cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ammonium chloride inhibition of the germination of spores of Nosema algerae (Microspora: Nosematidae)

Abstract Ammonium chloride inhibits Nosema algerae spore germination under alkaline conditions and is weakly stimulatory in the acidic pH range. By testing the inhibitory effect of solutions with equivalent concentrations of NH3, adjusted either by pH or NH4Cl concentration, NH3 was shown to be responsible for inhibition of germination. Percentage germination is reduced by ammonia without slowing the germination rate. A comparison of sensitive periods for NaCl stimulation and NH3 inhibition suggests that NH3 exerts its inhibitory effects only during and shortly after the stimulatory phase of germination. Increased intrasporal pH caused by the protonation of NH3 to NH 4 + after entering the spore could explain inhibition of germination by NH3.
A correlation of N sub 2 vibrational goes to translational relaxation times.

Correlation of nitrogen vibrational-translational relaxation times for various measuring methods, noting temperature distribution of rate
Constructions for some balanced incomplete block designs with nested rows and columns

Abstract This paper presents some methods for constructing balanced incomplete block designs with nested rows and columns. As examples, four new infinite series of designs are given in which each of the row, column, and block component designs is a balanced incomplete block design.
Wetland protection as land-use planning: The impact of section 404 in Wisconsin, USA

The ability of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to act as an effective, efficient, and equitable land-use planning tool was assessed through a survey of Section 404 permits in Wisconsin. In a six-month period of permitting, the 404 program reduced wetland losses in the state by 15%. Several factors were examined that may affect permit decisions; these factors are water dependency, alternatives, project type, wetland type, and public or agency comments. Only the water dependency of the project had a statistically significant effect on permit decisions, although development projects that were perceived to provide public good were more likely to be permitted. Environmental impacts of a proposed fill project were not adequately assessed in any of the permit decisions. Because of the way Section 404 is interpreted and administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers, increasing net benefits and achieving an equitable distribution of those benefits is difficult. The corps does not perform any functional evaluations of wetlands nor do they attempt to measure economic value and environmental impacts. In addition, the 404 review process is, in effect, inaccessible to the public. The de facto interpretations of the Section 404 regulations and a lack of program funding and trained personnel all contribute to the program's ineffectiveness.
Heroin-induced conditioned immunomodulation requires expression of IL-1β in the dorsal hippocampus.

Opioid-associated environmental stimuli elicit robust immune-altering effects via stimulation of a neural circuitry that includes the basolateral amygdala and nucleus accumbens. These brain regions are known to have both direct and indirect connections with the hippocampus. Thus, the present study evaluated whether the dorsal hippocampus (DH), and more specifically interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) within the DH, is necessary for the expression of heroin-induced conditioned immunomodulation. Rats received five Pavlovian pairings of systemic heroin administration (1.0 mg/kg, SC) with placement into a distinct environment (conditioned stimulus, CS). Six days after conditioning, a GABAA/B agonist cocktail or IL-1β small interfering RNA (siRNA) was microinfused into the DH to inhibit neuronal activity or IL-1β gene expression prior to CS or home cage exposure. Control animals received saline or negative control siRNA microinfusions. Furthermore, all rats received systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate proinflammatory nitric oxide production. CS exposure suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide production relative to home cage exposure. Inactivation of, or IL-1β silencing in, the DH disrupted the CS-induced suppression of nitric oxide production relative to vehicle or negative control siRNA treatment. These results are the first to show a role for DH IL-1β expression in heroin-conditioned suppression of a proinflammatory immune response.
Decompression of the large intestine in Ogilvie's syndrome by a colonoscopically placed long intestinal tube.

A technique whereby a long intestinal tube piggy-backed on the colonoscope was placed in the cecum for decomperssion of the large bowel in Ogilvie's syndrome is described. This technique eliminates the need for fluoroscopy as a KUB can easily confirm the placement of the tube. Although the tube can be potentially dragged back out by the colonoscope, we have not found this to be a problem. This technique appears to be safe and effective in the management of colonic pseudo-obstruction. It can be added to the physicians' armamentarium in managing this clinical entity.
Auditory event-related potentials in children at risk for schizophrenia: the complete initial sample.

