cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adenotonsillectomy as a treatment option for poststreptococcal uveitis.

Objectives To report recurrent uveitis as a manifestation of poststreptococcal syndrome and discuss a role of adenotonsillectomy as a treatment option. Study Design Case study. Methods A case report of a 6-year-old, otherwise healthy girl with group A streptococcal uveitis managed successfully with adenotonsillectomy. Results In the year after surgery there were only two episodes of uveitis, contrasted with a preoperative 3-year history of 8 to 10 annual episodes despite corticosteroid therapy. Moreover, as a result of the postoperative improvement the child was able to avoid impending methotrexate therapy. Conclusions Although the role of tonsillectomy in managing poststreptococcal uveitis is unknown, our results suggest a positive impact independent of the baseline tonsillitis frequency. Otolaryngologists should be aware of these uncommon sequelae of streptococcal infection and the potential role of tonsillectomy in treatment.
The Axial Ligand and Extent of Protein Folding Determine Whether Zn or Cu Binds to Amicyanin

M98Q amicyanin is isolated with zinc bound to its type 1 copper-binding site. The influence of the axial ligand of the type 1 copper site on metal specificity is strongest prior to the completion of protein folding and adoption of the final type 1 site geometry. The preference for zinc over copper correlated with the selectivity of apoamicyanin in vitro in the partially folded, rather than the completely folded state. These results suggest that metal incorporation in vivo occurs during protein folding in the periplasm and not to a preformed type 1 site.
8.1.2 A Study of Applying Game Theoretic Concepts on Distributed Engineering System Design

This paper considers the application of game theoretic concepts to the dynamics of interactions among the designers in an engineering systems design problem under a distributed decision making environment. Among all the possible distributed frameworks, we focus on two types of frameworks in the system design field, the simultaneous and the sequential response frameworks. In the investigation of the simultaneous response framework, we apply the concepts of learning theory to construct insights into the dynamics among the designers and to address convergence and other challenges of the decentralized design problems. We use a special class of games, the potential game, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the sequential response framework which points out a prospective application of game theoretic concepts to future distributed engineering systems problems.
A soluble alkaline phosphatase from Bacillus licheniformis MC14. Histochemical localization, purification, characterization and comparison with the membrane-associated alkaline phosphatase

Growth conditions affect the quantity and distribution of alkaline phosphatase (orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (alkaline optimum), EC 3.1.3.1) in Bacillus licheniformis MC14. The soluble alkaline phosphatase, which has been found in biochemical localization studies between the cell wall and cell membrane (Glynn, J.A., Schaffel, S.D., McNicholas, J.M. and Hulett, F.M. (1977) J. Bacteriol. 129, 1010-1019), was localized via electron microscope histochemistry in cells cultured under conditions which result in increased quantities of this activity. This soluble alkaline phosphatase was stabilized with 20% glycerol and purified to homogeneity as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme is soluble in dilute buffer. This soluble alkaline phosphatase has been characterized and compared to the membrane-associated alkaline phosphatase from this organism.
Predicting and Maintaining the Challenge Point through the Study of Individual Differences

Predicting a challenge point in performance requires an examination of individual differences in cognitive, perceptual and motor abilities. The following paper poses an approach to the previously e...
The Effect of Pulsatile Administration, Continuous Infusion, and Diurnal Variation on the Growth Hormone (GH) Response to GH-Releasing Hormone in Normal Men*

To examine the relative effectiveness of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) given either as multiple iv pulses or as a continuous iv infusion, we studied the GH response to a nearly equivalent total dose of GHRH-44 administered by both routes in a group of normal men. Further, in view of the pulsatile nature of GH secretion and its augmentation with sleep, we investigated whether a diurnal difference in GH release was present during chronic pulsatile administration of GHRH during day and night. Seven men received six GHRH pulses (1 µg/kg,iv) at 2-h intervals during both day (0900–2100 h) and night (2100–0900 h), and four underwent nighttime placebo pulsing. Eight men received a daytime continuous GHRH infusion (0.15 µg/kg.h for 5 h, followed by 0.75 µg/kg.h for 5 h) and a separate 10-h placebo infusion. The GH response to a bolus dose of GHRH (1 µg/kg, iv) was determined after both continuous GHRH and placebo infusions. No significant difference was found in the GH area response (mean ± SEM) during total day and...
Effect of resin crosslink density on the impact damage resistance of laminated composites

