cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of activated carbon, phenobarbital, and vitamins A, D, and E on polybrominated biphenyl excretion in cows.

Twelve cows environmentally contaminated with polybrominated biphenyl residues were in a balanced two-period changeover experiment. The treatments were activated carbon and sodium phenobarbital; sodium phenobarbital and injections of vitamins A, D, and E; activated carbon, phenobarbital, and vitamins A, D, and E; and control. A standard roughage and concentrate diet was fed. Average initial concentrations of polybrominated biphenyls in the milk fat ranged from 92 to 236 ppm. The experimental treatments did not affect significantly excretion of polybrominated biphenyls in milk and feces or the apparent half-life of residues in milk fat or body fat. Half-life residues in milk fat averaged 60 days but ranged from 36 to 301 days. The longer half-life in early lactation than in later lactation indicated an effect of change of body weight on half-life. Milk was the major route of excretion, averaging 6.5 times that of fecal excretion. Polybrominated biphenyl in milk fat, body fat, blood, and feces followed parallel concentrations throughout the study.
A Fundamentally New View of the Perspective Three-Point Pose Problem

The Perspective Three-Point Pose Problem (P3P) is an old and basic problem in the area of camera tracking. While methods for solving it have been largely successful, they are subject to erratic behavior near the so-called "danger cylinder." Another difficulty with most of these methods is the need to select the physically correct solution from among various mathematical solutions. This article presents a new framework from which to study P3P for non-collinear control points, particularly near the danger cylinder. A multivariate Newton-Raphson method to approximately solve P3P is introduced. Using the new framework, this is then enhanced by adding special procedures for handling the problematic behavior near the danger cylinder. It produces a point on the cylinder, a compromise between two nearly equal mathematical solutions, only one of which is the camera's actual position. The compromise diminishes the risk of accidentally converging to the other nearby solution. However, it does impose the need, upon receding from the danger cylinder vicinity, to make a selection between two possible approximate solution points. Traditional algebraic methods depend on correctly selecting from up to four points, each time the camera position is recomputed. In the new iterative method, selecting between just two points is only occasionally required. Simulations demonstrate that a considerable improvement results from using this revised method instead of the basic Newton-Raphson method.
Rat post-implantation culture: Production of 5-8-somite embryos by a time-controlled mating procedure

The use of in vitro studies allows a reduction in the number of test animals needed to perform a study. In 24-hr post-implantation embryo culture (from day 10 to day 11 post-insemination) the 5-8 somite stage is considered to be the best starting point. A time-controlled mating procedure has been developed using a positive lordosis reaction and a short period for mating to synchronize pregnancy in rats. With this procedure, 243 hr post-mating 97% of embryos are in a stage of development ranging between 5 and 8 somites. The pregnancy rate (96%) and embryo viability rate (93.4%) are excellent. In these conditions only two or three females are needed to obtain 20 embryos at the required somitic stage. Compared with commonly used mating procedures, this technique reduces considerably the number of females needed for each experiment and workload involved. Furthermore, it allows better planning of whole embryo culture studies and can be easily adapted to obtain embryos at any somitic stage.
EXPLORING BED-SHARING MOTHERS‘ MOTIVES AND DECISION-MAKING FOR GETTING THROUGH THE NIGHT INTACT: A GROUNDED THEORY

Purpose: The purpose of this grounded theory study was to understand mothers' motives for sleeping with their babies and to generate a theoretical model that explains mothers' decision-making process. Background: Mother–infant bed sharing is a controversial practice that is poorly understood. Literature suggests routine bed sharing is underreported in the United States and that it is increasing in prevalence. Methods: Twenty-four bed-sharing mothers were interviewed in-depth about their bed-sharing practices, motivations, and experiences. Interview transcripts were qualitatively analyzed through constant comparison until theory from the data were generated. Results: Seven thematic motives emerged: (a) child's physical needs and safety, (b) child's emotional security, (c) child's sleep, (d) maternal sleep, (e) nighttime breastfeeding, (f) maternal psychological security, and (g) maternal pleasure. A grounded theory that described the decision-making process utilized by mothers who bed share was presented. Mothers moved through the process of recognizing needs, making decisions, attending to needs through bed sharing, and evaluating effects in order to meet their children's needs as well as their own. A basic social process of getting through the night intact was described. Conclusion: Motives for mothers to bed share with their babies are interrelated and change over time. Within a complex context, mothers make either intentional or unintentional decisions to bed share in order to meet the needs of their babies and themselves.
Internal gravity waves in atmospheres with realistic dissipation and temperature part I. Mathematical development and propagation of waves into the thermosphere

