cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic toxicity of Ponceau SX to rats, mice, and dogs.

Summary Groups of 24 Osborne-Mendel rats, evenly divided by sex, were fed laboratory chow diets containing 5.0, 2.0, 1.0, 0.5, or 0.0% Ponceau SX for two years without significant effect on growth, survival, hematologic values, organ weights at autopsy, or gross and microscopic pathologic findings. No tumorigenicity was observed in tests in which a total of 2400 rats and mice of two strains each were subjected to two-year feeding and subcutaneous injection tests for carcinogenicity of Ponceau SX. Ponceau SX when fed to dogs at a 2% level in a commercial laboratory chow caused the death of one of three dogs in a preliminary study and of three of five dogs in a seven-year study. A second group of five female dogs tolerated Ponceau SX at 1% in the diet for seven years without effect on hematologic values or weight gains, but their food consumption was slightly increased during the critical first 6 months on test. Canine lesions attributable to toxicity of this color were moderate to marked atrophy of the adrenal zona glomerulosa, chronic follicular cystitis with hematomatous projections into the urinary bladder, and small hemosiderotic foci in the liver.
Real-time optimization of a hydropower cascade using a linear modeling approach

For the sub-hourly real-time optimization of a hydropower cascade, it is important to model in detail the three factors which most heavily influence hydropower generation: reservoir elevation, tailrace elevation, and turbine-generator efficiency. The method proposed in this paper uses three-dimensional piecewise linearization to accurately approximate the nonlinear and non-convex hydropower production function as a function of hydraulic head and turbine discharge. We show how this piecewise linear approximation can be implemented in a model predictive control framework with promising results. We present a case study of this model applied to seven dams along the Columbia River in the United States, with a particular focus on simulating the integration of variable wind generation. The primary contribution of this paper is to introduce a new method to model power generation from hydropower facilities and to simulate and demonstrate its efficacy on a real-world system.
Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: safety and tolerability issues

An examination is needed of the potential adverse effects of the agents most commonly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Most of these therapies can be used safely to induce or maintain remissions, although some aspects of monitoring for toxicity are necessary. Aminosalicylates, including sulfasalazine and mesalamine delivery systems, are most commonly associated with sulfa-related effects (sulfasalazine) or intolerance, with rare instances of nephritis, pulmonitis, hepatitis, or worsening colitis. The immunomodulators are most commonly associated with bone marrow suppression, hepatitis, and the risk of opportunistic infections. Methotrexate is contraindicated in pregnancy. Antibiotics used for inflammatory bowel disease are generally safe and well tolerated, although metronidazole carries a long-term risk of peripheral neuropathy. The well-recognized multitude of adverse effects from corticosteroids are eliminated or minimized when rapidly metabolized steroids, such as budesonide, are used.
Multiple structural states exist throughout the helical nucleation sequence of the intrinsically disordered protein stathmin, as reported by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) stathmin plays an important regulatory role in cytoskeletal maintenance through its helical binding to tubulin and microtubules. However, it lacks a stable fold in the absence of its binding partner. Although stathmin has been a focus of research over the past two decades, the solution-phase conformational dynamics of this IDP are poorly understood. It has been reported that stathmin is purely monomeric in solution and that it bears a short helical region of persistent foldedness, which may act to nucleate helical folding in the C-terminal direction. Here we report a comprehensive study of the structural equilibria local to this region in stathmin that contradicts these two claims. Using the technique of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy on spin-labeled stathmin mutants in the solution-phase and when immobilized on Sepharose solid support, we show that all sites in the helical nucleation region of stathmin exhibit multiple spectral components tha...
Role of chain entanglements on fiber formation during electrospinning of polymer solutions: Good solvent, non-specific polymer-polymer interaction limit

Abstract Chain entanglements are one of many parameters that can significantly influence fiber formation during polymer electrospinning. While the importance of chain entanglements has been acknowledged, there is no clear understanding of how many entanglements are required to affect/stabilize fiber formation. In this paper, polymer solution rheology arguments have been extrapolated to formulate a semi-empirical analysis to explain the transition from electrospraying to electrospinning in the good solvent, non-specific polymer–polymer interaction limit. Utilizing entanglement and weight average molecular weights (Me, Mw), the requisite polymer concentration for fiber formation may be determined a priori, eliminating the laborious trial-and-error methodology typically employed to produce electrospun fibers. Incipient, incomplete fiber formation is correctly predicted for a variety of polymer/solvent systems at one entanglement per chain. Complete, stable fiber formation occurs at ≥2.5 entanglements per chain.
Bone biology and physiology: implications for novel osteoblastic osteosarcoma treatments?