It is generally recognized that fiber-reinforced laminated composites are susceptible to damage resulting from low-velocity impacts. Over recent years, many strategies have been devised to increase the fracture toughness of resin matrix materials with the aim of improving the composite's overall resistance to impact damage. One popular strategy for enhancing the fracture toughness of thermosets involves increasing the molecular weight between crosslinks, which, in turn, enhances the resins ductility. In this paper, we investigate the efficiency of this toughening approach with regard to resisting damage in composite laminates subjected to low-velocity impacts. A mechanistic study shows that at least two distinct processes occur during an impact event. First, the laminate experiences a local failure, which resembles a Hertzian fracture process followed by subsequent delamination between the plies. Hertzian fracture occurs once at a critical threshold level initiates laminate damage through the development of a spatially configured array of matrix microcracks, which resemble that of a Hertzian cone together with radial cracks. Further damage accumulates in the laminate by inter-ply delamination with the size of delaminated area increasing coincident with the impact load. Systematic changes in resin crosslink density show that both damage initiation and accumulation are affected. However, the maximum resistance for damage initiation occurs at a much higher crosslink density than that measured for damage accumulation.
Phased-array antenna pattern synthesis by simulated annealing

A new procedure is described for optimum phased-array synthesis. The synthesis is optimized by a simulated annealing process in which the energy function is directly related to the far-field intensity of a phased array. Numerical simulation results are presented. A possible optical-digital hybrid implementation that can perform the required computation at higher speed than a pure digital implementation is discussed.
Interactions between GA, auxin, and UNI expression controlling shoot ontogeny, leaf morphogenesis, and auxin response in Pisum sativum (Fabaceae): Or how the uni-tac mutant is rescued

 Premise of the study : Leaf morphogenesis, including that of compound leaves, provides the basis for the great diversity of leaf form among higher plants. Leaf form is an important character by which plants adapt to their environment. The common garden pea provides a developmental model system for understanding leaf development in the legumes and a contrasting one for other groups of plants.  Methods : We used genetic, tissue culture, and physiological methods, as well as DR5::GUS expression and qRT-PCR, to explore the interactions between the hormones gibberellic acid (GA) and auxin and Unifoliata ( UNI ) gene expression that control leaf morphogenesis in pea.  Key results : Rate of increase in leaf complexity during shoot ontogeny (i.e., heteroblasty) and adult leaf complexity are controlled by GA through UNI . Leaves on greenhouse-grown uni-tac mutants are rescued by weekly GA or auxin applications. Auxin responsiveness is reduced in uni-tac shoot and root tips and in wild-type shoot tips treated with auxin transport inhibitors. GA and auxin increase UNI mRNA levels in uni-tac as well as that of other transcription factors.  Conclusions : GA and auxin positively promote leaf dissection during leaf morphogenesis in pea by prolonging the time during which acropetally initiated pinna pairs are produced. GA-generated elaboration of leaf morphogenesis is in distinct contrast to that in other species, such as tomato and Cardamine . Instead, GA and auxin play common and supportive roles in pea leaf morphogenesis as they do in many other aspects of plant development.
Proximal fluid proteomics for the discovery of digestive cancer biomarkers

Most digestive malignancies have asymptomatic course, often progressing to poor outcome stages. Surgical resection usually represents the only potentially curative option but a prior assumption of the malignant nature of the lesion is mandatory to avoid exposing patients to unnecessary risks. Unfortunately, currently available diagnostic tools lack accuracy in many cases, consequently more reliable markers are needed to improve detection of malignant lesions. In this challenging context, fluids surrounding digestive malignancies represent a valuable source for the search of new potential biomarkers and proteomic tools offer the opportunity to achieve this goal. The new field of proximal fluid proteomics is thus emerging in the arena of digestive cancer biomarker discovery. In the present review, the state-of-the-art of proteomic investigations aimed at identifying new cancer biomarkers in fluids surrounding gastrointestinal malignancies is summarized. A comprehensive catalog of proteomic studies in which potential cancer biomarkers from gastrointestinal fluids have been identified and assessed for their diagnostic performances is also provided. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biomarkers: A Proteomic Challenge.
Cell cycle-specific changes in the ultrastructural organization of prematurely condensed chromosomes.

Prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCC) of HeLa cells synchronized in different phases of the cell cycle were analyzed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the arrangement of the basic 30-nm chromatin fiber within interphase chromosomes associated with progression through the cell cycle. These studies revealed that highly condensed metaphase chromosomes and early G1-PCC consisted of tightly packed looping fibers. Early to mid G1-PCC were more extended and exhibited gyres suggestive of a despiralized chromonema. Further attenuation of PCC during progression through G1 was associated with a gradual transition from packed looping fibers to single extended longitudinal fibers. This process occurs prior to the initiation of DNA synthesis which appears to be localized within single longitudinal fibers. Following replication of a chromosome segment, extended longitudinal fibers were rapidly reorganized into packed looping fiber clusters concomitant with the formation of a multifibered chromosome axis. This results in the characteristic “pulverized” appearance of S-PCC when viewed by light microscopy. Subsequently, adjacent looping fiber domains coalesce, resulting in the uniformly packed, looping fiber arrangement observed in G2-PCC. Spiralization of the chromonema during the G2-mitotic transition results in the formation of highly compact metaphase chromosomes.
Comparative studies on Pseudomonas aeruginosa endotoxin

