cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in cerebral oximetry during peritoneal insufflation for laparoscopic procedures.

BACKGROUND: Changes in cardiac output may occur during insufflation for laparoscopic procedures. However, there are limited data regarding its potential effects on cerebral oxygenation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cerebral oxygenation (ScO2), end tidal CO2, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry were recorded every 5 minutes prior to insufflation, during insufflation and after desufflation. Minute ventilation was increased to maintain normocapnia and the depth of anesthesia was adjusted or fluids/phenylephrine administered to maintain the blood pressure within 20% of the baseline. RESULTS: The cohort for the study included 70 adults for laparoscopic herniorrhaphy, gastric bypass or cholecystectomy. A total of 1004 ScO2 values were obtained during laparoscopy. The ScO2 decreased from the baseline in 758 of the1004 data points. The ScO2 was 0-9 less than the baseline in 47.8% of the values, 10-19 less than the baseline in 24.9% of the values and 20-29 less than the baseline in 26 values (2.6%). Eighty-two (8.2%) of the values were less than 80% of the baseline value, while 25 values (2.5%) were less than 75% of the baseline value. Twelve patients had at least one ScO2 value that was less than 80% of the baseline and 6 had at least one ScO2 value that was less than 75% of the baseline. Four patients of the cohort had ScO2 values less than 80% of the baseline for more than 50% of the laparoscopic procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Although relatively uncommon, significant changes in cerebral oxygenation do occur in some patients during insufflation for laparoscopic surgery.
Antigen presentation by MHC class I and its regulation by interferon γ

Antigen processing by MHC class I molecules begins with the generation of peptides by proteolytic breakdown of proteins. IFN-gamma upregulates gene expression of several proteasomal subunits as well as the proteasome regulator PA28; this implicated their role in antigen degradation. Crystallographic, mutational and biochemical studies contributed to our understanding of the basic principles of proteasomal protein degradation and the consequences of IFN-gamma induction for proteasome function. In addition, nonproteasomal mechanisms seem to be involved in antigen degradation. Leucine aminopeptidase, which is also upregulated by IFN-gamma, was shown to collaborate with the proteasome for epitope production and unknown proteases seem to compensate for the loss of proteasomal degradation in the presence of proteasome inhibitors. Thus, a rather complex picture emerges for the rules governing peptide production in the presence or absence of IFN-gamma.
A comparison between continuous infusion versus standard bolus administration of heparin based on monitoring in cardiac surgery

This study was designed to determine prospectively if stable heparin concentrations can be maintained during extracorporeal circulation by using a continuous infusion technique, compared with a bolus regimen based on whole blood heparin concentration monitoring. Forty patients were assigned randomly to either an infusion or a monitoring group. The reference heparin concentration was defined as the whole blood heparin concentration associated with a kaolin activated clotting time (ACT) of approximately 480 s prior to institution of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for both cohorts. For infusion patients, doses of heparin were administered using a continuous infusion based on the initial patient-specific heparin dose per unit weight; heparin was also added to solutions administered after the initiation of CPB based on the reference heparin concentration. For monitoring patients, the dose of heparin administered during CPB was calculated by the Hepcon instrument. Blood specimens collected prior to and during the CPB period were used to measure anti-Xa plasma heparin concentration and complete blood counts, kaolin ACT and whole blood heparin concentration. Doses of heparin and protamine administered and transfusion requirements were similar in patient cohorts. The apparent rate of clearance of heparin from plasma was variable among patients in the monitoring group prior to CPB. Stable heparin concentrations were maintained using whole blood heparin measurements, whereas mean heparin concentrations were slightly lower using the continuous infusion technique. Therefore, an optimal approach might involve the combined use of these regimens.
Precision in imaging multivariate optical computing

Multivariate optical computing (MOC) is a method of performing chemical analysis using a multilayer thin-film structure known as a multivariate optical element (MOE). Recently we have been advancing MOC for imaging problems by using an imaging MOE (IMOE) in a normal-incidence geometry and employing normalization by the 1-norm. There are several important differences between the previously described 45° and the normal-incidence imaging, one of which is the measurement precision due to photon counting. We compare this precision to 45° MOC. We also discuss how MOE models with similar values of standard errors of calibration and prediction and similar gain values may vary in precision because of the sign or offset of the regression vector encoded in the IMOE spectrum. Experimental verification of a key result is provided by near-infrared imaging of slides coated with a dye-doped polymer film.
Clinical significance of reduced regional myocardial glucose uptake in regions with normal blood flow in patients with chronic coronary artery disease

