cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Renal and cardiovascular effects of atrial natriuretic peptide in fetal sheep.

ABSTRACT: In the adult, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been postulated to regulate renal and cardiovascular function both when blood volume is expanded and when atrial pressure is increased. In late gestation fetal sheep, ANP has been detected in plasma concentrations higher than in pregnant adults; however, its function in the fetus is unclear. To assess the role of ANP in mediating changes in combined ventricular output and organ blood flow, GFR, urine flow rate, and urinary sodium excretion, we studied 11 chronically cannulated fetal sheep at 126 to 131 d gestation (term 145 d). We infused ANP in doses of 27 ± 4 and 55 ± 8 ng/kg/min into nine of the 11 fetuses and vehicle only into the remaining two fetuses. ANP increased hematocrit, Hb, and plasma protein concentrations, which suggests that blood volume decreased. Combined ventricular output and umbilical-placental blood flow, measured by the radionuclide-labeled microsphere technique, decreased from 458 ± 158 to 344 ± 59 ml/min/kg and 210 ± 85 to 144 ± 31 ml/min/kg, respectively and the calculated umbilical-placental vascular resistance increased from 0.20 ± 0.10 to 0.32 ± 0.09 mm Hg/ml/min/kg during the infusion of the high ANP dose. Blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract decreased with the high dose of ANP but blood flow to all other organs, mean arterial blood pressure, and heart rate did not change significantly. The effects of ANP on fetal renal function were minimal. Thus, ANP may play a role in maintaining fluid homeostasis in the fetus through its ability to decrease blood volume and to decrease combined ventricular output and umbilicalplacental blood flow.
Passive cervical spine flexion: the effect of age and gender.

Abstract Background Previous studies reported passive cervical range of motion under unknown loading conditions or with minimal detail of subject positioning. Additionally, such studies have not quantitatively ensured the absence of active muscle during passive measurements. For the purpose of validating biomechanical models the loading condition, initial position, and muscle activation must be clearly defined. A method is needed to quantify the passive range of motion properties of the cervical spine under controlled loading conditions, particularly in the pediatric population where normative clinical and model validation data is limited. Methods Healthy female pediatric (6–12 years; n = 10), male pediatric (6–12 years; n = 9), female adult (21–40 years; n = 10), and male adult (20–36 years; n = 9) volunteers were enrolled. Subjects with restrained torsos and lower extremities were exposed to a maximum 1g inertial load in the posterior–anterior direction, such that the head–neck complex flexed when subjects relaxed their neck musculature. Surface electromyography monitored the level of muscle relaxation. A multi-camera 3-D target tracking system captured passive neck flexion angle of the head relative to the thoracic spine. General estimating equations detected statistical differences across age and gender. Findings Passive cervical spine flexion equaled 111.0° (SD 8.0°) for pediatric females, 102.8° (SD 7.8°) for adult females, 103.8° (SD 12.7°) for pediatric males, and 93.7° (SD 9.9°) for adult males. Passive neck flexion significantly decreased with age in both genders (P Interpretation This study contributes normative data for clinical use, biomechanical modeling, and injury prevention tool development.
Reduction in antibiotic use among US children, 1996-2000.

Background. High rates of antibiotic prescribing to children contribute to antibiotic resistance in the community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with other national and state level organizations, have actively promoted more judicious prescribing for children. Objective. We sought to assess changes in the rate of antibiotic prescribing from 1996–2000 in 9 US health plans, patterns of diagnosis and treatment responsible for these trends, and changes in the use of first-line antimicrobial agents. Design/Methods. We analyzed claims data for dispensed medications and physician visits from 9 health plans. Each provided data on 25 000 children aged 3 months to Results. From 1996–2000, antibiotic rates for children 3 months to Conclusions. Antibiotic prescribing decreased significantly between 1996 and 2000, concurrent with decreased frequency of diagnosis of potential bacterial infections, especially otitis media. Attention by public health and professional organizations and the news media to antibiotic resistance may have contributed to changes in diagnostic thresholds, resulting in more judicious prescribing.
Comparison of deep centers in semi‐insulating liquid‐encapsulated Czochralski and vertical‐gradient freeze GaAs

Three‐inch, semi‐insulating (SI) GaAs, grown by the vertical gradient freeze (VGF) technique, has been studied by IR absorption, temperature‐dependent dark current and Hall‐effect, thermally stimulated current (TSC), and photoinduced current transient spectroscopy and has been compared with undoped, SI GaAs, both As‐rich and Ga‐rich, grown by the high‐pressure liquid‐encapsulated Czochralski method. The results clearly indicate that (1) the VGF GaAs contains less EL2, which suggests a less As‐rich crystal stoichiometry; (2) in some VGF samples activation energies of 0.43 or 0.46 eV are deduced from temperature‐dependent carrier concentration or resistivity measurements, respectively, and (3) VGF samples often show a thermal quenching behavior in the TSC peak T5. There is evidence to suggest that the 0.43 eV center is related to VAs, and T5 to VGa.
Emotion in the Second Half of Life

