cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Galactose cataract in riboflavin deficient rats

Abstract Galactose cataract was produced in riboflavin deficient and riboflavin supplemented rats by feeding a 68% galactose diet deficient or supplemented with riboflavin. Twenty-three or twenty-five-day-old rats were fed riboflavin deficient and riboflavin supplemented diet for 21 days before feeding high galactose diet. About 80% of riboflavin deficient rats develop mature cataracts in 16–18 days after feeding riboflavin deficient high (68%) galactose diet whereas about 10% of rats fed a riboflavin supplemented high galactose diet for the same period develop mature cataracts. Progress in the formation of cataracts was followed by measuring biochemical parameters such as GSH, total thiol, protein thiol, and the levels of glutathione reductase, glucose-6-P dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in the lens. The levels of glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were lower in the lenses of riboflavin deficient than in normal rats fed galactose but GSH, total thiol, and protein thiol were not appreciably different in riboflavin deficient and control animals. Riboflavin deficiency alone does not lead to cataract formation in rat lenses when the rats were fed a riboflavin deficient diet for 16 weeks. Attempts to correct the increased susceptibility of riboflavin deficient rats to galactose cataract by either topical application of riboflavin or by injecting riboflavin into the anterior chamber of the eye were not successful.
Absorption/emission spectroscopy and applications using shock tubes

Abstract A historical overview is presented about the important contributions made by Penner, his co-workers, and his students to the application of shock-tube techniques for quantitative emission and absorption spectroscopy and its applications to chemical kinetics studies in high-temperature gases. The discussions address critical aspects related to valid determinations of quantitative spectroscopic data and chemical rate parameters and stress the requirements for uniformly heated gas samples, temperature determinations, gas-mixture preparations, selection of useful spectral intervals, verification of LTE conditions, time resolutions for concentration histories, uniqueness of kinetic measurements, as well as accuracies and reproducibilities of measurement results. The potential of absorption spectroscopy by molecule and/or radical resonance radiation and by laser transmission techniques is highlighted for kinetic studies in mixtures with very small reactant concentrations. Besides the work by the honoree and his school, the references include books, monographs and key articles related to the subjects discussed.
EXPECTED INTENSITIES OF SOLAR FORBIDDEN LINES EMITTED FROM 2p k (k = 2, 3, 4) CONFIGURATIONS

Predicted intensities of all significant transitions within the ground configurations of six-, seven-, and eight-electron ions are tabulated for solar conditions, on a common scale. Some applications of the table entries to line identification and emission measure analysis are presented, including proposed Mg VI classifications for the coronal lines 3488.5 A and 3502.5 A.
Cytosine Arabinoside Lesions Are Position-specific Topoisomerase II Poisons and Stimulate DNA Cleavage Mediated by the Human Type II Enzymes

Cytosine arabinoside (araC) is an important drug used for the treatment of human leukemias. In order to exert its cytotoxic effects, araC must be incorporated into chromosomal DNA. Although specific DNA lesions that involve base loss or modification stimulate nucleic acid cleavage mediated by type II topoisomerases, the effects of deoxyribose sugar ring modification on enzyme activity have not been examined. Therefore, the effects of incorporated araC residues on the DNA cleavage/religation equilibrium of human topoisomerase IIα and β were characterized. AraC lesions were position-specific topoisomerase II poisons and stimulated DNA scission mediated by both human type II enzymes. However, the positional specificity of araC residues differed from that previously reported for other cleavage-enhancing DNA lesions. Finally, additive or synergistic increases in DNA cleavage were observed in the presence of araC lesions and etoposide. These findings broaden the range of DNA lesions known to alter topoisomerase II function and raise the possibility that this enzyme may mediate some of the cellular effects of araC.
Routine cervical length and fetal fibronectin screening in asymptomatic twin pregnancies: is there clinical benefit?

AbstractObjective: To determine whether routine cervical length (CL) and fetal fibronectin (fFN) screening is associated with improved clinical outcomes in asymptomatic patients with twin pregnancies.Study design: We compared outcomes between two large cohorts of twin pregnancies who delivered in New York City from 2003 to 2012. One cohort (n = 532) was managed by a single group practice, delivered at one large academic medical center, and underwent routine serial CL and fFN screening. The second cohort (n = 456) delivered at a second large academic center and only underwent CL and fFN testing as clinically indicated. Outcomes measured include cerclage placement, preterm birth (PTB), spontaneous PTB (sPTB), and antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) exposure.Results: Rates of cerclage placement, PTB, and SPTB were similar between the two groups. However, routine CL and fFN screening was associated with improved rates of ACS exposure in patients who delivered <34 weeks (91.3% versus 74.7%, p = 0.005) and 34–36 6/7...
Monotonic and fatigue deformation of Ni-W directionally solidified eutectic