Abstract Objectives. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical significance of reduced regional fluorine-18 (18F) fluorodeoxyglucose uptake with normal flow in patients with chronic coronary artery disease. Background. In patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake may be reduced in some myocardial regions despite normal flow. The significance of this finding to unclear and has not been investigated systematically. Methods. Twenty-three patients with coronary artery disease and impaired ventricular function (mean ejection fraction (±1 SD) 28 ± 10%) underwent positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and oxygen-15-labeled water at rest, exercise thallium-201 tomographic imaging with rest reinjection and gated magnetic resonance imaging to measure end-diastolic wall thickness and systolisc wall thickening. Results. Of 168 regions with normal flow (≥0.7 ml/g per min), 125 (74%) had normal 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (98 ± 10%), and the remaining 43 (26%) showed moderately reduced 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (69 ± 8%). Systolic wall thickening was absent at rest in 14% of regions with normal 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake compared with 32% of regions with reduced 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (p Conclusions. Thus, regions with moderately reduced 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake with normal flow occur commonly in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. The majority of these regions show impaired systolic function at rest and exercise-induced thallium abnormalities that are only partially reversible. These observations suggest that such regions represent an admixture of fibrotic and reversibly ischemic myocardium.
Erosion of the dayside magnetosphere at Mercury in association with ion outflows and flux rope generation

[1] In preparation for the arrival of the MESSENGER spacecraft at Mercury, and to further understanding of the Mariner 10 and ground-based observations, 3-D multifluid simulations are used to predict Mercury’s magnetospheric response to forcing from the solar wind. The model, which includes both heavy (Na + ) and light (He + ) ionospheric ion populations, predicts that solar wind access to Mercury’s surface is highly asymmetric and dependent on the strength and direction of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). In particular, during southward IMF much of the dayside magnetic field can be eroded, and enhanced plumes of sodium ions (with geometry similar to ground-based emission observations) outflow at high latitudes into the solar wind. Development of reconnection in association with flux ropes similar to those at Earth are seen but with a shorter time scale of development and a closer radial distance (3–5 RM).
IMPACT OF REMOTE, WIRELESS PULMONARY ARTERY HEMODYNAMIC MONITORING IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND CHRONIC HEART FAILURE: INSIGHTS FROM THE CHAMPION TRIAL

Atrial fibrillation is a frequent co-morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) which contributes to worse outcomes. The CHAMPION trial demonstrated a significant reduction in the rate of HF hospitalizations in patients with pulmonary artery pressure monitor guided treatment. We
A Ridge Penalized Principal-Components Approach Based on Heritability for High-Dimensional Data

Objective: To develop a ridge penalized principal-components approach based on heritability that can be applied to high-dimensional family data. Methods: The first principal component of heritability for a trait constellation is defined as a linear combination of traits that maximizes the heritability, which is equivalent to maximize the family-specific variation relative to the subject-specific variation. To analyze high-dimensional data and prevent overfitting, we propose a penalized principal-components approach based on heritability by adding a ridge penalty to the subject-specific variation. We choose the optimal regularization parameter by cross-validation. Results: The principal-components approach based on heritability with and without ridge penalty was compared to the usual principal-components analysis in four settings. The penalized principal-components of heritability analysis had substantially larger coefficients for the traits with genetic effect than for the traits with no genetic effect, while the non-regularized analysis failed to identify the genetic traits. In addition, linkage analysis on the combined traits showed that the power of the proposed methods was higher than the usual principal-components analysis and the non-regularized principal-components of heritability analysis. Conclusions: The penalized principal-components approach based on heritability can effectively handle large number of traits with family structure and provide power gain for linkage analysis. The cross-validation procedure performs well in choosing optimal magnitude of penalty.
Cupredoxin-Cancer Interrelationship: Azurin Binding with EphB2, Interference in EphB2 Tyrosine Phosphorylation, and Inhibition of Cancer Growth †

Azurin is a member of a family of metalloproteins called cupredoxins. Although previously thought to be involved in electron transfer, azurin has recently been shown to preferentially enter cancer cells than normal cells and induce apoptosis in such cells. Azurin also demonstrates structural similarity to a ligand known as ephrinB2, which binds its cognate receptor tyrosine kinase EphB2 to initiate cell signaling. Eph/ephrin signaling is known to be involved in cancer progression. We now demonstrate that azurin binds to the EphB2-Fc receptor with high affinity. We have localized a C-terminal domain of azurin (Azu 96-113) that exhibits structural similarity to ephrinB2 at the G-H loop region known to be involved in receptor binding. A synthetic peptide (Azu 96-113) as well as a GST fusion derivative GST-Azu 88-113 interferes with the growth of various human cancer cells. In a prostate cancer cell line DU145 lacking functional EphB2, azurin or its GST-fusion derivatives had little cytotoxic effect. However, in DU145 cells expressing functional EphB2, azurin and GST-Azu 88-113 demonstrated significant cytotoxicity, whereas ephrinB2 promoted cell growth. Azurin inhibited the ephrinB2-mediated autophosphorlyation of the EphB2 tyrosine residue, thus interfering in upstream cell signaling and contributing to cancer cell growth inhibition.
Fault Detection in Process Systems using Hidden Markov Disturbance Models

