cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laboratory and Field Investigation of the Rail Pad Assembly Mechanistic Behavior

To achieve the performance demands due to growing heavy-haul freight operations and increased high-speed rail service worldwide, advancements in concrete crosstie fastening systems are required. A mechanistic design approach based on scientific principles and derived from extensive laboratory and field investigation has the potential to improve the current best practices in fastening system design. The understanding of failure modes and effects on each component, associated with an improved understanding of load distribution and mechanical behavior, will ultimately increase production and operational efficiency while reducing unscheduled maintenance, track outages, and unplanned additional costs. Improvements on the rail pad assemblies, the components responsible for attenuating loads and protecting the concrete crosstie rail seat, will enhance the safety and efficiency of the track infrastructure. Understanding the mechanistic behavior of rail pad assemblies is critical to improving the performance and life cycle of the infrastructure and its components, which will ultimately reduce the occurrence of potential failure modes. Lateral, longitudinal, and shear forces exerted on the components of the fastening system may result in displacements and deformations of the rail pad with respect to the rail seat and rail base. The high stresses and relative movements are expected to contribute to multiple failure mechanisms and result in an increased need for costly maintenance activities. Therefore, the analysis of the mechanics of pad assemblies is important for the improvement of railroad superstructure component design and performance. In this study, the lateral displacement of this component with respect to the rail base and rail seat is analyzed. The research ultimately aims to investigate the hypothesis that relative displacement between the rail pad and rail seat occurs under realistic loading environments and that the magnitude of the displacement is directly related to the increase in wheel loads.
Syukuro Manabe Receives 2010 William Bowie Medal

[1] Syukuro Manabe was awarded the 2010 William Bowie Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 15 December 2010 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for “outstanding contributions to fundamental geophysics and for unselfish cooperation in research.”
Operational Health Information Exchanges Show Substantial Growth, But Long-Term Funding Remains A Concern

Policy makers are actively promoting the electronic exchange of health information to improve the quality and efficiency of health care. We conducted a national survey of organizations facilitating health information exchange, to assess national progress. We found that 30 percent of hospitals and 10 percent of ambulatory practices now participate in one of the 119 operational health information exchange efforts across the United States, substantial growth from prior surveys. However, we also found that 74 percent of health information exchange efforts report struggling to develop a sustainable business model. Our findings suggest that despite progress, there is a substantial risk that many current efforts to promote health information exchange will fail when public funds supporting these initiatives are depleted.
Water Intoxication in a Patient With the Prader-Willi Syndrome Treated With Desmopressin for Nocturnal Enuresis

ABSTRACTPurpose: We report on a girl with the Prader-Willi syndrome who received desmopressin for nocturnal enuresis, and water intoxication developed after she ingested a large amount of fluid.Materials and Methods: The patient received 10 mg. desmopressin at bedtime for enuresis. She was hospitalized when a major motor seizure and coma (Glasgow coma scale 8) occurred after ingesting 48 ounces of fluid. Treatment included 3% saline, followed by 5% dextrose in water and sodium chloride given intravenously.Results: Serum sodium increased to 128 mEq./l. and serum glucose remained normal. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head were normal and revealed no evidence of cerebral pontine myelinosis. Patient consciousness returned to normal by day 5 after the seizure.Conclusions: In patients treated with desmopressin the risk of seizure or altered level of consciousness can be minimized by not ingesting large quantities of fluid. We recommend that patients drink no more than 8 ounces of...
Hospital admission following ambulatory surgery

Background Ambulatory surgery continues to grow in quantity and complexity of procedures. Effective measures of “quality” are not readily apparent. “Unplanned admission rate” may well reflect the quality of care in this area. Identifying factors related to this event could be helpful in quality assessment and improvement. Methods A review of all unplanned admissions for a 3-year period in a University-affiliated teaching hospital. Results An overall rate of 0.85% (129/15,132) was observed. Rate varies by specialty and no one procedure was at higher risk. Pain control, cardiopulmonary, and bleeding problems as well as larger than anticipated procedures accounted for 73% of the admissions. Conclusions Unplanned admission following ambulatory surgery is relatively rare but could reflect overall quality in terms of the system, physician, and patient. Comparisons between institutions and within institution requires defining key demographic elements whose identification for now remains a challenge.
Beyond leadership: Political strategies for coordination in health policies