Research on aging has focused I primarily on the functional decline people experience as they grow old. Empirical evidence from mul tiple subdomains of psychology, most notably cognition, perception, and biological psychology, docu ments reduced efficiency, slowing, and decreased elasticity of basic mental and physical processes with age. Though findings are far more mixed in social aging research, there remains widespread, if tacit, sentiment that the task of geronto logical psychology is to assess the ways in which functional declines affect the life of the aging indi vidual. We assert that the focus on age related declines in human aging may have steered researchers away from certain questions that, when answered, would paint a more positive picture of old age. Specifi cally, we argue that changes in the emotion domain challenge models of aging as pervasive loss and point to one central area that is bet ter characterized by continued growth in the second half of life. We posit that old age is marked by greater saliency and improved regulation of emotions, and that emotional well-being, when it does suffer, declines only at the very end of life, when the cognitive and physical disabilities that often pre cede death in very old age over shadow previously vital areas of functioning (M.M. Baltes, 1998). These ideas are consistent with a
SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF INFANTS WITH APPARENT LIFE THREATENING EPISODES (ALTE)

The seasonal distribution of SIDS occurrences with an increase in winter months is an epidemiologic marker, typical of SIDS populations. We therefore studied the seasonal distribution of apparent life threatening episodes (ALTE), with the hypothesis that if ALTE cases are closely related to SIDS, their seasonal distribution should follow closely the seasonal distribution of SIDS. Infants with ALTE, admitted to 14 apnea centers throughout the state of New York, were entered into a state-wide collaborative study. A total of 759 infants in whom birth date and date of ALTE were provided were included. All patients were between 2 weeks and 12 months of age. The mean age of the infants was 2.7±2.1 months, 509 cases were under 3 months of age and 250 cases were over 3 months of age. The monthly distribution of ALTE in our study and of SIDS cases previously reported in the literature were as follows: Our results show that ALTE infants do not show the seasonal distribution typical of SIDS cases. When compared to the seasonal distribution of SIDS cases available in the literature, the seasonal distribution of the two groups was different (p=.0082). Our data show that although ALTE was reported in infants similar in age to SIDS cases, infants with ALTE do not have a similar seasonal distribution to infants with SIDS.
Site-Specific Fabrication of Nanoscale Heterostructures: Local Chemical Modification of GaN Nanowires Using Electrochemical Dip-Pen Nanolithography

This article describes a new method for site-specific, atomic force microscope (AFM) fabrication of nanowire heterostructures using electrochemical dip-pen nanolithography (E-DPN). We have demonstrated that E-DPN is ideally suited for the in situ modification of nanoscale electronic devices; the AFM tip and the nanowire device can be used as electrodes and the reactants for the modification can be introduced by coating them onto the AFM tip. Specifically, we have created GaN nanowire heterostructures by a local electrochemical reaction between the nanowire and a tip-applied KOH "ink" to produce gallium nitride/gallium oxide heterostructures. By controlling the ambient humidity, reaction voltage, and reaction time, good control over the modification geometry is obtained. Furthermore, after selective chemical etching of gallium oxide, unique diameter-modulated nanowire structures can be produced. Finally, we have demonstrated the unique device fabrication capabilities of this technique by performing in situ modification of GaN nanowire devices and characterizing the device electronic transport properties. These results demonstrate that small modifications of nanowire devices can lead to large changes in the nanowire electron transport properties.
Reagent grade yeast RNA injections and rat performance on the Hebb-Williams maze

Albino rats (N = 18) received daily yeast RNA (160 mg/kg, IP) or saline injections from age 31 days to 73 days, with Hebb-Williams problems presented one per day on the last 12 days. There was no general facilitation from this manipulation but a Problems by Injection interaction (p <.05) indicated that the injection led to better performance on some problems, with a suggestion (r = +.33) that the degree of facilitation was related to problem difficulty. These data indicate that the injected substance does have an effect on complex problem-solving processes in distinction to some past conclusions that only general stimulation effects result.
Gliosis specimens contain clonal cytogenetic abnormalities

Abstract The relevance of sex chromosome aneusomy and trisomy 7 in neoplastic brain tissue is controversial. For better understanding of the relative importance of these anomalies, we made a conventional cytogenetic study of cells from tissue obtained from patients who underwent partial cerebral resection for a seizure disorder. Each specimen exhibited "gliosis," but none contained histologically identifiable tumor cells. Sixty-six specimens were analyzed by routine cytogenetic methods. Nonclonal abnormalities were observed in 11.6% of the cells (86% of cases) analyzed. In 11 cases, however, simple clonal karyotypes were observed. Of these cases, six involved loss of a Y chromosome and three involved loss of an X chromosome. Among the cases with loss of an X chromosome, two exhibited multiple abnormal clones. One of these cases had trisomy 7 as well as trisomy 18, and another had a supernumerary psu dic(15)(q13). The supernumerary chromosome was constitutional. One patient had possible Klinefelter syndrome. An additional case had a clonal del(10)(q23) that may have resulted from a hereditary fragile site. We conclude that although some of the apparently acquired clonal and nonclonal abnormalities may be due to a consistent in vitro artifact, it is probable that they are present in the brain tissue itself. Whatever the cause, caution should be used in interpretating cytogenetic abnormalities observed in brain tumor specimens.
Lung Mechanics and Inflammatory Response in Meconium Injured Rats following Lung Lavage with Perfluorochemical or KL4 Surfactant † 1757

