cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Origins of the different sensitivities of (Na+ + K+)-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase preparations to ouabain

Abstract 1. 1. Properties of the Na+,K+-ATPase preparations from rat and dog kidney medullae were compared. 2. 2. The two enzymes, with a 1000-fold difference in ouabain sensitivities, had similar subunit compositions and similar K 0.5 values and Hill coefficients for substrates and activators of several catalytic activities; suggesting that the structural differences of the two are limited to the ouabain binding domains. 3. 3. Experiments on the interactions of ouabain, Pi, and Mg2+ with the enzymes showed that the two enzymes differed (a) in their inherent affinities for ouabain; and (b) in that Mg2+ binding increased affinity for ouabain to a greater extent in the dog enzyme than in the rat enzyme.
Post-Transfusion Chronic Liver Disease

To document the sequelae of acute hepatitis among recipients of commercial and volunteer blood and to assess factors influencing the development of chronic hepatitis (CH), 47 patients with post-transfusion hepatitis were followed prospectively from the time they received their transfusions. Twenty-nine had prolongation of at least 2-fold serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (T) elevations for more than 20 weeks, and were classified as CH. When the patients with CH were compared to those with only acute hepatitis (abnormal T for less that 20 weeks), no difference was found with respect to age, sex, number of units transfused, incubation period, presence or absence of symptoms, occurrence of jaundice, maximum T, receipt or development of hepatitis B surface antigen or antibody, underlying illness, or area of the hospital where the patient was treated. Liver biopsies in 15 of the 29 revealed chronic-active hepatitis in 9, chronic persistent hepatitis in 2, unresolved hepatitis in 4. Five of the 9 patients with chronic active hepatitis were without symptoms. None of these died or have developed cirrhosis. Because chronic liver disease frequently developed after acute post-transfusion hepatitis among multiply transfused hepatitis B surface antigen negative blood recipients, close follow-up, including liver biopsy, is warranted in such patients with prolonged transaminase elevations.
Transmission electron microscopy study of ion-beam-induced amorphization of Ca2La8(SiO4)6O2

Abstract In-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to study ion-beam-induced amorphization of Ca2La8(SiO4)6O2, a silicate ceramic with the apatite structure. In-situ TEM was performed during irradiation with 1 MeV Ar+, 1.5 MeV Kr+ and 1.5 MeV Xe+ ions over the temperature range from 20 to 773 K to determine the ion dose required for complete amorphization of the crystal (critical amorphization dose D c). D c increased with increasing irradiation temperature and decreased with increasing ion mass. Samples irradiated with Ar+, Kr+ and Xe+ ions to various doses were used in a detailed HRTEM study of the amorphization process. The residual irradiation damage after low ion doses appeared as nanometre scale amorphous domains. The images of these domains are extremely sensitive to the sample thickness. Small domains of subcascade size were found only at the very thin edge of the sample at lower doses. In thicker regions, amorphous domain...
Pneumococcal vaccination coverage among persons ≥65 years—United States, 2013

Abstract Background Invasive pneumococcal disease is a major cause of illness in the United States, and rates are higher among persons ≥65 years. Pneumococcal vaccination has been recommended to adults ≥65 years since 1997. Methods Data from the 2005–2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. Weighted estimates of pneumococcal vaccination coverage were calculated by state and race/ethnicity and tests for linear trend were performed. Results In 2013, the median state vaccination coverage among adults ≥65 years was 69.5%, and coverage ranged from 61.9% in New Jersey to 75.6% in Oregon. Coverage overall among non-Hispanic whites (71.1%) was higher than coverage for non-Hispanic blacks (57.7%), Hispanics (51.9%), and non-Hispanic persons of other race (65.4%). Coverage increased from 2005 to 2013 overall and by racial/ethnic subgroups. Conclusion Although pneumococcal vaccination coverage has improved in the past several years, coverage remains below the Healthy People 2020 target of 90% and racial/ethnic disparities exist.
Mid-ocean ridge eruptions as a climate valve

Seafloor eruption rates and mantle melting fueling eruptions may be influenced by sea level and crustal loading cycles at scales from fortnightly to 100 kyr. Recent mid-ocean ridge eruptions occur primarily during neap tides and the first 6 months of the year, suggesting sensitivity to minor changes in tidal forcing and orbital eccentricity. An ~100 kyr periodicity in fast-spreading seafloor bathymetry and relatively low present-day eruption rates at a time of high sea level and decreasing orbital eccentricity suggest a longer-term sensitivity to sea level and orbital variations associated with Milankovitch cycles. Seafloor spreading is considered a small but steady contributor of CO2 to climate cycles on the 100 kyr time scale; however, this assumes a consistent short-term eruption rate. Pulsing of seafloor volcanic activity may feed back into climate cycles, possibly contributing to glacial/interglacial cycles, the abrupt end of ice ages, and dominance of the 100 kyr cycle.
Synthesis of porous zirconia spheres : Mechanism and prospects for multistep processing