Abstract Health in All Policies (HiAP) promises to improve population health by harnessing the energies and activities of various sectors. Nevertheless, it faces well-documented bureaucratic obstacles and appears to require intersectoral governance if it is to be established. The basic problems of establishing intersectoral governance for HiAP are known to public administration and political science. On reading that literature, we find that the difficulty of establishing intersectoral governance for HiAP breaks down into two kinds of problems: that of establishing coordinated actions at all (coordination); and ensuring that they endure in changed political circumstances (durability). We further find that policymakers’ solutions fall into three categories: visible ones of political will (e.g., plans and targets); bureaucratic changes such as the introduction of Health Impact Assessment or reorganization; and indirect methods such as data publication and support from outside groups to put pressure on the government. It can seem that Health in All Policies, like much of public health, depends on effective and committed policymakers but is vulnerable to changing political winds. The three kinds of strategies suggest how policymakers can, and do, create intersectoral governance that functions and persists, expanding the range of effective policy recommendations.
Evaluating performance of stormwater sampling approaches using a dynamic watershed model

Accurate quantification of stormwater pollutant levels is essential for estimating overall contaminant discharge to receiving waters. Numerous sampling approaches exist that attempt to balance accuracy against the costs associated with the sampling method. This study employs a novel and practical approach of evaluating the accuracy of different stormwater monitoring methodologies using stormflows and constituent concentrations produced by a fully validated continuous simulation watershed model. A major advantage of using a watershed model to simulate pollutant concentrations is that a large number of storms representing a broad range of conditions can be applied in testing the various sampling approaches. Seventy-eight distinct methodologies were evaluated by “virtual samplings” of 166 simulated storms of varying size, intensity and duration, representing 14 years of storms in Ballona Creek near Los Angeles, California. The 78 methods can be grouped into four general strategies: volume-paced compositing, time-paced compositing, pollutograph sampling, and microsampling. The performances of each sampling strategy was evaluated by comparing the (1) median relative error between the virtually sampled and the true modeled event mean concentration (EMC) of each storm (accuracy), (2) median absolute deviation about the median or “MAD” of the relative error or (precision), and (3) the percentage of storms where sampling methods were within 10% of the true EMC (combined measures of accuracy and precision). Finally, costs associated with site setup, sampling, and laboratory analysis were estimated for each method. Pollutograph sampling consistently outperformed the other three methods both in terms of accuracy and precision, but was the most costly method evaluated. Time-paced sampling consistently underestimated while volume-paced sampling over estimated the storm EMCs. Microsampling performance approached that of pollutograph sampling at a substantial cost savings. The most efficient method for routine stormwater monitoring in terms of a balance between performance and cost was volume-paced microsampling, with variable sample pacing to ensure that the entirety of the storm was captured. Pollutograph sampling is recommended if the data are to be used for detailed analysis of runoff dynamics.
Lessons Learned: Role of Influenza Vaccine Production, Distribution, Supply, and Demand—What It Means for the Provider

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been increasing the size of the population for whom influenza vaccine is recommended to reduce the substantial and persistent annual health burden of influenza. Realization of current and future public health influenza immunization goals requires assuring vaccine supply will be adequate to meet demand. This has posed distinct challenges for the many stakeholders in the influenza vaccine program--government agencies, federal, state, and local policymakers, vaccine manufacturers and distributors, and the medical community--each of whom must make critical decisions in a constantly shifting environment. Factors such as the yearly changes in influenza virus strains, the complicated vaccine production and distribution process, revisions in vaccination recommendations, and changing demographics can all affect the delicate balance between supply and demand. While vaccine shortages and delays have been well-publicized concerns in the recent past, there has been a marked increase in supply in the past several years, with substantial growth in supply expected in the future. The primary issue today is to strengthen the demand for the influenza vaccine, which would in turn help ensure the continued availability of the vaccine to reduce disease burden. A number of strategies are discussed, including increased efforts to publicize and fully implement current CDC recommendations and to offer influenza vaccine beyond the typical vaccination season of October and November, because in the great majority of years, vaccination into January and beyond will still provide health benefits.
Experimental determination of orbital and spin orientation of (Ar+)* formed in collisions.

We have experimentally obtained the state multipoles up to rank two for {ital J}-resolved {sup 2}{ital F}{sub 7/2,5/2} states of Ar{sup +} for the two-electron process He{sup +}+Ar{r_arrow}He(1{ital s}{sup 2})+Ar{sup +}(3{ital p}{sup 4}[{sup 1}{ital D}]4{ital p}{sup 2}{ital F}{sup {ital o}}{sub 7/2,5/2}) by measuring the Stokes parameters of the fluorescence light from (Ar{sup +}){asterisk} in coincidence with the scattered He. By expanding the state multipoles of each {ital J} state in terms of total orbital and total spin multipole moments, we have determined the contributions to the experimentally determined state multipoles of each {ital J} state due to total orbital and total spin angular momenta. When the process is spin dependent, it is possible to extract magnetic octupole moments of the excited state due to the orbital charge circulation. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Identification and Analysis of NADPH-Cytochrome P450 Reductase in Aedes sollicitans (Diptera: Culicidae)

An NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) gene was identified in Aedes sollicitans Walker (Diptera: Culicidae). The open reading frame is 2,040 bp long, encoding a 679-residue polypeptide. Amino acid sequence analysis indicates that the Ae. sollicitans CPR carries conserved ligand-binding domains and belongs to the same phylogenetic group as CPRs in other mosquitoes. The cDNA of the CPR gene was cloned, and the recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli. Cytochrome c reductase activity was detected in the bacterial cytosolic and membrane fractions and in larval microsomes from two New Jersey Ae. sollicitans populations, indicating that the Ae. sollicitans CPR is enzymatically functional and closely related to that in other dipterans.
Optimal distribution protection design : quality of solution and computational analysis

The fundamental goal of an electric utility is to serve its customers with a reliable and low cost power supply. To achieve this goal, utilities use various reliability indices to evaluate the service reliability, and prioritize capital and maintenance expenditures. Utilities improve distribution reliability either through preventive measures or by appropriate remedial actions in response to a disturbance. Remedial action capabilities include those provided by protective device response, fault locators and other sensors, and various distribution automation functions. The number, type and location of the protective devices on a distribution feeder have a direct effect on the system reliability. In previous work, a binary programming problem was formulated to identify type and location of the protective devices on a distribution feeder in order to optimize reliable performance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the practicality of such design optimization techniques through: (a) comparison of these solutions to existing utility practices; and (b) analysis of the computational complexity of the algorithms.
Optical-Model Analyses of Scattering of 4.1-, 7-, and 14-Mev Neutrons by Complex Nuclei

Exact phase-shift calculations were carried out on the UNIVAC for the scattering of fast neutrons by complex nuclei. Both central and spin-orbit potentials are included. At each energy considered, a single set of parameters was found to give fairly good agreement with experimental data.
Ventricular cerebrospinal fluid dynamics examined radiographically in the cat.

Intracranial cannulas were inserted chronically into various ventricular and subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid spaces of cats. The animals were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium to ascertain spatial distribution and dissipation of microliter amounts of x-ray contrast media injected into the different sites. Radiographic observations were made at intervals from 0 (< 5 sec) to 60 min and in repeated sessions up to several weeks later. The water soluble radiopaque substance meglumine iothalamate (Conray) essentially disappeared within 60 min without apparent movement from all sites of injection, whether ventricular, subarachnoid or in the brain tissue per se. However, ventricular fields presented a nonuniform pattern of persistence showing early “mainstream” fading in areas between the interventricular foramen and the lateral apertures of the fourth ventricle which cleared within the first few minutes. Conversely, regions of greatest persistence included the anterior and inferior portions of the lateral ventricle, the ventral portion of the third ventricle and that portion of the fourth ventricle caudal to the lateral apertures. The same nonuniform pattern of clearing from the ventricular system was observed after injection of the oily contrast medium iophendylate (Pantopaque), but this substance was not absorbed locally and progressed by mass movement through the ventricular channels. The results provide evidence for remarkable regional differences in turn-over of the ventricular cerebrospinal fluid.
Characterization of Modified Carbon Nanotubes by TG-MS and Pyrolysis-GC/MS

Two evolved gas analysis techniques were used to study modified single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). These techniques were thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (pyrolysis-GC/MS). Increased weight loss was exhibited in the modified SWNTs below 800°C, which was attributed to the addition of methoxide introduced during the modification. The localized environments of the SWNT provide bonding sites of varying strength that results in the staged evolution of the methoxide masses. The continued evolution of methoxide related masses is a result of the variations in the localized environments of the SWNTs, including the curved ends and various other possible sites along the sidewalls. However, once all the modifications have been removed, the overall structure of the SWNT still remains as intact as the pristine sample as indicated by the slope of the weight loss at higher temperatures.
Psychology of the scientist. LXVIII: Trends in multiple authorship

This brief study tested the generality of Zook's 1987 conclusion that the trend toward increasing numbers of authors per article had leveled off in the Journal of Counseling Psychology. The number of authors per article per year in four journals representing four professional organizations (American Psychological Association, National Association of School Psychologists, American Counseling Association, and American Medical Association) were counted and compared for an 11-yr. period (1982-1992)
The cellular detection of endometrial carcinoma and its precursors