Summary Healthy bone undergoes a continuous cycle of bone resorption by osteoclasts and formation by osteoblasts. These processes are in turn regulated by developmental sequences involved in differentiation of bone marrow puripotent mesenchymal cells into osteoblasts and mononuclear hemaotpoitic stem cells into osteoclasts. A variety of growth factors and receptors are involved in these maturation sequences. Osteoblast proliferation and inhibition, for example, are highly dependent not only on such factors as bone morphogenic protein and core binding factor a1 (CBFa1), but on intracellular levels of calcium and cAMP. Therefore, agents that affect concentrations of these two compounds may hypothetically play a role in osteoblastic osteosarcoma treatment. Osteoblast proliferation is also under neural control; in particular, the activity of the N -methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha adrenergic 1 receptors. Antagonists to these receptors may also hypothetically play a role in osteoblastic osteosarcoma therapy. This article reviews the basic science supporting the putative roles of common, relatively safe but disparate agents—ranging from caffeine and theophylline to dextromethorphan and econazole—in the potential treatment of osteoblastic osteosarcoma.
The role of pre-operative CT-guided FNAB for parapharyngeal space tumors.

Objective To determine the role of computed tomography (CT)-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in surgical planning for parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors. Design and setting Chart review of 49 consecutive patients with surgically treated PPS tumors from 1995 to 2005. Results Twenty-nine patients had CT-guided FNAB. A cytopathologic diagnosis that was the same as final pathology was rendered in 14 (48%) patients; suggestive but not conclusive in 6 (21%) patients; discordant in 3 (10%) patients; and 6 (21%) patients had a nondiagnostic result. Fourteen of 15 patients who had a final histopathologic finding of pleomorphic adenoma had a correct or highly suggestive preoperative FNAB diagnosis. The positive predictive value for CT-guided FNAB to identify benign tumors is 90%, (18 of 20) but to identify malignant PPS tumors is 75% (3 of 4). Conclusion CT-guided FNAB of PPS tumors is helpful to predict the nature of the PPS tumors (especially benign), which allows the surgeon and patient to plan for treatment, accordingly.
An electron microscopic study of the effects of reserpine on adreno-medullary cells of the syrian hamster†

Adult Syrian hamsters were given daily subcutaneous injections of reserpine (1 mg/kg) for one or three days in order to study the fine structural changes in adreno-medullary cells. Initial alterations of fine structure in animals given one injection and sacrificed 15 hours later. Hamsters treated for three days were adrenalectomized on the left side 24 hours after the last reserpine injection. Following adrenalectomy, animals were allowed to recover for 48 or 96 hours after which the cells of the right adrenal medulla were compared with those of the left. Medullary cell changes 15 hours following one injection of reserpine included partial loss of electron opaque granules and an increase in the number of cytoplasmic vesicles and vacuoles. Medullary cells from the left adrenal glands removed following three subcutaneous injections of reserpine were characterized by a marked loss of electron opaque granules and by the presence of many vesicles and vacuoles distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Forty-eight hours following unilateral adrenalectomy medullary cells from the remaining right glands exhibited slightly electron opaque granules within the cytoplasm, each of which was surrounded by a smooth surfaced membrane. Cytoplasmic vesicles and vacuoles had decreased in number. Ninety-six hours following unilateral adrenalectomy medullary cells from the right glands showed further decreases in numbers of vesicles and vacuoles, and granules which possessed an electron opaqueness comparable to control medullary cells had reappeared within the cytoplasm.
Atopic dermatitis is more severe in children over the age of two who have an increased body mass index.

Aim Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing atopic dermatitis, but no objective measuring tool has been used to determine whether it also affects the severity. Our aim was to determine whether an association existed between increased body mass index (BMI) or weight for length and severity of atopic dermatitis, as measured by the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Methods Children with atopic dermatitis who presented to the emergency department at an urban children's hospital (n = 104) were assessed using the SCORAD index. We assessed the relationship between BMI percentile or weight for length percentile, based on age, and atopic dermatitis severity, using single-variable multinomial logistic regression with odds ratios. Results A significant association was found between BMI >24 and atopic dermatitis severity for children older than 2 years. When analysed separately, a significant association between BMI percentile and SCORAD severity was found in boys but not in girls. Conclusion These data suggest that the severity of atopic dermatitis is associated with increased BMI percentile in children older than 2 years, although this association was not apparent in younger ages using weight for length. Our results indicate the need for new avenues in the prevention and treatment of these entities.
Task-based evaluation of segmentation algorithms for diffusion-weighted MRI without using a gold standard