Lung Mechanics and Inflammatory Response in Meconium Injured Rats following Lung Lavage with Perfluorochemical or KL4 Surfactant † 1757
Calculated neutron cross sections for Cu and Nb up to 32 MeV for neutron damage analysis

Abstract Cross sections for neutron interaction with Cu and Nb, with emphasis on spectra of light particles from binary reactions, are calculated for neutron energies from 4 to 32 MeV for estimating recoil probability densities for the analysis of damage experiments with a Be (d, n) neutron source. Nuclear model parameters were adjusted to reproduce the available cross-section data around 14 MeV. Helium production cross sections were also calculated for 63 Cu for neutrons below 20 MeV, as an illustration of the Hauser-Feshbach method for calculating tertiary reaction cross sections.
An attempt to evaluate the dispersive and polar components of the surface tensions of multicomponent solutions, using kaelble's method

Kaelble's technique has been used to evaluate the dispersive and polar components of the surface tensions of 2 multicomponent organic solvent systems, one binary and the other tertiary. This was done by calibrating a number of common polymer films with primary standard contact liquids; these films then were used as substrates against which the mixed solvents were calibrated. Although a secondary calibration, the total surface tensions (dispersive plus polar) compare well with values obtained on a Du Nouy tensiometer. Details are given on the use of this evaluation. 11 references.
Second order x-ray in-line phase-contrast imaging

X-ray phase imaging is sensitive to structural variation of soft tissue, and offers excellent contrast resolution for characterization of cancerous tissues. Also, the cross-section of x-ray phase shift is a thousand times greater than that of x-ray attenuation in soft tissue over the diagnostic energy range, allowing a much higher signal-to-noise ratio at a substantially lower radiation dose than attenuation-based x-ray imaging. In this paper, we present a second order approximation model with respect to phase shift based on the paraxial Fresnel-Kirchhoff diffraction theory, and also discuss in-line dark-field imaging based on the second order model. This proposed model accurately establishes a quantitative correspondence between phases and recorded intensity images, outperforming the linear phase approximation model widely used in the conventional methods of x-ray in-line phase-contrast imaging. This new model can be iteratively solved using the algebraic reconstruction technique (ART). The state of the art compressive sensing ingredients can be incorporated to achieve high quality image reconstruction. Our numerical simulation studies demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach that is more accurate and stable, and more robust against noise than the conventional approach.
Parental responsiveness is feminized after neonatal castration in virgin male prairie voles, but is not masculinized by perinatal testosterone in virgin females.

Abstract We previously found a large sex difference in the parental responsiveness of adult virgin prairie voles ( Microtus ochrogaster ) such that most males are spontaneously parental, whereas most females are not. Because this sex difference is independent of the gonadal hormones normally circulating in adult virgin voles, the present study examined whether perinatal hormones influence the development of this sex difference. Males were treated prenatally (via their pregnant dam) with both the androgen receptor blocker flutamide (5 mg/day/dam) and the aromatase inhibitor ATD (1 mg/day/dam), or oil, for the last 2 weeks of gestation. Half of the subjects from each group were castrated on the day of birth and the other half received a sham surgery. As adults, intact males were castrated and all males received a silastic capsule filled with testosterone. Prenatal treatment with flutamide and ATD had no effect on males' behavior toward pups, but neonatal castration significantly reduced the percentage of males acting parentally. In a second experiment, females were exposed to testosterone propionate (TP; 50 μg/day/dam) or oil via their dam during the last 2 weeks of gestation. For the first neonatal week, half of the females from each group were injected with TP (1 mg/day) and the other half oil. As adults, females were ovariectomized and half from each group received a testosterone-filled capsule and the other half received an empty capsule. None of the perinatal TP treatments increased females' parental responsiveness, although females from all groups that received testosterone capsules as adults were highly parental. Therefore, although postnatal testicular hormones are necessary for high parental responsiveness in males, the behavior of females is not influenced by perinatal exposure to testosterone.
Localization of cognitive operations in the human brain

The human brain localizes mental operations of the kind posited by cognitive theories. These local computations are integrated in the performance of cognitive tasks such as reading. To support this general hypothesis, new data from neural imaging studies of word reading are related to results of studies on normal subjects and patients with lesions. Further support comes from studies in mental imagery, timing, and memory.
Exercise echocardiography: A clinically practical addition in the evaluation of coronary artery disease