Abstract We have previously reported the polymerization-induced colloid aggregation process (1, 2) to synthesize monodisperse, porous zirconia particles. One drawback is that it is difficult to simultaneously achieve a larger particle size and a higher zirconia yield. In this paper, we develop strategies to achieve these dual goals. We elucidate the interplay between the polymerization reaction and the various polymer–colloid interactions which result in the formation of the monodisperse particles. We explain the role of the polymer and the colloid in the process and suggest reasons for the limitations observed with a single-step process in achieving the dual goals of larger particle size and increased zirconia yield. Finally, we demonstrate a multistep process to overcome these limitations and achieve these dual goals.
Prenatal cocaine exposures and dose-related cocaine effects on infant tone and behavior.

Abstract Background In experimental models, prenatal cocaine exposure has been found to perturb monoaminergic development. In humans, numerous studies have sought clinical correlates, but few have focused on dose-related effects, especially as regards neurologic function beyond the neonatal period. Objective To assess whether prenatal cocaine exposure has adverse effects on infant neurologic, developmental and behavioral outcomes and whether any effects are dose-dependent. Design/Methods Infants (398) were enrolled at birth from an urban hospital. Drug exposure was ascertained with biomarkers in hair (n = 395), urine (n = 170) and meconium (n = 109). Children were followed prospectively and 286 (72%) were evaluated blind to drug exposure at 6 months of age with the Bayley scales, Fagan Scale of Infant Intelligence and a standardized neurological examination. Results Certain neurological findings increased significantly by the amount of cocaine detected in maternal hair, e.g. abnormality of tone, as indicated by extensor posture was detected among 28% of cocaine-unexposed infants, 43% of infants exposed to lower and 48% exposed to higher cocaine levels in maternal hair (p Conclusions At 6 months of age, prenatal cocaine exposure was associated with abnormalities of tone and posture and with lower orientation scores. Perturbations in monoaminergic systems by cocaine exposure during fetal development may explain the observed neurological and behavioral symptoms. Whether such findings in infancy increase the risk of later neurobehavioral problems requires further study.
Comparison of Long-term Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Vestibular Schwannoma Patients:

ObjectiveTo compare long-term quality-of-life outcomes in vestibular schwannoma patients managed with observation, microsurgery, or stereotactic radiation.Study Designross-sectional survey with retrospective chart review.SettingTertiary care center.Subjects and MethodsThe Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality of Life (PANQOL) survey was mailed to 600 patients treated for vestibular schwannoma. Patients were separated by treatment and subsequently subdivided by years of follow-up (0-5, 6-10, and >10 years). Composite quality-of-life (cQOL) scores and subscores for hearing, balance, facial nerve, pain, anxiety, energy, and general health were calculated. Scores were compared among treatment groups as a whole, among treatment groups at each time interval, and within treatment groups over time using a 2-tailed analysis of variance and paired t test.ResultsThe survey return rate was 49%, and the mean follow-up was 7.9 years. The only significant difference in cQOL occurred at 0 to 5 years, where stereotactic radiation...
Molecular-Level Modeling of the Structure and Wetting of Electrode/Electrolyte Interfaces in Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to investigate the structural and dynamical behavior of water and hydronium ions at the electrode/electrolyte interface of hydrogen polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Specifically, we have studied the hydrated Nafion membrane, humidified for four different water contents, 5, 10, 15, and 20%, at 300 K. We analyzed the three-phase interface where the hydrated PEM is in contact with the vapor phase and with either the catalyst surface (platinum in this paper) or the catalyst−support surface (graphite in this paper). These molecular simulations represent portions of interfaces that exist within the PEM fuel cells. We observed significant wetting of the catalyst surface by a mixture of polymer, water, and hydronium ions but not beyond a monolayer. We observed virtually no wetting of the graphite surface. On the catalyst surface, the degree of wetting of the catalyst surface depends strongly on the level of membrane humidity. The pair correlation fu...
A Review of the Classical Nova Outburst

We review the recent observational and theoretical studies of the nova outburst. The observational studies have not only identified a new class of novae but theoretical simulations of this class have been found to be in excellent agreement with the observations. This new class consists of outbursts occurring on ONeMg white dwarfs in close binary systems in contrast to the other outbursts which are occurring on CO white dwarfs. We also review the effects of the β+ -unstable nuclei and show how their presence has a major effect on the evolution.
Environmental chemistry of copper in Lake Monona, Wisconsin

