cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple receptors linked to inhibition of adenylate cyclase accelerate Na+/H+ exchange in neuroblastoma x glioma cells via a mechanism other than decreased cAMP accumulation.

alpha 2-Adrenergic receptors, a population of receptors linked to inhibition of adenylate cyclase, accelerate Na+/H+ exchange in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma cells (Isom, L. L., Cragoe, E. J., Jr., and Limbird, L. E. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 6750-6757). We now report that two other receptor populations linked to inhibition of adenylate cyclase, muscarinic cholinergic and delta-opiate receptors, also alkalinize the interior of NG108-15 cells, as measured with the pH-sensitive fluorescent probe, 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxy-fluorescein. Manipulations that block Na+/H+ exchange, i.e. removal of extracellular Na+, reduction of extracellular pH to equal that of intracellular pH, and addition of 5-amino-substituted analogs of amiloride, all block alpha 2-adrenergic, delta-opiate, or muscarinic cholinergic receptor-induced alkalinization in a parallel fashion. These data suggest that all three populations of receptors alkalinize NG108-15 cells by acceleration of Na+/H+ exchange and do so via a shared or similar mechanism. Although these three receptor populations are linked to inhibition of adenylate cyclase, decreased production of cAMP does not appear to be the mechanism responsible for receptor-accelerated Na+/H+ exchange. Thus, ADP-ribosylation of intact NG108-15 cells with Bordetella pertussis islet-activating protein prevents attenuation of prostaglandin E1-stimulated cAMP accumulation by alpha 2-adrenergic, muscarinic, and delta-opiate agonists but has no measurable effect on the ability of these agonists to accelerate Na+/H+ exchange. Similarly, manipulations that block receptor-accelerated Na+/H+ exchange influence but do not block receptor-mediated attenuation of cAMP accumulation. Thus, the present data suggest that these two receptor-mediated biochemical events, acceleration of Na+/H+ exchange and attenuation of cAMP accumulation, occur through divergent mechanisms in NG108-15 cells.
THE OKLAHOMA JUDICIARY

The features of Oklahoma's judicial system are a direct result of scandals that plagued it in the late 1960s. Before the reforms, the Oklahoma judicial system had been criticized for its circus-like character. After news of extensive scandal erupted in the media, the judicial system was completely restructured. Those recommendations that had been called for previously by law professors and the American and Oklahoma Bar Associations were finally put into practice. While the reforms of the late 1960s caused the Oklahoma system to become similar to the national norm, Oklahoma's system retains unique characteristics. This study will first explore the structure of the judicial system in Oklahoma and then trace its evolution towards the merit selection system.
Fear of AIDS: Assessment and implications for promoting safer sex.

Two studies were conducted to develop a multidimensional measure of AIDS-related fears. A Fear of AIDS Instrument (FAI) was administered to 608 clients undergoing HIV testing at an anonymous test site. Factor analyses identified eight foci of fear: Infection Fear, becoming infected through Partner Betrayal, the Economic Consequences of infection, Society's Response to the AIDS crisis, Testing Concerns, worries about becoming infected through Casual Contact, the safety of Medical Procedures, and Safer Sex Communication Apprehension. All scales exhibited acceptable reliabilities and several sex differences were identified. In a second study, the FAI was revised and then administered to 669 undergraduates, along with other AIDS-related constructs. These eight dimensions of fear were again identified and preliminary evidence of construct validity was obtained. Implications for AIDS prevention message design are discussed.
Fracture/matrix interaction in a fracture of finite extent

[1] The behavior of a wetting front invading a fracture in an unsaturated, porous matrix is of some importance for understanding infiltration and recharge processes, contaminant transport, and similar topics. Previous investigators have examined this problem, and a number of models have been published in the literature. It is, however, difficult to observe processes inside a fracture, particularly in a field setting. Many models of fracture flow and fracture/matrix interaction therefore lack an observable quantity and instead rely on comparisons with numerical simulations to test the validity of the theoretical constructs. Here a method is proposed that avoids this difficulty by analyzing flow in a finite fracture or fracture network. The fracture is considered finite because, after some interval of injecting water to the fracture at a constant rate, the wetting front reaches the far end of the fracture and exits at a point where it can be monitored. The discharge from the fracture constitutes an observable quantity and allows comparison with field or laboratory data. A curve matching procedure is described by which parameters characterizing the fracture/matrix system may be estimated, and the method is demonstrated using output from a numerical simulation, data from a laboratory experiment, and data from two field tests.
Weighty Consequences: Diagnostic Challenges and Practice Considerations Associated With Obesity

The impact of obesity is detrimental to health, mental health and well-being. Despite the significant increase of adiposity in the past two decades, the condition has gained minimal representation in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR and DSM 5), the primary diagnostic classification system used by mental health practitioners. Because the diagnostic classification of obesity is nebulous, obesity related impairments are unacknowledged and treatment is compromised. This article explains why changes in the DSM 5 fail to adequately address the relationship between obesity and mental health, utilizing case study examples to elucidate the psychological impact of obesity in varied clinical settings. Additionally, the author reflects on the challenges of diagnosing and treating obesity with high-risk, marginalized populations.
Interaction of radiation and other environmental stresses in biological systems.

