cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defective lipid disposal mechanisms during bacterial infection in rhesus monkeys.

Abstract Mechanisms producing hypertriglyceridemia during bacterial sepsis have not been well defined. In this study lipid disposal mechanisms were assessed in 76 infected and 19 control male rhesus monkeys by the ability to dispose of triglycerides after: (1) oral lipid loading; (2) intravenous lipid loading; and (3) by lipolytic enzyme activity tests as measured by postheparin lipolytic activity (PHLA). Studies were performed both before and 48 hr after intravenous inoculation with either Salmonella typhimurium or Diplococcus pneumoniae when illness was uniformly severe and fasting serum triglyceride elevations were increased maximally. S. typhimurium -infected monkeys demonstrated significant fasting hypertriglyceridemia ( p D. pneumoniae sepsis, average fasting triglyceride concentrations were slightly, but not significantly elevated. While oral lipid clearance was impaired, intravenous lipid clearance was unimpaired, and PHLA was slightly reduced. Marked lethargy, agitation, and a 20% mortality were present during this gram-positive infection. Results of this study support the concept that an impairment of lipid disposal mechanisms, particularly during gram-negative sepsis with S. typhimurium , may significantly contribute to the observed hypertriglyceridemia.
Low-melting Phthalonitrile Oligomers: Preparation, Polymerization and Polymer Properties:

A series of low-melting phthalonitrile oligomers were prepared in which variable-length multiple aromatic ether linkages interconnect the terminal phthalonitrile units. These materials were designed to address the need for a processable resin system with good high-temperature properties. The melt-processable oligomers are obtained using a modified-Ullman ether reaction between a bisphenol and a dihalobenzene to form a hydroxyl-terminated oligomeric intermediate that is endcapped by reaction with 4-nitrophthalonitrile. Viscosity measurements show that the phthalonitrile oligomers are polymerized at a moderate temperature (200°C) using the typical aromatic diamine curing additives, bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone and 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene. The oligomeric phthalonitrile/diamine mixtures exhibit a low complex melt viscosity (0.01-0.1 Pa s) at 200°C. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis is used to follow the polymerization as the oligomeric phthalonitrile/diamine mixtures are heated to ele...
Sins of inclusion

Genetic Recombination: Understanding the Mechanisms. By Harold L.K. Whitehouse. Wiley: 1982. Pp.415. £23.75, $49.95.
Nonlinear δf particle simulations of collective effects in high-intensity bunched beams

Abstract Collective effects with strong coupling between the longitudinal and transverse dynamics are of fundamental importance for applications of high-intensity bunched beams. The self-consistent Vlasov–Maxwell equations are applied to high-intensity bunched beams, and a generalized δ f particle simulation algorithm is developed for bunched beams with or without energy anisotropy. Numerically, the distribution function is spit into a reference distribution and a perturbed part. The perturbed distribution function is represented as a weighted summation over discrete particles, where the particle orbits are advanced by the equations of motion in the focusing field and self-generated fields, and the particle weights are advanced by an equation equivalent to the nonlinear Vlasov equation. The nonlinear δ f method exhibits minimal noise and accuracy problems in comparison with standard particle-in-cell simulations. Systematic studies are carried out for the particle dynamics under conditions corresponding to strong 3D nonlinear space-charge force. The simulations showed that finite bunch-length effects on the collective excitations become insignificant when the aspect ratio ( z b / r b ) is larger than 10 for a moderately intense beam with normalized intensity s b = ω p b 2 / 2 ω β 2 = 0.27 . For bunched beams with energy anisotropy ( T ∥ / T ⊥ 1 ) , a reference state has been constructed and a dynamic equilibrium is established in the simulations. Collective excitations relative to the dynamic equilibrium have also been successfully simulated by the generalized δ f algorithm.
A simple approximation for a multistage capacitated production-inventory system

We develop a simple approximation for multistage production-inventory systems with limited production capacity and variable demands. Each production stage follows a base-stock policy for echelon inventory, constrained by production capacity and the availability of upstream inventory. Our objective is to find base-stock levels that approximately minimize holding and backorder costs. The key step in our procedure approximates the distribution of echelon inventory by a sum of exponentials; the parameters of the exponentials are chosen to match asymptotically exact expressions. The computational requirements of the method are minimal. In a test bed of 72 problems, each with five production stages, the average relative error for our approximate optimization procedure is 1.9%. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
CG100649, a novel COX-2 inhibitor, inhibits colorectal adenoma and carcinoma growth in mouse models

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors (COXIBs) can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) and are being considered for use as adjuvant therapy for treatment of CRC patients. However, long-term use of most NSAIDs, except aspirin, increases cardiovascular risk, hampering use of these drugs in CRC prevention and possibly for treatment. CG100649 is a new member of the COXIB family, which is proposed to inhibit both COX-2 and carbonic anhydrase-I/-II (CA-I/-II) activity. Using mouse models, we show here that CG100649 inhibits premalignant and malignant colorectal lesions in mouse models, partly through inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. These pre-clinical findings suggest a need for further exploration of CG100649 for CRC prevention and treatment. The long-term safety profile of CG100649, particularly regarding its effect on cardiovascular risk, is yet to be determined.
A chronically fixed stereotaxic device for intracerebral exploration with macro- and micro-electrodes.

