cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing First-Year Medical Students' Perceptions of Stress

This preliminary report from an ongoing longitudinal study of students at both Tufts and Harvard medical schools examined the relationship between premedical school demographic and stress variables and the numbers and types of stresses reported by students in open-ended interviews conducted during their first year of medical school. Analyses showed that the general categories of "medical school stresses" and "social stresses related to medical school" accounted for about two-thirds of the total number of stresses mentioned. The overall distributions of stresses across general categories were remarkably similar in all student groups studied, although significant differences were found between students from different background groups on a number of the specific types of stress. No significant differences were found between groups as to those reporting a high total number of stresses. There did appear to be differences in the degree to which students felt affected by the stresses they reported, suggesting the need for additional data on the meanings of different stresses for different students and the ways in which they cope with them.
A prochelator with a modular masking group featuring hydrogen peroxide activation with concurrent fluorescent reporting

Metal chelators masked with protecting groups for targeted release have the potential to conditionally modulate cellular metals. We report a new route to prepare cis-cinnamate protecting groups that enabled development of a prochelator with chemical stimulus response, fluorescent reporting and active compound release in a single structure.
Laparoscopy mitigates adverse oncological effects of delayed adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer

Delaying initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy more than 8 weeks after surgical resection for colorectal cancer adversely affects overall patient survival. The effect of a laparoscopic surgical approach on initiation of chemotherapy has not been studied. The goal of this study was to determine if a laparoscopic approach to colon cancer resection affects the timing of adjuvant chemotherapy and outcomes. Patients who underwent curative surgery for stage II or III colon cancer and received adjuvant chemotherapy between 2003 and 2010 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Patients were categorized according to surgical approach: open or laparoscopic. Patient demographics, clinicopathologic variables, postoperative complications, time from surgery to initiation of chemotherapy, and long-term oncologic outcomes were compared. Age, gender, ASA class, BMI, tumor stage, and postoperative complications were similar for laparoscopic and open cases, while length of stay was 2 days shorter for laparoscopic cases (5.4 vs 7.6 days, p < 0.01). The proportion of patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy more than 8 weeks after surgery did not differ between the groups (35.6 % open vs 38.7 % laparoscopic, p = 0.77). In the open group, delay in chemotherapy after surgery was associated with decreased disease-free and overall survival (p = 0.01, 0.01, respectively). However, delay in chemotherapy more than 8 weeks did not affect disease-free or overall survival in the laparoscopy group (p = 0.93, 0.51, respectively). The benefits of quicker recovery after laparoscopic surgery did not translate into earlier initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy in this retrospective study. However, a laparoscopic approach negated the inferior oncologic outcomes of patients who received delayed initiation of chemotherapy.
Public relations textbooks: An omnibus review

Books reviewed PUBLIC RELATIONS: THE PROFESSION AND THE PRACTICE By Craig E. Aronoff and Otis W. Baskin. St. Paul: West Publishing Co., 1983. PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICES: CASE STUDIES (second edition) by Allen H. Center and Frank E. Walsh. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice‐Hall, 1981. EFFECTIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS (fifth edition revised) by Scott M. Cutlip and Allen H. Center. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice‐Hall, 1982. INSIDE PUBLIC RELATIONS by Ronald P. Lovell. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1982. THIS IS PR: THE REALITIES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS (second edition) by Doug Newsom and Alan Scott. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1981. PUBLIC RELATIONS IN ACTION by Robert T. Reilly. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice‐Hall, 1981. THE PRACTICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS by Fraser P. Seitel. Columbus: Charles E. Merrill, 1980. PUBLIC RELATIONS: CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES (second edition) by Raymond Simon. Columbus: Grid, 1980.
Histopathologic survey of ovaries of fish from petroleum production and control sites in the Gulf of Mexico

Ovaries collected from 11 species of demersal and platform-associated pelagic fishes were examined for petroleum induced lesions. The fish were taken from the north central Gulf of Mexico near 20 oil or gas production platforms and three control sites during two periods, spring and late summer. The status of the ovarian cycle correlated well in the majority of cases with known spawning times. Histopathological conditions most prominent in the ovary other than atresia, generally considered physiological, were acidophilic granular cells, chromatophores and leucocytic foci or infiltration, whereas degeneration, helminths and protozoa with associated tissue responses were rarely noted. Minimal morphological evidence of adverse effects by toxic petroleum elements on the ovary was found., Accepted 21 July 1980
Regional brain differences in the effect of distraction during the delay interval of a working memory task.