Interaction of Radiation and Other Environmental Stresses in Biological Systems. The cellular and molecular effects of heavily ionizing radiation are being studied in order to understand radiobiological aspects of present and past life on the planets and to provide a basis for assessment of radiation hazards of manned spaceflight. Since solar flares consist of high energy protons and alpha particles, the Van Allen belt has many protons and since many heavier nuclei strike the top of the atmosphere, their effects are studied in the laboratory with the aid of accelerated protons, He, Li, B, C, N, O, Ne and A nuclei. In the Berkeley Hilac monoenergetic beams of about 8.4 Mev per nucleon are available. At the cellular level, the biological effects depend strongly on the linear energy transfer (LET) of the particles; this is allowed to vary between 0.2 kev/micron and about 1400 kev/micron. The effectiveness of a single particle crossing a cell increases with increasing LET for enzymes, phage articles, bacterial spores, yeast cells and mammalian cells. There appear two types of radiobiological effects which are clearly discernible. The first is an oxygen dependent effect, probably due to single ion pairs, delta rays and small clusters. A single such event is able to inactivate a phage article or enzyme molecule, but several of these events cooperate to inactivate a mammalian cell. As shown with TODD the efficiency of this effect, as measured by a “cross section”, increases proportionally with LET until saturation is reached. Cellular injury caused by this effect is at least partially reversible.
Histogram analysis for automatic blood vessels detection: First step of IOP

Most individuals do not realize they have a broken vein in the eye until somebody lets them know or they look in a mirror. This condition is not tormenting, but commonly creates obtuse trauma to the eye. Treatment is often not required for subconjunctival drainage. In the event that a patient has recognized the presence of blood in his or her eye, it may be fitting for him or her to look for medical consideration. While a subconjunctival drain is occasionally risky, hyphema (blood in the front assembly of the eye, between the cornea and the iris) is conceivably a more serious condition, with more serious outcomes. This paper first provides an overview of the most common techniques used to calculate the blood vessels in color images of the retina. Then, it presents a study that has been conducted to discuss the early steps of the intraocular pressure (IOP) detection in the eye, using histogram analysis.
TARGETED MUTAGENESIS OF THE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR GATA-4 GENE IN MOUSE EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS DISRUPTS VISCERAL ENDODERM DIFFERENTIATION IN VITRO

Transcription factor GATA-4 belongs to a family of zinc finger proteins involved in lineage determination. GATA-4 is first expressed in yolk sac endoderm of the developing mouse and later in cardiac tissue, gut epithelium and gonads. To delineate the role of this transcription factor in differentiation and early development, we studied embryoid bodies derived from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in which both copies of the Gata-4 gene were disrupted. Light and electron microscopy demonstrated that embryoid bodies formed from wild-type and heterozygous deficient ES cells were covered with a layer of visceral yolk sac endoderm, whereas no yolk sac endoderm was evident on the surface of the homozygous deficient embryoid bodies. Independently selected homozygous deficient cell lines displayed this distinctive phenotype, suggesting that it was not an artifact of clonal variation. Biochemical markers of visceral endoderm formation, such as alpha-feto-protein, hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 and binding sites for Dolichos biflorus agglutinin, were absent from the homozygous deficient embryoid bodies. Examination of other differentiation markers in the mutant embryoid bodies, studies of ES cell-derived teratocarcinomas and chimeric mouse analysis demonstrated that GATA-4-deficient ES cells have the capacity to differentiate along other lineages. We conclude that, under in vitro conditions, disruption of the Gata-4 gene results in a specific block in visceral endoderm formation. These homozygous deficient cells should yield insights into the regulation of yolk sac endoderm development and the factors expressed by visceral endoderm that influence differentiation of adjoining ectoderm/mesoderm.
Application of Models in the Design of Underwater Electromagnetic Signature Reduction Systems

The susceptibilities of surface ships and submarines to electromagnetic influence mines and detection systems are generally determined with the aid of mathematical and physical scale models of the vessel's underwater field signatures. In addition, they are the primary tools used in the design of signature reduction systems. However, limitations of model accuracy need to be recognized and identified through verification and validation, and they should not be used blindly as a substitute for critical engineering analysis. The proper use of underwater electromagnetic field models of naval vessels in designing signature reduction systems will be presented.
A volumetric and dosimetric study of LDR brachytherapy prostate implants based on image fusion of ultrasound and computed tomography

