cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on the development of immunity: the response to sheep red blood cells.

Publisher Summary For cellular immunity the graft versus host reaction has been of primary importance. Numerous systems, involving defined hapten-carrier combinations and bacterial, viral, and cellular antigens, have been discussed in this chapter; the most significant developmental information relating to humoral immunity has come from the studies carried out with heterologous erythrocytes, usually sheep red blood cells (SRBC), as antigen and with the mouse as experimental animal. The reasons for this are primarily technical: (1) SRBC are potent antigenic material; (2) the serum response can be readily measured both by hemolysis in the presence of complement and by hemagglutination; (3) individual antibody-forming cells can be detected by a plaque-forming cell assay that can distinguish between 19S and 7S antibody-forming cells; (4) antigens with varying degrees of crossreactivity are available for controls, in vitro methods exist for obtaining the responses to SRBC both in organ cultures and the application of more sophisticated methods, involving cell fractionation or serial transfer with intervening treatment with antisera can be readily carried out. Moreover, such classical features as sensitivity to the induction of tolerance, feedback regulation by antiserum, thymus dependency, and genetic variability in responsiveness are all applicable to the SRBC system. Tolerance to SRBC can be induced both in neonatal and adult animals, by a prolonged injection schedule, with massive doses of sheep red blood cells. More generally used has been the induction of tolerance, by the combination treatment, with antigen and cytotoxic agents, such as cyclophosphamide.
SPECTRAL COMPONENT GEOLOGIC MODELING: A NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR INTEGRATING SEISMIC INFORMATION AT THE CORRECT SCALE

Spectral component geologic modelling (SCGM) is a new technology developed to properly account for both the scale and accuracy of any and all interpretations derived from seismic data in building geologic models. Seismic data can be integrated as spectral components which are volume- or map-based property interpretations representing a specific and measurable scale. The SCGM method starts with combining different spectral components together to build what is referred to as a "tentative geologic model", accounting for different scales and measurement accuracy of information in each component. The tentative geologic model will then be further constrained to honor the spatial continuity by substituting the amplitude spectrum of current tentative model with the desired amplitude spectrum from the target variogram model through spectral simulation. After that, the model will then be post processed to first honor the target histogram and then well data. In addition to honoring one single global variogram model, as do traditional geostatistical algorithms, SCGM has the capability to model local variations or trends in the continuity range and dominant azimuth direction of spatial continuity, by modifying the amplitude spectrum using spectral simulation.
Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit Social Work: An Empirically Based Approach to Assessment and Treatment, by Mo Yee Lee, Siu-man Ng, Pamela Pui Yu Leung, & Cecilia Lai Wan Chan

There has long been a need in therapeutic social work intervention to incorporate Eastern approaches to care. With increasing globalization and immigration to the United States and other Western na...
The Stimulation of Rat Liver Phenylalanine Hydroxylase by Lysolecithin and α-Chymotrypsin

In the presence of the natural cofactor, tetrahydrobiopterin, rat liver phenylalanine hydroxylase has a sigmoidal saturation curve (Hill coefficient 2.0) for phenylalanine concentration versus initial velocity. Lysolecithin or α-chymotrypsin increases the maximum velocity 20-fold, decreases the Km for phenylalanine by 50%, and converts the phenylalanine-saturation curve from the sigmoidal to the hyperbolic form. Lysolecithin and the phenylalanine hydroxylase stimulator increase the hydroxylase activity in a synergistic fashion. Lysolecithin also stimulates the hydroxylation of tryptophan (to 5-hydroxytryptophan) and the hydroxylation of meta-tyrosine (to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) by highly purified phenylalanine hydroxylase. Lysolecithin stimulates para-tyrosine-dependent TPNH oxidation by the hydroxylase without hydroxylation of the para-tyrosine. Lysolecithin exposes a sulfhydryl group of the hydroxylase and therefore appears to alter the conformation of the enzyme. Chymotrypsin, in contrast, partially hydrolyzes the hydroxylase, reducing its size from a dimer with a molecular weight of 100,000 (composed of two 50,000 molecular weight subunits) to a dimer with a molecular weight of 67,000 (composed of two 35,000 molecular weight subunits).
Radiation Heat Transfer

In this chapter, heat transfer by radiation in porous media is examined. The medium may be treated either as a single continuum or as a collection of particles (i.e., scatterers). In the particle-based analysis, the interaction of radiation with a collection of elements of the solid matrix (e.g., particles in a packed bed) is considered. On the other hand, the continuum treatment attempts to obtain the effective radiative properties of the medium by using the element-based interaction along with a local volume-averaging procedure. This volume averaging is greatly simplified if it is assumed that the interaction of a particle with radiation is not affected by the presence of neighboring particles [i.e., the scattering (or absorption) is independent]. In case the assumption of independent scattering fails, the volume averaging must include dependent effects.
Emittance of Semi-Infinite Absorbing and Isotropically Scattering Medium with Refractive Index Greater Than Unity