Abstract In this, the first part of a three part study, we develop a model for the theoretical analysis of 3‐dimensional internal gravity waves in atmospheres with arbitrary distributions of basic temperature, molecular weight, viscosity and conductivity (both eddy and molecular), Newtonian cooling, anisotropic hydromagnetic (ion) drag, and thermal excitation. Attention is given to the physical bases for our models, and a detailed outline is given of the numerical method used to solve the resulting system of equations. As an application of the above development, we study the ability of five particular gravity waves (chosen for their observed importance in the neighborhood of 90–100 km—four of the waves are simulated tidal modes) to propagate from 90 km into the thermosphere. We choose to define the thermosphere as that portion of the atmosphere above the turbopause (ca. 110 km). Among the most significant results to emerge are the following: (i) the effects of molecular viscosity and conductivity appear t...
Effects of Selection for Sugarbeet Purity Components on Quality and Sucrose Extractions

Significant population mean shifts for extract chemical composition occurred in the newly synthesized populations developed by high or low selection. Selection for reduced Na + (one of the three chemical constituents previously identified as important to juice quality) significantly increased purity and extractable sucrose. The effect of selection on other nonsucrose chemicals was often dramatic and not predictable, although a strong positive association was detected between Na + and Cl − . Realized heritability estimates were 0.23, 0.66, and 0.81 for Na + , K + , and amino N, respectively
A Bi-Directional Integrated Model for Non-Rigid Motion Analysis

To be able to understand the motion of deformable objects, techniques in image processing and computer vision are essential for non-rigid motion analysis in this active research area. We have developed an integrated model that combines the advantages of the boundary-based and region-based approaches and avoids problems caused by each stand-alone approach, e.g. overshrinking, oversegmenting, noise sensitivity. This image segmentation model further iteratively improves each submodel in both directions until it satisfies predefined criteria. Different frame-to-frame prediction methods, naive, inflation, and optic flow, are developed and evaluated. Comparison between our model and other models is studied and illustrated by examples. Further improvements on our motion tracking model are possible by evaluating new attraction functions and prediction methods. Some important notes on future work are given for incorporating other information (e.g. morphometrics) into our integrated model in several aspects. This is expected to improve our existing model and makes it a better research tool for scientists to answer questions more accurately in a variety of application areas, e.g. biomedial motion analysis, navigation.
Aspects of Girls’ Friendships: Practice Implications for Internalizing Problems

Children’s friendship quality is a particularly important risk or protective factor for internalizing problems and loneliness. Past research indicates that relationship satisfaction is related to perceived similarity; however, it is unclear whether this relation is seen in girls’ friendship quality and whether this relation is significant over and above internalizing problems and loneliness. To improve our understanding of the unique relation between girls’ perceived similarity to unfamiliar and familiar peers and friendship quality. 116 girls aged 9–11 completed self-report questionnaires; we examined unique relations of girls’ perceived similarity to expected friendship quality with three hypothetical unfamiliar girls (prosocial, withdrawn/depressed, and aggressive) and perceived friendship quality with a nominated friend. Girls’ perceived similarity to all three unfamiliar girls was related to higher expected positive friendship quality, but it was only related to expected negative friendship quality for the unfamiliar aggressive girl. Girls’ perceived similarity to her nominated friend was uniquely related to perceived positive but not negative friendship quality. Dyadic loneliness was inversely related to girls’ perceived positive friendship quality with her nominated friend. Depression and dyadic loneliness were both positively related to girls’ perceived negative friendship quality with her nominated friend. Girls’ perceived similarity to familiar and unfamiliar peers is uniquely related to friendship quality. Training, prevention, and intervention programs targeting internalizing problems, loneliness, and social problems could benefit from incorporating this information.
An Early Warning Model for Grain Elevator Bankruptcy

An estimated $21 million was lost nationwide from grain elevator bankruptcies between 1974 and 1979. Ninety percent of this loss was absorbed by farmers. The remaining 10% was spread between bankers and other grain companies (Carr et al.). Hence, an important area for economic research is how elevator bankruptcy can be predicted and in turn prevented. An early warning model for grain elevator bankruptcy could alert licensing agencies and creditors to which elevators have a high probability of failure. The U.S. General Accounting Office (p. 15) recommended that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) develop such a system. Likewise, many states are trying to improve their regulatory efforts. This preliminary work can provide a first step in that direction.
Depression: The best way forward

Conventional behavioural mouse models of depression are often used to study the disorder, but cannot capture the full picture of the human disease. Here, scientists present two views about the best research strategies to adopt if treatments are to be improved.
Ventricular Septal Defect Following Myocardial Infarction

Review of the literature since 1970 revealed more than 200 patients who had a ventricular septal defect following myocardial infarction and underwnet operation. Pathogenesis and diagnosis are discussed. The primary therapy is operative repair, which is considered from the standpoint of approach, timing, technique, concomitant coronary artery bypass, mortality, and long-term survival. Operative mortality in those patients operated on less than 3 weeks following perforation remains high (40%) but when it is possible to wait 3 weeks, there is a marked decrease in mortality (6%). Several general principles have evolved for the care of these patients. (1) Operation should be deferred until 3 weeks after infarction if possible. (2) The intraaortic balloon allows preoperative evaluation of the patient with clinical hemodynamic deterioration in the early postinfarction period. (3) The incision should be placed through the infarct. (4) Associated coronary artery or mitral valve disease should be repaired as well.
Guided fracture of films on soft substrates to create micro/nano-feature arrays with controlled periodicity

