cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of antagonism of the NMDA receptor on tolerance to [d-Pen2,d-Pen5]enkephalin, a δ1-Opioid receptor agonist

Abstract The effects of MK-801, a noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor, and of LY 235959, a competitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor, on the development of tolerance to the analgesic action of [ d -Pen2, d -Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE), a δ1-opioid receptor agonist were determined in mice. Tolerance to DPDPE was induced in male Swiss Webster mice by twice daily ICV injections of the drug (20 μg/mouse) for 4 days. To determine the effects of NMDA receptor antagonists, the drugs were injected IP in appropriate doses 10 min before each injection of DPDPE. The doses of MK-801 were 0.01, 0.03, and 0.10 mg/kg whereas those of LY 235959 were 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg. Chronic administration of NMDA receptor antagonists by themselves did not alter the tail flick response or the analgesic effect of DPDPE (10 μg/mouse, ICV). MK-801 given concurrently with DPDPE dose-dependently inhibited the development of tolerance to DPDPE, the significant effect being observed at 0.10 mg/kg dose. Similar inhibitory effects on the development of tolerance to DPDPE were observed with LY 235959 at 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg doses. It is concluded that antagonism of NMDA receptors blocks tolerance to the analgesic action of δ1-opioid receptor agonist in the mouse.
The impact of androgen deprivation on quality of life after radical prostatectomy for prostate carcinoma

BACKGROUND Androgen deprivation is commonly prescribed for men with a rising prostate specific antigen level after radical prostatectomy, despite scant evidence regarding its efficacy and side effects. In the current study, the authors compared measures of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in men who were treated with androgen deprivation after radical prostatectomy with those for men who underwent surgery but were not treated with androgen deprivation. METHODS Medicare Provider and Analysis and Review (MedPAR) files were used to identify men who had undergone radical prostatectomies between 1991–1992. Medicare Part B data then were used to select two samples: men who subsequently were androgen deprived and those who were not. In 1999, a mail survey was administered that addressed a range of disease-related and treatment-related issues, including HRQOL. Age-adjusted comparisons of responses to seven multiitem measures of HRQOL were performed. RESULTS The overall response rate was 82%. On all seven HRQOL measures (impact of cancer and treatment, concern regarding body image, mental health, general health, activity, worries about cancer and dying, and energy), there were statistically significant decrements associated with androgen deprivation. CONCLUSIONS Patients and physicians must weigh the price patients pay with regard to HRQOL against the uncertain benefits of early androgen deprivation. Cancer 2002;95:287–95. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10656
Dipolar Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Chromophores Containing Ferrocene, Octamethylferrocene, and Ruthenocene Donors and Strong π-Acceptors: Crystal Structures and Comparison of π-Donor Strengths

Crystal structures have been determined for six dipolar polyene chromophores with metallocenyl—ferrocenyl (Fc), octamethylferrocenyl (Fc′′), or ruthenocenyl (Rc)—donors and strong heterocyclic acce...
Capillary arterialization requires the bone marrow-derived cell (BMC)-specific expression of chemokine (C-C motif) receptor-2, but BMCs do not transdifferentiate into microvascular smooth muscle

Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor-2 (CCR2) regulates arteriogenesis and angiogenesis, facilitating the MCP-1-dependent recruitment of growth factor-secreting bone marrow-derived cells (BMCs). Here, we tested the hypothesis that the BMC-specific expression of CCR2 is also required for new arteriole formation via capillary arterialization. Following non-ischemic saphenous artery occlusion, we measured the following in gracilis muscles: monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in wild-type (WT) C57Bl/6J mice by ELISA, and capillary arterialization in WT–WT and CCR2−/−–WT (donor–host) bone marrow chimeric mice, as well as BMC transdifferentiation in EGFP+–WT mice, by smooth muscle (SM) α-actin immunochemistry. MCP-1 levels were significantly elevated 1 day after occlusion in WT mice. In WT–WT mice at day 7, compared to sham controls, arterial occlusion induced a 34% increase in arteriole length density, a 46% increase in SM α-actin+ vessels, and a 45% increase in the fraction of vessels coated with SM α-actin, indicating significant capillary arterialization. However, in CCR2−/−–WT mice, no differences were observed between arterial occlusion and sham surgery. In EGFP+–WT mice, EGFP and SM α-actin never colocalized. We conclude that BMC-specific CCR2 expression is required for skeletal muscle capillary arterialization following arterial occlusion; however, BMCs do not transdifferentiate into smooth muscle.
Assessing the Long-Term Effects of the Safe Dates Program and a Booster in Preventing and Reducing Adolescent Dating Violence Victimization and Perpetration