Abstract The aim of this presentation is to assess the current expertise and knowledge of the various sampling procedures utilized in the detection of endometrial carcinoma and its precursors. Samples obtained by aspirating the posterior vaginal fornix and cervical canal are readily obtained and inexpensive. However, endometrial cells are infrequently identified, usually limited and deteriorated in samples from the vaginal fornix. In contrast, samples obtained by aspirating the cervical canal usually provides an adequate number of preserved endometrial cells. Samples obtained directly from the endometrial cavity contain a large concentration of cells in an optimal state of preservation, but the technique necessitates sterile conditions and is time consuming, requires more complex instrumentation, and is relatively more expensive. The method of obtaining cell samples from the cervical canal is described. The significance of clinical information in evaluating the presence of endometrial cells is discussed. The cellular features of endometrial carcinoma and its precursors are characterized. Factors influencing accuracy include expertise of the microscopist, cooperation of the physician, histologic grade and type of endometrial carcinoma. With continuing education, the detection rate in samples obtained by aspirating the cervical canal can be improved. The various methods for obtaining cell samples from the endometrial cavity and preparation of the samples are described. Based on current knowledge and expertise, the cell block technique is more suitable for evaluation. Problems relating to the unsatisfactory sample and the detection of precursors of endometrial cancer are discussed. The Gravlee Jet Wash and suction aspiration techniques provide high accuracy for the detection of endometrial carcinoma. However, the detection of the precursors of endometrial cancer by these procedures requires further study.
Contested Terrain: The Suburbs as Region

Wilhite contends that a general indebtedness to Cold War cultural critique has kept literary scholars from reading the suburbs and suburban fiction for what they truly are: the endgame and final outpost of US regionalism. Drawing on discussions of regional writing and cultural geography, Wilhite argues that we should read suburban narratives for the ways they update and revise long-standing regionalist approaches to local and global concerns: the charged insularity of the domestic sphere, the geographic containment of racial difference, the repressive construction of a common national identity, and the imperial reach of nation. As a mode of geopolitical analysis, regionalism clarifies the fraught relationship between isolationism and imperialism that has shaped US residential geography. When read as form of regional writing, suburban fiction exposes our homes and neighborhoods as national and transnational "sites of contestation." To develop this line of thinking, Wilhite offers Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections (2001) and Chang-rae Lee's Aloft (2004) as case studies for his broader claims about region and the spatial effects of residential sprawl and suburban domesticity. Franzen and Lee both locate the political subject within the competing ideologies of privatism and globalization, but they produce radically different responses to the suburb as a symptomatic fact of twenty-first-century life in the United States. Taken together, these novels offer divergent paths for understanding the suburbs as a uniquely problematic and potentially transformative cultural and geographic region.
Modulation of Cardiac Twitch Dynamics by the Troponin I Inhibitory Region

We have created a computational model of cardiac thin filament regulation that includes a representation of the troponin I inhibitory region (or inhibitory peptide, IP) and its binding interactions with actin. According to a canonical view of thin filament activation, IP-actin binding prevents movement of tropomyosin out of its blocked position under low Ca^(2+) conditions. Ca^(2+) binding to troponin C (TnC) causes dissociation of the IP from actin, and permits tropomyosin transition. Instead of assuming that IP-actin interactions are infinitely strong in the absence of Ca^(2+), our model allows some spontaneous IP-actin dissociation. We have used the energetic cost of Ca^(2+)-free dissociation (ΔG) as a free parameter to determine whether the model can recapitulate changes to the IP. For instance, lowering ΔG while keeping all other model parameters constant increases the Ca^(2+) sensitivity of steady-state force in model simulations. These model results closely resemble experiments in which the IP is mutated (T144P; Tachampa et al., Circ Res 101:1081, 2007). We hypothesize that alterations to the IP in the form of cardiomyopathic mutations or phosphorylation have the ability to tune the dynamic Ca^(2+) sensitivity of cardiac muscle, altering the magnitude and time course of twitches. Twitch simulations demonstrate that lowering ΔG from infinity to 6.75 kJ/mol increases the magnitude and duration of contraction by 17 and 20%, respectively. These results suggest that twitch dynamics can be modified substantially by the energy of IP-actin binding. They further suggest that the model can be used to explore the effects of IP mutations and posttranslational modifications.
Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of Hancock and Björk-Shiley prosthetic valves

Doppler echocardiographic characteristics of normally functioning Hancock and Bjork-Shiley prostheses in the mitral and aortic positions were studied in 50 patients whose valvular function was considered normal by clinical evaluation. Doppler studies were also performed in 46 patients with suspected malfunction of Hancock and Bjork-Shiley valves and who subsequently underwent cardiac catheterization. Mean gradients were estimated for both mitral and aortic valve prostheses and valve area was calculated for the mitral prostheses. Doppler prosthetic mitral valve gradient and valve area showed good correlation with values obtained with cardiac catheterization (r = 0.93 and 0.97, respectively) for both types of prosthetic valves. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.93) for mean prosthetic aortic valve gradient was also good, although Doppler echocardiography overestimated the mean gradient at lower degrees of obstruction. Regurgitation of Hancock and Bjork-Shiley prostheses in the mitral and aortic positions was correctly diagnosed. These results suggest that Doppler echocardiography is a reliable method for the characterization of normal and abnormal prosthetic valve function.
Properties of the melatonin-generating system of the sailfin molly, Poecilia velifera.