In many studies, the estimation of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of lesions in visceral organs in diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance images requires an accurate lesion-segmentation algorithm. To evaluate these lesion-segmentation algorithms, region-overlap measures are used currently. However, the end task from the DW images is accurate ADC estimation, and the region-overlap measures do not evaluate the segmentation algorithms on this task. Moreover, these measures rely on the existence of gold-standard segmentation of the lesion, which is typically unavailable. In this paper, we study the problem of task-based evaluation of segmentation algorithms in DW imaging in the absence of a gold standard. We first show that using manual segmentations instead of gold-standard segmentations for this task-based evaluation is unreliable. We then propose a method to compare the segmentation algorithms that does not require gold-standard or manual segmentation results. The no-gold-standard method estimates the bias and the variance of the error between the true ADC values and the ADC values estimated using the automated segmentation algorithm. The method can be used to rank the segmentation algorithms on the basis of both the ensemble mean square error and precision. We also propose consistency checks for this evaluation technique.
Cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase, epoxide hydrolase and flavin monooxygenase activities in Clara cells and alveolar type II cells isolated from rabbit.

The activities of several enzymes which metabolize xenobiotics were measured and compared in freshly isolated rabbit Clara cells (50–70% purity) and alveolar type II cells (80–95% purity) or microsomal preparations from the isolated cell fractions. The presence of 1 mM nicotinamide in protease and cell isolation buffers increased significantly 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-EC) deethylase and epoxide hydrolase activities in the isolated Clara and type II cells. Isolated Clara cell fractions metabolized 7-EC to umbelliferone at a rate of 241 ± 27 pmoles/mg prot/min (mean ± S.E., N=5), while the 7-EC deethylation rate in type II cells was 111 ± 15 pmoles/mg prot/min. Coumarin hydroxylation activity, however, was more than ten times greater in the Clara cells than in the type II cells on a per mg cellular protein basis. N-oxidation of N,N-dimethylaniline, catalyzed by a flavin monooxygenase, was about 2 times as great in microsomes of Clara cells as in microsomes of type II cells. Epoxide hydrolase activity with benzo(a)pyrene 4,5-oxide as substrate was about 10 times higher in Clara cells than in type II cells. Because of the greater cellular, structural and functional heterogeneity in lung, differential distribution of enzymes responsible for xenobiotic metabolism in this tissue may contribute to cell selective chemical toxicity and carcinogenesis.
Long-term effects of polytetrafluoroethylene injected into the rat bladder submucosa

Abstract Objective. The use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) paste in the lower urinary tract for the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux or urinary incontinence is increasing. Its use remains controversial and the long-term consequence of this substance injected into the lower urinary system of humans is largely unknown. When injected into the bladder submucosa, PTFE paste has been shown to elicit a foreign body reaction with chronic inflammation and possibly granuloma formation. Whether these inflammatory changes result in neoplastic changes over the long term has yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate histologically the potential for submucosal PTFE paste to induce bladder neoplasia in a rodent model, realizing that others have shown an increased tendency for such alloplastic materials to produce sarcomas in these animals. Methods. Sixteen experimental animals and 4 control animals were sacrificed at various time intervals and evaluated for systemic and local tumor formation following submucosal injection of PTFE paste in the bladder. A time well beyond the equivalent of the latency period believed to be necessary for the induction of tumors in humans (15 months) was evaluated. Results. On sacrifice, histologic changes consistent with encapsulation and chronic inflammation were evident, but there was no evidence of either epithelial or sarcomatous tumor formation. Conclusions. A quiescent foreign body reaction occurs when injecting PTFE into the bladder submucosa of rodents. Urologic use of PTFE has never been proven to induce tumors in humans or animals.
Residual dynamic typestate analysis exploiting static analysis: results to reformulate and reduce the cost of dynamic analysis

Programmers using complex libraries and frameworks are faced with the difficult task of ensuring that their implementations comply with complex and informally described rules for proper sequencing of API calls. Recent advances in static and dynamic techniques for checking explicit specifications of program typestate properties have shown promise in addressing this challenge. Unfortunately, static typestate analyses are limited in their scalability and dynamic analyses can suffer from significant run-time overhead. In this paper, we present an approach that exploits information calculated by flow-sensitive static typestate analyses to reformulate the original analysis problem as a residual dynamic typestate analysis. We demonstrate that residual analyses retain the error reporting of unoptimized dynamic analysis while offering the potential for significantly reducing analysis cost
A clinical-pathology review of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia following cryotherapy failure

Abstract Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after cryotherapy can pose both diagnostic and therapeutic problems. To clarify these issues, 27 consecutive patients who underwent cone biopsy for CIN after cryotherapy over a 10-year period at Women's Hospital LAC + USC Medical Center were reviewed. Although the initial features of the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia allowed for out-patient cryotherapy, the features of these failures did not (unsatisfactory colposcopy or CIN in the endocervical curettings). Eleven percent of these patients had stromal invasion on cone biopsy that was not suspected clinically. Patients presenting with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia following cryotherapy may, in fact, have progressive disease (i.e., stromal invasion) that is inapparent clinically. Hence, surgical excision should be considered in these circumstances.
Solar-hydrogen energy system for Saudi Arabia