Objectives. This study determined 4-year postintervention effects of Safe Dates on dating violence, booster effects, and moderators of the program effects. Methods. We gathered baseline data in 10 schools that were randomly allocated to a treatment condition. We collected follow-up data 1 month after the program and then yearly thereafter for 4 years. Between the 2- and 3-year follow-ups, a randomly selected half of treatment adolescents received a booster. Results. Compared with controls, adolescents receiving Safe Dates reported significantly less physical, serious physical, and sexual dating violence perpetration and victimization 4 years after the program. The booster did not improve the effectiveness of Safe Dates. Conclusions. Safe Dates shows promise for preventing dating violence but the booster should not be used.
Symmetry breaking and phase transitions in general statistics

A Higgs-type symmetry-breaking mechanism with general statistics is described in scalar phi/sup 4/ theories. It is shown that the minimum of the potential depends upon statistics and the parameter space is subdivided into separate regions, each with a particular statistics as a phase variable. In the model we describe, a phase diagram is constructed in parameter space, suggesting a new type of phase transition between domains of different statistics.
Measurement of SEU cross sections in the CDF SVX3 ASIC using 63 MeV protons

Abstract The single event upset (SEU) cross section has been measured for 63 MeV protons incident on static memory cells in the CDF SVX3 pipelined silicon strip readout ASIC. The device was fabricated in the Honeywell 0.8 μm RICMOS IV bulk process, and contains a number of cells with minimum gate length transistors to control the mode of operation of the chip. Cross sections per cell of (4.4±1.8)×10 −16 cm 2 , (2.1±0.7)×10 −15 cm 2 , and (3.9±0.9)×10 −15 cm 2 were measured for angles of incidence of 0°, 45°, and 80°, respectively, for cells with 0.8 μm gate length. The SVX3 SEU rate in Run II at the Fermilab Tevatron was estimated to be sufficiently low that it would not affect the performance of the CDF Silicon Tracker.
Stacking-fault anomalies and the measurement of stacking-fault free energy in f.c.c. thin films

Abstract The stacking-fault energy of 304 stainless steel and Inconel 600 alloy was determined by electron microscopy techniques to be 21 and 28 ergs/cm 2 , respectively. Electron microscopy studies also revealed anomalous, wide stacking faults in copper and nickel having a predominantly extrinsic nature. Bright- and dark- field electron microscopy techniques allowed the faults in nickel to be identified as essentially N -layer twins; leading to the conclusion that twin formation is energetically more favorable in high stacking-fault energy thin foils than single intrinsic stacking faults. The formation of N -layer twins in thin foils of high stacking-fault energy is further supported by direct observation of vapor-deposited foils of Ni, Cu, Au and Ag. In addition, it is demonstrated that for plane-strain, explosive shock-deformation where temperature effects are presumed to be negligible, stacking-fault free energy dominates the cross-slip of dislocations leading to coplanar dislocation arrays for λ SF 2 , and dislocation cells for λ > 30 ergs/cm 2 .
Low thermal conductivity thermal barrier coating deposited by the solution plasma spray process

Abstract This work seeks to develop an innovative thermal barrier coating (TBC) that will exhibit low thermal conductivity and high durability compared with that of current TBCs. To achieve this objective, a multiple component co-doped zirconia chemistry was selected for the topcoat of the TBC system, and a new process – Solution Plasma Spray (SPS or SPPS) – was employed to produce desirable microstructural features: the co-doped zirconia TBC contains ultrafine splats, high volume porosity and vertical cracks, for lower thermal conductivity and better durability, respectively. Test results verified a low thermal conductivity of 0.55–0.66 W/K·m over a temperature range of R.T. to 1300 °C, 1/3X that of EB-PVD 8YSZ TBCs, and its thermal cycling durability was 2.5X that of APS 8YSZ TBCs and 1.5X that of EB-PVD 8YSZ TBCs.
Derrida and Zen: Desert and Swamp

By comparing D. T. Suzuki’s soku-hi 即非 (lit. immediately not) logic (A is A, because A is not-A), which is connatural with what might be called the “Japanese swamp/womb sensibility,” to the desert and nomadic concepts of Derrida’s deconstruction, this essay argues that, contrary to some critics’ views, Suzuki’s soku-hi logic accords with Derrida’s thinking.
Raman spectra and vibrational analyses of B-trihalogenoborazines

Abstract The Raman spectra of B-trihalogenoborazines are reported, together with a normal co-ordinate analysis of their totally symmetric vibrational modes. The results provide information on the effect of B atom substituents on the electron density distribution in the six-membered BN ring. Spectral trends in the series B3H3N3H3, B3F3N3H3, B3Cl3N3H3, B3Br3N3H3, B3I3N3H3 are correlated with the way in which force constants and forms of the normal coordinates are affected by the substituents.
Horizontal Hydraulic Fracture Design for Optimal Well Productivity in Anisotropic Reservoirs with Different Aspect Ratios