Unlike many eutectic composites, the Ni-W eutectic exhibits extensive ductility by slip. Furthermore, its properties may be greatly varied by proper heat treatments. Here results of studies of deformation in both monotonic and fatigue loading are reported. During monotonie deformation the fiber /matrix interface acts as a source of dislocations at low strains and an obstacle to matrix slip at higher strains. Deforming the quenched-plus-aged eutectic causes planar matrix slip, with the result that matrix slip bands create stress concentrations in the fibers at low strains. The aged eutectic reaches generally higher stress levels for comparable strains than does the as-quenched eutectic, and the failure strains decrease with increasing aging times. For the composites tested in fatigue, the aged eutectic has better high-stress fatigue resistance than the as-quenched material, but for low-stress, high-cycle fatigue their cycles to failure are nearly the same. However, both crack initiation and crack propagation are different in the two conditions, so the coincidence in high-cycle fatigue is probably fortuitous. The effect of matrix strength on composite performance is not simple, since changes in strength may be accompanied by alterations in slip modes and failure processes.
Early exposures to intermale aggression increases the adult aggression of male rats

Abstract Intact litters of rats were exposed to three brief episodes of intense paternal aggression against an unfamiliar adult conspecific prior to weaning on day 31. Control litters were not exposed to paternal conflict. Male offspring of both groups were given a long-term test of their aggression against an unfamiliar intruder when the subjects were 103–114 days old. During the initial 10-minute observational phase of the aggression test, few animals in either group attacked the intruder, but intruders lost more bodyweight during the 22 1 2 -hour test when placed into the cages with the aggression-exposed subjects. Thus, early exposure to aggressive exchanges between adult animals increases the use of an aggressive strategy during subsequent confrontations with unfamiliar conspecifics. Two mechanisms possibly underlying this phenomenon are discussed.
Energy Conservation and the States: Approaches to Implementing National Policy

The image of the 1970s as an ecology decade faded before the realities of energy politics as millions of Americans ushered in 1974 while waiting in long gasoline lines. That experience, precipitated by the Arab Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' oil embargo, graphically symbolized the growing imbalance between energy supply and demand in the United States. Just as public attention focused on the immediate consequences of the fuel shortages stemming from the embargo, especially rapidly escalating prices and supply uncertainty, initial policy responses by the federal government and the states focused attention on the most visible aspects of what is really a "petroleum crisis" in the short term (at least until 1985-1990).' For example, sixteen states responded to the problem of long gasoline lines by instituting some form of the so-called, odd-even "Oregon plan" for quasi-rationing based on license plate numbers and the day of the week.2 Similarly, under the mandatory fuel allocation program established by the federal government, the states were responsible for distributing on an emergency basis the "set aside" component (usually 3 percent) of the gasoline and almost all other petroleum products going into each state.3 However, as the easily demonstrable aspects of the supply-demand imbalance began to fade, years of apathy and neglect suddenly were
Action technology resources: An annotated bibliography

The annotated references in this chapter have been developed by this volume's authors to help readers explore action technologies that interest them more deeply.
Rise-time Measurements of Low Capacitance CMOS Detectors Using a Pump-Probe Technique

Optical interconnect and clocking applications require low capacitance, high speed, CMOS-compatible photodetectors. We characterize the small-signal pump-probe response of Silicon on Sapphire CMOS compatible detectors showing response ~ 35 ps.
The automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: Management issues relevant to the emergency care provider

Abstract The automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD) is being used more frequently in patients with recurrent malignant arrhythmias refractive to sophisticated antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Such patients often present to emergency facllities with cardiac and/or device related complaints. Both “appropriate” and “inappropriate” AICD pulsing can result in patient adversity. For this reason, AICD generator deactivation is indicated in certain clinical conditions once a controlled and properly equipped medical environment is assured. This report discusses a number of relevant emergent management issues concerning this beneficial device.
Foreign Direct Investment and Domestic Industries: Market Expansion or Outsourcing?

The issue of outsourcing has been a hot topic (Marchant and Kumar), especially in this past election year. Numerous television programs, news stories, and editorial pages have been devoted to the subject. At the heart of this debate has been the effect of investment of U.S. firms overseas (foreign direct investment or FDI) and the assumed correlation of this with job losses in the United States (popularly called outsourcing). While this certainly may have some validity in certain industries, the assumed correlation is not a universal truth (Hanson, Mataloni, and Slaughter). This paper examines the relationship between FDI and domestic employment with a focus on two case industries-food manufacturing and textiles.
Structural motifs in ribosomal RNAs: implications for RNA design and genomics.