Abstract This report describes a chronically fixed stereotaxic device for intracerebral stimulation and recording in waking animals. It provides a virtually closed system for exploration of the brain and is particularly useful for animals in which a thin skull presents difficulties in securing cranial attachments.
Optimal contact decisions for ergodic exploration

This paper presents a method of determining optimal contact transition times for a surface exploration task. A transition time optimization algorithm is developed which uses a measure of ergodicity as the objective function, requiring the time-averaged dynamics of the system to optimally approximate the spatial average of a distribution on a finite time interval. This approach is demonstrated to be effective for determining a finite number of contact transition times in a computationally efficient way. The approach is generalized to include a measure of energy loss during sampling modes. The algorithm is shown to result in solutions that are qualitatively similar to the observed behavior of human subjects performing feature localization tasks.
Children's interpretation and avoidant response biases in response to non-salient and salient situations: Relationships with mothers’ threat perception and coping expectations

This study examined the effect of situation salience on interpretation and avoidant response biases in clinically anxious and non-clinical children. The relationship between mothers' threat perception and expectations of their children's coping, and children's threat perception and coping expectations was also assessed. Forty clinically anxious and 40 non-clinical children (ages 7-14) participated with their mothers. In response to hypothetical situations, children described their likely thoughts and actions; mothers listed a typical child's thoughts and what their child would do. Consistent with information processing theories of anxiety, anxious children displayed amplified cognitive biases in response to personally salient situations, compared to non-clinical children. Mothers of anxious children had lower expectations for their children's coping than mothers of non-anxious children, mirroring differences between the groups of children. Mothers' expectations of their children's coping predicted children's coping expectations in non-salient and salient situations and threat perception in salient situations. Implications of findings are discussed.
Empty nose syndrome associated with middle turbinate resection.

Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS), a term coined by Eugene Kern, describes the appearance of a sinus CT scan after tissue loss; an iatrogenic version of atrophic rhinitis. The syndrome is most notable for paradoxical nasal obstruction: the patient describes the sensation of nasal stuffiness, while an examination demonstrates a widely patent nasal cavity. Commonly the inferior turbinate (IT) has been surgically resected, though middle turbinate (MT) resection is also associated with ENS. The patient underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery in December 1996. He did well until he developed a left-sided sinus infection, which medications failed to clear. He had revision sinus surgery in January 1999 with subtotal left MT resection and his ENS symptoms began shortly thereafter. A sphenopalatine ganglion ablation minimally improved his symptoms. He had a 5-year course of allergy immunotherapy. The patient’s symptoms included: cool air shocks the nose, then worsens with heat exposure; pain in the back of the left nasal cavity, radiating to the palate; stuffier on the left side. His symptoms tend to improve with an upper respiratory tract infection. Placing moist cotton into the patient’s left nasal cavity restricted his airflow and improved his symptoms. On January 7, 2003 he underwent a minor revision of his left ethmoid cavity, and an acellular dermal (Alloderm) septal submucoperiosteal implant was placed to mimic the missing MT. The acellular dermal implant consisted of 2 layers of 1 cm 2 cm dimension sutured together. The leading edge of the graft was rolled and sutured into position to resemble a sled. The left nasal cavity was packed with strip gauze for 1 week, and postoperative antibiotics were maintained for 3 weeks. The patient’s symptoms fluctuated while he healed. After 3 months the patient felt he was perhaps 40% better off after the implant. A Cymetra (injectable acellular der-
Computational electromagnetics of metal nanoparticles and their aggregates

The absorption and scattering of light by silver and gold nanoparticles and their aggregates provides a powerful mechanism for detecting important molecules in a variety of applications. The authors describe recent advances in determining nanoparticle optical properties using computational electromagnetics.
Characteristics of the Paramagnetic 1H-NMR Spectra of the Ferricytochrome c-551 Family

Heme proton resonances have been assigned for ferricytochromes c-551 isolated from four distinct species of bacteria. While the available structure information indicates that the four cytochromes have very similar conformations in solution, including the chirality of the methionine ligand sulfur bond, the chemical shifts of the paramagnetically shifted resonances are surprisingly different, more so than has been previously reported for a homologous series of ferricytochromes. The resonances are contrasted in terms of chemical shift and the temperature dependence of the shift, which gives rise to a very strong anti-Curie effect for some specific protons. Non-methyl heme resonances do display an approximately conserved set of chemical shifts, but the heme methyl groups demonstrate a wide range of values. The 121 heme methyl group is always the highest frequency heme methyl, but the relative positions of the other methyl groups may change. The 71 heme methyl group always displayed strong anti-Curie behavior, while the 121 methyl group displayed normal Curie behavior. The behavior of the other methyl groups was variable. Possible reasons for the range of observations will be discussed. In spite of their NMR differences, all the ferricytochromes c-551 demonstrated comparable electron-transfer rates to a membrane-bound cytochrome reductase system.
Modeling electrokinetic flows in microchannels using coupled lattice Boltzmann methods