Summary The economic feasibility of the exploitation of unconventional resources is highly dependent on the ability of the operator to maximize individual well productivity, making hydraulic fracture design and implementation the defining factor for a successful field development in most cases. Some unconventional reservoirs, as shallow coal bed methane and over-pressured oil and gas shale formations, commonly present the minimum principal stress in the vertical direction, resulting in the occurrence of horizontal hydraulic fractures. Models for the transient flow and pressure behavior of horizontal fractures emanating from vertical wells exist and clearly show distinct performance from those for vertical fractures. This suggests that the widely accepted unified fracture design (UFD) approach to maximize well productivity for vertical and horizontal wells with vertical hydraulic fractures cannot be used for horizontal fractures. Thereafter, the necessity for guidelines to model and design horizontal fractures becomes evident. This investigation begins by presenting a new set of equations for horizontal fracture design based on the UFD approach, which allows the direct calculation of fracture width, half-length and conductivity for a given proppant number. Later, a reservoir numerical simulator is used to model well productivity behavior for horizontal fractures in homogeneous formations, with or without vertical to horizontal permeability anisotropy and for different aspect ratios as a function of suitably-defined proppant number, dimensionless fracture conductivity, and fracture penetration index parameters. The findings of this work reveal a complex behavior for horizontal fractures that prohibits the extrapolation of previous generalizations between proppant number, penetration index and dimensionless fracture conductivity established for vertical fractures. For a number of scenarios, new relationships among these variables are provided to guide horizontal fracture design. Anisotropy and reservoir aspect ratio were also found to significantly impact fracture performance. Additionally, a set of multi-variable functions that permit the estimation of maximum achievable productivity index for the horizontal fracture has been fitted, based on commonly known reservoir parameters and the proppant number. This investigation provides a comprehensive framework to assist the design of optimal horizontal fracture geometry that maximizes productivity for a given mass of proppant.
A counsellor role for developing bank branch managers: experiences in a developing country

Discusses the experience of a large bank in a developing country when the bank introduced a counsellor role to improve the managerial capabilities of its growing body of relatively junior and inexperienced branch managers. Explains how this new counsellor position was designed with the specific objective of avoiding additional managerial levels which would otherwise be necessary for exercising close administrative control over branches run by ill‐equipped managers. Contends that an assessment of the bank’s experience yields useful insights for the development of managers in the context of comprehensive organizational transformation, involving changes to administrative culture in an existing hierarchical structure, particularly as they related to role appreciation and hunger for authority.
Application of a Pseudotime Function To Permit Better Decline-Curve Analysis

This paper discusses a normalized pseudotime accounting for the effects of system mobility and compressibility used to linearize the post-transient, semilog rate/time plot for a constant-bottomhole-flowing-pressure (BHFP) case. The improved matching technique permits better characterization of reservoir rock parameters, oil-in-place estimation, and prediction of future performance.
Generational Differences in Russian Attitudes towards Democracy and the Economy

Abstract The purpose of this article is to explore whether there is evidence of generational differences in Russian attitudes towards democracy. Are the attitudes, values and beliefs of those who came of age politically after the fall of the Soviet Union significantly different from those who did so in the Soviet period? The main finding is that the post-Soviet generation of Russians is generally more supportive of democratic values and institutions and a free market economy than the generations which came of age politically during the Soviet years. Such a result is not surprising. However, while support was found to be the case generally, the differences appear much more strongly for economic reforms than for political ones. In trying to explain why this should be, the authors argue that instrumentalist rather than culturalist considerations are paramount. Put another way, the current generation appears to be less interested in politics than in getting ahead in the world. If these differences are generat...
Personality Correlates of Multiple Choice Answer-Changing Patterns

On multiple-choice tests, 52 anxious college students changed answers significantly more often than nonanxious students. Nondepressed students, and those who held a positive view of the nature of man, were more successful in changing answers. Student's who made B's were more successful than C students in changing answers.
Transverse coherence and scaling in four-dimensional simulations of superfluorescence

Evidence from new "universal" four-dimensional computer simulations suggets that swept-gain superfluorescence is subject to an unexpected scaling relation as a function of Fresnel number.
William Osler at 150: An Overview of a Life

Sir William Osler is one of the most admired and honored physicians in the history of medicine. He influenced the development of medicine in Canada, the United States, and Great Britain, where he held professorships at McGill University, the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and Oxford University. Through his textbook, The Principles and Practice of Medicine, and other clinical and philosophical writings, he exercised a truly global influence. In this sesquicentennial of his birth, William Osler continues to serve as a model of excellence for the medical profession. This examination of the reasons for his enduring impact reveals a legacy of clinical, scientific, literary, educational, and intraprofessional accomplishments linked to a remarkable personality, and bound together by an extraordinary humanism.
Oscillation of a floating body in a viscous fluid

The nonlinear viscous-flow problem associated with the heaving motion of a two-dimensional floating cylinder is considered. It is formulated as an initial-boundary-value problem in primitive variables and solved using a finite-difference method based on boundary-fitted coordinates. A fractional-step procedure is used to advance the solution in time. As a case study, results are obtained for a rectangular cylinder oscillating at a Reynolds number of 103. The nonlinear viscous forces are compared with those of linear potential theory. An assessment on the importance of viscous and nonlinear effects is made. The solution technique is sufficiently robust that extensions to consider other single and coupled modes of motion are possible.
Are There Efficiency Gains from the Removal of Natural Resource Export Restrictions? Evidence from British Columbia