There has been only modest clinical interest in exercise echocardiography because of the technical limitations of the procedure. Recognizing that there have been recent technical advances in the echocardiographic instruments and that echocardiography should, in theory, be an ideal technique for evaluating exercise-induced wall motion abnormalities, a clinically practical method of performing exercise echocardiograms was developed. By obtaining the echocardiograms immediately after treadmill exercise, with the patient sitting at the treadmill, a high percent of studies adequate for interpretation was obtained (92%). The addition of echocardiography to the treadmill exercise test significantly enhanced the diagnostic yield. In addition, in cases of one and three vessel disease, exercise echocardiography identified stenosis in specific coronary arteries. In patients with two vessel disease and left circumflex obstruction, specific vessel identification was less reliable. A high percent of patients with multivessel disease developed wall motion abnormalities with exercise that persisted for at least 30 minutes. It is concluded that echocardiography performed immediately after exercise with the new generation of echocardiographs can be a practical and useful clinical tool.
Toward an interoperable dynamic network analysis toolkit

To facilitate the analysis of real and simulated data on groups, organizations and societies, tools and measures are needed that can handle relational or network data that is multi-mode, multi-link and multi-time period in which nodes and edges have attributes with possible data errors and missing data. The integrated CASOS dynamic network analysis toolkit described in this paper is an interoperable set of scalable software tools. These tools form a toolchain that facilitate the dynamic extraction, analysis, visualization and reasoning about key actors, hidden groups, vulnerabilities and changes in such data at varying levels of fidelity. We present these tools and illustrate their capabilities using data collected from a series of 368 texts on an organizational system interfaced with covert networks in the Middle East.
Diversity, distribution, and ancient taxonomic relationships within the TIR and non-TIR NBS-LRR resistance gene subfamilies.

Phylogenetic relationships among the NBS-LRR (nucleotide binding site–leucine-rich repeat) resistance gene homologues (RGHs) from 30 genera and nine families were evaluated relative to phylogenies for these taxa. More than 800 NBS-LRR RGHs were analyzed, primarily from Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Poaceae, and Solanaceae species, but also from representatives of other angiosperm and gymnosperm families. Parsimony, maximum likelihood, and distance methods were used to classify these RGHs relative to previously observed gene subfamilies as well as within more closely related sequence clades. Grouping sequences using a distance cutoff of 250 PAM units (point accepted mutations per 100 residues) identified at least five ancient sequence clades with representatives from several plant families: the previously observed TIR gene subfamily and a minimum of four deep splits within the non-TIR gene subfamily. The deep splits in the non-TIR subfamily are also reflected in comparisons of amino acid substitution rates in various species and in ratios of nonsynonymous-to-synonymous nucleotide substitution rates (KA/KS values) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Lower KA/KS values in the TIR than the non-TIR sequences suggest greater functional constraints in the TIR subfamily. At least three of the five identified ancient clades appear to predate the angiosperm–gymnosperm radiation. Monocot sequences are absent from the TIR subfamily, as observed in previous studies. In both subfamilies, clades with sequences separated by approximately 150 PAM units are family but not genus specific, providing a rough measure of minimum dates for the first diversification event within these clades. Within any one clade, particular taxa may be dramatically over- or underrepresented, suggesting preferential expansions or losses of certain RGH types within particular taxa and suggesting that no one species will provide models for all major sequence types in other taxa.
Active imaging applied to navigation through fog

Navigation, especially in aviation, has been plagued since its inception with the hazards ofpoor visibility conditions. Vehicular ground movement is also hampered at night or in low visibility even with night vision augmentation because of the lack of contrast and depth perception. For landing aircraft in fog, the visible and near-infrared have been discounted because of the large backscatter coefficients in favor of primarily radar that penetrates waterladen atmospheres. Aircraft outfitted with an Instrumentation Landing System (ILS) can land safely on an aircraft carrier in fog. Landing at an airport with an ILS is not safe because there is no way to detect small-scale obstacles that do not show up on radar but can cause a landing crash. We have developed and tested a technique to improve navigation through fog based on chopped active visible laser illumination and wide baseline stereo (hyperstereo) viewing with real-time image correction of backscatter radiation and forward scattering blur. The basis of the approach to developing this active hyperstereo vision system for landing aircraft in fog is outlined in the invention disclosure ofthe Army Research Laboratory (ARL) patent application ARL-97-72, filed Dec. 1997. Testing this concept required a matched pair of laser illuminators and cameras with synchronized choppers, a computer for near real-time acquisition and analysis of the hyperstereo imagery with ancillary stereo display goggles, a set of specular reflectors, and a fog generator/characterizer. The basic concept of active hyperstereo vision is to compare the imagery obtained from alternate wings ofthe aircraft while illuminating only from the opposite wing. This produces images with a backscatter radiation pattern that has an increasing gradient towards the side with the illumination source. Flipping the imagery from one wing left to right and comparing it to the opposite wing imagery will allow the backscattered radiation pattern to be subtracted from both sets of imagery. Use of specular reflectors along the sides of the runway will allow the human stereo fusion process to fuse the forward scatter blurred hyperstereo imagery of the array of specular reflectors with backscatter eliminated and allow the appropriate amount of inverse point spread function deblurring to be applied for optimum resolution of scene content (i.e., obstacles on the runway). Results of this testing will be shown.
Telomere dynamics and fusion of critically shortened telomeres in plants lacking DNA ligase IV