We present a numerical framework to solve the dynamic model for electrokinetic flows in microchannels using coupled lattice Boltzmann methods. The governing equation for each transport process is solved by a lattice Boltzmann model and the entire process is simulated through an iteration procedure. After validation, the present method is used to study the applicability of the Poisson-Boltzmann model for electrokinetic flows in microchannels. Our results show that for homogeneously charged long channels, the Poisson-Boltzmann model is applicable for a wide range of electric double layer thickness. For the electric potential distribution, the Poisson-Boltzmann model can provide good predictions until the electric double layers fully overlap, meaning that the thickness of the double layer equals the channel width. For the electroosmotic velocity, the Poisson-Boltzmann model is valid even when the thickness of the double layer is 10 times of the channel width. For heterogeneously charged microchannels, a higher zeta potential and an enhanced velocity field may cause the Poisson-Boltzmann model to fail to provide accurate predictions. The ionic diffusion coefficients have little effect on the steady flows for either homogeneously or heterogeneously charged channels. However the ionic valence of solvent has remarkable influences on both the electric potential distribution and the flow velocity even in homogeneously charged microchannels. Both theoretical analyses and numerical results indicate that the valence and the concentration of the counter-ions dominate the Debye length, the electrical potential distribution, and the ions transport. The present results may improve the understanding of the electrokinetic transport characteristics in microchannels.
Effects of intrinsic spontaneous-emission noise on the nonlinear dynamics of an optically injected semiconductor laser

The effects of intrinsic spontaneous-emission noise on the nonlinear dynamics of an optically injected semiconductor laser is quantitatively studied through a single-mode model. It is found that for periodic motions, the effect of this noise source is to kick phase points off the underlying deterministic limit cycle. When the noise is not too strong so that phase points can stay near the limit cycle, phase points execute Brownian-like motions. When the noise is very strong, or the convergent flow near the attractor is weak, noise instantly kicks phase points away from the attractor to a region where nonlinearity is very strong. Then the diffusional process is slower than a standard Brownian motion. For chaotic motions, the characteristic short-term predictability of chaos is destroyed with an increasing amount of noise. The chaotic motions near the periodic/chaotic boundary, as well as at some locations inside the chaotic region, are more susceptible to noise. This suggests that there may exist fine structures inside the chaotic region.
Analysis of R,L,F,B systems of spatial vectorcardiography☆

Abstract 1.1. Various systems of spatial vectorcardiography employing right arm (R), left arm (L), left leg (F), and back electrode (B) are studied for homogeneous, three-dimensional male and female torso models using an accurate unipolar measurement technique. 2.2. Influence of dipole location on accuracy of determination of dipole components is emphasized. 3.3. Quantitative data are presented for dipole locations representative of the range expected in human subjects. 4.4. Quantitative analysis of various systems is presented in terms of equations, geometric representations, scalar leads, and vectorcardiograms. 5.5. It is concluded that accurate results are unattainable in vectorcardiography, if dipole location is ignored. 6.6. Various approaches for minimizing dipole location errors are discussed. 7.7. While evidence exists in support of the quantitative applicability of these results for the normal QRS complex, its general applicability remains to be established.
Cytotaxonomical studies in Tribulus terrestris and T. alatus (Zygophyllaceae)

The chromosome numbers and meiotic behaviour of twenty morphologically variable populations of 7. terrestris and four of T. alatus were studied and compared. All populations of /. terrestris were hexaploid (2n = 36). They fall in one of the three morphological–eytological groups: I) robust with normal meiosis and pollen grains, II) less–robust with abnormal meiosis and high frequency of smaller pollen grains, and III) mixture of type II and dwarf plants. Seed set was high in all but the dwarfs. It appears that group I reproduces sexually while the other two groups have a certain degree of apomixis, and that the dwarf plants probably resulted from the fusion of cytologically unbalanced gametes. Tribulus alatus populations were tetraploid (2n = 24). Bud material adequate for meiotic studies were unavailable, but the wide range in size of pollen grains indirectly signifies meiotic abnormalities. So far, only the tetraploid race has been examined, while other chromosome races may exist.
Isolation of M. tuberculosis by Inoculation of the Yolk Sac of Embryonated Eggs.