Abstract Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from children of schizophrenic parents, children of parents with affective disorders, and children of parents without a history of psychiatric illness. ERPs were elicited during a modification of the “oddball” paradigm, in which two infrequents (a change in pitch and a missing stimulus) were embedded in a series of frequent background events. The data were recorded from electrodes located at midline frontal, central, parietal, and occipital scalp sites. Diagnostic assessments of the parents were performed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version (SADS-L) and Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). Behavioral assessments of the children were made with a modified version (BGAS) of the Global Assessment Scale. ERP amplitudes for several electrophysiological events were compared among groups for target and nontarget stimuli using analyses of variance of both factor score and baseline to peak measures. No systematic differences suggesting waveform abnormalities in the children of schizophrenic parents (high-risk subjects) were found. However, when the results were analyzed using only those children whose parents had a “pure” diagnosis of either schizophrenia or affective disorder, the children of affectively disordered parents (psychiatric control subjects) showed significantly lower N100 amplitudes (to the frequent event only) than either the normal control or high-risk subjects. No consistent behavioral differences among the three groups emerged. Since only a small percentage of children at risk will eventually develop schizophrenia, ERP amplitude frequency distribution analyses were also performed and compared among groups. However, these did not provide evidence of an outlying subgroup in any of the three groups. There were complex relationships between ERP component amplitudes and behavioral adjustment in adolescence but, in general, these did not distinguish high-risk and psychiatric control subjects from each other. There was no evidence of a relationship between deviant attentional functioning as measured in an earlier round of laboratory testing and ERP late component amplitude.
Ionic diffusion in naturally-occurring aqueous solutions: use of activity coefficients in transition-state models

Abstract The model of Lane and Kirkaldy ( Can. J. Chem . 43 , 1812–1828, 1965; 44 , 477–485, 1966) for estimating diffusion coefficients in aqueous electrolyte solutions from limiting ionic conductances is rederived for a system of n salts with a common anion, by utilizing the equations of Miller ( J. Chem. Phys . 71, 616–632, 1967b; 71 , 3588–3592, 1967c). Salt and water activities are used, and it is of necessity assumed that the diffusion mechanism does not change with concentration. The revised model predicts the on-diagonal D v ik of a 3 M solution in NaCl-KCl-H 2 O to within 5%, compared with errors of 20–30% for the original model. Errors remain constant or decrease as concentrations increase to 3 M, so that predictions of these D v ik at even higher concentrations appear promising. Relatively large errors persist in our estimates of the small, off-diagonal coefficients in this system. Measured diffusion coefficients in MgCl 2 -NaCl-H 2 O extend over only a limited concentration range and are of only moderate accuracy. Nevertheless, the revised model predicts D v 11 D v 22 , and D v 21 , the larger of the off-diagonal coefficients, with errors of only 5–20%.
Nature and the Nazi Diet

This article investigates the role of natural foods and farming in Nazi Germany. Why did the state encourage Germans to eat and farm more naturally? What did “natural” mean in the context of this genocidal regime? By what means were Germans encouraged to take up these practices and to what degree did they do so? This article explores these questions by tracing the assimilation of natural foods and farming to the regime's racial, political, and economic goals. Eating more naturally, Nazi leaders believed, would promote racial health, boost physical performance, and maximize the efficient use of resources, all qualities needed to fight and win the coming war. Natural foods and farming, in short, belonged to the biopolitics of fascist modernity. The article develops this claim in two sections, one on efforts to make German diets more natural, the other on an early form of organic farming known as biodynamics. The conclusion considers the implications of these findings for food historians more generally.
Regulation of glycogen in the dentate gyrus of the in vitro guinea pig hippocampus; effect of combined deprivation of glucose and oxygen.

Abstract Mammalian brain glycogen is adequate to support oxidative metabolism for several minutes. The present studies were done primarily to develop the guinea pig hippocampal slice as a model for studying the function and regulation of that glycogen. Slice glycogen falls to 6 nmol/mg dry wt. during the first hour of incubation at 36°C but during the next 3 h recovers to 20 nmol/mg dry wt., similar to in situ values. Glycogen concentration in the dentate gyrus molecular layer is double its value in the whole hippocampal slice, suggesting its distribution is related to metabolic demand. When both glucose and oxygen are removed from the medium, glycogen and ATP fall to 50% within 6 min. The glycogen fall is unaffected by prolonged calcium depletion or by 3-isobutyl 1-methylxanthine, an adenosine antagonist. It is markedly slowed by preincubating the slice with creatine, which also slows the fall in ATP. It is concluded that ATP breakdown and subsequent increased 5′-AMP is activating glycogen mobilization in this in vitro model of ischemia.
Electron Transfer. 130. Reductions with Indium(I)(1).