Working memory (WM) comprises operations whose coordinated action contributes to our ability to maintain focus on goal-relevant information in the presence of distraction. The present study investigated the nature of distraction upon the neural correlates of WM maintenance operations by presenting task-irrelevant distracters during the interval between the memoranda and probes of a delayed-response WM task. The study used a region of interest (ROIs) approach to investigate the role of anterior (e.g., lateral and medial prefrontal cortex - PFC) and posterior (e.g., parietal and fusiform cortices) brain regions that have been previously associated with WM operations. Behavioral results showed that distracters that were confusable with the memorandum impaired WM performance, compared to either the presence of non-confusable distracters or to the absence of distracters. These different levels of distraction led to differences in the regional patterns of delay interval activity measured with event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In the anterior ROIs, dorsolateral PFC activation was associated with WM encoding and maintenance, and in maintaining a preparatory state, and ventrolateral PFC activation was associated with the inhibition of distraction. In the posterior ROIs, activation of the posterior parietal and fusiform cortices was associated with WM and perceptual processing, respectively. These findings provide novel evidence concerning the neural systems mediating the cognitive and behavioral responses during distraction, and places frontal cortex at the top of the hierarchy of the neural systems responsible for cognitive control.
Estrogen induction of ornithine aminotransferase in rat kidney slices

Immunologic titration of kidney extracts from control and estradiol-injected rats with anti-ornithine aminotransferase serum shows that the hormone induces the enzyme by increasing its concentration in the kidney. The induction has been studied in vitro with kidney slices. Several-fold increase in the rate of 14C-leucine incorporation into the enzyme by hexestrol has been demonstrated. In addition, certain antiestrogens also induce the enzyme synthesis in vitro. These results show that the induction of this enzyme in the kidney does not require the participation of an estrogen metabolite from another tissue.
CO2‐laser‐induced deflagration of fuel/oxygen mixtures

Weakly focused pulsed‐CO2‐laser radiation has been examined as an ignition source for low‐pressure (85–100 Torr), near‐stoichiometric fuel/oxygen mixtures containing the following fuels: ethylene, methyl fluoride, methanol, ethanol, dimethyl ether, p‐dioxane, n‐propyl nitrate, and iso‐propyl nitrate. The data analysis includes characterization of the spatially dependent ir absorption in the test cell, calculation of appropriate medium temperatures from the absorbed laser energy, and correlation of observed ignition delay times tig with the calculated temperatures. Effects of hydrodynamic motion on the pressure, density, and temperature profiles of the irradiated samples were modeled using a computer code for two‐dimensional wave propagation. Code predictions are in accordance with experimental pressure‐time histories obtained using a piezoelectric transducer. Minimum ignition temperatures ranged from 590 K for the iso‐propyl nitrate/O2 system to 1645 K for CH3F/O2. The observed functional relationship bet...
Cytology Patterns in Random Aspirates from Women at High and Low Risk for Breast Cancer

: Proliferative breast disease is known to be a common finding in women at risk for breast cancer. A group of 263 women defined as being at high risk for developing breast carcinoma underwent random fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of one or both breasts. In addition, a group of 30 low-risk volunteers underwent random FNA of one or both breasts. Using cytomorphologic criteria, only 29% of our high-risk group had normal (non-proliferative) cytology. Nine percent (9%) had apocrine metaplasia. Forty-three percent (43%) of high-risk women had proliferative breast disease with or without apocrine metaplasia and 19% had atypical hyperplasia (proliferative breast disease with atypia). In contrast, 83% of low-risk women had normal cytology, 17% had proliferative breast disease, and none had proliferative breast disease with atypia. The difference in prevalence of normal cytology, proliferative breast disease, and proliferative breast disease with atypia between women at high and low risk for developing carcinoma were all statistically significant (p < 0.01). Nine of the 263 women later developed in situ (n= 6) or invasive (n= 3) breast cancer. Eight of those 9 patients had proliferative breast disease with atypia on a prior random FNA and one had proliferative breast disease. These findings indicate that cytologic evidence of proliferative breast disease and proliferative breast disease with atypia from random FNA is more prevalent in high-risk than in low-risk women; and further that proliferative breast disease with atypia in the random needle aspirates is significantly associated with later cancer development.
Agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in brain: Modulation by endogenous adenosine

Abstract Coupling of receptors to G-proteins can be assessed by the ability of specific agonists to stimulate [35S]GTPγS binding in both brain membranes and sections in the presence of excess GDP. In some brain regions, however, high basal activity makes it difficult to detect agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding. The present study suggests a modification of the assay to reduce basal [35S]GTPγS binding and thus increase the signal:noise ratio. Adenosine A1 receptors belong to the class of G-protein-coupled receptors that activate Gi/Go proteins in brain. In the present study, the A1 agonist R(-)N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (R-PIA) stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in brain regions known to contain A1 receptors, including cerebellum, hippocampus and dentate gyrus, medial geniculate body, superior colliculus, certain thalamic nuclei, cerebral cortex, piriform cortex, caudate-putamen, and nucleus accumbens. Treatment of sections and membranes with adenosine deaminase (ADase), which is typically used in adenosine assays to eliminate endogenous adenosine, reduced basal [35S]GTPyS binding. In addition, for cannabinoid and μ-opioid agonists, the percent stimulation of [35S]GTPγS binding was approximately doubled when ADase was included in the assay. These results suggest that endogenous adenosine contributes significantly to basal [35S]GTPγS binding in certain brain regions, and that this activity may be reduced by the addition of ADase, thus improving the signal:noise ratio of agonist-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding.
Multiple infrared photon dissociation of vinyl chloride

