cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polyethylene and titanium particles induce osteolysis by similar, lymphocyte-independent, mechanisms

Abstract Periprosthetic osteolysis is a major clinical problem that limits the long-term survival of total joint arthroplasties. Osteolysis is induced by implant-derived wear particles, primarily from the polyethylene bearing surfaces. This study examined two hypotheses. First, that similar mechanisms are responsible for osteolysis induced by polyethylene and titanium particles. Second, that lymphocytes do not play a major role in particle-induced osteolysis. To test these hypotheses, we used the murine calvarial model that we have previously used to examine titanium-induced osteolysis. Polyethylene particles rapidly induced osteolysis in the murine calvaria 5–7 days after implantation. The polyethylene-induced osteolysis was associated with large numbers of osteoclasts as well as the formation of a thick periosteal fibrous tissue layer with numerous macrophages containing phagocytosed polyethylene particles. Polyethylene-induced osteolysis was rapidly repaired and was undetectable by day 21 after implantation. Lymphocytes were noted in the fibrous layer of wild-type mice. However, the amount of osteolysis and cytokine production induced by polyethylene particles was not substantially affected by the lack of lymphocytes in Pfp/Rag2 double knock out mice. All of these findings are similar to our observations of osteolysis induced by titanium particles. These results provide strong support for both of our hypotheses: that similar mechanisms are responsible for osteolysis induced by polyethylene and titanium particles and that lymphocytes do not play a major role in particle-induced osteolysis.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of the healing of ventral midline abdominal incisions in the horse.

Summary Ultrasonography was used to evaluate the ventral midline incisions of 21 ponies following exploratory laparotomy. The incisions were evaluated before surgery and at weekly intervals from one to seven weeks after surgery. Both 5.0 and 7.5 MHz linear array and 7.5 MHz sector transducers were used for the evaluations. The incisional complications observed were drainage, oedema, suture sinus formation, suture abscess, superficial dehiscence and incisional hernia. Ultrasonographic imaging of the ventral midline incision was an easy, reliable and objective method for detecting and monitoring the progression of incisional complications in a non-invasive manner.
Modulation of Ocular Hydrodynamics and Iris Function by Bremazocine, a Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist

This study was designed to determine the activity of bremazocine (BRE), a relatively selective kappa opioid receptor agonist, on intraocular pressure (IOP), aqueous humor formation and pupil diameter (PD) in conscious, normal, dark-adapted New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits. IOP was measured in normal and unilaterally sympathectomized rabbits using a calibrated pneumatonometer and the aqueous flow rate was determined by the use of a Fluorotron Master. A masked-design study was conducted in which the rabbits' eyes were treated with BRE topically and unilaterally; the fellow eyes received vehicle. IOP and PD measurements were taken at 0.5 hr and 0 time before BRE and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hr post-treatment. Fluorophotometry recordings were taken at 1 hr before and 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 hr after topical application of the drug or vehicle. The effect of the relatively selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), on bremazocine-induced changes in IOP, PD and aqueous flow was also determined. BRE (10 and 100 micrograms 25 microliters-1 vehicle) produced dose-related, bilateral reductions in IOP, PD and aqueous humor flow. A large increase in IOP (14 mmHg) was observed when BRE (100 micrograms) was applied to sympathectomized eyes. This ocular hypertensive effect was antagonized when the sympathectomized eyes were pretreated with naloxone (200 micrograms), a non-selective opioid receptor antagonist. BRE (10 and 100 micrograms) decreased the aqueous humor flow rate bilaterally by approximately 48 and 60%, respectively, at 0.5 hr after administration to the ipsilateral eye. Nor-BNI (100 micrograms) antagonized the effect of BRE (10 micrograms) on IOP and aqueous flow rates more effectively than on PD. These data indicate that bremazocine causes reductions in IOP by suppressing aqueous flow, but the ocular hypotensive effects are dependent on the presence of intact sympathetic nerves. Antagonism of BRE's effects on aqueous humor dynamics by nor-BNI suggests that the mechanism of IOP and aqueous flow reduction may involve, in part, an action on kappa receptors. Further experiments are necessary to fully define the opioid receptor populations in the ciliary body.
Detection of shallowly buried objects using impulse radar

The impulse radar has shown promising results for detecting buried objects, even nonmetallic ones. One problem with ground penetrating radars is the strong backscattered signal from the ground surface. If the object is buried deeply below the surface this is no problem since the backscattered signal from the surface will arrive earlier than the target signal and we only have to gate the time signal. When the objects are shallowly buried gating is not possible since the backscattered signal from target and the surface will arrive almost simultaneously. The detection problem is thus to a large extent the problem of separating the target signal from the ground backscatter. In the present paper, the authors introduce a signal model that exploits the different properties of the backscattered signals from target and ground surface. Different algorithms for separation of the different components in the signal model are presented together with a performance measure to evaluate the algorithms. After the signal components have been separated, both classical detection methods and some more ad hoc methods are applied and evaluated.
Conflict resolution in coastal waters: the case of personal watercraft