The properties of the melatonin-generating system of a tropical teleost, the sailfin molly (Poecilia velifera), were investigated in vitro in a series of experiments using static or perifusion culture techniques. The properties examined included photic entrainment, circadian rhythmicity under continuous light (LL) and continuous darkness (DD), functionality of the melatonin-generating system at birth, and presence of multiple circadian oscillators in the molly pineal. Pineal glands or skull caps with the pineal gland firmly attached were dissected from adult and new-born fishes, respectively, and placed into static or perifusion culture at constant temperature (27 degrees C) depending upon the experiment. Melatonin release in samples was quantified by RIA. Rhythmic melatonin release was observed from isolated adult pineals under 12L:12D and 14L:10D, with low amounts of melatonin released during the light and high amounts during the dark. Melatonin release was inhibited by LL. However, under DD, melatonin release was robust and rhythmic with a circadian period (Tau) that ranged between 21.3 and 27.0 h (n = 21). Pineals from new-born (1-day old) mollies released melatonin rhythmically under a light:dark cycle and DD in both static and perifusion culture. Melatonin release from half and quarter pineals of adult mollies under DD was robust and rhythmic with circadian periods that ranged between 22.5 and 29.0 h (n = 19). Taken together, these data show that the molly pineal is photosensitive, fully functional from birth, and contains multiple circadian oscillators (at least four) regulating melatonin production.
The Visitation Schedule and Child Adjustment: A Three‐Year Study

Frequency and regularity of visitation is studied over time for a sample of recently separated mother-custody families. Results suggest that stability of visitation is more predictive of child adjustment than frequency of visits and that these effects are manifested over time. Setting up and maintaining a visitation schedule are shown to be related to the relationship that parents establish with each other in the first year of the separation.
Electron Ejection from Metals due to 1- to 10-keV Noble Gas Ion Bombardment. I. Polycrystalline Materials

A method is described which complements present techniques and enables measurements to be made of the secondary electron emission coefficient, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, for ions on materials for which $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is difficult or impossible to measure by the "flashing" or heating technique. The method allows operation in a high-vacuum (${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ Torr) system as opposed to an ultra-high vacuum (${10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}$ Torr) system. Results for the secondary electron emission coefficient, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, are presented for ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}$ on Zr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Ta, and Al, and for ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Kr}}^{+}$, and ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{+}$ on Cu and Mo in the energy range 0.5 to 10.0 keV. Comparisons with present theories and with other experimental results are made.
Cardiac complications in acute glomerulonephritis

Abstract Cardiac complications are fairly frequent in cases of acute glomerulo-nephritis, and patients who die during the acute phase may die from heart failure. Evidence of obvious cardiac involvement was observed in 16 per cent of 136 cases. The cardiac complications varied from murmurs, with or without dilatation, to manifestations of pulmonary congestion or severe cardiac decompensation. In cases in which congestive heart failure is a complicating factor, the patient may die suddenly or may improve rapidly, leaving no demonstrable evidence of organic heart disease. The hearts of patients who die from cardiac decompensation ofen show great dilatation, with or without hypertrophy, but dilatation usually dominates the picture. Signs of cardiac involvement may appear and disappear rapidly, and there is no apparent correlation between the severity of the nephritis, the height of the blood pressure, and the incidence or severity of the cardiac complications.
P32 Uptake by I.R.E. Reticulo-Sarcoma Ascites Cells “in vivo” and “in vitro”

The majority of individuals diagnosed with lung cancer in the United States are 70 years of age and older. Defining appropriate therapy for older patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is becoming a major focus of clinical research. In this article, we review the available data on clinical predictors of risk and benefit for elderly NSCLC patients receiving treatment via a variety of modalities, including surgery, radiotherapy, combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and chemotherapy alone. The data demonstrate that subgroups of elderly patients benefit from appropriately selected treatment. Participation of older patients in clinical trials designed to assess efficacy, toxicity, and quality-of-life outcomes for recently developed treatment modalities in this population is critical.
The Career of Metaphor.

A central question in metaphor research is how metaphors establish mappings between concepts from different domains. The authors propose an evolutionary path based on structure-mapping theory. This hypothesis--the career of metaphor--postulates a shift in mode of mapping from comparison to categorization as metaphors are conventionalized. Moreover, as demonstrated by 3 experiments, this processing shift is reflected in the very language that people use to make figurative assertions. The career of metaphor hypothesis offers a unified theoretical framework that can resolve the debate between comparison and categorization models of metaphor. This account further suggests that whether metaphors are processed directly or indirectly, and whether they operate at the level of individual concepts or entire conceptual domains, will depend both on their degree of conventionality and on their linguistic form.
Discounting of money, health, and freedom in substance abusers and controls.