Log export bans (LEBs) are a popular development tool utilised by developing nations with sizable endowments of timber; however, the actual impact of these policies is debatable. British Columbia has a developed forestry sector and still maintains a LEB. This trade restriction continually creates conflicts with Canada's international trade partners, including the United States. This paper examines the efficiency implications of a hypothetical removal of roundwood export restrictions in British Columbia using roundwood price and quantity data from 1995 to 2008. A time-series econometric approach is utilised to determine supply and demand elasticities for British Columbia's roundwood. Empirical results from a vector error correction model suggest that a removal of export restrictions will generate an overall increase of approximately $347.91 million US dollars per year to British Columbia's forest economy.
Survival After Shock Requiring High-Dose Vasopressor Therapy

Background Some patients with hypotensive shock do not respond to usual doses of vasopressor therapy. Very little is known about outcomes after high-dose vasopressor therapy (HDV). We sought to characterize survival among patients with shock requiring HDV. We also evaluated the possible utility of stress-dose corticosteroid therapy in these patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of patients with shock requiring HDV in the ICUs of five hospitals from 2005 through 2010. We defined HDV as receipt at any point of ≥ 1 μg/kg/min of norepinephrine equivalent (calculated by summing norepinephrine-equivalent infusion rates of all vasopressors). We report survival 90 days after hospital admission. We evaluated receipt of stress-dose corticosteroids, cause of shock, receipt of CPR, and withdrawal or withholding of life support therapy. Results We identified 443 patients meeting inclusion criteria. Seventy-six (17%) survived. Survival was similar (20%) among the 241 patients with septic shock. Among the 367 nonsurvivors, 254 (69%) experienced withholding/withdrawal of care, and 115 (31%) underwent CPR. Stress-dose corticosteroid therapy was associated with increased survival (P = .01). Conclusions One in six patients with shock survived to 90 days after HDV. The majority of nonsurvivors died after withdrawal or withholding of life support therapy. A minority of patients underwent CPR. Additionally, stress-dose corticosteroid therapy appears reasonable in patients with shock requiring HDV.
Instrumental and perceptual evaluations of two related singers.

Abstract Summary: The primary goal of this study was to characterize a performer's singing and speaking voice. One woman was not admitted to a premier choral group, but her sister, who was comparable in physical characteristics and background, was admitted and provided a valuable control subject. The perceptual judgment of a vocal coach who conducted the group's auditions was decisive in discriminating these 2 singers. The singer not admitted to the group described a history of voice pathology, lacked a functional head register, and spoke with a voice characterized by hoarseness. Multiple listener judgments and acoustic and aerodynamic evaluations of both singers provided a more systematic basis for determining: 1) the phonatory basis for this judgment; 2) whether similar judgments would be made by groups of vocal coaches and speech-language pathologists; and 3) whether the type of tasks (e.g., sung vs. spoken) would influence these judgments. Statistically significant differences were observed between the ratings of vocal health provided by two different groups of listeners. Significant interactions were also observed as a function of the types of voice samples heard by these listeners. Instrumental analyses provided evidence that, in comparison to her sister, the rejected singer had a compromised vocal range, glottal insufficiencies as assessed aerodynamically and electroglottographically, and impaired acoustic quality, especially in her speaking voice.
Carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity as a function of age in female Fischer 344 rats

Severity of liver damage 24 h after intraperitoneal administration of carbon tetrachloride (0.2 ml/kg) was evaluated in female Fischer 344 rats aged 5, 14 and 28 months, i.e. in young adulthood, middle age and old age. Carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, as judged by the leakage of hepatic enzymes into the bloodstream and the disappearance of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450, was much less severe in old rats than in young-adult rats. For example, serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activity following carbon tetrachloride administration was 680 mumol/min/l in old rats compared with 1710 mumol/min/l in young-adult rats, and the loss of hepatic cytochrome P450 was 25% of the total amount in old rats compared with 50% of the total in young-adult rats. Spin trapping and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy were utilized to measure the conversion of carbon tetrachloride to trichloromethyl radicals in vivo. This primary bioactivation step occurred at similar rates in female rats aged 5, 14 and 28 months. In addition, the total nonheme iron contents in livers of rats in the three age groups were similar. Thus, the age associated attenuation of carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity was not explained on the basis of decreased bioactivation to reactive species or decreased availability of iron for promotion of lipid peroxidation. The results suggest that other factors are important determinants of age-associated changes in sensitivity to toxic chemicals.
Influence of glutathione and cysteine on the improver effect of ascorbic acid stereoisomers