Attempts to obtain toxic preparations of endotoxin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (C2) were initiated by employing five different extraction procedures which were subsequently assayed for mouse lethality using a variety of routes. The standard methods of extraction were the aqueous phenol, trichloracetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetate-lysozyme, ethyl ether, and hot water procedures. The aqueous phenol preparation was found to be the most toxic and exhibited an LD50 value of 450 μg dry weight when administered intravenously and 840 μg intraperitoneally. No lethality was observed when endotoxin was administered intranasally. The second most lethal preparation was obtained by the trichloroacetic acid extraction and yielded LD50 values of 589 μg intravenously and 947 μg intraperitoneally. The other three preparations were considerably less lethal. The aqueous phenol and trichloroacetic acid preparation tended to have a higher content of those carbohydrates associated with the core region of the lipopolyssacharide molecule than did the lesser toxic preparations. Some correlation between lethality and lipid content as determined by the alkaline hydroxylamine procedure was also observed.
Synthesis, pH-dependent, and plasma stability of meropenem prodrugs for potential use against drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Meropenem, a broad-spectrum parenteral β-lactam antibiotic, in combination with clavulanate has recently shown efficacy in patients with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. As a result of meropenem’s short half-life and lack of oral bioavailability, the development of an oral therapy is warranted for TB treatment in underserved countries where chronic parenteral therapy is impractical. To improve the oral absorption of meropenem, several alkyloxycarbonyloxyalkyl ester prodrugs with increased lipophilicity were synthesized and their stability in physiological aqueous solutions and guinea pig as well as human plasma was evaluated. The stability of prodrugs in aqueous solution at pH 6.0 and 7.4 was significantly dependent on the ester promoiety with the major degradation product identified as the parent compound meropenem. However, in simulated gastrointestinal fluid (pH 1.2) the major degradation product identified was ring-opened meropenem with the promoiety still intact, suggesting the gastrointestinal environment may reduce the absorption of meropenem prodrugs in vivo unless administered as an enteric-coated formulation. Additionally, the stability of the most aqueous stable prodrugs in guinea pig or human plasma was short, implying a rapid release of parent meropenem.
Acceptability of using standing orders to deliver human papillomavirus vaccines in the outpatient obstetrician/gynecologist setting.

Objective Standing orders, an effective method for increasing vaccination, are not widely used for HPV vaccine. This is especially so among obstetrician/gynecologists (Ob/Gyns) – the specialty many women use as their primary care provider. We sought to understand the acceptability of using standing orders for HPV vaccination among a sample of women attending outpatient Ob/Gyn clinics. Study design From February to April 2014, an on-line survey was administered to a convenience sample of 400 women aged 15–26 recruited from 9 Ob/Gyn practices in Colorado. The survey identified attitudes about standing orders for HPV vaccination, demographics and prior experience with HPV vaccines. Results The response rate was 44%. Receipt of prior HPV vaccine doses was reported by 67% of respondents. Approximately half (53%) were comfortable with the idea of standing orders for HPV vaccination at Ob/Gyn clinics among women generally, but only 40% of the 154 women not initially opposed to HPV vaccination indicated they would personally feel comfortable receiving HPV vaccines offered under a standing order policy. General and personal acceptance of standing orders for HPV vaccination was significantly higher among women who reported receiving HPV vaccine doses previously, but not by any demographic or experiential variables. Acceptability of standing orders for HPV vaccines was higher for series completion than initiation (88% vs. 70%, p < 0.001) and was more commonly supported for adult patients (79%) than for adolescents (43%). Acceptability of standing orders increased if the patient was first told that the provider ‘strongly recommended the vaccine’, even for a majority (52%) of those who generally were not comfortable receiving the vaccine using standing orders. Conclusions Because standing orders for HPV vaccine are generally acceptable to women attending Ob/Gyn clinics, to increase vaccination uptake among adults Ob/Gyn providers may want to consider adoption of standing orders for HPV vaccine, at least for series completion.
A novel approach for estimating location and scale specific fishing exploitation rates of eastern Bering Sea walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)

Abstract Acoustic data collected opportunistically from eastern Bering Sea (EBS) walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) fishing vessels were used within spatially explicit Leslie depletion models to estimate local exploitation rates. Although stock-wide EBS pollock fishery exploitation rates are generally at or below management objectives (∼6% for the winter fishery), there has been a concern that local fishing may impact forage opportunities needed for the recovery of the endangered Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). This study used high-resolution fishery information which suggests that on scales from 100 km2 to 2500 km2 exploitation rates often exceed the area-wide rates. In 2002 through 2005, higher exploitation rates occurred within the area defined as Steller sea lion critical habitat. This study provides a highly resolved quantitative assessment of location-specific fishing impacts, and is an important step in determining a rational approach to monitoring and managing fishing activities while taking into account ecosystem concerns.
Unsteady heat transfer in baffled channels

In this paper, the enhancement of heat transfer due to unsteady flow in channels with in-line and staggered baffles is investigated through the numerical solution of the governing unsteady fluid flow and energy equations with periodicity in the stream wise direction. For the inline configuration, the flow becomes naturally unsteady at a critical Reynolds number (Q/v ) around 110. For the staggered case, this value is around 200. Significant increases in heat transfer rate are observed once the flow becomes unsteady. Results for several Reynolds numbers up to 500 are presented. The present results can be valuable to the design and operation of compact heat exchangers used in process industry.
Combination of alpha-stat strategy and hemodilution exacerbates neurologic injury in a survival piglet model with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

Abstract Background . The optimal pH strategy and hematocrit during cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) remain controversial. We studied the interaction of pH strategy and hematocrit and their combined impact on cerebral oxygenation and neurological outcome in a survival piglet model including monitoring by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Methods . Thirty-six piglets (9.2 ± 1.1 kg) underwent DHCA under varying conditions with continuous monitoring by NIRS (pH-stat or alpha-stat strategy, hematocrit 20% or 30%, DHCA time 60, 80, or 100 minutes). Neurological recovery was evaluated daily. The brain was fixed in situ on postoperative day 4 and a histological score (HS) for neurological injury was assessed. Results . Oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO 2 ) and total hemoglobin signals detected by NIRS were significantly lower with alpha-stat strategy during cooling ( p 2 declined to a plateau (nadir) during DHCA. Time to nadir was significantly shorter in lower hematocrit groups ( p p p Conclusions . Combination of alpha-stat strategy and lower hematocrit exacerbates neurological injury after DHCA. The mechanism of injury is inadequate cerebral oxygenation during cooling and a longer plateau period of minimal O 2 extraction during DHCA.
Blocking the Greater Occipital Nerve: Utility in Headache Management

Occipital nerve block has been part of headache medicine for more than half a century, with injection techniques and solutions varying greatly. Most studies have been case series and many show benefit for patients with migraine, cluster headache, and postconcussive headache. A double-blind, controlled trial of cluster headache has demonstrated that injectable steroids with local anesthetics benefit cluster headache patients. A double-blind, controlled trial of nerve blocks in occipital neuralgia, which may have actually been chronic migraine, was positive.
Theoretical study of the CC stretching vibrations in linked polyene chains: Nystatin☆

Abstract It is shown from a simple model and by quantum-chemical calculations that the observed Raman fundamentals of nystatin in the range of 1550–1650 cm −1 belong to four CC stretching vibrations of mixed a g and b u symmetry of the octatetraene fragment of the molecule. A simple explanation of the variation of the relative intensities of these fundamentals in different environments is presented which does not require the assumption of an unusually strong participation of the CO stretching vibration in the Raman spectrum.
Role of estrogen and androgen in maintaining the preovulatory follicle

The effects of Nitromifene citrate (CI 628), an antiestrogen, and Flutamide, an antiandrogen, on the ultrastructure and viability of the preovulatory follicle and granulosa cells were examined both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo administration of either antihormone induced degeneration within the granulosa cells. In some of the affected granulosa cells, the nuclear material was condensed while the cytoplasm and associated organelles were unaltered. In others, the density of the cytoplasm was reduced, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum was dilated but the nucleus remained unaltered. In vitro, either antihormone reduced granulosa-cell viability but the granulosa cells were twenty times more sensitive to CI 628 than to Flutamide. In addition, exposure to CI 628 induced nuclear condensation without affecting the cytoplasm, while Flutamide induced the deterioration of the cytoplasm without altering the nucleus. These observations suggest that: (1) both estrogen and androgens control the viability of the granulosa cells and thereby the follicle, (2) the action of estrogen and androgen is mediated through receptors within the granulosa cells since these antihormones prevent the nuclear uptake of their respective hormone, (3) the granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles appear to be more dependent on estrogen than on androgen, and (4) each steroid appears to have a specific role in maintaining the granulosa cell; estrogens control the integrity of the nucleus while androgens preserve the cytoplasmic organization of the granulosa cell.
Provisioning Policies for Elastic Computing Environments

Resources experience dynamic load as demand fluctuates. Therefore, resource providers must estimate the appropriate amount of resources to purchase in order to meet variable user demand. With the relatively recent introduction of infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) clouds (e.g. Amazon EC2) resource providers may choose to outsource demand as needed. As a result, a resource provider may decide to decrease his initial capital outlay and purchase a smaller resource that meets the needs of his users the majority of the time while budgeting for future outsourcing costs. When bursts in demand exceed the capacity of the resource, a resource provider can use elastic computing to outsource excess demand to IaaS clouds based on a defined budget. To create efficient elastic environments, existing services must be extended with elastic computing functionality and resource provisioning policies that match resource deployments with demand must be developed. In this paper we consider an elastic environment that extends a local cluster resource with IaaS resources. We present resource provisioning policies to dynamically match resource supply with demand. Our policies balance the requirements of users and administrators, such as minimizing the monetary cost of the IaaS deployment and reducing job queued time. We develop a discrete event simulator, the elastic cloud simulator (ECS), to evaluate our policies using scientific workloads. Our results demonstrate that by outsourcing on a flexible basis instead of simply provisioning the maximum number of instances preemptively, we reduce the average queued time by up to 58% and cost by 38%. Our results also demonstrate that our multi-variable policies provide more flexibility in balancing budget and time requirements than typical single-variable reference policies, giving resource providers controls to manage their elastic environments.
PPARγ antagonists exacerbate neural antigen-specific Th1 response and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma is a nuclear receptor transcription factor that regulates cell growth, differentiation and homeostasis. PPARgamma agonists have been used in the treatment of obesity, diabetes, cancer and inflammation. We and others have shown recently that PPARgamma agonists ameliorate experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a Th1 cell-mediated autoimmune disease model of multiple sclerosis (MS). We have further shown that PPARgamma agonists inhibit EAE through blocking IL-12 signaling leading to Th1 differentiation and the PPARgamma-deficient heterozygous mice (PPARgamma(+/-)) develop an exacerbated EAE. In this study, we show that in vivo treatment (i.p.) with 100 mug PPARgamma antagonists, Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) or 2-Chloro-5-nitro-N-(4-pyridyl)benzamide (T0070907), on every other day from day 0 to 30, increased the severity and duration of EAE in C57BL/6 wild-type and PPARgamma(+/-) mice. The exacerbation of EAE by PPARgamma antagonists associates with an augmented neural antigen-induced T cell proliferation, IFNgamma production or Th1 differentiation. These results further suggest that PPARgamma is a critical physiological regulator of CNS inflammation and demyelination in EAE.
Proton decay modes in SU(15) grand unification

In the SU(15) grand unification model, proton decay is mediated by Higgs bosons only. They can be {ital B}+{ital L} or {ital B}{minus}{ital L} conserving, depending on the choice of the Higgs sector. The dominant decay modes involve different generations of fermions. Thus, kaonic final states are preferred over pionic ones. If some discrete symmetry is imposed on the model, the proton can even be absolutely stable, unlike the situation in any other grand unified model.
Use of the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model in QTL mapping for adaptation in barley

The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model has emerged as a powerful analytical tool for genotype x environment studies. The objective of the present study was to assess its value in quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. This was done through the analysis of a large two-way table of genotype-by-environment data of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grain yields, where the genotypes constituted a genetic population suitable for mapping studies. Grain yield data of 150 doubled haploid lines derived from the 'Steptoe' x 'Morex' cross, and the two parental lines, were taken by the North American Barley Genome Mapping Project (NABGMP) at 16 environments throughout the barley production areas of the USA and Canada. Four regions of the genome were responsible for most of the differential genotypic expression across environments. They accounted for approximately 50% of the genotypic main effect and 30% of the genotype x environment interaction (GE) sums of squares. The magnitude and sign of AMMI scores for genotypes and sites facilitate inferences about specific interactions. The parallel use of classification (cluster analysis of environments) and ordination (principal component analysis of GE matrix) techniques allowed most of the variation present in the genotype x environment matrix to be summarized in just a few dimensions, specifically four QTLs showing differential adaptation to four clusters of environments. Thus, AMMI genotypic scores, when the genotypes constituted a population suitable for QTL mapping, could provide an adequate way of resolving the magnitude and nature of QTL x environment interactions.
Reperfused Gut Elaborates PAF That Chemoattracts and Primes Neutrophils

Our in vivo model of mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) has shown that the gut serves as a priming bed for neutrophils (PMN). Activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) during ischemia temporally precedes PMN sequestration in the gut and the appearance of primed PMN in the portal circulation. Therefore, we hypothesized that reperfused gut secretes platelet activating factor (PAF) via PLA2 activation that is responsible for increased PMN chemotaxis and priming for superoxide (O-2) generation. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent gut ischemia/reperfusion (45 min SMA occlusion/2 hr reperfusion) or sham laparotomy. Distal ileum was harvested, rinsed with bacteriostatic saline/neomycin, and incubated for 1 hr at 37°C in RPMI 1640 and the cellfree supernatant was collected. Normal human PMNs, isolated by plasma-Percoll gradients, were pretreated with or without a PAF receptor antagonist (WEB 2170). Chemotaxis toward gut supernatant was then measured by the agarose method. Additionally, PMNs were preincubated with or without WEB 2170 and their O-2 release in response to 1 μM FMLP was measured by the Vmax of SOD-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction. Reperfused gut produced a chemotactic index of 2.1 ± 0.1 compared to 0.2 ± 0.9 following sham laparotomy (P < 0.05); this was reduced to 0.4 ± 0.9 with PAF receptor blockade. Similarly, gut I/R supernatant primed PMNs for O-2 (P < 0.05) compared to laparotomy, and this effect was abrogated by a PAF antagonist. These data suggest that reperfused gut can elaborate PAF which chemoattracts and primes PMNs for O-2 generation.
Structure analysis of the noncrystalline material in poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers

The structures of the noncrystalline material of four poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber samples have been studied by analyzing the X-ray scattering patterns. The noncrystalline scattering patterns of the three semicrystalline fibers are revealed by removal of the crystalline contribution from the diffraction patterns. The crystalline phase diffraction is calculated from a structure model determined by a full-pattern X-ray fiber diffraction analysis. The noncrystalline materials is further divided into an amorphous and an oriented, intermediate phase. The azimuthal scattering pattern of the former is isotropic, the latter anisotropic. The intermediate phase does not only show parallel chains along the fiber direction, but a crystal-like correlation is also possible, primarily in the materials between the oriented, fibrillar crystallites. The growth of the crystalline phase in fibers is intimately coupled to this intermediate phase. Both amount and detailed structure of the intermediate phase depend on the thermal and mechanical history of the fiber. A first discussion is given of the correlation between the three phases derived by X-ray diffraction and three phases identified earlier by thermal analysis (crystalline, mobile amorphous and rigid amorphous). The mechanical properties of the fibers are seemingly more dependent on the intermediate phase than on the crystalline or amorphous phases.
Dynamic response of an isothermal three-phase slurry reactor—I. The PM-PM-HS/ID model: analytical solutions for continuous and semi-batch operations

Abstract Based on the PM-PM-HS/ID model, the dynamic response of an isothermal three-phase catalytic reactor with a first order reaction in uniform spherical catalyst particles was presented analytically. The solution is valid for any mode of input perturbation with non-negative and constant initial conditions, and for continuous and semi-batch operations. Two critical Thiele moduli divide the solution into five cases and the dynamic response depends on the magnitude of the Thiele modulus. For the semi-batch operation with a sudden introduction of catalyst into the reactor, there exists two types of response for the effluent reactants in both gas and liquid phases, and the responses are distinguished by the first critical Thiele modulus. Based on the difference of the responses, a method which is able to determine the rate constant directly from the experiments was also proposed. For the continuous operation, two types of response always exist if the inlet liquid stream is pre-equilibrated with a gas which has the same composition as the inlet gas stream. The criterion to distinguish these two responses was also given. However, if there is no gas reactant dissolved in the inlet liquid stream, it is possible to have only the decay type response as the liquid flow rate is larger than some critical value.
Peptide Mapping Using EOF-Driven Capillary Isoelectric Focusing

Capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) in uncoated and commercially available coated capillaries was applied to the separation of tryptic peptides from bovine and chicken cytochrome c. This is the first report of peptide mapping by CIEF. Before separation, the pIs of individual peptides expected to be formed during the digest were calculated, and then the separation pattern obtained was correlated with the calculated pIs. This correlation was reasonably good for some peptides, but not as good for others. However, differentiation of the two species digests was easily achieved based on the CIEF map. The major limitation of the method is the fact that uv detection at 280 nm must be employed, meaning that only tryptophan and tyrosine containing peptides will be detected, since the ampholytes used to generate the pH gradient absorb below 280 nm. Post-column derivatization of the peptides is one solution to this problem. Migration time reproducibility was on the order of 2%, and run times were less than 20 min for the entire pH gradient range in the uncoated capillary. In the coated capillary, superior resolution was obtained at the expense of longer run times.
Are Interventions for Informed, Efficacious Precontemplators Unethical?

Abstract Examined in this article is wheter it is ethical for health educators to try to change the health behaviors of people who are informed about the risks of engaging in an unhealthy behavior, have the skills and confidence to change the behavior, but nevertheless choose not to change. Questions are raised about whether interventions for such precontemplators are manipulative and incompatible with the ethical principle of individual autonomy and whether health educators who attempt to change the behaviors of these precontemplators violate the Code of Ethics for the Health Education Profession. The article concludes with the argument that health educators violate the Code of Ethics if they knowingly subject informed, efficacious people who have decided not to change to interventions designed to promote change.
Survey of accidents in a university day-care center

Accident reporting provides useful data for the analysis of injuries in day-care centers. This article reports the results of a survey study conducted to analyze accidental injuries in a large university day-care center in Southern California. Data were collected from individual student accident report forms filed by the teachers for the 1987 calendar year. A total of 103 accident reports were analyzed. Fifty-seven children ranging in age from 6 months to 6 years were involved in 103 accidents. The results of the study revealed that the highest number of accidents occurred among children 3 and 4 years of age. The majority of the accidents occurred during horseplay or while the children were running or fighting. Although no deaths or permanent disability occurred, this number of accidents do warrant the need for safety education.
Protease footprinting reveals a surface on transcription factor TFIIB that serves as an interface for activators and coactivators.

Abstract Transcriptional stimulation by the model activator GAL4-VP16 (a chimeric protein consisting of the DNA-binding domain of the yeast activator GAL4 and the acidic activation domain of the herpes simplex virus protein VP16) involves a series of poorly understood protein-protein interactions between the VP16 activation domain and components of the RNA polymerase II general transcription machinery. One of these interactions is the VP16-mediated binding and recruitment of transcription factor TFIIB. However, TATA box-binding protein (TBP)-associated factors (TAFs), or coactivators, are required for this interaction to culminate in productive transcription complex assembly, and one such TAF, Drosophila TAF40, reportedly forms a ternary complex with VP16 and TFIIB. Due to TFIIB's central role in gene activation, we sought to directly visualize the surfaces of this protein that mediate formation of the ternary complex. We developed an approach called protease footprinting in which the broad-specificity proteases chymotrypsin and alkaline protease were used to probe binding of 32P-end-labeled TFIIB to GAL4-VP16 or TAF40. Analysis of the cleavage products revealed two regions of TFIIB protected by VP16 from protease attack, one of which overlapped with a region protected by TAF40. The close proximity of the VP16 and TAF40 binding sites on the surface of TFIIB suggests that this region could act as a regulatory interface mediating the effects of activators and coactivators on transcription complex assembly.
A model for transhydrogenase.

Abstract A model for the mechanism of action of bacterial hydrogenase is presented which assumes a single binding site. A series of conformation dependent alterations of the enzyme-substrate interaction are used to describe the unidirectional behavior of the reaction and eliminate the requirement of a modulation binding site to account for allosteric enzyme kinetics.
Immobilization of a 15N-labeled nitrate addition by decomposing forest litter

Effects of chronic HNO3 and H2SO4 additions on decomposition of senesced birch leaf, beech leaf, spruce needle, and wood chip litters were examined. Litters were incubated for up to 4 years in fiberglass mesh (1 mm) bags on experimental plots in a mixed-species forest near the Bear Brooks Watershed Manipulation (BBWM) site in eastern Maine, United States. Plot treatments included HNO3 additions at 28 and 56 kg N·ha−1·year−1, H2SO4 additions at 128 kg S·ha−1·year−1, and a combined HNO3 and H2SO4 treatment at 28 kg N and 64 kg S ·ha−1·year−1. The 15N content of all NO3 added was artificially increased to 344% δ15N. Litter bags were collected each fall and analyzed for organic matter loss, nitrogen concentration, and 15N abundance throughout the 4-year experiment. Extractive (non-polar-soluble+water-soluble), cellulose (acid-soluble), and lignin (acid-insoluble) fractions were analyzed for the first 2 years. In wood chips, nitrogen additions increased mass loss and N concentration, but not the mass of N after 4 years. Neither N nor S additions had large effects on mass loss, N concentration, or N content of leaf litters. All litters immobilized and mineralized N simultaneously, but we were able to place a lower bound on gross N immobilization by mass balancing 15N additions. Birch and spruce litters showed net mineralization, while beech leaf and wood chip litters showed net immobilization. Net immobilizing litters were those with the highest initial cellulose concentration (wood chips=80% beech leaves=54%), and we attribute the higher capacity for immobilization to more readily available carbon. Lignin mass increased initially in all litter types except spruce needles. Also, extractives in net immobilizing litters either increased initially (wood chips) or decreased at a slower rate than bulk litter (beech leaves). We calculate the potential of decomposing litter to immobilize exogenous nitrate in this system to be 1–1.5 kg N·ha−1·year−1, which is about half of the usual NO3 deposition at this site, but only a small fraction of the experimental addition.
Perception of speech and nonspeech stimuli by children with and without reading disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract The auditory temporal deficit hypothesis predicts that children with reading disability (RD) will exhibit deficits in the perception of speech and nonspeech acoustic stimuli in discrimination and temporal ordering tasks when the interstimulus interval (ISI) is short. Initial studies testing this hypothesis did not account for the potential presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Temporal order judgment and discrimination tasks were administered to children with (1) RD/no-ADHD (n=38), (2) ADHD (n=29), (3) RD and ADHD (RD/ADHD; n=32), and (4) no impairment (NI; n=43). Contrary to predictions, children with RD showed no specific sensitivity to ISI and performed worse relative to children without RD on speech but not nonspeech tasks. Relationships between perceptual tasks and phonological processing measures were stronger and more consistent for speech than nonspeech stimuli. These results were independent of the presence of ADHD and suggest that children with RD have a deficit in phoneme perception that correlates with reading and phonological processing ability.
Deep Brain and Motor Cortex Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) and motor cortex stimulation (MCS) are established surgical modalities that have been successfully used over the last several decades for treatment of numerous chronic pain disorders. Most often, these approaches are reserved for severe, disabling, and medically refractory syndromes after less invasive approaches have been tried and have failed. Although the exact mechanism of action for DBS and MCS remains unknown, it appears that these central neuromodulation processes have multifactorial effects on central pain processing and descending pain inhibition. Clinical studies and laboratory reports have shed some light on stimulation details and optimal parameters, as well as the choice of stimulation targets, best surgical indications, and expected long-term outcomes. Based on the worldwide published experience, it appears that additional data is needed to obtain regulatory approval for both MCS and DBS for the treatment of pain. Following approval, further clinical research will shape the ability to initiate, implement, and update comprehensive patient and procedure selection paradigms.
A Current-Limiting Fuse for Aircraft Applications

Although many fuses are available for aircraft applications, it has become increasingly evident that the trend to large aircraft electric systems necessitates a review of existing fuse devices, particularly with regard to their interrupting ability. Such a survey indicates many applications for an improved interrupting device. A new current-limiting fuse has been designed to meet the requirements. This paper describes the device and presents test data to indicate its suitability.
Are Halo-like Solar Coronal Mass Ejections Merely a Matter of Geometric Projection Effects?

We investigated the physical nature of halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs) based on the stereoscopic observations from the two STEREO spacecraft, Ahead and Behind (hereafter A and B), and the SOHO spacecraft. Sixty-two halo CMEs occurred as observed by SOHO LASCO C2 for the three-year period from 2010 to 2012 during which the separation angles between SOHO and STEREO were nearly 90°. In such quadrature configuration, the coronagraphs of STEREO, COR2-A and -B, showed the side view of those halo CMEs seen by C2. It has been widely believed that the halo appearance of a CME is caused by the geometric projection effect, i.e., a CME moves along the Sun-observer line. In other words, it would appear as a non-halo CME if viewed from the side. However, to our surprise, we found that 41 out of 62 events (66%) were observed as halo CMEs by all coronagraphs. This result suggests that a halo CME is not just a matter of the propagating direction. In addition, we show that a CME propagating normal to the line of sight can be observed as a halo CME due to the associated fast magnetosonic wave or shock front. We conclude that the apparent widthmore » of CMEs, especially halos or partial halos is driven by the existence and the extent of the associated waves or shocks and does not represent an accurate measure of the CME ejecta size. This effect needs to be taken into careful consideration in space weather predictions and modeling efforts.« less
Correlations in the Parton Recombination Model

We describe how parton recombination can address the recent measurement of dynamical jet-like two particle correlations. In addition we discuss the possible effect realistic light-cone wave-functions including higher Fock-states may have on the well-known elliptic flow valence-quark number scaling law.
A new method for the numerical solution of integral equation approximations

A new numerical technique for solving the Ornstein-Zernike equation is described. It is particularly useful in solving the Ornstein Zernike equation for approximations and pair potentials (such as the Percus-Yevick and mean spherical approximations for finite ranged potentials) which imply a finiteranged direct correlation function since for such approximations the numerical technique is essentially exact. The only approximation involved in such cases is the discretization of direct and total correlation functions over the finite range on which the direct correlation function is nonzero. Thus, the new method avoids truncation of the total correlation function and should permit the critical point and spinodal curve to be mapped out with greater accuracy than is permitted by existing methods. Preliminary explorations on the stability and accuracy of the method are described.
Evaluation of dental handpieces for high speed operations

During the past 70 or 75 years there has been little significant change in the basic design of the dental handpiece for rotat­ ing instruments, because the original de­ sign of this instrument was generally satisfactory. During this same period, however, numerous refinements have been made in the basic instrument which have permitted greater flexibility and better functioning of the instrument dur­ ing the cutting of tooth tissue. Most of these developments were associated with the contemporary advances that have oc­ curred in the field of machine tool manu­ facture and the general production of precision instruments. One of the most recent refinements in dental handpieces is the development of instruments which are capable of being operated at increased speeds of rotation. The speed of rotation, of course, is rela­ tive. Speeds which were previously con­ sidered slow, medium and high now are considered to be in the slower ranges of rotation. The present optimum and maxi­ mum speeds of rotation likewise may change within a few years because of further refinements and changes in in­ strument design. At the present time there is little agree­ ment among either the manufacturers of dental engines and handpieces or dentists who use the handpiece, regarding the possible optimum and maximum speeds of rotation. It is agreed, however, that faster speeds of instrument rotation are now practical and possible when com­ pared to instruments available ten years ago. For example, until recently, manu­ facturers of engines and handpieces made available instruments that operated within the accepted range of 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. Standard equipment is now obtainable which operates at speeds from 10,000 to 20,000 rpm, and experi­ mental studies are being conducted with instruments operating at speeds of 30,000 to 75,000 rpm. The clinical or laboratory justification for speeds over 15,000 to 20,000 rpm has not been fully established. Many prob­ lems of production and manufacture of a well balanced instrument with a po­ tential long life when operated at exces­ sive speeds have not been solved. The care and maintenance of both the hand­ pieces and motor units when operated at speeds of more than 15,000 rpm con­ tinue to be a problem of importance.