Abstract Lake Monona, located at Madison, Wisconsin, received over 1.5 × 106 pounds of copper sulfate in the past 50 yr to control excessive algal growth. Dissolved copper on Lake Monona epilimnion is inversely related to pH which indicates possible control of dissolved copper by basic copper carbonate. Concentrations as high as about 4 μg Cu l−1 were found in Lake Monona epilimnion, which also contains 3.3 me l−1 (milliequivalents per liter) of alkalinity, mostly bicarbonate. Concentrations of dissolved copper were consistently lower (0.3 μg Cu l−1) in the hypolimnion. Sulfide probably controls dissolved copper in the hypolimnion during anoxic conditions because of sulfide insolubility. Particulate copper concentrations of about 3 μg l−1 increased slightly with depth. The highest concentrations of copper in Lake Monona sediments (650 mg kg−1) were found approximately 60 cm below the current sediment surface. Surface sediments of Lake Monona contained approximately 250 mg Cu kg−1 sediment dry weight.
Spatiotemporal Variability and Predictability of Relative Humidity over West African Monsoon Region

Spatial and temporal variability of relative humidity over the West African monsoon (WAM) region is investigated.Inparticular,thevariabilityduringtheonsetandretreatperiodsofthemonsoonisconsidered.A K-means cluster analysis was performed to identify spatially coherent regions of relative humidity variability during the two periods. The cluster average of the relative humidity provides a robust representative index of the strength and timing of the transition periods between the dry and wet periods. Correlating the cluster indices with large-scale circulation and sea surface temperatures indicates that the land‐ocean temperature gradient and the corresponding circulation, tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SSTs), and to a somewhat lesser extent tropical Pacific SSTs all play a role in modulating the timing of the monsoon season relative humidity onset and retreat. These connections to large-scale climate features were also found to be persistent over interseasonal time scales, and thus best linear predictive models were developed to enable skillful forecasts of relative humidity during the two periods at 15‐75-day lead times. The public health risks due to meningitis epidemics are of grave concern to the population in this region, and these risks are strongly tied to regional humidity levels. Because of this linkage, the understanding and predictability of relative humidity variability is of use in meningitis epidemic risk mitigation, which motivated this research.
Energy Loss Due to Paravalvular Leak With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Background Mild to moderate paravalvular leaks commonly occur after transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) implantation. Current TAVs match and may exceed hemodynamic performance of surgically implanted bioprostheses based on pressure gradient and effective orifice area. However, these hemodynamic criteria do not account for paravalvular leaks. We recently demonstrated that TAV implantation within 23 mm Perimount bioprostheses (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) yields similar hemodynamics to the 23 mm Perimount valve. However, mild paravalvular leakage was seen after TAV implantation. The present study quantifies energy loss during the entire cardiac cycle to assess the impact of TAV paravalvular leaks on the ventricle. Methods Four TAVs designed to mimic the 23 mm SAPIEN valve (Edwards Lifesciences) were created. Transvalvular energy loss of 19, 21, and 23 mm Carpentier-Edwards bioprostheses were obtained in vitro within a pulse duplicator as a hemodynamic baseline (n = 4). The 23 mm TAVs were subsequently implanted within the 23 mm bioprostheses to assess energy loss due to paravalvular leak. Results The 23 mm bioprosthesis demonstrated the least energy loss (213.25 ± 31.35 mJ) compared with the 19 mm (330.00 ± 36.97 mJ, p = 0.003) and 21 mm bioprostheses (298.00 ± 37.25 mJ, p = 0.008). The TAV controls had similar energy loss (241.00 ± 30.55 mJ, p = 0.17) as the 23 mm bioprostheses. However, after TAV implantation, total energy loss increased to 365.33 ± 8.02 mJ significantly exceeding the energy loss of the 23 mm bioprosthesis ( p Conclusions Substantial energy loss during diastole occurs due to TAV paravalvular leakage. In the presence of mild paravalvular leakage, TAV implantation imposes a significantly higher workload on the left ventricle than an equivalently sized surgically implanted bioprosthesis.
Partial lung shield for TBI

In this study, AP/PA setup was used with a 4 MV linear accelerator. The prescribed dose is 1000 cGy, with a dose per fraction of 200 cGy. One of the simplest lung dose determinations is the nomograph relating dose correction factor and patient thickness. To save time in taking port film in every treatment, lung block is used in alternating fashion: anterior blocks are used in the second and fourth fraction and posterior block is used in the third and fifth fraction. If we set the average correction factor for the lower density lung to 1.18, the six open fields will deliver an average of 708 cGy to the lung. To limit the lung dose to 10 Gy, each blocked field should deliver 73 cGy. Measurements showed that a thickness of slightly less than 1 cm of cerrobend provides approximately 65% transmission, which approximates the desired 73% broad beam transmission. The proper transmission of the partial lung shield is verified by measurements made for the patients with diodes placed at the entrance and the exit side of the lung. While we describe a particular setup, the procedure can be modified to accommodate different dose fraction. There are many ways to deliver the TBI dose, and the method of constructing the partial lung shield described here is one of the many methods that may be used to limit the dose to the lung.
Response of Reactivated Ligneous Conjunctivitis to Topical Cyclosporine