Transrectal ultrasound has been the imaging modality of choice for brachytherapy seed implantation. However, CT scanning has been used by some investigators. Here, the authors first examine the differences in the volume of the prostate as defined based on US and CT imaging studies, where the two image sets were fused together. They also investigated the dosimetric implications of the respective plans. All patients in the study had a CT and a transrectal US exam one month after the iodine seed implantation. A catheter with a balloon was placed in the patient's urethra with contrast. The balloon was pulled firmly against the anterior apex of the bladder. The two image sets were then fused together, using the shape of the urethra as the anatomical landmark for the co-registration. The prostate volumes from the two studies were computed as well as the DVH and dose distributions. An over-estimation of the prostate volume as seen on the US of up to 30% was found with the CT images. Spatially, the relative position of the two volumes is uncorrelated. The DVH and dose distributions showed better than 85% coverage for the US volume but mediocre coverage (as low as 50%) for the CT volume. CT imaging of the prostate tends to over-estimate its size. In post implantation studies where a CT is obtained for the localization of seeds, that volumetric discrepancy needs to be taken into account when assessing the quality of the implant.
Preparation of Proteins and Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis in a Bottom-Up Proteomics Workflow

This unit outlines the steps required to prepare a sample for MS analysis following protein separation or enrichment by gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography, and affinity capture within the context of a bottom-up proteomics workflow in which the protein is first broken up into peptides, either by chemical or enzymatic digestion, prior to MS analysis. Also included are protocols for enrichment at the peptide level, including phosphopeptide enrichment and reversed-phase chromatography for sample purification immediately prior to MS analysis. Finally, there is a discussion regarding the types of MS technologies commonly used to analyze proteomics samples, as well as important parameters that should be considered when analyzing the MS data to ensure stringent and robust protein identifications and characterization.
Applicant Desirability Influences Reactions to Discovered Résumé Embellishments

This study investigates responses to a discovered resume embellishment as a function of initial impressions of the applicant. In Study 1, managers and recruiters rated the extent to which a discrepancy uncovered by a background check would lower their opinion of an applicant, using a between-subjects design crossing the applicant's apparent desirability and type of embellishment. In Study 2, business students completed a simulated hiring task in which they first evaluated applicants based on their resumes, then read background reports, and subsequently made a final evaluation. Results indicate interactive effects of an applicant's apparent desirability, type of deception revealed, and response dimension. The discovery of a minor embellishment has little effect on evaluations of favored applicants, but negatively impacts less desirable applicants.
The diabetic foot: Amputations and drainage of infection

Neuropathy, peripheral ischemia, and an altered host defense make the diabetic patient particularly prone to the development of infected foot ulcers. Successful treatment must be directed at these three primary pathologic situations. Since a limb-threatening infection carries a 25% risk of major amputation, early and prompt recognition and reporting of all foot problems are essential. Neuropathy requires total rest of the injured part. An altered host defense requires knowledge of the bacteria involved and proper use of antibiotics. It requires strict adherence to sound surgical principles that ensure debridement of all necrotic material and adequate dependent drainage of the wound while conserving as much viable skin and tissue for later revision or conservative amputations. Once sepsis is controlled, ischemic extremities can be revascularized. Because of the peculiar nature of the diabetic's vascular disease, revascularization procedures require the maximum skill and experience of the operating vascular surgeon. After revascularization, revisions or more conservative distal amputations can be achieved. Patient and physician education and understanding still remain essential not only to prevention but to successful management of all diabetic foot-related problems.
Alteration of DNA, RNA and collagen synthesis in lung organ cultures exposed to mercury ions

Abstract We have examined the effect of Hg 2+ ions on DNA, RNA and collagen synthesis in organ cultures of neo-natal rat lungs. These cultures exhibit many biochemical characteristics of lung in vivo and they continue to synthesize macromolecules at increasing rates up to 6 days. When these cultures were exposed to 1.0μM HgC1 2 , the synthesis of DNA was stimulated nearly 3-fold after 72 hr of exposure followed by a decline at 120 hr reflecting cumulative cytotoxicity. Higher concentrations were inhibitory at all times. A nearly 3-fold increase in RNA synthesis occurred after 24 hr exposure to 1.0 μM HgC1 2 and at 72 hr the cultures continued to synthesize RNA at rates comparable to control. There was a decrease in RNA synthesis at 120 hr. Increased collagen synthesis was observed at concentrations up to 10 μM and at all times. The maximal increase, 2–3 fold, occurred at 120 hr in cultures exposed to 0.1 M. These studies suggest that Hg 2+ -induced cell injury in lung organ cultures elicits a reparative response characterized by increased collagen synthesis. This is similar to chemically induced tissue-injury in lungs in vivo . The relevance of these data to the mechanism of induced pulmonary fibrosis is discussed. These studies also point to the usefulness of organ cultures for studying pulmonary toxicity of environmental agents.
As If Your Life Depended on It: Promoting Cognitive Development to Promote Wellness.

