cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of Single Oral Dose Extended-Release Levetiracetam in Healthy Cats.

BACKGROUND Repeated PO dosing of anti-epileptic drugs may contribute to poor compliance in treated cats. Intermediate-release levetiracetam has been used safely in cats, but must be given q8h to maintain serum concentrations in the therapeutic interval for humans (5-45 μg/mL). Approved extended-release levetiracetam (XRL) for human use may require less frequent dosing, but the large dosing unit has limited its use in cats. HYPOTHESES In healthy cats, serum levetiracetam concentration will remain above 5 μg/mL for at least 24 hours after administration of a single dose of XRL PO and will be well tolerated. ANIMALS 7 healthy cats. METHODS Extended-release levetiracetam (500 mg) was administered PO. Blood was collected and neurologic examination findings recorded at scheduled times over 30 hours. Serum levetiracetam concentration was quantitated by an immunoassay validated in cats. Data were subjected to noncompartmental analysis. Descriptive statistics were reported. RESULTS The median dosage of 86.2 mg/kg, (range, 80-94.3) achieved a mean maximum concentration (Cmax ) of 89.8 ± 25.8 μg/mL at 4.9 ±1.57 hours. Serum levetiracetam was >5 μg/mL in all cats by 90 minutes. Mean concentrations were 43.7 ± 18.4 and 4.9 ± 3.4 μg/mL at 12 and 24 hours, respectively. The half-life was 4.1 ± 1.0 hours. The drug was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE A single 500 mg PO dose of XRL safely maintained serum levetiracetam concentration ≥5 μg/mL in healthy cats for at least 21 hours. Clinical efficacy studies in epileptic cats receiving XRL are indicated; however, monitoring should be implemented for individual cats.
The “Historical Turn” in the Social Sciences

The first professional societies in the United States, from the 1880s to the 1910s, understood history to be closely associated with the other social sciences. Even in the mid-twentieth century, history was still grouped with the other social sciences, along with economics, sociology, political science, and anthropology. But in the past few decades, history and anthropology in the United States (though not necessarily in other countries) have moved away from the social sciences to ally themselves with the humanities—paradoxically, just when the other social sciences are becoming more committed to historical research.
Severe Pansinusitis Due to Raoultella Ornithinolytica

Raoultella ornithinolytica is a gram-negative aerobic bacterium typically found in plants, soil and water. Reports of Raoultella ornithinolytica causing infections in humans, especially in the head and neck, are rare. Herein we report a case of a woman with severe septal deviation, chronic headaches and facial pain who was revealed to have Raoultella ornithinolytica pansinusitis incidentally noted during an endoscopic septoplasty. Raoultella ornithinolytica was isolated from cultures of the diffuse purulent drainage found in her maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. This case indicates that while a rare cause of head and neck infection in humans, Raoultella ornithinolytica can be found as the causative pathogen in severe sinusitis.
A new semi-parametric method for autocorrelated age- and time-varying selectivity in age-structured assessment models

Selectivity is a key parameter in stock assessments that describes how fisheries interact with different ages and sizes of fish. It is usually confounded with other processes (e.g., natural mortali...
Arrhythmias, Sudden Death and Syncope in Elders

Aging of the American population is the most important demographic factor affecting the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias because heart disease increases in prevalence with advancing age. Some of the arrhythmias are considered an “ordinary” event in elderly patients, but may nevertheless have serious consequences. Although the established principles of evaluation and management apply to all age groups, management of the elderly is especially challenging because of increased risk of interventional and pharmacologic therapy, altered pharmacokinetics of drugs and sometimes unclear long-term bene~ts.
Tissue Engineering of the Urethra

Congenital abnormalities, trauma, infection, and cancer can all affect the urethra. In most of these cases, reconstructive procedures are eventually necessary. These procedures can be performed with native non-urologic tissues (skin, gastrointestinal segments, or mucosa), homologous tissues from a donor (cadaver or living donor kidney), heterologous tissues or substances (bovine collagen), or artificial materials (silicone, poly-urethane, Teflon). However, these materials often lead to complications after urethral reconstruction. The implanted tissue is sometimes rejected, and often, the inherently different functional aspects of the different tissues or materials used in the reconstruction leads to improper or inadequate tissue development. The replacement of lost or deficient urethral tissues with functionally equivalent ones would improve the outcome of reconstructive surgery in the genitourinary system. This may soon be possible with the novel tissue engineering techniques described in this chapter
An evaluation of c-myc aberrations in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM).

e20006Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell dyscrasia marked by clonal evolution and preceded by a premalignant stage, which progresses via pathway deregulation, including MYC activati...
Computational Removal of Undesired Mass Spectral Features Possessing Repeat Units via a Kendrick Mass Filter