An approximate solution is presented for the integrodifferential equation that governs the radiant intensity and the source function within a semi-infinite absorbing-scattering medium with an index of refraction different from unity. The exponential kernel substitution has been used to develop a closed form analytical expression for the directional emittance as a function of the refractive index and the scattering albedo. The scattering has been considered as isotropic, and the Fresnel relations have been used to evaluate the reflection and the transmission at the interface. The directional and the hemispherical emittances are presented for a refractive index range between 1 and 2 and for scattering albedo between 0 and 1. The results indicate that the directional and hemispherical emittances of a medium with a refractive index larger than unity can be either smaller, because of interface reflection, or larger, because of scattering, than that associated with a medium of a unity index of refraction. A generalized graph is presented from which an approximate value for the directional emittance can be obtained for a wide range of optical conditions. Based on other applications in the field of radiative transfer with similar geometry and on comparison, when possible, with exact solutions, the approximate method which has been used should be accurate in predicting directional and hemispherical emittances to within 10%.
Upregulation of RhoA/Rho kinase pathway and downregulation of cGMP/PKG pathway in smooth muscle impair peristaltic reflex and pellet propulsion in the colon of diabetic mice (1110.5)

Abnormalities in extrinsic and intrinsic innervation and in the distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal are known to contribute to altered gut motility in diabetes. Smooth muscle dysfunction in relation to diabetes has not been fully explored. Aim. To test the hypothesis that upregulation of RhoA/Rho kinase pathway and downregulation of cGMP/PKG pathway contribute to increased muscle tone in diabetes. Methods. Colonic smooth muscle cells from type 1 (NOD) or type 2 diabetes (db/db) mice were used to measure i) RhoA and PDE5 expression; 2) ACh-induced Rho kinase activity and muscle contraction; 3) NO-induced PDE5 activity, cGMP levels and muscle relaxation. Colonic segments were used to measure peristaltic reflex and pellet propulsion. Results. Smooth muscle cells isolated from the colon of NOD and db/db mice showed an increase in RhoA and PDE5 expression, Rho kinase and PDE5 activity, and muscle contraction, and a decrease in cGMP levels and muscle relaxation relative to control mice. Consistent with ...
First-order verification of cryptographic protocols

We describe a verification method for cryptographic protocols, based on first-order invariants. For typical protocols, a suitable invariant can be generated mechanically from the program text, allowing safety properties to be proved by ordinary first-order reasoning.The method has been implemented in an automatic verifier, TAPS, that proves safety properties comparable to those in published Isabelle verifications, but does so much faster with little or no guidance from the user. TAPS has verified properties of about 100 protocols, including all but three protocols from the Clark and Jacob survey; on average, these verifications require less than a second of CPU time and less than 4 bytes of hints from the user.
Molecular diagnostics in embryonal brain tumors.

Embryonal brain tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms united by the presence of poorly differentiated stem-like cells. Molecular details are increasingly being used to separate them into biologically and clinically meaningful groups. For medulloblastoma, integrated mRNA expression profiling and DNA analysis by a number of research groups defines 4-6 distinctive molecular variants. A subset with prominent Wnt activity is associated with good clinical outcomes and classic histology. Medulloblastomas showing a Hedgehog gene expression signature are frequently of the desmoplastic/nodular subtype. Interestingly, Hedgehog activity is found in tumors arising either in infants or older teenagers and adults. The association of clinically aggressive medulloblastoma with MYC expression, large cell/ anaplastic change and high levels of photoreceptor differentiation transcripts has also been noted in several studies. Immunohistochemical analysis of just one or two genes per molecular medulloblastoma variant may be sufficient for accurate classification, and this would be of great practical utility if validated. Advances have also been made in the classification of central nervous system (CNS) Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNET), as several groups have identified an amplicon at chromosome 19q13.41-42, which appears to define a unique PNET subtype associated with prominent true rosettes, young age and very poor outcomes.
A Paleontological Look at History