In this article the authors discuss key elements of the cognitive-developmental perspective and the need to integrate it as an important component of the wellness model. Each speaks to the personal empowerment of every person to live a rewarding and responsible life. Each also emphasizes the ongoing promotion of growth rather than secondary prevention or remediation.
The verisimilitude of the independent pixel approximation used in cloud remote sensing

Abstract We assess the validity of the “independent pixel approximation” (IPA) using Monte Carlo simulations of realistic scale-invariant clouds modeled with 2-D horizontal variations in optical depth. The IPA uses a plane-parallel approximation for each pixel, and is used in virtually all cloud remote sensing algorithms. We confirm the validity of the IPA at the largest scales and demonstrate its shortcomings on the smallest scales: a) It overestimates the variability of the radiation field when the optical depth field is known, and b) it underestimates the variability of the optical depth field when the radiation field is known. Both effects are due to smoothing by horizontal fluxes.
Influencing the occurrence of mind wandering while reading

Abstract The current concerns hypothesis suggests that directing attention towards unfulfilled plans of the individual prior to a task would result in more off-task thoughts (or mind wandering). In this experiment, participants were asked to read a scientific text and self-report instances of mind wandering by indicating when they were experiencing task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs) or task-related interferences (TRIs). Prior to reading, participants in the individual plans experimental condition were asked to reflect upon their short-term plans by making a “to do” list while participants in a control condition were asked to make a list of the components of an automobile. In support of the current concerns hypothesis, directing attention towards the short-term plans resulted in significantly more TUTs, but not TRIs. Furthermore, participants in the individual plans condition had significantly lower scores on an assessment of reading comprehension, and this relationship was mediated by the frequency of TUTs.
The deficiencies of meromorphic solutions of certain algebraic differential equations

We use the spread relation to prove estimates that contain the Nevanlinna deficiencies of values of meromorphic solutions of certain differential equations of the form (1.1) below. We construct examples which show that all of our estimates are sharp, and in most of these constructions we use functions which are extremal for the spread relation. Several other examples are also given to illustrate our results.
Active Tuning of Variable Stiffness Structures Utilizing Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composites

Active tuning of a variable stiffness structure utilizing fluidic flexible matrix composites (F2 MC) through valve control is investigated in this research. Previous efforts have shown that significant changes in the effective modulus of elasticity can be achieved by simply opening and closing the inlet valve to the fluid filled F2 MC tubes. Through integration of the F2 MC tubes into supporting matrix materials, multicellular variable stiffness adaptive structures can be achieved. The new adaptive structures can be easily deformed when desired (open valve) and can be switched to a high modulus mode when deformation is not desired (closed valve – locked state). In this paper, active valve control is investigated for improving the performance of the variable modulus structure over the semi-active approach (on/off valve control). An analytical model of the fluid-filled F2 MC tube is developed that captures the dynamics of the composite tube and the flow rate of the fluid through a variable orifice. A feedback controller for modulus tuning is determined. Analysis results indicate that the modulus of the structure can be accurately tuned by active valve control. Advantages over semi-active valve control are increased performance, greater control of modulus selection, increased applicability, and elimination of potentially damaging pressure spikes observed with on/off valve control.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
ANALYSIS OF TOCOPHEROL IN RHODOTORULA GLUTINIS, AGARICUS CAMPESTRIS, AND EUGLENA GRACILIS USING SPECTROFLUOROMETRY AND ROTIFER BIOASSAY

The tocopherol content of the yeast, Rhodotorula glutinis, was determined by spectrofluorometry and rotifer bioassay. Comparative tocopherol measurements were made on the mushroom, Agaricus campestris, and the alga, Euglena gracilis, strain Z. R. glutinis, previously reported to have a tocopherol content of <4.75μg/g dry weight, was shown to have <0.001μg/g dry weight tocopherol by the spectrofluorometric technique. The rotifer bioassay showed that there was <1.28pg tocopherol/g dry weight yeast. The tocopherol values for A. campestris and E. gracilis, strain Z, were 0.31-0.34 and 797μg/g dry weight, respectively, as determined by spectrofluorometry. These values are somewhat lower than previously reported determinations, possibly because of the greater specificity of the spectrofluorometric method. A slightly modified spectrofluorometric procedure for the analysis of tocopherol is presented; homogenization of tissue samples, lyophilization, lipid extraction with acetone, and one purification step precede spectrofluorometric determination. Use of a cold acetone fractional crystallization procedure for lipid purification removed 99.27% of the originally extracted lipid material. The average recovery of introduced tocopherol was 97.6%, indicating only minor loss of d-α-tocopherol during the extraction process. Along with rigorous solvent and glassware preparation, this technique has increased the sensitivity of the spectrofluorometric assay from the previously reported 0.01 to 0.005μg/ml tocopherol. Specificity of tocopherol fluorescence was determined by introducing known amounts of tocopherol into samples, examination of excitation and fluorescent spectra, and adding FeCl3.
Saving the World One Patient at a Time: Psychoanalysis and Social Critique

There has been a stunning reticence in the psychoanalytic psychotherapeutic world to engage in vigorous critique of the larger social world and our place within it. Our participation in dominant social processes, including the degree to which we are authorized by them, is distressing for most of us to consider (Cushman, 1994).
CT diagnosis of torn meniscus