Abstract Dehydrohalogenation of vinyl chloride, to form acetylene and HCL, is produced by irradiation with infrared laser pulses in the 9–11 μm region. The acetylene itself is broken down to yield diacetylene and elemental carbon and hydrogen when irradiated by focussed laser pulses. Initial excitation into vibrational modes of different symmetry appears to be about equally effective in converting absorbed energy to chemical reaction. The results are analyzed in terms of several models for multiple infrared photon dissociation; threshold energies of 20· 50 J/cm 2 are deduced.
Centrifugal Consolidation of Al2O3 and AI2O3/ZrO2 Composite Slurries vs Interparticle Potentials: Particle Packing and Mass Segregation

Dispersed ceramic slurries with high concentrations of indifferent electrolyte have been shown to effectively eliminate mass segregation effects in composite materials. Furthermore, high packing efficiencies have been achieved with these systems. It has been suggested that the addition of high concentrations of indifferent electrolytes to an otherwise dispersed ceramic slurry modifies the interaction potential so that the short-range adhesive attraction is diminished by additional repulsive forces. This lower attractive force is still high enough to cause coagulation which raises the viscosity, but small enough to allow easy particle rearrangement during filtration or centrifugation. This rearrangement leads to high packing densities. The effectiveness of this behavior on the improvement of ceramic powder processing of composites is demonstrated with Al2O3 and ZrO2.
Fatty Acid Methyl Esters and Solutol HS 15 Confer Neuroprotection after Focal and Global Cerebral Ischemia

We previously showed that palmitic acid methyl ester (PAME) and stearic acid methyl ester (SAME) are simultaneously released from the sympathetic ganglion and PAME possesses potent vasodilatory properties which may be important in cerebral ischemia. Since PAME is a potent vasodilator simultaneously released with SAME, our hypothesis was that PAME/SAME confers neuroprotection in rat models of focal/global cerebral ischemia. We also examined the neuroprotective properties of Solutol HS15, a clinically approved excipient because it possesses similar fatty acid compositions as PAME/SAME. Asphyxial cardiac arrest (ACA, 6 min) was performed 30 min after PAME/SAME treatment (0.02 mg/kg, IV). Solutol HS15 (2 ml/kg, IP) was injected chronically for 14 days (once daily). Histopathology of hippocampal CA1 neurons was assessed 7 days after ACA. For focal ischemia experiments, PAME, SAME, or Solutol HS15 was administered following reperfusion after 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium staining of the brain was performed 24 h after MCAO and the infarct volume was quantified. Following ACA, the number of surviving hippocampal neurons was enhanced by PAME-treated (68%), SAME-treated (69%), and Solutol-treated HS15 (68%) rats as compared to ACA only-treated groups. Infarct volume was decreased by PAME (83%), SAME (68%), and Solutol HS15 (78%) as compared to saline (vehicle) in MCAO-treated animals. PAME, SAME, and Solutol HS15 provide robust neuroprotection in both paradigms of ischemia. This may prove therapeutically beneficial since Solutol HS15 is already administered as a solublizing agent to patients. With proper timing and dosage, administration of Solutol HS15 and PAME/SAME can be an effective therapy against cerebral ischemia.
Freshwater distribution in the Arctic Ocean: Simulation with a high-resolution model and model-data comparison

[1] A high-resolution numerical simulation of the Arctic Ocean is analyzed in order to study the fate of river runoff and freshwater fluxes in the Arctic Ocean. The model is driven by realistic winds and thermodynamic forcing from the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) Reanalysis data set. Dye tracers have been added to visualize the pathways followed by low-salinity water from the major Arctic rivers and Bering Strait Inflow. The model is spun up using repeated forcing with the 1979 annual cycle for 20 years; then the 1979 through 1998 atmospheric forcing is applied. Under the influence of the 1979 through early 1980s winds, a large plume of river runoff exits the broad Eurasian shelf seas along the Lomonosov Ridge. Starting in about 1985, the locus of shelf-to-basin transport shifts eastward to the Alpha-Mendeleyev ridge complex. This shift in the model output is related to changes in the sea-surface height (SSH) fields, which we attribute primarily to shifts in surface wind stresses. Model resolution, runoff inputs, and relaxation terms in the Lena River delta region are analyzed in detail to expose issues with model performance at boundaries with freshwater inflow. Suggestions are made for improving future simulations of river runoff in basin-scale models.
A technique for measurement of biogenic sulfur emission fluxes