Abstract The number of personal watercraft (PWC) used in coastal and inland waterways has increased recently, potentially disturbing people, fisheries activities, and wildlife and recreational resources. In 1997 we examined the behavior of nesting Common Terns as a function of exposure to PWC and other boats. PWCs traveled faster than motorboats near nesting islands, and came closer to birds. The number of terns that flew up in response to PWCs was greater than to motorboats. On one long-studied tern island, the terns suffered nearly total reproductive failure in 1996 and 1997. Because of these adverse effects, an educational and enforcement campaign was initiated in 1998. Public meetings included presentations by scientists, marine police, state conservation officials, PWC associations, marina owners, and the general public. In addition, an educational campaign was aimed at local PWC rental businesses and docks, and additional signs were posted around tern nesting islands. These measures proved effective: PWC traffic around the nesting islands was reduced, most PWCs that passed the tern nesting island did not venture outside the channel, and most PWCs reduced their speed. Although these measures did not eliminate the problem, they reduced the disturbance to the birds in 1998 and 1999, allowing increased reproductive success, representing a successful co-management program.
Data mining the adoption intention of e-procurement system for Chinese companies

We conduct a structured survey among Chinese firms in the City of Suzhou on the adoption of e-procurement systems. We analytically mine the data to explore the impact of operations as well as supply chain performance measures on organisational behavioural intention to adopt e-procurement systems. The results demonstrate that a series of operations and supply chain performance measures, such as expected improved supply chain efficiency, improved operational efficiency, and reduced inventory level, are critical drivers for the adoption of e-procurement systems among Chinese companies. The findings highlight the importance of operations and supply chain performance benefits of an e-procurement systems as well as the importance of strategic marketing by e-procurement systems vendors to promote those benefits.
Analysis of a temperature-sensitive mutation affecting the integration protein of Moloney murine leukemia virus.

Abstract We have previously described a series of mutations in the 3′ terminus of the pol gene of Moloney murine leukemia virus which adversely affect the establishment of an integrated provirus (Roth, M. J., Schwartzberg, P., Tanese, N., and Goff, S. P., J. Virol. 64, 4709-4717, 1990). While most of the mutations were unconditionally lethal for virus replication, we now demonstrate that one mutation, in 6161-12, a 12-base pair linker insertion into the 3′ end of the pol gene, causes a temperature-sensitive phenotype. This mutant virus is temperature-sensitive for IN protein function as well as viral replication.
Spectral factorization of matrix-valued functions using interpolation theory

An approach is developed for the spectral factorization of matrix-valued functions. The key idea was first introduced by Georgiou and Khargonekar (see IEEE Trans. Automat. Contr., vol. AC-31, p.345-348, 1986, and SIAM J. Contr. Opt., vol.25, no.3, p.754-766, 1987) where results were obtained for the scalar case. A version of the Nevanlinna-Pick algorithm that applies to matrix-valued functions is used, and results in interpolation theory with matrix-valued functions analytic on the unit disk are incorporated. >
Using coarse information for real valued prediction

In domains such as consumer products and manufacturing amongst others, we have problems that warrant the prediction of a continuous target. Besides the usual set of explanatory attributes, we may also have exact (or approximate) estimates of aggregated targets, which are the sums of disjoint sets of individual targets that we are trying to predict. The question now becomes can we use these aggregated targets, which are a coarser piece of information, to improve the quality of predictions of the individual targets? In this paper, we provide a simple yet provable way of accomplishing this. In particular, given predictions from any regression model of the target on the test data, we elucidate a provable method for improving these predictions in terms of mean squared error, given exact (or accurate enough) information of the aggregated targets. These estimates of the aggregated targets may be readily available or obtained--through multilevel regression--at different levels of granularity. Based on the proof of our method we suggest a criterion for choosing the appropriate level. Moreover, in addition to estimates of the aggregated targets, if we have exact (or approximate) estimates of the mean and variance of the target distribution, then based on our general strategy we provide an optimal way of incorporating this information so as to further improve the quality of predictions of the individual targets. We then validate the results and our claims by conducting experiments on synthetic and real industrial data obtained from diverse domains.
Reinterpreting the Proofs of The Existence of God

In this century the major insight in the field of moral philosophy has been that moral arguments need not proceed by way of the deduction of moral conclusions from non-moral premises. This realisation sprang from a recognition that the purpose of moral argument was not just to get one party to a moral disagreement to assent to a proposition that at the outset of the discussion he denied. If a moral argument was to be able to be considered successful it was insufficient for someone to recognise that an action he had previously considered right was wrong; it was essential that this recognition have an influence on his subsequent conduct. The change in belief was important only in so far as it led to a change in action. And although this insight led people to over diminish the importance of belief and propose various types of non-cognitive theories of ethics, it is none the less true that the acceptance of a proposition of the form ‘action X is wrong’ must have an impact of some kind on the behaviour of those who accept it.
Toxoplasma gondii exposure affects neural processing speed as measured by acoustic startle latency in schizophrenia and controls

