cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intracranial hypertension after resection of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Predisposing factors and management strategy.

Surgical excision of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) may be complicated by postoperative breakthrough edema and hemorrhage and by intracranial hypertension. Embolization, staged resection, and meticulous surgical technique have decreased but not completely eliminated this complication. In this study we prospectively assess the prevalence of intracranial hypertension after excision of cerebral AVMs, examine factors predisposing to this complication, and document the outcome of aggressive monitoring and treatment of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP).During a 4-year period at a single institution, 32 consecutive patients with cerebral AVMs underwent surgical excision after staged embolization. All patients underwent postoperative monitoring of ICP and a uniform management protocol of intracranial hypertension.Intractable intracranial hypertension was encountered after resection of 9 of 32 cerebral AVMs, including 3 of 20 (15%) AVMs 6 cm or less in maximum diameter and 6 of 12 (50%) AVMs greate...
Neutron detection and identification using ZnS:Ag/6LiF in segmented antineutrino detectors

Abstract Antineutrino detection using inverse beta-decay conversion has demonstrated capability to measure nuclear reactor power and fissile material content for nuclear safeguards. Current efforts focus on aboveground deployment scenarios, for which a successful background rejection strategy will be needed to measure the anticipated antineutrino event rates. In this paper, we report on initial studies to quantify the intrinsic capture efficiency and particle identification capabilities of a new scintillation-based segmented design that uses layers of ZnS:Ag/ 6 LiF to capture and identify neutrons created in the inverse beta-decay reaction. Laboratory efficiency measurements are consistent with MCNP5 calculations, estimating 6 Li neutron conversion efficiency above 50% for practical full-scale detector configurations.
Some new perspectives on conditioned hunger

One theory holds that appetitive drives such as hunger and thirst are not conditionable because of their slow onset. However, recent evidence has shown only transitory conditioning of appetitive drives even with rapid onset. Such experiments may have failed because: (a) Exteroceptive conditioned stimuli (CSs) used in past experiments may be less easily accociated with the internal hunger drive than are interoceptive taste cues. Experiments 1-3 provided some support for this hypothesis. (b) The dependent measures used in past experiments may not be valid. Experiments 4 and 5 suggested that changes in the rate of bar pressing on an operant extinction curve following probe CSs for hunger may be a more sensitive and valid index of conditioned appetitive drive. However, the elusive and transitory nature of these results demands a reexamination of the basic difference between appetitive and aversive drives, which lies in the mode of their onset and control and which, given adaptive considerations, can account for their widely different conditionability.
The SecY translocation complex: convergence of genetics and structure

All organisms share a requirement for translocation of proteins across membranes. The major mechanism for this process is the universally conserved SecY/Sec61 pathway. Many years of extensive genetic and biochemical analyses identified the components of the SecY/Sec61 pathway, demonstrated that most exported proteins use this route for translocation, and led to understanding of many functions of the components. Recently, structural predictions based on genetic analyses in Escherichia coli were confirmed, in a striking and satisfying manner, by the solution of an X-ray crystal structure from an archaeal SecY complex. This review discusses the genetic background that led to those hypotheses and the convergence of genetic studies with structural data.
Sieving characteristics of albumin deposits formed during microfiltration

Abstract The sieving characteristics of bovine serum albumin (BSA) deposits formed during microfiltration were studied using polydisperse dextrans with gel permeation chromatography. The actual sieving coefficients for the BSA deposit were calculated from observed sieving data using a stagnant film model to account for bulk mass transfer effects. The data confirm that the protein deposit is compressible, with the sieving coefficients decreasing with increasing applied pressure. The sieving coefficients and hydraulic permeability were both maximum at the BSA isoelectric point. The sieving coefficients decreased with increasing ionic strength at pH above and below the isoelectric point and were also a function of the ionic composition (Na+ vs Ca2+) of the solvent. These results, in combination with independent measurements of the hydraulic permeability, were used to obtain insights into the pore structure of these BSA deposits. The data suggest that the BSA deposit has a bimodal pore size distribution, with the effective size of these pores determined by the intermolecular electrostatic interactions between BSA molecules in the deposit in combination with conformational changes in the individual BSA molecules.
Introduction: Social and Behavioral Health in the Military

This special edition of the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment presents a wide-range of articles that collectively illuminate the many challenges that have confronted our service m...
A Design of Distributed Game Strategies for Networked Agents

Abstract In this paper, distributed game strategies are designed and analyzed for the multiple-pursuer single-evader problem. The proposed design is based on the integration of cooperative control theory and differential game theory. It is shown that the proposed game strategies are Nash solutions with respect to an inversely-optimal performance index and that they are fully adaptive with respect to information acquisition/communication patterns. A simple condition on topology changes is found so that performances under the distributed game strategies are comparable with those under global-knowledge game strategies.
Some conditions that promote unusual phonological behaviour in children