Abstract Abstract Fault detection and diagnosis is critical for maintaining the health of process systems. Common fault signals include process and disturbance parameter changes, as well as sensor and actuator malfunctions (such as persistent drifts and biases). These may be characterized by the existence of latent ‘fault’ states. This work examines the effectiveness of a Hidden Markov Model framework for modeling such fault regimes. The proposed methodology may be interpreted as a generalization of a commonly-employed Mixture-of-Gaussians (Kesavan and Lee (1997)) approach and is demonstrated through a shell-and-tube heat exchanger problem. Furthermore, the exibility of the method is shown in the context of detecting valve stiction. This is a significant problem in process industries where a valve's output suffers from excessive friction and is unable to track its input leading to degradation in closed-loop performance.
Series for student's non-central t under exponential sampling with comments due to H. P. Mulholland

The moments of student's non-central t are only known in exact form for samples of n =2, 3, and 4, under exponential sampling. The exact distribution for n > 5 is unknown. Mulholland produced an exact recursive formula for the density of . and asserted that it consisted of n−1 splines on (l,n). A computer oriented extended series (COETS) is taken out to terms in n−24 and appears to be strongly divergent. Several different approximation processes are used to study error analysis, including Levin's t-algorithm and simulations. Satisfactory assessments are indicated for all sample sizes exceeding about 25. The study involves a statistical problem, uses summation techniques in numerical methods and is for the most part highly computer oriented; considerable number crunching is unavoidable.
Friction-Induced Thermal Influences in Elastic Contact Between Spherical Asperities

Effets thermiques dus au frottement dans le cas du contact entre des asperites spheriques elastiques
Metabolic and phenotypic characteristics of human skeletal muscle fibers as predictors of glycogen utilization during electrical stimulation

Characteristics of skeletal muscle such as fiber type composition and activities of key metabolic enzymes have been purported to affect glycogen utilization. However, the relative importance individual factors may have in predicting glycogen utilization of individual muscle fibers has not been addressed. Thus, we sought to determine the relative importance that metabolic characteristics and phenotypic expression of individual fibers have in predicting fiber specific glycogen utilization during neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) exercise. Biopsies were taken from the m, vastus lateralis (VL) of eight recreationally active males before and immediately after 30 min of non-fatiguing NMES and analyzed for type (I, IIa and IIx), succinate dehydrogenase activity (SDH), glycerol-phosphate dehydrogenase activity (GPDH), quantitative-actomyosin adenosine triphosphatase activity (qATPase), and glycogen content. Our results demonstrate that a ratio of enzyme activities representing pathways for energy supply and energy demand (SDH: qATPase) accounted for more of the variance in glycogen utilization (y=0.2091 e−0.0329x, R2=0.622, P≤ 0.0001) than SDH (R2=0.321) or qATPase (R2=0.365) alone. Fiber phenotype was also a significant predictor of glycogen utilization, but to a lesser extent than the other variables studied (R2=0.201). A ratio of the activities of enzymes representing pathways of energy supply and energy demand, represented by SDH:qATPase, is a better predictor of glycogen utilization than either of its components independently while fiber phenotype, although a statistically significant predictor of glycogen utilization, may not be the most appropriate determinate of the functional characteristics of an individual fiber.
Influence of age and scrotal circumference on breeding soundness examination of range rams.

Breeding soundness examinations (BSE) were conducted on 3,167 range rams on New Mexico sheep ranches during 1982, 1983 and 1984. Age and scrotal circumference (SC) were recorded for each ram and based on SC, rams were further classified as small ( 37.8 cm). Scrotal circumference increased with age (P 0.10) in BSE rating of rams classified by SC as medium or large. Results of this study suggest that SC is influenced by age, and this trait should be considered within age groups. Rams with an SC of <30 cm are more likely (P < 0.05) to be rated unsatisfactory by BSE.
The relative merits of time-division multiplex versus space division as a mode of operation for electronic telephone exchanges

The development of electronic devices with long, reliable, lifetime capabilities offers a variety of trunking interconnections for telephone switching systems. These include, in addition to the simulation of mechanical contacts, time division transmission, hitherto impractical, made possible by their high speed nature. A time division system reduces costs and space requirements while approaching the trunking simplicity of a manual system with high-speed single control operation simplifying the inclusion of new services.
Recourse-based stochastic nonlinear programming: properties and Benders-SQP algorithms

