cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attenuated nocturnal rise in pineal and serum melatonin in a genetically cardiomyopathic Syrian hamster with a deficient calcium pump.

Day and nighttime melatonin production in the pineal gland was compared in normal and cardiomyopathic (polydystrophic) adult male Syrian hamsters. These strains of hamsters were selected for comparison because the cardiomyopathetic hamster displays a deficient transmembrane Ca(2+)-pump in a number of tissues, and intracellular CA2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) play a central role in the nocturnal increase in pineal melatonin synthesis. Daytime levels of all constituents measured, i.e., pineal N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity, pineal and serum melatonin levels, and pineal 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) contents, were comparable in control and dystrophic hamsters. In contrast, the nighttime rises in pineal NAT activity and pineal and serum melatonin levels were significantly attenuated in the dystrophic hamsters. By comparison, the pineal contents of 5-HTP, serotonin, and 5-HIAA were essentially the same in both groups of hamsters with both pineal serotonin and 5-HIAA values exhibiting the usual nighttime drop. It is presumed that the alterations in nocturnal melatonin production in the pineal gland of the cardiomyopathic hamster may relate to a generalized deficiency in the Ca(2+)-pump in pinealocyte plasma membranes, which leads to unusually high [Ca2+]i, causing a depression of NAT activity; this leads to the commensurate decline in pineal and serum melatonin levels. Harderian gland NAT activity and melatonin levels were essentially similar in the two groups of animals, although NAT activity was slightly depressed in the dystrophic hamsters killed during the day. The reduced amounts of intrascapular brown fat in the cardiomyopathic hamster is speculated to be a result of the diminished amount of melatonin produced in these animals.
Electrophysiologic assessment of antiarrhythmic drug efficacy for ventricular tachyarrhythmias associated with dilated cardiomyopathy

To determine the benefit of serial electrophysiologic drug testing in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias related to dilated cardiomyopathy, programmed ventricular stimulation was performed in 38 patients. In the baseline study, sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) was induced in 18 patients, ventricular fibrillation in 7 and nonsustained VT in 13. The patients underwent a total of 84 trials of drug therapy (mean 2.3 +/- 1.4 trials/patient). Complete success (induction of fewer than 6 repetitive responses) was recorded in 19 trials and partial success (induction of at least 6 but no more than 15 repetitive responses) in 7. Potential proarrhythmic effects were observed in 9 trials. Overall, at least 1 successful regimen was identified for 20 patients (53%). During a mean follow-up of 21 +/- 13 months, there were no arrhythmia recurrences or episodes of sudden death among patients discharged with a drug regimen determined to be effective by serial drug testing. In comparison, among patients taking regimens that failed to prevent arrhythmia induction, there were 3 arrhythmia recurrences and 2 sudden deaths (p less than 0.05). Serial electrophysiologic drug testing provides an effective method of identifying successful medical therapy for patients with ventricular arrhythmia related to dilated cardiomyopathy.
Universal behavior of the transition temperature in irradiated iron pnictide superconductors

Abstract We show that, as in the cuprate superconductors, the superconducting transition temperature in irradiated iron pnictides decreases linearly with increasing induced defect concentration, largely independent of the initial onset T c or the incident particle’s mass or energy. We attribute this to depairing caused by scattering of Cooper pairs out of the quasi two-dimensional FeAs planes.
Engineering Service Engagements via Commitments

A service engagement describes how two or more independent parties interact with each other. Traditional approaches specify these interactions as message sequence charts (MSCs), hiding underlying business relationships and, consequently, complicating modification. Comma is a commitment-based approach that produces a business model drawn from an extensible pattern library and yields flexible MSCs. An empirical study shows that models produced via Comma yield superior flexibility, are comprehensible to others, and take less time and effort to produce. The Web extra presents the claims regarding Comma's effectiveness as a set of alternative hypotheses, as well as the complete list of MSCs developed via both traditional and Comma approaches.
IL-6 increases B-cell IgG production in a feed-forward proinflammatory mechanism to skew hematopoiesis and elevate myeloid production.

Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP−/−) animals display an age-related increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6), a decrease in B lymphopoiesis, and an elevation in myelopoiesis. We investigated the origin of the IL-6 production and show that it is largely produced by peritoneal and splenic macrophages. IL-6 production by these macrophages is not a direct result of the loss of SHIP: IL-6 production is not spontaneous, is absent from bone marrow-derived macrophages, declines with prolonged culture of macrophages, and requires a stimulus present in vivo. The IL-6–rich peritoneal cavity of SHIP−/− mice shows more than 700-fold more immunoglobulin G (IgG) than wild-type, approximately 20% of which is aggregated or in an immune complex and contains B220+ cells that secrete IgG. The SHIP-deficient peritoneal macrophages show evidence of IgG receptor stimulation. Animals lacking both the signal-transducing γ-chain of IgG receptors and SHIP or Ig and SHIP produce less IL-6. The data indicate a feed-forward process in which peripheral macrophages, responding through IgG receptors to secreted IgG, produce IL-6, to support further B-cell production of IgG. Because of the proinflammatory phenotype of SHIP−/− animals, these findings emphasize the importance of IL-6–neutralizing strategies in autoimmune and proinflammatory diseases.
Networking amorphous phase reinforced titanium composites which show tensile plasticity

Titanium matrix composites reinforced by an in situ formed networking amorphous phase have been prepared directly in the form of as-cast ingots. The composites show significant compressive and tensile plasticity. In contrast to the highly localized plasticity for most monolithic amorphous alloys, the tensile deformation of the current composites distributes uniformly over the entire specimen as a consequence of substantial work (strain) hardening. The formation mechanism of the networking structure, as a result of well-separated two-step solidification of the current alloy melts, have possible implications for composite synthesis in other alloy systems.
Flat microwave spectra seen at X-class flares

We report peculiar spectral activity of four large microwave bursts as obtained from the Solar Arrays at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory during observations of X-class flares on 1990 May 24 and 1991 March 7, 8, and 22. Main observational points that we newly uncovered are: (1) flat flux spectra over 1–18 GHz in large amounts of flux ranging from 102 to 104 s.f.u. at the maximum phase, (2) a common evolutionary pattern in which the spectral region of dominant flux shifts from high frequencies at the initial rise to low frequencies at the decaying phase, and (3) unusual time profiles that are impulsive at high frequencies but more extended at lower frequencies.
Thidiazuron stimulates shoot regeneration of sugarcane embryogenic callus.

Efficient shoot regeneration of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid cv. CP84-1198) from embryogenic callus cultures has been obtained using thidiazuron (TDZ). Callus was placed on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.3 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), or 9.3 μM kinetin and 22.3 μM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and compared with the same MS medium supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 μMTDZ, A11 TDZ treatments resulted in faster shoot regeneration than the kinetin/NAA treatment, and more shoot production than either the 2,4-D or kinetin/NAA treatments. Maximum response, as determined by total number of shoots (26 per explant) and number of shoots greater than 1 cm (4 per explant) 4 wk after initiation, was obtained with 1.0 μM TDZ. The shoots rooted efficiently on MS medium supplemented with 19.7 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). These results indicate that TDZ effectively stimulates sugarcane plant regeneration from embryogenic callus, and may be suitable to use in genetic transformation studies to enhance regeneration of transgenic plants.
The P4-type ATPase ATP11C is essential for B lymphopoiesis in adult bone marrow

B lymphopoiesis begins in the fetal liver, switching after birth to the bone marrow, where it persists for life. The unique developmental outcomes of each phase are well documented, yet their molecular requirements are not. Here we describe two allelic X-linked mutations in mice that caused cell-intrinsic arrest of adult B lymphopoiesis. Mutant fetal liver progenitors generated B cells in situ but not in irradiated adult bone marrow, which emphasizes a necessity for the affected pathway only in the context of adult bone marrow. The causative mutations were ascribed to Atp11c, which encodes a P4-type ATPase with no previously described function. Our data establish an essential, cell-autonomous and context-sensitive function for ATP11C, a putative aminophospholipid flippase, in B cell development.
Cochlear nerve deficiency in children with CHARGE syndrome

Objectives/Hypothesis: To describe cochlear nerve deficiency and abnormalities of the internal auditory canal (IAC) associated with CHARGE (coloboma, heart defects, atresia choanae, retardation of growth and/or development, genital hypoplasia, and ear anomalies and/or deafness) syndrome. Study Design: Case series. Methods: In a tertiary children's hospital, children with CHARGE syndrome were evaluated between 2006 and 2009. Morphology of the inner ear, IAC, and cochlear nerves was evaluated along with auditory-evoked brainstem response results. Results: Of the 17 patients with CHARGE diagnosis, 14 ears demonstrated profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The remaining ears had conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, or mild to moderate SNHL. Computed tomography (CT) evaluation was refused in one case and delayed in one case due to parental decision. Of 30 ears evaluated with CT, 28 (93%) had substantial abnormalities of the inner ear including hypoplasia or aplasia of the semicircular canals and abnormalities of the cochlea and vestibule. CT evaluation revealed cochlear aperture narrowing or occlusion in 16 ears, one of which had normal hearing. The eight most recent patients with profound SNHL (six bilateral SNHL, two unilateral) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the IAC, and 13 of 14 ears with SNHL were noted to have absent or deficient cochlear nerves. CT scans in two ears with profound SNHL revealed normal cochlear apertures. Conclusions: The dysmorphic inner ear is well described in CHARGE patients; however, cochlear nerve deficiency has not been considered a common etiology for SNHL in these patients. Because of the implications of cochlear nerve deficiency in therapeutic decision making (i.e., cochlear implantation), MRI evaluation of the eighth nerve should be considered in CHARGE patients with profound SNHL. Laryngoscope, 2013
A dynamic theory of zero-sum two-person games

Abstract In this paper the theory of a class of zero-sum two-person ( P and E ) stochastic finite state game problems is presented. The state transition process is assumed to be Markovian and hence is governed by a conditional probability distribution function in terms of which the state transition equation and payoff functional are expressed. The players attempt to “min-max” the expected value of a payoff functional by choosing an optimal pair of strategies—namely, a pair of behavioral strategies that satisfies a particular double inequality. The application of Bellman's optimality principle leads to necessary conditions for the optimality of a pair of strategies and a recursion equation for the optimal expected payoff vector. Two cases are considered: games in which each player can measure the state perfectly, and games in which the measurements are corrupted by noise. In both cases optimal feedback decision sequences are obtained; in the case of noisy measurements, decisions are conditioned on the previous measurement histories of each player. A simple two-stage pursuit problem is solved. The theory is shown to be closely related to the static theory of J. Von Neumann and O. Morgenstern [16], first published in 1944. However, it is pointed out that the present theory may result in substantial savings in computation time and cost.
Detecting Early Pancreatic Cancer: Problems and Prospects

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis. Improving survival will require diagnosis of early pancreatic cancer, which can be defined based on resectability, size, or curability. Pancreatic cancer progresses from noninvasive precursor lesions to invasive cancer over a variable time period. Retrospective review of computed tomography (CT) scans performed prior to diagnosis suggests that pancreatic cancer resectability may be significantly improved if detected as few as 6 months before clinical diagnosis. Since pancreatic cancer is relatively uncommon, to allow cost-effective screening the populations will have to be enriched for the disease using two “sieves.” The first sieve would identify a population of subjects at higher than average risk of pancreatic cancer and the second sieve could be a characteristic phenotype among the members of the high-risk group, an abnormality seen on noninvasive imaging or a serologic marker of early pancreatic cancer. So far two high-risk groups have been targets of screening for pancreatic cancer: hereditary pancreatic cancer kindreds and new-onset diabetes. There is no serologic marker of early pancreatic cancer. Confirmation of diagnosis usually requires invasive procedures such as endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Although much work still needs to be done, the developments in the field provide us with hope that screening for early pancreatic cancer could become a reality in the not-so-distant future.
Dechlorination of chlorobenzenes by a culture containing bacterium DF-1, a PCB dechlorinating microorganism

Polychlorinated benzenes were reductively dechlorinated by an enrichment culture containing the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) dechlorinating bacterium DF-1. The culture dechlorinated hexachlorobenzene (hexa-CB) → pentachlorobenzene (penta-CB) → 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene (1,2,3,5-CB) → 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene (1,3,5-CB) and did not dechlorinate other tetrachlorobenzenes or any trichlorobenzenes. This restricted series of reactions is the most predominant and frequently reported pathway for the dechlorination of hexa-CB and penta-CB by enrichment cultures inoculated with either freshwater or estuarine sediments. The culture did not dechlorinate hydroxylated and methoxylated polychlorinated benzenes or a hydroxylated PCB. Bacterium DF-1 was detected by PCR/DGGE analysis following dechlorination of penta-CB but was not detected when a chlorinated benzene (CB) was not dechlorinated; detection of other members in the community was unaffected by the presence or absence of CB dechlorination. This is the first report of a bacterium that reductively dechlorinates both PCBs and CBs and the first identification of an organism that can dechlorinate a CB with more than four chlorines.
Vertebral Column Resection for the Treatment of Severe Spinal Deformity

The ability to treat severe pediatric and adult spinal deformities through an all-posterior vertebral column resection (VCR) has obviated the need for a circumferential approach in primary and revision surgery, but there is limited literature evaluating this new approach. Our purpose was therefore to provide further support of this technique. We reviewed 43 patients who underwent a posterior-only VCR using pedicle screws, anteriorly positioned cages, and intraoperative spinal cord monitoring between 2002 and 2006. Diagnoses included severe scoliosis, global kyphosis, angular kyphosis, or kyphoscoliosis. Forty (93%) procedures were performed at L1 or cephalad in the spinal cord (SC) territory. Seven patients (18%) lost intraoperative neurogenic monitoring evoked potentials (NMEPs) data during correction with data returning to baseline after prompt surgical intervention. All patients after surgery were at their baseline or showed improved SC function, whereas no one worsened. Two patients had nerve root palsies postoperatively, which resolved spontaneously at 6 months and 2 weeks. Spinal cord monitoring (specifically NMEP) is mandatory to prevent neurologic complications. Although technically challenging, a single-stage approach offers dramatic correction in both primary and revision surgery of severe spinal deformities. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The School Relations Bureau: A Program of Police Intervention

A number of police-school liaison efforts have been reported, many of which focus on delinquency prevention and improved police-youth relations. This paper presents a general rationale for police prevention-diversion programs and describes a three-year project in which police teams were assigned to schools. Program features included job-specific training, supervision and consultation by a full-time psychologist, and numerous informal police-youth contacts. Student and teacher acceptance was high, most officers successfully moved into helping roles, and several specific benefits accrued to students.
Reducing distributor opportunism in the export market: Effects of monitoring mechanisms, norm-based information exchange, and market orientation

Abstract As monitoring mechanisms are critical to exporter–distributor relationships, the effectiveness of different types of monitoring mechanisms remains an important issue. Our study goes beyond the separate effects of monitoring mechanisms on opportunism, and tests the moderating effects of market orientation (MO) and norm-based information exchange on the monitoring mechanism–opportunism relationship. Based on survey data of 160 export ventures in China, we find that process control increases distributor opportunism, while norm-based information exchange and MO decrease it. Moreover, at high levels of norm-based information exchange and MO, the impact of process control on opportunism turns from positive to negative.
Epileptic (Gelastic) Laughter

SUMMARY In the last decade we have encoutered 10 cases in whom we considered laughter to represent either the only or one of several peripheral expressions of an abnormal cerebral electrical discharge. We have distinguished between pathological laughter that may occur in the course of diffuse neurological diseases or as an expression of a dementing process, from that which can be properly called epileptic in nature. We have also distinguished between ictal and postictal laughter. Finally, we have speculated upon the functional implications of epileptic outbursts of laughing, in terms of the possible anatomic substrate and interconnections subserving this fairly unique human expression of emotion, and have pointed out differences in clinical and EEG characteristics that seem to correlate with the different location of the lesions responsible for the discharges. RESUME Pendant la derniere decade, nous avons observe 10 cas dans lesquels le rire representait soit la seule, soit une des expressions peripheriques 'une decharge electrique cerebrale pathologique. Nous avons distingue le rire pathologique qui se voit au cours 'affections neurologiques diffuses ou comme expression 'un processus dementiel, du rire epileptique proprement dit. Nous avons fait egalement la difference entre rire epileptique critique et postcritique. Enfin, nous avons discute les implications fonctionnelles des bouffees epileptiques de rire, en rapport avec le substratum anatomique possible et les connections qui concernet cette expression specifiquement humaine de 'emotion et nous avons mis en evidence des differences dans les caracteristiques cliniques et EEG qui semblent en relation avec les differentes localisations des lesions responsables des decharges.
Film Flow in the Space between a Circular Bubble and a Square Tube

The flow of a viscous fluid in the space defined between a bubble with circular cross section and a square tube is considered here. This problem is relevant to two-phase flows in porous media, the coating of tubes of square cross section, and more recently the design and operation of three-phase monolithic reactors. The formulation takes into account the action of gravity and the presence of a pressure field. The solution, developed as an infinite series of harmonic polynomials, satisfies the boundary conditions on the circle defined by the free-surface of the bubble and on the square defined by the wetted perimeter of the tube. The result demonstrates an efficient analytic technique for dealing with boundary conditions combining square and circular geometries. Liquid flow rates and velocity profiles measured experimentally and computed numerically agree very well with the theoretical results.
DNA-directed peptide synthesis I. A comparison of T2 and Escherichia coli DNA-directed peptide synthesis in two cell-free systems

Abstract Previously cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli have been used with T-bacteriophage DNA to make RNA which in turn directs a high level of peptide synthesis. Under comparable circumstances E. coli DNA or bacteriophage λ or Φ80 DNA stimulate little or no peptide synthesis. An incorporation system has been developed that works efficiently with these heretofore impotent DNA's; both RNA and peptide synthesis have been greatly increased. The main importance of this new system lies in its application for studying the activity of bacterial genes in vitro.
Cloned zebrafish by nuclear transfer from long-term-cultured cells

Although mammals have been cloned from genetically manipulated cultured cells, a comparable achievement has not been realized in lower vertebrates. Here we report that fertile transgenic zebrafish can be obtained by nuclear transfer using embryonic fibroblast cells from long-term cultures. The donor nuclei, modified by retroviral insertions expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP), were transplanted into manually enucleated eggs. Overall, a 2% success rate was achieved, resulting in 11 adult transgenic zebrafish expressing GFP. These nuclear transplants produced fertile, diploid offspring, and their F1/F2 progeny continued to express GFP in a pattern identical to that of the founder fish. This finding demonstrates that slowly dividing nuclei from cultured cells can be reprogrammed to support rapid embryonic development and sets up a foundation for targeted genetic manipulation in zebrafish.
Converging Divergences in Formal and Informal Work: Longitudinal Evidence from Mexico

Analyses of neoliberal labor market restructuring debate whether neoliberalism is homogenizing jobs or polarizing them. Analyses of informal employment debate whether such employment is inferior, and if so, if it is typically a transition or a trap. This paper speaks to both debates, using a three time-point (2006, 2007, 2008) longitudinal survey of retail workers in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico, to contrast workers' experiences across the spectrum of formal and informal work. Using the longitudinal data, the paper compares workers' trajectories, exploring how they make choices and navigate transitions between more formal and more informal work. A qualitative portion of the survey permits the comparison of people's aspirations and insight into how those aspirations shift overtime. Differences within formal and informal retail sectors loom as large as differences between the two sectors. For example, while formal retail workers earned more and in most cases have greater earnings growth than informal ones, much of the earnings advantage disappears when we excluded formal retail supervisors and managers and focus on rank-and-file workers. Class and gender, in addition to market position, structure differential access to better outcomes. Transitions between formal and informal work are rare in this sample, and progress toward aspirations are very limited for most subgroups. The expansion of retail chains appears to be degrading job quality among informal retail workers (through heightened competition), but without leading to better jobs for the typical employee in the chains. In addition, large numbers of job-seekers without viable alternatives are entering informal retail, once more degrading job quality through added competition.
Periparturient Arterial Rupture in Mares: A Postmortem Study

Abstract There are limited reports characterizing the occurrence of rupture of uterine and other arteries associated with pregnancy in mares. Cases were retrieved from the records of horses submitted for necropsy to the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory over a 15-year period (1993-2007). Five hundred thirteen horses were diagnosed with periparturient arterial rupture, representing 1.5% of the total equine necropsy cases. Arterial rupture was diagnosed predominately in older mares, with 78% of the horses being ≥15 years of age. Ruptures occurred most commonly during parturition but also were diagnosed before and after parturition. Additionally, during a consecutive 3-year period within this time interval, an extensive workup of cases was performed. In these 71 cases, the area of the arterial rupture was carefully dissected, and the location, size, and appearance of the arterial tear were determined. The uterine artery was the most commonly affected vessel. Although there was overlap, mares with uterine artery rupture tended to be older than those with rupture of other arteries. There was no predilection for the left or right sides, and the uterine artery rupture occurred most often in the first 20 cm from the origin.
Not So Simple: Integrating New Research Into Textbooks

Textbooks have been described as vehicles through which research is transferred to future practitioners. However, the sociology of scientific knowledge suggests that textbooks are not simply collec...
AHA’s New Research Initiative

A partnership unique in US history—4.2 million medical and lay volunteers nationwide joining with staff specialists in 54 affiliates—the American Heart Association has the strength in numbers and is beginning to acquire the skills to gain an increase in NIH funding for heart and stroke research. But more can and should be done. Last June, the AHA Board of Directors approved a comprehensive plan to institute a series of expanded grassroots and public policy initiatives. The plan, recommended to the Board by the AHA Public Affairs Policy Committee, has resulted in an allocation of increased resources to the Office of Public Affairs for a variety of projects to enhance the AHA’s efforts to secure additional federal funds for heart and stroke research. For some time, federal funding for heart and stroke research has remained flat, being forced “off the radar screen” by the furor over cancer and AIDS research. Enactment of this plan will help further educate Congress and the executive branch about the impact of cardiovascular diseases on the health and economy of the nation. Activities under this ambitious plan include formation of a national heart and stroke coalition, recruitment of celebrities, expansion of grass roots, enhancement of affiliate consultations, assessment of legislative networks, further cultivation of patient groups, conduction of a public attitude survey, establishment of an annual lobby day, and production of …
History of sea water. Constant temperature-pressure equilibrium models compared to liquid inclusion analyses

Abstract An inorganic ocean is derived from the solution equilibrium of clay minerals, calcite, OH-apatite, CO 2 -F-apatite, phillipsite, gypsum, strontianite, celestite and aragonite. The minerals are considered in equilibrium in different combinations with and without chloride. A “most probable” model for the major ions has concentrations very close to modern sea water; an “upper limit”, model has concentrations slightly higher than modern sea water except that Mg and SO 4 are 5 to 6 times higher than modern ocean concentrations. A “lower limit” model is quite similar to “fresh” water. The presence or absence of Cl seems to be the most important factor in determining “fresh” or saline water concentrations. It is suggested that very ancient ocean waters may have been quite similar in composition and concentration to modern “fresh” water environments. Liquid inclusion analyses from salt and chert from the Silurian Salina and Niagaran Groups of Michigan, Ontario, Ohio and Wisconsin compare very favorably with modern ocean compositions except that Ca and Mg compositions appear to be reversed.
Cerebral alteration in calmodulin levels associated with the induction of physical dependence upon ethanol in rats.