ConclusionsInoculation of the yolk sac of 5- to 8-day embryonated eggs provides a rapid method for demonstrating the presence of M. tuberculosis in materials collected from patients with suspected tuberculous infections. Acid fast bacilli are readily demonstrated in the yolk of embryos 4 to 6 days after inoculation.
Hard economic times: a dream for discounters

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between the popularity of discount stores and the aggregate business cycle: Does discounters' market share go up during economic contractions and go down during economic expansions? Does the aggregate business cycle contribute to the long-term growth of discounters' success? Does the relationship between discounters and the economy differ across discounter types, namely hard versus soft discounters? Design/methodology/approach – The study will consider the relationship between discounters' market share and the aggregate economy between 1991 and 2008 for 15 Western European countries. Moreover, aggregated data is provided for the Western European region as a whole, which distinguishes hard from soft discounters' share. Recent time-series techniques are used to disentangle the temporary versus permanent effects of economic contractions on discounters' share. Findings – The aggregate business cycle induces temporary upward and downward swings in di...
A situated computing framework for mobile and ubiquitous multimedia access using small screen and composite devices

In recent years, small screen devices, such as cellular phones or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), enjoy phenomenal popularity. PDAs can be used to complement traditional computing systems to access personal multimedia information beyond the usage as digital organizers. However, due to the physical limitations accessing rich multimedia contents and diverse services using a single PDA is more difficult. Hence, the Situated Computing Framework (SCF) research project at Siemens Corporate Research (SCR) aims to develop a ubiquitous computing infrastructure that facilitates nomadic users to access rich multimedia contents using small screen devices. This paper describes a new distributed computing concept, the Small Screen/Composite Device (SS/CD) framework, which offers mobile users new classes of ubiquitous and mobile multimedia services without to limit the diversity and the richness of the provided services.
Emile Durkheim and the Division of Labor

Although the concept of the division of labor is appropriately and irrevocably associated with Durkheim, the division of labor plays a somewhat lesser role in Durkheim's thinking than is sometimes believed. He, in fact, relegates it to secondary status as a form of social organization, and his position is used to legitimate a sociology that looks to explanation by means of beliefs, sentiments, and values. But there are available data which cast doubt on some portions of Durkheim's argument concerning the secondary nature of the division of labor, and a close examination of Durkheim's analysis of the division of labor raises serious doubts about the logical adequacy of his position.
The law of the iterated logarithm for the integrated squared deviation of a kernel density estimator

Let f n ,K denote a kernel estimator of a density f in R such that ∫ R f p(x)dx 2. It is shown, under quite general conditions on the kernel K and on the window sizes, that the centred integrated squared deviation of f n ,K from its mean, ∥ f n ,K-Ef n ,K∥ 2 2-E∥f n ,K-Ef n ,K∥ 2 2 satisfies a law of the iterated logarithm (LIL). This is then used to obtain an LIL for the deviation from the true density, ∥ f n ,K-f∥ 2 2-E∥f n ,K-f∥ 2 2 . The main tools are the Komlos-Major-Tusnady approximation, a moderate-deviation result for triangular arrays of weighted chi-square variables adapted from work by Pinsky, and an exponential inequality due to Gine, Latala and Zinn for degenerate U-statistics applied in combination with decoupling and maximal inequalities.
Immersive telepresence as an alternative for human exploration

Progress in the information technology field is creating compelling alternatives to direct human exploration of distant planetary surfaces. One such alternative is immersive telepresence where the human explorer is Earthbound but able to remotely interact with a distant environment. Exploration goals for science, operational development and public engagement each have unique requirements on immersive systems. Understanding the future capabilities of these systems is essential for deriving requirements of data volume, bandwidth and latency for future robotic missions. Immersive systems have made significant advances and are now being driven by the entertainment and game industries. These systems allow the observer to experience the virtual environment through head movements and feel immersed into the simulated environment. When the simulation fidelity is equivalent to the observations of an in-situ explorer, the visual experience is the same as being there. How will our feelings toward individual human exploration change when we all have the ability to walk on other worlds and cast our shadows on the rocks? The expectation is that this will tip the balance of an exploration portfolio toward in situ machines over people.1 2
It's tough to be old and anemic

Comment on Guralnik et al, page [2263][1] This seemingly simple study is in fact quite provocative because it argues that the usually mild anemia, frequently ignored, that occurs in about 10% of subjects older than 65 years may have serious clinical consequences. The thrust of the article by
Synthetic Absorbable Suture for Strabismus Surgery

Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl), a synthetic absorbable braided suture in 5-0 or 6-0 size, was satisfactory for recession and resection of extraocular muscles. It produced an acute allergic reaction in only one of 89 cases (1.5%) as compared to a 19% reaction when collagen suture of like size was used. Polyglactin 910 suture, when left partially exposed, may be irritating and can cause excessive reaction when used at the conjunctival limbus.
Influence of Composition on the Performance of Sintered Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Nanocrystal Thin‐Film Photovoltaic Devices

Thin-film photovoltaic devices (PVs) were prepared by selenization using oleylamine-capped Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) nanocrystals sintered at a high temperature (>500 °C) under Se vapor. The device performance varied significantly with [Ga]/[In+Ga] content in the nanocrystals. The highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) observed in the devices studied was 5.1 % under air mass 1.5 global (AM 1.5 G) illumination, obtained with [Ga]/[In+Ga]=0.32. The variation in PCE with composition is partly a result of bandgap tuning and optimization, but the main influence of nanocrystal composition appeared to be on the quality of the sintered films. The [Cu]/[In+Ga] content was found to be strongly influenced by the [Ga]/[In+Ga] concentration, which appears to be correlated with the morphology of the sintered film. For this reason, only small changes in the [Ga]/[In+Ga] content resulted in significant variations in device efficiency.
Counterfactual cognitive operations in dreams.