The various motifs of RNA molecules are closely related to their structural and functional properties. To better understand the nature and distributions of such structural motifs (i.e., paired and unpaired bases in stems, junctions, hairpin loops, bulges, and internal loops) and uncover characteristic features, we analyze the large 16S and 23S ribosomal RNAs of Escherichia coli. We find that the paired and unpaired bases in structural motifs have characteristic distribution shapes and ranges; for example, the frequency distribution of paired bases in stems declines linearly with the number of bases, whereas that for unpaired bases in junctions has a pronounced peak. Significantly, our survey reveals that the ratio of total (over the entire molecule) unpaired to paired bases (0.75) and the fraction of bases in stems (0.6), junctions (0.16), hairpin loops (0.12), and bulges/internal loops (0.12) are shared by 16S and 23S ribosomal RNAs, suggesting that natural RNAs may maintain certain proportions of bases in various motifs to ensure structural integrity. These findings may help in the design of novel RNAs and in the search (via constraints) for RNA-coding motifs in genomes, problems of intense current focus. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 73: 340–347, 2004
Proton Hopping: A Proposed Mechanism for Myelinated Axon Nerve Impulses

Myelinated axon nerve impulses travel 100 times more rapidly than impulses in non-myelinated axons. Increased speed is currently believed to be due to ‘hopping’ or ‘saltatory propagation’ along the axon, but the mechanism by which impulses flow has never been adequately explained. We have used modeling approaches to simulate a role for proton hopping in the space between the plasma membrane and myelin sheath as the mechanism of nerve action-potential flow.
A class of Hamiltonian-symplectic methods for solving the algebraic Riccati equation

Abstract The algebraic Riccati equation can be solved by finding a certain invariant subspace of a related Hamiltonian matrix. G. Ammar and V. Mehrmann devised a method for calculating this invariant subspace that exploits the Hamiltonian structure of the matrix by using unitary, symplectic similarity transformations. This paper discusses a class of methods that find the invariant subspace by using symplectic similarity transformations that are not necessarily unitary. The method of Ammar and Mehrmann is a special case.
Transnasal endoscopic approach to the sella turcica.

The transseptal/transsphenoidal approach to the pituitary gland has been the most commonly used approach for resection of pituitary adenomas for the last 50 years. This procedure has a low morbidit...
Search frictions and labor market participation

Abstract Cross-country differences in labor market participation are often larger than differences in unemployment rates. The same holds true across demographic groups within a given economy. We argue that the interaction between labor force participation decisions and labor market frictions can help us understand these patterns. This interaction highlights dynamic aspects of the participation decision, in contrast to standard textbook treatments that emphasize static costs and benefits of participation. We extend the standard labor market search problem to allow for a third state—non-participation—and assumes that stochastic participation costs precipitate flows into and out of non-participation. We fully characterize the worker's decision problem and use numerical simulations to demonstrate how participation patterns vary with individual characteristics and with labor market conditions.
A national framework for cancer surveillance in the United States

Enhancements to cancer surveillance systems are needed for meeting increased demands for data and for developing effective program planning, evaluation, and research on cancer prevention and control. Representatives from the American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Cancer Registrars Association, and North American Association of Central Cancer Registries have worked together on the National Coordinating Council for Cancer Surveillance to develop a national framework for cancer surveillance in the United States. The framework addresses a continuum of disease progression from a healthy state to the end of life and includes primary prevention (factors that increase or decrease cancer occurrence in healthy populations), secondary prevention (screening and diagnosis), and tertiary prevention (factors that affect treatment, survival, quality of life, and palliative care). The framework also addresses cross-cutting information needs, including better data to monitor disparities by measures of socioeconomic status, to assess economic costs and benefits of specific interventions for individuals and for society, and to study the relationship between disease and individual biologic factors, social policies, and the environment. Implementation of the framework will require long-term, extensive coordination and cooperation among these major cancer surveillance organizations.
Implementation of non-linear estimators using monospline

This paper presents a method for the realization of non-linear estimators based on spline interpolation. The difference of a monospline and its interpolating spline forms a monospline and then a quadrature formula is induced. When the knots of the monospline at which the conditional density is discretized are allowed to vary, a class of optimal quadrature formulas is obtained. To find the monospline with optimal knots a set of non-linear algebraic equations must be solved. If the symmetry property of the monospline is applied, the order of the non-linear equations can be reduced by about one-half. An iteration scheme of Newton type is introduced to solve the monospline. The quadrature formula associated with this monospline has the so-called positivity property which is essential in the practical implementation of non-linear recursive estimators.
Right ventricular dysfunction and adverse outcome in patients with advanced heart failure.