While the formation of cracks is often stochastic and considered undesirable, controlled fracture would enable rapid and low cost manufacture of micro/nanostructures. Here, we report a propagation-controlled technique to guide fracture of thin films supported on soft substrates to create crack arrays with highly controlled periodicity. Precision crack patterns are obtained by the use of strategically positioned stress-focusing V-notch features under conditions of slow application of strain to a degree where the notch features and intrinsic crack spacing match. This simple but robust approach provides a variety of precisely spaced crack arrays on both flat and curved surfaces. The general principles are applicable to a wide variety of multi-layered materials systems because the method does not require the careful control of defects associated with initiation-controlled approaches. There are also no intrinsic limitations on the area over which such patterning can be performed opening the way for large area micro/nano-manufacturing.
Effect of uneven wall temperature on local heat transfer in a rotating square channel with smooth walls and radial outward flow

The effect of uneven wall temperature on the local heat transfer coefficient in a rotating square channel with smooth walls and radial outward flow is investigated for Reynolds numbers from 2500 to 25,000 and rotation numbers from 0 to 0.352. Three cases of thermal boundary conditions are studied: (1) four walls uniform temperature, (2) four walls uniform heat flux, and (3) leading and trailing walls hot and two side walls cold. It is shown that the heat transfer coefficients on the leading surface are much lower than that of the trailing surface due to rotation. For case 1, the leading surface heat transfer coefficient decreases and then increases with increasing rotation numbers, and the trailing surface heat transfer coefficient increases monotonically with rotation numbers. The trailing surface heat transfer coefficients, as well as those for the side walls, for case 2 are higher than for case 1, and the leading surface heat transfer coefficients for cases 2 and 3 are significantly higher than for case 1.
Left ventricular free wall rupture following acute myocardial infarction and cardiac amyloid

A 74-year-old man died of left ventricular free wall rupture 6 days following an acute inferoposterior wall myocardial infarction. His hospital course was complicated by pump failure which proved resistant to inotropic support, diuresis, and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. At necropsy, extensive amyloid deposition was noted. This case constitutes an unusual clinical setting for myocardial rupture because of the severity of systolic left ventricular dysfunction as well as cardiac amyloidosis.
Identification of the RUSH Consensus-Binding Site by Cyclic Amplification and Selection of Targets: Demonstration that RUSH Mediates the Ability of Prolactin to Augment Progesterone-Dependent Gene Expression

RUSH-1α(β) transcription factors were cloned by recognition site screening with an 85-bp region (−170/−85) of the rabbit uteroglobin gene. Deletion analysis showed this region was essential to prolactin (PRL) action, but conclusions were limited by the complexity of the large deletion. Cyclic amplification and selection of targets (CASTing) was used to identify the RUSH-binding site (−126/−121). Endometrial nuclear proteins were incubated with a pool of degenerate oligonucleotides and immunoprecipitated with RUSH-1α(β) antibodies. Bound DNA was amplified by PCR. The consensus motif (MCWTDK) was identified after five rounds of CASTing, authenticated by CASTing with RUSH-1α-specific antibodies and recombinant protein, and refined with EMSA. Dissociation rate constants (Kd = 0.1–1.0 nm; r = 0.99) revealed high-affinity binding. Chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed in vivo binding of RUSH to the transcriptionally active uteroglobin promoter. CASTing also revealed RUSH-GATA transcription factor interactions...
Stress-activated protein kinase inhibition to ameliorate lung ischemia reperfusion injury.

Objective Inhibition of cytokines offers modest protection from injury in animal models of lung ischemia–reperfusion. Improved strategies would selectively inhibit the transcriptional activation response to oxidative stress. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38, c-jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal–regulated kinase) have been shown to be activated after oxidative stress and in animal models of acute inflammatory lung injury. We hypothesized that mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibition would block downstream transcriptional activation, providing robust protection from lung ischemia–reperfusion injury. Methods Experimental rats received inhibitors of p38, c-jun kinase, or extracellular signal–regulated kinase before in situ left lung ischemia–reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry localized cellular sites of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Several markers of lung injury were assessed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measured soluble cytokine and chemokine contents. Western blotting assessed mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. Electromobility shift assays measured transcription factor nuclear translocation. Results Immunohistochemistry localized p38 and c-jun kinase activations in positive controls to alveolar macrophages. Extracellular signal–regulated kinase was activated in endothelial and epithelial cells. Animals treated with p38 or c-jun kinase inhibitor demonstrated significant reductions in transcription factor activation and markers of lung injury. Extracellular signal–regulated kinase inhibition was not protective. Western blotting confirmed inhibitor specificity. Conclusion Inhibition of p38 and c-jun kinase provided significant protection from injury. The alveolar macrophage appears to be the key coordinator of injury in response to oxidative stress. Therapeutically targeting specific cell population (macrophage) responses to oxidative stress has the potential benefit of reducing lung reperfusion injury severity while leaving host immune responses intact.
Cumulative damage model based on two-mode fatigue damage bounds