We hypothesized that counterfactual (CF) thought occurs in dreams and that cognitive operations in dreams function to identify a norm violation or novel outcome (recorded in episodic memory) and then to integrate this new content into memory by generating counterfactuals to the violation. In study 1 we compared counterfactual content in 50 dream reports, 50 pain memory reports and 50 pleasant memory reports (equated for word length) and found a significantly greater number of CFs in dream and in pain memory reports relative to pleasant memory reports. In study 2 we used a more liberal method for scoring CF content and analyzed 34 dream reports obtained from elderly individuals engaged in an ongoing study of neuropsychologic, health and religiosity variables. Study 2 also examined neuropsychologic associations to CF content variables. In the elderly sample and with our more liberal scoring procedures we found that norm violations along with counterfactual-like attempts to correct the violations occurred in 97% of reports. In 47% of these cases (roughly half of all reports), attempts to undo the violation obeyed at least one constraint on mutability typically observed in laboratory studies of CF processing. Cognitive operations associated with attempts to undo the norm violation (e.g. transforming focal actors or the most recent causal antecedent of the violation) were significantly correlated with measures of right frontal function. We conclude that dreaming may involve a process of learning from novel outcomes (particularly negative outcomes) by simulating alternative ways of handling these outcomes through counterfactual cognitive processes.
Tetra-B-Chlorotetra-N-tert-Butylborazocine from the Thermal Decomposition of tert-Butyltrimethylsilylaminodichloroborane

Abstract The reaction of trichloroborane with lithium t-butyltrimethylsilyl-amide has been used to prepare the silylaminoborane Me3Si(t-Bu)NBCI2 which on heating (150[ddot]) undergoes condensation with elimination of chlorotri-methylsilane and formation of the previously reported, eight-membered ring compound (t-BuNBCI)4.
ERP Indices of Stimulus Prediction in Letter Sequences

Given the current focus on anticipation in perception, action and cognition, including language processing, there is a need for a method to tap into predictive processing in situations in which cue and feedback stimuli are not explicitly marked as such. To this aim, event related potentials (ERPs) were obtained while participants viewed alphabetic letter sequences (“A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, …), in which the letters were highly predictable, and random sequences (“S”, “B”, “A”, “I”, “F”, “M”, …), without feedback. Occasionally, the presentation of a letter in a sequence was delayed by 300 ms. During this delay period, an increased negativity was observed for predictive versus random sequences. In addition, the early positivity following the delay was larger for predictive compared with random sequences. These results suggest that expectation-sensitive ERP modulations can be elicited in anticipation of stimuli that are not explicit targets, rewards, feedback or instructions, and that a delay can strengthen the prediction for a particular stimulus. Applications to language processing will be discussed.
Peripheral-selective opioids

T h e review of the effects peripheral analgesic of opioids by Drs. Hargreaves and Joris suggests that the administration of opioids that do not cross the blood-brain barrier may provide a means of activating the peripheral opioid analgesic system without central nervous system effects. Peripherally selective opioids, that is, opioids that do not cross the blood-brain barrier, appear to produce analgesia in animal models of pain due to inflammation. e As the authors indicate, administering analgesics at the site of pain is an ancient concept. For example, Galen advocated the use of a paste of opium in the cavity of a tooth for toothache. 6 Clinicians are often inhibited in improving their patient's pain due to the adverse central nervous system effects experienced by patients treated with opiold analgesics. Cautious interest should be the initial response of clinicians when they learn that there may be an opioid analgesic available without central nervous system adverse effects. Caution because all analgesics, whether centrally or peripherally acting, produce dose-limiting side effects. The clinician, in judging a new therapy, should consider the benefits of the new therapy over older therapies as well as its adverse effects, its quality of analgesia compared to other methods, the cost, patient compliance, and patient preference. In addition to the many studies that will be required to indicate the safety and usefulness of the peripherally selective opioids, many questions come to mind regarding whether this type of opioid would be of benefit given the nonopioid analgesics that are available today. Some of the disadvantages of the opioids relative to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, local anes-
Trapping atoms with optical potentials

Ultralow temperatures produced with polarization-gradient cooling now allow atoms to be trapped in shallow optical potential wells. We present evidence for the quantized motion of atoms in a 1-D optical molasses with the observation of spontaneous Raman transitions between vibrational levels in these wells, observed in fluorescence. In addition, we discuss the features of a far off resonance trap (FORT) -- a single focus dipole force trap so far off resonance to be an essentially ground-state trap.
Frequency domain studies of impedance characteristics of biological cells using micropipet technique. I. Erythrocyte

This study aims at precise measurement of the membrane capacity and its frequency dependence of small biological cells using the micropipet technique. The use of AC fields as an input signal enables the magnitude and phase angle of membrane impedance to be measured at various frequencies. The micropipet technique was applied to human erythrocyte, and passive membrane capacity and conductivity were determined between 4 Hz and 10 KHz. Membrane capacity thus determined changed from 1.05 to 0.73 microF/cm2 between 4 Hz and 10 KHz. In addition to the micropipet technique, we used suspension method between 50 KHz and 10 MHz for the purpose of supplementing the new method with the one which has been in use for many years. We obtained a membrane capacity of 0.65–0.8 microF/cm2 using this technique. These values agree with the capacitance obtained with the micropipet method. Although this paper discusses only human erythrocytes, the study has been performed with lymphocytes and various forms of cancer cells. This paper is the first of the series of reports on frequency domain studies of the impedance characteristics of various biological cells.
Elevated day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone in younger women: is gonadotropin stimulation/intrauterine insemination a good option?