Polymers are a common component of chemical background which complicates data analysis and can impair interpretation. Undesired chemical background cannot always be addressed via pre-analytical methods, chromatography, or existing data processing methods. The Kendrick mass filter (KMF) is presented for the computational removal of undesired signals present in MS1 spectra. The KMF is analogous to mass defect filtering but utilizes homology information via Kendrick mass scaling in combination with chromatographic retention time and the number of observed signals. The KMF is intended to assist in situations in which current data processing methods to remove background, e.g., blank subtraction, are either not possible or effective. The major parameters affecting KMF were investigated using PEG 400 and NIST standard reference material 1950 (metabolites in human plasma). Further exploration of the KMF performance was tested using an extract of a swab known to contain polymers. An illustrative real-world example of skin analysis with polymeric signal is discussed. The KMF is also able to provide a high-level view of the compositionality of data regarding the presence of signals with repeat units and indicate the presence of different polymers. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
Evaluating Floating-point Intensive Applications on OpenCL FPGA Platforms: A Case Study on the SimpleMOC Kernel

FPGAs are becoming a promising choice as a heterogeneous computing component for scientific computing when floating-point optimized architectures are added to current FPGAs. The high-level synthesis tools such as Intel FPGA SDK for OpenCL provide a streamlined design flow to facilitate the use of FPGAs for researchers. In this paper, we choose a nuclear reactor simulation application, the SimpleMOC kernel, as a case study to evaluate the potential and effectiveness of using an FPGA for floating-point intensive applications. We describe the OpenCL implementations of the kernel optimized with low-latency floating-point operators, on-chip memory accesses, loop transformations, kernel vectorization, and compute-unit duplication on an Intel Arria10-based FPGA platform, and evaluate their performance and resource utilizations. Compared to the baseline OpenCL implementation of the kernel, our optimizations improve the kernel performance by a factor of 102. We also evaluate the kernel application on an Intel Xeon 16-core CPU and an Nvidia Tesla K80 GPU. The GPU is approximately 2X faster than the CPU and 7.5X faster than the FPGA. The power consumption on the FPGA is 4.5X and 6.4X lower than that on the GPU and CPU, respectively. The performance per watt on the FPGA is 1.74X higher than that on the CPU, and 1.65X lower than that on the GPU.
Task-Specific Computational Refractive Element via Two-Photon Additive Manufacturing

We report on the design and fabrication of a computational imaging element used within a compressive task-specific imaging system. Fabrication via two-photon 3D printing is reported, as well as characterization of the fabricated element.
Contemporary Review of Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents challenges in definition and treatment. Many different definitions exist for this disease. Some are based on anatomy alone, while others include factors such as disease biology and patient performance status. Regardless of definition, evidence suggests that borderline resectable PDAC is a systemic disease at the time of diagnosis. There is high-level evidence to support the use of neoadjuvant systemic therapy in these cases. Evidence to support the use of radiation therapy is ongoing. There are ongoing trials investigating the available neoadjuvant therapies for borderline resectable PDAC that may provide clarity in the future.
Financial models insights of strategic R&D project investments

This paper analyses strategic implications of using the financial models to evaluate research and development (R&D) project investments. It also discusses the challenges of intellectual property (IP) valuation. This paper reveals how conventional financial models fail to recognise the importance of strategic positioning since there are limits in terms of using the quantified approaches to measure R&D performance. From the technology management perspective, it is argued that financial models need to be reconciled with technology strategies since today's investments have linkages with firms' competitiveness in the long run.
Developing "Herd Immunity" in a Civilian Community Through Incorporation of "Just-In-Time" Tourniquet Application Training.

INTRODUCTION Herd immunity, a concept normally applied in vaccinated populations, is a preventative measure to determine if a significant portion of a population can protect vulnerable individuals against a certain disease. Like vaccines, tourniquet education can be a form of herd immunity to protect vulnerable individuals in a population and prevent the loss of life from a peripheral hemorrhage. The authors have identified a deficiency in simple, quick, and effective hemorrhage control education. Therefore, to maximize herd immunity, the novel educational platform evaluates the efficacy of "Just-in-Time" (JiT) tourniquet application training. HYPOTHESIS/PROBLEM The authors hypothesize that the utilization of JiT training will be effective in promoting both competence and confidence for individuals to utilize tourniquets in response to a disaster environment. METHODS This Institutional Review Board-approved study recruited medical students who were trained in hemorrhage control measures at a Level 1 Trauma Center. Tourniquet training sessions were held, and naive civilians received tourniquet education. The subjects received a five- to ten-minute lesson on indications, contraindications, and application techniques of commercial and improvisational tourniquets. Participants subsequently applied a tourniquet to an instructor's arm to demonstrate proper tourniquet application for a brachial artery hemorrhage. Pre- and post-educational surveys were completed to test participant competency and confidence. RESULTS Of the 104 subjects who completed the course, 97 had no prior training in hemorrhage control techniques, including commercial and improvisational tourniquet application. The mean pre-test score was 2.27/5.00 and the mean post-test score was 4.38/5.00, P <.001 (n = 97). When queried "How competent would you feel applying a tourniquet (commercial or improvisational) on an individual with a bleeding wound?" 92/97 felt confident (95%), one felt less confident, and four felt no difference in confidence levels (P <.001). CONCLUSION Just-in-Time training is an effective method in teaching naive civilians proper tourniquet application. This platform could serve as an alternative to more extensive training programs and requires less time, costs, and resources. If a significant number of individuals in a local community can effectively apply a tourniquet in a disaster scenario, a "herd immunity" effect could be achieved to control peripheral hemorrhages.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Stratified by Target Delineation for Patients Undergoing Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Spinal Metastases