Author(s): Erwin, Douglas H | Abstract: The fossil record of animal life is far more incomplete and patchy than even the most obscure historical records. Consequently, some of the approaches developed by paleobiologists over the past couple of decades to assess the reliability of the fossil record, investigate patterns and infer underlying processes may be useful in analyzing historical data as well. Here I discuss two examples where paleontologists have investigated historical questions, in one case the evolution of cornets, in the second estimating the survival rate of Medieval manuscripts. Depending on the scope of big history, there are a number of areas where history and paleontology overlap, particularly in the investigation of early human history. More rigorous analysis of the biases of the historical record may be of some use in determining which historical patterns are sufficiently reliable for further exploration.
Anti-asparaginase antibodies following E. coli asparaginase therapy in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Asparaginase is an effective antileukemic agent and is included in most front-line protocols for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) worldwide; however, allergic reactions to asparaginase may be dose-limiting. We evaluated plasma anti-asparaginase antibody concentrations in a cohort of children with newly diagnosed ALL, who did and who did not exhibit clinical hypersensitivity, after Escherichia coli (E. coli) asparaginase therapy. Thirty-five children who received asparaginase 10000 IU/m2 i.m. three times weekly for nine doses as part of both multiagent induction and reinduction chemotherapy, and seven monthly doses during the first 7 months of continuation treatment, were studied. Twenty-two patients experienced initial allergic reactions to asparaginase during continuation (n=20) or reinduction (n=2) phases and 13 children did not exhibit any reaction. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure anti-asparaginase antibodies in plasma samples, diluted 1:3200, using E. coli asparaginase as the antigen. The median anti-asparaginase antibody concentration (OD at 1:3200 dilution) increased from 0.039 at induction to 0.506 at reinduction in patients who exhibited clinical hypersensitivity (P = 0.0002). By comparison, median antibody level increased from 0.011 to 0.032 OD at identical time points in patients who did not react to asparaginase (P = 0.02). Both post-induction and post-reinduction anti-asparaginase antibody levels were higher in reacting than in nonreacting patients (P = 0.004 and P = 0.01, respectively). Antibody levels were inversely related to the time elapsed between the reaction and sampling (P = 0.011). Although anti-asparaginase antibody levels increased from the post-induction plasma sample to the post-reinduction sample in 28 of 35 patients regardless of whether they exhibited clinical hypersensitivity, patients with hypersensitivity reactions had higher antibody levels than did identically treated control patients at comparable time points in therapy. Therefore, antibody analysis may be of clinical value in predicting future hypersensitivity.
Isolation of a novel class of bZIP transcription factors that interact with ABA-responsive and embryo-specification elements in the Dc3 promoter using a modified yeast one-hybrid system

Dc3 is a carrot lea class gene that is abundantly expressed during somatic and zygotic embryogenesis. Its expression is normally embryo-specific and also can be induced by abscisic acid. The regulatory elements mediating the embryo-specific expression of Dc3 reside within the proximal promoter region (-117 to +26), which is also essential for ABA-induced expression. In this study, an optimized version of the yeast one-hybrid system has been used to clone factors that bind to the promoter region of the Dc3 gene. Twenty-five million yeast transformants were screened in a single experiment, and nine independent cDNA clones were isolated from a sunflower library that encode proteins that specifically bind to functional cis-regulatory elements in the Dc3 promoter. Analysis of these clones showed that they are derived from three different mRNA species that encode two basic leucine zipper proteins. The basic regions of these proteins, named DPBF-1 and 2 (Dc3 Promoter-Binding Factor-1 and 2), respectively, are nearly identical to each other and are similar to the plant G-box binding factor GBF-4. Outside the basic region, however, DPBF-1 and 2 diverge significantly from each other and from other known factors. Both factors have transcriptional activity in yeast, and bind to DNA as dimers. Unlike other plant bZIP factors, DPBF-1 and 2 recognize sequences containing the ACACNNG core. Cloning of these factors demonstrates the power of the one-hybrid approach when optimally applied.
Efficient In Vitro Amplification of Chronic Wasting Disease PrPRES

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids is associated with conversion of the normal cervid prion protein, PrP(C), to a protease-resistant conformer, PrP(CWD). Here we report the use of both nondenaturing amplification and protein-misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) to amplify PrP(CWD) in vitro. Normal brains from deer, transgenic mice expressing cervid PrP(C) [Tg(cerPrP)1536 mice], and ferrets supported amplification. PMCA using normal Tg(cerPrP)1536 brains as the PrP(C) substrate produced >6.5 x 10(9)-fold amplification after six rounds. Highly efficient in vitro amplification of PrP(CWD) is a significant step toward detection of PrP(CWD) in the body fluids or excreta of CWD-susceptible species.
The role of GC-MS and LC-MS in the discovery of drinking water disinfection by-products