Abstract Based on earlier work by the author, a macro-model of damage accumulation is developed that circumvents crack tip micro-mechanics through introduction of two -mode damage curves. In such model, the actual microcrack configuration is replaced by an ‘equivalent’ crack while the actual heterogeneous medium is replaced by an effective homogeneous and isotropic medium in which the crack is embedded. By the simultaneous presence of slip and opening-mode damage during each cycle, the two -mode damage curves reflect conditions at a crack tip in the effective medium. Such curves are obtained from conditions imposed at four discrete microstructure barriers. With all barriers established in terms of the fatigue limit. The fatigue process is thus divided into three stages, the analogues of the three creep stages under constant stress. Two length scales are defined from order of magnitude considerations: a macro scale defining a representative volume element (RVE) and a micro scale defining a much smaller volume of grain size order; both volumes surrounding the ‘equivalent’ crack tip. The presence of a sufficiently large number of grains of random size and orientation makes the RVE representative of the medium as a whole; in such a medium, the location and orientation of the ‘equivalent’ crack becomes immaterial. While the RVE is dominated by monotonic slip, the micro volume represents a region of cyclic slip; both volumes surround the crack tip, in line with fracture mechanics concepts. This model is then applied to cumulative damage and bounds on mean residual lifetime are obtained for two-stage high–low (H–L) and low–high (L–H) cycling. The presence of microstructure barriers proves essential to damage irreversibility in L–H cycling, leading to a division of the entire region behind the S-N curve into three regions dominated by part or by all three fatigue stages. A statistical analysis based on the two-mode bounds leads to a median residual lifetime and to bounds on the variance . It is argued that the variance can only be bracketed by the present model but not uniquely defined, unless ‘instantaneous’ cyclic hardening is introduced as an additional random variable. Bounds on crack growth rate under constant amplitude cycling are also derived that effectively coincide in the macrocrack regime, thus explaining the small crack rate scatter observed. An experimental method is proposed whereby long fatigue lifetimes, including the fatigue limit, can be indirectly determined from a crack growth rate drop that occurs at the transition from a predominantly slip to a predominantly opening-mode interval of crack growth.
P5A-10 Assessment of Human Jawbone Using Ultrasonic Guided Wave: In Vitro Study

This work is motivated by the lack of current imaging modalities to accurately predict the mechanical properties and defects in jawbone. Ultrasonic guided waves are sensitive to changes in microstructural properties and thus have been widely used for non-invasive material characterization. Guided waves propagating along the mandibles may exhibit dispersion behavior which depends on material properties, geometry and embedded cavities. In this work, we present the first theoretical and experimental study for the analysis of guided wave propagation in jawbone. Semi-analytical finite-element (SAFE) method is employed to analyze dispersion behavior of guided waves propagating in human mandibles. The cross section of the mandible is divided in two regions representing the cortical and trabecular bones. The experimental set-up for the guided waves experiment is described. Gabor Wavelet is used to calculate the experimental dispersion behavior from the ultrasound radio frequency (RF) signals. Results from both numerical analysis and guided waves experiment exhibit variations in the group velocity of the first arrival signal and also in the dispersion behavior of healthy and defected mandibles. These results shall provide a means to non-invasively characterize the jawbone and assess the bone mechanical properties.
An in situ microprofiling instrument for measuring interfacial pore water gradients: methods and oxygen profiles from the North Pacific Ocean

An in situ microprofiling instrument has been developed to study the composition of pore waters at the interface of deep-ocean sediments. The device lowers and operates microelectrodes. It has been deployed by free vehicle, at four North Pacific Ocean sites spanning water depths of 1275–5790 m. Oxygen profiles with a vertical resolution of 1 mm, are reported from these deployments. Benthic oxygen fluxes calculated from the in situ gradients range from 0.04 ± 0.02 to 0.14 ± 0.04 μmol cm−2day−1. Microelectrode oxygen measurements in box-cored sediments never precisely duplicated the in situ distributions, especially near the sediment-water interface, where definition of the gradient is most critical to flux determinations.
Chloride and sodium transport across bovine tracheal epithelium: effects of secretagogues and indomethacin.

The regulation of ion transport in bovine tracheal epithelium was studied in vitro. In the absence of exogenous midifiers of ion transport, average values for transepithelial electrical potential difference (ψt), short-circuit-current (Isc) and tissue resistance (Rt) were 35.4 mV (lumen negative), 5.4 μEq·h−1·cm−2 and 187 Ω·cm2 respectively; net Cl secretion (3.2 μEq·h−1·cm−2) and net Na absorption (1.3 μEq·h−1·cm2) accounted for 82% of theIsc. Amiloride reduced (ψ1) andIsc, and increasedRt. The values of (ψt),Rt andIsc obtained following addition of theophylline, epinephrine or prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) were not different from control values. Theophylline aldo did not alter Na and Cl fluxes but it increased tissue cAMP content 3-fold. Indomethacin did not affect (ψt) but it increasedRt and net Na absorption, and decreasedIsc and net Cl secretion; it did not significantly reduce tissue cAMP. When added to indomethacin-treated tissues, epinephrine restoredIsc,Rt and Na and Cl fluxes to control levels and increased tissue cAMP 3-fold. Similary, when PGE1 was added to indomethacin-treated tissues,Isc andRt were restored to control levels.
Design methodology to distribute on-chip power in next generation integrated circuits