graphs of this patient have been published elsewhere.! In October 1971, a 41-year-old man was admitted to the Johns Hopkins Hospital because of jaundice, ascites, and a personality change associated with chronic alcohol abuse. Physical examination disclosed an increased hemidiaphragm with poor excursion, massive ascites, a prominent superficial venous pattern across the abdomen with other evidence of portal hypertension, including an enlarged liver and spleen, scrotal edema, presacral edema, and peripheral edema. Esophagoscopy disclosed numerous varices. The patient was tremulous and had a blunted affect, but he had no asterixis. Additionally, he had marked eyelid retraction, without proptosis or orbital congestion. The patient had no history of thyroid dysfunction. Results of tests of thyroid function, including measurements of serum thyroxin and triiodothyronine in the serum, and a Werner suppression test were normal. While at the hospital, the patient had a massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage from a duodenal ulcer; however, he gradually recovered and was eventually discharged from the hospital approximately six weeks after admission. He was followed up by a gastroenterologist for the next two years, during which time his liver function became normal and his eyelid retraction resolved. He subsequently moved to Florida where he was followed up at regular intervals by both a gastroenterologist and an ophthalmologist for the next ten years. He died of cancer in 1990. He had never developed any clinical or laboratory evidence of thyroid disease and had never had any recurrence of his eyelid retraction. It would appear that this patient had Summerskill's sign, eyelid retraction from hepatic cirrhosis, and that the condition resolved with the successful treatment of the cirrhosis.
The synthesis of the monomethyl derivatives of benzo[b]naphtho[2,3‐d]thiophene

The synthesis of all the monomethyl derivatives of benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]thiophene is described.
Aesthetic emotions, what are their cognitive functions?

DIFFICULTIES OF DEFINING “AESTHETIC” A huge number of publications are devoted to aesthetic emotions; Google Scholar gives 319,000 references. Nevertheless, finding a definition of what is aesthetic is not easy. Most authors use no definitions. Wikipedia (2013) gives a circular definition: “aesthetic emotions. . . are felt during aesthetic activity.” This is similar to the “institutional theory of art” that defines art as what is considered so by an accepted art institution (Dickie, 1974). In 70 years of discussions in the Journal of Aesthetic and Art Criticism this theory, despite its obvious flaws, remains accepted among philosophers of art. Scientists studying emotions should aspire for a more meaningful definition, yet it is not easy to find. For example, Juslin (2013) devotes a special section in his work introducing aesthetic emotions as a fundamental innovation of his theory of musical emotions, yet no definition of aesthetic is given. Difficulties of contemporary theorists attempting to define “aesthetic” might be related to Kant (1790). He rejected an older idea that aesthetic is related to a special perception ability (Baumgarten, 1992/1750) and attempted to define aesthetic as related to knowledge. This article suggests that Kant came amazingly close to the contemporary scientific understanding, and it clarifies why he could not formulate this idea to his satisfaction. The best he could do is to say that aesthetic emotion is disinterested. On many pages he has repeated that this only concerns everyday mundane interests, that the beautiful is related to some of the most important human interests, that a better definition is needed, but “today” he could not give a satisfactory positive definition of what it is. From Schiller to this very day many discussions continue the false tradition of characterizing aesthetics and beautiful as disinterested (Wikipedia, 2013; Stanford Encyclopedia Stolnitz, 1960; Scruton, 1974, 2007; Guyer, 1997; de Sousa, 2013; Juslin, 2013; Zangwill, 2013; to name just a few among thousands). This article defines aesthetic and the beautiful in correspondence with Kantian ideas, our deepest intuitions about the beautiful, the Aristotelian “unity in manifold,” (Aristotle, 1995) and in agreement with contemporary understanding of the neural mechanisms of emotions and cognition.
Design techniques for single-chip integration of high resolution analog conversion with a microcontroller, RAM, and flash EEPROM

This paper describes the design techniques used in a single chip implementation of an IEEE1451 standard transducer interface chip. The chip integrates an 8-channel 12-bit A-to-D Converter, two 12-bit D-to-A Converters, and an 8052 8-bit microcontroller with 256 Bytes SRAM and 10.5 KBytes Flash EEPROM on a 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS chip. Key elements of the design flow were the integration of analog mixed-signal and digital ASIC design techniques with an 8052 assembly language simulation environment, and a code monitor for high-level debug.
An Application of Parallel Preprocessors in Data Acquisition

A data-acquisition system is being developed for a large-scale experiment at LAMPF. It will make use of four microprocessors running in parallel to acquire and preprocess data from 432 photomultiplier tubes (PMT) attached to 396 NaI crystals. The microprocessors are LSI-11/23s operating through CAMAC Auxiliary Crate Controllers (ACC). Data acquired by the microprocessors will be collected through a programmable Branch Driver (MBD) which also will read data from 52 scintillators (88 PMTs) and 728 wires comprising a drift chamber. The MBD will transfer data from each event into a PDP-11/44 for further processing and taping. The microprocessors will perform the secondary function of monitoring the calibration of the NaI PMTs. A special trigger circuit allows the system to stack data from a second event while the first is still being processed. Major components of the system were tested in April 1981. Timing measurements from this test are reported.
Thalamic POm projections to the dorsolateral striatum of rats: potential pathway for mediating stimulus–response associations for sensorimotor habits