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has played a pivotal role in the discovery of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water. DBPs are formed when disinfectants, such as chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide or chloramine, react with natural organic matter in the water. The first DBP known—chloroform—was identified by Rook in 1974 using GC-MS. Soon thereafter, chloroform and other trihalomethanes were found to be ubiquitous in chlorinated drinking water. In 1976, the National Cancer Institute published results linking chloroform to cancer in laboratory animals, and an important public health issue was born. Mass spectrometry and, specifically, GC-MS became the key tool used for measuring these DBPs in water and for discovering other DBPs that were formed. Over the last 25 years, hundreds of DBPs have been identified, mostly through the use of GC-MS, which has spawned additional health effects studies and regulations. Early on, GC with low resolution electron ionization (EI)-MS was used, together with confirmation with chemical standards, for identification work. Later, researchers utilized chemical ionization (CI)-MS to provide molecular weight information and high resolution EI-MS to aid in the determination of empirical formulae for the molecular ions and fragments. More recently, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with either electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) has been used to try to uncover highly polar DBPs that most experts believe have been missed by earlier GC-MS studies. Despite 25 years of research in the identification of new DBPs, new ones are being discovered every year, even for chlorine which has been the most extensively studied.
The biggest losers (and winners) from US trade liberalization

Many development experts worry that continuing reductions of tariff levels in high-income countries will limit trade flows from developing countries that benefit from preferential trade programs because of ‘preference erosion.’ Using a panel of US import data between the years of 1997 and 2005, I find that reductions in preference margins will significantly diminish imports of some products, particularly from lower-middle and low income countries; for example, a 1% reduction in the US tariff on a product that is currently imported duty-free from developing countries will decrease imports of that product from lower-middle income countries by an average of 2.6%. However, many products produced by developing countries fail to qualify for preferential tariffs, thus a gradual reduction in all US tariff rates is expected to have only a modest impact on trade flows from developing countries.
Nephron Sparing Surgery in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

AbstractPurpose: We evaluated the role of nephron sparing surgery in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.Materials and Methods: A total of 15 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma underwent nephron sparing surgery and treatment of metastases, including 4 who received adjunctive biological response modifier therapy. The 9 patients in group 1, who previously underwent contralateral nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma and complete resection of all metastases, presented for treatment of localized renal cell carcinoma in the remaining kidney with no other evidence of disease. The 6 patients in group 2 presented with localized renal cell carcinoma requiring nephron sparing surgery and concomitant distant metastases. Mean postoperative followup was 30.4 months.Results: Of 9 patients in group 1, 6 (66.7 percent) were disease-free at a mean of 31.3 months after nephron sparing surgery and 102.2 months after detection of metastatic disease, while 3 (33.3 percent) died at a mean of 53.3 and 73.0 m...
The influence of dietary fat on food intake and body weight

Excessive intake of dietary fat is associated with a number of nutrition-related disorders, including obesity, heart disease, and cancer. The overconsumption of fat may be related to its palatability, high energy density, or physiological effects. This article reviews possible reasons why fat intake is high, examines the relationship between diet composition and body weight, and explores potential fat reduction strategies. It is concluded that low-fat or fat-free products could be useful in reducing the percentage of calories derived from fat, although this assertion needs to be further tested in controlled laboratory experiments and validated on a population basis.
“Nobody Told Me Nothin”: Communication About Menstruation Among Low-Income African American Women

The purpose of this study was to explore communication about menstruation among low-income African American women and the impact of this communication on their understanding of and attitudes toward the menstrual events that will occur throughout their lives. This is of particular importance since minority women disproportionately face greater menstrual problems than those experienced by majority women in the United States. A grounded theory design was used for this study. Seventeen African American women from a public housing project were interviewed. The core theme that emerged from the qualitative data was the avoidance or negative discussion of menstrual events throughout the women's lives. The women had few sources of and very limited menstrual learning from school, their mothers, and other women. This led to confusion and inaccurate beliefs about and negative attitudes toward menstruation, menopause, and menstrual-related health conditions. While these women desired to have better communication, their history of avoidance of and negative discussions surrounding menstruation will likely continue to make it difficult for them to have positive and informative discussions with others in the future unless some type of educational intervention occurs.
Summarizing figures, tables, and algorithms in scientific publications to augment search results

Increasingly, special-purpose search engines are being built to enable the retrieval of document-elements like tables, figures, and algorithms [Bhatia et al. 2010; Liu et al. 2007; Hearst et al. 2007]. These search engines present a thumbnail view of document-elements, some document metadata such as the title of the papers and their authors, and the caption of the document-element. While some authors in some disciplines write carefully tailored captions, generally, the author of a document assumes that the caption will be read in the context of the text in the document. When the caption is presented out of context as in a document-element-search-engine result, it may not contain enough information to help the end-user understand what the content of the document-element is. Consequently, end-users examining document-element search results would want a short “synopsis” of this information presented along with the document-element. Having access to the synopsis allows the end-user to quickly understand the content of the document-element without having to download and read the entire document as examining the synopsis takes a shorter time than finding information about a document element by downloading, opening and reading the file. Furthermore, it may allow the end-user to examine more results than they would otherwise. In this paper, we present the first set of methods to extract this useful information (synopsis) related to document-elements automatically. We use Naive Bayes and support vector machine classifiers to identify relevant sentences from the document text based on the similarity and the proximity of the sentences with the caption and the sentences in the document text that refer to the document-element. We compare the two classification methods and study the effects of different features used. We also investigate the problem of choosing the optimum synopsis-size that strikes a balance between the information content and the size of the generated synopses. A user study is also performed to measure how the synopses generated by our proposed method compare with other state-of-the-art approaches.
Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1998