Abstract A model for solar-hydrogen energy system for Saudi Arabia has been developed by obtaining relationships for and between main energy and energy-related parameters. The parameters’ magnitude and trends with and without hydrogen introduction have been investigated over a period of time. The results indicate that the oil resources of Saudi Arabia would not be enough to meet the domestic and export markets starting in three to four decades. The results also show that adopting the solar-hydrogen energy system would extend the availability of oil resources, reduce pollution, and establish a permanent energy system for Saudi Arabia. They also indicate that Saudi Arabia could become an exporter of hydrogen forever.
Quadratic residues and the combinatorics of sign multiplication

Abstract If S is a nonempty finite set of positive integers, we find a criterion both necessary and sufficient for S to satisfy the following condition: if q is a fixed nonnegative integer, then there exists infinitely many primes p such that S contains exactly q quadratic residues of p . This result simultaneously generalizes two previous results of the author, and the criterion used is expressed by means of a purely combinatorial condition on the prime factors of the elements of S of odd multiplicity.
Copper electromigration modeling including barrier layer effect

Abstract Electromigration lifetime considering the barrier layer effect under the DC and pulsed DC stress is analyzed numerically. The barrier layer used to stop the copper diffusion also improves the interconnect lifetime. The improvement of lifetime under the DC stress is higher than that under the pulsed DC stress. The lifetime model predictions are also compared with experimental data. Good agreement between the model predictions and experiments is obtained.
The health care professional's workstation: a call to action

The environment of health care delivery is changing dramatically, matched by design trends in the organizations that are responsible for care delivery, whether at the hospital or the national level. However, the emerging goals of these organizations have a certain amount of uniformity independent of background, cultural assumptions or organizational size: they are all committed to the delivery of services that maximize satisfaction of system beneficiaries at a minimum of expense. Achievement of these goals will in part require the development of a management and delivery coordination infrastructure that links the key resource utilizers and administrative operators at the point of production. Merged computer and telecommunications systems connecting at user interface nodes called workstations represent a critical enabling technology for meeting the organizational goals described above. Future delivery systems will need to provide compassionate care, retaining the most highly regarded traditions of medical practice without ignoring considerations of cost, clinical outcome and financial sustainability. This paper describes some of the limitations of the current delivery system, and attempts to identify key design concepts and paradigms that might serve to guide future system development.
Inflated perception of responsibility for harm in OCD patients with and without checking compulsions: a replication and extension

In a follow-up study to [J. Anxiety Disord., in press] examination of inflated perception of responsibility for harm among individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCs), 22 OC checkers, 24 OC non-checkers, and 25 non-anxious controls (NACs) completed the Obsessive Compulsive Responsibility Scale (OCRS), which consisted of written descriptions of Low-Risk (LR), Moderate-Risk (MR), and High-Risk (HR) scenarios. In LR and MR scenarios, OC checkers reported greater perception of responsibility for harm and greater relief upon rectifying the situation, than did NACs. OC checkers also reported greater urges to rectify LR situations than did NACs. OC non-checkers did not differ from NACs on any of the scales. No group differences emerged for HR scenarios. The results suggest that, compared to OC non-checkers and to NACs, OC checkers have an inflated perception of responsibility for harm; and that this perception leads to a need to rectify potentially harmful situations.
Comprehensive Education Portfolio with a Career Focus.

There are many types of student portfolios used within academia: the prior learning portfolio, credentialing portfolio, developmental portfolio, capstone portfolio, individual course portfolio, and...
The role of product safety and liability in concurrent engineering

This paper explores the role of product safety and liability in the early stages of product design in a concurrent engineering environment. The paper presents an overview of literature pertaining to the significance of product liability for manufacturers. Further, the paper presents a system approach to product safety, a conceptual framework for design for safety and liability, and a product safety program, which covers the three safety techniques of Preliminary Hazard Analysis, Fault Tree Analysis, and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis. The focus of the paper, in terms of incorporating safety in the product, is on design, manufacturing, and providing warnings. The example of a disc braking system is presented and discussed in order to explain, test, and validate the model and methodology. The developmental aspects of product safety are considered and a Knowledge Based Management System (KBMS) is developed. The KBMS is capable of integrating data bases and knowledge bases into a system that generates form design features. These design features also contain product safety attributes. Finally, the paper presents conclusions and an assessment of the results and provides additional perspectives.
The distribution of viral antigen in cells infected with tobacco mosaic virus as revealed by electron microscopy

