La2O3-PdO system. Other compounds detected were the 1:1 and 1:2 in the Gd2O3-PdO system and the metastable 1:1 in the Dy2O3-PdO system. Each of these compounds subsequently dissociated upon heating. No apparent reaction occurred between PdO and either Ho2O3, Y2O3, Er2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3, or Lu2O3.
Apparent specificity of the thrombin-stimulated deacylation of endothelial glycerolipids for polyunsaturated fatty acids with a delta-5 desaturation.

Abstract Human umbilical vein endothelial cells readily incorporate exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids. Subsequent stimulation with thrombin results in the release of both arachidonate and eicosapentaenoate from cellular phospholipids. The present study has investigated the utilization of 8,11,14-[ 14 C]eicosatrienoate, the precursor of prostaglandin E 1 . Analysis of released 14 C-fatty acids by radio-gas chromatography indicated that thrombin stimulated the release of 6–10% of the [ 14 C]arachidonate synthesized by desaturation of the [ 14 C]eicosatrienoate, but did not stimulate release of [ 14 C]eicosatrienoate per se (less than 1%). As determined by digestion of cellular lipid extracts with pancreatic phospholipase A 2 , both 8,11,14-[ 14 C]eicosatrienoate and [ 14 C]arachidonate were esterified primarily in the 2-position. Similarly, separation of phospholipid classes by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography did not indicate any major differences in the distribution of the incorporated 14 C-fatty acids. Experiments with additional 14 C-fatty acids indicated that 5,8,11-eicosatrienoate is released in response to thrombin but that 8,11,14,17-eicosatetraenoate is not. These results suggest that the delta-5 double bond is required for the thrombin-stimulated release of free fatty acids from endothelial phospholipids and their subsequent availability as substrates for eicosanoid synthesis.
Iron, Zinc, Copper and Magnesium Binding by Cooked Pinto Bean (Phaseohs vulgaris) Neutral and Acid Detergent Fiber

Iron, copper and zinc but not magnesium were bound by neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber obtained from cooked pinto beans. Iron binding increased with higher pH, higher iron concentration, higher fiber concentration and smaller fiber particle size. Maximum binding of iron was at pH 6.5 and minimal binding at pH 4.0 for both NDF and ADF. A 50% decrease in particle size increased iron binding by 8%. Binding of copper and zinc increased with higher copper and zinc concentrations. Both NDF and ADF had a greater affinity for copper than for either iron or zinc. Scatchard plots indicated the presence of two types of binding sites for zinc, one type for iron, and one type for copper.
Effects of thyroxine, thyrotropin, prolactin, and growth hormone on the maturation of the frog cerebellum

Abstract The effects of thyroxine (T 4 ), thyrotropin (TSH), prolactin, and growth hormone (GH) on the maturation of cerebellum were studied in premetamorphic tadpoles of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana . Intraperitoneal injections of 1 μg T 4 or 0.1 unit TSH, administered on alternate days, induced the morphogenetic changes reported previously in the cerebellum of tadpoles during normal development. In the TSH-injected animals, an external granular layer several cells thick was established, and a massive migration of the external granule cells into the internal granular layer also occurred. Prolactin at a dose of either 10 units or 0.1 unit per injection had no noticeable effect, supporting our view that this hormone does not promote metamorphic changes. Growth hormone at a dose of 0.1 unit seemed to induce cerebellar changes. However, the equivalent of the TSH impurity (0.001 unit) contained in 0.1 unit of GH also gave similar results, suggesting that GH itself may not have any effect on cerebellar maturation in the tadpole.
Randomized clinical trials in psychotherapy outcome research

This paper discusses several philosophical problems with the use of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in psychotherapy outcome research. The problems include: the impermanence problem, the identification problem, and idiographic problems. The paper concludes with an assessment of the overall case for and against the use of RCTs in psychotherapy outcome research.
Pneumatically actuated active polymer pen lithography

Abstract We report the design, development and initial testing results of a parallel active polymer pen lithography (PPL) device. It is fabricated using soft lithography method with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material. Individual probe is pneumatically actuated via a computer control interface. We show that the dimension of PPL-written patterns is a function of the applied pneumatic pressure and not one of the contact time. We further demonstrate computer controlled writing using 2 pens, with each pen producing a different pattern in the same run. We report the time and speed achievable with a single pen system.
On brane world cosmological perturbations

We discuss the scalar cosmological perturbations in a 3-brane world with a 5D bulk. We first show explicitly how the effective perturbed Einstein equations on the brane (involving the Weyl fluid) are encoded into Mukohyama's master equation. We give the relation between Mukohyama's master variable and the perturbations of the Weyl fluid; we also discuss the relation between the former and the perturbations of matter and induced metric. The boundary condition for the master variable on the brane is then given in the case of a perfect fluid with adiabatic perturbations on a Randall-Sundrum or Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati brane. This provides an easy way to solve numerically for the evolution of the perturbations and also should shed light on the various approximations done in the literature to deal with the Weyl degrees of freedom.
Destination therapy: an alternative for end-stage heart failure patients not eligible for heart transplantation