The dorsolateral part of the striatum (DLS) represents the initial stage for processing sensorimotor information in the basal ganglia. Although the DLS receives much of its input from the primary somatosensory (SI) cortex, peripheral somesthetic stimulation activates the DLS at latencies that are shorter than the response latencies recorded in the SI cortex. To identify the subcortical regions that transmit somesthetic information directly to the DLS, we deposited small quantities of retrograde tracers at DLS sites that displayed consistent time-locked responses to controlled whisker stimulation. The neurons that were retrogradely labeled by these injections were located mainly in the sensorimotor cortex and, to a lesser degree, in the amygdala and thalamus. Quantitative analysis of neuronal labeling in the thalamus indicated that the strongest thalamic input to the whisker-sensitive part of the DLS originates from the medial posterior nucleus (POm), a somesthetic-related region that receives inputs from the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Anterograde tracer injections in POm confirmed that this thalamic region projects to the DLS neuropil. In subsequent experiments, simultaneous recordings from POm and the DLS during whisker stimulation showed that POm consistently responds before the DLS. These results suggest that POm could transmit somesthetic information to the DLS, and this modality-specific thalamostriatal pathway may cooperate with the thalamostriatal projections that originate from the intralaminar nuclei.
On the interaction of thyroxine and of oxytocin with prolactin on the growth of the tail fin in the red-spotted newt.

Abstract Changes in the height of the tail fin were followed over periods of 3 to 4 weeks in hypophysectomized or intact adult male, laboratory-conditioned red-spotted newts that were injected thrice weekly with doses of thyroxine (T 4 ), of ovine prolactin, of T 4 and prolactin in combination, or of oxytocin. In groups of intact animals, the highest dose of T 4 (10 μg) had a toxic effect when given alone. When given in combination with prolactin, it apparently antagonized the stimulatory action of prolactin in the growth of the tail fin. The animals of the groups receiving it, however, ate sparingly, if at all, suggesting that the effect of T 4 may have been one of general toxicity rather than one of direct inhibition. A very low dose of T 4 (0.001 μg) also appeared to be antagonistic when given to hypophysectomized newts in combination with prolactin (0.3 U), but was shown instead to be below the level necessary to maintain survival after removal of the pituitary gland. Doses of 1.0 and 0.01 μg T 4 with prolactin were adequate for survival and gave no evidence of antagonizing the stimulatory action of prolactin on growth of the tail fin. These findings suggest that among those urodeles that retain the tail fin as adults, the typical larval antagonism of T 4 (at physiological levels) to the somatotropic action of prolactin in the tail fin ceases once metamorphosis is complete. Oxytocin in doses of 100 μU did not alter the height of the tail fin, but antagonized the stimulatory action of 0.3 U of prolactin. It is suggested that the interaction is osmoregulatory in nature.
Collision Controlled Stability of a Plasma Diode

ABSTRACT Investigation of a plasma diode, in which the electron motion is impeded by Coulomb scattering, proves quite fruitful in spite of the involved current-voltage response. Deduction of a characteristic equation containing information as to the stability of the system is carried out for several interesting states. Among these, the weakly damped case turns out to be tractable, loading to a quartic characteristic equation which evidently embodies two kinds of instabilities. By analysing the critical and overly damped regions where the organized oscillations are suppressed, it is found that an instability is yet possible. The make-up of the reduced (quadratic) characteristic equation becomes sufficiently transparent to identify random-like oscillations of thermal origin; in fact, on passage to the collision-free or cold plasma, these fluctuations no longer prevail. Stable d.c. performance of a plasma diode can be maintained where there is enough damping and large enough currents are drawn. We surmise th...
Recall load in STM

Recall load and difficulty of information processing was examined in kinesthetic recall using a within-S design (N = 15). The multiple-recall task had larger absolute error compared to the single task; however, algebraic error revealed little differences. Absolute error analysis indicated that both retention interval conditions were significantly different from control. Difficulty of information reduction activity was not found to be a significant variable, and the Recall Load by Interpolated Activity interaction failed significance. No evidence was found to suggest that relative difficulty between the motor and verbal task can explain the empirical differences between the two domains.
THE EFFECT OF MECHANICAL TENDERIZATION ON BEEF ROUNDS INOCULATED WITH SALMONELLAE

Raw beef rounds were surface inoculated with salmonellae. Some of the rounds were mechanically blade tenderized. Both surface and core samples from each round studied were examined for the presence of and the logarithmic level of salmonellae. Mechanical tenderization increased the level of salmonellae found in core samples by about one logarithm. Large samples taken from cores of rounds which were not tenderized contained small numbers of salmonellae. Dipping inoculated rounds into a 50 ppm chlorine solution did not prevent the occurrence of salmonellae in core samples of mechanically tenderized units. Salmonella survived in the core and on the surface of some but not all inoculated rounds cooked to an internal temperature of 130°F.
Role of the AT2 receptor in modulating the angiotensin II contractile response of the uterine artery at mid-gestation.