In the absence of the telomerase, telomeres undergo progressive shortening and are ultimately recruited into end-to-end chromosome fusions via the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) double-strand break repair pathway. Previously, we showed that fusion of critically shortened telomeres in Arabidopsis proceeds with approximately the same efficiency in the presence or absence of KU70, a key component of NHEJ. Here we report that DNA ligase IV (LIG4) is also not essential for telomere joining. We observed only a modest decrease (3-fold) in the frequency of chromosome fusions in triple tert ku70 lig4 mutants versus tert ku70 or tert. Sequence analysis revealed that, relative to tert ku70, chromosome fusion junctions in tert ku70 lig4 mutants contained less microhomology and less telomeric DNA. These findings argue that the KU-LIG4 independent end-joining pathway is less efficient and mechanistically distinct from KU-independent NHEJ. Strikingly, in all the genetic backgrounds we tested, chromosome fusions are initiated when the shortest telomere in the population reaches approximately 1 kb, implying that this size represents a critical threshold that heralds a detrimental structural transition. These data reveal the transitory nature of telomere stability, and the robust and flexible nature of DNA repair mechanisms elicited by telomere dysfunction.
Numerical solution for the propagation of an elliptic Gaussian beam in a Kerr medium

Abstract A numerical algorithm combining the fast Fourier 2D transform and Runge-Kutta techniques is applied to the problem of the propagation of a cw elliptical Gaussian beam in a nonlinear Kerr medium. The numerical solution is compared to those of the aberrationless paraxial approximation and of the variational method. We find that the deviations from either approximations can be substantial. Furthermore, we show that novel qualitative features, such as hole formation in the beam center and the transformation of an elliptic beam into a cylindrical beam immediately prior to self-focusing, which are not predicted by either approximation are present in the numerical treatment.
Asymptotic dislocation density fields for cracks in an elastic, perfectly plastic solid

Abstract In this paper, details are presented of the asymptotic, non-redundant dislocation density field at a crack tip for pure mode cracks. The problems considered are for cracks in an elastic, perfectly plastic solid in antiplane strain and in perfect plane strain. The proposed asymptotic dislocation density field for the mode I crack is new; the fields for the mode II and mode III cracks are given in greater detail than in earlier papers. Mixed-mode cracks are also examined in the paper. No asymptotic stress or dislocation density fields could be found for them, under the asumption that these fields do not vary in the direction parallel to the crack front.
Effects of spatial scale on assessment of dissolved oxygen dynamics in the Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana

Low levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) are potential stressors of fishes and invertebrates in freshwater and marine systems. Because of the incredibly nutrient-rich and warm nature of the Atchafalaya River Basin (ARB), microbial decomposition in backwater areas with limited flow often results in potentially stressful, if not lethal, DO levels during and after the annual flood pulse. As water temperatures increase and flood levels fall, DO levels often stratify, restricting fish habitat. In order to better guide development of water management projects, we investigated the relationship between DO and DO stratification (DOD; surface DO − bottom DO) and a suite of environmental variables potentially linked to DO and DOD. Based on continuous monitoring data collected from 2000 to 2007, we used a variable selection procedure to construct statistical generalized linear models to describe the relationship between DO levels and DOD and several potentially important predictor variables at three spatial scales: the entire sampled area of the ARB; individual water management units (WMUs) or subunits (WMSs); and individual sampling sites. We conducted these analyses using models that assume the normal distribution and compared them to models that incorporate alternate error terms based on other error term distributions. Goodness of fit statistics suggested that our analyses best described the relationship between DO and structuring variables at the WMU/WMS scale. At this scale, water temperature, river stage height, current velocity, and to a lesser extent, water depth appeared to be the most important measured variables that influence DO levels. We suggest that management decisions at the WMU and WMS scales will offer the greatest potential benefits for improvement of DO conditions in the ARB.
Out of the Closet: Representation of Homosexuals and Lesbians in Modern Arabic Literature