The performance of an integrated circuit depends strongly upon the power delivery network. With the introduction of ultra-small on-chip voltage regulators, novel design methodologies are needed to determine the location of these on-chip power supplies and decoupling capacitors. In this paper, the optimal location of the power supplies and decoupling capacitors is determined for different size and number of components. Optimization algorithms widely used for facility location problems are applied in the proposed methodology. The effect of the size, number, and location of the power supplies and decoupling capacitors on the power noise is also discussed.
Methadone metabolism by human placenta.

Abstract Methadone pharmacotherapy is considered the standard for treatment of the pregnant heroin/opioid addict. One of the factors affecting the transfer kinetics of opioids across human placenta and their levels in the fetal circulation is their metabolism by the tissue. The aim of this investigation is to identify the enzyme(s) responsible for the metabolism of methadone, determine the kinetics of the reaction and the metabolites formed utilizing placental tissue obtained from term healthy pregnancies. Microsomal fractions of trophoblast tissue homogenates had the highest activity in catalyzing the metabolism of methadone. The product formed was identified by HPLC-UV as 2-ethylidine-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP). Inhibitors selective for cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes were used to identify the enzyme catalyzing the biotransformation of methadone. Aminoglutethimide and 4-hydroxyandrostenedione inhibited EDDP formation by 88 and 70%, respectively, suggesting that CYP19/aromatase is the enzyme catalyzing the reaction. This was confirmed by the effect of monoclonal antibodies raised against CYP19 that caused an 80% inhibition of the reaction. The apparent K m and V max values for the CYP19 catalyzed metabolism of methadone to EDDP were 424 ± 92 μM and 420 ± 89 pmol (mg protein) −1 min −1 , respectively. Kinetic analysis of a cDNA-expressed CYP19 for the metabolism of methadone to EDDP was identical to that by placental microsomes. Taken together, these data indicate that CYP19/aromatase is the major enzyme responsible for the metabolism of methadone to EDDP in term human placentas obtained from healthy pregnancies.
Electron-electron interaction effect on the conductivity and the Hall conductivity of weakly disordered electron systems

The effect of the electron-electron Coulomb interaction on the conductivity and Hall conductivity of weakly disordered (T{tau}{gt}1, where {tau} is the electron mean free path) three- and two-dimensional electron systems is studied. We find that (i) temperature-dependent interaction corrections to the impurity resistivity and the Hall coefficient are positive in three and two dimensions; (ii) in two dimensions, gapless plasmons and particle-hole excitations both contribute to the electron-electron-impurity interference correction, to the resistivity; and (iii) in two-dimensional electron systems such as GaAs heterojunctions, the electron-electron interaction gives the leading temperature-dependent correction to the impurity conductivity and the Hall conductivity more important than the corresponding corrections from the piezoelectric electron-phonon interaction. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Changes in Abscisic Acid Translocation during Pod Development and Senescence in Soybeans

Summary The patterns of abscisic acid circulation between the leaves and the pods change during pod development and monocarpic senescence in soybeans. 14 C-ABA injected into the seed cavity of the most advanced pod moves to less advanced pods and mostly to pods at the same node, but very little travels to the leaves.More of the injected ABA is translocated during early and mid podfill compared with late podfill.This corresponds with the timing of the repressive effect of the more advanced pods on the less advanced pods. 14 C-ABA applied to a small portion of a leaf surface is taken up into that leaf and translocated mainly to the nearest pods but also to the pod cluster below.During late podfill, however, a substantial amount also moves to the pod cluster above.In early podfill, most of the leaf applied ABA goes to the carpels, while later most travels to the seeds.On a g fresh weight basis, the levels of 14 C-ABA in the seed coats are particularly high, but the embryo axes also contain high levels.Substantial amounts of the 14 C-ABA are converted to a form resembling the glucoside, but relatively little is otherwise metabolized, except in the carpels.
Evidence of pachyostosis in the cryptocleidoid plesiosaur Tatenectes laramiensis from the Sundance Formation of Wyoming

In this paper we present evidence for pachyostosis in the cryptocleidoid plesiosaur Tatenectes laramiensis Knight, 1900 (O'Keefe and Wahl, 2003a). Pachyostosis is not common in plesiosaurs and is p...
Bronchodilation from intravenous theophylline in patients with cystic fibrosis: results of a blinded placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial.