Abstract The 1998 hurricane season in the Atlantic basin is summarized, and the individual tropical storms and hurricanes are described. It was an active season with a large number of landfalls. There was a near-record number of tropical cyclone–related deaths, due almost entirely to Hurricane Mitch in Central America. Brief summaries of forecast verification and tropical wave activity during 1998 are also presented.
Into the black hole: Do local governments implement their spatial policies?

Abstract Do local governments implement their own spatial policies? Why or why not? This article examines the outcomes of county comprehensive plan policies and ordinances that prohibit incompatible uses in sensitive areas, specifically floodplains, sensitive soils, and airport noise zones. Based on a six-county case study, the article concludes that implementation is indeed a problem. Comprehensive plan policies were rarely if ever converted into actual development restrictions. The results for ordinances were mixed, with some (e.g., floodplain ordinances) experiencing greater implementation success than others (e.g., airport land use ordinances). Implementation problems stemmed from property rights issues, departmental structure, and other factors.
Water-soluble copolymers. I. Synthesis of model dextran-g-polyacrylamides by Fe(II)/H2O2 initiation and characterization by aqueous size exclusion chromatography

Model graft copolymers were synthesized by grafting acrylamide onto dextran (Mw = 500,000) utilizing the Fe(II)/H2O2 initiation system. Aqueous size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to determine the effects of changing reaction parameters on hydrodynamic dimensions of the resulting graft copolymers. It was also possible to optimize reaction conditions yielding the highest viscosity graft copolymer with the least amount of homopolyacrylamide and unreacted substrate. The molecular structures of the graft copolymers were determined by elemental analysis, SEC, and solution viscometry. Selective hydrolysis of the dextran backbone allowed determination of average molecular weight of acrylamide grafts, number of grafting sites, and average molecular weight of the graft copolymers. Rheological studies indicated viscosity and pseudoplastic behavior were largely related to the graft length of the polyacrylamide side chains.
Growth inhibitory, insecticidal and antifeedant effects of some antileukemic and cytotoxic quassinoids on two species of agricultural pests

Several quassinoids, obtained by isolation and derivatization fromSimaba multiflora andSoulamea soulameoides, were evaluated for growth inhibitory and insecticidal effects against the tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) and for antifeedant effects againstH. virescens and the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). The relative activity of the quassinoids as insect growth inhibitors generally paralleled their known relative potency as antileukemic and cytotoxic agents.
Pediatrics and the lure of technology.

From the Departments of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY The author declares that she has no conflict of interest. Address correspondence to Ellen F. Crain, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1400 Pelham Pkwy S, J1W20, Bronx, NY 10461 (e-mail: ellenfcrain@gmail.com). Received for publication September 19, 2013; accepted September 19, 2013.
Local farmland conservation programmes in the US: a study of California counties

Abstract One of the major trends in land-use planning in the US has been, and continues to be, agricultural land conservation. Increasingly, local governments have become important actors in controlling land alienation. The adoption of local policies to conserve agricultural land occurs unevenly across geographic space. An analysis of six policies and strategies available to all California counties found sharp differences in adoption rates. The results of correlation and multiple regression analyses support the hypothesis that these policies are associated with agriculturally oriented areas, with liberal political traditions. Little support was found for an alternative model suggesting that farmland policies are products of high-status, affluent suburban jurisdictions.
A simple, reliable and rapid method for increasing the responsiveness of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the analysis of biogenic amines by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (LCEC)

A simple procedure has been devised for reversing the passivation of the GCE that occurs during electrochemical analyses. Alumina polishing is unpredictable in that occasionally it may worsen the problem. The present procedure involves treating the GCE with a CrO3-H2SO4 solution. It is fast (30 seconds), reliable, and increases the responsiveness of the electrode above that obtainable by alumina polishing.
Simulation of chain molecules for prediction of thermodynamic properties