Although unusual phonological patterns vary in frequency and type across children, collectively they constitute a sizeable minority of the available data on child phonology, and, as a consequence, warrant serious study. In this investigation three types of novel words were presented to children in an effort to determine the conditions that promote unusual productions. For a group of young normally-developing children, unusual productions were more likely to occur when the novel words contained consonants the children had neither produced nor attempted in the past. A smaller group of specifically-language-impaired children did not show the same type of behaviour. In contrast, these children exhibited a generally higher percentage of unusual productions that seemed independent of the children's prior experience with the sounds in the words. Although neither group's phonological behaviour reflected efficient use of the phonetic regularities in the language, the specifically-language-impaired children seemed ...
Fetal cleft lip repair in lambs: Histologic characteristics of the healing wound

Sequential surgical procedures in cleft lip/palate (CL/P) patients result in scar formation that is believed to be associated with midface growth retardation. By use of a previously developed fetal lamb model, wound healing characteristics were investigated after in utero CL repair. It is hypothesized that scarless healing after fetal CL repair occurs without inflammation and scar formation. CL wounds were created in mid-second-trimester fetal lambs and either repaired in three layers (mucosa, muscle, and skin) or left unrepaired. Fetuses were then harvested at 7, 14, and 21 days postoperatively, and the wound site was examined microscopically. When created at 75 days' gestation (term = 145 days), fetal lamb CL wounds heal rapidly without inflammation and scar formation. By day 21 postoperatively, there was complete regeneration of skin, muscle, and mucosa, as well as epidermal appendages. With this model, it will be possible to compare the effects of scarless fetal CL repair with those of postnatal repair on midface growth.
The Future of the City of Intellect: The Changing American University (review)

(2004). The Future of the City of Intellect: The Changing American University. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 75, No. 3, pp. 364-365.
Age- and site-associated biomechanical weakening of human articular cartilage of the femoral condyle.

Summary Objective To determine the time sequence of biochemical and structural events associated with, and hypothesized to underlie, age-associated tensile weakening of macroscopically normal adult human articular cartilage of the knee. Methods Macroscopically normal human articular cartilage of the lateral and medial femoral condyles (LFC and MFC) from Young (21–39 yrs), Middle (40–59 yrs), and Old (≥60 yrs) age donors were analyzed for tensile properties, surface wear, and cell and matrix composition. Results Variations in tensile, compositional, and surface structural properties were indicative of early, intermediate, and late stages of age-associated cartilage deterioration, occurring at an earlier age in the MFC than the LFC. Differences between Young and Middle age groups (indicative of early-to-intermediate stage changes) included decreased mechanical function in the superficial zone, with a loss of (or low) tensile integrity, and surface wear, with faint striations and mild staining on the articular surface after application of India ink. Differences between Middle and Old age groups (indicative of intermediate-to-late stage changes) included maintenance of moderate level biomechanical function, a decrease in cellularity, and a decrease in matrix glycosaminoglycan content. Tissue fluorescence increased steadily with age. Conclusions Many of these age-associated differences are identical to those regarded as pathological features of cartilage degeneration in early osteoarthritis. These findings provide evidence for the roles of mechanical wear, cell death, and enzymatic degradation in mediating the progression through successive and distinguishable stages of early cartilage deterioration.
Mentoring and the Faculty-TA Relationship: Faculty Perceptions and Practices.

The current investigation was designed to examine faculty perceptions and practices of mentoring in the faculty–TA (teaching assistant) relationship. A survey of faculty members at a large Midwestern research institution revealed that most faculty members considered themselves to be, or wished to be, mentors to their teaching assistants. The faculty members’ actions as ‘mentors’, however, often were not congruent with the practices of effective mentorship. The survey indicated a great need for faculty guidance in how to forge and maintain mutually beneficial mentoring relationships with their teaching assistants. An examination of faculty and TA handbooks and departmental guidelines from large research institutions further underscored this point; while handbooks directed to TAs abound on this subject—generally placing the burden of maintaining an effective faculty–TA relationship on the TA—very few faculty manuals even mention TAs. These findings are interpreted through Nyquist and Wulff’s model of TA dev...
An evaluation of interference of inflatable penile prostheses with electromagnetic localization and tracking system

Purpose: The Calypso system is stated by the manufacturer to be contraindicated for cases where the patient has been implanted with a penile prosthesis. This is due to concern for potential metal interference-related reduction of spatial localization and tracking accuracy. Here we quantify the localization and tracking accuracy of the Calypso system in the presence of inflatable penile prosthesis devices from three most widely used models which account for, essentially, 100% of implants in North America. Methods: Phantom studies were first performed to quantify the interference of Calypso localization and tracking accuracy from both varying metal (steel) masses, and from the penile prosthetic devices themselves. The interference of varying steel masses was studied as a function of two factors: (a) the mass and (b) the location of steel material. The Calypso daily quality assurance (QA) phantom with three implanted Beacon® transponders was used to measure any aliasing of position that might occur due to metal interference. After confirming the safety of use in phantom, we implanted Calypso Beacon® transponders in one patient with a previously implanted AMS Model 700 inflatable penile prosthetic device. For each of the 42 delivered treatment fractions, redundant stereotactic ultrasound (US) image guidance was performed to ensure good agreement between US and Calypso guidance. Results: We observed that a steel mass of less than 18 g did not cause any detectable positional aliasing for the Calypso tracking function. The mass of metal material measured to exist in the three penile prosthetic devices studied here (MP35N alloy) was approximately 1 g for each. No positional aliasing was observed for the three prosthetic devices in phantom, and good agreement between redundant US and Calypso was also observed in patient. Conclusions: Both phantom and patient evaluations with the penile prosthetic devices showed no measurable interference with the Calypso system, thus indicating that accurate Calypso-based alignments can be performed in the presence of current industry standard inflatable penile prosthetic devices.
An osmium hydrido methyl species via an unconventional methyl transfer