Abstract Ferritin-conjugated antibodies were used to localize virus-specific proteins in Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infected cells of tomato leaves (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) with the electron microscope. When conjugated antibodies were applied to cell layers which had been opened by freeze-cutting, a progressive increase of antigen was detected in the ground cytoplasm between 2 and 4 days after inoculation. Viral antigen was also demonstrated in nuclei when homogenates of leaves sampled 4, 7, and 14 days after inoculation were treated with conjugated antibodies. TMV-antigen could not be detected in or along the cut edges of fragmented chloroplasts present either in leaf homogenates or in situ. Most of the ferritin granules in the cytoplasm were attached to whole virus particles. However, some regions of the cytoplasm were heavily tagged in which no virus was evident. No virus particles were found in nuclei even though they contained viral antigen.
T-bet in disease

The activation of immune-defense mechanisms in response to a microbial attack must be robust and appropriately tailored to fight particular types of pathogens. Infection with intracellular microorganisms elicits a type 1 inflammatory response characterized by mobilization of T helper type 1 (T(H)1) cells to the site of infection, where they are responsible for the recruitment and activation of macrophages. At the center of the type 1 inflammatory response is the transcription factor T-bet, a critical regulator of the T(H)1 differentiation program. T-bet induces the production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and orchestrates the T(H)1 cell-migratory program by regulating the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors. However, tight regulation of the type 1 inflammatory response is essential for the prevention of immunopathology and the development of organ-specific autoimmunity. In this review, we discuss how T-bet expression drives autoaggressive and inflammatory processes and how its function in vivo must be delicately balanced to avoid disease.
Desipramine and noradrenergic neurotransmission in aging: failure to respond in aged laboratory animals.

Abstract Deficiencies in noradrenergic neurotransmission have been found in the central nervous system of aged laboratory animals. The purpose of the present study was to determine if tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine, can overcome the diminished noradrenergie neurotransmission found in these animals. Using electrophysiological techniques, noradrenergic neurotransmission was examined in the cerebellar cortex of rats, a model system which has been used extensively to characterize the effects of norepinephrine in the central nervous system. The discharge rate of cerebellar Purkinje neurons is very sensitive to changes in the noradrenergic input from the nucleus locus coeruleus. In this model system in young rats, treatment with desipramine slowly augments noradrenergic neurotransmission over several weeks. Similar treatment in aged animals caused no increase in the age-related deficient noradrenergic neurotransmission. The decline in efficacy of desipramine with age could not be accounted for by differences between young and old rats in the distribution of the drug. Failure of desipramine to be effective in older rats may reflect the insensitivity of aged neurons to norepinephrine itself, so that treatment strategies which increase the amount of nerepinephrine released onto these neurons may be ineffective. The findings may have implications for the use of tricyclic antidepressants in aged depressed patients.
Stimulus control through the licking response

An apparatus allowing a rat’s drinking response to terminate shock or deliver food is described. The system is constructed of commercial components and is sensitive to the intermittent, but regular, signal generated by a rat in the act of drinking.
Conformational Control of Rates of Intramolecular Electron Transfer

Abstract A series of porphyrins having a “viologen” appended via a short chain to a meso-aryl ring has been studied by time-resolved absorption and emission techniques. The viologen quenches porphyrin fluorescence but not the triplet state lifetime. Complex fluorescence decay profiles, which are observed for all compounds, are attributed to the presence of families of discrete ground-state conformers. Fluorescence quenching is interpreted in terms of intramolecular electron transfer, for which there is a modest thermodynamic driving force. However, charge separation (CS) is followed by rapid charge recombination (CR) such that long-lived redox products are not observed. Such behavior is consistent with recently introduced theoretical models dealing with conformational control of electron transfer rates. The rates of CS are almost insensitive to changes in temperature or solvent dynamics for alkanols.
Would cancer stem cells affect the future investment in stem cell therapy

The common goal within the overwhelming interests in stem cell research is to safely translate the science to patients. Although there are various methods by which this goal can be reached, this editorial emphasizes the safety of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplant and possible confounds by the growing information on cancer stem cells (CSCs). There are several ongoing clinical trials with MSCs and their interactions with CSCs need to be examined. The rapid knowledge on MSCs and CSCs has now collided with regards to the safe treatment of MSCs. The information discussed on MSCs can be extrapolated to other stem cells with similar phenotype and functions such as placenta stem cells. MSCs are attractive for cell therapy, mainly due to reduced ethical concerns, ease in expansion and reduced ability to be transformed. Also, MSCs can exert both immune suppressor and tissue regeneration simultaneously. It is expected that any clinical trial with MSCs will take precaution to ensure that the cells are not transformed. However, going forward, the different centers should be aware that MSCs might undergo oncogenic events, especially as undifferentiated cells or early differentiated cells. Another major concern for MSC therapy is their ability to promote tumor growth and perhaps, to protect CSCs by altered immune responses. These issues are discussed in light of a large number of undiagnosed cancers.
Optimum H designs under sampled state measurements