Abstract This paper describes novel Monte Carlo simulation techniques to generate molecular rearrangements, volume changes and to calculate the chemical potential of flexible or semi-flexible polymers. The relevance of these methods is shown by studying the volumetric properties of long square-well and Lennard-Jones chains and by generating liquid-vapor coexistence diagrams for square-well chains. A comparison is also presented between our results and the predictions of several theoretical approaches.
Experience with one and a half ventricle repair

Abstract Objective: This article presents a 10-year experience with one and a half ventricle repair for right ventricular hypoplasia or dysfunction. Methods: From November 1986 to December 1996, 30 patients (mean age 6.7 ± 8.5 years, range 4 months-40 years) with functionally abnormal right ventricles underwent a bidirectional Glenn shunt as part of the repair. Diagnoses included pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (n = 15), Ebstein anomaly (n = 5), levotransposition of the great arteries (n = 3), pulmonary stenosis with right ventricular hypoplasia (n = 2), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 3), dextrotransposition of the great arteries (n = l), and Uhl anomaly (n = l). Concomitantly performed cardiac procedures included atrial septal defect closure (n = 27), fenestration of the atrial septum (n = 2), right ventricular cavity augmentation (n = 8), right ventricular outflow tract enlargement (n = 6), transannular patch (n = 13), modified Blalock-Taussig shunt closure (n = 16), tricuspid replacement (n = 3), tricuspid repair (n = 2), Rastelli procedure (n = 3), tricuspid commissurotomy (n = 2), and double switch (n = l). Results: There were 2 early deaths (6.6%) and 1 late death. Mean early postoperative superior vena caval pressure was 14.12 ± 3.55 mm Hg and mean right atrial pressure was 10.3 ± 5.16 mm Hg. Early oxygen saturation in the operating room with an inspired oxygen fraction of 1 was 97.2 ± 2.5; oxygen saturation was 92.3 ± 4.8 on room air at discharge. Mean oxygen saturations were 93.6% ± 3.6% at 1 year of follow-up ( P = .10) and 93.5% ± 4.1% at 5 years ( P = .12). Overall survival was 90% at 5 years, and 21 patients (77%) were in New York Heart Association class I, 5 (18%) were in class II, and 1 (2.7%) was in class III. Conclusion: This procedure provides a valid alternative for correction of right ventricle hypoplasia or dysfunction. Early and intermediate follow-up results compare favorably with those of the Fontan procedure, but long-term follow-up is needed. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:662-8)
Pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin isomer differentiation by capillary gas chromatography fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Vapor-phase infrared spectra of the 10 hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin isomers were recorded at low microgram concentrations. A unique infrared spectrum was observed for each chromatographically separated or spectrally subtracted mixture component. The structures for individual isomers in each isomer pair were assigned by qualitative valence bond evaluations and empirically derived quantitative estimations of ether linkage asymmetric stretching frequencies and by correlations with characteristic aromatic skeletal stretching vibration patterns.
Chemical modification of reactive multilayered films fabricated from poly(2-alkenyl azlactone)s: design of surfaces that prevent or promote mammalian cell adhesion and bacterial biofilm growth.

We report an approach to the design of reactive polymer films that can be functionalized post-fabrication to either prevent or promote the attachment and growth of cells. Our approach is based on the reactive layer-by-layer assembly of covalently crosslinked thin films using a synthetic polyamine and a polymer containing reactive azlactone functionality. Our results demonstrate (i) that the residual azlactone functionality in these films can be exploited to immobilize amine-functionalized chemical motifs similar to those that promote or prevent cell and protein adhesion when assembled as self-assembled monolayers on gold-coated surfaces and (ii) that the immobilization of these motifs changes significantly the behaviors and interactions of cells with the surfaces of these polymer films. We demonstrate that films treated with the hydrophobic molecule decylamine support the attachment and growth of mammalian cells in vitro. In contrast, films treated with the hydrophilic carbohydrate d-glucamine prevent cel...
EFFECTS OF CLASS‐INTERVAL SIZE UPON CERTAIN FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTIONS OF INTER‐RESPONSE TIMES1

Inter-response time distributions with class intervals of 0.05 and 0.04 sec revealed characteristics not observable with class intervals of 0.5 sec or greater. Bimodalities were clearly evident in the inter-response time distributions for two out of three pigeons. These modes seemed to correspond to two discrete response topographies.
Architectural and thermodynamic principles underlying intramembrane protease function

Application of a new thermal light scattering technique to quantitatively analyze nearly 150 mutants of the rhomboid intramembrane protease GlpG, coupled with thermodynamic measurements and protease assays, reveals how interactions throughout the molecule collaborate to support enzyme structure and function.
Macroeconomic adjustment in Thailand: Demand management and supply conditions