Abstract Calmodulin levels were measured in different areas of brain in rats rendered physically dependent and after single doses (6 g/kg) of ethanol. After single doses of ethanol no changes in the calmodulin levels were found in the cortex, but those in the hippocampus and caudate nuclei were increased while those in the cerebellum were reduced. In the dependent intoxicated (prodromal) rats, calmodulin levels were elevated in all these brain regions except the cerebellum. In rats undergoing ethanol withdrawal syndrome, the calmodulin levels decreased in all regions of the brain except caudate nuclei.
The Effects of Serial Position and Time Interval on two Anxiety Questionnaires

(1960). The Effects of Serial Position and Time Interval on two Anxiety Questionnaires. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 63, No. 1, pp. 113-131.
Application of polylactic acid coating with antimicrobials in reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Stanley on apples.

: Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Stanley on apples as affected by application of polylactic acid (PLA) coating with antimicrobials was investigated. Golden Delicious apples were spot inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 or S. Stanley and spray coated with PLA solutions containing lactic acid (LA), disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), sodium benzoate (SB), potassium sorbate (PS), or their combination (LA + EDTA, SB + LA, SB + LA + EDTA). Apples without any coating treatment served as controls. Coating treatments were allowed to dry fully, and the apples were stored at 4 °C for 14 d. Antimicrobial coatings reduced populations of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Stanley by up to 4 log CFU/cm2 at 1 d and 4.7 log CFU/cm2 at 14 d, compared to controls. SB + LA combination had a similar effectiveness as the SB + LA + EDTA combination against both pathogens and was more effective than other coating treatments. Without antimicrobial treatment, E. coli O157:H7 and S. Stanley were able to survive on apples stored at 4 °C for up to 14 d. The antimicrobial PLA coating provides an alternative intervention to reduce the pathogens on apples. Practical Application: Antimicrobial PLA coatings provide an alternative method to reduce pathogenic contaminations on fruit surface, and therefore, reduce the risk of food-borne outbreaks.
MEGAKARYOCYTOPOIESIS IN MICE

Megakaryocytopoiesis was investigated in young RFM/Unf mice by determining in autoradiograms of marrow smears the labeling index (percentage of cells labeled) of morphologic stages of megakaryocytes at intervals after a single injection of tritiated thymidine. The total maturation time of recognizable megakaryocytes is estimated to be 50–57 hr. The average times spent in the Type I (immature) and Type II (mature) compartments are, respectively, 15 and 42 hr, but we believe that there is a wide variation in these periods among individual megakaryocytes. The frequencies of megakaryocytes of Types I, II and III are 10, 86 and 4%, respectively.
Continuous hollow alumina gel fibers by direct electrospinning of an alkoxide-based precursor

Abstract This work expands the field of view in ceramic fiber electrospinning, wherein ceramic fibers of hydrous alumina are directly electrospun from alkoxide-based precursors. The continuous fibrous bundles are produced with consistent tubular structures. The stability of the drawn fibers is dominated by the hydrolysis and condensation kinetics of the sol–gel precursor, which in parallel changes the processing parameter relationships found in traditional electrospinning. Here, we explore the nature and introduce the processing development of the sol–gel based fibers through electrospinning.
RAPD-PCR for identification of Zoophthora radicans isolates in biological control of the potato leafhopper.

Biological control studies require the ability to distinguish released pathogens from locally occurring isolates of the same species. We have developed a technique that differentiates genotypes using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) for the apomictic species Zoophthora radicans (Zygomycota: Entomophthorales), a pathagen of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). RAPD analysis was performed on Z. radicans isolates released in test plots in 1990 and 1991 for leafhopper control; isolates later recovered from the same plots and diverse other isolates were included in the analysis. RAPD fragment profiles of five recovered isolates proved very similar to those of the released isolates and different from all other isolates tested; they are probable descendants of the released isolates. One of the recovered isolates had RAPD profiles similar to isolates derived from aphids and probably represents a population endemic at the release site. In addition to verifying the successful establishment of our experimental releases, RAPD analysis revealed clear relationships among isolates derived from the same host taxon. We propose that this simple and relatively inexpensive method will be valuable in determining the establishment and spread of organisms released in biological control studies.
Phase transitions in a generalized Hubbard model

Abstract Introducing different bandwidths t1 and t2 in the Hubbard model, and allowing the spinless particles to transform from one band to another (hybridization) gives a generalized Hubbard model. The problem of electron phase transitions under pressure in mixed-valence materials is studied in the generalized model and is shown to be analogous to the problem of finding magnetization in the presence of an external field in the original Hubbard model. In the strong-interaction limit and exactly at half-filling, we find a strict correspondence between the excitonic state correlations in the mixed valence system and the quantum spin-liquid state. In addition, a first order phase transition from a quantum excitonic state to a valence density wave state under change of external field or temperature is also obtained. The magnetization and the phase diagram of the Hubbard model, for t1 → t2, is also investigated, and the lability point for the transition from spin liquid state to ferromagnetic state is obtained.
Kearns-Sayre syndrome: Unusual pattern of expression of subunits of the respiratory chain in the cerebellar system

Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) is a sporadic multisystem disorder of oxidative phosphorylation associated with clonally expanded rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mitochondrial dysfunction in the central nervous system of patients with KSS accounts for the neurological manifestations of the disease. To gain further insight into the pathogenesis of neuronal dysfunction in KSS, we used antibodies against mtDNA-encoded and nuclear DNA-encoded subunits of the mitochondrial respiratory chain to study the expression of these proteins in the cerebellar cortex, dentate nucleus, and inferior olivary nucleus from 2 autoptic cases of KSS. Neuropathological examination showed a moderate loss of Purkinje cells and spongiform degeneration of the cerebellar white matter. By using immunohistochemistry, we found a decreased expression of mtDNA-encoded proteins only in neurons of the dentate nucleus. We suggest that mitochondrial abnormalities in the dentate nucleus in conjunction with loss of Purkinje cells and spongiform degeneration of the cerebellar white matter may be important factors in the genesis of the cerebellar dysfunction in KSS.
A contribution to the chemistry of the edible domestic birds

Abstract The chemical composition of the eggs of the duck and the goose has been determined, and their nutrient value has been calculated. The chemical composition of the abdominal adipose tissue of the turkey and the goose has been reported. The fat constants have been determined for the visceral fat of the turkey and the goose, the subcutaneous fat of the goose, and the egg-yolk fat of the goose and the duck.
Taking the Awful Out of the German Language: A Study of a New Way to Teach German Gender and Plural Assignment

This paper is a study of a method for teaching German gender and plural assignment developed by the late Donald Steinmetz. My primary source for classroom material was the unpublished handbook for students that Steinmetz co-authored with Donald Nelson, The Joy of Gender: A Student Handbook made available to me by his son, Erik Steinmetz. In the spring semester of 2012, I taught two sections of First Semester German back-to-back in the early afternoon at Central Michigan University which offered me a unique opportunity to test the system on one class while using the other as a control group under identical learning conditions. In this article, I present the teaching methodology of the system and the findings of the study. The first section of the article explains the rule system for German gender and plural assignment. The second section outlines how the study was conducted and discusses the handouts used and the quizzes given. The third section discusses the results of the study and the final section lays out some ideas for further research and teaching practice.
Impact of Body Mass Index on In- Hospital Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Report from the New York State Angioplasty Registry)

Abstract Although obesity traditionally has been considered a risk factor for coronary revascularization, recent data from registry studies have shown a possible protective effect of obesity on outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Using data from the New York State Angioplasty database over a 4-year period, we analyzed 95,435 consecutive patients who underwent PCI. Classification of body mass index (BMI) was: underweight ( 2 ), healthy weight (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight (25 to 29.9 kg/m 2 ), moderate obesity (class I) (30 to 34.9 kg/m 2 ), severe obesity (class II) (35 to 39.9 kg/m 2 ), and very severe obesity (class III) (>40 kg/m 2 ). In-hospital postprocedural mortality and complications were compared among these groups. Compared with healthy weight patients, patient with class I or II obesity had lower in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (combined death, myocardial infarction, and emergency surgery), whereas patients at the extremes of BMI (underweight and class III obese patients) had significantly higher mortality and MACE rates. Adjusted hazards ratios for in-hospital mortality according to BMI were: underweight (2.69), healthy weight (1.0), overweight (0.90), class I obese (0.74), class II obese (0.67), and class III obese (1.63). Patients at the extremes of BMI ( 40 kg/m 2 ) were at increased risk of MACEs, including mortality after PCI, whereas patients who were moderately to severely obese (BMIs 30 to 40 kg/m 2 ) were at lower risk than healthy weight patients.
The Adoption of New Technology in West Virginia: Implications for Manufacturing Modernization Policies

In this paper the determinants of the adoption of new technology are explored by using data obtained from a 1993 survey of 299 manufacturing establishments in the state of West Virginia. The authors examine the use of twenty hardware-based and organizational new manufacturing technologies, aggregate use of technology, and plans for future use of technology. Multivariate regression analyses indicate that larger, export-oriented, branch plants that manufacture products in long production runs, and plants that are located in counties with a sizeable manufacturing sector adopt more new technologies than do other types of plants. The results also suggest that there is a role for further government policy in encouraging plant modernization. Although participation in a state technology-assistance program is not yet associated with higher aggregate levels of use of new technology, it is found to be associated with the adoption of specific technologies and receptivity to investment in new technology. The results o...
Methodology for design of adaptive interfaces for diagnostic workstations with integrated images and reports