Os(H)2(OTf)(NO)L2 (OTf=O3SCF3; L=PiPr3) reacts with Li(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide) (LiTMP) by methyl transfer to give Os(H)2Me(NO)L2. The cyclic imine co-product is rapidly deprotonated by LiTMP to give an azaallyl anion that adds to Os(H)2(OTf)(NO)L2 to give Os(H)2(η1-C8H14N)(NO)L2, which was characterized by spectroscopic methods, independent synthesis and X-ray diffraction. Possible reasons for this CH3− transfer ia C(sp3)–C(sp3) cleavage are discussed.
How gram-positive organisms cause sepsis

I N THE LAST DECADE, the prevalence of gram-positive nosocomial infection has risen markedly.1-4 This increase has been mirrored by an increase in the prevalence of gram-positive sepsis. A number of recent reports have concluded that gram-positive organisms are now as common as gram-negative organisms in causing sepsis5-” Another change has occurred in the last decade: we have learned a great deal about the cascade of inflammatory mediators that underlies sepsis. There appears to be a common pathway by which a variety of infectious organisms, and also noninfectious stimuli, can produce widespread endothelial inflammation; this common pathway, and its clinical sequelae, have recently been termed the “systemic inflammatory response syndrome” (SIRS).iO The term “sepsis” is reserved for those patients with SIRS of infectious origin (Table 1). Although this inflammatory cascade is far from completely understood, it has become clear that the presence of live bacteria is not requisite to the occurrence of sepsis; debris from damaged or lysed bacteria (predominantly cell wall components) alone is sufficient.” Inflammatory mediators themselves may be able to initiate this cascade.12 These findings help explain why many patients with sepsis are never found to be bacteremic, and why bacteremia is not required for the definition of SIRS. Many (if not most) of the studies that have been done to elucidate the cascade of inflammatory mediators that underlies sepsis were performed using endotoxin, a component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria.‘” Endotoxin is not invariably found in the serum of patients with sepsis, but it may even be found in patients who do not have gram-negative infection.14 The administration of endotoxin to animals’ and to healthy human volunteersi stimulates the release of inflammatory mediators and reproduces the signs and symptoms of sepsis. while the administration of antibodies to endotoxin prevents the onset of sepsis if given before the endotoxin challenge.” Thus, it has
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF SODIUM NITRATE : INVESTIGATIONS OF LASER DESORPTION MECHANISMS

This theoretical study uses ab initio quantum mechanical methods to investigate the electronic properties of ground and excited state sodium nitrate. We calculated electronic properties of the crystalline material for bulk, clean, and defected surfaces. The results of these calculations are used to explain the photoexcitation/desorption mechanism and support the conclusions of an earlier experimental investigation of the laser desorption of NO from single-crystal sodium nitrate. The calculations indicate that the electronic structure of the bulk and cleavage surface are virtually identical (i.e., no shift in the resonant absorption profile is expected). This finding is consistent with the experimental results on the wavelength dependence of NO desorption yields for crystalline NaNO{sub 3}. However, changes in the absorption manifold are found to accompany the removal of external nitrate oxygens (producing surface nitrite groups). The presence of these chemical defects causes states to appear in the band gap producing a red shift in the absorption band. These calculations also indicate that the transition energies of the nitrate ion are unaffected by the presence of the surrounding ions. 34 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.
Efficacy of tetrahydrocannabinol in patients refractory to standard antiemetic therapy

Oral delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 15 mg/m2, was compared to prochlorperazine (PCZ), 10 mg. for the control of cancer chemotherapy-related emesis. Thirty-six patients whose vomiting was refractory to standard antiemetic therapy were entered in this randomized comparative cross-over study. THC decreased nausea and vomiting in 23 of 36 (64%) patients compared to 1 of 36 receiving PCZ. THC efficacy was not dependent on the class of antineoplastic-agent inducing the emetic symptoms, age of patients or type of sensorial change experienced. Using the 15 mg/m2 dose, all patients experienced transient sensorial changes, characterized as a pleasant “high” in 19 or a variable state of dysphoria in 17 cases. This study confirms the usefulness of THC in patients whose chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is refractory to other standard antiemetics. While excellent antiemetic control was achieved at the dosage 15 mg/m2, dysphoria was encountered at this dose level and we recommend that an initial dose of 5 mg/m2 which, if necessary, can be carefully increased to achieve maximum antiemetic benefit.
Does Place Still Matter? Accounting for Income Variation Across American Indian Tribal Areas