Abstract Impulsivity is implicated in drug dependence, and discounting of delayed events may be an objective indicator of impulsiveness. This study evaluated the manner in which outcomes are devalued over time in drug abusers ( n =101) and non-substance abusing controls ( n =40). Four conditions were presented in which participants chose between hypothetical outcomes available after various delays or immediately. Two were monetary outcomes, and the other two were non-monetary—months of health or freedom. In all conditions, hyperbolic discounting functions provided a good fit of the data. One hundred dollars were discounted more rapidly than $1000, and freedom was discounted more rapidly than health. Drug abusers discounted all types of delayed outcomes at higher rates than controls, even though they placed equivalent subjective monetary values on freedom and health. Rates of discounting were not correlated across domains. These results replicate prior studies showing that drug abusers discount delayed monetary outcomes more rapidly than controls, and they extend these findings to new domains. The rapid discounting of freedom and health may provide a theoretical framework for understanding illegal and risky health behaviors in drug abusers.
A class of tests for bivariate exponentiality against bivariate increasing failure rate alternatives

Abstract A class of tests is proposed for testing bivariate exponentiality against the bivariate increasing failure rate class of probability distributions. These tests are consistent and asymptotically unbiased against all continuous bivariate increasing failure rate alternatives. They are U-statistics and hence asymptotically normally distributed. Numerical evaluation of critical values and small sample powers of some selected tests have been done using Monte Carlo simulation.
Systematic Evaluation of Ureteral Occlusion Devices: Insertion, Deployment, Stone Migration, and Extraction

Objectives To compare 4 ureteral occlusion devices in terms of insertion force, maneuverability, radial dilation and extraction forces, ability to prevent stone migration, and tip stiffness. Methods The devices tested were the PercSys Accordion, Microvasive Stone Cone (7 and 10 mm), and Cook N-Trap. Using a ureteral model with an artificial stone in place, the insertion force, number of attempts, and time to pass the impacted stone were measured. Using a Teflon block model, radial dilation and extraction and axial extraction force were measured with a load cell. Holmium lithotripsy was performed in the ureteral model with a canine stone in place to test the ability of the devices to prevent stone migration. In a similar model, the force applied to retrieve the canine stone was measured. The stiffness of the tip was measured as the force to compress a 5-mm length of the tip in a clamp-clamp configuration on a linear motion stage driven by a stepper motor with a resolution of 8-μm/step. Results The devices were significantly different statistically from each other in terms of insertion force, number of attempts and time to pass the impacted stone, radial dilation, radial extraction, and axial extraction force in the Teflon block model. No proximal migration of the stones occurred with any of the devices. The devices were similar in terms of preventing proximal stone migration, force applied to retrieve stones, and tip stiffness. Conclusions The differences in the physical characteristics of stone migration devices might help to predict their safety and efficacy in clinical use.
Furosemide-131I-hippuran renography after angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition for the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension.

Abstract purpose: We have previously demonstrated the greater sensitivity of 131 I-hippuran renography than 99m TC-DTPA scintigraphy to diagnose renovascular hypertension (RVH). This study assesses the predictive diagnostic value of furosemide- 131 I-hippuran renography after angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition in patients with and without RVH. patients and methods: All patients were investigated at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Twenty-eight patients had RVH and 22 did not. Twenty-eight patients had normal or minimally decreased renal function (serum creatinine level 1.5 mg/dL or less) and 22 had renal insufficiency (serum creatinine level 1.8 mg/dL or more). Renography was performed 60 minutes after oral administration of 50 mg captopril or 10 minutes after intravenous injection of 40 μg/kg enalaprilat. Forty milligrams of furosemide were administered intravenously 2 minutes after injection of 131 I-hippuran. The residual cortical activity (RCA) of 131 I-hippuran was measured at 20 minutes. results: RVH was unlikely when RCA after ACE inhibition was less than 30% of peak cortical activity. Conversely, RVH was present when 131 I-hippuran cortical activity steadily increased throughout the test to reach 100% at 20 minutes. In azotemic patients with RCA between 31% and 100%, RVH was differentiated from intrinsic renal disease by obtaining a baseline renogram without ACE inhibition and comparing RCA in that study and RCA after ACE inhibition. If RCA increased (indicating worsening renal function) after ACE inhibition, RVH was likely; whereas, intrinsic renal disease was more likely if RCA remained unchanged or decreased (indicating improved renal function) with ACE inhibition. The test had a specificity of 95% and a sensitivity of 96% in this population. There was a direct correlation between the results of angioplasty or surgery on high blood pressure and the changes in RCA before and after intervention (n = 20). conclusion: Furosemide- 131 I-hippuran renography with ACE inhibition is highly predictive in identifying patients with RVH.
Prediction of central bursting during axisymmetric cold extrusion of a metal alloy containing particles