Abstract Computed tomography (CT) may be of value in the diagnosis of torn meniscus in the knee. A case is presented where axial computed tomography was of aid in the demonstration and localization of a torn medial meniscus in the right knee.
Mechanisms of atrial natriuretic peptide secretion from the atrium

Since the discovery of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) more than 20 years ago, numerous studies have focused on the mechanisms regulating ANP secretion. From a physiological standpoint, the most important factor governing ANP secretion is mechanical stretching of the atria, which normally occurs when extracellular fluid volume or blood volume is elevated. In addition, the ability of several vasoconstrictors to increase ANP secretion can be traced to their indirect effects on atrial stretch via increases in cardiac preload or afterload. Whether vasoconstrictors such as angiotensin II and vasopressin have a direct positive or negative effect on ANP secretion has not been determined with certainty. Two paracrine factors derived from endothelial cells play important roles in modulating ANP secretion. Endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor, stimulates ANP secretion and augments stretch induced ANP secretion. The dramatic increase in ANP release produced by cardiac ischemia appears to be mediated in part by endothelin. Nitric oxide (NO), an important vasodilator, is also produced by endothelial cells and inhibits ANP secretion acting through cyclic GMP as an intracellular messenger. Several recent studies have helped to define the cellular mechanism contributing to regulation of ANP secretion including stretch-activated ion channels, prostaglandins, cytochrome P450, G proteins and cell calcium. A number of steps in the cellular transduction of the ANP signal remain to be resolved. The release of ANP in disease states such as myocardial infarction and heart failure appears to be related to both mechanical and cellular events.
Preventive services among Medicare beneficiaries with supplemental coverage versus HMO enrollees, medicaid recipients, and elders with no additional coverage.

BACKGROUND Studies conducted when Medicare began to cover preventive services, found that beneficiaries with supplemental insurance were much more likely to have such services than those without additional coverage. OBJECTIVE To examine preventive services among Medicare beneficiaries with supplemental insurance, Medicaid, health maintenance organization (HMO) enrollees, and those without additional insurance. RESEARCH DESIGN Analysis of the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative multistage survey. SUBJECTS 2,251 persons aged 65 and older with Medicare coverage. MEASURES Self-reported preventive services, specifically, blood pressure measurement, cholesterol testing, influenza vaccination, mammography, Papanicolau (Pap) testing, and breast and prostate examinations. Multivariate modeling was used to adjust for age, education, race/ethnicity, and functional status. RESULTS Elders without additional coverage were approximately 10% points less likely to have influenza vaccination, cholesterol testing, mammography, or Pap smears than those with supplemental coverage (P < 0.05). Multivariate adjustment attenuated some of these differences with age and education being the most important predictors of having preventive services. HMO enrollees were more likely to have mammograms than those with supplemental coverage (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Several years after Medicare extended coverage to include preventive services, differences in utilization of such services among elders with and without supplemental insurance have narrowed substantially.
Antimicrobial effects of mustard flour and acetic acid against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.

This study was designed to investigate the individual and combined effects of mustard flour and acetic acid in the inactivation of food-borne pathogenic bacteria stored at 5 and 22 degrees C. Samples were prepared to achieve various concentrations by the addition of acetic acid (0, 0.5, or 1%) along with mustard flour (0, 10, or 20%) and 2% sodium chloride (fixed amount). Acid-adapted three-strain mixtures of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains (10(6) to 10(7) CFU/ml) were inoculated separately into prepared mustard samples stored at 5 and 22 degrees C, and samples were assayed periodically. The order of bacterial resistance, assessed by the time required for the nominated populations to be reduced to undetectable levels against prepared mustards at 5 degrees C, was S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (1 day) 1% acetic acid.
The effect of catalyst preparation on catalytic activity

A systematic study to examine the relationship between catalyst preparation procedures and the structure, dispersion, activity, and selectivity of the finished catalyst is reported. Nickel catalysts supported on gamma-alumina prepared by wet impregnation [Appl. Catal., 24 (1986) 241] were characterized by H2 TPD, CO TPR, steady-state CO hydrogenation, and TPSR. The impregnant pH, nickel concentration, and ionic strength were the solution variables employed during wet impregnation. It was found that the dispersion based on H2 uptake decreases with increasing weight loading. The dispersion based on CO uptake decreases with increasing weight loading up to 2.1 wt%, but is relatively constant as the weight loading is further increased. A single peak in H2-TPD and CO-TPR for the 0.8 wt% Ni/Al2O3 catalyst suggests that the active Ni sites on this catalyst predominantly result from NiAl2O4-like species. The methanation activity of the catalysts increases with increasing CO uptake. The carbon-containing residues after steady-state CO hydrogenation were analyzed by TPSR experiments. For low weight loading catalysts, two types of carbon-containing species were observed. Higher weight loading catalysts have three types of carbon-containing species. Analysis showed, however, the average number of carbon-containing residues was about 4 C/Ni, independent of weight loading. The catalytic performance was found to correlate with the metal loading which, in turn, is predictable based solely on the properties of the electrolyte. A companion paper will provide design criteria for producing and reproducing active Ni/Al2O3 catalysts.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: a new window to clinical therapeutic decisions in hypertension.