Although a great deal of research and criticism has been done on homoerotic desire in Arabomedieval adab literature, very little has been written on its representation in modern Arabic literature. In order to address this scholarly gap, my study poses the following questions: why is there an increase of homosexual and lesbian characters, at this contemporary juncture, in Arabic fiction? And what are the effects of such an exposure on the status of Arab gay rights? I argue that depictions of male homosexuality in contemporary texts draw on power dialectics of master/slave, active/passive and local/colonial, and as such reflect a sense of overall powerlessness, inferiority and alienation from the political process, while underscoring the Arab male's loss of manhood and of self. In contrast, female homosexuality remains locked into traditional, heterocentric discourse which claims that lesbianism exists only as a prelude to, or as a temporary replacement of “normative” heterosexuality, thus undermining the validity of lesbian body politics. Contrary to the medieval tradition which allowed more fluidity in the depiction of same-sex definitions and practices, and acknowledged the variants of homoerotic desire and action, contemporary Arab cultural and literary engagements of the topic overlook the biological aspect of this desire. Furthermore, they project gay encounters as a symptom of the social deterioration caused by political and economic oppression of the Arab citizen. I conclude that more attention must be given to the biological essence of sexual differentiation, to the body politics rather than gender politics, if the emergence of a recognized, outspoken Arab homosexual or lesbian identity is ever to be realized.
Polytetrafluoroethylene as a Radiation Dosimeter

The utility of the quantitative assay of free radicals produced in polytetrafluoroethylene as a means of ionizing radiation dosimetry is discussed. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy is used as the diagnostic technique. It is shown that this dosimetry concept is very useful over the range 10/3 to 108 rad and that the range can be extended on both ends without much difficulty. Also, this material can be used to obtain depthdose profiles in a straightforward manner.
Aortic Root Replacement With Stentless Porcine Xenografts: Early and Late Outcomes in 132 Patients

Background Traditionally, aortic root replacement has most commonly involved mechanical composite valve grafts, which have excellent durability but necessitate lifelong anticoagulation. Stentless porcine xenografts (bioroots) are a recently developed alternative that enable root replacement without the necessity of long-term anticoagulation. This study examined the early and late outcomes of aortic root replacement with porcine bioroots. Methods Porcine bioroots were used for root replacement in 132 patients. Of these, 129 (97.7%) required graft extensions for ascending aortic replacement, and 55 (41.7%) underwent aortic arch replacement. Twenty-three operations (17.4%) were reoperations. Twenty-four patients (18.2%) had aortic dissection. Early and late outcomes were ascertained by reviewing medical records. Changes in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class were used to assess improvements in functional status. Follow-up echocardiography results were reviewed to assess bioprosthetic valve function and changes in left ventricular ejection fraction. Results There were 10 operative deaths (7.6%), 9 of which were directly related to intraoperative ventricular failure. Nine patients (6.8%) had late valve-related complications, including 5 patients with prosthetic endocarditis (3 died), 1 annular pseudoaneurysm, and 3 sudden, unexplained deaths. Survivors' NYHA status and left ventricular ejection fraction improved significantly. No structural valve dysfunction was evident during follow-up. Actuarial survival was 85.6% ± 3.1% at 1 year and 77.8% ± 4.8% at 5 years. Conclusions Aortic root replacement with porcine xenografts can be performed with respectable early and late outcomes, even when combined with aortic arch replacement. Further follow-up is necessary to evaluate long-term bioroot durability.
From maps to navigation: The role of cues in finding locations in a virtual environment

In two experiments, participants navigated through a large arena within a virtual environment (VE) to a location encoded in memory from a map. In both experiments, participants recalled locations by navigating through the VE, but in Experiment 2, they additionally recalled the locations on the original map. Two cues were located outside and above the walls of the arena at either north–south locations or east–west locations. The pattern of angular bias was used to infer how the cues affected the creation of spatial categories influencing memory for location in the two tasks. When participants navigated to remembered locations in the VE, two cue-based spatial categories were inferred, with cues serving to demarcate the boundaries of the categories. When participants remembered locations on the original map, two cue-based categories were again formed, but with cues serving as category prototypes. The pattern of results implies that cue-based spatial categorization schemes may be formulated differently at the memory retrieval stage depending on task constraints.
A single-crystal study of eight-layer barium niobium lithium oxide, Ba4Nb3LiO12

Abstract A single-crystal study of a sample of Ba4Nb3LiO12 provided by Dr. T. Negas has been carried out and confirms the |(4)|(4)| layer stacking scheme (Zhdanov notation) for the eight BaO3 layers per unit cell. Of the eight MO6 octahedra per cell (M = Nb or Li), four share faces in pairs, and these pairs are linked by pairs of corner-sharing MO6 octahedra. The compound has an hexagonal cell of dimensions a = 5.777 ± 0.006 A and c = 18.95 ± 0.03 A, probable space group P6 3 mmc , Z = 2 . The theoretical density is 6.22 g/cm3; within the limit of error of the pycnometrically measured density, 6.08 ± 0.06 g/cm3. The study was carried out with 620 independent reflections, of which 437 were considered observed, collected by automated counter methods and refined by least-squares to a conventional R value of 0.076.
Otolaryngologic management of patients with subdural empyema