The effects of the four ascorbic acid (AA) stereoisomers on the rheology of flour-water doughs were determined using a micro-scale extension test. L -Threo-AA had the greatest dough strengthening effect, both D -and L -erythro-AA were less active, and D -threo-AA was inactive. This ranking was not changed by addition of reduced glutathione (GSH) or cysteine (Cys), and it corresponds to the substrate specificity of the glutathione dehydrogenase (GSH-DH) enzyme occurring in wheat. Variation in the concentrations of the thiols revealed that Cys lowered the improver effect of L -threo-AA more than GSH. Gluten was isolated, in the presence of air and in a nitrogen atmosphere, from flour-water doughs that were mixed in air with and without L -threo-AA. The improver effect was more apparent for gluten-N2 than for gluten-air. The results support the hypothesis that the improving effect of L -threo-AA is due, at least in part, to the function of L -threo-DHAA in the oxidation of GSH catalysed by GSH-DH.
B-DNA to Zip-DNA: Simulating a DNA Transition to a Novel Structure with Enhanced Charge-Transport Characteristics

The forced extension of a DNA segment is studied in a series of steered molecular dynamics simulations, employing a broad range of pulling forces. Throughout the entire force range, the formation of a zipper-like (zip-) DNA structure is observed. In that structure, first predicted by Lohikoski et al., the bases of the DNA strands interdigitate with each other and form a single-base aromatic stack. Similar motifs, albeit only a few base pairs in extent, have been observed in experimental crystal structures. Analysis of the dynamics of structural changes in pulled DNA shows that S-form DNA, thought to be adopted by DNA under applied force, serves as an intermediate between B-DNA and zip-DNA. Therefore, the phase transition plateau observed in force-extension curves of DNA is suggested to reflect the B-DNA to zip-DNA structural transition. Electronic structure analysis of purine bases in zip-DNA indicates a several-fold to order of magnitude increase in the π-π electronic coupling among nearest-neighbor nucleobases, compared to B-DNA. We further observe that zip-DNA does not require base pair complementarity between DNA strands, and we predict that the increased electronic coupling in zip-DNA will result in a much higher rate of charge transfer through an all-purine zip-DNA compared to B-DNA of equal length.
Liking persons versus liking groups: a dual‐process hypothesis

Most research on liking of persons and groups has been conducted within separate paradigms, but the implicit assumption has been that the same processes govern judgments of liking or disliking regardless of the nature of the target. Departing from this assumption, we suggest a dual-process hypothesis according to which people base their liking of a target person primarily on the desirability of the person's characteristics, whereas they base their liking of a group primarily on the degree of similarity between the group and themselves. To test this hypothesis, participants were presented with either positively or negatively valenced sketches that either described an individual person or a group of people. Path analyses revealed that liking of a person was best predicted by desirability ratings, whereas liking of a group was best predicted by similarity ratings. Implications of these findings for stereotype maintenance are discussed.
Predictors of $4 generic prescription drug discount programs use in the low-income population.

Abstract Background Generic drug discount programs (GDDPs) are an option to provide affordable prescription medication to low-income individuals. However, the factors that influence the use of GDDPs in low-income population are unknown. Objectives To evaluate factors associated with utilization of generic a drug discount program in a low-income population. Methods A survey was administered to adult participants at health centers and community-based organizations in Houston, Texas, USA ( n = 525). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the construct validity of the survey instrument and to assess distinct factors associated with GDDP utilization. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the distribution of patient socio-demographic characteristics and questionnaire responses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compute adjusted odds ratios and to examine the strength of association with GDDP utilization after adjusting for participant socio-demographic features that were statistically significant at a priori level of P Results In this study, 72% of respondents were aware of the GDDP, and 61% had utilized the GDDP. Participants were 4 times likely to use a GDDP when their physician (AOR: 4.0, 95% CI: 2.6–6.4, P P Conclusions Increased patient awareness and physician recommendation may increase the use of GDDPs, which may lead to improved compliance with medications, better health outcomes and reduced health care costs.
The advent of zoning

This essay looks at some of the lawyers and judges who were instrumental in the enactment and judicial approval of American zoning laws. They were members of the upper class with an interest in protecting their fine residential neighbourhoods from the location of cheap housing or business nearby. Some of them had other hopes for zoning. A reformer looked to zoning as part of a plan to increase the influence of the business/professional community over the political affairs of the city. A small town lawyer sought a national reputation. A planning advocate hoped that zoning would be a first step in the development of ‘master plans’ to guide the physical growth of cities. A conservative ideologue saw in zoning a scheme to classify the population and to segregate them according to their station in life. Not all these aspirations were to be fulfilled, but they help to explain the initial success of zoning in the legislatures and the courts.
Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of 1,1‘-Diamino- and 1,1‘-Diazidoferrocene