In this paper, we study recourse-based stochastic nonlinear programs and make two sets of contributions. The first set assumes general probability spaces and provides a deeper understanding of feasibility and recourse in stochastic nonlinear programs. A sufficient condition, for equality between the sets of feasible first-stage decisions arising from two different interpretations of almost sure feasibility, is provided. This condition is an extension to nonlinear settings of the "W-condition," first suggested by Walkup and Wets (SIAM J. Appl. Math. 15:1299---1314, 1967). Notions of complete and relatively-complete recourse for nonlinear stochastic programs are defined and simple sufficient conditions for these to hold are given. Implications of these results on the L-shaped method are discussed. Our second set of contributions lies in the construction of a scalable, superlinearly convergent method for solving this class of problems, under the setting of a finite sample-space. We present a novel hybrid algorithm that combines sequential quadratic programming (SQP) and Benders decomposition. In this framework, the resulting quadratic programming approximations while arbitrarily large, are observed to be two-period stochastic quadratic programs (QPs) and are solved through two variants of Benders decomposition. The first is based on an inexact-cut L-shaped method for stochastic quadratic programming while the second is a quadratic extension to a trust-region method suggested by Linderoth and Wright (Comput. Optim. Appl. 24:207---250, 2003). Obtaining Lagrange multiplier estimates in this framework poses a unique challenge and are shown to be cheaply obtainable through the solution of a single low-dimensional QP. Globalization of the method is achieved through a parallelizable linesearch procedure. Finally, the efficiency and scalability of the algorithm are demonstrated on a set of stochastic nonlinear programming test problems.
Detection of the feedback control of pyrimidine biosynthesis in slices of several rat tissues.

Summary Measurements of the rate of incorporation of labeled precursors into orotic acid in slices of several rat tissues reveal that the rate of incorporation of bicarbonate, but not carbamoylphosphate or carbamoylaspartate, is significantly inhibited by the addition of uridine to the reaction mixture. These experiments demonstrate the operation of a feedback control mechanism governing the rate of pyrimidine biosynthesis in the intact cell and provide evidence that the reaction catalyzed by carbamoylphosphate synthetase is the site of end-product inhibition.
Existence of algebraic Hecke characters

Abstract In this Note, we will characterize a weak version of the Brumer–Stark conjecture in terms of existence of certain algebraic Hecke characters, which can be viewed as a generalization of Weil's well-known Jacobi characters. As an application, we show that the Brumer–Stark conjecture in CM extensions implies the Brumer–Stark conjecture in general.
Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy for “small” duct chronic pancreatitis: Case selection by differential epidural analgesia

Management of patients with intractable pain from “small duct” chronic pancreatitis has been difficult, often resulting in narcotic addiction and/or malnutrition from major pancreatic resection. Recently, denervation of sympathetic pain afferents from the pancreas by surgical splanchnicectomy has shown promise in relieving pain while preserving residual pancreatic function. However, results from surgical splanchnicectomy have been mixed in large part because of patient selection. Differentiating actual pancreatic pain from “pancreatic” pain caused by drug-seeking behavior, psychogenic diseases, or various somatically innervated conditions is clinically challenging at best. Between 1992 and 1996, twenty-two patients with 20 prior pancreatic operations, “small duct” chronic pancreatitis, and “pancreatic” pain requiring narcotics were evaluated. Each underwent differential epidural analgesia (DEA) using the following standard techniques: placebo, low-dose (sympathetic), and high-dose (somatic) blocks. Pain perceptions were recorded before and after DEA using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Six demonstrated a greater than 50% decrease in VAS pain after placebo injection and were eliminated from further study. In the remaining 16 patients, pain relief only occurred with sympathetic or somatic blockade. Greater and lesser splanchnicectomy (surgical splanchnicectomy) was performed 27 times in these 16 patients (11 bilateral, 6 synchronous) (5 unilateral; 2 right and 3 left) using thoracoscopic techniques in 14 patients and open thoracotomy in two. No significant surgical or anesthetic complications were encountered. Surgical splanchnicectomy resulted in an overall significant reduction in preoperative VAS scores (8.25 to 4.18; P <0.05). Ten of 13 patients with DEA-predicted sympathetic pain experienced a greater than 50% decrease in VAS after surgical splanchnicectomy, but only two had complete relief. None of the three patients with DEA-predicted somatic pain were benefited by splanchnicectomy. During an average follow-up of 23.3 months, initial good results from surgical splanchnicectomy were maintained in 8 of 10 patients. The following conclusions were reached: (1) surgical splanchnicectomy is a safe, often effective technique for amelioration of intractable pain from “small duct” chronic pancreatitis and (2) DEA is a promising approach for identifying patients most likely to respond to surgical splanchnicectomy.
Sperm Wash in Three Culture Media: Maximization of Motile Sperm Recovery During Swim‐Up Incubation

Three different culture media commonly used during in vitro gamete manipulations were studied for their efficacy in sperm wash procedure. Highest numbers of motile sperm were recovered at 6 hours following incubation in WT-6 and Ham's F-10 media. However, WT-6 yielded higher motile sperm numbers than Ham's F-10. Swim-up sperm number reached a peak at 3 hours following incubation in BWW. A period of 2 to 6 hours of incubation of sperm pellets overlayed with sperm wash media resulted in highly enriched motile sperm fractions free of dead spermatozoa and seminal debri.
Usefulness of left ventricular size and function in predicting survival in chronic dialysis patients with diabetes mellitus