This 1983 article, Macroeconomic Adjustment in Thailand: Demand Management and Supply Conditions, was reprinted with permission from the Journal of Policy Modeling. Within the framework of a fix-price, four-sector (agriculture, industry, energy, and services) macroeconomic model for Thailand, comparative statics are used to assess alternative ways of macroeconomic adjustment. The methods discussed are fiscal policy interventions, manipulations of the exchange rate, and productivity improvements. Fiscal policies include changing the relative prices between domestically produced, imported, and exported goods, and increased protection via higher import tariffs or subsidization of exports. Productivity improvements through structural changes include changes in the conditions of agricultural production, the use of energy, the productivity of primary factors of production, and the conditions governing import behavior. The article derives the implications of these adjustment methods in terms of income generation, external deficit, and inflation. It is shown that only productivity improvements have positive effects on all indicators. Fiscal interventions lead to an improvement in the external deficit, but at the cost of income generation. The outcome of devaluation is largely dependent on the behavior of factor prices.
Disclosure of Genetic Research Results to Members of a Founder Population

There is currently extensive discussion and debate in the literature on how, when, and to whom genetic research results should be returned (see Genetics in Medicine, April 2012 issue). Here, we describe our experience in disclosing genetic information on Mendelian disorders discovered during the course of our research in the Hutterites. We first assessed attitudes toward the disclosure of carrier results, which revealed that many individuals wanted carrier information and that many intended to use the information in family planning. Based on this information, we developed a pilot study to test and disclose cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier status. Next, a larger scale project was developed in order to disclose genetic research results for 14 diseases to those interested in receiving the information. We developed brochures, offered a live interactive educational program, conducted a consent process, and disclosed results in letters mailed to the consented individuals. Overall, ~80 % of individuals who participated in the educational program signed consent forms for the release of their results for 14 diseases. We describe our experience with returning individual genetic research results to participants in a population-based research study.
Both surgical clipping and endovascular embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms are associated with long-term improvement in self-reported quantitative headache scores.

BACKGROUND The most common presenting symptom for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is headache (HA). However, most experts believe that UIAs associated with HAs are unrelated and incidental. OBJECTIVE To analyze the incidence and characterization of HAs in patients with UIAs before and after treatment with either surgical clipping or endovascular embolization. METHOD We prospectively determined the presence, sidedness, and severity of HAs preoperatively in patients who presented to the senior author with a UIA. A validated, quantitative 11-point HA pain scale was used in all patients. The same HA assessments were performed again on these patients an average of 32.4 months postoperatively. RESULTS In this study, 92.45% (n = 53) of patents for whom we were able to obtain both a preoperative and postoperative pain score had an improvement in their HAs. The average quantitative HA score was 5.87 preoperatively vs 1.39 postoperatively (P < .001). There was no relationship found between the following: (1) HA severity vs aneurysm size, (2) sidedness of aneurysm vs sidedness of HA, and (3) HA improvement after surgical vs endovascular treatment. CONCLUSION This study suggests that surgical and endovascular treatment of a UIA is associated with dramatic improvement in self-reported HA score an average of 32.4 months postoperatively.
The More Things Change…: The Relative Importance of the Internet as a Source of Contraceptive Information for Teens

Most teens have regular access to the internet, and there is some expectation that the internet is helping to fill the sexual health information gap. We conducted in-depth interviews with a racially and ethnically diverse sample of 58 high school students to find out where they obtained information about contraception. A substantial minority had been exposed to online contraceptive information, but most did not consider it a main source. A majority had been exposed to this information from school, family, friends, and traditional media. Most teens were wary, or even distrustful, of online sexual health information, whereas school, family and, to a lesser extent, friends, were generally trusted. Our findings suggest that the internet is not filling the sexual health information gap for a number of teens, but we identify strategies that could increase teens awareness of, and trust in, information from this source.
Marked increases in DT diaphorase activity in malignantly transformed Syrian hamster fibroblastic cells.

Abstract NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (DT diaphorase; EC 1.6.99.2) activity in cultured Syrian hamster fibroblastic cells was measured. The cells examined were classified into three categories: (1) four primary embryonic fibroblasts, (2) three non-malignant immortal cells and (3) four malignantly transformed cells. The results showed that cytosolic DT diaphorase activity in malignant cells was markedly higher than the corresponding activity in non-malignant cells (enzyme activity: (3) ⪢ (1) ≥ (2)). The enzyme activity was not influenced very much by the particular phase of cell growth. Thus, the increase in DT diaphorase activity seems to be a good marker for malignant transformation, at least in Syrian hamster fibroblastic cells.
Price flexibility in developing countries: evidence and implications