Le suivi du rythme circadien des parametres cardiovasculaires peut se faire a l'aide de methodes invasives et non invasives. Les avantages et les inconvenients des deux types d'approche sont presentes. Ces etudes mettent en evidence des periodes a risques durant la journee et devrait permettre d'optimiser les traitements de l'hypertension
Substituent effects on the geometries of prismanes

Abstract Ab initio molecular orbital calculations using the 321G basis set provide good approximations of the experimental geometries of substituted strained organic molecules. A series of disubstituted prismanes have been calculated at this level and the effects of substituents upon geometries rationalized in terms of the molecular orbitals of the parent molecule. The results are compared with four experimental structures. Evidence is presented which indicates that prismane conjugates more strongly with π-accepting substituents than does cyclopropane, consistent with earlier predictions. Brief comparison is made with the quadricyclane (homoprismane) series.
Single-Scan in Vivo Lactate Editing with Complete Lipid and Water Suppression by Selective Multiple-Quantum-Coherence Transfer (Sel-MQC) with Application to Tumors

A novel single-scan selective homonuclear multiple-quantum coherence-transfer technique, Sel-MQC, is presented that achieves lactate editing with complete lipid and water suppression. The method is suitable for studying tissues with high fat content and those subject to substantial motion. Frequency-selective excitation is employed to selectively prepare lactate into its multiple-quantum states; lipid and water are left in the single-quantum modes and eliminated by the multiple-quantum selection gradients. The efficiency of lipid suppression is monitored by a 2D Sel-MQC experiment which separates lipid and lactate along the multiple-quantum-evolution dimension. The spatial distribution of lactate can be imaged by the spectroscopic imaging version of Sel-MQC. Sel-MQC sequences were demonstrated both in phantoms and in vivo, using subcutaneously implanted murine EMT6 tumors.
Modelling the cell-mediated immunity in homograft rejection

Lymphocytes which become sensitised at the periphery travel to the regional lymph nodes where they initiate an immunological response by increasing the production of immuno-competent lymphocytes. These lymphocytes migrate into the tissues via the blood stream and bring about the destruction of target cells. These notions, in the present analysis, are translated into a simple mathematical model. The model specifically considers the lymphocyte memory and increased secondary response.
Phonon localization in one-dimensional quasiperiodic chains

Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706(July 2, 2011)Quasiperiodic long range order is intermediate between spatial periodicity and disorder, and theexcitations in 1D quasiperiodic systems are believed to be transitional between extended and local-ized. These ideas are tested with a numerical analysis of two incommensurate 1D elastic chains:Frenkel-Kontorova (FK) and Lennard-Jones (LJ). The ground state conﬁgurations and the eigenfre-quencies and eigenfunctions for harmonic excitations are determined. Aubry’s transition by breakingthe analyticity is observed in the ground state of each model, but the behavior of the excitationsis qualitatively diﬀerent. Phonon localization is observed for some modes in the LJ chain on bothsides of the transition. The localization phenomenon apparently is decoupled from the distributionof eigenfrequencies since the spectrum changes from continuous to Cantor-set-like when the inter-action parameters are varied to cross the analyticity–breaking transition. The eigenfunctions of theFK chain satisfy the “quasi-Bloch” theorem below the transition, but not above it, while only asubset of the eigenfunctions of the LJ chain satisfy the theorem.PACS numbers: 63.20.Pw; 61.44.Fw; 61.44.Br
FASTER READING, BUT DO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'VE READ?: A NOTE OF CAUTION

Although reading is an important, albeit complex, everyday activity, the ability to comprehend adequately what has been read is similarly important. Recently, Moriarty and Scheiner ( 3 ) presented advertising copy in four text types, the factorial combination of letterspacing (close, regular) and typeface (serif, sans serif). The dependent measure was total words read in 105 sec. Close-type text resulted in a significantly greater number of words read, and the authors concluded "that the use of close-set type holds the promise of increased legibility, at least under certain conditions" (3, p. 702). Such a conclusion, though, is only partially correct. Apart from reading rate, the authors should have reported subjects' comprehension or retention of material read. It seems imperative to advertisers that potential customers know something about the product(s) they may purchase. While the Moriarty and Scheiner results indicate rhat close-type text produced the fastest reading rate, there is no reported evidence that this text type similarly leads to superior comprehension or retention. For instance, one of the other three text types might have resulted in greater comprehension. Unfortunately one does not know this, given the current results. Partial support for the above observation that faster reading does not necessarily imply superior comprehension comes from a study conducted by Homa ( I ) , in which two speed-readers (claiming rates in excess of 15,000 words per minute) participated in a variety of perceptual and cognitive tasks, one being assessment of their reading comprehension. Following three chances to read through a lengthy text on human memory ( 2 ) , each speed-reader took an 80-item four-alternative multiple-choice exam covering the text. Their average score was 11 (13.75%), although reading rates averaged 27,000 words per minute. Of course, the subjects in the Moriarty and Scheiner srudy were not speed-reading, but the implications are dear. Researchers should not overgeneralize Moriarty and Scheiner's results, which could possibly be inferred to indicate that close-type text would have also been comprehended or retained better than the other varieties. This is certainly open to investigation. In condusion, this note was intended to suggest that experiments of this type could include a variety of measures of performance, as reading rate only tells us something about rate and not necessarily comprehension, retention, or related measures of textprocessing ability and understanding.
Toxicity and microsomal enzyme induction effects of several polybrominated biphenyls of firemaster