Objective Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an effective treatment of spinal metastases in the vertebral body. However, variation has existed between practitioners regarding the appropriate target delineation. As such, we compared the tumor control, rates of compression fractures, and pain control for patients who had undergone SBRT for spinal metastases to either the lesion only (LO) or the full vertebral body (FVB). Methods A total of 126 spinal metastases in 84 patients had received single-fraction SBRT from January 2009 to February 2015. Of the 126 lesions, 36 (29%) were in the FVB group and 90 were in the LO group. The SBRT plans were reviewed to determine the treatment volume. Odds ratios were used to compare the rates of compression fracture and local failure. Regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of outcome. Results A total of 5 failures had occurred in the FVB group and 14 in the LO group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.5). No difference was found in pain reduction between the 2 groups (P = 0.9). Seven post-treatment compression fractures occurred in the LO group and four in the FVB group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.6). The minimum dose to the planning target volume, patient age, and planning target volume size were the only significant factors predicting for local failure, vertebral body fracture, and pain control, respectively. Conclusions Given that we found no difference in tumor control, pain reduction, or fracture rate between patients treated to the FVB versus the. LO, it might be reasonable to consider SBRT to the LO for select patients.
Clinical Pathology of the Racehorse

The assessment of blood analytes in racehorses can provide useful data on performance and health. The horses' adaptive responses to training that occur to optimize performance should be considered when interpreting alterations seen on laboratory results. Similarly, the alterations observed in laboratory test results can identify subclinical and clinical disease and be helpful for identifying organ dysfunction and, in many cases, monitoring progress and response to treatment. This article discusses hematologic and biochemical tests that are important in the evaluation of performance and health in racehorses.
Building High Performance Explainable Machine Learning Models for Social Media-based Substance Use Prediction

Social media contain rich information that can be used to help understand human mind and behavior. Social media data, however, are mostly unstructured (e.g., text and image) and a large number of f...
Analysis of several high-resolution infrared bands of perdeutero-spiropentane, C5D8

Abstract Perdeutero-spiropentane (C5D8) has been synthesized and infrared spectra were taken from 400 to 4000 cm−1 at low sample pressures in a 22 m multipass cell. The spectral resolution (0.0015 cm−1) reveals thousands of individual rovibrational transitions for several fundamental bands occurring in the spectral region of 500–1100 cm−1. C5D8 ground state constants reported in a previous study of the ν15 parallel band at 1054 cm−1 [1] were improved significantly in the present work by adding combination-differences derived from ν16 parallel and ν24 perpendicular band analyses. The larger data set at higher J values also allowed determination of the ground state K″ = 2 splitting constant (Δ2″ = 0.76(2) × 10−9 cm−1). For ν16, the band origin is 847.16933(5) cm−1 and changes in upper state rotational constants are ΔA = –0.0013411(5) and ΔB = –0.0002021(1) (in units of cm−1). Overlapping, and in Fermi resonance with ν16, is a second parallel band which, from Gaussian calculations at the anharmonic level, is assigned as the b2 combination ν8 + ν12, with band origin of 840.5434(1) and ΔA = –0.0003500(7) and ΔB = –0.0003502(1) cm−1. For ν24 analogous values are 556.41453(2) and ΔA = –0.00032295(9) and ΔB = –0.00016782(4) cm−1. The analyses also yield accurate values for the changes in both quartic and sextic centrifugal distortion constants and, for ν24, values for the l-doubling constants q+ and q−. Theoretical calculations of the rovibrational parameters aided in the analysis and the numerical values are in good agreement with experimental results.
Treatment patterns and outcomes for cerebellar glioblastoma in the concomitant chemoradiation era: A National Cancer database study.