Using data for a sample of 50 developing countries, the empirical investigation evaluates determinants and implications of asymmetric price flexibility. Price inflation is characterized by high flexibility to adjust towards full equilibrium. Further, price inflation accelerates flexibly with unanticipated demand growth, in both the upward and downward directions, in most of the countries under investigation. Asymmetry indicates higher upward flexibility compared to downward flexibility in many countries. Aggregate uncertainty determines the degree of asymmetry such that price flexibility is higher with respect to expansionary demand shocks, compared to contractionary shocks, the higher the variability of aggregate demand across countries. In contrast, higher trend price inflation increases downward price flexibility. Across countries, output variability decreases with both upward and downward price flexibility in the face of aggregate demand shocks. a The views expressed in this article are those of the a...
Modeling Dispersion from Toxic Gas Released after a Train Collision in Graniteville, SC

The Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) Weather Information and Display System was used to provide meteorological and atmospheric modeling/consequence assessment support to state and local agencies after the collision of two Norfolk Southern freight trains on the morning of January 6, 2005. This collision resulted in the release of several toxic chemicals to the environment, including chlorine. The dense and highly toxic cloud of chlorine gas that formed in the vicinity of the accident was responsible for 9 fatalities and caused injuries to more than 500 others. Transport model results depicting the forecast path of the ongoing release were made available to emergency managers in the county's Unified Command Center shortly after SRNL received a request for assistance. Support continued over the ensuing 2 days of the active response. The SRNL also provided weather briefings and transport/consequence assessment model results to responders from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Savannah River Site (SRS) Emergency Operations Center, Department of Energy headquarters, and hazard material teams dispatched from the SRS. Operational model-generated forecast winds used in consequence assessments conducted during the incident were provided at 2-km horizontal grid spacing during the accident response. High-resolution Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS, version 4.3.0) simulation was later performed to examine potential influences of local topography on plume migration in greater detail. The detailed RAMS simulation was used to determine meteorology using multiple grids with an innermost grid spacing of 125 m. Results from the two simulations are shown to generally agree with meteorological observations at the time; consequently, local topography did not significantly affect wind in the area. Use of a dense gas dispersion model to simulate localized plume behavior using the higher-resolution winds indicated agreement with fatalities in the immediate area and visible damage to vegetation.
The somitic level of origin of embryonic chick hindlimb muscles.

Abstract Studies of avian chimeras made by transplanting groups of quail somites into chick embryos have consistently shown that the muscle cells of the hindlimb are derived from the adjacent somites, however, the pattern of cell distribution from individual somites to individual hindlimb muscles has not been characterized. I have mapped quail cell distribution in the chick hindlimb after single somite transplantation to determine if cells from an individual somite populate discrete limb muscle regions and if there is a spatial correspondence between a muscle's somitic level of origin and the known spinal cord position of its motoneuron pool. At stages 15–18 single chick somites or equivalent lengths of unsegmented somitic mesoderm adjacent to the prospective hindlimb region were replaced with the corresponding tissue from quail embryos. At stages 28–34, quail cell distribution was mapped within individual thigh muscles and shank muscle regions. A quail-specific antiserum and Feulgen staining were used to identify quail cells. Transplants from somite levels 26–33 each gave rise to consistent quail cell labeling in a unique subset of limb muscles. The anteroposterior positions of these subsets corresponded to that of the transplanted somitic tissue. For example, more anterior or anteromedial thigh muscles contained quail cells when more anterior somitic tissue had been transplanted. For the majority of thigh muscles studied and for shank muscle groups, there was also a clear correlation between somitic level of origin and motoneuron pool position. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that motoneurons and the muscle cells of their targets share axial position labels. The question of whether motoneurons from a specific spinal cord segment recognize and consequently innervate muscle cells derived from the same axial level during early axon outgrowth is addressed in the accompanying paper (C. Lance-Jones, 1988, Dev. Biol. 126, 408–419) . Quail cell distribution was also mapped in chick embryos in which quail somites or unsegmented mesoderm had been placed 2–3 somites away from their position of origin. In all cases donor somitic tissues contributed to muscles in accord with their host position. These results indicate that muscle cell precursors within the somites are not specified to migrate to a predetermined target region.
Composition of Sputter Deposited MoS2 Films During Run-in in Vacuum

Wear tests were performed under ultra high vacuum conditions in a ball-onflat configuration on magnetron sputtered and triode sputtered MoS2 films on 440C steel substrates. The issue of material loss versus deformation of the film was investigated using energy dispersive x-ray microanalyses for mass loss determinations and Michelson interferometry to measure the deformation of the tracks. Significant deformation without material loss was found in the first 10 passes. Surface composition of the tracks and the transfer film on the ball was determined by Auger electron spectroscopy. The S/Mo ratio wasfound to increase and the O/Mo ratio was found to decrease with increased sliding distance.