Abstract Atmospheric sulfur compounds of biogenic origin are thought to constitute a significant fraction of the atmospheric sulfur burden. Determination of fluxes of these compounds into the atmosphere is desirable in order to permit accurate assessment of the relative roles of anthropogenic and biogenic sources in contributing to such phenomena as the atmospheric sulfate burden and acidity in precipitation. In the present paper an emission flux measurement technique for biogenic sulfur compounds is described, and initial resuits of the use of the technique in a Long Island salt marsh are presented. These first known measurements of biogenic fluxes are compared to estimates of biogenic fluxes derived from global sulfur budgets and from calculations based on a simple mass transfer model. Comparison is also made with anthropogenic emission rates expressed as fluxes. Further steps in the development of the technique are suggested.
Evaluation of pipeline girth welds using low-frequency horizontally polarized waves

The practical implementation of alternative acceptance criteria for pipeline girth welds requires the use of inspection tools capable of determining the principal dimensions and positions of planar flaws. A new ultrasonic inspection method is described that permits complete volumetric inspection of the girth welds. The new system uses noncontacting electromagnetic-acoustic transducers (EMATs) that operate at low ultrasonic frequencies (454 kHz). Theoretical models of the measurements are developed and verified experimentally. In addition, practical performance limits of the new system are established in terms of minimum flaw sizes that can be detected. The results are related to accept-reject curves based on a model of the failure processes. An inspection protocol for field applications is also described.
Cyclic GMP metabolic defects in inherited disorders of rd mice and RCS rats

The inherited diseases of rd mice and RCS rats are compared. The rd disorder is characterized by the failure of rod visual cells to differentiate fully, by the accumulation of cyclic GMP, which results from a reduced level of phosphodiesterase activity, and by the rapid degeneration of visual cells, which is unaffected by light. The RCS rat disorder is characterized by the failure of pigment epithelium cells to phagocytize shed membranes of rod outer segments, which accumulate as debris, by a debris-associated reduction in cyclic GMP content, and by the slow degeneration of visual cells, which is accelerated by light. Both disorders result in blindness and both display abnormalities in cyclic GMP metabolism which occur before visual cells degenerate. Identification of a role for cyclic GMP in visual cell metabolism or function may suggest how either elevated levels of cyclic GMP in rd retinas or reduced levels of cyclic GMP in RCS retinas fit into the pattern of visual cell degeneration.
The use of synthesized aqueous solutions for determining strontium sorption isotherms

The use of synthesized aqueous solutions for determining experimentally derived strontium sorption isotherms of sediment was investigated as part of a study accessing strontium chemical transport properties. Batch experimental techniques were used to determine strontium sorption isotherms using synthesized aqueous solutions designed to chemically represent water from a natural aquifer with respect to major ionic character and pH. A strontium sorption isotherm for a sediment derived using a synthesized aqueous solution was found to be most comparable to an isotherm derived using natural water when the synthesized aqueous solution contained similar concentrations of calcium and magnesium. However, it is difficult to match compositions exactly due to the effects of disequilibrium between the solution and the sediment. Strong linear relations between sorbed strontium and solution concentrations of calcium and magnesium confirm that these cations are important co-constituents in these synthesized aqueous solutions. Conversely, weak linear relations between sorbed strontium and solution concentrations of sodium and potassium indicate that these constituents do not affect sorption of strontium. The addition of silica to the synthesized aqueous solution does not appreciably affect the resulting strontium sorption isotherm.
European consumer perceptions and barriers for fresh, frozen, preserved and ready-meal fish products

Purpose – This study aims to investigate consumers' perceptions and barriers in relation to fresh, frozen, preserved and ready‐meal fish products in a geographically diverse selection of European countries.Design/methodology/approach – Cross‐sectional data were collected through a consumer survey (n=3,213), conducted in June 2008 in the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the UK. Items measured were self‐reported consumption frequencies, consumer perceptions of different fish product categories, and perceived barriers for increased fish consumption levels. Country specificities are discussed.Findings – The overriding healthy perception consumers have about fish was confirmed, and contributed very strongly to the general perception consumers have about fish. Fresh fish was perceived the most healthy fish product, followed by frozen, preserved and ready‐meal fish products. Perception scores were highest correlated with self‐reported fish consumption in the Mediterranean cou...
Stress Relaxation in Peel Adhesion

Abstract The peeling of an adhesive joint consisting of an SBS copolymer and two Mylar film substrates proceeds by cohesive rubber rupture, and the strength increases with test rate. Stress relaxation during peeling is shown to account for this behavior and relaxation data after peeling is used to predict the rate dependence of the peel force.
Determination of tonicity effects of ketoacids and lactate by use of two canine red blood cell assays