Abstract We present the complete solution to the H ∞ -optimal control problem when only sampled values of the state are available. For linear time-varying systems the optimum controller is characterized in terms of the solution of a particular generalized Riccati-differential equation, with the optimum performance determined by the conjugate point conditions associated with a family of generalized Riccati differential equations. For the infinite-horizon time-invariant problem, however, the optimum controller is characterized in terms of the solution of a particular generalized algebraic Riccati equation, and the performance is determined in terms of the conjugate-point conditions of a single generalized Riccati equation, defined on the longest sampling interval. If the distribution of the sampling times is also taken as part of the general design, uniform sampling turns out to be optimal for the infinite horizon case, while for the finite horizon problem a nonuniform sampling generally leads to a better performance.
PREPARATION OF 7-AMINOCEPHALOSPORANIC ACID AND 6-AMINOPENICILLANIC ACID

The utility of acetyl mixed anhydride as a carboxylic acid blocking group during acylamido cleavage of cephalosporins and penicillins is illustrated. The formation of N-chloroacetyl cephalosporin C in the isolation of cephalosporin C is described.
Effects of γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Histamine on Prolactin Secretion in the Rat

Histamine releases prolactin (PRL) in estrogen-progesterone primed male rats after both iv and intracisternal (ic) injection, but does not affect in vitro PRL secretion. This stimulatory effect is reversed by the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phenoxybenzamine and the histamine antagonist diphenhydramine, gamma-Amino butyric acid (GABA), which has little in vivo effect of its own, interferes with the activity of histamine and a variety of other stimulators of PRL secretion. These results suggest the involvement of the naturally-occurring substances histamine and GABA in the central regulation of PRL secretion.
On a knowledge-based system for dimensional analysis

Abstract Knowledge-based systems to date, whether in engineering or other fields, have tended to incorporate facts, heuristics and algorithms specific to narrow domains of application. As a result, these systems are fragile; they fail catastrophically when the underlying assumptions are violated or they are applied to unforeseen circumstances. A robust system, on the other hand, should encode deep knowledge relating to first principles and general techniques for reasoning about the entire field of application. A general-purpose engineering assistant should encode models of the domain as well as reasoning techniques that apply to diverse arenas of technology. This paper takes a step in the direction of generalized engineering tools by examining how techniques for dimensional analysis may be encoded in software. The goal of the current work is the development of a prototype system to demonstrate the feasibility and utility of such an approach.
THE MICROWAVE SPECTRUM OF VINYLCYCLOPROPANE

Abstract Frequencies of rotational transitions in the microwave region are reported for the ground and three torsionally excited states of the species of vinylcyclopropane in which the vinyl group is trans to the cyclopropane ring and there is a plane of symmetry. Transitions in the species with 13 C substitution at the out-of-plane carbon site are also reported. An extensive search for transitions belonging to another species was not successful. The torsional excitation energy is estimated from relative intensity measurements to be 125 cm −1 . The dipole moments determined from the Stark effect ar μ a = 0.486 ± 0.007 D, μ c = 0.110 ± 0.010 D and μ = 0.498 ± 0.007 D.
Roommate Similarity: Are Roommates Who Are Similar in Their Communication Traits More Satisfied?.

This study investigated whether roommates who were similar in their communication traits would express more satisfaction with and affinity for their roommates. Specifically, the communication traits of willingness to communicate, interpersonal communication competence, and verbal aggressiveness were considered. Participants (college students and their roommates) completed measures of their own communication traits and their feelings about their roommates. Results showed that roommates who were prosocially similar (when both roommates were high in willingness to communicate, when both roommates were high in interpersonal communication competence, and when both roommates were low in verbal aggressiveness) reported the highest roommate satisfaction and liking.
X-Ray Reconstruction by Finite Field Transforms

The reconstruction of two-dimensional density distributions, obtained by scanning a source of radiation through various angles, was suggested originally by Bracewell and Riddle. Recently Ramachandran and Lakshminarayanan proposed that a direct convolution technique might be used to reconstruct three-dimensional objects from projections obtained from x-ray scanning. They showed that the reconstruction of the sections of an object in the spatial domain was the average of the convolutions of an appropriate filter function with these projections over all possible projection angles. The best filter function presently known for this method was given by Shepp and Logan. The new tomograph machines are now using substantially larger sets of data than considered originally by Shepp and Logan. As a consequence, the fast Fourier traisform (FFT) method of convolution now competes favorably inspeed with the direct convolution method, described by Shepp and Logan. In this paper a fast transform method is used to perform the convolution of the Shepp and Logan filter with the projection data. To perform these convolutions at optimal computational speed and accuracy, a fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm is developed over a finite or Galois field GF(q) of integers instead of the usual field of complex numbers. GF(q) is the field of integers modulo q where q is a prime of the form k. 2n+ 1. Important features of this computational technique to tomography are both a high computational speed and an absence of round-off errors.
Challenges and Recent Developments in Hearing Aids: Part I. Speech Understanding in Noise, Microphone Technologies and Noise Reduction Algorithms