Abstract Background In patients with heart failure (HF) from left ventricular systolic dysfunction, the presence of coexistent right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is associated with poor exercise capacity and reduced survival. We sought to determine whether a simple measure of RV function, the RV myocardial performance index (RV MPI), is associated with adverse outcome in a population of advanced heart failure patients selected to receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Methods and Results The RV MPI was measured on 77 consecutive preimplantation echocardiograms. The relationship between RV MPI and the end point of all-cause mortality, transplantation, or ventricular assist device placement was evaluated. The end point occurred in 28 patients (36%) during a median follow-up of 21 months. The median RV MPI was 0.73 (interquartile range 0.51–0.89). Worse RV function, as demonstrated by a higher RV MPI, was seen in those patients who reached the end point compared with those who did not (0.83 vs. 0.69, P = .004). The highest tercile of RV MPI was associated with a 3.3-fold increased risk of poor outcome (95% CI 1.3–8.5). Each 0.1 unit increase in RV MPI was associated with a 16% increased risk (95% CI 8–26). After adjusting for other echocardiographic variables, RV MPI remained significantly associated with the outcome. Conclusion In a population of advanced HF patients selected to receive CRT, RV dysfunction, as assessed by the RV MPI, is associated with adverse outcome. Wider use of this simple nongeometric parameter may help to identify patients for whom options for further intervention should be carefully evaluated.
Identification of a small subfraction of hnRNA with the characteristics of a precursor to mRNA

Abstract A subfraction of hnRNA has been isolated from HeLa cells and characterized. This RNA is much smaller than the bulk of hnRNA and appears to have a simpler kinetic behavior than the majority of the hnRNA molecules. This RNA fraction is also rich in poly(A) and appears to be a primary transcript rather than a processing intermediate. The study of this RNA is possible because it is contained in a unique particulate form, which can easily be separated from the bulk of the hnRNA.
A non-parametric Monte Carlo technique for controller verification

Abstract This paper extends the Monte Carlo technique to systems that exhibit non-parametric uncertainty i.e. when the form of the equations is not known exactly. A large number of monotonie curves are generated randomly within the envelopes that bound the incompletely known functions. Each generated curve is substituted into the ODEs that describe the system, which are integrated to determine trajectories of the state variables. To ensure a satisfactory coverage of the space of monotonie functions, a recursive-subdivision algorithm is introduced for discretization of the independent variables, with the dependent variable randomly selected at each grid point, according to suggested distributions. The technique is applied to verify the stability of closed-loop nonlinear systems, as arise in chemical plants with process controllers.
Poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)/montmorillonite organoclay mixtures: a model system for ABS nanocomposites

Abstract Dispersion of clay particles in acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) nanocomposites with montmorillonite (MMT) have been compared to assess whether ABS/MMT nanocomposite behavior can be adequately modeled using the simpler SAN/MMT system. Electron microscopy photomicrographs show that clay particles in ABS/MMT composites reside in the SAN matrix phase and accumulate at the rubber particle surfaces. In mixtures of four organoclays with the two polymers, WAXS (wide angle X-ray scattering) peak height and shift in gallery height was the same for a given organoclay. Aspect ratios determined through image analysis were also the same in each polymer. Modulus enhancement as measured by an exfoliation efficiency index showed the same patterns for each organoclay in the two matrices, but the ABS/MMT composites had consistently lower efficiencies than in SAN/MMT composites. This trend is expected to be due to the variations in orientation of clay particles in ABS/MMT composites at the rubber particle surface. In summary, SAN/MMT composites represent a good model system for ABS/MMT.
Effects of chlorinated phenols on rat embryonic and hepatic mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

Chlorinated phenols (CPs), including pentachlorophenol, selected positional isomers from each major group of CPs, and phenol were previously selected from 38 possible compounds and ranked according to developmental toxicity. The present study was designed to utilize these compounds (and a variety of chemical derivatives) to elucidate the mechanism(s) of developmental toxicity of the chlorinated phenols. Mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation from rat embryos (REM) and maternal liver (MLM) on day 15 of gestation. The higher CPs, i.e., pentachlorophenol (C5P), 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,5-C4P), and 2,3,5-trichlorophenol (2,3,5-C3P) at concentrations > 1.33 μM, inhibited ADP phosphorylation and state 4 respiration in the presence of either glutamate plus malate or α-ketoglutarate or succinate. These compounds also exerted a significant uncoupling activity at a concentration of 1.33 μM, with C5P > 2,3,4,5-C4P > 2,3,5-C3P. The lower CPs, i.e., 3,5-dichlorophenol (3,5-C2P), 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), and phenol, produced comparable mitochondrial effects, but only at a higher concentration (20 μM). Enhanced mitochondrial ATPase activity (with and without Mg2+) was induced by C5P, 2,3,4,5-C4P and 2,3,5-C3P at concentrations that exhibited maximum uncoupling activity. The CPs (except for the derivative C5P-anisole) caused significant mitochondrial swelling. The reversal of oligomycin-inhibited respiration by C5P from REM or MLM was also reproducible in the intact Hydra attenuata. A correlation of 0.9 (p = 0.0151) between CP-induced uncoupling activity and the reciprocal of the minimal affective concentration in the Hydra developmental assay was observed. These findings suggest that CPs may elicit their effects by interacting with target cell mitochondria.
The naturally occurring high oleate oil character in some peanut varieties results from reduced oleoyl-PC desaturase activity from mutation of aspartate 150 to asparagine