To identify patients at high risk for sudden death, a group of stable patients on maintenance dialysis with diabetes mellitus were studied for up to 135 months to determine if there were clinical, laboratory or echocardiographic predictors of high risk. Eighty-two patients on maintenance dialysis who underwent clinical, laboratory evaluation and echocardiography were enrolled and followed for a mean of 25 months for cardiac and noncardiac complications. Thirty-seven patients with normal wall motion and left ventricular (LV) internal diameter had a mean survival of 35.8 months; 28 patients survived greater than 12 months. Seven patients with normal LV wall motion and dilated LV cavities had a mean survival of 45.7 months; 7 patients survived greater than 12 months. Fifteen patients with abnormal LV wall motion and normal internal LV dimensions had a mean survival of 17 months; 7 patients survived greater than 12 months. Twenty-three patients with both abnormal LV wall motion and dilated LV cavities had a mean survival of 7.8 months; 5 patients survived greater than 12 months. Although echocardiographic abnormalities predicted cardiac mortality at 6 and 12 months, the combination of an abnormal standard electrocardiogram at baseline, clinical history of angina pectoris, and prior documented myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure did not. When the study group was divided by mode or duration of dialysis, presence or absence of diabetes, or use of cardioactive drugs, echocardiographic LV wall motion abnormalities remained the most important determinant of survival.
Wild bison as ecological indicators of the effectiveness of management practices to increase forage quality on open rangeland

a b s t r a c t Habitat manipulations through the use of fire or mechanical treatments are often used to combat woody plant encroachment and increase foraging opportunities for wildlife and livestock. This creates spa- tial heterogeneity in habitat quality that large herbivores should respond to in ways predicted by ideal free distribution theory. We monitored free-ranging bison to test whether, (1) manipulated habitats offer higher quality forage than habitats in undisturbed rangeland, (2) bison respond through changes in herd composition or activity to differences in habitat quality, and (3) burned and mechanically treated habitats offer similar forage qualities. We found that habitat types burned ∼10 years ago continue to produce higher quality forage as evidenced by bison fecal N concentration (14.4 g kg−1 dry mass) than open (10.5 g kg −1 ), closed (10.6 g kg −1 ), or mechanically manipulated habitats (11.7 g kg −1 ). Bison herd
Distribution of γ-carboxyglutamic acid in calcified tissues

Abstract γ-Carboxyglutamic acid, previously identified in the vertebrate mineralized tissues of bone and dentin, is not detectable in the calcified skeletons of six invertabrate species representing five phyla. Its absence in all analyzed invertebrate tissues (including calcitic, aragonitic, and apatitic mineral phases) indicates that matrix protein-bound γ-carboxyglutamic acid is not obligatory for the calcification process in the invertebrates. Further, these data raise the possibility that invertebrates as a group may lack the enzymatic capability for biosynthesizing γ-carboxyglutamic acid. In contrast, the distribution of γ-carboxyglutamic acid in the vertebrates has been further extended by this study to include an aptitic shark tooth and an aragonitic fish otolith. No γ-carnoxyglutamic acid was detected, however, in the organic matrix of the calcitic hen egg shell.
Lack of increase in 3',5'-cyclic AMP by estrogens in oviducts of Coturnix quail.

Different estrogen concentrations do not induce a change in oviductal 3′, 5′-cyclic AMP ofCoturnix coturnix japonica.
Oxidation kinetics of a Pb-64 at. % In single-phase alloy

The solid-state oxidation kinetics of a Pb-64 at. % In (50 wt. %) single-phase alloy were studied from room temperature to 150°C using an AES (Auger Electron Spectroscopy) depth profiling technique. The general oxidation behavior of this alloy is different from that of a Pb-3 at.% In alloy but similar to that of a Pb-30 at.% In alloy. The oxide formed on this alloy is almost pure In oxide (In2O3) with the possible existence of some In suboxide near the oxide/alloy interface. At room temperature, oxidation of the alloy follows a direct logarithmic law, and the results can be described by the model proposed previously by Zhang, Chang, and Marcotte. At temperatures higher than 75° C, rapid oxidation occurred initially followed by a slower parabolic oxidation at longer time. These data were described quantitatively by the model which assumes the existence of short-circuit diffusion in addition to lattice diffusion in the oxide as proposed by Smeltzer, Haering, and Kirkaldy. The effects of alloy composition on the oxidation kinetics of (Pb, In) alloy are also examined by comparing the data for Pb-3, 30, and 64 at. % In alloys.
The effect of long-term intraarterial norepinephrine infusion on transcapillary fluid and protein transport.