Most patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) eventually develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and theoretically could benefit from theophylline therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacologic response to intravenous theophylline by pulmonary function tests (PFT) and the theophylline pharmacokinetics in patients with CF. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted in 10 ambulant patients with CF (5 females, 5 males), aged 11 to 21 years. Each patient received an intravenous dose of theophylline and normal saline over 1/2 hour on consecutive days. Spirometry and whole-body plethysmography were performed at baseline, 1, 3, 5, and 7 h after the theophylline dose, and 10 blood samples were collected over 9 h on both study days. The percent change of PFT from the baseline was recorded. Analysis of variance for balanced two-period crossover design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of theophylline therapy. The serum concentration (Conc.) vs. time data were fitted using nonlinear least-squares regression analysis. The theophylline dose administered was 7.9 ± 0.4 (mean ± SD) mg/kg, which produced a maximal Conc. (Cmax) of 14.6 ± 2.7 mg/ml. The half-life (T1/2), volume of distribution (Vd), and total body clearance (TBC) were 4.9 ± 1.9h, 537 ± 124 mL/kg, and 80 ± 16 ml/h/kg, respectively. The results of PFT data analysis indicated that maximal improvement in PFT was observed at 5 h, and statistically significant improvements occurred in forced expiratory flow during the first .75 s (FEV.75), FEV1.0, FEV1.0/vital capacity (VC), FEF when 50% and when 75% of VC is expired, and FEF between 25% and 75% of VC (P <0.05). These results suggest that in CF patients, theophylline can produce a delayed but significant improvement in PFT.
Mapping oxidative DNA damage at nucleotide level.

DNA damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered an important intermediate in the pathogenesis of human conditions such as cancer and aging. By developing an oxidative-induced DNA damage mapping version of the Ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LMPCR) technique, we investigated the in vivo and in vitro frequencies of DNA base modifications caused by ROS in the human p53 and PGK1 gene. Intact human male fibroblasts were exposed to 50 mM H2O2, or purified genomic DNA was treated with 5 mM H2O2, 100 μM Ascorbate, and 50 μM, 100 μM, or 100 μM of Cu(II), Fe(III), or Cr(VI) respectively. The damage pattern generated in vivo was nearly identical to the in vitro Cu(II) or Fe(III) damage patterns; damage was non-random with guanine bases heavily damaged. Cr(VI) generated an in vitro damage pattern similar to the other metal ions, although several unique thymine positions were damaged. Also, extra nuclear sites are a major contributor of metal ions (or metal-like ligands). These data show...
Chemical trapping experiments support a cation‐radical mechanism for the oxidative polymerization of aniline

The oxidative polymerization of aniline in aqueous acidic solution was carried out in the presence of a variety of organic compounds as potential traps for postulated intermediates. The polymerization was inhibited by hindered phenols and electron-rich alkenes, traps for cation-radicals. However, polyaniline was still obtained in the presence of electron-rich arenes, such as 1,3-dimethoxybenzene and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene, known as excellent receptors of nitrenium ions. Polymerization of N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine was similarly carried out in the presence of potential traps. Polyaniline containing an N-phenyl group was obtained in the presence of 1,3-dimethoxybenzene and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene. Hindered phenols and 4-methoxystyrene only slightly inhibited polymerization of N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine which most probably proceeded by way of the stable diarylamino radical. Copolymerization of aniline with 10 wt % of N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine in the presence of these traps gave similar results to the polymerization of pure aniline. These results have led to the proposed cation-radical polymerization mechanism of aniline, in which the polymerization is a chain growth reaction through the combination of a polymeric cation-radical and an anilinium cation-radical. Step growth character is also present when a polymeric aminium cation-radical end combines with a diarylaminoended polymer. The copolymerization of N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine can also occur by reaction of aniline cation-radical with a polyarylamine radical. The nitrenium mechanism was further rejected by the fact that attempted polymerization of N-phenylhydroxylamine, which forms authentic nitrenium ions in acid, failed to give polymer. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2569–2579, 1999
Polishing the Right Apple: Anytime Classification Also Benefits Data Streams with Constant Arrival Times

Classification of items taken from data streams requires algorithms that operate in time sensitive and computationally constrained environments. Often, the available time for classification is not known a priori and may change as a consequence of external circumstances. Many traditional algorithms are unable to provide satisfactory performance while supporting the highly variable response times that exemplify such applications. In such contexts, anytime algorithms, which are amenable to trading time for accuracy, have been found to be exceptionally useful and constitute an area of increasing research activity. Previous techniques for improving anytime classification have generally been concerned with optimizing the probability of correctly classifying individual objects. However, as we shall see, serially optimizing the probability of correctly classifying individual objects K times, generally gives inferior results to batch optimizing the probability of correctly classifying K objects. In this work, we show that this simple observation can be exploited to improve overall classification performance by using an anytime framework to allocate resources among a set of objects buffered from a fast arriving stream. Our ideas are independent of object arrival behavior, and, perhaps unintuitively, even in data streams with constant arrival rates our technique exhibits a marked improvement in performance. The utility of our approach is demonstrated with extensive experimental evaluations conducted on a wide range of diverse datasets.
On determining scan flip-flops in partial-scan designs