We report an improved synthesis of 1,1‘-diaminoferrocene, employing the reduction of 1,1‘-diazidoferrocene with H2−Pd/C, along with extensive characterization data for both compounds. Diaminoferrocene undergoes a reversible 1e- oxidation in CH3CN at a potential of −602 mV vs Fc0/+, one of the most negative redox potentials for a ferrocene derivative. The chemical reversibility of this process was confirmed by isolation of the stable, 17-electron [Fc(NH2)2]+ cation as PF6-, OTf-, and TCNE- salts. In the solid state, diaminoferrocene exists in two conformations: one with the NH2 groups eclipsed, and the other with the NH2 groups offset by one-fifth turn around the Cp−Fe−Cp axis. Diazidoferrocene, on the other hand, exhibits only the fully eclipsed conformation in the solid state. The Fe−Cp(centroid) vectors in the diazidoferrocene molecules are roughly aligned with the crystallographic c-axis, and the molecules form layers perpendicular to this axis. The compound is thermally unstable at elevated temperatu...
Elevated intraocular pressure decreases response sensitivity of inner retinal neurons in experimental glaucoma mice.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States and the world, characterized by progressive degeneration of the optic nerve and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Glaucoma patients exhibit an early diffuse loss of retinal sensitivity followed by focal loss of RGCs in sectored patterns. Recent evidence has suggested that this early sensitivity loss may be associated with dysfunctions in the inner retina, but detailed cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying such sensitivity changes are largely unknown. In this study, we use whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques to analyze light responses of individual bipolar cells (BCs), AII amacrine cells (AIIACs), and ON and sustained OFF alpha-ganglion cells (ONαGCs and sOFFαGCs) in dark-adapted mouse retinas with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). We present evidence showing that elevated IOP suppresses the rod ON BC inputs to AIIACs, resulting in less sensitive AIIACs, which alter AIIAC inputs to ONαGCs via the AIIAC→cone ON BC→ONαGC pathway, resulting in lower ONαGC sensitivity. The altered AIIAC response also reduces sOFFαGC sensitivity via the AIIAC→sOFFαGC chemical synapses. These sensitivity decreases in αGCs and AIIACs were found in mice with elevated IOP for 3–7 wk, a stage when little RGC or optic nerve degeneration was observed. Our finding that elevated IOP alters neuronal function in the inner retina before irreversible structural damage occurs provides useful information for developing new diagnostic tools and treatments for glaucoma in human patients.
The application of generalizability analysis to observational studies

Research in the social and behavioral sciences is relying more on records of behavior made by human observers in naturalistic settings. Guidelines for these types of observational studies have emphasized the need to provide information on reliability. In this article, we present generalizability theory as a method for designing, assessing, and improving the reliability of observational studies.
Tumors in brown bullheads in the Chesapeake Bay watershed: analysis of survey data from 1992 through 2006.

Abstract Liver and skin tumor prevalences in brown bullheads Ameiurus nebulosus have been used in the North American Great Lakes to designate highly contaminated areas of concern and monitor their recovery. Here we interpret the results of six surveys conducted in the Chesapeake Bay watershed between 1992 and 2006, with data for 647 fish. The objective has been to develop an adequate database to critically evaluate the use of tumor prevalence as a habitat quality indicator within the watershed. Surveys featured randomized fish collection; recording of sex, length, weight, and age; and histopathology of all livers and all raised skin lesions. The Bayes information criterion was used to analyze all possible combinations of age, gender, length, and weight as covariates for logistic regression. Length and gender were the covariates that best described liver tumor prevalence. There were no covariates in the model for skin tumor prevalence. In some surveys, biomarkers, such as biliary polynuclear aromatic hydro...
The undertreatment of LDL-cholesterol: addressing the challenge.

Patients with dyslipidemia are at increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), while treatment to reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations lessens this risk. Consequently, the Lipid Treatment Assessment Project (L-TAP) was undertaken in the US to determine the extent to which primary care practitioners utilize lipid-lowering therapy and to evaluate the success of current therapeutic regimens, using the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines as therapeutic targets. The L-TAP study, initiated in 1996 and completed in February 1997, recorded LDL-C levels in 4888 patients from 619 US practices. All patients had received lipid-lowering therapy for at least 3 months. The primary care practitioners involved in the study were questioned about the NCEP guidelines and the results confirmed that these physicians were representative of primary care practitioners in the USA. The 4888 patients were categorized according to risk: patients with <2 risk factors (RFs) but no CHD, those with ≥2 RFs but no CHD and patients with confirmed CHD. Overall, only 38% of the patients attained LDL-C target levels or had values lower than these goals. The greater the number of RFs, the lower the proportion of patients achieving target levels. LDL-C targets were less often attained in patients receiving dietary therapy only compared with those receiving lipid lowering drug treatment. However, there was good correlation between the success of treatment and both receipt of and compliance with dietary instruction. In conclusion, a large proportion of dyslipidemic patients who are being treated in primary care are not achieving NCEP target LDL-C levels.
Renal corticosterone 6β-hydroxylase in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Abstract Excess 6β-OH-corticosterone production by family 3A cytochromes P-450 may play a role in genesis of hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), by producing a renal defect in Na + excretion. Renal cytochromes P-450 may be a causal factor in this genetic model. Since family 3A P-450 is present in rat kidney (collecting duct), the renal family 3A catalytic (6β-OHase) and immunoreactive activities were compared in SHR and normotensive control (Wistar-Kyoto; WKY) rats. Corticosterone 6β-hydroxulation is markedly higher in SHR than in WKY renal microsomal preparations. Western blot analysis with antibodies to rat and rabbit liver family 3A isoforms demonstrated related proteins. Densitometry revealed greater relative intensity of staining in SHR compared to WKY with both antibodies. Both antibodies inhibited corticosterone 6β-hydroxylation by SHR renal microsomes. Increased renal 6β-OH-corticosterone production by increased renal family 3A cytochromes P-450 may play a role in the blood pressure elevation in SHR.
Postnatal Development of the Rat Mandible