Aqueous solutions of the hypovalent state indium(I) have been prepared by treatment of In(Hg) with silver triflate in acetonitrile, followed by dilution with oxygen-free water. These solutions are stable for over 5 h at 25 °C. InI(aq) reacts with oxidants of the type [(NH3)5CoIII(Lig)]2+ (InI + 2CoIII → InIII + 2CoII), and kinetic profiles are consistent with a two-step sequence proceeding with formation of the metastable state InII, which reacts rapidly with CoIII. Rate ratios for reductions of halogeno-substituted oxidants point to predominance of halide-bridged paths for the chloro, bromo and iodo complexes. Reductions of carboxylato-substituted derivatives are slow but appear to entail inner-sphere precursors if aided by an O-donor group in a position favorable for chelation. In no case is there evidence for reaction via initial reduction of the ligand (the radical-cation mechanism) although the potential of the In(I,II) couple (−0.40 V) allows this path for carbonyl-substituted oxidants. Reductions b...
Solute diffusion in swollen membranes. Part I. A new theory

Abstract A new theoretical model was developed for the description of spherical and quasispherical solute diffusion through highly swollen polymeric networks and membranes. This model predicts that the solute diffusion coefficient depends on the solute size, the degree of swelling and mesh size or molecular weight between crosslinks of the network, and other structural characteristics of the polymer. Verification of this theory with previous experimental data suggests that although satisfactory prediction of the solute diffusion coefficient is achieved, experimental results with well-characterized amorphous, nonporous membranes are needed.
Association between olive colobus (Procolobus verus), Diana guenons (Cercopithecus diana), and other forest monkeys in Sierra Leone.

Close association between olive colobus (Procolous verus) and other monkeys (especially Cercopithecus species) has been observed throughout the range of P. verus in the forest zone of West Africa. To investigate the basis of this association, we made new observations in Sierra Leone, concentrated at Tiwai Island. We obtained data on the association patterns of monkeys over a large area of the island from line-transect samples, and studied association behavior via long-term observational sampling of habituated groups of olive colobus and Diana monkeys (C. diana). During transect sampling, olive colobus always were seen less than 50 m from monkeys of other species, especially Cercopithecus. In studies of habituated groups, we found that one groups of olive colobus associated closely with a larger groups of Diana monkeys for more than 3 years. Members of the two groups were within 50 m of each other on over 80% of scan samples; the two groups shared the same range, but foraged in different parts of the canopy and had little dietary overlap; association was maintained by the behavior of the colobus. The olive colobus was the only Tiwai monkey species seen less than 50 m from members of a secon Diana study group more frequently than expected, although in this case the two species were associated during less than 12% of samples. In both cases, we detected month-to-month variation in association frequency. We suggest that olive colobus has a strong tendency to associate with other monkeys as part of an evolved strategy; that observed association patterns depend on the ranging habits and group dispersion patterns of the other species in the area; and that this strategy evolved because it reduces predation risk for a small-bodied monkey that forages in small, dispersed groups.
Multiplane gallium tomography in assessment of occupational chest diseases

Gallium-67 scintigraphy is helpful in the evaluation of inflammatory, respiratory diseases. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) provides three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of radioisotope distribution in the body. The addition of SPECT to gallium-67 scanning in 27 patients demonstrated an improvement in the sensitivity for detecting the presence and extent of interstitial occupational lung disease. This technique may provide earlier detection of parenchymal lung changes than can the chest x-ray and planar scanning in some patients with asbestosis. Findings in six patients with asbestosis are reported.
Promoting library research: The research review competition

Abstract This column describes the Research Review Competition, a program developed by the Library at LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York to promote research and writing skills. The Competition, which since 1980 has recognized well-written research papers that reflect mastery of library research skills, is a success with students and faculty, and highlights the library's role in the academic process.
BACON QUALITY CRITERIA AND ASSOCIATED CARCASS TRAITS