From 1979 to 1988,17 patients presented to Duke University Medical Center for treatment of subdural empyema. Empyemas were caused by sinusitis in 53% of the patients and by otitis media in 12%. None of those with otologic causes required mastoid drainage, while all patients with sinus infections required sinus drainage. External frontoethmoidectomies were associated with a lower incidence of fronto-ethmoid re-exploration (P = 0.048), and antrosto-mies with a lower incidence of maxillary re-exploration (P = 0.111), than were more limited drainage procedures. Sinus drainage performed simultaneously with neurosurgical drainage reduced the incidence of sinus re-exploration (P = 0.167), neurosurgical re-exploration (P = 0.048), and length of hospitalization (P = 0.020).
On converging boundaries for the SPRT

We develop a generalized recursive method to obtain error probabilities and the expected sample size for a truncated SPRT with converging boundaries. Using Wald's constant bounds, for IID normal observations, integer truncation points are obtained that guarantee actual error probabilities no worse than the desired probabilities. A simple relationship is established to predict the expected sample size. Anderson's converging boundaries are applied to a discrete observation process. It is found that some of these boundaries are conservative while others yield actual error probabilities that are higher than desired. Other converging boundaries are also considered.
Bioconjugated silica nanoparticles: Development and applications

Advanced bioanalysis, including accurate quantitation, has driven the need to understand biology and medicine at the molecular level. Bioconjugated silica nanoparticles have the potential to address this emerging challenge. Particularly intriguing diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer and infectious disease as well as uses in gene and drug delivery, have also been found for silica nanoparticles. In this review, we describe the synthesis, bioconjugation, and applications of silica nanoparticles in different bioanalysis formats, such as selective tagging, barcoding, and separation of a wide range of biomedically important targets. Overall, we envisage that further development of these nanoparticles will provide a variety of advanced tools for molecular biology, genomics, proteomics and medicine.
Intermediary metabolism of the lipids

The author reviews recent advancements in the study of the fate of lipids in metabolism. Brief discussions of the mechanism of absorption in the intestinal wall; of the role of lecithin, cephalin, sphingomyelin, and cholesterol in fat metabolism; of the metabolic changes in fats in the liver, and of the manner of oxidation of fats in the body, are presented.
Calendula and camelina response to nitrogen fertility

Abstract Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) and camelina (Camelina sativa L.) can provide a domestic, renewable, non-food alternative to imported oil sources for bioenergy and industrial purposes. However, limited information exists concerning N fertilizer guidelines for these emerging oilseed crops. Therefore, a replicated greenhouse study was conducted to assess the growth and yield response of calendula and camelina to N fertility. Plants were grown in pots, and treatments consisted of fertilizing with urea at 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 g N pot−1, corresponding to field-area equivalent rates of 0, 26, 52, 130, and 260 kg ha−1. Reproductive [i.e., flower and seed head (capitula) dry biomass (g plant−1), seed yield (g plant−1), seed-oil yield (g pot−1), and seed-oil content (g kg−1)] and vegetative parameters [i.e., root and shoot dry biomass, N concentration (mg g−1) and N uptake (mg N plant−1)] were used to assess crop response to N-fertility. Quadratic functions (r2 = 0.93, P = 0.05 and r2 = 0.99, P = 0.09) described the response of calendula capitula dry biomass and camelina seed yield g plant−1) to N fertilizer, respectively. These functions predicted maximum agronomic yields occurring at 0.65 and 0.75 g N pot−1, for calendula and camelina, respectively. Camelina seed-oil content (g kg−1) declined from 390 to 360 g kg−1 in response to N fertility, but because seed yield increased with N fertility, likewise, so did total seed-oil yield (g pot−1). Nitrogen uptake efficiency of aboveground vegetative biomass ranged about 19–29% for camelina). Maximum agronomic yield may compromise economic return, which needs to be considered when developing fertilizer recommendations for field production of these two oil-seed crops.
Physical Mechanism of Comet Outbursts: An Experimental Result

Attention is given to an experimental investigation of the physical mechanism of comet outbursts which is consistent with the general picture of mantle presence on comets and clarifies the relation of mantles to eruptive activity. The experiment and closeup observation of Comet P/Halley suggest a result different from most mathematical models in that the release of gas pressure does not occur only from uniform gas flow out of the entire surface. In some active comets near perihelion within a few AU of the sun, gas production rates and disturbance of the surface may be so high that the outflow is nearly continuous, with the regolith being entirely stripped away, as in many of the models. The present model provides a cyclic eruption and recharge mechanism which is lacking in most other models.
Seizure-related autonomic changes in children.