Purpose of reviewEvidence on survival and quality-of-life benefit from destination mechanical circulatory support has been available since the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure trial and the database of the International Society of Heart and
Dichotic listening ear preference after childhood cerebral lesions

Patients with unilateral (right or left) nonprogressive cerebral lesions acquired in infancy (before age one) or childhood (ages one to fifteen) were given a dichotic listening test. The two groups of patients with the childhood lesions showed the pattern of ear preference typically seen after hemispheric lesions in adults; loss of right ear preference after left hemisphere (LH) lesions, and enhanced right ear preference after right hemisphere (RH) lesions. The two groups of patients with the very early lesions failed to show any consistent ear preference or to differ from one another in ear preference. It is postulated that this lack of a consistent lesion effect following very early lateralized brain lesions is due to the greater degree of functional reorganization that takes place after such lesions.
Application of a step-wise, integrated method of characterizing hydrologic systems using GIS : A site specific case study at an NPL site near Cheyenne, Wyoming

Abstract A step-wise, integrated method for the conceptualization and characterization of a hydrologic system was applied to a site at an Environmental Protection Agency listed NPL site near Cheyenne, Wyoming. The site consists of contaminated soils and groundwater in an area of approximately 187 000 square yards (156 350 m2). The step-wise, integrated method incorporated standard geologic analysis techniques and statistical techniques within a GIS environment to create the primary and interpreted data bases that were used to formulate the conceptual model of the site, and to characterize site parameters. Statistical methods were incorporated into the characterization of site properties to improve upon the discretization and distribution of site parameters. ARC/INFO was used as a tool: (1) to manage and integrate diverse data types during the development of the primary and interpreted data bases; (2) to analyze primary and interpreted data bases during surface and subsurface parameter characterization; (3) for interpretation and parameter characterization during hydrogeologic framework and hydrologic system development (incorporating contouring, attribution tables and statistical analysis); and (4) for numerical model design and parameter discretization.
What shall I call myself? Hispanic identity formation in the second generation

Abstract This article explores the ethnic self‐identification of second‐generation children whose immigrant parents came to the United States from Latin America. The focus of the analysis is the adoption of the pan‐ethnic label, ‘Hispanic’, in contrast to national designators and non‐hyphenated American identities. Using data from a recent large survey of children of immigrants in south Florida and southern California, the analysis explores the determinants of ethnic self‐identities and the potential consequences of the adoption of one of these symbolic labels on children's self‐esteem, educational expectations and perceptions of discrimination. Contrary to the commonly‐held assumption that the label ‘Hispanic’ denotes greater assimilation into the mainstream of US society, our findings indicate that children who adopt the Hispanic label are the least well assimilated: they report poorer English skills, lower self‐esteem and higher rates of poverty than their counterparts who identify themselves as Americ...
Fault-tolerant modularized arithmetic logic units

Use of both parities and residue checks, called a "combination code", can provide a cost-effective error detection and correction and modularized design of arithmetic and logic units (ALU). As codes they compare favorably with the byte-error correcting codes of Neumann and Rao in their information rate, and indeed are better suited for a modularized (or byte-sliced) design of ALU.
Peel adhesion and viscoelasticity of poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate)‐based hot melt adhesives. I. The effect of tackifier compatibility

A series of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA)-based hot melt adhesives containing either a rosin or a hydrocarbon (C5–C9) tackifier have been prepared to investigate viscoelastic properties and peel adhesion. Fracture energies were determined by the use of a T-Peel geometry (two polypropylene films bonded with model EVA adhesives). The rosin has only one glass transition temperature, but the C5–C9 resin has two glass transition temperatures, indicating phase separation. The rosin has better compatibility with EVA than does the C5–C9 resin. The bond strength of tackified EVA to polypropylene depends not only on compatibility, but also on viscoelastic properties. A higher storage modulus results in a higher T-Peel strength. Under certain test conditions, glassy C5–C9-rich domains act as reinforcing filler, resulting in a higher storage modulus. Here, a C5–C9-tackified EVA adhesive has higher T-Peel strength than does one containing rosin. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Earthquake risk assessment of building structures

Abstract During the past two decades, probabilistic risk analysis tools have been applied to assess the performance of new and existing building structural systems. Structural design and evaluation of buildings and other facilities with regard to their ability to withstand the effects of earthquakes requires special considerations that are not normally a part of such evaluations for other occupancy, service and environmental loads. This paper reviews some of these special considerations, specifically as they pertain to probability-based codified design and reliability-based condition assessment of existing buildings. Difficulties experienced in implementing probability-based limit states design criteria for earthquake are summarized. Comparisons of predicted and observed building damage highlight the limitations of using current deterministic approaches for post-earthquake building condition assessment. The importance of inherent randomness and modeling uncertainty in forecasting building performance is examined through a building fragility assessment of a steel frame with welded connections that was damaged during the Northridge Earthquake of 1994. The prospects for future improvements in earthquake-resistant design procedures based on a more rational probability-based treatment of uncertainty are examined.
Neutral C19-steroids and steroid sulfates in human pregnancy II. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 16α-hydroxydehydroepi-androsterone, and 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in maternal and fetal blood of pregnancies with anenphalic and normal fetuses