Abstract A simple cell model based damage dependent yield surface is used to model the effect of void nucleation and growth in an aluminum alloy during an axisymmetric cold extrusion process. Material parameters for characterization of the yield surface are determined through a physically consistent micromechanical cell modeling technique. The model can account for the behavior of a void containing a particle under severe compressive processing conditions. The formation of distinct, equally spaced, arrowhead shaped ‘central burst’ defects is observed during simulation of the extrusion process. Application of the model to a two-stage rolling process is also briefly illustrated. Formation of central bursts during extrusion and edge cracking during rolling is explained in terms of the hydrostatic stress distribution and the related void growth. The affects of material hardening, surface friction and die geometry are examined in the case of extrusion. Correlation is found between the simulations and analytical and experimental results, confirming the suitability of the constitutive model.
Heterogeneity of intrafollicular somatic cells and ovulated cumulus masses as evidenced by delta 5-3 beta-HSDH activity.

The histochemical localization of Δ5-3β-HSDH in individual follicles isolated from the adult mouse ovary and in ovulated cumulus cell-oocyte masses recovered from the oviduct was examined using a new embedding technique. The procedure employed involves the histochemical staining of such tissue for Δ5-3β-HSDH with subsequent embedding in GMA (glycol methacrylate). This method not only permits the acquisition of sections as thin as 3 μm but also preserves the histological detail of the tissue allowing for the specific cellular localization of the enzyme. Results obtained from this technique far surpass those obtained from frozen material. Virgin female mice were injected with PMSG and sacrificed either 10 or 17 h later in order to acquire preovulatory or ovulated oocyte-cumulus cell masses, respectively. The sites of localization of Δ5-3β-HSDH corresponded to sites demonstrated by histochemical studies on frozen tissue sections; however, the present study revealed that not all cells of a specific type within the same follicle reacted with the same intensity. Granulosa cells lining the walls of vesicular follicles displayed different degrees of enzyme activity based on their distance from the basement membrane. Intrafollicular transformed cumulus masses and cumulus cells of ovulated masses within the oviduct did not react uniformly in that some were positive for the enzyme and others were not. Such results indicate that not all cells of a given type in the ovary possess similar Δ5-3β-HSDH activity at a particular time. Thus, the cells comprising a specific cellular component of the ovary should be treated as individual entities and not as a homogeneous group with respect to their metabolic activities.
Adenosine can mediate its actions through generation of reactive oxygen species.

Adenosine is an important cerebral vasodilator, but mediating mechanisms are not understood. We investigated the expression of adenosine receptor subtypes in isolated cerebral arterial muscle cells (CAMCs), and their role in adenosine-induced superoxide (O2−) generation and reduction in cerebral arterial tone. Reverse transcriptase-PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence studies have shown that CAMCs express transcript and protein for A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 adenosine receptors. Stimulation of CAMCs with adenosine or the A2A agonist CGS-21680 increased the generation of O2− that was attenuated by the inhibition of A2A and A2B adenosine receptor subtypes, or by the peptide inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase gp91ds-tat, or by the mitochondria uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol. Application of adenosine or CGS-21680 dilated pressure-constricted cerebral arterial segments that were prevented by the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) conjugated to polyethylene glycol (PEG) and PEG-catalase or by the A2B adenosine receptor antagonist MRS-1754, or by the mixed A2A and A2B antagonist ZM-241385. Antagonism of the A2A and A2B adenosine receptors had no effect on cerebral vasodilatation induced by nifedipine. These findings indicate that adenosine reduces pressure-induced cerebral arterial tone through stimulation of A2A and A2B adenosine receptors and generation of O2− from NADPH oxidase and mitochondrial sources. This signaling pathway could be one of the mediators of the cerebral vasodilatory actions of adenosine.
Infra-Red Absorption of OH Bonds in Micas

IN favourable cases, infra-red absorption spectra afford a valuable adjunct to diffraction methods in crystal structure analyses. The structures of the micas have been familiar for many years, but have never included any specification for the site of the proton in the constitutional hydroxyls.
Realistic visualization for surgery simulation using dynamic volume texture mapping and model deformation

Realistic visualization is one of the key components for effective computer-assisted surgery simulations. Objects in the simulated environment should always provide correct visual appearance. In addition to properly changing the model geometry or topology in response to externally applied forces, such as cutting and dragging actions, the correct object appearance must be displayed after the geometry or topology is modified. Geometric surface representations of objects provide a direct and intuitive form for use in simulation systems, and they are relatively easy to implement. The disadvantage of geometric surface representation is that the interior content of the object is missing. When object cutting is performed that alters the object topology involving this interior, the correct appearance cannot be provided. Volumetric data representations retain objects in the volume element format and have the advantage of preserving volume content. A potential disadvantage of manipulating such volumes is reduced speed and flexibility. This paper describes an approach which combines geometric and volumetric representations to provide a real-time and realistic interactive surgery simulation system. This system uses geometric representation for efficiency and volume content for appearance. Physics-based object deformation and 3-D texture mapping provide an effective means of interactive volume visualization for realistic data-specific surgery simulation.
Involvement of arginine residues in catalysis by rat brain hexokinase.