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (TOXO) infection in schizophrenia (SCZ) is elevated compared to controls (odds ratio=2.73). TOXO infection is associated with psychomotor slowing in rodents and non-psychiatric humans. Latency of the acoustic startle response, an index of neural processing speed, is the time it takes for a startling stimulus to elicit the reflexive response through a three-synapse subcortical circuit. We report a significant slowing of latency in TOXO seropositive SCZ vs. seronegative SCZ, and in TOXO seropositive controls vs. seronegative controls. Latency was likewise slower in SCZ subjects than in controls. These findings indicate a slowing of neural processing speed with chronic TOXO infection; the slowest startle latency was seen in the TOXO seropositive SCZ group.
Origin of life--facing up to the physical setting.

The purpose of this article is to review what can be inferred about the environment in which life arose. Lines of interfence stem from two types of records. A physical record of geological and astronomical data provides information on the character of Earth's surface during the epoch in which life arose. A biological record of quantitative evolutionnary relationships among modern organisms documents early Earth's environment because it points to some properties of the first cells.
How many neutrinos

Measurement of ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}$ at the new colliding-beam facilities can determine directly the total number of neutrino types (${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}$, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$, etc.).
Cake Uniformity in pressure filtration of coal slurry

Abstract In filtration and dewatering processes the cake structure and the degree of homogeneity of solids in the filter cake are important parameters. The paper describes a novel modified laboratory approach for producing a uniform structure filter cake in pressure filtration. The uniformity of the filter cake, described in terms of the mixing index, was derived using the Kramers model for various types of cake formation conditions. The study identified that a low moisture level in the filter cake results from uniform distribution of particles with a mixing index greater than 0.750. It is also shown that the filter cake moisture and the mixing index are inversely proportional, i.e. a higher mixing index provided a lower-moisture filter cake.
Teacher Unionization in School Governance.

The role of unions in school governance is reviewed to note that labor operates in a larger context of principal—agent relationships. As agents for teachers, unions articulate the concerns that mus...
THE SECCHI DISK IN TURBID COASTAL WATERS1

Measurements of Secchi disk depth are correlated with beam transmittance (B) in turbid coastal water. Both k (the irradiance attenuation coefficient) and a! (the beam attenuante coefficient) can be estimated from the Secchi depth either on an empirical basis or by using the Duntley-Preisendorfer equation of contrast reduction, Such estimates possess relatively large standard errors of estimate. The effects of the size of Secchi disk and viewing techniques are discussed. An estimate of contrast threshold of the human eye under field conditions has been obtained. A modification of the factor in the Poole and Atkins equation for estimating k from Secchi depth is suggested.
Effect of the porous structure of sodium chloride granules on their physicochemical properties

The effect of porous structure on the strength characteristics of compacted potassium chloride granules and also on their moisture absorption and caking was studied.
Coordination and Output Attainment in Work Units Performing Non-routine Tasks: A Cross- National Study

Based on an information-processing perspective (Galbraith 1972), a theoretical pro position is advanced which predicts that for work units performing non-routine tasks, the effect of unit coordination on output attainment is contingent on the sources from which the unit acquires information for task performance. This proposition is tested using a cross-national research design. Data from four national samples — Austria, Belgium, Hungary, and Poland — of academic research units support the proposition. The results reinforce the need for a contingency approach to the study of coordination and performance in organizations. They also provide some insight into the interplay between society and organization.
LIM proteins in actin cytoskeleton mechanoresponse

The actin cytoskeleton assembles into branched networks or bundles to generate mechanical force for critical cellular processes such as establishment of polarity, adhesion, and migration. Stress fibers (SFs) are contractile actomyosin structures that physically couple to the extracellular matrix through integrin-based focal adhesions (FAs), thereby transmitting force into and across the cell. Recently, LIN-11, Isl1, and MEC-3 (LIM) domain proteins have been implicated in mediating this cytoskeletal mechanotransduction. Among the more well-studied LIM domain adapter proteins is zyxin, a dynamic component of both FAs and SFs. Here we discuss recent research detailing the mechanisms by which SFs adjust their structure and composition to balance mechanical forces and suggest ways that zyxin and other LIM domain proteins mediate mechanoresponse.
A likelihood test for multivariate serial correlation

SUMMARY A procedure is proposed for testing the hypothesis that a sequence of vector-valued random variables is mutually independent. The test is based on the likelihood criterion for first-order autocorrelation assuming a multivariate normal distribution, is simple computationally, and provides a multivariate generalization of the serial correlation coefficient. The distribution of the test statistic is found to be closely approximated by an F distribution, even in samples of size 10 from an exponential distribution, with the approximation holding exactly asymptotically for any underlying distribution with finite fourth moments. This procedure was originally developed for the problem of testing for time-space clustering in a study, discussed in this paper, of leukaemia. Methods for testing independence among a sequence of univariate random variables, and for measuring the association in the presence of serial correlation, are well known. Chitturi (1976) proposed a statistic for testing independence among vector-valued random variables. Though the null distribution of the test statistic was evaluated asymptotically, neither the small sample properties nor the power were considered. In this paper we propose an alternative procedure which gives more accurate control over the size of the test, while providing an efficient test based on the likelihood criterion when the error term has a multivariate normal distribution. An example is discussed in ? 5, illustrating the application of both procedures to the problem of testing time-space clustering. Let {Xt: t = 1, ..., N} represent a sequence of p-dimensional random variables such that
Individual differences in cue reactivity among smokers trying to quit : Effects of gender and cue type