One group of 16 uniform selected experimental bacons was used to study differences in lean-fat ratio, muscle distribution, cooking characteristics, texture and composition at six positions within each bacon side. Another group of 47 bacons was used to study possible relationships between bacon evaluation measurements and other carcass evaluation measurements as well as to study variation in lean-fat ratio, muscle distribution and slice width at six positions within the bacon side. Four consumer groups rated photographic slides of various combinations of leanness and muscle distribution in sliced bacon. Differences (p < 0.01) were observed in percent separable lean, distribution of lean, percent moisture, percent ether extract, percent cooking loss and Instron values due to position in the bacon side. Bacon lean-fat ratio was positively related (p < 0.01) to other measures of carcass muscularity, such as percent ham and loin and Longissimus muscle area. Bacons derived from animals with low backfat thickness tended to be leaner; however, they were also very thin In the flank area, making them less desirable for processing into sliced bacon. Consumer panelists tended to give high ratings to lean bacon slices on uncooked samples. In cases where lean-fat ratios were similar, the slices with better muscle distribution (greater fat-lean interface distance) were rated higher. Ratings of cooked slices indicated that muscle distribution became more important after cooking.
Pathways of acetyl CoA production for lipogenesis from acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate, pyruvate and glucose in neonatal rat lung

The rate of fatty acid synthesis from acetoacetate (AcAc) is 2-3 times greater than from glucose in developing rat lung. To determine the reason for this difference, we investigated the pathways of lipogenesis from [3-14C] AcAc, [3-14C] beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta OHB), [U-14C] glucose or [2-14C] pyruvate in minced lung tissue of 3- to 4-day-old rats. The addition of (-)hydroxycitrate, an inhibitor of ATP-citrate lyase, inhibited fatty acid synthesis from glucose, pyruvate, and beta OHB by 88%, 70% and 60%, respectively, but had no effect on that from AcAc. Benzene 1,2,3-tricarboxylate, an inhibitor of tricarboxylate translocase, inhibited fatty acid synthesis from all substrates by at least 50%. Incubation with aminooxyacetate, an inhibitor of aspartate aminotransferase, had no effect on lipid synthesis from glucose, pyruvate or AcAc, but increased lipid synthesis from beta OHB. Results indicate that for lipid synthesis in the neonatal lung, acetyl CoA from AcAc is derived predominantly from a cytoplasmic pathway involving AcAcCoA synthetase and AcAcCoA thiolase, whereas citrate is the major route of acetyl group transfer from glucose. Lipogenesis from beta OHB involves both the cytoplasmic and citrate pathways.
Analysis and simulation of new approximation equations for boundary-layer flow on curved surfaces

Abstract An accurate and computationally efficent simulation of viscous flow fields exhibiting streamline curvature effects is important for the basic understanding and optimal design of a variety of mechanical systems. Examples include flow part airfoils, marine crafts, and automobiles or flow in diffusors and curved ducts. In this paper a new set of second-order boundary-layer equations is derived for steady incompressible two-dimensional or axisymmetric flow in regions where the streamlines stay approximately parallel to the curved surface. The performances of the new approximation equations and commonly used second-order boundary-layer equations are evaluated in two case studies. First, in a well-defined computer experiment, results from the two different sets of approximation equations are compared with a solution of the full Navier—Stokes equations for laminar flow past a representative body with longitudinal curvature. Then, turbulent flow versions of the new and traditionally used second-order boundary-layer equations are compared with experimental data sets for a representative axisymmetric body with strong longitudinal and transverse curvatures.
Characterization of a natural agglutinin present in the hemolymph of the California sea hare, Aplysia californica☆☆☆

Abstract A substance in the serum of the marine gastropod, Aplysia californica, capable of agglutinating marine bacteria and vertebrate red blood cells was subjected to physicochemical analysis in order to ascertain its possible nature. Our studies indicate that agglutinating activity is due to a heterogeneous group of high molecular weight molecules with two activity peaks exhibiting sedimentation coefficients centering ∼18.5 S and ∼31.0 S. This material has a protein component associated with the active site since it is sensitive to heat, pH extremes, and extraction with 2-mercaptoethanol, phenol, chloroform, and trichloracetic acid. Its physicochemical characteristics are different from other known invertebrate agglutinating substances and from classical vertebrate antibody.
Modulation spectroscopy in superlattices

Abstract Modulation spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the study and characterization of semiconductor microstructures such as superlattices, quantum wells and heterojunctions. The richness of the modulated spectra, even at room temperature, can be conveniently used to investigate quantities such as band offsets, well and barrier widths, excitons, strain (lattice mismatched systems), coupling between wells, two-dimensional electron gas, etc. The influence on the quantum levels of external parameters such as pressure, temperature, electric fields, etc. can be explored. In this paper we review some recent works on the GaAs GaAlAs , GaSb AlSb , CdTe CdMnTe and a-Si:H/a-SiC:H systems using various techniques such as photoreflectance, piezoreflectance and thermoreflectance.
Tachistoscopic recognition of geometric forms by children and adults