Diagnostic workstations have generally lacked acceptance due to awkward interfaces, poor usability and lack of clinical data integration. We developed a new methodology for the design and implementation of diagnostic workstations and applied the methodology in diagnostic neuroradiology. The methodology facilitated the objective design and evaluation of optimal diagnostic features, including the integration of images and reports, and the implementation of intelligent and adaptive graphical user interfaces. As a test of this new methodology, we developed and evaluated a neuroradiological diagnostic workstation. The general goals of diagnostic neuroradiologists were modeled and directly used in the design of the UCLA Digital ViewBox, an object-oriented toolkit for medical imaging workstations. For case-specific goals, an object-oriented protocol toolkit was developed for rapid development and integration of new protocols, modes, and tools. Each protocol defines a way to arrange and process data in order to accomplish diagnostic goals that are specific to anatomy (e.g., a spine protocol), or to a suspected pathology (e.g., a tumor protocol). Each protocol was divided into modes that represent diagnostic reading tasks. Each mode was further broken down into functions supporting that task. Via a data mediator engine, the workstation communicated with clinical data repositories, including the UCLA HIS, Clinical RIS/PACS and individual DICOM compatible scanners. The data mediator served to transparently integrate, retrieve, and cache image and report data. Task-oriented Reading protocols automatically present the appropriate diagnostic information and diagnostic tools to the radiologist. We describe a protocol toolkit that enables the rapid design and implementation of customized reading protocols. We also present an intelligent layer that enables the automatic presentation of the appropriate information. This new methodology for diagnostic workstation design led to an improved neuroradiology workstation. Future research will focus on developing protocols for other diagnostic specialties.
Local elasticity and adhesion of nanostructures on Drosophila melanogaster wing membrane studied using atomic force microscopy

Abstract Insect wings have a naturally occurring, complex, functional, hierarchical microstructure and nanostructure, which enable a remarkably water-resistant and self-cleaning surface. Insect wings are used as a basis for engineering biomimetic materials; however, the material properties of these nanostructures such as local elastic modulus and adhesion are poorly understood. We studied the wings of the Canton-S strain of Drosophila melanogaster (hereafter referred to as Drosophila) with atomic force microscopy (AFM) to quantify the local material properties of Drosophila wing surface nanostructures. The wings are found to have a hierarchical structure of 10–20 μm long, 0.5–1 μm diameter hair, and at a much smaller scale, 100 nm diameter and 30–60 nm high bumps. The local properties of these nanoscale bumps were studied under ambient and dry conditions with force-volume AFM. The wing membrane was found to have a elastic modulus on the order of 1000 MPa and the work of adhesion between the probe and wing membrane surface was found to be on the order of 100 mJ/m2, these properties are the same order of magnitude as common thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene. The difference in work of adhesion between the nanoscale bump and membrane does not change significantly between ambient (relative humidity of 30%) or dry conditions. This suggests that the nanoscale bumps and the surrounding membrane are chemically similar and only work to increase hydrophobicity though surface roughening or the geometric lotus effect.
Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of the hydrolysis and molecular motion of aminopropylsilane

Abstract The hydrolysis and dynamics of silane coupling agents have been probed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The hydrolysis of γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane were studied using proton NMR spectroscopy. The rates of hydrolysis were dependent on the water and silane coupling agent concentration as well as their chemical nature. The methoxy-substituted silane hydrolyzed much faster than the ethoxy-substituted one. The molecular motion of γ - aminopropylsilane - d 2 immobilized on a silica surface and as the bulk polymerized siloxane were characterized by 2 H solid-echo NMR techniques. It was found that the motion of the silane coupling agent on silica was more restricted than in the condensed polymer. Deuterium oxide exchange experiments also showed that the motion of deuterons on the amino group is much faster than those of the deuterons on the methylene group in silane coupling agents.
Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly

Abstract Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) is a common disorder in the elderly, carrying with it a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Environmental and age-related factors believed to contribute to ISH include obesity, declining physical activity, stress, and such dietary changes as increased salt intake and decreased intake of calcium and potassium. Increased rigidity of the aorta resulting in reduced compliance is an important hemodynamic feature, but factors that increase peripheral resistance also appear to play a role. Antihypertensive drugs have been shown to effectively and safely lower the systolic blood pressure elevations characteristic of ISH. To date, use of low drug doses and careful titration of dosage have avoided significant orthostatic hypotension and undue lowering of the diastolic pressure. Studies of relatively small groups of patients suggest that antihypertensive drugs can lower the risk of cardiovascular morbidity/mortality associated with ISH but the definitive answer awaits results of the on-going large-scale Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program trial. In the interim, management should begin with conservative measures such as weight loss, salt restriction and, possibly, calcium supplementation. If this fails, drug therapy should be considered in patients with systolic blood pressures above 180 mm Hg and in those with systolic readings between 160 and 180 mm Hg who have concomitant cardiovascular risk factors. To date, no controlled trials of sufficient size have demonstrated that one drug class is more effective than another in treating ISH. Drug therapy should be tailored to the individual patient, starting with a low dose of a single drug and, if necessary, slowly increasing dosage until a systolic blood pressure under 160 mm Hg is attained.