Across studies, when presented with a variety of smoking cues, smokers and ex-smokers evidence distinct patterns of self-reported, physiological, and behavioral reactions. However, few studies have compared more than two different kinds of cues within the same experiment. Furthermore, despite the importance of examining the moderating effect of gender on smoking outcomes, few studies have examined gender differences in smoking cue reactivity. We examined the effect of eight distinct cue manipulations on heart rate, mean arterial pressure, smoking urges, and self-efficacy in a sample of 129 participants (50% female) who had recently quit smoking. Cue manipulations included (a) in vivo exposure, (b) an idiographically designed exposure of subjects' most recent relapse, (c) an idiographically designed exposure to subjects' highest risk situation, and (d) affectively valenced standardized scripts depicting situations generally associated with relapse. These manipulations were compared to a standard cognitive stressor (mental arithmetic) and to a resting baseline. Results revealed differences in the degree of reactivity to different manipulations, with in vivo cues producing the greatest changes. Gender differences in reactivity between the type of cues presented were found for mean arterial pressure, with standardized scripts producing greater changes for women. These findings have implications for understanding the reasons for differences in cue reactivity across manipulations and for gender differences in cue reactivity.
Induction of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Invasiveness by Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Immortalized Mouse Colonocytes Expressing Oncogenic Ras

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression appears to be important in colorectal carcinogenesis. Elevated COX-2 expression and activity have been observed in several different transformed cell types. Prior studies implicating involvement of the Ras oncogene and growth factors on COX-2 expression were largely derived from rat small intestinal cell lines. We have investigated whether mouse colonocyte COX-2 levels are regulated by oncogenic Ras or transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), and whether these factors also serve to regulate cellular invasiveness. Young adult mouse colonocyte cells are colonocytes derived from the "Immortomouse" and immortalized by the SV40 large T antigen. Young adult mouse colonocyte Ras cells were derived by transfection of young adult mouse colonocyte cells with oncogenic Ha-Ras and are known to be tumorigenic. We found that the induction of COX-2 and eicosanoid release were augmented in the presence of activated Ras and that TGF-beta(1) caused a further increase in COX-2 in the Ras-transformed mouse colonocytes. Increased COX-2 expression was correlated with increased release of prostaglandins E(2) and I(2). Activated Ras and TGF-beta increased the invasiveness of the young adult mouse colonocyte cells, but treatment with a COX-2 inhibitor did not inhibit invasiveness. Thus we found that transforming growth factor-beta collaborates to increase COX-2 expression, protaglandin release, and invasiveness in mouse colonocytes, but the increased COX-2 activity does not appear to contribute to the invasive response.
Neuralin-1 is a novel Chordin-related molecule expressed in the mouse neural plate

Cysteine-rich repeats (CRs) of the type described in Chordin constitute conserved domains present in an expanding family of secreted molecules. These motifs were shown to mediate directly the antagonism of BMP signaling by Chordin and play a major role during development. Here we report the cloning and expression pattern of neuralin-1, a new member of the chordin family. The mouse cDNA was cloned by homology with a human genomic sequence encoding putative CRs. In the human genome, neuralin-1 transcripts are encoded by 8 exons that span a region of at least 80 kilobases located on chromosome Xq22.1-23. Neuralin-1 is a 333 amino acid protein containing three CRs, two of them highly similar to the Chordin CRs that bind BMP. Like chordin, neuralin-1 is able to induce secondary axes after mRNA injection in Xenopus embryos. Interestingly, during late gastrulation, neuralin-1 and chordin present distinct and complementary expression patterns in the mouse: neuralin-1 expression starts in the neural plate at mid-gastrulation, whereas chordin expression at that stage is restricted to the node and midline mesendoderm. Later on, neuralin-1 expression becomes restricted to discrete regions of the central nervous system and to derivatives of the neural crest cells. During organogenesis, neuralin-1 presents a broad expression pattern in many tissues such as dorsal root ganglia, gut, condensing cartilages of the skeleton and developing hair follicles.
Data and Theory in Sociobiological Explanation: A Critique of van den Berghe and Barash