Abstract Some toxicological and pharmacological effects of 2,4,5,2′,5′-penta- (congener 1), 2,3,4,2′,4′,5′-hexa- (congener 5), 2,4,5,3′,4′,5′-hexa- (congener 6), 2,3,4,5,3′,4′,-hexa- (congener 7), and 2,3,4,5,2′,3′,4′-hepta-bromobiphenyl (congener 9) were evaluated in male rats given a single 90 mg/kg ip injection and killed seven days later. Only congener 7 depressed body weight gain, spleen and thymus weights, and caused severe histopathological changes in the thymus. Congener 7 caused the largest increase in liver weight and the most changes in liver pathology while congener 1 failed to enlarge this organ and caused the mildest ultrastructural changes. Liver microsomes were isolated and evaluated for enzyme induction from all treated rats except those administered congener 6, which was previously identified as a mixed-type enzyme inducer (Dannan et al., 1978b). All congeners increased the liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 content, but only congener 7 shifted the carbon monoxide difference spectrum absorption maximum to 448.0 nm. The microsomal ethyl isocyanide difference spectrum 455/430 nm ratio was increased the most by congener 7 (3 fold). All congeners increased cytochrome P-450 reductase and microsomal epoxide hydrase activities by nearly 1.5–3 fold. Congener 7 failed to induce aminopyrine-N-demethylase activity but the remaining congeners increased it by 2 fold. Congener 7 was the most effective inducer of benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase and p-nitrophenol UDP-glucuronyl transferase. These results add to the suggestion that the presence of an ortho halogen on a polyhalogenated biphenyl does not completely abolish toxicity or 3-methylcholanthrene-type microsomal enzyme induction.
An Experimental Study of the Relative Intensities of X-Ray Lines in the L-Spectrum of Thorium

The relative intensities of the thorium $L$-series lines have been measured at 31.8 kilovolts using an ionization chamber spectrometer. In addition to the lines previously reported by other investigators, the lines $\mathrm{Th}L\ensuremath{\eta}$, $\mathrm{Th}L{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{7}$, $\mathrm{Th}L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{2}$ were found. No indications of $\mathrm{Th}L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{5}$ or $\mathrm{Th}L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{4}$ could be found. The relative intensities have been corrected for absorption in the mica windows and air in the path from x-ray tube to ionization chamber, and for the fraction of the radiation absorbed in the methyl iodide in the ionization chamber. It was found that in the voltage range between the critical excitation voltage ${V}_{0}$ and 31.8 kilovolts, the intensity of $\mathrm{Th}L{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ or $\mathrm{Th}L{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{1,5}$ at any voltage $V$ could be expressed by $I=k{(V\ensuremath{-}{V}_{0})}^{2}$ within the limits of experimental error. Using this expression the relative intensities at 31.8 kilovolts were extrapolated to the relative intensities at high voltage, to which it was assumed the theoretical predictions apply. The intensity rules for doublets hold for lines involving the levels ${L}_{21}$ and ${L}_{22}$. The predictions of Wentzel based on Schr\"odinger's new quantum mechanics for the relative intensities of "sharp" and "diffuse" series doublets are confirmed, but the experimental intensities of the "principal" series doublets are too low by a factor of 7. They are also too low in the measurements of J\"onsson on tungsten. The results obtained are as follows:
An evaluation of a cost metric for selecting transitions between motion segments

Designing a rich repertoire of behaviors for virtual humans is an important problem for virtual environments and computer games. One approach to designing such a repertoire is to collect motion capture data and pre-process it to form a structure that can be walked in various orders to re-sequence the data in new ways. In such an approach identifying the location of good transition points in the motion stream is critical. In this paper, we evaluate the cost function described by Lee et al.15 for determining such transition points. Lee et al. proposed an original set of weights for their metric. We compute a set of optimal weights for the cost function using a constrained least-squares technique. The weights are then evaluated in two ways: first, through a cross-validation study and second, through a medium-scale user study. The cross-validation shows that the optimized weights are robust and work for a wide variety of behaviors. The user study demonstrates that the optimized weights select more appealing transition points than the original weights.
Simulation Of A Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Focusing Collimator System