This review discusses the challenges in hearing aid design and fitting and the recent developments in advanced signal processing technologies to meet these challenges. The first part of the review discusses the basic concepts and the building blocks of digital signal processing algorithms, namely, the signal detection and analysis unit, the decision rules, and the time constants involved in the execution of the decision. In addition, mechanisms and the differences in the implementation of various strategies used to reduce the negative effects of noise are discussed. These technologies include the microphone technologies that take advantage of the spatial differences between speech and noise and the noise reduction algorithms that take advantage of the spectral difference and temporal separation between speech and noise. The specific technologies discussed in this paper include first-order directional microphones, adaptive directional microphones, second-order directional microphones, microphone matching algorithms, array microphones, multichannel adaptive noise reduction algorithms, and synchrony detection noise reduction algorithms. Verification data for these technologies, if available, are also summarized.
Conservative surgical management of Mersilene* mesh suburethral sling erosion

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to describe conservative surgical management of polyethylene terephthalate (Mersilene, Ethicon, Inc, Somerville, NJ) mesh suburethral sling erosion as an alternative to sling removal. Study Design: Seven women who had undergone suburethral sling procedures with Mersilene mesh were found to have varying degrees of mesh visible in the vagina at 4 to 12 weeks after the operation. Three women with erosions Results: All 7 patients have been followed up for 6 to 37 months. Only 1 woman who underwent inpatient surgical revision had a recurrence (4 mm); this was treated successfully in the office. Conclusion: Vaginal erosions in suburethral sling procedures with Mersilene mesh can be managed initially with our conservative surgical technique. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:1424-9.)
Free-space method of measuring complex permittivity of fast-ion conductors at microwave frequencies using pelleted samples

A new free-space method of measuring the complex permittivity at microwave frequencies of solid-electrolytes (such as AgI) using small (pellet) samples is described. Unlike the transmission-line and/or cavity methods which need elaborate sample heating arrangements (to achieve /spl beta/-to-/spl alpha/ phase transition) and also have restricted applications to low-loss materials, the present technique offers simpler and direct measurement of high conductivity at /spl alpha/-phase. Measured results are in good agreement with the available data.
Dephosphorylation of JC virus agnoprotein by protein phosphatase 2A: Inhibition by small t antigen

Previous studies have demonstrated that the JC virus (JCV) late regulatory protein agnoprotein is phosphorylated by the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase-C (PKC) and mutants of this protein at the PKC phosphorylation sites exhibit defects in the viral replication cycle. We have now investigated whether agnoprotein phosphorylation is regulated by PP2A, a serine/threonine-specific protein phosphatase and whether JCV small t antigen (Sm t-Ag) is involved in this regulation. Protein–protein interaction studies demonstrated that PP2A associates with agnoprotein and dephosphorylates it at PKC-specific sites. Sm t-Ag was also found to interact with PP2A and this interaction inhibited the dephosphorylation of agnoprotein by PP2A. The interaction domains of Sm t-Ag and agnoprotein with PP2A were mapped, as were the interaction domains of Sm t-Ag with agnoprotein. The middle portion of Sm t-Ag (aa 82–124) was found to be critical for the interaction with both agnoprotein and PP2A and the N-terminal region of agnoprotein for interaction with Sm t-Ag. To further understand the role of Sm t-Ag in JCV regulation, a stop codon was introduced at Ser90 immediately after splice donor site of the JCV early gene and the functional consequences of this mutation were investigated. The ability of this mutant virus to replicate was substantially reduced compared to WT. Next, the functional significance of PP2A in JCV replication was examined by siRNA targeting. Downregulation of PP2A caused a significant reduction in the level of JCV replication. Moreover, the impact of Sm t-Ag on agnoprotein phosphorylation was investigated by creating a double mutant of JCV, where Sm t-Ag stop codon mutant was combined with an agnoprotein triple phosphorylation mutant (Ser7, Ser11 and Thr21 to Ala). Results showed that double mutant behaves much like the triple phosphorylation mutant of agnoprotein during viral replication cycle, which suggests that agnoprotein might be an important target of Sm t-Ag with respect to the regulation of its phosphorylation. Collectively, these results suggest that there is an interplay between agnoprotein, Sm t-Ag and PP2A with respect to the regulation of JCV life cycle and this could be important for the progression of the JCV-induced disease, PML.
Distribution of peroxisomes (microbodies) in the nephron of the rat: a cytochemical study.