Commercially important high ofeate seed oils, meaning that they are low in polyunsaturated fatty acid content, are resistant to developing rancidity, A peanut cultivar (Arachis hypogaea L.) derived from a naturally occnrring peanut has low oleoyl-PC desaturase activity, the key enzyme in the production of linoleate, normally an abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid. Two genes for this enzyme are expressed in peanut seeds, and when they were separately expressed in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), one produced less linoleate than the other. Although the two cDNA encode similar sequence proteins, they differ by four amino acids. Aspartate at position 150 was asparagine in the low activity copy. An aspartate was present in many membrane desaturases and other related membrane enzymes at an equivalent location suggesting that the mutation at 150 was key to the low activity, In this work, site-specific mutagenesis was used to change the aspartate in the high activity enzyme to asparagine and to change asparagine in the lower activity enzyme to aspartate. These changes, upon expression in yeast, resulted in nearly complete loss of activity of the previously more active desaturase and restored activity to the previously less active desaturase. This decrease in activity of the one gene, a consequence of mutation from aspartate 150 to asparagine, together with reduction in transcript level of the high activity gene in the mutant variety, suggest that these alterations are the molecular basis of the high oleate phenotype in some commercial varieties of peanut.
Changes in dietary protein intake has no effect on serum cystatin C levels independent of the glomerular filtration rate.

Cystatin C is being considered as a replacement for serum creatinine in the estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR); however, its plasma levels might be affected by factors other than the GFR, such as protein intake. We performed a post hoc analysis of the data in the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study, in which we compared serum creatinine and cystatin C levels in 741 patients with available estimates of protein intake at baseline prior to their randomization to diets containing various amounts of protein, and at 2 years of follow-up in 426 of these patients in whom a cystatin C measurement was available. The 503 patients in study A (GFR 25–55 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 ) had been assigned a low (0.58 g/kg per day) or a usual (1.3 g/kg per day) protein intake, and the 238 participants in study B (GFR 13–24 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 ) were assigned a very low (0.28 g/kg per day) or the low protein intake. In either study group, lowering the dietary protein intake reduced the change in creatinine, but did not have a significant change in cystatin C. Thus, in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease, serum cystatin C unlike serum creatinine was not affected by dietary protein intake independent of changes in GFR. Hence, cystatin C may allow more accurate estimates of GFR than creatinine for patients with reduced protein intake. Further study of other non-GFR determinants of cystatin C is needed before the widespread adoption.
Modeling superconducting states of arbitrary pairing symmetry with the fluctuation exchange approximation applied to Hubbard-like models

We present an algorithm for microscopic modeling of superconducting states of arbitrary pairing symmetry via an implementation of self-consistent perturbation theory, the fluctuation exchange approximation (FLEX), applied to Hubbard-like models. Like the original formulation of FLEX, all ring diagrams that are generated with the bare interaction vertex are included in the generating functional for the self-energy. Thus, this algorithm is suitable for FLEX-based Hubbard model calculations in both the attractive and repulsive cases.
Objective and subjective breast cancer risk: relationships with natural killer cell activity and psychological distress in healthy women.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) risk, based on either known risk factors (objective) or self-assessment (subjective), may influence natural killer cell activity (NKCA) directly or through psychological distress. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to examine the relationships of objective and subjective BC risks with NKCA and a mediating role of psychological distress in a community sample of healthy women. METHODS In a cross-sectional descriptive study, a convenience sample of 117 healthy women (mean age, 36.5 years) completed questionnaires for BC risk and psychological distress and provided blood for NKCA measurement. RESULTS Objective and subjective BC risks were positively correlated (P < .001). Regression analyses revealed that objective BC risk had a significant negative relationship with NKCA at the 12.5:1 effector-to-target cell ratio (P = .011), whereas subjective risk was not associated with NKCA at any effector-to-target cell ratio tested. Only subjective risk had a positive association with both BC-specific (P = .002) and general (P < .001) psychological distress. Psychological distress failed to mediate the relationship between subjective risk and NKCA. CONCLUSIONS Objective BC risk had a limited but significant relationship with NKCA. Subjective risk was highly associated with psychological distress but was not associated with NKCA. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Despite the limited relationships between BC risk and NKCA, the impact of BC risk on other tumor defense mechanisms needs to be further explored. Collective findings in this area will suggest early preventive strategies for monitoring BC risk and maintaining better tumor defense in healthy women.
Bayesian reweighting for global fits

Two dierent techniques for adding additional data sets to existing global ts using Bayesian reweighting have been proposed in the literature. The derivation of each reweighting formalism is critically reviewed. A simple example is constructed that conclusively favors one of the two formalisms. The eects of this choice for global ts is discussed.
Feed intake and serum GH, LH and cortisol in gilts after intracerebroventricular or intravenous injection of urocortin.