OBJECTIVE To determine the tonicity effects of β-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and lactate in canine RBCs. SAMPLE RBCs from approximately 40 dogs. PROCEDURES 2 in vitro methods were used to conduct 4 experiments. The modified osmotic fragility assay was used to measure the ability of ketoacid salts added to serial sucrose dilutions to protect RBCs from osmotic hemolysis. In a second assay, a handheld cell counting device was used to measure changes in RBC diameter to assess the tonicity effect of solutions of ketoacid and lactate salts. RESULTS For the modified osmotic fragility assay, all ketoacid salts had an osmoprotective effect, but the effect was determined to be completely attributable to the tonicity effect of added cations (sodium and lithium) and not the ketoacid moieties. However, both the sodium and lithium lactate salts provided osmoprotection attributable to both the cation and lactate anion. For the second assay, RBC diameter was significantly increased with the addition of urea (an ineffective osmole) but did not change with the addition of glucose (an effective osmole), which established the behaviors of ineffective and effective osmoles in this assay. The RBC diameter was significantly increased over that of control samples by the addition of sodium β-hydroxybutyrate, lithium acetoacetate, and lithium lactate but was decreased by the addition of sodium lactate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE For both assays, β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate acted as ineffective osmoles, whereas lactate acted as an effective osmole in 3 of 4 experiments.
A transient assay reveals that cultured human cells can accommodate multiple LINE-1 retrotransposition events.

ples that seemingly lack any peptides. Obtaining a peptide mass map from MALDI-ToF and performing peptide mass fingerprinting constitute an inexpensive, yet essential, first step for protein identification. The data it provides may or may not be sufficient to identify the protein contained in the gel piece. If identification cannot be made, the overall quality of the peptide mass map is directly related to the quality of both the original protein sample and the subsequent digestion and purification procedures applied to it. Thus the MALDIToF data can be used to predict the degree of success that could be achieved if the remaining sample were analyzed by more expensive and time-consuming identification methods such as sequence tagging and de novo sequencing using nanoelectrospray MS/MS.
Gas transport in segmented block copolymers

Abstract The diffusive transport of several simple gases in four thermoplastic elastomers was measured. Certain anomalies were observed with the larger-sized penetrants, namely Ar and N2. It appears that these gaseous penetrants can distinguish between the rigid and flexible regions of certain block copolymers, the effect being more pronounced for the gas with the larger molecular diameter. A model is proposed and discussed which is qualitatively consistent with the observed behavior.
Acute immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood

Acute immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in childhood is most commonly a self-limiting condition with unexplained onset and resolution. In cases of severe thrombocytopenia, or situations where the condition persists beyond 6 months, treatment may be required to minimize the danger of life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage. Nonsurgical treatment options include corticosteroids, intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIg), or anti-D. Specific indications, benefits, and limitations of these modalities are discussed, with recommendations for future directions in therapy.
Electron trajectories in the uniform-magnetic-field orotron free-electron laser

An iterative method is employed for evaluating electron trajectories in the uniform-magnetic-field orotron free-electron laser. From resulting electron current density one deduces that this free-electron laser can operate not just at one but at four radiation resonance frequencies, making it potentially a highly tunable device. The aim of these studies is eventually to give a complete description of the free-electron laser capable of generating radiation in the farinfrared/microwave spectral region.
ARITHMETICAL ESTIMATION "AD ABSURDUM"

An “absurd” arithmetical estimation task, which totally eliminated any skill facet, was used in an experiment designed to test the hypothesis that only when any application of known algorithms is clearly impossible, do Ss take into account shifts in payoff matrices in their decision processes. Ss' behavior in this absurd task was compared with that of Ss in a previously described arithmetical estimation task under severe time restrictions. Ten Ss comprised the experimental group while 6 Ss served as controls, each S performing 150 decisions. It was found that 50% of the Ss in the experimental group showed the expected rational shift in their behavior; there were no shifts by controls. Ritualistic skill-based strategy under adverse environmental conditions is discussed.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF HUMAN POLIOMYELITIS : I. DISTRIBUTION OF VIRUS IN NERVOUS AND NON-NERVOUS TISSUES.

1. Studies on a large number of tissues obtained from fatal cases of human poliomyelitis have revealed that the virus is distributed predominantly in two systems: (a) certain regions of the nervous system, and (b) the alimentary tract. 2. Poliomyelitis virus was demonstrated in the walls of the pharynx, ileum, and only once in those of the descending colon, while the contents of the descending colon regularly contained the virus. 3. The presence of virus in the walls of the alimentary tract appears to be the result neither of generalized dissemination of the virus nor of secondary centrifugal spread, but rather that of primary localization or portal of entry. 4. In the absence of evidence of any demonstrable centrifugal spread to peripheral collections of nerve cells (e.g., in the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia, suprarenals, salivary glands), the presence of virus in the abdominal sympathetic plexus of one case may be indicative of at least one pathway of centripetal virus progression. 5. The absence of demonstrable virus in the nasal mucosa, olfactory bulbs, and anterior perforated substance suggests that neither the upper respiratory tract nor the olfactory pathway were affected in the cases of human poliomyelitis studied in the present investigation.
Reactions of metal-ammonia solutions — VI The alkali metal-ammonia reaction as catalyzed by glass

Abstract The room-temperature alkali metal-liquid ammonia reaction, for lithium, potassium and cesium, is shown to be catalyzed by Pyrex or Kimax glass. The catalytic activity, which is probably due to silanol groups, can be greatly decreased by treating the glass with ammonium fluoride or baking with hot potassium vapour. The lithium and potassium reactions are first-order with respect to metal concentration; the overall rates decrease in the order K > Cs > Li. The half-life of the potassium reaction is several hundred hours in specially treated cells, which makes it the most stable such solution at room temperature reported to date.
Acid-active neuraminidases in the growth media from cultures of pathogenic Naegleria fowleri and in sonicates of rabbit alveolar macrophages.