Abstract The effect of long-term (4 hr) intraarterial norepinephrine (NOR) infusion on vascular resistance (R), transcapillary fluid movement (Jv), and protein transport (Js) was determined in the isolated hindlimb of the dog. The limb was isolated by an occluding tourniquet and perfused at constant pressure with blood from the opposite femoral artery. Tissue volume changes were detected with a Whitney (1953) mercury-in-rubber strain gauge and protein transport assessed by direct monitoring of the rate of accumulation of 125 I-albumin in the tissue. Periodically venous pressure (Pv) was elevated 20 mm Hg in order to estimate the capillary filtration coefficient (Kf) and to determine whether or not prolonged NOR exposure modified the microcirculatory response to increased pressure. Infusing NOR at a delivered dose ranging from 0.026 to 0.13 μg/ml significantly elevated R for the entire infusion period. Tissue volume and radioactivity declined transiently and then returned to the control level within 15 min and remained at this level for the remainder of the infusion period. These changes were attributed to blood volume shifts. Elevating Pv during NOR infusion further increased R to an extent which exceeded that during control. Jv and Js were elevated to a greater extent than during control with the ΔJs exceeding ΔJv. The changes in Jv are probably due to an increase in microvascular surface area as reflected in an elevated Kf. The greater increase in Js is due in part to an increase in convective transport across a greater microvascular surface area. However, since the ratio of J s J v increased with Pv elevation following NOR, the increased Js may represent a change in microvascular permeability produced by the increased Pv. It is also possible that due to myogenic activity or a venous-arteriolar reflex, the microvascular pressure profile was shifted toward the venous side where the reflection coefficient is lower.
An economic analysis of spatial patterns of research and development in the pharmaceutical industry

Economic analysis of spatial patterns of research and development in pharmaceutical industry
Study of ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid of sea urchin

The structure of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) satellite of sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) sperm has been re-examined after purification by two widely used methods. Saturation hybridization experiments indicate that about 28–32% of the rDNA contain sequences complementary to rRNA. Results of hyperchromic spectral analysis reveal that the rDNA melts as two distinct but unequal components. The early transition presumably corresponds to the melting of most of the transcribed part and the late transition is suggestive of the melting of a G+C-rich segment of the rDNA, which may be a non-transcribed spacer.
The Two-Thumb Technique Using an Elevated Surface is Preferable for Teaching Infant Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Objectives To determine whether the two-thumb technique is superior to the two-finger technique for administering chest compressions using the floor surface and the preferred location for performing infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (ie, floor, table, or radiant warmer). Study design Twenty Neonatal Resuscitation Program trained medical personnel performed CPR on a neonatal manikin utilizing the two-thumb vs two-finger technique, a compression to ventilation ratio of 30:2 for 2 minutes in random order on the floor, table, and radiant warmer. Results Compression depth favored the two-thumb over two-finger technique on the floor (27 ± 8 mm vs 23 ± 7), table (26 ± 7 mm vs 22 ± 7), and radiant warmer (29 ± 4 mm vs 23 ± 4) (all P P P P Conclusions The two-thumb technique is superior to the two-finger technique, achieving greater depth, less variability, and less decay over time. The table was considered most comfortable and less tiring. The two-thumb technique should be the preferred method for teaching lay persons infant CPR preferably using an elevated firm surface.
Planetary and synoptic-scale interactions during the life cycle of a mid-latitude blocking anticyclone over the North Atlantic

The formation of a blocking anticyclone over the North Atlantic has been examined over its entire life-CyCle using the Zwack-Okossi (Z-O) equation as the diagnostic tool. This blocking anticyclone occurred in late October and early November of 1985. The data used were provided by the NASA Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres on a global 2.O degree latitude by 2.5 degree longitudinal grid. The horizontal distribution of the atmospheric forcing mechanisms that were important to 500 mb block formation, maintenance and decay were examined. A scale-partitioned form of the Z-O equation was then used to examine the relative importance of forcing on the planetary and synoptic scales, and their interactions. As seen in previous studies, the results presented here show that upper tropospheric anticyclonic vorticity advection was the most important contributor to block formation and maintenance. However, adiabatic warming, and vorticity tilting were also important at various times during the block lifetime. In association with precursor surface cyclogenesis, the 300 mb jet streak in the downstream (upstream) from a long-wave trough (ridge) amplified significantly. This strengthening of the jet streak enhanced the anti-cyclonic vorticity advection field that aided the amplification of a 500 mb short-wave ridge. Tile partitioned height tendency results demonstrate that the interactions between the planetary and sn,noptic-scale through vorticity advection was the most important contributor to block formation. Planetary-scale, synoptic-scale. and their interactions contributed weakly to the maintenance of the blocking anticyclone with the advection of synoptic-scale vorticity by the planetary-scale flow playing a more important role. Planetary-scale decay ofthe long-wave ridge contributed to the demise of this blocking event.
Statin therapy reduces serum levels of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D

Statin therapy is associated with changes in low-density, very low-density, and high- density lipoprotein metabolism. The effect of statin therapy on a minor high-density lipoprotein particle containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D has not been examined. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) has been implicated in triglyceride metabolism. A double-blind, crossover design comparing the effect of simvastatin (80 mg) and atorvastatin (80 mg) on serum lipid and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D levels was conducted in 13 patients with low high-density lipoproteins. Both statins reduced cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B and significantly lowered serum glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D levels (16%). This statin effect seems to occur in the plasma compartment as neither statin altered GPI-PLD mRNA levels in HepG2 cells. Serum glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D levels are regulated by statins and may represent an additional biochemical mechanism for affecting serum triglyceride levels.
Androgen deprivation for minimal metastatic disease : Threshold for achieving undetectable prostate-specific antigen