Abstract In three experiments (Exp), ovariectomized gilts received intracerebroventricular (ICV; Exp 1 - with restraint, Exp 2 - without restraint) or intravenous (i.v.; Exp 3) injections of urocortin or saline to assess effects on feed intake and serum GH, LH, and cortisol. Following a 20-hr fast, feed was presented at 1 hr (Exp 1) or 30 min (Exp 2 and 3) after injection (time = 0 hr) of saline or 5 (U5) or 50 (U50) μg/pig (Exp 1 and 2) or 5 μg/kg BW (Exp 3) of urocortin. Blood samples were collected every 15 min from –2 to 6 hr relative to injection and hormone data pooled 2 hr before and hourly after treatment. Treatment with U50 decreased feed intake, relative to saline (treatment x time interaction; P
Plasma catechomamines and dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Levels of plasma norepinephrine and total catecholamines in spontaneously hypertensive rats bred from a normotensive Kyoto strain of Wistar rats increase between their 8th to 12th week post utero concomitant with the development of hypertension, but levels of plasma norepinephrine are not significantly different between the spontaneously hypertensive strain, a normotensive Kyoto strain and a N.I.H. strain of Wistar rats at either 8 or 12 weeks of age. Plasma total catecholamine levels in the spontaneously hypertensive strain are significantly higher at 12 weeks of age than those in either control strain, while plasma levels of dopamine-β-hydroxylase show no consistant relationship between the three strains. It, therefore, appears unlikely that increased sympathetic neuronal activity is an etiological factor in this form of hypertension.
Relationship of severe dysplasia to Stage A (incidental) adenocarcinoma of the prostate

Totally embedded radical prostatectomy specimens and their transurethral resections (TUR) from 32 Stage A (incidental) carcinomas were studied for severe dysplasia. These cases were selected to be representative of the majority of Stage A cancers and hence consisted of cases with predominantly low-grade centrally located tumor. In 43.75% of the cases, severe dysplasia was minimal in amount, 43.75% intermediate, and 12.5% extensive. Severe dysplasia was spatially associated with the main tumor in only 31.25% of cases. In 43.75% of the cases all of the severe dysplasia was isolated (i.e., not adjacent or intermingled with any carcinoma). Whereas this study confirms one general association between severe dysplasia and the presence of carcinoma within the gland, the data do not strongly support the concept that the dysplasia is a direct precursor to centrally located low-grade Stage A carcinomas. From a practical viewpoint, severe dysplasia in the TUR was seen in 15.6% of cases and was not predictive of the amount of tumor within the gland.
The effect of undernutrition on the development of myelin in the rat central nervous system

Newborn rats were segregated into litters of 6 and 22 pups. Undernourished groups were maintained for 21 and 53 days at which time a portion of each group was sacrificed and the remainder refed until 121 days. The amount of myelin isolated from the central nervous system was decreased in nutritionally deprived animals but there was little change in its chemical composition or intereference in the normal chemical maturation of the membrane. The only consistent change was a reduction in phosphatidyl ethanolamine plasmalogen. This deficit tended to be corrected by nutritional rehabilitation and was most complete in those animals refed ad lib. diets for the longest time periods prior to sacrifice. The relatively normal chemical composition of myelin obtained from undernourished animals differs from changes described in myelin membranes isolated from patients with destructive or degenerative diseases of the nervous system. This seems to be further evidence that the reduction in myelination in undernutrition is a result of decreased synthesis of the membrane.
Parametric approaches towards understanding the effects of the preferential D3 receptor agonist pramipexole on prepulse inhibition in rats

The preferential dopamine D3 receptor agonist pramipexole (PRA) disrupts prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle, an operational measure of sensorimotor gating, in rats. Drug effects on PPI are sensitive to numerous experimental variables; proceeding with in-depth analyses of drug effects without a clear understanding of these variables is inefficient. The present studies characterized the impact on PRA-induced PPI deficits by a range of experimental parameters. As shown previously, PRA reduced both PPI and startle magnitude beginning 5-15 min post-injection; PRA effects on PPI were statistically significant through 35 min post-injection, while those on startle magnitude were still significant 65 min post-injection. PRA-induced PPI deficits were evident under conditions that matched startle magnitude in vehicle and PRA conditions and were independent of PRA-induced changes in prepulse-elicited motor activity. Additionally, PRA-induced PPI deficits did not differ significantly between uni- vs. cross-modal stimuli or between male vs. female rats, with no robust effect of estrous phase in females. These findings demonstrate that PRA effects on PPI are observed across several different experimental conditions and are dissociable from changes in startle magnitude or prepulse-elicited responses. Recommendations are made regarding "optimal" experimental conditions for studying the neurobiology of PRA-induced changes in PPI in rats.
Fatal cardiac tamponade in a neonate with a polyurethane central venous catheter