Introduction: During human pregnancy, circulating concentrations of components of the renin—angiotensin system increase, but pressor refractoriness to angiotensin II (Ang-II) is observed. Given the importance of the Ang-II pressor response in deciding susceptibility to preeclampsia and of the Ang-II system for controlling uterine vasoreactivity, we sought to address the effects of pregnancy on the reactivity of the isolated uterine artery (UA) in mice.Materials and methods : Blood pressure was measured throughout pregnancy in awake C57BL/6J mice. UA segments were isolated from three groups of animals (non-pregnant, mid [day 12—13] and late [day 18—19] gestation) and studied by wire myography.Results: UA diameters, KCl-mediated responses, and acetylcholine-dependent vasorelaxation were greater at mid and late gestation than in non-pregnant animals. Ang-II responses were also greater during pregnancy, with an increased contraction in response to AT2 receptor blockade at mid-gestation. AT1 receptor blockade ...
CaM kinase IIα mediates norepinephrine-induced translocation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 to the nuclear envelope

Several growth factors, hormones and neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, increase cellular calcium levels, promoting the translocation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) to the nuclear envelope. This study was conducted to investigate the contributions of the calcium-binding protein calmodulin and of calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II to cytosolic phospholipase A(2) translocation to the nuclear envelope elicited by norepinephrine in rabbit aortic smooth-muscle cells. Norepinephrine caused cytosolic phospholipase A(2) accumulation around the nuclear envelope as determined from its immunofluorescence; cytosolic phospholipase A(2) translocation was blocked by inhibitors of calmodulin and calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II or calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIalpha antisense oligonucleotide. Calmodulin and calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitors did not prevent cytosolic calcium increase but attenuated cytosolic phospholipase A(2) phosphorylation caused by norepinephrine or ionomycin. In vascular smooth-muscle cells reversibly permeabilized with beta-escin and treated with alkaline phosphatase, norepinephrine failed to cause cytosolic phospholipase A(2) phosphorylation and translocation to the nuclear envelope; these effects of norepinephrine were minimized by the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. Recombinant cytosolic phospholipase A(2) phosphorylated by purified calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, but not unphosphorylated or dephosphorylated cytosolic phospholipase A(2), introduced into permeabilized vascular smooth-muscle cells in the absence of calcium accumulated around the nuclear envelope. These data suggest that norepinephrine-induced translocation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) to the nuclear envelope is mediated by its phosphorylation by calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and that calcium alone is insufficient for cytosolic phospholipase A(2) translocation to the nuclear envelope in rabbit vascular smooth-muscle cells.
Transport, energy, and community design

Abstract The world's urban areas have a higher per capita consumption of resources than rural areas—and soon they will contain most of the world's population. The planned development of rational cities, within an integrated transport strategy, holds the key to efficient resource use. Energy consumption can be reduced by designing cities with the accent on accessibility rather than mobility. The problems of urbanisation are worldwide, and require an international agency to coordinate the exchange of information and expertise.
Catecholamine-thyroid hormone interactions and the cardiovascular manifestations of hyperthyroidism

The spectrum of classic symptoms of hyperthyroidism suggests that in addition to the effects of increased thyroid hormone, affecting various organ systems, there is also a hyperadrenergic state. Despite this clinical impression, direct measures of serum levels of catecholamines and their urinary metabolites demonstrate values that are equal to or less than normal. In contrast, the hypothyroid patient who clinically manifests signs of decreased adrenergic stimulation can be expected to have increased levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and its metabolites. This review discusses possible mechanisms to explain this seeming paradox. Treatment of hyperthyroidism includes the rapid reversal of many of the adrenergic symptoms with use of beta-blocking drugs. Return to a clinically and chemically euthyroid state, however, requires antithyroid therapy accomplished over a longer period of time. A knowledge of the interaction of the cardiovascular and extracardiovascular manifestations of hyperthyroidism and the role of the adrenergic nervous system is important in the rational management of these patients.
Procedure for rapid and sensitive detection of rhodanese separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Abstract A simple method for the rapid and precise detection of rhodanese in polyacrylamide gel after electrophoresis was developed. Opaque white enzyme bands in the clear gel could be obtained with a sensitivity as low as 1 × 10 −9 unit in one or two minutes simply by immersing the gel in a suitable incubation mixture.
Effects of Supplemental Ridge Ventilation on Curtain-Ventilated Broiler Housing