Abstract Using bovine mucin and isolated human myelin as source of sialic acid, we demonstrate the presence of neuraminidase activities in the growth media of pathogenic, but not nonpathogenic, Naegleria sp. and in sonicates of rabbit alveolar macrophages. Neuraminidase activity was maximal at pH 4.5 and 5.0, and the specific activity for sialic release was up to 13-fold greater with mucin that with human myelin. Activity in the growth media from cultures of pathogenic Naegleria fowleri was ion-independent, while that of macrophage sonicates required divalent cation; optimal activity was noted with 2.5 mM Zn2, while Mg2+ and Mn2+ supported activity to a lesser extent. Such acid-active neuraminidases may contribute to the reported glycolipid alterations associated with the demyelinating diseases.
An Afrocentric Critique of Appiah's in My Father's House

The discipline of African/African American Studies has continued to witness heated discussions and exchanges on such subjects as African civilization, African philosophy, African identity and the African worldview. It appears that the exchanges have boiled down to a contest between two distinct groups of African/African American studies scholars and students. One group, made up of an assortment of scholars, believes in the existence of and espouses such ideas as African civilization, African philosophy, African identity and the African worldview. The other group, which like the first, contains a variegated collection of scholars, contests the legitimacy of those concepts. Key books and journal articles have been produced by both sides. Anthony Kwame Appiah's (1992) In My Father's House presents a major challenge to the tenets and fundamental assumptions of African/African American studies. I describe it as a major challenge because the author displays a broad familiarity with the African cultural, economic, and political scene. Appiah also reflects in this work a deep grasp of the corpus of Western philosophy. Here and there, I encounter points of common ground between the author and me; but like all works, the book has its problems of commission and omission. Often, its descriptions are correct. The chief weakness of the work lies in its analysis and its highly theoretical, if not naive, view of racial relations. But this does not mean that its analytical sphere is entirely faulty. It seems to me that Appiah's (1992) contention that biological determinism is false is really nothing new. Contemporary academic
Immunization with the recombinant antigen Ss-IR induces protective immunity to infection with Strongyloides stercoralis in mice

Human intestinal infections with the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis remain a significant problem worldwide and a vaccine would be a useful addition to the tools available to prevent and control this infection. The goal of this study was to test single antigens for their efficacy in a vaccine against S. stercoralis larvae in mice. Alum was used as the adjuvant in these studies and antigens selected for analysis were either recognized by protective human IgG (Ss-TMY-1, Ss-EAT-6, and Ss-LEC-5) or were known to be highly immunogenic in humans (Ss-NIE-1 and Ss-IR). Only mice immunized with the Ss-IR antigen demonstrated a significant decrease of approximately 80% in the survival of larval parasites in the challenge infection. Antibodies, recovered from mice with protective immunity to S. stercoralis after immunization with Ss-IR, were used to locate the antigen in the larvae. Confocal microscopy revealed that IgG from mice immunized with Ss-IR bound to the surface of the parasites and observations by electron microscopy indicated that IgG bound to granules in the glandular esophagus. Serum collected from mice immunized with Ss-IR passively transferred immunity to naive mice. These studies demonstrate that Ss-IR, in combination with alum, induces high levels of protective immunity through an antibody dependent mechanism and may therefore be suitable for further development as a vaccine against human strongyloidiasis.
An epizootic model of an insect-fungal pathogen system

A system of integro-differential equations is derived to describe epizootics of a fungal pathogen in an insect population. Because of piecewise continuous behavior under some parametric conditions, it is concluded that standard phase orbits can be misleading. Using a different analytic approach yields a simple system of finite difference equations. Both the continuous and discrete versions are compared to classical forms. The continuous version differs from a classical one in possessing a second derivative dependent on population density. The discrete version differs in maintaining positive, non-zero populations of both infectives and susceptibles in finite time.
Twenty-four-hour retention of chlordiazepoxide (Librium) -attenuated threat behavior in male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

Experiment I investigated the 24-h retention of chlordiazepoxide (Librium) -induced attenuation and facilitation of habituation of species-specific threat behavior in male Siamese fighting fish. In Session 1, subjects, in a drug solution or plain water, were exposed to an undrugged conspecific stimulus fish for 40 min. After 24 h back in their home jars, all fish were retested in plain water with the same stimulus fish. Chlordiazepoxide showed similar threat behavior attenuation in Sessions 1 and 2 as compared to the control situation. In Experiment II, subjects were immersed in one of the two treatments for the same time period with no stimulus fish present. After 24 h in their home environment, all fish were tested in plain water with a stimulus fish present. Chlordiazepoxide attenuated threat behavior and facilitated its habituation 24 h after initial exposure to the drug. Therefore, the results of Experiment I are due to sustained drug activity rather than transfer of drug-induced behavior from a drugged to a nondrugged state. Suggestions for further research, based upon this sustained drug activity, are discussed.
Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns and R Factors in Domestic and Wild Animals