The postnatal development of the anterior segment of the mandible was studied in the rat. A bar of cartilage was observed in the symphyseal region of a 1-day-old rat, which exhibited endochondral-like bone formation up to 21 days of age. Then the hyaline cartilage became transformed into fibrocartilage, which persisted in the midline of the adult rat mandible.
Unusual duodenal polyp and GI bleeding: a word of caution! (with video)

Aortoduodenal fistulae are the most frequent aortoenteric fistulae. They may be primary, caused by spontaneous communication between an aortic aneurysm and an intestinal loop, or secondary, caused by surgical repair of aneurysms with prosthetic implants. An aortoduodenal fistula is a life-threatening complication of aortic graft surgery and a rare cause of upper GI bleeding. Upper endoscopy with evaluation of the distal duodenum is an important investigative procedure for early diagnosis. A high index of suspicion is needed because the period during which this procedure may be performed is brief, and a prompt diagnosis will lead to a timely surgical intervention.
Evaluating engineered nanoparticles in natural waters

Abstract With the accelerating introduction of engineered nanomaterials into commercial products and their potential use in water-treatment processes, it is inevitable that these materials will ultimately reside at some level in our recreational and drinking waters, thereby creating a critical need to detect and to quantify them in those media. Much is known about the diversity of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the environment but almost nothing about their characterization and detection in the natural aquatic environment. There is no conventional treatment that can absolutely protect the consumer from exposure to ENPs either through recreational use or consumption of drinking waters. The question is whether this exposure poses a significant public health risk. Unfortunately, we are far from having methods to obtain data on occurrence levels, fate, and transport of ENPs in aquatic systems. Before a sound analytical approach can be developed, we need a fuller understanding of the nanomaterial domain which requires an evaluation of the matrix of source materials, their transformation in the natural aquatic environment, and their physical/chemical behavior that is specific to the water medium. We review characterization techniques that are used for identifying different types of ENP, and then, by extrapolation from isolation techniques appropriate for extracting ENPs from water, suggest approaches to analyzing them in a variety of waters.
Factors affecting children’s alternation and choice behaviors

Following 0, 3, 6, 12, or 24 exposures to a red or a green tight, 6-, 7-, and 8-year-old children were required on each of 31 trials to choose either the familiarized or a nonfamiliarized light by pushing a button which activated the chosen light. Response duration (RD) on each trial was either 1 or 11 sec for all Ss. Frequency of choice of the nonfamiliarized stimulus was increased by familiarization but did not vary as a function of amount of familiarization. Both alternation and latency varied with age and RD, but not with amount of familiarization.
STUDIES CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PNEUMOCOCCI AND STREPTOCOCCI

Morgenroth and his collaborators grew pneumococci in a medium containing optochin and derived variant forms of bacteria therefrom which were considered to be streptococci of the viridans group. We have repeated these experiments and have also derived variant forms. These atypical races, however, we have found to be identical with the R form of pneumococci which have been obtained by various other methods. That these R cultures are still pneumococci and do not belong in the Streptococcus viridans group is supported by the following observations: 1. These strains are not bile-insoluble, but are more resistant to the lytic action of this agent than are type-specific pneumococci. 2. R strains behave like pneumococci and not like streptococci in the readiness with which cultures spontaneously autolyze and saline suspensions disintegrate during freezing and thawing. 3. Immunological reactions of the variant pneumococci derived by Morgenroth's method are identical with the immunological reactions of R forms of pneumococci derived by various other means. The observations of Morgenroth and his associates in regard to the transformation of Streptococcus haemolyticus into Streptococcus viridans by treatment with rivanol could not be repeated in this laboratory. No explanation is at hand for our failure to produce the change. It is of course possible that none of the twenty-six strains tested had suitable tendencies to variation or that the technic or reagents employed varied from those of Morgenroth.
Performance of entry heat shields on Pioneer Venus Probes

The Pioneer Venus probes approached Venus with high relative velocity. As they entered the atmosphere, they were rapidly decelerated by aerodynamic drag, and a great deal of heat was generated. To protect the probe structure and the scientific instruments, a carbon phenolic heat shield was placed on the front of the probes. Because the design of heat shields for planetary entry is a developing technology, thermocouples were placed in the heat shields so that actual and predicted heat shield performance could be compared. The function of the heat shield is discussed, the probe environments during entry into the Venusian atmosphere are described, and some results from the heat shield experiment are presented. It was found that for the most part, the heat shields performed better than expected.
Medical and scientific organizations and scientific evidence in U.S. trials: lessons from European legal theory.