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the fecundity of young women ( Study Design This was a retrospective study. The study was conducted at an academic fertility center. A total of 1396 gonadotropin stimulation/intrauterine insemination cycles from 563 women were stratified by day 3 FSH levels ( 2 ), number of preovulatory follicles (total, large, and medium size), E 2 /follicle, endometrial thickness, spontaneous abortion, clinical and multiple pregnancy rates were measured. The statistics included a Student t test, a χ 2 , regression, and a discrete survival analysis. Results An elevated day 3 FSH was found in 10.2% of the women, despite favorable age (31.9 ± 2.5 years). Women with a day 3 FSH of 10 U/L or greater when compared with women with a normal day 3 level required significantly more medication (1058.9 ± 1106.0 vs 632.7 ± 477.5 IU, P P = .0006) and had E 2 levels (on the day of and the day prior to human chorionic gonadotropin administration) that were significantly higher (529.5 ± 244.3 vs 450.0 ± 244.2 and 359.6 ± 141.7 vs 306.8 ± 160.9 pg/mL, respectively, P P > .05). Spontaneous abortion and multiple pregnancy rates were higher among women with an FSH of 10U/L or greater but not significantly so (27.8% vs 12.0%, 22.2% vs 13.8% for FSH of ≥10 vs FSH 10 U/L, P > .05). Conclusion Women younger than 35 years with an elevated day 3 FSH, when treated aggressively with gonadotropins have pregnancy rates comparable with those of women with a normal baseline FSH. To achieve this outcome, they need higher doses of medication to stimulate the production of a larger preovulatory follicular cohort.
Effects of Adenine on Clotting Factors in Fresh Blood, Stored Blood, and Stored Fresh Frozen Plasma

The addition of small quantities of adenine to whole blood may prolong the useful shelf life of bank blood. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of adenine on the clotting factors in blood containing ACD and CPD. Units of whole blood were collected in ACD, ACD-adenine, CPD and CPD-adenine, and each was stored 42 days under standard blood bank conditions. Samples of fresh frozen plasma containing these anticoagulants were stored three to four months at -30 C. Assays of Factors V, VIII (AHF), IX (PTC), X (Stuart Factor), fibrinogen, and prothrombin were performed on fresh blood, stored blood and stored fresh frozen plasma. The presence of small quantities of adenine did not appear to produce any appreciable alteration in the activity of the clotting factors in fresh blood. Further, adenine did not appear either to improve or worsen the survival of the procoagulants in whole blood stored 42 days or in fresh frozen plasma stored three to four months. There was significant deterioration of Factors V and VIII in whole blood stored 42 days in ACD, ACD-adenine, CPD, and CPD-adenine, but the degree of storage loss was independent of the anticoagulant employed. Factor X, fibrinogen, and prothrombin remained stable in blood stored 42 days regardless of the anticoagulant used, but Factor IX activity increased during storage possibly as the result of contact activation. Fresh frozen plasma stored three to four months showed a uniform slight loss of Factor VIII in all four anticoagulants, but Factors V, IX, X, fibrinogen, and prothrombin remained stable in stored fresh frozen plasma regardless of the anticoagulant employed.
Free α-subunit is superior to luteinizing hormone as a marker of gonadotropin-releasing hormone despite desensitization at fast pulse frequencies