Fatal cardiac tamponade in a neonate receiving total parenteral nutrition via a polyurethane central venous catheter is presented. The literature is reviewed and the implications for management discussed.
Initial Perspectives from Midwestern Neurologists: Epilepsy Patients' Barriers and Motivators for Seeking Treatment

Summary: Purpose: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological illness that affects 2.7 million people in the United States, but remains poorly understood. Care providers may not recognize their patients' need for epilepsy information, contributing to treatment barriers, such as stigmatization and poor patient-provider communication. Methods: The current study piloted a survey of epilepsy-related attitudes and perceptions of 33 Midwestern neurologists. The survey included questions about perceived barriers to and motivators for treatment, thoughts on misperceptions of epilepsy in the community and in the patient population, and potential interventions to address misperceptions. Results: Respondents perceived misinformation and lack of knowledge in patients and the general public that could be contributing to the barriers that exist to treat patients adequately. Respondents suggested potential methods for addressing misperceptions effectively. Discussion: This study of neurologists' perceptions about epilepsy barriers and needs provides an important perspective for the development of interventions to address misperceptions and barriers among patients and the public.
Effects of intermittent mechanical mixing on solid-state fermentation of wet corn distillers grain with Trichoderma reesei

Abstract The influence of mixing on microorganism integrity and product formation is a critical design parameter for solid-state fermentation bioreactors. The effects of intermittent mechanical mixing on the solid-state fermentation of wet corn distillers grain with Trichoderma reesei NRRL 11460 for the production of cellulase were investigated. Experiments were conducted using the unbuffered media at mixing frequencies of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 6 d −1 at 27.5 °C with an initial moisture content of 50%. The results indicate that mixing caused about a tenfold increase in spore production compared to fermentations at static conditions. The cellulase enzyme activity produced was minimally affected by mixing with only a 5–10% decrease in filter paper activity for mechanically mixed fermentations compared to static fermentations. Mixing at lower frequencies of 1, 2, and 3 d −1 caused an increase in CO 2 evolution compared to static conditions and higher mixing frequencies of 6 d −1 . A correlation between substrate weight loss and cumulative CO 2 evolution was established. The ability to intermittently mix a solid-state fermentation bioreactor with minimal detrimental effects increases the feasibility of onsite production of enzymes at biofuel facilities to lower the overall production costs of cellulosic biofuels.
Topological insulators and topological nonlinear σ models

In this paper we link the physics of topological nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ models with that of Chern-Simons insulators. We show that corresponding to every $2n$-dimensional Chern-Simons insulator there is a $(n\ensuremath{-}1)$-dimensional topological nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model with the Wess-Zumino-Witten term. Breaking internal symmetry in these nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ models leads to nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ models with the $\ensuremath{\theta}$ term. [This is analogous to the dimension reduction leading from $2n$-dimensional Chern-Simons insulators to $(2n\ensuremath{-}1)$ and $(2n\ensuremath{-}2)$-dimensional topological insulators protected by discrete symmetries.] The correspondence described in this paper allows one to derive the topological term in a theory involving fermions and order parameters (we shall referred to them as ``fermion-$\ensuremath{\sigma}$ models'') when the conventional gradient-expansion method fails. We also discuss the quantum number of solitons in topological nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model and the electromagnetic action of the $(2n\ensuremath{-}1)$-dimensional topological insulators. Throughout the paper we use a simple model to illustrate how things work.
FIBROPAPILLOMATOSIS IN STRANDED GREEN TURTLES (CHELONIA MYDAS) FROM THE EASTERN UNITED STATES (1980–98): TRENDS AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

We examined data collected by the US Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network on 4,328 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) found dead or debilitated (i.e., stranded) in the eastern half of the USA from Massachusetts to Texas during the period extending from 1980 to 1998. Fibropapillomatosis (FP) was reported only on green turtles in the southern half of Florida (south of 29°N latitude). Within this region, 22.6% (682/3,016) of the turtles had tumors. Fibropapillomatosis was more prevalent in turtles found along the western (Gulf) coast of Florida (51.9%) than in turtles found along the eastern (Atlantic) coast of Florida (11.9%) and was more prevalent in turtles found in inshore areas (38.9%) than in turtles found in offshore areas (14.6%). A high prevalence of FP corresponded to coastal waters characterized by habitat degradation and pollution, a large extent of shallow-water area, and low wave energy, supporting speculation that one or more of these factors could serve as an environmental cofactor in the exp...
Optimal leads, estimation, and continuous monitoring improve detection of acute MI and transient ischemia.