Abstract Cerebellar glioblastoma (GB) is much rarer than its supratentorial counterpart, and potentially of different molecular origin. Prior database studies are of limited size and reported on patients who preceded the validation of temozolomide. Thus, we provide an updated population-based analysis of the treatment trends and outcomes since the standardization of GB adjuvant chemoradiation. Patients diagnosed with primary cerebellar and supratentorial GB were identified from the National Cancer Database spanning 2005–2015. Patients were characterized by demographics, extent of resection, and adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation status. Cohorts were primarily and secondarily assessed for overall survival by tumor site and treatment history, respectively. A total of 655 patients with cerebellar GB were identified (0.6%). Cerebellar GB patients, compared to supratentorial GB were more likely to undergo a biopsy or subtotal resection (13.4% vs 9.3% and 16.0% vs 13.4%, p-value
Radiologic-Histopathologic Correlation of Transvaginal US and Risk-reducing Salpingo-oophorectomy for Women at High Risk for Tubo-ovarian Carcinoma.

Preoperative transvaginal US performed prior to risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in women at high risk for tubo-ovarian carcinoma demonstrated poor performance for detecting early-stage cancer.
Reading Research Articles

Reading research articles does not come naturally. This precis reviews the contribution that critical thinking can make to discerning proof.
Innershell Ionization Cross Sections

Previous chapters of this volume have described in some detail calculations and measurements of ionization cross sections. The discussion has been almost exclusively devoted to the ionization of atoms, molecules, or ions in the gas phase by electron impact and to processes involving the removal of one or more valence electrons.
Control of intrinsic defects and magnetotransport properties of Bi2Se3/c-sapphire epitaxial heterostructures

Abstract We have synthesised Bi 2 Se 3 epitaxial thin films on c-sapphire substrates, where Se-related defects and strains are controlled precisely during pulsed laser deposition. This allows us to tune electrical and magnetotransport properties and probe the role of defects and strains as a function of processing conditions systematically. The defect microstructure has been studied in detail using high resolution X-ray diffraction and high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy. Magnetotransport measurements show a strong dependence on microstructure which is associated with the Se-content. With higher Se content, the film experiences large compressive strain along the [0 0 1] direction which is accompanied by the partial suppression of one family of twin domain formation. As a result, the insulating behavior becomes more pronounced at a low temperature which is understood in terms of the quantum correlation induced by electron–electron interactions. The compressive strain enhances spin–orbit coupling and topological characteristics. These results shed light on the importance of controlling the intrinsic defects during the growth of Bi 2 Se 3 thin films, providing an effective way to suppress the bulk conductivity and establish the correlation between microstructure and strain.
Noise Driven Relaxation Phenomena in Hysteretic Systems

This chapter analyzes noise driven relaxation phenomena in scalar and vector hysteretic systems. The analysis is performed only in the time domain without making any reference to the frequency domain. Analytical and numerical results are presented for most hysteretic models introduced in the first chapter. It is shown that the effect of thermal relaxation is to erase the history of the system by bringing it to a new, nondeterministic state. Special consideration is given to the degradation of the Preisach distribution and the separation line between the positive and negative hysterons in the Preisach model. The chapter also introduces scalar and vector viscosity coefficients and discusses the data collapse phenomenon.
Macromolecular Synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Different Growth Media

Synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and protein was determined in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during amino acid and pyrimidine starvation and during shift-up and shift-down conditions. During amino acid starvation, cell mass, cell number, and RNA continued to increase for varying periods. During amino acid and pyrimidine starvation, cell mass and RNA showed little increase, whereas total DNA increased 11 to 17%. After a shift from broth medium to a minimal defined medium, increase in RNA and protein remained at the preshift rate before assuming a lower rate. DNA increase remained at an intermediate rate during shift-down, and then dropped to a low rate. During shift-up from minimal to broth medium, increase in cell number, protein, and DNA showed varying lag periods before increasing to the new rate characteristic of broth medium; each of these quantities exhibited a step sometime in the first 2 hr after transfer to rich medium, suggesting a partial synchronous division. Immediately after shift-up, RNA synthesis assumed a high rate, and then dropped to a rate characteristic of growth in the rich medium after about 1 hr.
Alkaloids of thalictrum—X : Two new alkaloids from T. minus var. adiantifolium: Noroxyhydrastinine and thalifoline

Abstract Two new isoquinolone alkaloids, noroxyhydrastinine (I) and thalifoline (II) have been obtained from T. minus L. var. adiantifolium Hort. Characterization by physical methods and chemical synthesis have shown the former to be 6,7-methylenedioxy-1-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and the latter to be 2-methyl-6-methoxy-7-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline.
Mental Status: Examination

The mental status exam is the equivalent of the physical exam for mental health practitioners. It contains both objective observations and subjective reporting from the patient. It allows the evaluee's mental state at the time of evaluation to be documented and preserved. The mental status is generally reported in the order of physical/superficial observations to more detailed internal thought process and capabilities. Multiple tests, screens, or scales can be used to assist the evaluator in determining a person's mental status. The mental status can be used for a variety of purposes such as formulating a diagnosis, accessing malingering, determining violence risk to self or others, and justifying a billing code. It needs to be remembered though that a mental status is just one part of a comprehensive examination or clinical encounter and there can be variation in the information noted depending on the context of the evaluation. Keywords: interview; mental status; clock drawing; mini mental status exam; billing; suicide; malingering; capacity; tattoo
Proton transfer in benzoic acid crystals: Another look using quantum operator theory