Domestic animals subjected to routine production and health practices which contained a near maximal amount of antibiotic pressures, and wildlife subjected to minimal antibiotic pressures were investigated for the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant gram-negative enteric bacteria. Domestic animals subjected to large antibiotic pressures commonly occasioned by the use of drugs for both nonmedical animal production and health purposes showed a high prevalence of multiresistant organisms with R factors, whereas wild animals had the lowest prevalence of resistant organisms. Less than 2% of the wild animal isolates possessed R factors. It is probable that antimicrobial drugs facilitated the development, selection, and growth of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli in domestic animals.
VARIETIES OF TOPOLOGICAL ALGEBRAS

By a variety of topological algebras we mean a class V of topological algebras of a fixed type closed under the formation of subalgebras, products and quotients (i.e. images under continuous homomorphisms yielding the quotient topology). In symbols, V = SV = PV = QV. if V is also closed under the formation of arbitrary continuous homomorphic images, then V is a wide variety. variety. As an example we have the full variety V = Modr (Σ), the class of all topological algebras of a fixed type τ obeying a fixed set Σ of algebraic identities. But not every wide variety is full, e.g. the class of all indiscrete topological algebras of a fixed type; in fact, as Morris observed (1970b), there exists a proper class of varieties of topological groups.
Regulation of levels of nuclear transcripts for C4 photosynthesis in bundle sheath and mesophyll cells of maize leaves.

In vitro translation of polyA+ mRNAs isolated from purified maize bundle sheath and mesophyll cells results in the production of distinctive, cell-specific polypeptides. Immunoprecipitation experiments show that translatable polyA+ mRNAs for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) and NADP-malate dehydrogenase (MDH) are prominent in mesophyll but not bundle sheath cells. On the contrary, those for sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase (SBP), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP), NADP-malic enzyme (ME) and the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC SS) are present only in bundle sheath cells. Moreover, polyA+ mRNAs encoding the 33 kD, 23 kD and 16 kD polypeptides of the oxygen-evolving complex (OE33, OE23 and OE16) and the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein of photosystem II (LHCP II) are much more abundant in mesophyll than in bundle sheath cells. Northern blot analyses with cDNA clones of PEPC, PPDK, ME, RuBPC SS, OE33, OE23, OE16 and LHCP II are consistent with the conclusion that the cell-specific expression of these genes is regulated at the RNA level. The RNA level differences are especially dramatic in dark-grown maize seedlings after illumination for 24 h.
Steady-state performance on fixed-, mixed-, and random-ratio schedules.

Three groups of rats pressed a lever for milk reinforcers on various simple reinforcement schedules (one schedule per condition). In Group M, each pair of conditions included a mixed-ratio schedule and a fixed-ratio schedule with equal average response:reinforcer ratios. On mixed-ratio schedules, reinforcement occurred with equal probability after a small or a large response requirement was met. In Group R, fixed-ratio and random-ratio schedules were compared in each pair of conditions. For all subjects in these two groups, the frequency distributions of interresponse times of less than one second were very similar on all ratio schedules, exhibiting a peak at about .2 seconds. For comparison, subjects in Group V responded on variable-interval schedules, and few interresponse times as short as .2 seconds were recorded. The results suggest that the rate of continuous responding is the same on all ratio schedules, and what varies among ratio schedules is the frequency, location, and duration of pauses. Preratio pauses were longer on fixed-ratio schedules than on mixed-ratio or random-ratio schedules, but there was more within-ratio pausing on mixed-ratio and random-ratio schedules. Across a single trial, the probability of an interruption in responding decreased on fixed-ratio schedules, was roughly constant on random-ratio schedules, and often increased and then decreased on mixed-ratio schedules. These response patterns provided partial support for Mazur's (1982) theory that the probability of instrumental responding is directly related to the probability of reinforcement and the proximity of reinforcement.
A GMM-based breast cancer risk stratification using a resonance-frequency electrical impedance spectroscopy