In a fascinating article (AA 79:809-823 1977), van den Berghe and Barash make what I believe to be a convincing case for sociobiology in general and the inclusive-fitness theory in particular. It is exciting to see such approaches applied to kinship structure and other social phenomena, and much more work is needed along these lines. Still, as in many areas of research touching on culture theory (and human nature in general), heated debates frequently arise between polar factions; in many instances the parties say similar things at cross-purposes, merely "talking past one another. That has been especially true in sociobiology. To avoid some possible mudslinging at this fine article, some further commentary is necessary about one key passage that is derived logically but open to misinterpretation by some readers. I refer to the section of their article concerning nepotism (p. 816):
Pamidronate infusion in patients with systemic sclerosis results in changes in blood mononuclear cell cytokine profiles

A single infusion of pamidronate was given to patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) to assess effects on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lymphocyte subsets. Eighteen patients with SSc received a single intravenous dose of 60 mg of pamidronate and were followed for 6 months. Assessment of cytokine production [interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-4] by PBMC and lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry was carried out before and after the pamidronate infusion. Unstimulated PBMC produced increased amounts of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha and reduced levels of TGF-beta1 for up to 24 weeks after the infusion. gammadelta T cells from patients with SSc were activated in vitro and produced increased IFN-gamma. The effects of pamidronate on modulation of cytokine profiles in patients with SSc may merit future study.
POTENTIAL ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS DERIVED FROM 1,2-EPOXYINDAN.

The reaction of a number of amines and aminoacid derivatives with 1,2-epoxyindan provided 1-substituted amino-2-indanols. Preliminary tests, which are not complete, have not demonstrated pronounced antineoplastic activity in the compounds.
Review of with the best of intentions

Berrick, J. D., & Barth, R. (1992). Child sexual abuse prevention: Research review and recommendations. Social Work Research and Abstracts. 28, 6-15. Conte, J., & Fogarty, L. (1992). Sexual abuse prevention programs for children. In A. W. Burgess (Ed.), Child trauma I: Issues and research (pp. 335-360). New York: Garland Publishing. Conte, J., Wolf, R., & Smith, T. (1987, July). What offenders tell us about sexual abuse prevention. Paper presented at the Family Violence Research Conference, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH. Daro, D. (1991). Commentary: Child sexual abuse prevention: Separating fact from fiction. Child Abuse and Neglect. 15, 1-4. Finkelhor, D., & Dziuba-Leatherman, J. (1993, January). Victimization prevention programs: A national survey of children's exposure and reactions. Paper given at the San Diego Conference on Responding to child maltreatment, sponsored by Center for Child Protection, Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego. Gilbert, N., Berrick, J. D., Le Prohn, N, & Nyman, N. (1989). Protecting young children from sexual abuse: Does preschool training work? Lexington, MA: Lexington Books. Hazzard, A., Webb, C., Kleemeier, C., Angert, L., & Pohl, J. (1991). Child sexual abuse prevention: Evaluation and one-year follow-up. Child Abuse and Neglect. 15,123-138. Plummet, C. (1986). Chapter l: Prevention education in perspective. In M. Nelson & K. Clark (Eds.), The educator's guide to preventing child sexual abuse (pp. 1-5). Santa Cruz, CA" Network Publications. Wurtele, S., & Miller-Pert'in, C. (1992). Preventing child sexual abuse: Sharing responsibility. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Is One Problem the Same as Another?:

This study examined how individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cope with illness-related problems in four different areas: daily activities, leisure activities, work, and social relationships. Eighty-five people with RA took part in the study. They participated in an in-depth interview that focused on the types of changes they had experienced in their lives as a result of their arthritis and how they had coped with these changes. Audiotapes of the interviews were transcribed and content analyzed to assess participants' coping behavior. In addition, standardized measures of psychological and physical functioning were administered shortly following the original interview and at a 4-month followup. Three major findings emerged. First, people relied less heavily on behavioral coping strategies when dealing with problems involving social relationships than when dealing with problems involving daily activities, leisure activities, or work. Second, there was little consistency in individuals' use of either c...
Sample preparation and imaging of erythrocyte cytoskeleton with the atomic force microscopy

A novel method for the covalent attachment of erythrocytes to glass microscope coverslips that can be used to image intact cells and the cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane with either solid or liquid mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) is described. The strong binding of cells to the glass surface is achieved by the interaction of cell membrane carbohydrates to lectin, which is bound to N-5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyloxysuccinimide (ANBNOS)-coated coverslips (1). The effectiveness of this method is compared with the other commonly used methods of immobilizing intact erythrocytes on glass coverslips for AFM observations. Experimental conditions of AFM imaging of biologic tissue are discussed, and typical topographies of the extracellular and the cytoplasmic surfaces of the plasma membrane in the dry state and in the liquid state are presented. Comparison of the spectrin network of cell age-separated erythrocytes has demonstrated significant loss in the network order in older erythrocytes. The changes are quantitatively described using the pixel height histogram and window size grain analysis.
Further Observations on the Effect of Hydrogen Ion on the Pulmonary Circulation