We present a calculation of the rate of synchronous double proton transfer in benzoic acid crystals. Experiments on these systems have been performed over a wide range of temperatures (roughly 10–400 °K). Even though the energetic barrier for proton transfer is rather high, the observed activation energy is low, while kinetic isotope experiments seem to indicate classical transfer. The system exhibits significant quantum character even at high temperatures and we show that the observed low activation energies can be reproduced assuming that the reaction is “assisted” by a low-frequency intramolecular mode, as has been suggested in different contexts by Benderskii [V. A. Benderskii, S. Yu. Grebenshchikov, and G. V. Mil’nikov, Chem. Phys. 194, 1 (1995)], Hynes [D. Borgis and J. Hynes, J. Chem. Phys. 94, 3619 (1991)] and Silbey [A. Suarez and R. Silbey, J. Chem. Phys. 94, 4809 (1991)]. We use our previous work on the quantum Kramers problem to perform a fully quantum calculation that incorporates symmetric coupling to the intramolecular mode and coupling to the condensed environment to all orders. We calculate the activation energies for hydrogen and deuterium transfer and we show that our results are in quantitative agreement with the experiment.
What dissociation should be studied

Abstract Majorie Lorch takes lateral (hand) differences in hemiplegic writing as the target phenomenon, while for me the dissociation between speech and writing (right arm prosthesis) or between proximal and distal limb movement is the more interesting phenomenon. This will be the focus of my comments.
The ‘peso problem’ in testing the efficiency of forward exchange markets

Abstract In this paper we argue that when there is small probability of an event which would cause a large change in an exchange rate, the standard tests for the efficiency of the corresponding forward exchange market are not always valid. The mark pound forward market during the German hyperinflation is cited as an example. Using data from that hyperinflation, we show that an alternative test can sometimes be constructed in cases where the usual tests are not valid. The results reverse the conclusion of earlier researchers that the mark pound forward market during the hyperinflation was not efficient.
IS WORKER BEHAVIOUR CONSISTENT WITH EFFICIENCY WAGES

A model of worker behavior under efficiency wages is presented and the fundamental hypotheses identified. Using survey data from the United States, a cross-sectional testing equation is estimated. While not uniformly successful, the fundamental results emerge as a strong positive partial correlation between reported effort and the wage rate of the employee and between that same effort measure and degree of monitoring. These results, together with a weaker negative partial correlation between reported effort and the chances for reemployment after dismissal, are taken as evidence consistent with the efficiency wage model. Copyright 1992 by Scottish Economic Society.
Analytical inductively coupled nitrogen and air plasmas

Abstract The operation of inductively coupled plasmas generated at atmospheric pressure in nitrogen or air in a modified 18 mm i.d. quartz tube assembly is evaluated for the analysis of aqueous solutions and fine powders. The instrumentation and detailed procedure for the generation of molecular-gas discharges are described. Limits of detection for nitrogen and air ICP discharges are compared, and for five elements at the same wavelength the nitrogen ICP produced significantly poorer values than the air plasma. The air ICP provided comparable values to those reported in the literature for argon. The sensitivity, signal-to-background ratio, and limits of detection for calcium were compared for argon, air, and argon with air central gas discharges with pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulization and for airborne calcium carbonate powders.
Rab10 GTPase regulates ER dynamics and morphology

ER tubules grow and fuse to give the ER its characteristic shape. English and Voeltz show that the small GTPase Rab10 is crucial for ER tubule growth and fusion. Rab10 localizes to the leading edge of new ER tubules with enzymes that promote phospholipid synthesis, suggesting that ER tubule growth, fusion and phospholipid synthesis might be coupled.
Visual aberrations caused by optic components of posterior chamber intraocular lenses

A 58-year-old airline pilot had cataract surgery with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens with four positioning holes around the optic edge. During periods of maximum pupil dilation, such as at night, visual aberrations including glare, monocular diplopia, and haloes occurred and he was unable to work in his occupation. The symptoms were severe enough that lens exchange was required, and a posterior chamber lens with no positioning holes was successfully implanted. The symptoms immediately subsided postoperatively and his last known visual acuity was 20/15. This case, and the report of another patient with similar postoperative problems, illustrates that implantation of lens optics with a larger effective optical zone for posterior chamber lens implantation is desirable. This is particularly true now that younger, more active patients, many still engaged in occupations, are having lens implantations.
The Sites of Action of Estradiol and Phentolamine in the Inhibition of the Pulsatile, Circhoral Discharges of LH in the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatto)*

Pulsatile LH secretion was re-established in ovariectomized monkeys bearing hypothalamic lesions by an intermittent infusion of LHRH. The administration of estradiol to such animals resulted in a prompt cessation of these pulsatile discharges of LH and a resultant decline in the mean plasma concentration of the gonadotropin. The time course of this inhibition of LH secretion was indistinguishable from that observed after estrogen administration to ovariectomized animals with intact nervous systems. In contrast, phentolamine did not interrupt the pulsatile LH discharges occasioned by the hourly administration of exogenous LHRH to the lesioned animals. These results are consistent with the conclusion that the acute negative feedback action of estradiol on circhoral LH release in the monkey is at the level of the pituitary gland, whereas the inhibitory action of phentolamine on this mode of LH secretion is at a neural site. (Endocrinology 102: 1015, 1978)
Mechanisms underlying Children's susceptibility to environmental toxicants.

An important public health challenge has been the need to protect children's health. To accomplish this goal, the scientific community needs scientifically based child-specific risk assessment meth...
Reliability of two brief questionnaires for drug abuse treatment evaluation.

The authors report the inter-interviewer reliability of two brief questionnaires developed to measure the effects of innovations in methadone maintenance. The instruments were designed to answer the research questions, but to intrude only minimally into the clinical assessment and treatment processes. The Initial Interview, completed at the time of admission, yielded information on 23 variables, and the Followup Interview, completed as soon as possible after the first anniversary of admission, yielded information on 20 variables. To assess reliability, a repeat interview was conducted by a different interviewer immediately after the first interview was completed. Repeat interviews were conducted with 19 subjects who completed the Initial Interview and 30 who completed the Followup Interview. Exact agreement was found in all the pairs of responses from the Initial Interview for 5 of the 6 categorical variables and 6 of the 17 quantitative variables. For the remaining 11 quantitative variables, the intracla...
Academic Entrepreneurship and the Management of Portfolios of Knowledge Transfer Activities

The formation of spinouts to transition university invention to marketplace innovation is an increasingly common form of university technology transfer. Utilizing production and network theory this...
COEFFICIENT OF SLIDING FRICTION FOR NONUNIFORM SURFACE PROPERTIES

The determination of the sliding coefficients of friction of the two major parts of squid moving on a metalic surface required using the whole squid. The investigation of the relationship between the coefficients of friction of the individual parts and the average coefficient for the whole lead to the derivation of a general relationship analogous to the relationship for the center of mass of a body. Specific results from the squid investigation are included to illustrate the application of the general friction relationship.
Orientation-dependent visibility of long thin objects in polarization-based microscopy

Under conditions of directional illumination, the visibility of long, thin objects depends very strongly on the direction and polarization of the incident light. Solutions to Maxwell's equations for the case of an infinite cylinder in an electromagnetic field are well known, and have been used by others in the past for theoretical analysis of light scattering by long, thin objects. The existence of those solutions allows us to calculate the expected angular distribution and polarization of the light scattered from long, thin objects illuminated by a plane wave at any angle. In this paper we show for the first time how one can incorporate these solutions of Maxwell's equations into a quantitative description of the expected appearance of filamentous biological structures in polarization-based microscopy. Our calculations for unidirectional polarized illumination show that thin, dielectric linear objects such as microtubules (or shallow interfaces) observed with finite aperture optics 1) are totally invisible when the angle (phi) between the object's long axis and incident illumination is outside the range magnitude of 90 - phi
Inclusive η Production at Large Transverse Momenta

We have measured the ratio of inclusive production of $\ensuremath{\eta}$ to ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ at transverse momenta above 1.5 GeV/c. Results are presented for various meson and proton beams with momenta of 100, 200, and 300 GeV/c incident upon a hydrogen target. The $\frac{\ensuremath{\eta}}{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}}$ production ratio is found to be independent of incident beam momentum and of the transverse and longitudinal momenta of production. The ratio for pion- and proton-induced reactions is 0.44 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.05; for kaons, it is 0.74 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.12.
Synthesis and Characterization of an Organochromium Compound Bearing Three Sterically Demanding Alkenyl Ligands

The synthesis and characterization of tris(alkenyl)chromium compounds has been facilitated by the use of a sterically demanding alkenyl ligand, the ligand being derived from the Wittig coupling of 2-adamantanone with a benzylidenephosphorane.
Separating twin images and locating the center of a microparticle in dense suspensions using correlations among reconstructed fields of two parallel holograms