Abstract Inactivation of rat brain hexokinase (ATP: d -hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) by the arginine-specific reagent, phenylglyoxal, has been studied. Inactivation did not follow pseudo-first-order kinetics, suggesting the involvement of two or more arginine residues in catalytic function. Using [ 14 C]phenylglyoxal, it was found that 5 of the 55 arginines per molecule of hexokinase react with this reagent, with an accompanying loss of over 90% of the catalytic activity. Virtually all of the activity loss occurs during derivatization of four relatively slower reacting arginines, with essentially no activity loss during derivatization of one rapidly reacting arginine. Inactivation by phenylglyoxal was not due to reaction with critical sulfhydryl groups in brain hexokinase since reactivity of the enzyme with the sulfhydryl reagent, 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) was not affected by prior treatment with phenylglyoxal. Comparison of amino acid composition, before and after reaction with phenylglyoxal, indicated that only the arginine content had been affected by phenylglyoxal treatment. The decrease in arginine content, measured by amino acid analysis, and the incorporation of phenylglyoxal, measured with [ 14 C]phenylglyoxal, was consistent with the phenylglyoxal:arginine stoichiometry of 2:1 originally reported by K. Takahashi (1968, J. Biol. Chem. 243 , 6171–6179). Several ligands were tested and found to provide varying degrees of protection of hexokinase activity against phenylglyoxal. ATP and ADP alone provided only slight protection, but were highly effective in the presence of N -acetylglucosamine which itself gave only moderate protection. Glucose 6-phosphate and 1,5-anhydroglucitol 6-phosphate, both good inhibitors of brain hexokinase, were very effective while poorly inhibitory hexose 6-phosphates were not. Glucose was very effective, with protection afforded by other hexoses being correlated with their ability to serve as substrates (i.e., poor substrates also provided little protection against phenylglyoxal). The effectiveness of hexose 6-phosphates and hexoses in protecting the enzyme against inactivation by phenylglyoxal was related to their ability to induce conformational change in the enzyme. None of the ligands tested appreciably affected the reactivity of the rapidly reacting arginine residue. There was no correlation between the inhibition observed in the presence of various ligands and the number of arginines reacted with phenylglyoxal. The results were interpreted as indicating the involvement of two to four arginine residues in the catalytic function of brain hexokinase, possibly in the binding of anionic ligands such as ATP, ADP, or glucose 6-phosphate.
Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Blockade of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor-Induced Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Release in Central Amygdala Is Enhanced After Chronic Ethanol Exposure

Background The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) mediates stress- and addiction-related processes. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (nociceptin) regulate ethanol intake and anxiety-like behavior. In the rat, CRF and ethanol significantly augment CeA gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release, whereas nociceptin diminishes it. Methods Using electrophysiologic techniques in an in vitro slice preparation, we investigated the interaction of nociceptin and CRF on evoked and spontaneous GABAergic transmission in CeA slices of naive and ethanol-dependent rats and the mechanistic role of protein kinase A. Results In neurons from naive animals, nociceptin dose-dependently diminished basal-evoked GABA A receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) by decreasing GABA release and prevented, as well as reversed, CRF-induced augmentation of IPSPs, actions that required PKA signaling. In neurons from ethanol-dependent animals, nociceptin decreased basal GABAergic transmission and blocked the CRF-induced increase in GABA release to a greater extent than in naive controls. Conclusions These data provide new evidence for an interaction between the nociceptin and CRF systems in the CeA. Nociceptin opposes CRF effects on CeA GABAergic transmission with sensitization of this effect in dependent animals. These properties of nociceptin may underlie its anti-alcohol and anxiolytic properties and identify the nociceptin receptor as a useful therapeutic target for alcoholism.
Successful cardiac allografts in syngeneic radiation chimeras.

Successful cardiac allografts were accomplished across the major histocompatibility complex of rats. LEW and F344 (Ag-B 2) rats were lethally irradiated and grafted with WF (Ag-B 1) hearts on day 0. Either on day 0 or day 2, the hosts were repopulated with syngeneic hemopoietic cells. The best results were obtained (86%) when a mixture of 3.0 × 107 non-adherent syngeneic bone marrow and thymus cells were used to repopulate the recipients. In contrast, all of the WF to LEW heart grafts were rejected within 30 days if syngeneic thoracic duct and bone marrow cells were used to repopulate the host.