The effects of an acutely induced and modest increase in blood hydrogen-ion concentration on pulmonary hemodynamics were studied in 15 patients with obstructive lung disease. Pulmonary arterial pressure rose when the blood hydrogen-ion concentration increased; this change was greater when the arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation was lower than 91%. The pressor response was independent of change in cardiac output, pulmonary blood volume, and left veno-atrial pressure and is ascribed to pulmonary arterial vaso-constriction. Increased concentration of hydrogen ion is a factor in the production of pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Since infusion of acid produced a marked increase in ventilation, the effects of voluntary hyperventilation on pulmonary hemodynamics were studied in three patients with similar pulmonary diseases. In these subjects pulmonary arterial pressure fell as ventilation was increased by a degree comparable to that which occurred during the infusion...
Unique Issues Raised By Drug Benefit Design

In this Perspective on the preceding paper by Joseph Newhouse, I point out a number of features of the pharmaceutical industry that differentiate it from other health care sectors. These differences help explain why it has proved to be so very difficult to construct policies that simultaneously contain health care costs, provide patients with high-quality care, and generate continued incentives for innovation. I then summarize Newhouse’s preferred Medicare prescription drug benefit program and the issues it raises.
Techno-economic analysis of using corn stover to supply heat and power to a corn ethanol plant – Part 2: Cost of heat and power generation systems

Abstract This paper presents a techno-economic analysis of corn stover fired process heating (PH) and the combined heat and power (CHP) generation systems for a typical corn ethanol plant (ethanol production capacity of 170 dam 3 ). Discounted cash flow method was used to estimate both the capital and operating costs of each system and compared with the existing natural gas fired heating system. Environmental impact assessment of using corn stover, coal and natural gas in the heat and/or power generation systems was also evaluated. Coal fired process heating (PH) system had the lowest annual operating cost due to the low fuel cost, but had the highest environmental and human toxicity impacts. The proposed combined heat and power (CHP) generation system required about 137 Gg of corn stover to generate 9.5 MW of electricity and 52.3 MW of process heat with an overall CHP efficiency of 83.3%. Stover fired CHP system would generate an annual savings of 3.6 M$ with an payback period of 6 y. Economics of the coal fired CHP system was very attractive compared to the stover fired CHP system due to lower fuel cost. But the greenhouse gas emissions per Mg of fuel for the coal fired CHP system was 32 times higher than that of stover fired CHP system. Corn stover fired heat and power generation system for a corn ethanol plant can improve the net energy balance and add environmental benefits to the corn to ethanol biorefinery.
Mechanisms Underlying Functional Changes in the Primary Motor Cortex Ipsilateral to an Active Hand

Performance of a unimanual hand motor task results in functional changes in both primary motor cortices (M1ipsilateral and M1contralateral). The neuronal mechanisms controlling the corticospinal output originated in M1ipsilateral and the resting hand during a unimanual task remain unclear. Here, we assessed functional changes within M1ipsilateral and in interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) associated with parametric increases in unimanual force. We measured motor-evoked potential (MEP) recruitment curves (RCs) and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) in M1ipsilateral, IHI from M1contralateral to M1ipsilateral, and the influence of IHI over SICI using transcranial magnetic stimulation at rest and during 10, 30, and 70% of maximal right wrist flexion force. EMG from the left resting flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscle was comparable across conditions. Left FCR MEP RCs increased, and SICI decreased with increasing right wrist force. Activity-dependent (rest and 10, 30, and 70%) left FCR maximal MEP size correlated with absolute changes in SICI. IHI decreased with increasing force at matched conditioned MEP amplitudes. IHI and SICI were inversely correlated at increasing forces. In the presence of IHI, SICI decreased at rest and 70% force. In summary, we found activity-dependent changes in (1) SICI in M1ipsilateral, (2) IHI from M1contralateral to M1ipsilateral, and (3) the influence of IHI over SICI in the left resting hand during force generation by the right hand. Our findings indicate that interactions between GABAergic intracortical circuits mediating SICI and interhemispheric glutamatergic projections between M1s contribute to control activity-dependent changes in corticospinal output to a resting hand during force generation by the opposite hand.
MATERNAL DRUG ABUSE DURING PREGNANCY AND PHARMACOTHERAPY FOR NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME (NAS)

Newborns exposed in-utero to opiates and/or nonopiates frequently undergo NAS. This study evaluated:1)the relationship between the type of maternal drug use and the incidence of NAS and 2)which of 3 treatment drugs was most effective-- paregoric, phenobarbitol, or diazepam. NAS was assessed by a scoring system related to drug dose. Successful treatment was considered when one drug controlled the NAS. Of the 300 infants, 176(59%) were treated for NAS and 124(41%) required no treatment. Maternal drug use consisted of opiates(33%), non-opiates(14%)and varying combinations of both(53%). Infants exposed to non-opiates in-utero were less likely to undergo abstinence(36%) than those exposed to opiates(58%) or both(70%). The mean number of days to control symptoms of NAS was 7.6, and duration of treatment averaged 38,6 days, The efficacy of treatment drug for NAS depended upon the type of drug exposure in-utero. If maternal drug use included opiates alone, paregoric was the drug most successful in controlling NAS (87% of infants). In maternal non-opiate use, phenobarbital was most effective(100%). In maternal opiate and non-opiate use, paregoric was most effective(88%). Treating an infant with diazepam indicated the need for a second treatment drug in 70% of cases, regardless of maternal drug use (p=.001). These data suggest that:1)effective NAS treatment is related to the type of maternal drug use, 2)there is a higher incidence of NAS in infants prenatally exposed to opiates alone or in combinnation with non-opiates, and 3)diazepam is Ineffective as a treatment agent for NAS.
How pre-B cells know when they have it right.