Abstract An evaluation of supplementary natural ventilation in curtain-sided housing using ridge ventilation was conducted. A well-insulated broiler house was constructed and divided into two halves, one with a continuous 1.2-m wide open ridge. Four broiler trials were conducted over three summers. Neither the thermal environment nor the bird performance was affected significantly by the supplemental ventilation provided by the open ridge. Modern poultry houses with well-insulated roofs result in minimal temperature differentials, thus potentially providing a lower stack ventilation rate.
STUDENT IMPAIRMENT AND REMEDIATION IN ACCREDITED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY PROGRAMS

This research addresses the extent of student impairment in Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) accredited marriage and family therapy programs, indicators of impairment used by program directors, faculty time devoted to impaired students, and the frequency of student dismissal. The data come from a survey of 44 COAMFTE program directors that was conducted during the spring of 2001, as well as responses to an open-ended items asking for a description of "the most troublesome student" to come to the attention of the respondent. The authors discuss the findings with respect to similar studies in counseling psychology and the larger literature on clinical training. Finally, the authors offer suggestions for future research.
Naturwissenschaft und Ethik als paradoxe Schöpfungen der Vernunft

The contradictory relation between Western science und ethics is attributable to the paradoxical nature of human reason. For the fundamental, intuitive (or Kantian a priori) concepts, thanks to which we construct reality from experience, turn out to be, au fond, mutually inconsistent. By contrast, the Far-Eastern world-view seeks to repress reason and thus avoid its troublesome paradoxes.
Delay estimation of VLSI circuits from a high-level view

Estimation of the delay of a Boolean function from its functional description is an important step towards design exploration at the register transfer level (RTL). This paper addresses the problem of estimating the delay of certain optimal multi-level implementations of combinational circuits, given only their functional description. The proposed delay model uses a new complexity measure called the delay measure to estimate the delay. It has an advantage that it can be used to predict both, the minimum delay (associated with an optimum delay implementation) and the maximum delay (associated with an optimum area implementation) of a Boolean function without actually resorting to logic synthesis. The model is empirical and results demonstrating its feasibility and utility are presented.
Brief Report: Acamprosate in Fragile X Syndrome

Glutamatergic dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of fragile X syndrome (FXS). We report on the first trial of acamprosate, a drug with putative mGluR5 antagonism, in three adults with FXS and autism. Medical records describing open-label treatment with acamprosate in 3 patients with FXS and a comorbid diagnosis of autistic disorder were reviewed. In all three patients, acamprosate was associated with improved linguistic communication. Three patients received acamprosate over a mean 21.3 weeks of treatment. All patients showed global clinical benefit as rated with the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale. Marked communication improvement was unexpected and has potential implications for the treatment of FXS, as well as idiopathic autism.
A case of the Jacobian conjecture

Abstract A brief and elementary proof is given for a theorem of Bass, Connell and Wright. Suppose F = X + H is a polynomial map. If H is homogeneous of degree ≥2 and has Jacobian matrix whose square is zero, then F is invertible with inverse G = X − H . We also point out an error in a previous published proof of this result.
Interpreting interfacial structure in cross-sectional STM images of III–V semiconductor heterostructures

Abstract Using model GaSb–InAs heterostructures, we have systematically examined how cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy (XSTM) can be used for the study of III–V heterostructure interfaces. The interpretation of interfacial structure in XSTM images is impeded by the fact that only every other III or V plane as grown on the (001) substrate is seen in each image. We show how this structural artifact affects spectral analyses of interfacial roughness, preventing an accurate analysis when interfaces are just a few layers wide. Additional complications arise due to the inequivalence of the (110) and (110) cleavage surfaces and the dependence of interfacial bond orientation on growth order. By taking advantage of the different bond orientations on the two cleavage surfaces, we demonstrate that the contrast observed at the interfacial layers in this system is caused primarily by the geometry of the interfacial bonds, not electronic structure differences. Finally, we illustrate how careful design of model heterostructures can be used to circumvent many limitations of XSTM, and thereby allow one to obtain detailed atomic-scale information about all the growth layers in the structure.
Pericardial windows or pericardiocentesis for pericardial effusions

Abstract The hospital records of 20 patients admitted to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas with pericardial effusion during the four-year period of 1966 to 1969, and who underwent pericardiocentesis and percutaneous open pericardial windows, were reviewed. The etiologies of the effusions were as follows: purulent pericarditis (5), hypertensive and ischemic heart disease with congestive heart failure (4), and chronic idiopathic effusion (4). Specific etiologic diagnoses were made from the pericardial biopsy in only two cases (10 per cent), while 13 (65 per cent) had at least one serious complication in the postoperative period with eight (40 per cent) developing secondary infection. Twenty-one patients underwent pericardiocenteses without complications and four etiologic diagnoses (20 per cent) were made. Suggestions for indications for these procedures are presented.
Habituation of sympathetic-adrenal medullary responses following exposure to chronic intermittent stress