Purpose: The authors developed and tested a multiprobe-based resonance-frequency-based electrical impedance spectroscopy (REIS) system. The purpose of this study was to preliminarily assess the performance of this system in classifying younger women into two groups, those ultimately recommended for biopsy during imaging-based diagnostic workups that followed screening and those rated as negative during mammography. Methods: A seven probe-based REIS system was designed, assembled, and is currently being tested in the breast imaging facility. During an examination, contact is made with the nipple and six concentric points on the breast skin. For each measurement channel between the center probe and one of the six external probes, a set of electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) signal sweeps is performed and signal outputs ranging from 200 to 800 kHz at 5 kHz interval are recorded. An initial subset of 174 examinations from an ongoing prospective clinical study was selected for this preliminary analysis. An initial set of 35 features, 33 of which represented the corresponding EIS signal differences between the left and right breasts, was established. A Gaussian mixture model (GMM) classifier was developed to differentiate between “positive” (biopsy recommended) cases and “negative” (nonbiopsy) cases. Selecting an optimal feature set was performed using genetic algorithms with an area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) as the fitness criterion. Results: The recorded EIS signal sweeps showed that, in general, negative (nonbiopsy) examinations have a higher level of electrical impedance symmetry between the two breasts than positive (biopsy) examinations. Fourteen features were selected by genetic algorithm and used in the optimized GMM classifier. Using a leave-one-case-out test, the GMM classifier yielded a performance level of AUC=0.78, which compared favorably to other three widely used classifiers including support vector machine, classification tree, and linear discriminant analysis. These results also suggest that the REIS signal based GMM classifier could be used as a prescreening tool to correctly identify a fraction of younger women at higher risk of developing breast cancer (i.e., 47% sensitivity at 90% specificity). Conclusions: The study confirms that asymmetry in electrical impedance characteristics between two breasts provides valuable information regarding the presence of a developing breast abnormality; hence, REIS data may be useful in classifying younger women into two groups of “average” and “significantly higher than average” risk of having or developing a breast abnormality that would ultimately result in a later imaging-based recommendation for biopsy.
Introduction to the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) for pediatric neuroclinicians.

This article introduces the neuroclinician to the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC), a new test of intelligence and achievement with a strong theoretical base supported by diverse cognitive and neuropsychological research. The K-ABC global scales and their subtests are described in some detail, followed by a discussion of the neuropsychological relevance of the K-ABC subtests. The article also provides discussions of research in the following areas: psychometric properties of the K-ABC and a comparison to the Wechsler scales; interpretation and remediation of sequential-simultaneous processing differences; the value of the K-ABC in the assessment of minority children; and controversy surrounding the K-ABC.
Functionalization of polymers using n 2 pulsed dielectric barrier discharge

Summary form only given. Surface treatment of polymers using plasma has teen widely implemented to enhance the adhesion and wettability of the material through the inclusion of polar functional groups. In the case of high-strength organic fibers for composite applications, it is imperative to apply such a technique to overcome interfacial discontinuities that exist between two thermodynamically different materials. Through the use of atmospheric pulsed-dielectric barrier discharges (DBD), ultra -high -molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) films were treated with nitrogen gas to the effect where nitrogen-and oxygen-containing functional groups were deposited on the surface. To avoid the effects of oxidative degradation during and after plasma treatments, various treatment times and gas flow-rates were used to achieve higher uptake of N-containing species over that of O-containing species. Using surface analysis techniques such as attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and water contact angle measurements, variation in surface energy and chemical composition has been studied. To understand the mechanism of interaction between the plasma and the surface of the polymer, optical emission spectroscopy has been applied to identify and characterize key chemical species present in the DBD plasma.
Rapid incorporation of fish or olive oil fatty acids into rat hepatic sinusoidal cell phospholipids after continuous enteral feeding during endotoxemia.

Therapeutic modalities that downregulate macrophage and endothelial production of eicosanoid mediators by displacing membrane arachidonic acid (20:4 omega 6) may benefit patients at increased risk of septic complications. The objective of this study in rats was to assess the incorporation of fish or olive oil fatty acids into hepatic Kupffer and endothelial (K&E) cell phospholipids after 4 d of continuous enteral feeding during endotoxemia. Either endotoxin (ETX) (0.5-1 mg-1.day-1) or vehicle was infused intravenously during the last 72 h. Dietary fish and olive oil fatty acids were rapidly incorporated into both K&E and plasma phospholipids irrespective of ETX cotreatment. Rats infused with the fish oil-enriched diet had a significantly lower relative percent of both K&E linoleic acid (18:2 omega 6) and 20:4 omega 6, whereas rats infused with the olive oil-enriched diet only had a lower relative percent of 18:2 omega 6 compared with control rats receiving corn oil. Provision of specific dietary lipids by continuous enteral infusion may prove efficacious for the rapid modulation of hepatic sinusoidal cell membrane fatty acids under either normal or endotoxemic conditions.
Evaluation of tracking methods for human-computer interaction

Tracking methods are evaluated in a real-time feature tracking system used for human-computer interaction (HCI). The Camera Mouse, a HCI system for people with severe disabilities that interprets video input to manipulate the mouse pointer, was improved and used as the test platform for this study. Tracking methods tested are the Lucas-Kanade tracker and a tracker based on normalized correlation. Both methods are evaluated with and without multidimensional Kalman filters. Two-, four-, and six-dimensional filters are tested to model feature location, velocity, and acceleration. The various tracker and filter combinations are evaluated for accuracy, computational efficiency, and practicality. The normalized correlation coefficient tracker without Kalman filtering is found to be the tracker best suited for a variety of HCI tasks.