d H s s 1 t m t t The detection of acute myocardial infarction, ransient ischemia, or other acute coronary synromes in patients with chest pain admitted to mergency departments remains a difficult probem. Many of these patients do not have cardiacelated disease and directing them to advanced iagnostic procedures, or even cardiac specific therpies, represents enormous and unnecessary cost nd risk. On the other hand, many of these patients o, in fact, have acute ischemia or infarction but onventional electrocardiograms (ECGs) may not xhibit telltale diagnostic changes, and definitive nzyme tests take time to show evidence of the ondition. Delaying, or worse, not prescribing aditional testing and beneficial therapy in a timely anner for these patients is also costly in terms of ncreased morbidity and mortality. There are many actors that contribute to the diminished ability of onventional 12-lead ECGs to detect acute coronary yndromes: 1) elevated J point or up-sloping ST egments make the interpretation of abnormal ST egments difficult; 2) conduction defects (right and
Saltatory search: a theoretical analysis

Many animal* search in a saltatory fashion: they move forward, pause briefly, and move forward again. Although many optimalforaging models have been developed, most do not address how an animal searches for food. We view search strategies as "timedistance" functions to allow not only for the possibility of oscillations in body speed, as implied by saltatory search, but other movement patterns as well, including cruise search. The key feature of our models is distinguishing between the body position and the scan position (where the forager is looking). We see the varying movement of saltatory search as a consequence of the curvature in the functions that relate body speed to benefits (Jensen's inequality). Kty words: blue jay, crypticity, foraging, optimallty models, saltatory search. [Bthav Ecol 8:307-317 (1997)]
Recognition of Immaturity and Emotional Expressions in Blended Faces by Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

The recognition of facial immaturity and emotional expression by children with autism, language disorders, mental retardation, and non-disabled controls was studied in two experiments. Children identified immaturity and expression in upright and inverted faces. The autism group identified fewer immature faces and expressions than control (Exp. 1 & 2), language disordered (Exp. 1), and mental retardation (Exp. 2) groups. Facial inversion interfered with all groups' recognition of facial immaturity and with control and language disordered groups' recognition of expression. Error analyses (Exp. 1 & 2) showed similarities between autism and other groups' perception of immaturity but differences in perception of expressions. Reasons for similarities and differences between children with and without autism when perceiving facial immaturity and expression are discussed.
Serologic survey for selected microbial pathogens in bison from Kansas.

A serologic survey was conducted on an American bison (Bison bison) herd in Kansas for antibodies against Brucella spp., Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola, pomona, grippotyphosa, icterohaemorrhagiae, and hardjo, Anaplasma spp., bluetongue virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus and bovine viral diarrhea virus. There was an increase in prevalence of bluetongue antibodies from 38% in 1987 to 100% in 1989 in animals ≥24-mo-old. Prevalences of antibodies against the other livestock pathogens were either negative or at levels associated with previous vaccination.
Thermodynamic and kinetic exploration of the energy landscape of Borrelia burgdorferi OspA by native-state hydrogen exchange.

Abstract We report a native-state hydrogen-exchange (HX) method to simultaneously obtain both thermodynamic and kinetic information on the formation of multiple excited states in a folding energy landscape. Our method exploits the inherent dispersion and pH dependence of the intrinsic HX rates to cover both the EX2 (thermodynamic) and EX1 (kinetic) regimes. At each concentration of denaturant, HX measurements are performed over a range of pH values. Using this strategy, we dissected Borrelia burgdorferi OspA, a predominantly β-sheet protein containing a unique single-layer β-sheet, into five cooperative units and postulated excited states predominantly responsible for HX. More importantly, we determined the interconversion rates between these excited states and the native state. The use of both thermodynamic and kinetic information from native-state HX enabled us to construct a folding landscape of this 28 kDa protein, including local minima and maxima, and to discriminate on-pathway and off-pathway intermediates. This method, which we term EX2/EX1 HX, should be a powerful tool for characterizing the complex folding mechanisms exhibited by the majority of proteins.
Dynamics of multilevel laser excitation: Three-level atoms

We display the time dependence of populations in coherently excited three-level atoms. In particular we examine the relationship between ion production and the dynamical parameters: Rabi frequencies, detunings, and loss rate.
Spin-dependent polaron pair recombination in π-conjugated polymers: enhanced singlet exciton densities

We report on an experimental study of spin-dependent exciton formation in films of π-conjugated polymers. We employed a spectroscopic/magnetic resonance technique, namely the photoinduced absorption (PA)-detected magnetic resonance technique, and showed that non-geminate recombination pairs of polarons form singlet excitons more efficiently than triplets. The experimental proof for this is achieved by detection of a resonant decrease of triplet exciton absorption and resonantly enhanced singlet photoluminescence (PL). In addition, resonantly enhanced absorption is observed which we assign to a singlet exciton precursor. Our study has important implications regarding the efficiency that can be achieved in polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs).