cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of use of the the Airtraq with direct laryngoscopy by paramedics in the simulated airway.

Introduction. Paramedics often encounter patients with difficult airways requiring emergent airway management. Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare intubation utilizing the Airtraq with direct laryngoscopy (DL) in the manikin model. We evaluated the number of attempts, the time to successful intubation, and the Airtraq's learning curve. Methods. This was a randomized, crossover study involving paramedics. Each participant was given a standardized lecture and a demonstration of the Airtraq device. After a 5-minute practice session on a Laerdal Airway Management Trainer with the Airtraq and DL, participants managed the following four scenarios on a Laerdal SimMan manikin: 1) normal airway; 2) tongue edema; 3) cervical spine immobilization; and 4) repeated normal airway. Results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results. Thirty paramedics participated in this study. For scenario 1, there were no significant differences in either the number of attempts or the time to ventilatio...
Competition between heterotrophic and autotrophic microplankton for dissolved nutrients

When a heterotrophic (Rhodotorula rubra) and a phototrophic (Selenastrum capricornutum) plankton were grown together in dilute phosphate (Pi) continuous cultures, coexistence occurred only when the heterotroph was growthrate limited by organic carbon (C). Because of its higher affinity for Pi, and because C starvation does not affect the heterotrophic yeast's ability to transport Pi, the concentration of organic carbon indirectly controlled the biomass of the phototroph. The results support a threshold model of microbial growth.
Transcriptional activation of cKi-ras proto-oncogene resulting from retroviral promoter insertion

Enhanced expression of the cKi-ras proto-oncogene in a bone marrow-derived mouse cell line, 416B, has been shown to be associated with the integration of Friend viral DNA into the cellular gene. Here we report the results of experiments designed to clarify the molecular mechanism responsible for the cKi-ras overexpression. Based on primer extension analyses and DNA sequencing of cKi-ras cDNA clones, we have obtained evidence that the 416B cells contain viral-host chimaeric transcripts that initiate within the 3' long terminal repeat (LTR) of the integrated provirus. Processing of the transcripts from the rearranged cKi-ras gene includes an unexpected splicing event associated with the fortuitous creation of a cryptic donor splice site at the junction between the proviral and cellular DNA sequences. These data demonstrate that enhanced cKi-ras expression in the 416B cells results from a retroviral promoter insertion mechanism of transcriptional activation.
Deterioration of cottonseed meats during storage

This work has shown that the prevention of a rise in free fatty acid content during the storage of cottonseed meats is of first importance. No significant effects of storing cottonseed meats upon oil color or gossypol content were found despite the free fatty acid rise. Storage of cot-tonseed meats is shown to be practical if storage conditions are favorable. This means that the meats should be relatively dry and not allowed to become heated. Screening the meats and stor-ing only the coarser fraction will improve the storage performance. A useful formula was developed to aid in understanding and predicting the free fatty acid rise which occurs under uniform conditions. The effects of adding fresh screenings from linter motes to the meats stream were found to be minor and unimportant.
Endothelial Cell Injury in Cardiovascular Surgery: An Overview

In the last decade the endothelium has been shown to play a major role in regulating membrane permeability, lipid transport, vasomotor tone, coagulation, inflammation, and vascular wall structure. These critical endothelial cell functions are extremely sensitive to injury in the form of hypoxia, exposure to cytokines, endotoxin, cholesterol, nicotine, surgical manipulation, or hemodynamic shear stress. In response to injury endothelial cells become activated, tipping the balance of endothelial-derived factors to disrupt barrier function, and enhance vasoconstriction, coagulation, leukocyte adhesion, and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Although these responses likely exist as protective mechanisms, if the stimuli are severe the responses may become excessive, resulting in damaged tissue, impaired organ function, and an abnormal fibroproliferative response. Recent discoveries in the field of vascular biology have led to an expanded understanding of many of the complications of cardiovascular operations. Because of the wide impact endothelial cell dysfunction has on patients with cardiovascular disease, issues pertaining to endothelial biology are in the forefront of research that will affect the current and future practice of cardiothoracic surgery.
Converging Evidence for the Neuroanatomic Basis of Combinatorial Semantics in the Angular Gyrus

Human thought and language rely on the brain's ability to combine conceptual information. This fundamental process supports the construction of complex concepts from basic constituents. For example, both “jacket” and “plaid” can be represented as individual concepts, but they can also be integrated to form the more complex representation “plaid jacket.” Although this process is central to the expression and comprehension of language, little is known about its neural basis. Here we present evidence for a neuroanatomic model of conceptual combination from three experiments. We predicted that the highly integrative region of heteromodal association cortex in the angular gyrus would be critical for conceptual combination, given its anatomic connectivity and its strong association with semantic memory in functional neuroimaging studies. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that the process of combining concepts to form meaningful representations specifically modulates neural activity in the angular gyrus of healthy adults, independent of the modality of the semantic content integrated. We also found that individual differences in the structure of the angular gyrus in healthy adults are related to variability in behavioral performance on the conceptual combination task. Finally, in a group of patients with neurodegenerative disease, we found that the degree of atrophy in the angular gyrus is specifically related to impaired performance on combinatorial processing. These converging anatomic findings are consistent with a critical role for the angular gyrus in conceptual combination.
Transport and Loss of Nitrous Oxide in Soil Water After Forest Clear-Cutting

Whole-tree harvesting increased the concentration of nitrous oxide dissolved in soil water by two orders of magnitude over the concentration expected in equilibrium with the atmosphere. In contrast, the nitrous oxide content of soil water in an intact, second-growth forest was close to the expected theoretical value. Nitrous oxide, produced at active sites in the soil, dissolves in soil water and is transported to seeps and streams where it rapidly degasses from the solution and is released into the atmosphere. This loss of nitrous oxide after clear-cutting is not important to the nitrogen economy of the site; however, it may be important to the global atmospheric budget of nitrous oxide. Sources of nitrous oxide may have been overlooked because nitrous oxide emissions can be separated in time and space from the sites of the most intense production of nitrous oxide.
Focal differences in bioenergetic metabolism of atherosclerosis-susceptible and -resistant pigeon aortas

To test the hypothesis of altered energy production in aortic sites predisposed to lesion formation, both coupled oxidative phosphorylation (evaluated from P/O ratios) and control of the energy-linked (ATP) NADH transhydrogenase were examined in muscular cushions at the celiac artery bifurcation. Comparisons were made between atherosclerosis-susceptible White Carneau (WC) and atherosclerosis-resistant Show Racer (SR) pigeons at ages up to early atherogenesis in WC (1 day to 6 months of development). From 1 day to 12 weeks of age, mitochondria from cushions of both breeds tightly coupled phosphorylation to the oxidation of either beta-hydroxybutyrate or succinate. However, by 6 months of age, WC celiac cushions had significantly (P less than 0.05) lower P/O ratios than the SR cushions with either substrate, suggesting uncoupled respiratory-chain phosphorylation. Aortic submitochondrial A-particles from celiac cushions of susceptible pigeons showed no ATP regulation of NADH transhydrogenation at 6 weeks and subsequent ages. This defect is believed to enhance lipid biosynthesis and may be involved in exacerbation of the biochemical arteriopathy in WC. These findings are discussed in terms of relationships between oxidative energy production, lipid accumulation, hypoxic stress, and atherosclerotic involvement.
Existence Value, Contingent Valuation, and Natural Resources Damages Assessment

The purpose of this paper is to review recent developments in economics and public policy with regard to environmental resources. We describe the traditional concepts of externalities, public goods, efficient property rights, and the more recent concept of existence values for wilderness areas and other natural resources. A feature is the inclusiveness of modem economic theory. We trace the development of economic approaches to estimating values. We briefly review approaches based on observable market behavior and contingent market responses. Contingent valuation plays a vital role in estimation because it is the sole technique available for estimating the potentially important existence values. Benefit-cost analysis for regulatory decisions and natural resource damages assessment for implementation of Superfund legislation are discussed. We conclude that estimates of existence values based on contingent valuation can be useful especially when the alternative is greater reliance upon an imperfect political process.
Hitting time for the continuous quantum walk

We define the hitting (or absorbing) time for the case of continuous quantum walks by measuring the walk at random times, according to a Poisson process with measurement rate $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. From this definition we derive an explicit formula for the hitting time, and explore its dependence on the measurement rate. As the measurement rate goes to either 0 or infinity the hitting time diverges; the first divergence reflects the weakness of the measurement, while the second limit results from the quantum zeno effect. Continuous-time quantum walks, like discrete-time quantum walks but unlike classical random walks, can have infinite hitting times. We present several conditions for existence of infinite hitting times, and discuss the connection between infinite hitting times and graph symmetry.
Relations of selected variables and perception of success in volleyball.

Summary.-This study examined the relations of selected variables and the perceived success of 39 college-age subjects participating in a beginning volleyball class. Measures of motor trials, successful motor trials, preclass mood, perceived challenge, perceived behavior of the teacher, and perceived success were taken on 11 separate days during an 8-week class. The mean response for the 11 days was used for statistical analysis. Pearson's product-moment correlations indicated all predictor variables were significantly related to perceived success. A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that preclass mood was the best predictor of perceived success, with perceived challenge, reacher's perceived behavior, and successful motor trials also entering the regression equation. Finding ways to motivate and encourage individuals of all ages to become active and to stay active in any form of physical activity has become a primary objective of physical education and sport programs (Biddle & Smith, 1991; Duda, 1991; Fox, 1991; Kimiecik, 1991). Researchers investigating motivation to participate have focused on the relationship between a person's perception of personal competence or success in an activity and the subsequent feelings of enjoyment or satisfaction. It has been hypothesized that individuals who perceive themselves to be skilled performers in a certain activity will enjoy participation in that activity, while less talented performers will not experience satisfaction and will eventually discontinue participation (Snyder & Spreitzer, 1979). One theory that has served as a framework for investigators attempting to explain and identify sources of motivation in the physical activity arena has been Harter's (1981) competence motivation theory, in which she proposes that individuals are motivated to be competent in achievement areas such as sports, academics, or relationships with peers. As a person perceives success in a performance situation, positive affective feelings such as pride and enjoyment result. These feelings then act to reinforce participation and motivate the individual to attempt to master performance. Negative perceptions of performance wilJ lead to negative affective responses and act as de
Correlation of histomorphology of ovarian masses with color Doppler sonography

This study correlates the color Doppler sonography (CDS) findings in ovarian masses according to histomorphologic groups. Sixty-two surgically excised ovarian masses (31 benign and 31 malignant) in patients who underwent CDS were retrospectively reviewed. Lowest pulsatility index (PI) was used in benign and malignant unilocular cysts, septated cysts, predominantly cystic masses with solid components, predominantly solid masses with cystic areas and solid masses. The mean of the lowest PIs of benign lesions (1.7 ± 0.7) were statistically significantly different (p < 0.05) from malignancies (0.7 ± 0.3). The group of septated cysts (1.8 ± 0.5 vs. 0.61 ± 0.3) and predominantly cystic masses with solid areas (1.1 ± 0.1 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2) achieved statistical significance for benign vs. malignant masses. Predominantly solid masses with cystic areas (1.8 ± 0.5 vs. 0.8 ± 0.2) and solid masses (1.4 ± 1.0 vs. 0.7 ± 0.3) were not statistically significantly different. Because of a limited number of cases, statistically significant differences in the mean of the lowest PIs of benign vs. malignant unilocular cysts (2.1 ± 0.5 vs. 1.9) could not be determined. When analyzed according to histomorphology, CDS findings were of predictive value in certain morphologies and not as much in others. This fact should be taken into account when evaluating an ovarian mass for malignancy with CDS.
Seed germination and dormancy in the medicinal woodland herbs Collinsonia canadensis L. (Lamiaceae) and Dioscorea villosa L. (Dioscoreaceae)

Abstract We used a double germination phenology or “move-along” experiment ( sensu Baskin and Baskin, 2003) to characterize seed dormancy in two medicinal woodland herbs, Collinsonia canadensis L. (Lamiaceae) and Dioscorea villosa L. (Dioscoreaceae). Imbibed seeds of both species were moved through the following two sequences of simulated thermoperiods: (a) 30/15 °C→20/10 °C→15/6 °C→5 °C→15/6 °C→20/10 °C→30/15 °C, and (b) 5 °C→15/6 °C→20/10 °C→30/15 °C→20/10 °C→15/6 °C→5 °C. In each sequence, seeds of both species germinated to high rates (>85%) at cool temperatures (15/6 and 20/10 °C) only if seeds were previously exposed to cold temperatures (5 °C). Seeds kept at four control thermoperiods (5, 15/6, 20/10, 30/15 °C) for 30 d showed little or no germination. Seeds of both species, therefore, have physiological dormancy that is broken by 12 weeks of cold (5 °C) stratification. Morphological studies indicated that embryos of C. canadensis have “investing” embryos at maturity (morphological dormancy absent), whereas embryos of D. villosa are undeveloped at maturity (morphological dormancy present). Because warm temperatures are required for embryo growth and cold stratification breaks physiological dormancy, D. villosa seeds have non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). Neither species afterripened in a 6-month dry storage treatment. Cold stratification treatments of 4 and 8 weeks alleviated dormancy in both species but C. canadensis seeds germinated at slower speeds and lower rates compared to seeds given 12 weeks of cold stratification. In their natural habitat, both species disperse seeds in mid- to late autumn and germinate in the spring after cold winter temperatures alleviate endogenous dormancy.
A Parent-Delivered Intervention to Teach Purchasing Skills to Young Adults with Disabilities

The present study investigated the effects of training parents of young adults with disabilities to use constant time delay to teach their children purchasing skills in the community. The parent intervention involved target skill selection and instructional planning (e.g., identifying prompts and reinforcers), parent training on constant time delay, and child training in the community using feedback. The student intervention included a parent-delivered constant time delay procedure. A multiple-probe design across three parent—child dyads was used to measure the effects of the intervention on the parent's ability to teach his or her child with disabilities and on the child's acquisition of purchasing skills in the community. Findings indicated that parents were able to apply the constant time delay procedure and that students successfully acquired the purchasing skill when taught by their parents. In addition, both parents and students maintained the effects of the instructional procedure and skill several...
Beam Depletion Spectroscopy of Alkali Atoms (Li, Na, K) Attached to Highly Quantum Clusters

We exploit the high efficiency of Langmuir−Taylor surface ionization detectors to measure by beam depletion the electronic absorption spectra of alkali atoms attached to H2 and He clusters. Li, Na, and K atoms attached to large (H2)N and (D2)N clusters (N ≈ 103−104) have been studied at various ortho/para concentrations in an attempt to correlate the properties of the matrix to the observed spectral features. The results are compared to theoretical predictions and to measurements done by means of conventional matrix isolation spectroscopy in bulk hydrogen. While some similarities are found, several discrepancies remain and are discussed. In the case of helium clusters, beam depletion spectra are very similar to, and in one case identical with, the laser-induced fluorescence spectra measured previously in our laboratory, revealing the total absence of quenching processes. In contrast to this, for alkali atoms attached to hydrogen clusters, quenching processes appear to dominate, and beam depletion spectra ...
New mechanism of selective killing of activated hepatic stellate cells.

Background & Aims: Hepatic stellate cells play an important role in liver fibrogenesis, and hepatic stellate cell death may be involved in the termination of this response. Methods: Molecular mechanisms of hepatic stellate cell killing were studied in hepatic stellate cell/Kupffer cell cocultures. Results: Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of hepatic stellate cell/Kupffer cell cocultures, but not of hepatic stellate cell monocultures, induced profound alterations of hepatic stellate cell morphology and hepatic stellate cell death. Kupffer cell-induced hepatic stellate cell killing required hepatic stellate cell/Kupffer cell contacts and was prevented by dexamethasone, prostaglandin E(2), tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor 2 antagonists, and down-regulation of receptor-interacting protein, but not by antioxidants, tumor necrosis factor receptor, or CD95 antagonists. Hepatic stellate cell death was characterized by activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling negativity, lack of gross calcium overload, and TRAIL trafficking to the plasma membrane. Inhibition of caspase 9, but not of caspases 3, 8, or 10, prevented hepatic stellate cell death. Lipopolysaccharide induced a dexamethasone- and prostaglandin E(2)-sensitive expression of TRAIL in Kupffer cells. TRAIL receptors 1 and 2, FLIP (caspase 8-inhibitory protein), and receptor-interacting protein were up-regulated during hepatic stellate cell transformation ; however, TRAIL addition did not induce hepatic stellate cell death. Hepatic stellate cell susceptibility toward Kupffer cell-induced death paralleled receptor-interacting protein and TRAIL-receptor expression levels. Conclusions: Activated Kupffer cell can effectively kill hepatic stellate cell by a caspase 9- and receptor-interacting protein-dependent mechanism, possibly involving TRAIL. The data may suggest a novel form of hepatic stellate cell death.
Performance evaluation of document layout analysis algorithms on the UW data set

A performance evaluation protocol for the layout analysis is discussed in this paper. In the University of Washington English Document Image Database-III, there are 1600 English document images that come with manually edited ground truth of entity bounding boxes. These bounding boxes enclose text and non-text zones, text-lines, and words. We describe a performance metric for the comparison of the detected entities and the ground truth in terms of their bounding boxes. The Document Attribute Format Specification is used as the standard data representation. The protocol is intended to serve as a model for using the UW-III database to evaluate the document analysis algorithms. A set of layout analysis algorithms which detect different entities have been tested based on the data set and the performance metric. The evaluation results are presented in this paper.
A small intestinal organoid model of non-invasive enteric pathogen-epithelial cell interactions.

A small intestinal organoid model of non-invasive enteric pathogen–epithelial cell interactions
Population pharmacokinetics of sirolimus in kidney transplant patients.

Objective To characterize the dose-related pharmacokinetics of the immunosuppressant agent sirolimus (formerly rapamycin) in kidney transplant patients by use of two-stage and nonlinear mixed-effect model population methods. Methods Patients (n = 36) from three centers (Germany, the United Kingdom, and Sweden) who received steady-state oral doses of cyclosporine (ciclosporin) were assessed after single oral administration of sirolimus at doses of 3, 5, 10, and 15 mg/m2. Plasma and whole blood sirolimus samples were analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatographic/mass spectrophotometric method. Simultaneous fitting used biexponential functions with intercept/slope or clearance/volume terms, as well as first-order absorption (ka) and a lag-time. Results The nonlinear mixed-effect model method (P-Pharm) provided a better characterization of sirolimus kinetics, especially for the absorption and distribution phases where fewer data were available per patient. Sirolimus distribution between whole blood and plasma was concentration-independent, with a mean blood/plasma ratio (coefficient of variation) of 30.9 (48.5%). Elimination was not influenced by dose, as shown by estimates of the terminal half-life of 63 hours (27.5%) and apparent oral blood clearance of 8.9 L/hr (38.2%). Sirolimus distribution parameters were influenced by body weight and surface area. Sirolimus was rapidly absorbed, as shown by the absorption lag-time of 0.27 hour (35.1%), and ka of 2.77 hr−1 (48.4%). The concomitant administration of sirolimus and cyclosporine did not reveal any pharmacokinetic interaction. Conclusion This report provides an initial population pharmacokinetics of sirolimus in kidney transplant recipients receiving cyclosporine concurrently. Sirolimus blood and plasma pharmacokinetics were biexponential and linear for doses from 3 to 15 mg/m2. No pharmacokinetic interaction was found between sirolimus and cyclosporine. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1997) 61, 416–428; doi:
Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme with Nα-phosphoryl-L-alanyl-L-proline and Nα-phosphoryl-L-valyl-L-tryptophan

Summary The inhibition constants (Ki) and modes of inhibition have been determined for Nα-phosphoryl-L-alanyl-L-proline and Nα-phosphoryl-L-valyl-L-tryptophan against rabbit pulmonary angiotensin converting enzyme (dipeptidyl carboxpeptidase, E.C. 3.4.15.1). Phosphorylalanylproline and phosphorylvalyltryptophan are noncompeptitive inhibitors of the hydrolysis of hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine in 100 mM phosphate buffer at pH 8.3 with Ki's of 9 nM and 51 nM respectively. In 50 mM Tris-hydrochloride buffer at pH 7.5, however, phosphorylalanylproline is a competitive inhibitor of the hydrolysis of hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine with a Ki of 1.4 nM, and thus is one of the most potent inhibitors known for this enzyme.
The effect of specular boundary conditions on the delta function model of radical pair CIDE(N)P

Specular boundary conditions are incorporated in the stochastic Liouville model of CIDE(N)P presented by Evans, Fleming and Lawler (EFL). The solutions of the stochastic Liouville equation are exact, analytic and rigorously isomorphic with the form of the results quoted by EFL, merely requiring the generalization of one function to include the effects of a boundary at a collisional separation.
Multiple ERβ antisera label in ERβ knockout and null mouse tissues

In the process of characterizing a custom-made affinity-purified antiserum for estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), ck5912, we used a number of common tests for specificity of ck5912 along with that of 8 commercially available ERβ antisera: Affinity Bioreagents PA1-310B, Invitrogen D7N, Upstate 06-629, Santa Cruz H150, Y19, L20, 1531, and Abcam 9.88. We tested their recognition of recombinant ERβ (rERβ) versus rERα, ERβ versus ERα transfected into cell lines, as well as labeling in wildtype (WT) versus estrogen receptor beta knockout (βERKO) and null (ERβSTL−/L−) mouse ovary, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. To our surprise, we found that while most of these antisera passed some tests, giving the initial impression of specificity, western blot analysis showed that all of them recognized apparently identical protein bands in WT, βERKO and ERβSTL−/L− tissues. We share these results with the goal of helping other researchers avoid pitfalls in interpretation that could come from use of these ERβ antisera.
Oxygen stability, diffusion, and precipitation in SiC: Implications for thin-film oxidation

We report a set of first-principles calculations of oxygen stability, diffusion, and precipitation in cubic SiC. The calculations show that i) oxygen has a very low solubility in SiC which explains why it is not incorporated in large quantities during growth. ii) The atomic-scale mechanisms of the nucleation and growth of SiO2 precipitates in cubic SiC proceed via the formation of a three-oxygen cluster analogous to the well-known “thermal donor” in Si. Emission of a CO molecule converts it into SiO2-like precipitate that can grow further. We suggest that similar processes can account for the observed CO emission during SiC oxidation and the trapping of C atoms at the SiC-SiO2 interface. iii) The above mechanisms for SiO2 precipitation remain practically the same under different doping conditions. This suggests that no difference in SiC-SiO2 interfaces should be observed under n- or p-type substrate doping.
Application of superresolution techniques to ring laser gyroscopes: exploring the quantum limit.

Two methods for extracting linewidth estimates from evenly sampled partially coherent signals, where white frequency fluctuations are the major source of noise, are discussed. The first method utilizes the Allan deviation, requiring multiple frequency estimates for each linewidth estimate. The second method utilizes the second-order autoregressive model to provide a linewidth estimate with each frequency estimate. A characterization shows that the latter technique is reliable for short data sets (≤1 s). The application of these techniques to large, quantum-noise-limited ring laser gyroscopes is demonstrated. The results of the analysis compare favorably with a theoretical analysis.
Utilization of Levels of Intellectual Ability as a Control Variable in Studies of Nonintellectual Factors in Academic Achievement

The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of using levels of intellectual ability as a control variable in studies of nonintellectual factors in academic achievement and to determine the utility of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) as a supplement to academic aptitude test scores in the prediction of success in college. Through use of the combined methodologies of Goodstein and Heilbrun (1962) and Hakel (1966), scores for 135 males and 82 females on the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) as well as on the American College Testing Program (ACT) measure and grade-point averages were analyzed for the entire sample and for low, middle, and high ability groups. Partial correlation techniques with ACT scores held constant were employed. The results of the present study were not consistent; when compared with those reported by Goodstein and Heilbrun and Hakel they raised further doubt as to the status of the EPPS as a useful supplement to academic aptitude scores in predi...
Triester wax: a novel neutral lipid from the skin of the rhino mutant mouse.

A novel class of neutral lipids has been isolated from the skin of the rhino mutant mouse and has been characterized as a triester wax. The lipid, on saponification and transesterification, yielded fatty acids, omega-hydroxy fatty acids and 1,2-alkane diols. These products were identified by gas-liquid and thin-layer chromatography, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopy, combined gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry and chemical methods. Fatty acids were found to be predominantly of even chain length between C14 and C36 with highest concentration at C22 : 1. Hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters (trimethylsilyl ether derivatives) showed the presence of only three components in the relative abundance of 9: 70 : 21. The structure of the major component was established as 34-hydroxytetratricont-25-enoic acid and the other two components were characterized as 32-hydroxyditricont-23-enoic and 36-hydroxyhexatricont-27-enoic acids. In addition to these omega-9 unsaturates, other isomers having unsaturation at omega-7 and omega-8 were also present in small amounts. The 1,2-alkane diols were predominantly saturated in the range of C16-C24.
Analytical Techniques for Controlled Collapse Bump Structures

A non-destructive technique has been developed to analyze Controlled Collapse Bump (CCB) structures. This technique, which will not destroy or alter the bump structure until failure mechanism information has been obtained, involves removal of the supporting silicon structure by R.F. sputtering. Upon completion of the silicon removal all metallization including the bump and the chip's runners are left intact. The approach was validated by accurate resistance measurements of the bump/metallization paths before and after chip removal. Additional, destructive analysis was accomplished on some samples by repotting and sectioning through the bumps.
Differential heritability and consistency: a reanalysis of the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) California Psychological Inventory (CPI) data.

Several biometrical genetic models were fitted to the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) California Psychological Inventory (CPI) data. These models include parameters for an additive genetic effect (D R), an among-families environmental effect (E 2), and a withinfamilies environmental effect (E 1). It is shown that the CPI scales do not fit the same model; the heritabilities, calculated from the parameter estimates of the model fit for each scale, are not the same. Most scales fit a model with parameters for the additive genetic and within-families environmental effects, although the CS and IE scales requireE 2 to achieve fit, and the RE, AI, and FE scales require separate-sexE 1 andE 2 parameters. The SO and CM scales fit none of the models tested. No model could be fit to the SO scale; CM did not fit these models because of apparent gene-environment interaction effects. Similar parameter estimates were found for the models fit to the full sample and the two random subsamples, and the heritabilities calculated from these estimates were quite consistent.
Deficiency of Cellulase Activity Measurements for Enzyme Evaluation

Switchgrass was used as a model feedstock to determine the influence of pretreatment conditions and biomass quality on enzymatic hydrolysis using different enzyme products. Dilute sulfuric acid and soaking in aqueous ammonia pretreatments were used to produce biomass with varied levels of hemicellulose and lignin sheathing. Pretreated switchgrass solids were tested with simple enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with three commercial enzyme products: Accellerase 1000 (Genencor), Spezyme CP (Genencor)/Novozyme 188 (Novozymes), and Celluclast/Novozyme 188 (Novozymes). Enzymes were loaded on a common activity basis (FPU/g cellulose and CBU/g cellulose). Despite identical enzyme loadings, glucose yields were significantly different for both acid and alkaline pretreatments but differences diminished as hydrolysis progressed for acid-pretreated biomass. Cellobiose concentrations in Accellerase treatments indicated an initial β-glucosidase limitation that became less significant over time. SSF experiments showed that differences in glucose and ethanol yields could not be attributed to enzyme product inhibition. Yield discrepancies of glucose or ethanol in acid pretreatment, alkaline pretreatment, and acid pretreatment/SSF were as much as 15%, 19%, and 5%. These results indicate that standardized protocols for measuring enzyme activity may not be adequate for assessing activity using pretreated biomass substrates.
A detailed energy transfer mechanism in pentafluorobenzene/argon mixtures

Abstract Energy transfer, following IR laser excitation, was studied in mixtures of pentafluorobenzene (PFB) and argon employing a new method that uses Lorentz and Doppler broadening of the Hg multiplet lines near 254 nm to sense temporal translational energy changes. From such measurements, as a function of initial laser excitation energy, pressure and composition of the gas mixture, we derive specific collision efficiencies for the interchange of energy between vibrational, rotational and translational degrees of freedom in the mixture.
The Symmetrical Fundamental Property Relation of Thermodynamics

While the relation between thermodynamic properties of any uniform mass of material, first presented by Gibbs in the form d U = T d S – P d V + ∑ μidni is well understood, its attempted extension to effects other than thermal, compression, and change in mass has caused some confusion. The above equation can be presented in a symmetrical form and, on going back to basic principles, it proves possible also to develop the complete symmetrical fundamental property relation including surface, tensile, gravitational, centrifugal, kinetic, electrical, and magnetic effects. Integration of the resulting differential equation yields the primitive or non-differential form. The complete sets of cross partial derivatives, which can be obtained from a generalized form of the fundamental equation, may be compared with the derivatives obtained by conventional methods. Selection of useful cross partials for practical situations is demonstrated.
A simple in vivo bioassay for inhibin-like activity using ovariectomized ewes.

Long term ovariectomized ewes were used in a bioassay for inhibin-like activity. The concentration of FSH 6 to 7 hr after injection of follicular fluid (a rich source of inhibin), as a percentage of pretreatment, regressed on the log of the dose had a slope of -26.0 +/- 7.6 (5 replications, mean +/- SD) and an index of precision of .32 +/- .04. This system was rapid, relatively easy and specific for in vivo inhibin-like activity. This bioassay was also used to determine the relative potency of an affinity-purified fraction of follicular fluid.
Comparison of stereoscopic cursors for the interactive manipulation of B-splines

An interactive stereo system was implemented to allow a user to draw and modify B-Spline space curves. A time-multiplexed, liquid crystal shutter system was used to produce true three-dimensional output. A six degree-of-freedom input device was used to drive and control the stereoscopic cursor. Several different cursor types were investigated to determine which were suited to this application. Cursor characteristics were examined to determine their influence on the user''s ability to accurately and proficiently use the system.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of body weight and composition measured by two different dual energy X-ray absorptiometry devices and three acquisition modes in obese women.

Summary Background & aims Weight measured by dual-energy X-ray (DXA) was shown to be increasingly underestimated in subjects over 75 kg compared to an electronic scale. This study compares body weight and composition measured by balance beam scale and three DXA acquisition modes in obese subjects. Methods In 39 obese, body weight was measured by balance beam scale, and body weight and composition by DXA Hologic QDR4500A® in normal (NPM) and high power mode (HPM) (Enhanced v8.26 and v8.26* softwares) and DXA GE-Lunar Prodigy® (v6.5 software). To ensure linearity of body weight and composition measured by the different DXA acquisitions, we also measured 13 women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25–30 kg/m2. Results While QDR4500A HPM overestimates scale weight by about 2 kg over the whole BMI spectrum, QDR4500A NPM underestimates scale weight as a weight-dependent response (−1.7±1.8 kg overall, −4.1±1.6 kg in morbidly obese women). These results suggest switching from one mode to the other at a specific threshold, i.e. in our study a weight of 90 kg or a BMI of 34 kg/m2. Prodigy gives weight about similar to scale (+0.5±0.8 kg). Both Hologic acquisition modes underestimate fat mass but overestimate lean body mass compared to Prodigy. Conclusions The QDR4500A NPM is inappropriate in women over 90 kg. Unfortunately, the QDR4500A HPM overestimates body weight in the range of 90–150 kg. The difference between scale and Prodigy weight remains stable throughout weight ranges. To better assess their accuracies in terms of body composition, QDR4500A NPM, HPM and Prodigy should be tested against phantoms or in vivo multi-compartment models.
Nanopatterns - using network archetypes as an approach to understanding emergence of properties at scale

Chemistry and materials science students face a daunting taxonomy of terminology, molecular and crystalline structures, and chemical and physical properties to memorize, organize, and apply. “Emergence of properties at scale” is a foundational concept in nanoscience, yet nothing in nanotechnology curriculum explains how and where specific properties emerge. Through nanotechnology courses and a certificate program, Foothill College is developing a framework that captures emergent network archetype properties. A novel pedagogical approach applies the concept of patterns to nanostructured materials, as a classification means to understand how physical properties emerge from extended networks of atoms and molecules, and the physics of those extended structural networks. From such a foundational understanding, scientists, technicians and engineers will be better informed in “engineering the neighborhood of the atom,” to produce novel materials with unique properties, the working definition of nanotechnology.
My approach to the difficult GERD patient.

Appropriate use of modern medical therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly proton pump inhibitors, should result in effective control of symptoms in most GERD patients. Possible causes of poor response to GERD treatment Include: a non-compliant patient, lack of appropriate therapy or insufficient dose, or an incorrect diagnosis. Endoscopy plays an important role In the management of GERD and other associated conditions. If the presence of esophagitis is detected then this confirms a diagnosis of GERD. Endoscopy can identify the presence of Barrett's esophagus, with a biopsy taken to confirm intestinal metaplasia. Endoscopy should ideally be used in patients with chronic GERD symptoms (persisting for 3 years or more), in those aged over 40, and particularly in Caucasian males who are at high risk of developing Barrett's esophagus. pH monitoring can also be used to confirm the diagnosis of GERD. It also has a role where the endoscopy findings are normal and in patients with atypical symptoms, such as chest pain, asthma/cough or hoarseness. It is a useful tool to document effectiveness of GERD treatment Esophageal and gastric pH monitoring during treament with acid suppressing therapy will confirm the control of gastric acid and the absence of continued reflux. Similarly, pH monitoring can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of antireflux surgery.
Predicting Risk-Adjusted Mortality for Trauma Patients: Logistic versus Multilevel Logistic Models

Background Theoretical advantages of random-intercept multilevel (ML) logistic regression (LR) modeling over standard LR include separating variability due to patient-level and hospital-level predictors, shrinkage of estimates for lower-volume hospitals toward the overall mean, and fewer hospitals falsely identified as outliers. Study Design We used Nationwide Inpatient Sample data from 2002 to 2004 to construct LR models of hospital mortality after admission with a principal ICD-9 Clinical Modification injury diagnosis (ICD-9 Clinical Modification codes 800 to 904, 910 to 929, 940 to 957, and 959). After considering various predictors, we used patient-level indicator variables for age groups, gender, maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) for the head region (AIS score 3, 4, or 5), maximum AIS for other body regions (AIS score 3, 4, or 5), and mechanisms (eg, fall, gunshot, motor vehicle). Using standard LR and MLLR, we compared predictions based on 2002, 2003, and 2004 data with actual mortality observed in the same hospitals in the 2004, 2005, and 2006 Nationwide Inpatient Samples, respectively. Results Patient-level fixed effects were similar for the 2 methods in all years, with mortality associated most strongly with AIS=5 head injury, other AIS=5 injury, or higher age groups. ML models identified fewer hospitals as outliers. Differences between actual and predicted mortality were smaller with MLLR models compared with standard LR models. Conclusions Multilevel models might have advantages for the measurement and explanation of interhospital differences in trauma patient outcomes.
Religious Resurgence, Human Survival, and Global Religious Social Work

Global survival is arguably the most significant ecobiopsychosocial‐spiritual issue of our era. It will require historically new levels of cooperation between the world's religions, corporations, and nations to bring about a quality postsurvival era. The current religious resurgence has given religion the potential to be a key partner in the cooperative effort to ensure global survival and a postsurvival quality world. Social work, with its ecological perspective, is specially qualified to work with religions toward these goals. Several principles are available to do this, and in particular the use of spirituality can be a conceptual bridge to bring about cooperation between the several entities involved in this process.
Inhibition of in vivo 3H-spiperone binding by the proposed antipsychotic des-try1-γ-endorphin

The proposed antipsychotic neuropeptide des-tyrosine1-gamma-endorphin (DT gamma E, beta LPH62,77) inhibits in vivo 3H-spiperone binding in the hypothalamus, corpus striatum and mesolimbic areas of rat brain. The neuroleptic drug haloperidol produces similar effects in these areas as well as in frontal cortex, but is considerably more potent than DT gamma E. Correspondingly, haloperidol produces postural and motor abnormalities not seen with DY gamma E. These data together with the results from previous in vitro studies suggest DT gamma E might act indirectly, having a selective neuroleptic-like action at 3H-spiperone binding sites.
Spinal mediators that may contribute selectively to antinociceptive tolerance but not other effects of morphine as revealed by deletion of GluR5

Several groups maintain that morphine tolerance and dependence correlate with increased activity of protein kinases ERK1/2 and P38 MAPK and PKC as well as elevated levels of the neuropeptides dynorphin (DYN), substance P (sP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in spinal cord dorsal horn (SCDH). They demonstrate that tolerance and dependence can be prevented, and sometimes reversed, by constitutive genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of these factors. Recently, we showed that mice with a constitutive deletion of the GluR5 subunit of kainate receptors (GluR5 KO) are not different from wild type (WT) littermates with respect to baseline nociceptive thresholds as well as acute morphine antinociception, morphine physical dependence and conditioned place preference. However, unlike WT, GluR5 KO mice do not develop antinociceptive tolerance following systemic morphine administration. In this report, we examined levels of these mediators in SCDH of WT and GluR5 KO mice following subcutaneous implantation of placebo or morphine pellets. Surprisingly, spinal DYN and CGRP, along with phosphorylated ERK2 (pERK2), P38 (pP38) and PKCgamma (pPKCgamma) are elevated by deletion of GluR5. Additionally, chronic systemic morphine administration increased spinal pERK2, pP38 and pPKCgamma levels in both tolerant WT and non-tolerant GluR5 KO mice. In contrast, while morphine increased spinal DYN and CGRP in WT mice, DYN remained unchanged and CGRP was reduced in GluR5 KO mice. These observations suggest that spinal ERK2, P38 and PKCgamma are likely involved in multiple adaptive responses following systemic morphine administration, whereas DYN and CGRP may contribute selectively to the development of antinociceptive tolerance.
Serologic comparison of four isolates of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus

An acute, fatal disease of rabbits, termed Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD), has occurred in Asia, Europe, and North America since 1984. The clinical signs, pathologic lesions, and epidemiologic features seen in the various outbreaks were very similar. Although RHD virus (RHDV) was initially characterized as a picornavirus or a parvovirus, it is now proven to be a calicivirus. This study compared the immune responses generated following the vaccination and challenge inoculation of rabbits with isolates of RHDV obtained from Italy, Korea, Mexico, and Spain. The cross-reactivity of antisera was demonstrated using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. There were minimal differences between the homologous and heterologous responses. Statistical analysis of the HI results showed no difference between the isolates within the Italian, Korean, and Spanish vaccinate groups. The difference obtained between the Mexican and Korean antigens within the Mexican vaccinate group is likely due to individual animal variation. The similarity of the isolates was also demonstrated using a monoclonal antibody directed against RHDV.
Effects of an impedance threshold device on hemodynamics and restoration of spontaneous circulation in prolonged porcine ventricular fibrillation.

Background. An impedance threshold device (ITD) has been designed to enhance circulation during CPR by creating a negative intrathoracic pressure during the relaxation phase of chest compression. H...
On the dynamical realization of (M,R)-systems.

A new manner of representing a class of abstract cell models previously developed by the author is presented. Some of the properties of this dynamical representation are explored, and their consequences discussed.