Abstract Objectives To develop objective measures to select systemic therapies for study in large-scale trials for patients with lesser tumor burdens, we explored prostate-specific antigen (PSA) changes after androgen ablation in patients with disease progression after treatment of localized disease. Long-term follow-up of trials incorporating androgen-deprivation with local therapy have shown improved survival relative to local therapy alone. This suggests that the benchmark for treatment of minimal metastatic disease can be cure. Methods Patients with a rising PSA level with or without clinical metastases after local therapy who received androgen deprivation at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer were identified from two institutional databases. The primary outcome was the proportion achieving an undetectable PSA level, and the pretreatment parameters associated with this endpoint were evaluated. Results A total of 130 patients who received androgen ablation and were followed up at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center were identified. Overall, 31 (57%) of 54 (95% confidence interval 44% to 71%) patients with a rising PSA level alone and 28 (37%) of 76 (95% confidence interval 26% to 47%) patients with a rising PSA level and clinical metastases achieved an undetectable PSA level after androgen ablation ( P = 0.02). The PSA level at the start of androgen ablation and the presence of metastases were the most significant predictive factors. Conclusions The probability of achieving an undetectable PSA level varied inversely with the disease extent. Although achieving an undetectable PSA level does not mean that a patient has been cured, it does establish an endpoint that can be used to identify approaches worthy of study in the Phase III setting.
Auditory and audiovisual reception of words in low-frequency noise by children with normal hearing and by children with impaired hearing.

Common words (monosyllables, trochees, spondees) were presented in low-frequency noise to children who attempted to detect their acoustic patterns or to recognize them under a range of acoustic spe...
Women in the Afterlife: The Islamic View as Seen from Qur'ān and Tradition

his statement, appearing recently in the travel section of The New York Times,' is remarkable primarily because it perpetuates a false understanding of Islam which, though evident in Western writing for several centuries, has been thoroughly refuted both by Muslim apologists and by responsible orientalists. The position that women in the Islamic conception do not have souls is specifically un-Qur'dnic and has never been an accepted part of Muslim dogma.2 In the rest of the description, however, one sees some very interesting suggestions of what seemingly has been the place of women, particularly as demonstrated by the traditions. There, as we shall see, the basic relationship does seem to be between man and God; but rather than denying souls to women, men have on occasion apparently used the assurance of their own place in eternity as a tool of control and of dominance. Despite Qur'anic assertions of equality, in the traditions the very consignment of women to a place in the Garden
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) Flowering and Fruiting Response to Time Since Fire

Abstract Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens [Bartr.] Small) is a shrubby palm common in southeastern US pine flatwoods ecosystems. Demand recently has increased for fruits for the herbal remedies market. Because only wild saw palmettos are harvested, management strategies are needed to promote flowering and fruiting. This study investigated effects of time since growing season (April–July) fires on flowering and fruiting of saw palmetto ramets ≥ 54 cm in height, in 18 pine flatwoods or dry prairie sites (six sites in three locations, burned in 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, or before 1991) in central and southwest Florida from 1996 to 1999. We used repeated measures, linear mixed models to test for time since fire effects on proportion of ramets flowering, proportion of ramets fruiting, and fruit yield. Ranges of means among sites over all years of the study for proportion of ramets flowering, proportion of ramets fruiting, and fruit yield were 0 to 0.78, 0 to 0.72, and 0 kg · ha−1 to 2 869 kg · ha−1, respective...
A review of the physical oceanography of the Mediterranean outflow

Abstract The physical oceanography of the Mediterranean Sea is reviewed with particular emphasis on the Mediterranean outflow in the Gulf of Cadiz. In this region the dense Mediterranean water forms a high velocity bottom current that interacts strongly with the sea floor. The major energy source for the plume comes from the release of potential energy as the plume descends the continental slope, and the major energy sink is work against bottom stress, which is as large as 4 Pa where the plume begins to descend the continental slope. In this region the current makes a nearly inertial turn that would otherwise appear to be steered by the underlying topography. The Mediterranean plume entrains the overlying North Atlantic Central Water and thereby loses much of its density anomaly. The mixed Mediterranean water becomes neutrally buoyant in the lower portion of the North Atlantic thermocline near Cape St. Vincent. There are then two preferred transport modes having somewhat different temperature and salinity whose distinct characteristics can be found far into the open North Atlantic. The temperature, salinity and volume of the Mediterranean water in the Strait of Gibraltar and in the Gulf of Cadiz appear to be roughly constant since modern measurements have been made. The estimated westward transport of Mediterranean water has gone down considerably as direct measurement techniques have been applied. A recent estimate is that the westward transport of pure Mediterranean water is only about a half a Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s−1); the transport of mixed Mediterranean water in the western Gulf of Cadiz is larger by about a factor of three or four because of the entrainment of North Atlantic water.
Positive psychology and externalizing students in a sea of negativity