The distribution of peroxisomes (microbodies) in the rat nephron was studied cytochemically, using glutaraldehyde- or formaldehyde-fixed tissue, by means of alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase activity in light microscopy or oxidation of 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) at pH 9 in both light and electron microscopy.The two cytochemical methods show peroxisomes to be nearly sperical particles found only in cells of the proximal convoluted tubule. Lysosomes were identified in the same or parallel sections, with beta-glycerophosphate or 5'-cytidylic acid as substrate. They are found in all cells of the nephron. These cytochemical methods visualize the two organelles for light microscopy; they also permit unequivocal differentiation of all kidney peroxisomes from lysosomes in electron micrographs. Peroxisomes are larger and more reactive in the cells of the pars descendens (P(3) segment) of the proximal convolution, located in the outer medulla and medullary rays, than in the cells of the pars convoluta (P(1) and P(2) segments), situated in the cortex. In contrast, lysosomes are much smaller in the P(3) segment and larger and more reactive in the P(1) and P(2) segments. In all cells of the proximal convolution, peroxisomes tend to be concentrated nearer the base of the cells than do lysosomes. Mitochondria in P(3) cells also show low levels of DAB oxidation at pH 6, in contrast to those in P(1) and P(2) cells. The possibility is discussed that P(3) cells possess an extramitochondrial means of oxidation in which peroxisome oxidases play an important role.
Power and Status in Conflict and Negotiation Research: Introduction to the Special Issue

Power and status are central influences in conflict and negotiation: Power structures determine negotiator behavior and conflict dynamics, and status differences can give rise to competition and conflicts between individuals and groups. In the last 50 years, much research attention has been devoted to the study of power and status in the conflict setting. In this introduction to the special issue, we highlight some of the key areas of research in the field thus far, highlighting key debates and dialogues. We then present the four articles in this special issue, explaining how each of these articles contributes to a unique debate in this area. Finally, we close with a discussion of the many exciting future research directions that are opening up around the topics of power and status in negotiation and conflict management research.
Computer graphics, an international report

This session was in part an analytical and interpretive report on the second conference on Computer Graphics, held at Brunel University (U.K.) in 1970 April. The panelists had all attended or given papers at this meeting, bound proceedings for which will appear. (Ed. Note - Mr. Chasen's remarks are taken from the Design Engineering Session, and those of Dr. Evans are from the Applications Session of the Science Sector)
Acute pain reduction strategies used by well older adults

Thirty older adults, without chronic pain, were interviewed about the acute pain reduction strategies that they used at home and strategies that they might use if hospitalized. Verbatim transcripts from the audiotapes were content analyzed. Successful pain reduction strategies included taking a mild analgesic and positioning. If hospitalized, 16 (53.3%) would request analgesics; four (13.3%) would talk with a health care provider; five (16.7%) would continue their own pain reduction strategies; four (13.3%) provided no pain reduction strategies. Results suggest that many older adults possess pain reduction strategies that may be helpful to incorporate in their pain management when hospitalized.
Selective intraoperative stimulation of the human larynx

Objectives/Hypothesis: Laryngeal contraction normally entails activation of mutually cooperative intrinsic laryngeal muscles (ILMs). Unfortunately, standard stimulating methods do not completely mimic the normal ongoing synchrony between the muscles. We submit that this problem can be addressed by modifying the stimulating waveform. Study Design: This study extends prior canine research to the human using quasitrapezoidal (QT) currents instead of standard square waves, which while valuable incompletely express normal ILM interactions. Methods: In two patients undergoing laryngectomy for cancer, the recurrent laryngeal nerve on the uninvolved side received QT pulses (4 Hz, 60–2,000 μA, 100–500 μs width, 0–500-μs decay) via a bipolar cuff electrode. Pairs of needle electrodes placed into the posterior cricoarytenoideus (PCA), lateral cricoarytenoideus (LCA), and thyroarytenoideus (TA) were used to record electromyography amplitudes, and waveforms were analyzed by a specially designed computer program. Results: With activity from square waves serving as control, we observed statistically significant (P < .05) shifts in mutual relationships among PCA, LCA, and TA for an array of specific QT configurations. Conclusions: Our preliminary data on selective ILM manipulation offer promise for improved dynamic control of faulty laryngeal contraction patterns.
On residence probability control

The problem of controlling the residence probability of a linear stochastic system in a bounded domain is considered. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a controller that makes the residence probability positive (weakly residence-probability-controllable systems) and arbitrarily close to one (strongly residence-probability-controllable systems) are derived. The approach is based on the modern large-deviations theory for systems perturbed by small white noise. It is concluded that system is weakly residence-probability-controllable if and only if it is stabilizable (in a certain sense) on the interval (0, T), and it is strongly residence-probability-controllable if and only if the image of the noise input matrix is contained in the image of the control input matrix. >