This paper deals with two issues affecting the application of digital holographic microscopy (DHM) for measuring the spatial distribution of particles in a dense suspension, namely discriminating between real and virtual images and accurate detection of the particle center. Previous methods to separate real and virtual fields have involved applications of multiple phase-shifted holograms, combining reconstructed fields of multiple axially displaced holograms, and analysis of intensity distributions of weakly scattering objects. Here, we introduce a simple approach based on simultaneously recording two in-line holograms, whose planes are separated by a short distance from each other. This distance is chosen to be longer than the elongated trace of the particle. During reconstruction, the real images overlap, whereas the virtual images are displaced by twice the distance between hologram planes. Data analysis is based on correlating the spatial intensity distributions of the two reconstructed fields to measure displacement between traces. This method has been implemented for both synthetic particles and a dense suspension of 2 μm particles. The correlation analysis readily discriminates between real and virtual images of a sample containing more than 1300 particles. Consequently, we can now implement DHM for three-dimensional tracking of particles when the hologram plane is located inside the sample volume. Spatial correlations within the same reconstructed field are also used to improve the detection of the axial location of the particle center, extending previously introduced procedures to suspensions of microscopic particles. For each cross section within a particle trace, we sum the correlations among intensity distributions in all planes located symmetrically on both sides of the section. This cumulative correlation has a sharp peak at the particle center. Using both synthetic and recorded particle fields, we show that the uncertainty in localizing the axial location of the center is reduced to about one particle’s diameter.
Seasonal fluctuations in ionic concentrations drive microbial succession in a hypersaline lake community

Microbial community succession was examined over a two-year period using spatially and temporally coordinated water chemistry measurements, metagenomic sequencing, phylogenetic binning and de novo metagenomic assembly in the extreme hypersaline habitat of Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia. Relative abundances of Haloquadratum-related sequences were positively correlated with co-varying concentrations of potassium, magnesium and sulfate, but not sodium, chloride or calcium ions, while relative abundances of Halorubrum, Haloarcula, Halonotius, Halobaculum and Salinibacter-related sequences correlated negatively with Haloquadratum and these same ionic factors. Nanohaloarchaea and Halorhabdus-related sequence abundances were inversely correlated with each other, but not other taxonomic groups. These data, along with predicted gene functions from nearly-complete assembled population metagenomes, suggest different ecological phenotypes for Nanohaloarchaea and Halorhabdus-related strains versus other community members. Nucleotide percent G+C compositions were consistently lower in community metagenomic reads from summer versus winter samples. The same seasonal G+C trends were observed within taxonomically binned read subsets from each of seven different genus-level archaeal groups. Relative seasonal abundances were also linked to percent G+C for assembled population genomes. Together, these data suggest that extreme ionic conditions may exert selective pressure on archaeal populations at the level of genomic nucleotide composition, thus contributing to seasonal successional processes. Despite the unavailability of cultured representatives for most of the organisms identified in this study, effective coordination of physical and biological measurements has enabled discovery and quantification of unexpected taxon-specific, environmentally mediated factors influencing microbial community structure.
A scenario for the 220-MeV 40 Ar+ 238 U reaction

Singles and coincidence charge distributions are combined to illustrate the mechanism for the 220-MeV40Ar+238U reaction. It is found that the apparent peak in the coincidence fragment distribution corresponding toZ=82 (A=208) can be explained in terms of the fissionability of the target-like fragments produced in deep-inelastic collisions rather than as a manifestation of shell effects in compound-nucleus fission, as has been postulated for a similar system.
Promoting emergency contraception.

This article which promotes the use of emergency contraception (EC) opens by noting that used properly EC can reduce the risk of pregnancy by more than 75% but that available protocols remain seriously underemployed. Next the article reviews the barriers to EC use including 1) the failure of health care professionals to discuss this option with patients before they may need to take advantage of it; 2) the view of many health care professionals that EC is solely part of the treatment regimen in cases of rape; and 3) the lack of a dedicated product packaged for EC use. The article continues by looking at the indications for EC use in various circumstances and by describing the 3 currently available EC methods: a special regimen of the combined oral contraceptive the progestin-only minipill and insertion of the Copper-T 380A IUD. The article then recommends that in cases where the IUD is not an option and the patient presents after 72 hours the intervention may still be worth a try within 1 week. The article encourages physicians to advertise their provision of EC on the World Wide Web site created for this purpose and via a 24-hour telephone hotline. After reviewing the efforts of private foundations and creative state and city-wide programs to increase patient access to EC the article concludes that government agencies should offer liability protection as an inducement to pharmaceutical companies to improve marketing of EC and that physicians should consider providing their patients with the means to institute EC in advance of need.
Fluctuations in somatosensory responsiveness and baseline firing rates of neurons in the lateral striatum of freely moving rats: effects of intranigral apomorphine

Somatosensory responsiveness and baseline firing rates of 102 striatal neurons were studied in freely moving rats. For individual neurons, mean levels of responsiveness and baseline firing fluctuated unpredictably in direction and magnitude and independently of each other throughout an experiment. Following microinjections of apomorphine into the substantia nigra, which were used as a means of reducing nigral output activity, the magnitude of fluctuations in striatal somatosensory responsiveness significantly increased, while the magnitude of fluctuations in baseline firing was unaltered. The receptive zones of 54 neurons studied in control experiments remained stable, whereas receptive zones changed in 12 of 25 neurons studied after apomorphine microinjection. Normal nigrostriatal dopamine transmission appears to selectively restrict the magnitude of fluctuations in responsiveness of striatal neurons to corticostriatal synaptic input and may exert additional control over afferent projections from cutaneous receptive zones to these neurons.
Comparison of corn cobs and hay in ground, restricted-roughage rations affecting milk composition.