Abstract: Persistent poverty is frequently identified as a key problem on American Indian tribal lands in the United States. Yet the fact that tribal lands tend to be located in isolated, nonmetropolitan areas suggests that relatively lower levels of per capita income in tribal areas may be due largely to locational factors, such as the lack of access to markets, the absence of agglomeration economies, and an inadequate infrastructure. The study presented here explored the role of location-specific factors and other characteristics in accounting for variation in income levels between tribal and nontribal areas and across different types of tribal areas. The results suggest that location indeed plays a significant role in accounting for variation in income across both tribal and nontribal areas, but that human capital, demographics, and structural factors also matter. In particular, college-educated and retirement-age shares of the population have a positive effect on income levels in all areas, while unemployment rates and shares of the population that are American Indian have a negative effect in all areas. The results further indicate that once locational, structural, and demographic factors are controlled, tribal areas do not have significantly lower levels of income than do other areas. The lower income levels found in tribal areas may thus be understood as a function of location, industrial structure, human capital, and demographics, rather than as a reflection of problems that are inherent only in tribal areas.
Characterization and expression analysis of the groESL operon of Bartonella bacilliformis.

The groESL operon of Bartonella bacilliformis, a facultative intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium and etiologic agent of Oroya Fever, was characterized. Sequence analysis revealed an operon containing two genes of 294 (groES) and 1632 nucleotides (groEL) separated by a 55-nt intergenic spacer. The operon is preceded by a 72-nt ORF (ORF1) that encodes a hypothetical protein with homology to a portion of the HrcA repressor for groESL. A divergent fumarate hydratase C (fumC) gene lies further upstream. Deduced amino acid sequences for B. bacilliformis GroEL and GroES revealed a high degree of identity with homologues from other Bartonella and α-Protebacteria. A single transcriptional start site (TSS) was mapped 79 nucleotides upstream of the groES start codon, regardless of incubation temperature. The TSS was located immediately 5′ to a potential controlling inverted repeat of chaperonin expression (CIRCE) element and is preceded by a σ70-like promoter. The operon is followed by a predicted rho-independent transcriptional terminator. Northern blot analysis indicated that groES and groEL are co-transcribed as a single mRNA of ∼2.4 kb. A 6-h time course analysis by qRT-PCR showed that groEL expression increases 1.3-fold within 30 min of a temperature upshift from 30 to 37 °C, with maximum transcription reached after 60 min (∼4.3-fold), followed by a steady decrease to background (30 °C) transcription levels by 6 h. Western blot analysis revealed a 1.4- and 1.5-fold increase in GroEL synthesis following a temperature upshift or by inhibiting DNA supercoiling with coumermycin A1, respectively. Functional expression and complementation of temperature-sensitive Escherichia coli groES or groEL mutants with the cloned operon allowed them to grow at otherwise restrictive temperatures.
Osteodentin Formation in Continuously Erupting Teeth of Guinea Pigs

Osteodentin formation in guinea pig teeth was studied using in vivo microscopic and histologic techniques. The coronal half of both incisors and molars contained varying amounts of osteodentin. Within the osteodentin, narrow canals that contained pulp tissue were observed. Serial histologic sections demonstrated that these canals opened to the occlusal surface thereby exposing the pulp to the oral cavity.
Use of a high volume dichotomous virtual impactor to estimate light extinction due to carbon and related species in the phoenix haze

Size-fractionated atmospheric particulate matter samples were collected in Phoenix, Arizona by the newly developed high volume dichotomous virtual impactor and analyzed for a variety of the major and minor chemical species. From these data, the light extinction budget for the Phoenix aerosol was estimated by applying the visibility model developed for the Denver winter aerosol. The results for Phoenix indicate that scattering by particles plus the additional scattering due to the volume change when water becomes associated with the particles accounts for 56% of the atmospheric light extinction, while light absorption by particles accounts for about 35% of bext. Elemental carbon appears to be the dominant chemical species responsible for visibility reduction in Phoenix accounting for 41% of bext. Organic carbon, NH4NO3 and NH4)2SO4 each account for only 15% of bext. Gas absorption and scattering account for less than 10% of the light extinction.
Sexual selection: a dynamic state of affairs: Response to the comments of Cornwallis and Uller in the article: Towards an evolutionary ecology of sexual traits

In their recent Opinion piece, Cornwallis and Uller [1] raise concerns about the current state of research on sexual selection, implying that it has “… been based on a narrow gene-centric view, leaving little room for responsive, plastic phenotypes inhabiting and creating heterogeneous environments.” While we agree that environmental heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity have critical roles in sexual selection, we do so based on ample empirical support from the literature. We argue that instead of being constrained by a lack of empirical data, progress in sexual selection research urgently requires the development of new theoretical models that better integrate existing empirical data.
Nontexture Inpainting by Curvature-Driven Diffusions