Early B cell development faces a critical checkpoint at the pro-B → pre-B transition stage, at which proper assembly and surface expression of an immunoglobulin heavy chain is somehow signaled by the pre-B cell receptor. Triggering of this signal might not require exogenous ligands.
Sex differences in translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) in the heart: implications for imaging myocardial inflammation.

Myocarditis is more severe in men than in women and difficult to diagnose due to a lack of imaging modalities that directly detect myocardial inflammation. Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is used extensively to image brain inflammation due to its presence in CD11b+ brain microglia. In this study, we examined expression of TSPO and CD11b in mice with coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) myocarditis and biopsy sections from myocarditis patients in order to determine if it could be used to image myocarditis. We found that male mice with CVB3 myocarditis upregulated more genes associated with TSPO activation than female mice. TSPO expression was increased in the heart of male mice and men with myocarditis compared with female subjects due to testosterone, where it was expressed predominantly in CD11b+ immune cells. We show that TSPO ligands detect myocardial inflammation using microSPECT, with increased uptake of [125I]-IodoDPA-713 in male mice with CVB3 myocarditis compared with undiseased controls.
Simultaneous detection of DNA synthesis and cytokine production in staphylococcal enterotoxin B activated CD4+ T lymphocytes by flow cytometry

Assessment of T cell activation has traditionally been performed by measuring proliferation as a function of 3[H]-thymidine incorporation, or secretion of cytokines from activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in culture. An alternative method for detection of proliferation at the single cell level utilizes incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), an analog of thymidine, into cellular DNA. After appropriate fixation and permeabilization of the cells, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against BrdU conjugated with a fluorescent dye is employed to measure by flow cytometry the incorporated BrdU. Here, we report a flow cytometric procedure which can be used for the simultaneous detection of BrdU incorporation, activation markers such as CD69 and CD25, and intracellular cytokines in T cell subsets from activated PBMC. Our observations are consistent with the proposal that cytokine synthesis and cell proliferation occur sequentially in CD4+ T cells stimulated with the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). The majority of cells expressing the cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-2 at 48 h appear to have undergone DNA synthesis, however all proliferating cells do not express IFN-gamma or IL-2. The methods presented in this report offer a unique approach for studying simultaneous expression of key cellular activation events in phenotypically resolved lymphocyte populations.
Communication apprehension and reactions to proxemic violations

An experiment was designed to examine the role of a person's predispositions toward communication in reactions to violations of proxemic expectations. Working with Burgoon's (1983) violations of nonverbal expectations model, Buller and Burgoon (1986) predicted that predispositions may bias evaluations of initiator reward and violation valence. Apprehensive individuals should unfavorably evaluate the initiator, negatively valence a violation and comply less, while nonapprehensive individuals should favorably evaluate the initiator, positively valence a violation, and comply more. Alternately, this paper proposes that predispositions may affect arousal-induction rather than initiator evaluation and violation valencing. Following Patterson (1983), apprehensives should experience more arousal and comply more to reduce the arousal, whereas nonapprehensives should experience less arousal and comply less. Four initiators engaged 90 subjects in experimental conversations which ended with a request for the subjects' signature on a petition. Initiators either remained at the normative distance, moved one seat closer, or moved one seat farther from the subject. Results showed that apprehensives and subjects experiencing close violations complied more, suggesting that communication apprehension influences arousal-induction. Communication apprehension had no main effect on perceptions of initiator attractiveness and similarity, implying that arousal not perceptions of the initiator is affected by predispositions toward communication. Initiator gender again emerged as an important characteristic which influences a subject's perceptions of initiator reward.
Oxidation chemistry of 1,2-dehydro-N-acetyldopamines: direct evidence for the formation of 1,2-dehydro-N-acetyldopamine quinone.