Abstract Ground corn cobs were compared with ground hay in one trial and chopped hay in a second trial when each comprised 20% of the ration. Feed intake, milk production, and milk composition were measured. Ground corn cobs were a better roughage than ground hay and equal to chopped hay for maintaining feed intake and milk production. At 20% of the ration, none of these roughages maintained the pretrial milk fat concentrations.
Examining the time course of attention in a soccer kick using a dual task paradigm

A dual-task paradigm was implemented using a repeated measures design to determine the time course of attention demands during performance of a soccer penalty kick. Experienced soccer players (N = 15) were asked to perform a 12-yard soccer-style penalty kick. As part of the dual task paradigm, participants were instructed to respond to an audible cue that was administered during one of three probe positions (PP) during the penalty kick. Probe position 1 (PP1) was operationalized as the participant’s second to last step (taken with the non-kicking foot), probe position 2 (PP2) was the next to last step (taken with the kicking foot), and probe position 3 (PP3) was the last step (taken with the non-kicking, or “plant foot”) just prior to the kicking foot making contact with the ball. Kicks were taken with both the dominant foot (DF) and the non-dominant foot (NDF). It was hypothesized that reaction time to the audible cue (RT) would be slowest at the beginning and end of the performance of the motor skill in both the DF and NDF situations and that RT would be slower when kicking with the NDF, but that the kicking foot would not affect the pattern of attentional demands. Results indicated that RT was slowest at PP1 for both the DF and the NDF and that RT was significantly slower at PP1 for the DF than for the NDF. This suggests that soccer players engage in more complex planning during the preparatory phases when executing a kick with their dominant foot. Future research should be designed to further our understanding of foot dominance with regard to kicking and to explore attentional demands of striking tasks.
Failure of Chinese hamster cells to repair sub-lethal damage when x-irradiated in the plateau phase of growth.

Failure of Chinese Hamster Cells to repair Sub-lethal Damage when X-irradiated in the Plateau Phase of Growth
Rat Strain Differences Suggest a Role for Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone in Modulating Sleep

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mediates many of the hormonal, behavioral, and autonomic responses to a variety of stressors. There is also evidence suggesting that CRH may be involved in the modulation of physiologic waking. Lewis (LEW) rats possess a hypothalamic gene defect that results in reduced synthesis and secretion of CRH relative to genetically related Fischer 344 (F344) and Sprague-Dawley (Sp-D) rat strains. We therefore hypothesized that LEW rats would spend less time awake, and more time asleep, than either F344 or Sp-D rats. Adult male LEW, F344, and Sp-D rats were surgically provided with electroencephalograph (EEG) recording electrodes, and a thermistor to measure cortical brain temperature [T(cort)]. Additional rats were also provided with a chronic guide cannula directed into a lateral cerebral ventricle. Spontaneous sleep-wake behavior was determined from 48-h recordings of the EEG, T(cort), and body movements from freely behaving, undisturbed rats. Analyses of 48-h recordings from undisturbed animals indicate that LEW rats spend less time awake and more time in slow-wave sleep, relative to the other strains tested. Rapid eye movement sleep did not differ consistently between rat strains. LEW and Sp-D rats exhibit the same degree of waking in response to intracerebroventricular administration of CRH, indicating central mechanisms mediating behavioral responses to exogenously administered CRH are intact in LEW rats. These data provide support for the hypothesis that CRH may be a modulator of waking and sleep.
A study of some ridge-type shrinkage estimators

In this paper,several ridge-type shrinkage estimators are studied with respect to their relative efficiency. Some interrelationships which exist among these estimators are pointed out. One of these estimators, T∞ based on the work of Mehta and Srinivasan (1971), is shown to be a flexible estimator, which has clear advantages over its competitors. A useful approximation for calculation of the relative efficiency of T∞ is also presented.
Racial differences in narcissistic tendencies.

Abstract Black individuals have been found to report the highest levels of self-esteem of any racial group in the United States. The purpose of the present research was to examine whether Black individuals also report higher levels of narcissism than White individuals. Study 1 (N = 367) found that Black individuals reported higher levels of narcissism than White individuals even when controlling for gender, self-esteem level, and socially desirable response tendencies. Study 2 (N = 967) and Study 3 (N = 315) found similar results such that Black individuals reported higher levels of narcissism than White individuals on the narcissism measures that captured less pathological facets of this construct. Study 3 also included indicators of psychological adjustment and found that the pathological aspects of narcissism were more strongly associated with maladjustment for Black individuals than for White individuals. The implications of these results for understanding the Black self-esteem advantage are discussed.