A report is presented on procedures investigated to determine flip-flops to be scanned in partial-scan designs for sequential circuits. The main idea pursued is to derive a minimal feedback vertex set of the so-called S-graphs. Results of applying optimal and heuristic procedures on a set of benchmark circuits indicate that heuristic methods give fast and near minimal solutions. >
Attitudes of Nurse Managers and Assistant Nurse Managers Toward Chemically Impaired Colleagues

The purpose of this research was to determine attitudes among nurse managers and assistant nurse managers toward impaired colleagues in a descriptive correlational study method, using the Perceptions of Nursing Impairment Inventory. The study revealed no significant differences in attitudes between groups; assistant nurse managers demonstrated a more disciplinary orientation toward impairment within nursing. Both groups tended to have supportive attitudes toward impaired colleagues. Racial/ethnic origin had the most influence on nurse managers' attitudes toward chemically impaired colleagues. The Philippine/Oriental group demonstrated a stronger need to know when a colleague is impaired or receiving treatment, exhibited less belief in the treatability of impairment and displayed a stronger belief in impairment as a personality weakness.
A tutorial on linear and bilinear matrix inequalities

Abstract This is a tutorial on the mathematical theory and process control applications of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and bilinear matrix inequalities (BMIs). Many convex inequalities common in process control applications are shown to be LMIs. Proofs are included to familiarize the reader with the mathematics of LMIs and BMIs. LMIs and BMIs are applied to several important process control applications including control structure selection, robust controller analysis and design, and optimal design of experiments. Software for solving LMI and BMI problems is reviewed.
Molecular Targets for Diabetes Mellitus-associated Erectile Dysfunction

Protein expression profiles in rat corporal smooth muscle tissue were compared between animal models of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (STZ-DM) and age-matched controls (AMCs) at 1 week and 2 months after induction of hyperglycemia with STZ treatment. At each time point, protein samples from four STZ-DM and four AMC rat corpora tissues were prepared independently and analyzed together across multiple quantitative two-dimensional gels using a pooled internal standard sample to quantify expression changes with statistical confidence. A total of 170 spots were differential expressed among the four experimental groups. A subsequent mass spectrometry analysis of the 170 spots identified a total of 57 unique proteins. Network analysis of these proteins using MetaCoreTM suggested altered activity of transcriptional factors that are of too low abundance to be detected by the two-dimensional gel method. The proteins that were down-regulated with diabetes include isoforms of collagen that are precursors to fibril-forming collagen type 1; Hsp47, which assists and mediates the proper folding of procollagen; and several proteins whose abundance is controlled by sex hormones (e.g. CRP1 and A2U). On the other hand, proteins seen or predicted to be up-regulated include proteins involved in cell apoptosis (e.g. p53, 14-3-3-γ, Serpinf1, Cct4, Cct5, and Sepina3n), proteins that neutralize the biological activity of nerve growth factor (e.g. anti-NGF 30), and proteins involved in lipid metabolism (e.g. apoA-I and apoA-IV). Subsequent Western blot validation analysis of p53, 14-3-3-γ, and Hsp47 confirmed increased p53 and 14-3-3-γ and decreased Hsp47 levels in separate samples. According to the results from the Western blot analysis, Hsp47 protein showed a ∼3-fold decrease at 1 week and was virtually undetectable at 2 months in diabetic versus control. Taken together, our results identify novel candidate proteins playing a role in erectile dysfunction in diabetes resulting from STZ treatment.
The Preferential Induction of Cell-Mediated Immunity and Some Preliminary Observations on its Application to Tumor Immunotherapy

The role of the immune response in cancer has been under intense investigation in recent years in the hope of finding means both to enhance immunological rejection of tumor cells and to provide serological methods for early diagnosis of cancer. These studies have been the subject of recent reviews [6, 8, 9, 10]. A short description of major findings relevant to this communication is presented.
Bcl-xL overexpression restricts heat-induced apoptosis and influences hsp70, bcl-2, and Bax protein levels in FL5.12 cells.

Although several proteins have been identified that can inhibit stress-induced apoptosis, the cytoprotective potential of bcl-xLagainst heat shock and its ability to alter hsp70 induction is not known. The current study, using control andbcl-xL-overexpressing IL-3-dependent FL5.12 cells, compared the effects of 1 h of acute heat stress (42 °C) followed by 1, 4, and 8 h recovery (37 °C) on hsp70, bax, bcl-2, and bcl-xLprotein levels and apoptosis. Less than 0.5% of untreated cells were apoptotic. There was significantly more apoptosis in control (∼16%) as compared tobcl-xLcells (∼3%) 8 h after heat stress. Immunoblotting revealed a time-dependent increase in hsp70 protein levels following 1 h of heat stress in control, but notbcl-xL-overexpressing cells. bcl-2 protein levels were lower inbcl-xL-overexpressing cells than in controls, but decreased in both cell lines after heat stress. bax protein levels inbcl-xL-overexpressing cells were decreased ∼80% below baseline levels 1 h post heat shock. This decrease was maintained to 8 h. No change in bax protein was observed in control cells up to 8 h post heat shock. These data indicate thatbcl-xLoverexpression mitigates the effects of acute heat stress so that hsp70 induction is eliminated and apoptosis is prevented. The rapid loss of bax protein following heat stress inbcl-xL-overexpressing, but not control, cells may contribute to their resistance to apoptosis. Conversely, the loss of bcl-2 protein following heat stress in control cells may contribute to their susceptibility to apoptosis.
Role of the human V1 vasopressin receptor COOH terminus in internalization and mitogenic signal transduction.

We studied the role played by the intracellular COOH-terminal region of the human arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1-vascular receptor (V1R) in ligand binding, trafficking, and mitogenic signal transduc...
ON PALEOZOIC PLANTS FROM MARINE STRATA: HEXALOBA FINISENSIA NEW GENUS AND SPECIES, A TRIGONOCARPALEAN OVULE FROM THE VIRGILIAN (UPPER PENNSYLVANIAN: GZHELIAN) FINIS SHALE OF TEXAS

Twenty permineralized ovules were recovered from a mixed marine and terrestrial assemblage from the Finis Shale near Jacksboro, Texas, USA. The strata have been dated as Virgilian (upper Pennsylvanian: Gzhelian) based on ammonoid biostratigraphy, regionally correlated based on the marine assemblage, and globally correlated based on ammonoid, fusulinacean and conodont data. These morphotaxa conform to trigonocarpalean ovules based on their three angled symmetry and the presence of a stalked nucellus attached to the integument only at the base. The ovules share many features with the genus Pachytesta but represent a new genus based on their unique exterior shape, integumentary morphology, and vascular system. In addition, these specimens represent the youngest known occurrence of trigonocarpalean ovules, thereby extending their biostratigraphic range. The presence of these plant remains in a regionally and globally correlatable marine assemblage aids correlation of continental strata with established, biostratigraphically time equivalent, marine strata.
Motor Paralysis of the Extremities in Herpes Zoster

1. One hundred and one patients with herpes zoster were reviewed in relation to motor paralysis of the extremities. 2. Motor paralysis was found in five patients; two had involvement of the upper limb and three of the lower limb. 3. One patient had residual motor paralysis. 4. As seen from our study and from a review of the literature, the prognosis for motor paralysis in herpes zoster is good in the majority of patients. 5. The pathology of the disease is discussed and its close relationship with varicella is noted.
Anesthesia in Aneurysm Surgery

I would like to focus on the actual details of care as provided to patients at the University of Virginia over the past 8 years. Many of these patients have suffered from recent hemorrhage (rather than the detection of an aneurysm or AVM that has not yet bled) and the discussion generally covers the more difficult care of the patient with a recent bleed. Some of what we do is supported by the literature, some has been the result of trial and error with subsequent success, and some is local tradition.
Decomposition and Vibrational Relaxation in CH3I and Self-Reaction of CH3 Radicals

Vibrational relaxation and dissociation of CH{sub 3}I, 2-20% in krypton, have been investigated behind incident shock waves in a diaphragmless shock tube at 20, 66, 148, and 280 Torr and 630-2200 K by laser schlieren densitometry. The effective collision energy obtained from the vibrational relaxation experiments has a small, positive temperature dependence, {Delta}E{sub down} = 63 x (T/298){sup 0.56} cm{sup -1}. First-order rate coefficients for dissociation of CH{sub 3}I show a strong pressure dependence and are close to the low-pressure limit. Restricted-rotor Gorin model RRKM calculations fit the experimental results very well with {Delta}E{sub down} = 378 x (T/298){sup 0.457} cm{sup -1}. The secondary chemistry of this reaction system is dominated by reactions of methyl radicals and the reaction of the H atom with CH{sub 3}I. The results of the decomposition experiments are very well simulated with a model that incorporates methyl recombination and reactions of methylene. Second-order rate coefficients for ethane dissociation to two methyl radicals were derived from the experiments and yield k = (4.50 {+-} 0.50) x 10{sup 17} exp(-32709/T) cm{sup 3} mol{sup -1} s{sup -1}, in good agreement with previous measurements. Rate coefficients for H + CH{sub 3}I were also obtained and give k = (7.50more » {+-} 1.0) x 10{sup 13} exp(-601/T) cm{sup 3} mol{sup -1} s{sup -1}, in reasonable agreement with a previous experimental value.« less
Coupled wire model of symmetric Majorana surfaces of topological superconductors

Classification of symmetry-protected topological phases such as the topological superconductor (TSC) is well known in the free fermion picture. Recently, it was observed that including many-body interactions that preserves symmetry gives rise to novel surface phases and breaks down the classification scheme. A complete understanding of the microscopic theory for such phases is missing. This paper is an attempt to understand the interaction that gives rise to these phases in the case of the three-dimensional TSC. The authors build a coupled wire model Hamiltonian for the gapless surface and show that the addition of a time-reversal symmetric two-body interaction, constructed in this paper, opens an energy gap in the spectrum. They also show this gapped surface phase is topologically nontrivial and is classified differently compared to the noninteracting case.