Summary:Although sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is encountered less frequently in children versus adults, it is still an important direct epilepsy-related cause of death in this population. Just as in adults, the pathophysiology of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in children is believed to
Some Simulation Studies of Nonparametric Estimators

This paper constructs a number of Monte Carlo studies to assess the quality of various nonparametric estimators that have been proposed recently for the estimation of nonlinear econometric models. We consider both kernel and Fourier series based methods of estimation, and also examine techniques that have been suggested to improve the bias properties of the kernel estimator. The two models examined are a production function and a model emphasising the effects of risk. The Fourier estimator does very well in estimating the first of these, but not the second, while the kernel estimator shows substantial bias for the first, which is only partially alleviated by the procedures advocated for bias correction, and good results for the second.
Information Society with Chinese Characteristics — Discursive Evolution of the Neo-Industrialization Strategy in the People's Daily

By focusing on the Chinese official discourse of "neoindustrialisation" published on the People’s Daily, this article not only provides an understanding of the Chinese official understanding of information society and information economy, but also foregrounds the issue of information in China’s conflicted reintegration with global capitalism. This article argues that, deviant from the Western discourse of post-industrialism, the neo-industrialisation strategy promotes a coordinated effort to both "industrialise" and "informationise" the economy. Moreover, pragmatic concerns with China’s realities, including unfinished industrialisation, structural unemployment and the domestic demands for all-around national development, all find echoes in the discourse of neo-industrialisation. By providing a political economic contextualisation of this discourse, this article also strives to provide an insight of the most recent plan of forming a "super" Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in the Chinese government, which was announced in March 2008.
Creatine kinase BB isoenzyme levels by radioimmunoassay in patients with neurological disease

Creatine kinase BB (CK-BB) isoenzyme was measured by radioimmunoassay in serum and in cerebrospinal fluid from 61 patients with various neurological disorders. Statistically significant elevations of CK-BB isoenzyme in the serum were observed in patients with acute cerebrovascular accidents and in those with seizures and a prolonged alteration in level of consciousness. Statistically significant elevations of CK-BB isoenzyme in the cerebrospinal fluid were also found in patients who had suffered acute cerebrovascular accidents. Some patients with central nervous system infections, acute demyelinating disease, certain drug overdoses, head trauma, and complex migraine also had elevations of serum and CSF CK-BB isoenzyme. In 2 patients with elevations of CK-BB isoenzyme, the elevations in serum occurred later than those detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. If CK-BB elevations determined by radioimmunoassay can be demonstrated to be quantitatively related to the extent of brain damage, then these determinations in conjunction with experimental animal models and newer radiological techniques should allow evaluation, in an objective and precise manner, of measures designed to decrease that damage.
Leon D. Epstein

Leon D. Epstein died on Tuesday, August 1, 2006, as the result of injuries suffered in a fall at home two days earlier. He was a scholar of international repute in the realm of political parties, a central figure in the postwar re-creation of the department of political science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as well as a former president of the American Political Science Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. drawing on Bernard Cohen, Charles O. Jones, Frank Sorauf, John Witte, and Crawford Young
Analysis of Surface Contaminants on Intraocular Lenses

• Surface contaminants have been studied on a variety of intraocular lenses by three methods: scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDXA), and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Many particulate contaminants were observed on both commercially available lenses packaged for implantation and experimental batches of lenses. The nature of these particles could be inferred using the EDXA technique. Thin films of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) that were resistant to removal were found on many of the lenses by ESCA. Cleaning procedures were developed that did not involve SDS and that generated extremely clean lens surfaces.
Electric vehicles charging stations network - A preliminary evaluation about Italian highways

Charging infrastructures have a fundamental role in the diffusion of Electrical Vehicles (EVs). An insufficient number of these could have negative effects on the EVs diffusion. This paper is going to analyze the Italian territory in order to provide an evaluation regarding the number of charging stations that Italian highways need. First of all attention was paid about the number of electrical vehicles situated in each Italian regions. Then, a cartographic study of the territory followed in order to identify the highways network and the traffic flow in it and a study of the main characteristics of the EVs over the past few years was carried. Finally, simulation results have demonstrated that the developed method supports the evaluation about the number of the charging stations that the Italian highways need.
The FMR1 Premutation and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Evidence for a Complex Inheritance

We recently reported elevated symptoms associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among adult female carriers of the FMR1 premutation. To gain insight into the contribution of this mutation in the context of polygenes, we examined the proportion of variation in these symptoms due to residual genetic factors after adjustment for the effect of the premutation. To accomplish this, we performed a familial aggregation analysis of ADHD symptoms among 231 females from 82 pedigrees using scores from the Connors Adult ADHD Rating Scales. Results indicate that after accounting for the effect of FMR1, there are significant residual polygenic effects on self-reported symptoms of ADHD, as measured by the ADHD Index (p = 0.0117) and problems with self-concept (p = 0.0110), one specific symptom domain associated with ADHD. For both measures, FMR1 accounts for ~5% of the variance while polygenes account for ~50% of the residual variance, suggesting that the premutation acts in concert with additional genetic loci to influence the severity of ADHD symptoms.