Abstract Two-electron oxidation of catecholamines either by phenol oxidase or by chemical oxidants such as sodium periodate produces their corresponding o -quinones as observable products. But, in the case of 1,2-dehydro- N -acetyldopamine, an important insect cuticular sclerotizing precursor, phenol oxidase catalyzed oxidation has been reported to generate a quinone methide analog as a transient, but first observable product. [Sugumaran, M., Semensi, V., Kalyanaraman, B., Bruce, J. M., and Land, E. J. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 10355–10361]. The corresponding quinone has escaped detection until now. However, in this paper, for the first time, we present direct evidence for the formation of dehydro- N -acetyldopamine quinone and show that it can readily be produced from the tautomeric quinone methide imine amide during the chemical oxidation of dehydro- N -acetyldopamine under acidic conditions. This situation is in sharp contrast to other known alkyl-substituted catechol oxidations, where quinone is the first observable product and quinone methide is the subsequently generated product. Dehydro- N -acetyldopamine quinone thus formed is also highly unstable. Semiempirical molecular orbital calculation also indicates that quinone methide imine amide is more stable than the quinone. Chemical considerations indicate that the quinone methide tautomer, and not the dehydro- N -acetyldopamine quinone, is responsible for crosslinking the structural proteins and chitin polymer in the insect cuticle. Therefore, the quinone methide tautomer, and not the quinone, is the key reactive intermediate aiding the hardening of insect cuticle.
KATP channel opener protects neonatal rabbit heart better than St. Thomas’ solution

Objectives. Myocardial protection with ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP channel) openers is as effective as St. Thomas’ cardioplegia (StTCP) in adult rabbit hearts. This study compares the effectiveness of the KATP channel opener pinacidil to StTCP in protecting neonatal rabbit hearts exposed to global ischemia. Methods. Seventeen neonatal rabbit hearts (7–9 days old) perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (KHB) on a Langendorff apparatus underwent 90 min of normothermic ischemia. Six (ischemia control) received no pretreatment before or during ischemia. Six others (pinacidil) received a 3-min infusion of 50 μM pinacidil in KHB without StTCP at the onset of ischemia. Five others (StTCP) received a 3-min infusion of StTCP at the onset of ischemia. After 60 min of KHB reperfusion, recovery of left ventricular (LV) performance and coronary flow (CF) were measured and compared to preischemia. A paired t test was used for comparison between drug-treated and untreated groups. Results. Pinacidil-treated hearts had significantly better recovery of left ventricular developed pressure (47 ± 3.8 mmHg vs 32 ± 2.5 mmHg, P < 0.05), contractility (+dP/dtmax; 885.4 ± 74 mmHg vs 643.7 ± 65 mmHg, P < 0.05), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (10.5 ± 0.9 mmHg vs 17.4 ± 1.2 mmHg P < 0.05), compliance (−dP/dtmax; 994.2 ± 86 mmHg vs 673.6 ± 69 mmHg, P < 0.05), and CF (5.9 ± 0.4 ml/min vs 4.2 ± 0.2 ml/min, P < 0.05) compared to ischemic control. StTCP only improved the recovery of −dP/dtmax (877.4 ± 73 mmHg/s vs 673.6 ± 69 mmHg/s, P < 0.05) and CF (5.7 ± 0.3 ml/min vs 4.2 ± 0.2 ml/min, P < 0.05) compared to control. Conclusions. Pinacidil pretreatment provided superior recovery of systolic performance compared to St. Thomas’ cardioplegia solution in neonatal hearts. Myocardial protection by pretreatment with the KATP channel opener pinacidil may be a new strategy for myocardial protection during pediatric cardiac surgery.
Switch-Level Delay Models for Digital MOS VLSI

This paper presents fast, simple, and relatively accurate delay models for large digital MOS circuits. Delay modeling is organized around chains of switches and nodes called stages, instead of logic gates. The use of stages permits both logic gates and pass transistor arrays to be handled in a uniform fashion. Three delay models are presented, ranging from an RC model that typically errs by 25% to a slope-based model whose delay estimates are typically within 10% of SPICE's estimates. The slope model is parameterized in terms of the ratio between the slopes of a stage's input and output waveforms. All the models have been implemented in the Crystal timing analyzer. They are evaluated by comparing their delay estimates to SPICE, using a dozen critical paths from two VLSI designs.
Bandwidth and Power-Saving Schemes for Bursty Data Service on Two-Way Cable Systems

In many situations customers' data sources will be low duty factor (e.g. randomly generated control signals, teletype keyboard outputs). Quality of service may be judged by the individual user in terms of overall transmission time as well as by error rate. Three systems are considered: The first is a base-line representing modest terminal equipment. Here each customer pair is multiplexed on a permanent cable time or frequency slot. Secondly, a more sophisticated system is analyzed, adaptive-rate code division multiplex. Here modulator waveforms are synthesized from sequences of phase-modulated and frequency-shifted carrier bursts. The number of bits sent per waveform is variable, dependent upon channel noise and interference observed just prior to message transmission. Lastly, a technique is considered which allows flexible sharing of total power and bandwidth, via status signaling between different customers.
Entangled-photon six-state quantum cryptography

We have implemented the 'six-state' quantum cryptography protocol using polarization-entangled photon pairs, in which the polarization of each photon of a pair is measured in one of three randomly chosen bases. For a given amount of eavesdropping, this protocol results in a larger error rate than in four- or two-state protocols, but reduces the number of key-producing events. We have experimentally investigated several incoherent eavesdropping strategies, and verified the predicted enhancement in error rate. However, we demonstrate that for low error rates, the efficiency for secret key generation is higher when using the four-state protocol.