A computer program to simulate the three dimensional impulse response of a convergent focus rectangular tube collimator system has been developed. The simulation is done by a deterministic algorithm that models geometric acceptance of photons, photon penetration of the septa, and single scatter interactions in the collimator walls. Output from the simulator is used as a basis set for the impulse response of a multiple detector SPECT system. The basis set is used by fitting procedures that estimate the impulse response of the Donner SPECT system (12 angles, 12x 128 detector positions per angle) from noisy measurements of a point source. These impulse response estimates are used to determine the weighting matrix of new emission reconstruction algorithms.
Explicit Storage and Analysis of Billions of States using Commodity Computers

Abstract The objective of this paper is to develop a framework and associated algorithms for explicit state space exploration of discrete event systems that can scale to very large state spaces. We consider classes of resource allocation systems (RAS), where a set of resources are shared by concurrent processes. In particular, we focus on Gadara RAS, whose Petri net representations have recently been used for liveness enforcement in multithreaded software. We present a framework where each reachable state of the RAS is represented by a single bit. We show how single-bit representations can lead to efficient implementations of supervisory control algorithms. In order to support single-bit state representations, we develop two indexing functions that map each state to a unique integer that serves as the corresponding index of the state in the large bit array. These functions exploit the invariants of the given RAS. Experimental results show that our techniques scale up to exploration and analysis of billions of states on commodity computers.
Grain size of Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sediments from Chicxulub to the open ocean: Implications for interpretation of the mass extinction event

The relationship between the Chicxulub impact event and the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary mass extinction has been repeatedly questioned. Specifically, Cretaceous planktonic foraminifera occurring in high-energy sediments in the Gulf of Mexico related to the impact have been used to argue that the impact preceded the mass extinction. Here we address this dispute by comparing grain size data from two Gulf of Mexico sections and a distal, pelagic sequence. Significantly larger grain sizes, combined with evidence for size sorting in the proximal sections, suggest that fossils in boundary deposits are redeposited and cannot be used to assign ages. Thus the grain size data support other evidence that indicates that high-energy deposits from around the Gulf of Mexico correlate stratigraphically with the Chicxulub impact and the K-Pg mass extinction.
Effect of mouthguards on dental injuries and concussions in college basketball

LABELLA, C. R., B. W. SMITH, and A. SIGURDSSON. Effect of mouthguards on dental injuries and concussions in college basketball. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 34, No. 1, 2002, pp. 41–44.PurposeDental injuries can be permanent and disfiguring. They are also universally expensive to treat. Many dentist
Sexual abuse knowledge base of pregnant women

Background The problem of sexual abuse has been well described. It is believed that as many as 20% of women and 5–10% of men have been sexually abused as children. The perpetrator is usually a family member or other person well known to the victim. Perpetrators as young a 7 years old have been reported. Child care giver knowledge about sexual abuse has not been well described. We believe this is the first effort to describe the knowledge base of child care providers concerning the topic of sexual abuse This research will hopefully promote efforts to prevent sexual abuse. Methods A one page questionnaire examining knowledge about sexual abuse was offered to new prenatal patients presenting for care at the East Tennessee State University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Participant's (n=211) were asked questions concerning their knowledge of rates of sexual abuse among both males and females, and about perpetrator identification and age. Demographic information obtained included the participant's age, educational status and whether she was currently involved in the care of children. Participants’ interest in obtaining more information about sexual abuse was also recorded. Data were analyzed using the CATMOD procedure of SAS. Results 211 of 217 women agreed to participate in the survey. Women with greater than 12 years of education were found to be more likely (p Conclusion Sexual abuse is a topic that many new mothers are interested in learning more about. The knowledge base of these individuals can be improved. In order to prevent sexual abuse, it would be appropriate to educate child care givers about the dangers of such abuse.
Barrier-layer formation and its control during hydrogen permeation through Ti-24AI-11Nb alloy

Hydrogen transport through Ti-24Al-11Nb (at. pct) alloy has been measured using ultrahigh vacuum permeation techniques over the temperature range of 500 °C to 900 °C and a hydrogen pressure range of 20 to 1333 Pa. The hydrogen uptake behavior of the alloy is influenced by even very small amounts of contaminants in the hydrogen gas. It is shown that contaminants such as CO and H2O are released from the walls of the vacuum system by the incoming hydrogen gas due to collision-induced desorption and that these species form a barrier layer. In the presence of the barrier layer, the hydrogen-permeation behavior of the alloy has two apparent temperature regimes: a high-temperature regime where the barrier layer has minimal effect, and a low-temperature regime where the barrier layer inhibits the hydrogen uptake. A physical model to explain this behavior is presented. It is further shown that the effect of the barrier layer can be minimized by maintaining dynamic flow conditions in the upstream chamber. Under these conditions, the transport process is diffusion-limited: the permeability has a weak temperature dependence, but the diffusivity has a strong temperature dependence.