Inpainting is an image interpolation problem, often referring to interpolations over large-scale missing domains. In this paper, guided by the connectivity principle of human visual perception, we introduce a nonlinear PDE inpainting model based upon curvature-driven diffusions for nontexture images. This third-order PDE model improves the second-order total variation inpainting model introduced earlier by Chan and Shen (SIAM J. Appl. Math., in press, 2001). Computational schemes and digital examples are given.
Messenger RNA stability of parathyroid hormone-related protein regulated by transforming growth factor-β1

Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM), a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with epithelial cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is due to expression and secretion of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP). Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1), expressed by many tumors, has been demonstrated in vitro to increase the half-life of PTHrP mRNA. In this study, oral squamous carcinoma cells (SCC2/88) had a two-fold increase in PTHrP mRNA stability (from 45 to 90 min) in response to treatment with TGFbeta1. In order to examine the mechanism of TGFbeta1-mediated PTHrP mRNA stability, a cell-free assay of mRNA degradation was utilized in which the degradation of in vitro-transcribed mRNA incubated with cytoplasmic protein extracts from SCC2/88 treated with vehicle or TGFbeta1 was measured. In this assay, full-length PTHrP mRNA was not significantly stabilized in TGFbeta1-treated samples when compared to vehicle treated samples. However, there was a striking (>5-fold) increase in PTHrP mRNA half-life in TGFbeta1-treated samples when PTHrP mRNA lacked the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). In contrast, the degradation of 3'-UTR-truncated PTHrP mRNA using the cell-free assay was not altered in vehicle-treated samples. UV cross-linking of PTHrP mRNA and cytoplasmic proteins from cells treated with either vehicle or TGFbeta1 revealed numerous mRNA-binding proteins. TGFbeta1 treatment resulting in decreased binding of 33, 31, 27, 20 and 18 kDa binding proteins to the terminal coding region. These studies revealed that TGFbeta1-induced PTHrP mRNA stability might be, in part, the result of cis-acting sequences within the coding region of the PTHrP mRNA.
Single-stranded regions in DNA isolated from different developmental stages of the sea urchin.

Long-term labeled sea urchin embryo (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) DNAs were examined for size of recovered pieces, single-strandedness, and length of continuous double-stranded regions. Sizing on neutral sucrose gradients indicates that morula stage DNA sediments predominantly at 31 S, blastula stage DNA at 27 S, and gastrula stage DNA as a broad range of sizes of greater than 29 S. Treatment of [3H] thymidine-labeled DNA with Aspergillus oryzae S1 nuclease removes 19% of the 3H from morula stage DNA, 4% of the 3H from blastula stage DNA, and less than 0.1% of the 3H from gastrula stage DNA. Sedimentation of S1 nuclease treated [3H] DNAs on alkaline sucrose gradients indicates that in native morula stage DNA there is a nick or gap in one strand approximately every 9700 base pairs, in native blastula stage DNA about every 3300 base pairs, and very few nicks or gaps in native gastrula stage DNA.
Terminology's Impact on Expectations about and Intentions to Seek Psychological Services

Recent research has suggested that psychologists could reframe counseling services as coaching in order to increase the use of psychological services by the general public. This study explored the differential impact of the terminology suggested by replacing the term counseling with the term coaching when assessing college students' expectations about and intentions to seek psychological services. Results indicated that students in general had similar expectations for directiveness, motivation, outcome, or intentions to seek psychological services regardless of terminology used to describe the services.
On the stability bifurcation of a nonlinear time delay system

Abstract A computational burden has always been associated with the stability analysis of a time delay system over its entire parameter ranges. Indeed, this has led many previous investigators to develop control schemes under the assumption of small or negligible time delay. In this paper we have attempted to explore an alternative approach, which has been previously called as Critical or Single Points, Hale’s Method, Projection Series and Centre Manifold. Here we have deliberately omitted the relevant theorems, lemmas or corollaries of this approach and rather focus mainly on a calculation spirit to make the underlying ideas accessible to investigators seeking more insight into the wealth of time delay dynamics. The nonlinear delay equation around which we present this approach is a variational form of equations studied earlier by Bentsman et al. (1991) , Lehman et al. (1992) and Lehman and Bentsman (1992) , Lehman and Bentsman (1994) . Furthermore, using the integral averaging method explicit bifurcation equations of the form g(a, μ)=0 are derived and from the signs of their characteristic exponents, the stability of the trivial and nontrivial solutions is obtained.
A rapidly convergent procedure for computing large-scale condensation in a dynamical weather model

A generalized Newton-Raphson procedure is used to calculate the amount of moisture which should be removed when the air in a grid cell of a dynamical weather model becomes supersaturated. A test of the procedure shows that iteration is unnecessary: one pass leaves a residual supersaturation in the parts per million range. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1973.tb01598.x
Ronnel Residues in Eggs of Poultry

Ronnel appears to be one of the more promising of the insecticides for the control of lice and mites of poultry. Hoffman (1961) stated that sprays of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% ronnel controlled poultry lice for up to 20 days after treatment. Foulk and Matthysse (1963) reported that roost paints, sprays, and dusts controlled northern fowl mite.
Enantiomerically pure hexahydropyrazinoquinolines as potent and selective dopamine 3 subtype receptor ligands.