A pulsatile pattern of GnRH stimulation is essential for normal secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), while both continuous and fast-frequency GnRH stimulation result in a paradoxical decrease in gonadotrope responsiveness known as desensitization. Under physiological conditions there is striking concordance between the pulsatile secretion of LH and the glycoprotein free alpha-subunit (FAS). The aims of this study were to determine whether the FAS response to GnRH is also decreased at fast frequencies of GnRH stimulation and whether FAS is superior to LH as a marker of GnRH secretory activity at fast-pulse frequencies. The model of GnRH-deficient men was chosen to permit precise control of the dose and frequency of GnRH stimulation of the gonadotrope. The frequency of i.v. administration of GnRH to 5 GnRH-deficient men was progressively increased from every 120 to every 60 min, from 60 to 30 min, and from 30 to 15 min during three 12-h admissions, 1 week apart. The bolus dose of GnRH remained constant and was set at that dose previously shown to produce physiological concentrations and amplitudes of LH secretion and normal testosterone levels. As the frequency of GnRH stimulation was increased, a progressive rise in mean FAS levels was noted (353 +/- 13, 448 +/- 42, 466 +/- 50, and 698 +/- 85 ng/L [mean +/- SEM] for 120, 60, 30, and 15 min intervals; P < 0.005). However, normalization of mean FAS levels to account for the increase in total GnRH delivered with increasing frequencies revealed a progressive decrease in pituitary responsiveness to each GnRH bolus with increasing frequency of stimulation (353 +/- 13, 224 +/- 21, 117 +/- 13, 87 +/- 11 ng/L; P < 0.001). The decrease in normalized mean levels was supported by a decrease in the FAS pulse amplitude with increasing frequency (517 +/- 53, 365 +/- 50, 176 +/- 29 ng/L for 120, 60, and 30 min intervals, respectively; P < 0.005). At interpulse intervals of 120 and 60 min, there was complete concordance of LH and FAS pulses in response to GnRH. However, at the 30-min frequency FAS proved to be a better marker of GnRH with a higher true positive rate and lower number of false positives than LH (P < 0.05). At all frequencies, the number of false positive pulses detected tended to be lower for FAS than for LH (P = 0.06). From these data we conclude that FAS is subject to desensitization in response to increasing frequencies of GnRH administration in GnRH-deficient men, but is superior to LH as a surrogate marker of GnRH pulse generator activity at fast pulse frequencies.
Cost-effectiveness of unenhanced MR imaging vs contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen or pelvis.

The purpose of this study was to compare the cost of unenhanced MR imaging with that of CT with high- or low-osmolality contrast agents for abdominal or pelvic imaging in patients at risk for nephrotoxic effects induced by contrast material.Using decision analysis, we evaluated direct medical care costs associated with the use of CT with high- or low-osmolality contrast agents vs MR imaging. We used data from a variety of sources and assumed that the three imaging techniques provide nearly equivalent diagnostic information. The base-case analysis assumed that patients were at low risk (i.e., 2%) for development of nephrotoxic effects. Nephrotoxic effects were defined as increases in the serum level of creatinine of 50% or more above baseline. Our analysis took the perspective of the hospital and used estimated hospital costs, not charges. Sensitivity analyses were performed on risk estimates for development of nephrotoxic effects and for the estimates of medical care costs.For the base case, CT with a hig...
Interruption of pacemaker signals is mediated by GABAergic inhibition of the pacemaker nucleus in the African electric fish Gymnarchus niloticus.

The wave-type African weakly electric fish Gymnarchus niloticus produces electric organ discharges (EODs) from an electric organ in the tail that is driven by a pacemaker complex in the medulla, which consists of a pacemaker nucleus, two lateral relay nuclei and a medial relay nucleus. The prepacemaker nucleus (PPn) in the area of the dorsal posterior nucleus of the thalamus projects exclusively to the pacemaker nucleus and is responsible for EOD interruption behavior. The goal of the present study is to test the existence of inhibition of the pacemaker nucleus by the PPn. Immunohistochemical results showed clear anti-GABA immunoreactive labeling of fibers and terminals in the pacemaker nucleus, but no apparent anti-glycine immunoreactivity anywhere in the pacemaker complex. GABA injection into the pacemaker nucleus could induce EOD interruptions that are comparable to the interruptions induced by glutamate injection into the PPn. Application of the GABAA receptor blocker bicuculline methiodide reversibly eliminated the effects of stimulation of the PPn. Thus the EOD interruption behavior in Gymnarchus is mediated through GABAergic inhibition of the pacemaker nucleus by the PPn.
Nobiletin: efficient and large quantity isolation from orange peel extract

It is known that nobiletin possesses anticancer, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. Recently, the demand for nobiletin in large quantities and high purity has increased. However, conventional normal-phase silica gel chromatography and C18-reverse-phase separation methods cannot satisfy the requirement of pure and gram scale nobiletin in a timely manner. In exploring the composition and the biological activities of polymethoxyflavones from sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peel, we developed an efficient isolation method for nobiletin. By employing this methodology, pure nobiletin, in gram quantities, was obtained in only one purification cycle. The orange peel extract was loaded onto a silica gel flash column and eluted by a mixed solvent system of ethyl acetate and hexanes, and the fractions collected. Upon combination of the eluted fractions, mainly containing nobiletin and 5,6,7,4′-tetramethoxyflavone, and concentration under reduced pressure, the resultant residue was loaded onto a Regis chiral column. Gram amounts of nobiletin and 5,6,7,4′-tetramethoxyflavone were then eluted with ethanol and hexanes, respectively. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diastereoselective DNA Cleavage Recognition by Ni(II)•Gly-Gly-His Derived Metallopeptides