Students with externalizing disorders make up from three to five percent of the population in public school classrooms and are some of the most difficult students to manage in an educational setting. Behavioral excesses and deficits exhibited by these students are a major factor in poor retention rates for new teachers while the students themselves have the highest school drop out rates and experience some of the most restrictive educational settings of any disability. The authors of this article draw upon recent theoretical and applied work in the study of optimism to describe several essential elements of positive psychology and optimal functioning that may be unavailable or lacking in the lives of these students. A variety of factors intrinsic to the nature of these students, as well as environmental and interpersonal factors, are described. These factors often place these students in a “sea of negativity” with minimal opportunities for positive educational experiences or personal relationships. Vigorous debate concerning the effects of positive reinforcement on motivation, academic functioning, and other variables also continues. However, recent advances in proactive behavior management strategies (i.e., positive behavioral support, whole school management/discipline, etc.) are promising, despite a lack of sufficient data to draw firm conclusions. The authors describe several student, teacher, and classroom programs that provide empirically based strategies to promote positive successful experiences and high rates of praise for students with externalizing behavior disorders. Without components of positive psychology it is very likely that schools will continue to lose these students, and at a significant cost to society down the road. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 67–79, 2004.
Contribution of the ionic bonding to the thermal stability of SiC polytypes

Abstract A model is proposed to explain the temperature stability of simple SiC polytypes by taking into consideration the effect of weak interatomic Coulomb forces. It can be shown that at room temperature 6H is the most stable structure, followed by 3C, 4H, and 2H, and that 3C becomes the most stable form between 456°C and 2287°C.
An Improved Preparation of 3‐Bromo‐2H‐Pyran‐2‐one: An Ambiphilic Diene for Diels‐Alder Cycloadditions

An Improved preparation of 3-bromo-2H-pyran-2-one: An Ambiphilic diene for Diels-Alder cycloadditions intermediate: 3-bromo-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one intermediate: 3,5-dibromo-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one byproduct: 5-bromo-2-pyrone product: 3-bromo-2-pyrone byproduct: 3,5-dibromo-2-pyrone Keywords: elimination, dehydrohalogenation; halogenation, bromination; halogenation, bromination; benzoyl peroxide, shock-sensitive; carbon tetrachloride, cancer suspect agent
The Impact of Mental Illness Stigma on Seeking and Participating in Mental Health Care

Treatments have been developed and tested to successfully reduce the symptoms and disabilities of many mental illnesses. Unfortunately, people distressed by these illnesses often do not seek out services or choose to fully engage in them. One factor that impedes care seeking and undermines the service system is mental illness stigma. In this article, we review the complex elements of stigma in order to understand its impact on participating in care. We then summarize public policy considerations in seeking to tackle stigma in order to improve treatment engagement. Stigma is a complex construct that includes public, self, and structural components. It directly affects people with mental illness, as well as their support system, provider network, and community resources. The effects of stigma are moderated by knowledge of mental illness and cultural relevance. Understanding stigma is central to reducing its negative impact on care seeking and treatment engagement. Separate strategies have evolved for counteracting the effects of public, self, and structural stigma. Programs for mental health providers may be especially fruitful for promoting care engagement. Mental health literacy, cultural competence, and family engagement campaigns also mitigate stigma's adverse impact on care seeking. Policy change is essential to overcome the structural stigma that undermines government agendas meant to promote mental health care. Implications for expanding the research program on the connection between stigma and care seeking are discussed.
IMPROVING TRANSIT SERVICE QUALITY AND HEADWAY REGULARITY WITH REAL-TIME CONTROL

Disrupted transit operations are often caused by stochastic variations of passenger demand at stations and traffic conditions on service routes, which increase passenger wait times and thus discourage passengers from using the transit system. Efficient, real-time operational control is desirable to maintain headway regularity and reduce the negative effects of service disturbance. A real-time headway control model is proposed to maintain desired headways for pairs of successive vehicles by minimizing total headway variance for all stations in an advanced public transportation system environment, such as an automatic train control system and an automatic vehicle location system. A vehicle's departure time can be adjusted on the basis of its optimal arrival time at the next station, while considering the maximum attainable operating speeds and the headways to its leading and following vehicles. The proposed real-time control model is tested by simulating a high-frequency light rail transit route in Newark, New Jersey. The simulation results demonstrate that the average passenger wait time is significantly reduced after applying the control model.
Asymmetric Distribution of Guanine Plus Thymine Between Complementary Strands of Deoxyribonucleic Acid of Members of the Enterobacteriaceae

Analysis of the deoxyribonucleic acid prepared from Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens in an alkaline CsCl gradient has shown that there is an asymmetric distribution of guanine plus thymine residues between the complementary strands of the deoxyribonucleic acid.