We report the design and synthesis of a series of enantiomerically pure hexahydropyrazinoquinolines as potent and selective ligands for the dopamine 3 subtype receptor using a newly developed synthetic method and using in vitro pharmacological evaluation. Our efforts yielded optically pure ligands with high affinities for the D3 receptor and outstanding selectivity over closely related D1-like and D2-like receptors. For example, compound 38a has a Ki value of 5.7 nM to the D3 receptor and selectivity greater than 10000- and 1600-fold over the D1-like and D2-like receptors, respectively, and thus is one of the most selective D3 ligands reported to date.
What's New in the Cerebral Microcirculation?

The first part of this paper focuses on unusual aspects of the cerebral circulation. Cerebral vessels have less smooth muscle and adventitia than other vessels, and the endothelial blood-brain barrier is unique. Because the wall of the arteries is thin, one might expect that the vessels are especially vulnerable to rupture. Pressure in intracranial arteries, however, is lower than in other arteries, because resistance of larger cerebral arteries is remarkably high. The low pressure in cerebral arteries presumably protects against rupture of the vessels. The second part of the paper summarizes some new insights into regulation of cerebral circulation. One concept is that “breakthrough” of autoregulation, with dilatation of cerebral vessels at high levels of pressure, is an active process, rather than a passive phenomenon. This conclusion is based on the finding that inhibitors of calcium-dependent potassium channels greatly attenuate the cerebral vasodilator response during acute hypertension. The third part of the paper focuses on effects of gene transfer to cerebral blood vessels. Gene transfer to intracranial and extracranial vessels is feasible and vasomotor function can be altered. Gene transfer has proven to be useful to study vascular biology, and we are optimistic that the approach will ultimately lead to gene therapy.
Rigid wages or small equilibrium adjustments? Evidence from the contraction of 1893☆

Abstract Contrary to the conclusions drawn from some macroeconomic studies, U.S. labor markets could exhibit considerable cyclical wage rigidity even before World War I. Using disaggregated data from Cincinnati manufacturing firms during the 1893 contraction, I estimate a threshold or friction model of wage adjustment that distinguishes between impediments to wage cuts and wage cuts that were small but possibly market clearing. The wage adjustment process exhibited friction which was both statistically and economically significant and which varied with establishment size, capital intensity, and payment method. Worker resistance to wage cuts was a factor contributing to this pattern of wage rigidity.
Preparation and Characteristics of Zinc Sulfide Phosphors Sensitive to Infra-Red*

In the presence of a relatively high percentage of lead or certain other agents and after the usual excitation, zinc sulfide phosphors become capable of storing luminescence energy at such a high potential that, unlike phosphorescence, it can be released only by radiation with the near infra-red. There are two stimulating bands—a strong one at 1.25–1.60μ and a weaker one adjoining the visible. The resulting luminescence is increased by a small content of copper. Its decay, under continued stimulation, is monomolecular in contrast to the decay of phosphorescence, which is bimolecular. In the case of lead, the color of the stimulated luminescence is green, that of the shorter of its two fluorescence bands. These fluorescence bands, in the green and yellow, are excited by different portions of the spectrum, and their phosphorescence decay is at different rates. After excitation at 77°K, there is also a bright emission observed on radiating with infra-red of 1–3μ, but this is due to the release of stored luminescence energy which is normally latent at 77°K, appearing at higher temperatures as phosphorescence. It does not affect the magnitude of the luminescence which is subsequently obtainable, after warming to 25°C, by stimulation with infra-red of the same range.
Her2/neu-positive disease does not increase risk of locoregional recurrence for patients treated with neoadjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiotherapy.

Abstract Purpose Preclinical data suggest that overexpression of Her2/neu confers cellular radioresistance. We retrospectively studied whether Her2/neu-positive disease was associated with locoregional recurrence (LRR) after postmastectomy radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer. Methods and materials Data from 337 patients treated in four institutional prospective clinical trials neoadjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, mastectomy, and RT were reviewed. The trials were conducted between 1989 and 2000. Of the 337 patients, 108 (32%) had tumors that were tested for Her2/neu, with positivity defined by 3+ immunohistochemistry staining or gene amplification detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. RT was delivered to the chest wall and draining lymphatics (median dose, 50 Gy) followed by a chest wall boost (median dose, 10 Gy). Results Thirty-two patients had Her2/neu-positive disease and 76 patients had Her2/neu-negative disease. The Her2/neu-positive tumors were associated with a greater rate of estrogen receptor-negative disease ( p = 0.03), the presence of supraclavicular disease at diagnosis ( p = 0.027), and a greater number of positive lymph nodes after chemotherapy ( p = 0.026). Despite these adverse features, the actuarial overall LRR rate was roughly equivalent for the patients with Her2/neu-positive tumors vs. those with Her2/neu-negative tumors (5-year rate 17.5% vs. 13.9%, respectively; 10-year rate 17.5% vs. 18.9%, respectively; p = 0.757). On Cox regression analysis of LRR adjusted for N stage and estrogen receptor status, the hazard ratio for Her2/neu positivity was 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.31–2.59; p = 0.83). Conclusion Her2/neu overexpression does not appear to predispose to LRR after neoadjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, mastectomy, and RT.
Mitochondrial DNA Deletions Associated With Aging and Presbyacusis

Background: The membrane hypothesis of aging proposes an association between reactive oxygen metabolites and aging processes. Reactive oxygen metabolites are a normal by-product of oxidative phosphorylation and are also formed under conditions of ischemia, hypoperfusion, and as a result of environmental contaminants. Among the many detrimental activities of reactive oxygen metabolites, also known as free oxygen radicals, is direct damage to mitochondrial DNA. Progressive accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage renders cells unable to conduct oxidative phosphorylation reactions effectively, thereby leading to a bioenergetically deficient cell. Over time, mitochondrial DNA damage accumulates and leads to cellular dysfunction with subsequent organ failure, aging, and ultimately, death. This sequence forms the basis of the membrane hypothesis of aging. Objective: To determine if the membrane hypothesis of aging may be involved in the development of presbyacusis. Design: Fischer rats from 4 age groups were tested for auditory sensitivity using the auditory brainstem response. Brain, stria vascularis, and auditory nerve tissues were harvested and mitochondrial DNA was amplified to identify the highly conserved cytochrome b and ND1-16S ribosomal RNA segment of the NADH genes, as well as a 4834–base pair (bp) deletion associated with aging. Subjects: Fischer rats (n=28) from 4 age groups were used: young (2-4 months [n=9]), mid-young (9-11 months [n=5]), mid-old (18-20 months [n=5]), and old (30-34 months [n=9]). Results: The results demonstrate a progressive reduction in auditory sensitivity with age. The mitochondrial DNA studies identify a significant increase in the presence of the 4834–bp deletion in the aged subjects compared with the young. Conclusions: These findings raise the possibility that the 4834–bp deletion may be associated with presbyacusis, as well as with aging. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997;123:1039-1045.
Theory of vibrational, rotational, and phonon inelastic collisions of a triatomic molecule by a crystal surface. I. A quantum-mechanical treatment of the scattering dynamics.

Based on time-independent scattering theory, we present a systematic formulation of triatomic-molecule--crystalline-surface scattering dynamics including the vibrational states of the solid (phonons) and the vibrational and rotational states of the molecular projectile. The vibrational and rotational motions of the triatomic molecule are treated by separating out the motion of the center of mass of the molecule in a manner that is suitable for treating the surface collisions with a molecular projectile. This method can be essentially applied to a general polyatomic projectile case. From the translational invariance of the full Hamiltonian, we employ the total (projectile+phonon) momentum representation parallel to the surface to derive the properties of the total scattering wave function of the triatomic-molecule--crystalline-surface system, a representation of the simultaneous phonon and vibrational-rotational transition potential matrix, and the characteristics of the independent physical solutions for a given energy and momentum of the system.
A global optimization algorithm for energy-efficient control allocation of over-actuated systems

This paper presents a new global optimization algorithm for energy-efficient control allocation (CA) scheme, which was proposed for improving operational energy efficiency of over-actuated systems. For a class of realistic power and efficiency functions, a Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) based algorithm is proposed to find all the local optimal solutions, and consequently the global minimum through a further simple comparison among the entire realistic local minima. This KKT-based algorithm is also independent on the selections of initial conditions by transferring the standard nonlinear optimization problem into classical eigenvalue problems. Numerical examples about practical electric ground vehicles with in-wheel motors are utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed global optimization algorithm for the energy-efficient CA problems.
Monoclonal Antibodies against Human Tumor-Associated Antigens

It is now well established that certain tumor cells express surface antigens that are not present on cells in the tissue from which the tumor was initially derived (Ruddon, 1978; Greaves and Janossy, 1978). Such antigens have several possible origins: (1) new genetic information resulting from either mutation or oncogenic viral infection, (2) expression of normal genetic information out of temporal or cellular context, such as the expression of fetal antigens on cells in an adult, (3) rearrangement or modification of normal cell surface structures by mechanisms such as glycosylation, protease activity, or intermolecular interactions due to changes in membrane structure or fluidity. The production of specific antibody reagents against these antigens would facilitate analysis of their structure and genetic origin and also provide a means of detection and perhaps even selective destruction of tumor cells (Table I).
Palliative sedation, foregoing life-sustaining treatment, and aid-in-dying: what is the difference?

After a review of terminology, I identify—in addition to Margaret Battin’s list of five primary arguments for and against aid-in-dying—the argument from functional equivalence as another primary argument. I introduce a novel way to approach this argument based on Bernard Lonergan’s generalized empirical method (GEM). Then I proceed on the basis of GEM to distinguish palliative sedation, palliative sedation to unconsciousness when prognosis is less than two weeks, and foregoing life-sustaining treatment from aid-in-dying. I conclude (1) that aid-in-dying must be justified on its own merits and not on the basis of these well-established palliative care practices; and (2) that societies must decide, in weighing the merits of aid-in-dying, whether or not to make the judgment that no life is better than life-like-this (however this is specified) part of their operative value structure.
Cardiac MR image segmentation: quality assessment of STACS

We present an energy based automatic image segmentation algorithm that uses a novel active contour scheme, called the stochastic active contour scheme (STACS). The algorithm overcomes some unique challenges arising in cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images by minimizing an energy functional with four terms, each representing the region and edge based information of the image and the global and local properties of the contour. We use annealing schedules to control the relative strength of each of the terms during the minimization process. The segmentation results when applying STACS to a set of real cardiac MR sequences of a rat are presented and quantitatively assessed by comparing them to the manually-traced contours using two similarity measures, the area and shape similarity measures. This assessment validates STACS's results, demonstrating its very good and consistent segmentation performance.
Lethal pulmonary infection with Francisella novicida is associated with severe sepsis.

The bacterial or host determinants of lethality associated with respiratory Francisella infections are currently unknown. No exo- or endotoxins that contribute to the severity of this disease have been identified. However, a deregulated host immune response upon infection is characterized by an initial 36- to 48-h delay followed by a rapid and excessive inflammatory response prior to death at 72–120 h. Here, we extend these findings by comparing host immune responses between sublethal and lethal respiratory infections of mice with an attenuated transposon mutant (Mut) of F. novicida (F.n.) strain U112 (sublethal) versus the wild-type (WT) strain (lethal). Infection with WT bacteria, but not the Mut, was characterized by sustained bacteremia and systemic dissemination of the pathogen with temporal increases in bacterial burdens in liver and spleen. Severe pathology with large foci of infiltrates associated with extensive tissue damage was evident in WT-infected lungs, and Mut-infected mice displayed much reduced pathology with intact lung architecture. Similar to other experimental models of severe sepsis, WT- but not the Mut-infected mice exhibited a robust increase in numbers of Gr1+ and CD11b+ cells, while displaying a significant depletion of αβ T cells. Further, a dramatic up-regulation of multiple cytokines and chemokines was observed only in lethal WT infection. In addition, an earlier and larger increased expression of S100A9, a known mediator of sepsis, was observed in WT-infected mice. Taken together, these results show that a hyperinflammatory host immune response, culminating in severe sepsis, is responsible for the lethal outcome of respiratory tularemia.
A Crystalline Si3N4/Amorphous Si3N4 Composite

A composite consisting of elongated α-Si3N4 crystallites (5–50 (Am in diameter) embedded in an amorphous Si3N4 matrix was synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. The hardness and indentation fracture toughness of the amorphous matrix and of the composite have been evaluated at temperatures from ambient to 1200°C. It was found that the crystallites have relatively little influence on the hardness and indentation fracture toughness when the surrounding matrix is amorphous. However, a 1400°C heat treatment of the material results in a matrix consisting of small crystals (100 nm in diameter) surrounded by carbon-containing regions which appear to be amorphous in the TEM; TEM and EELS in nearby triple points revealed the presence of amorphous carbon. After heat treatment, the indentation fracture toughness at ambient and at 1200°C is increased due to extensive microcracking. The Vickers hardness at 1200°C also increased significantly as a result of the heat treatment. The relationship between the mechanical properties and the microstructure is discussed.
Modulation of age-related changes in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone by dietary restriction of Fischer 344 rats.

The purpose of this study was to deter mine the effect of food restriction on age-related changes in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and PTH, two important regulators of Ca metabolism. Starting at 6 wk, male F344 rats were fed a purified diet either ad libitum (non-re stricted) or 60% of ad libitum (restricted). Rats from each group were killed at 5, 13, 22 and 28 mo of age. Dietary restriction increased the median lifespan from 24 to 31 mo. It delayed the rapid decrease in serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D from 1.5-5.0 mo in the non-restricted group to 5-13 mo in the restricted group. It also completely sup pressed the marked rise in serum PTH which occurred at 22 and 28 mo in the non-restricted group. Dietary restric tion had these effects even though both groups of animals consumed the same amount of Ca per gram body weight. Diet had no effect on serum Ca and P, except at 28 mo. These effects of dietary restriction on serum 1,25-dihy droxyvitamin D and PTH may result in altered Ca metab olism in dietary restricted F344 rats. J. Nutr. 118: 1360- 1365, 1988.