Site-selective DNA cleavage by diastereoisomers of Ni(II) x Gly-Gly-His-derived metallopeptides was investigated through high-resolution gel analyses and molecular dynamics simulations. Ni(II) x L-Arg-Gly-His and Ni(II) x D-Arg-Gly-His (and their respective Lys analogues) targeted A/T-rich regions; however, the L-isomers consistently modified a subset of available nucleotides within a given minor groove site, while the D-isomers differed in both their sites of preference and their ability to target individual nucleotides within some sites. In comparison, Ni(II) x L-Pro-Gly-His and Ni(II) x D-Pro-Gly-His were unable to exhibit a similar diastereoselectivity. Simulations of the above systems, along with Ni(II) x Gly-Gly-His, indicated that the stereochemistry of the amino-terminal amino acid produces either an isohelical metallopeptide that associates stably at individual DNA sites (L-Arg or L-Lys) or, with D-Arg and D-Lys, a noncomplementary metallopeptide structure that cannot fully employ its side chain nor amino-terminal amine as positional stabilizing moieties. In contrast, amino-terminal Pro-containing metallopeptides of either stereochemistry, lacking an extended side chain directed toward the minor groove, did not exhibit a similar diastereoselectivity. While the identity and stereochemistry of amino acids located in the amino-terminal peptide position influenced DNA cleavage, metallopeptide diastereoisomers containing L- and D-Arg (or Lys) within the second peptide position did not exhibit diastereoselective DNA cleavage patterns; simulations indicated that a positively charged amino acid in this location alters the interaction of the metallopeptide equatorial plane and the minor groove leading to an interaction similar to Ni(II) x Gly-Gly-His.
Analgesic actions of local anesthetics and cobalt chloride in the rat brain stem

A low-intensity thermally evoked tail avoidance reflex (LITETAR) was used to study changes in nociceptive response produced by local anesthetics and cobalt chloride microinjected into the dorsal posterior mesencephalic tegmentum (DPMT) of conscious rats. Dose-related prolongation of the LITETAR (e.g., analgesia) was observed when lidocaine, cocaine, and bupivacaine were administered into the DPMT. Analgesic actions were also demonstrated when cobalt chloride was microinjected into the DPMT. The analgesic actions of these different neuronal suppressants provide support for the hypothesis that there exists tonic activity of hyperalgesic processes in the rat brain stem.
Relative velocity of dark matter and baryonic fluids and the formation of the first structures

At the time of recombination, baryons and photons decoupled and the sound speed in the baryonic fluid dropped from relativistic, ~c/√3, to the thermal velocities of the hydrogen atoms, ~2×10^(-5)c. This is less than the relative velocities of baryons and dark matter computed via linear perturbation theory, so we infer that there are supersonic coherent flows of the baryons relative to the underlying potential wells created by the dark matter. As a result, the advection of small-scale perturbations (near the baryonic Jeans scale) by large-scale velocity flows is important for the formation of the first structures. This effect involves a quadratic term in the cosmological perturbation theory equations and hence has not been included in studies based on linear perturbation theory. We show that the relative motion suppresses the abundance of the first bound objects, even if one only investigates dark matter haloes, and leads to qualitative changes in their spatial distribution, such as introducing scale-dependent bias and stochasticity. We further discuss the possible observable implications of this effect for high-redshift galaxy clustering and reionization.
Fracture Markings on Stress-corroded Epoxy/Aluminum Butt Joints

Abstract Times-to-failure vs. static load ([sgrave]c) in moist air and water were determined for aluminum butt-joints bonded with DGEBA-epoxy resins. A characteristic fracture marking was observed on the failed surfaces similar in shape to the mirror-markings observed on glass fracture surfaces. These markings were associated with the stress corrosion process and identified as regions of slow flaw growth originating from the bond edge. The flaw depth, rc , and the failure stress were correlated by ac/rc ½ =constant. Fracture energies, c, characteristic of the stress corrosion failure were calculated and the values obtained were in the range of 8 to 14J/m2 which are comparable to the threshold stress corrosion fracture energies, ISCC, of epoxy-aluminum bonds as determined by Mostovoy and Ripling (J. Adhesion 3, 145 (1971)). These results are discussed in terms of a slow flaw growth at the resin/metal boundary and an embrittlement of the material in the interfacial region.
Constrained multispectrum analysis of CO2–Ar broadening at 6227 and 6348 cm–1 This article is part of a Special Issue on Spectroscopy at the University of New Brunswick in honour of Colan Linton and Ron Lees.

We report the first extensive experimental measurements of Ar-broadened half-width and pressure-induced shift coefficients, speed dependence parameters, and line mixing coefficients for the 30013←00001 and 30012←00001 bands of 16O12C16O centered near 6227 and 6348 cm–1, respectively. These parameters were determined from 15 self-broadened and six Ar-broadened CO2 spectra recorded at room temperature with long absorption path lengths (25 to 121 m) using the McMath–Pierce Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) at the National Solar Observatory. All 21 spectra were fit simultaneously using a multispectrum nonlinear least-squares technique. The line positions and line intensities were constrained to quantum mechanical expressions to obtain maximum accuracies in the retrieved parameters. Speed-dependent line shapes with line mixing (via the relaxation matrix formalism) were required to remove systematic errors in the fit residuals using only the Voigt profile. Remaining fit residuals were minimized by adjusting ...