Two experiments examined sympathetic-adrenal medullary responses of laboratory rats after exposure to a brief period of stressful stimulation daily for 26 consecutive days. In the first experiment, rats were exposed to restraint stress for 30 minutes per day and in the second experiment, rats were exposed to inescapable footshock for 10 minutes per day. For each experiment, handled controls were stressed acutely to provide a basis for comparison with chronically stressed animals. In both experiments, chronically stressed rats gained less weight than controls. Basal plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) were similar in control and chronically stressed rats. However, there was a substantial attenuation of the plasma catecholamine response to the 27th episode of restraint or footshock compared to acutely stressed controls. These findings indicate that sympathetic-adrenal medullary responses are dampened considerably in animals exposed to a highly predictable regimen of chronic intermittent stress.
American liberalism and jewish response

American Jewry contributed notably to restoring "republican vir tue" to American liberalism. It did so by giving a strong emphasis to the communal dimension of public policy which it drew from its own distinctive political culture. That Jewish wrinkle ultimately became the heart of the controversy which marks the development of that much misunderstood mind-set. In the final decades of the 19th century American liberalism had tipped to its libertarian extreme making plain that on the ideological level the three elements of the venerated slogan of the French revolution, on which liberalism is based, are incompatible. Allowed full rein 'liberty" will make a shambles of "equality," and erode "fraternity" as well. The American forefathers were aware that an "excess" of liberty posed a threat to the polity.2 They optimistically assumed that "republican virtue," such as practiced by the citizen of the Greek city state, combined with a dose of what John Adams called the "principles of political architecture," would hold bucca neering individualism in check. There is ample evidence from before the Civil War that these assumptions were unrealistic. Today they lie in ashes. One look at the inchoate graffiti on the New York City subway or at the pricing of a two-dollar screwdriver in a Lockheed defense contract tells at a glance how weak a defense "republican virtue" is against rapaciousness. The political culture of the eastern Jewish immigrants contained an antidote. Liberty, they understood, needs to be contained by the laws of necessity or else it would result in chaos and injustice. Throughout their Diaspora they were compelled to match their limited freedom with a sense of responsibility. They assigned the discharging of communal responsibility to their governors, and to the
Protective effect of glycine in mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion injury in a rat model.

Abstract Purpose Glycine has a protective effect in renal and skeletal muscle ischemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of glycine in mesenteric ischemia and reperfusion injury in a rat model. Methods Twenty-four anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 1 hour of mesenteric ischemia followed by 2 hours of reperfusion. Control animals received normal saline solution intravenously at 0.01 mL/g of body weight/h during ischemia and reperfusion. Treated animals received glycine at 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0 mg/g of body weight, dissolved in saline solution and infused at 0.01 mL/g/h for 2 hours. Animals were killed at the end of the experiment, and proximal, middle, and distal segments of the small bowel were isolated. Sections of the segments stained with hematoxylin-eosin were subjected to histologic examination (as per modified Chiu grading system) and morphometric analysis consisting of measurement of bowel wall, muscularis and mucosal thickness, epithelial coverage, and villar circumference. Isometric tension responses to electrical stimulation (10, 30, 50, 100 Hz), high doses of potassium (120 mmol/L), and carbachol (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 μmol/L) were recorded in a multimuscle chamber. Statistical analysis was performed with unpaired t test and one-way analysis of variance. Results The middle and distal segments of the small bowel in glycine-treated animals showed better histologic grade compared with saline solution–treated control rats ( P P P P P Conclusions Glycine improved mucosal viability in the ischemia and reperfusion injury rat model. Mucosal thickness and villous circumference ratio were reliable objective parameters for evaluation of intestinal ischemia injury. Glycine improved the contractile responses of the bowel segments also, probably by altering the physiologic mechanisms underlying force generation. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of the cytoprotective action of glycine.
Soot formation and inert addition in diffusion flames

An experimental study has been conducted in coflow diffusion flames in order to identify the relative importance of fuel concentration dilution and flame temperature reduction on soot formation when inert is added to fuel. Two different methodologies were used to isolate dilution and temperature effects, both involving substitution of inerts with different specific heats. To quantify the extent of soot reduction, laser-light extinction as well as smoke point measurements were made. The results are in agreement with previous studies in counterflow flames and show that soot formation rates in the coflow flame behave nearly linearly with fuel concentration. Furthermore, white temperature exerts a strong influence on soot formation, dilution can also affect formation rates and smoke points when inerts are added to fuels. It is found that the relative importance of dilution and temperature depends on the extent of addition. When moderate amounts of inert are added, the temperature reduction is typically very small so that the effect of dilution can be considerably greater than that of temperature. When large amounts of inert are added, temperature effects may dominate those of dilution although, in an absolute sense, dilution effects could still be important because fuel concentrations are low.