Medical and scientific societies and organizations could help to solve the problem that the U.S. judicial system has with trials involving scientific evidence. This problem is exemplified by infamous trials in which opposing high-paid experts present contradictory legal theories based on the same scientific facts. The conflicting conclusions of such experts often confuse rather than clarify the issues for the jury and even the judge. Dissatisfaction with these "battles of the experts" in both civil (e.g., breast-implant litigation) and criminal (e.g., forensic use of DNA evidence) trials ranges from concern to harsh criticism. Many critics identify as models for reform the European legal systems, where scientific evidence is presented in a relatively objective manner by experts appointed by the trial court. Since they are often selected from lists of the faculties of universities, European experts are more likely to represent prevailing views of the relevant scientific community. Most American judges are reluctant to appoint experts, but there are some examples of their increasing use, and legal mechanisms and procedures exist that would allow this approach. Professional organizations of scientists and physicians could serve an important role in fostering the forensic use of neutral expertise by developing lists of experts for the courts; this would at least provide the potential for unbiased experts in complex cases that involve scientific and medical evidence. Such expertise could help American courts in their quests for scientific and legal truths.
Hazopexpert: An expert system for automating HAZOP analysis

Hazard and operability (HAZOP) analysis is the study of systematically identifying every conceivable deviation from the design intent, and all possible abnormal causes, and adverse hazardous consequences that can occur in a chemical plant. This is a difficult, labor- and knowledge-intensive, and time-consuming analysis. HAZOP analysis is typically performed by a group of experts poring over the process P&IDs for weeks. An intelligent system for automating this analysis can reduce the time and effort involved, make the analysis more thorough and detailed, and minimize or eliminate possible human errors. Towards that goal, a model-based framework has been developed in which the knowledge required to perform HAZOP analysis is divided into process-specific and process-general components. The process-specific knowledge consists of the process material properties and the process P&ID. The process-general knowledge consists of the HAZOP-Digraph models of the process units which are qualitative causal models developed specifically for hazard identification. These models are developed in a context independent manner so that they can be used in a wide variety of processes. An inference mechanism is developed for appropriate interaction between these components in order to identify process-specific abnormal causes and adverse consequences. Based on this framework, an expert system called HAZOPExpertmore » has been developed in an object-oriented architecture using the expert system shell G2. The salient features of the HAZOPExpert system and its performance on an industrial-scale sour water stripper plant case study are presented. 14 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.« less
The transcription-repression domain of the adenovirus E1A oncoprotein targets p300 at the promoter

Extensive mutational/functional analysis of the transcription-repression domain encoded in the N-terminal 80 amino acids of the adenovirus E1A 243R oncoprotein suggests a model for the molecular mechanism of E1A repression: E1A accesses transcriptional co-activators such as p300 on specific promoters and then interacts with TBP to disrupt the TBP-TATA complex. In support of this model, as reported here, a basal core promoter activated by tethering p300 is repressible by E1A at the promoter level as shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis. Sequestration of p300 by E1A does not play a significant role, as indicated by dose-response measurements. Furthermore, when the core promoter is transcriptionally activated by tethering activation domains of several transcription factors that can recruit p300 (p65, MyoD, cMyb and TFE3), transcription is repressible by E1A. However, when the core promoter is activated by factors not known to recruit p300 (USF1 and USF2), transcription is resistant to E1A repression. Finally, tethering p300 to the non-repressible adenovirus major late promoter (MLP) renders it repressible by E1A. ChIP analysis shows that E1A occupies the repressed MLP. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that p300 can serve as a scaffold for the E1A repression domain to access specific cellular gene promoters involved in growth regulation.
New optical detection techniques for chemical sensors

In this work we present three novel optical approaches towards the implementation of bio-and chemical sensors. First we describe an absorbance spectroscopic techniques developed on a waveguide platform that features a sensitivity enhancement of 4 orders of magnitude compared to the conventional transmission measurements of ultra-thin films. Next we show a waveguide Zeeman interferometric technique, which is based on the relative phase change between the TE and TM waveguide modes, applied as a sensor platform. Finally an external-cavity laser, a semiconductor laser combined with a single mode optical fiber and a Bragg grating reflector, was built to work as an active sensor where the analyte species were incorporated inside the resonant cavity to increase sensitivity.
Early Mortality Risk Score: Identification of Poor Outcomes Following Upfront Surgery for Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Background Identifying pancreatic cancer patients at high risk of early mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is important for treatment decisions in a multidisciplinary setting. This study examines the preoperative predictors of early mortality following PD and combines these variables into an early mortality risk score (EMRS).