Abstract Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DS), 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (16α-OH-DS) and 16α-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone (16α-OH-D) were measured in cord plasma of five anencephalic fetuses with histologically proven hypoplasia of the fetal zone of the adrenal cortex. DS was determined by the Zimmermann reaction on paper as described previously by us, the 16α-hydroxylated compounds by a modification of the method of Katz. These hormones were also measured in antecubital venous blood of the mothers of these fetuses. For comparison normal pregnant women and normal fetuses were studied. Neither 16α-OH-D nor 16α-OH-DS could be detected in peripheral blood of mothers bearing anencephalic or normal fetuses. In the former group, all DS levels (M±s = 93±31 μg%) were within the normal range. 16α-OH-D, 16α-OH-DS, or DS could not be detected in the cord plasm of anencephalic fetuses. If these steroids were present, their concentrations (
Cleavage Furrow Establishment—A Preliminary to Cylindrical Shape Change

The predictable pattern of cell shape changes characterizing animal development must be a consequence of control mechanisms that are at least analogous to those operating in dividing cells. When cells change shape by an internal mechanism, it is implied that they also contain systems that will activate and deactivate the mechanism, localize it within the cell, insure proper timing, and impart the proper vectoral qualities. Experimental investigations designed to elucidate similar processes in dividing cells reveal that the physical mechanism that accomplishes cytokinesis is established at or near the equatorial cell surface by the mitotic apparatus. The process is completed by late metaphase or early anaphase. In cleaving eggs a pair of asters can substitute for the intact mitotic apparatus. The nature of the stimulus which apparently passes from the mitotic apparatus to the surface is presently unknown. It moves toward the surface at about 6 microns per minute and requires about 1 minute to establish the mechanism. The resulting equatorial contractile activity is initially isotropic but becomes anisolropic at the beginning of visible constriction.
Disposition kinetics of a dipeptide ester prodrug of acyclovir and its metabolites following intravenous and oral administrations in rat.

The objective of this work was to study the disposition kinetics of valine-valine–acyclovir (VVACV), a dipeptide ester prodrug of acyclovir following intravenous and oral administrations in rat. A validated LC-MS/MS analytical method was developed for the analysis VVACV, Valine-Acyclovir (VACV), and Acyclovir (ACV) using a linear Ion Trap Quadrupole. ACV was administered orally for comparison purpose. In the VVACV group, both blood and urine samples and in the ACV group only blood samples were collected. All the samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. The LLOQ for ACV, VACV, and VVACV were 10, 10, and 50 ng/ml, respectively. Relevant pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained by non-compartmental analyses of data with WinNonlin. Following i.v. administration of VVACV, AUC0-inf (min*μM) values for VVACV, VACV, and ACV were 55.06, 106, and 466.96, respectively. The AUC obtained after oral administration of ACV was 178.8. However, following oral administration of VVACV, AUC0-inf values for VACV and ACV were 89.2...
Asymmetric morphology from an organic/organometallic block copolymer

Block copolymer self-assembly is a burgeoning subject in polymer and materials science driven by both fundamental and applied inspirations. Whereas the vast majority of block copolymer studies have focused on highly symmetric morphologies, here we report the first observation of an unusual asymmetric cylindrical phase in thick films of an organic/organometallic block copolymer, poly(styrene-block-ferrocenyldimethylsilane) (PS-b-PFS). Microscopy and X-ray scattering data establish the lack of symmetry in this structure and reveal an unusual 3-D network organization. Following selective removal of the PS matrix, the remaining nanoporous film has characteristics of potential value in separation applications such as substantial interconnection (mechanical strength), uniform pore size, and chemical and physical stability.
When they are not listening: Harvesting power from idle sensors in embedded systems

Ambient energy harvesting is a well-known technique in wireless sensing systems. To minimize energy consumption, such systems are typically designed to be heavily duty-cycled with long idle times and are characteristically lightweight in computation. Often, these systems contain a dedicated energy harvesting transducer that is independent of the sensing sub-system. As a result, any output energy from the sensor ends up being unused (and hence, lost) when the system is in idle state. This work proposes a novel system architecture and corresponding hardware platform, Senergy, in which the energy harvested from a sensor during idle time is utilized to power the system. Senergy is based on an ultra-low power charge pump circuit that boosts input voltages as low as 330mV. We successfully demonstrate our proposed architecture with an RF-capable (2.4GHz ISM band) sensing platform utilizing a photovoltaic sensor as the sole energy source. We evaluate our approach on two applications, namely adaptive transmission of sensor data and providing an uninterrupted power supply to an on-board real time clock.