Preschool children and college adults were presented pictures of simple outlined geometric forms at tachistoscopic exposure durations of 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 msec. When accuracy was plotted as a function of exposure duration, the curve of 5-year-olds approximated that of adults. However, 5-year-olds reached given performance levels at exposure durations that were 5–10 msec longer than those of adults. The age differences, considered to be relatively minor, were discussed in terms of faster visual processing time and better usage of partial cues by adults. It was concluded that the use of stimulus durations that do not permit eye movements is feasible in studies of preschool Ss. Thus, hypotheses about the development of visual operations in information processing can be tested without confounding the influence of age differences in visual scanning.
An active add-drop filter using an ytterbium and erbium co-doped silica microsphere

We have fabricated an active add-drop filter (ADF) using an erbium-ytterbium co-doped microsphere resonator and have achieved 25-fold Q-enhancement, 4-fold increase in efficiency and crosstalk of 2%. This ADF provides equal add and drop efficiencies.
Hysteroscopy in the evaluation of patients with recurrent pregnancy loss: a cohort study in a primary care population

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of structural uterine defects (SUD) in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) attending a large family medicine practice and to determine the effectiveness of the therapeutic intervention.
High-Energy Bremsstrahlung in Electron-Proton Collisions

The cross section for the bremsstrahlung resulting from high-energy collisions of electrons with protons is calculated, considering the electrons as extreme relativistic and taking into consideration the proton's recoil, anomalous magnetic moment, bremsstrahlung, and form factors. The final cross section is integrated over the recoil proton and final photon to obtain a formula of interest for the Stanford accelerator experiments. The computation of the integrated cross section, made without regard for radiative corrections and mesonic contributions, is estimated to be accurate to 2% in the energy ranges of interest. This cross section is corrected for radiative effects, which produce an additional uncertainty of less than 5% and possibly as little as 1%. Resonance effects due to meson interactions in the "virtual Compton effect" diagrams, however, become significant in the range of interest. Their contribution to the cross section is discussed.
Majority charge carrier reversal and its effect on thermal and electron transport in xV2O5–(1 − x) As2O3 glasses

Abstract DC resistivity, thermopower and optical absorption of xV2O5–(1 − x) As2O3 (0.58 ≤ x ≤ 0.93) glasses have been studied as a function of composition. The transport mechanism in these glasses has been identified to be a combination of hopping of small polarons between V4+ and V5+ sites and small bipolarons between As3+ and As5+ sites respectively. Electrical conductivity is found to be more of a function of vanadium content than arsenic concentration in the glasses, indicating that the contribution of bipolarons to the conductivity is negligible. Thermopower has also been found to be sensitive to the composition of the glasses. At low vanadium concentrations, the thermopower is negative, which exhibits a sign reversal as vanadium concentration is increased (at x = 0.7). An important feature of these glasses is that the thermopower is not a function of [V5+]/[V4+] ratio, as is normally observed in vanadate glasses, and such a phenomenon suggests that the arsenic ions (bipolarons) in these glasses contribute to the thermal transport phenomena in a significant way.
Mu transpososome and RecBCD nuclease collaborate in the repair of simple Mu insertions

The genome of transposable phage Mu is packaged as a linear segment, flanked by several hundred base pairs of non-Mu DNA. The linear ends are held together and protected from nucleases by the phage N protein. After transposition into the Escherichia coli chromosome, the flanking DNA (FD) is degraded, and the 5-bp gaps left in the target are repaired to generate a simple Mu insertion. Our study provides insights into this repair pathway. The data suggest that the first event in repair is removal of the FD by the RecBCD exonuclease, whose entry past the N-protein block is licensed by the transpososome. In vitro experiments reveal that, when RecBCD is allowed entry into the FD, it degrades this DNA until it arrives at the transpososome, which presents a barrier for further RecBCD movement. RecBCD action is required for stimulating endonucleolytic cleavage within the transpososome-protected DNA, leaving 4-nt flanks outside both Mu ends. This end product of collaboration between the transpososome and RecBCD resembles the intermediate products of Tn7 and retroviral and retrotransposon transposition, and may hint at a common gap-repair mechanism in these diverse transposons.
Nanophotonics based matched spectroscopy

Enhanced spectroscopy based on resonant nanophotonic structures is investigated. The concept of matched spectroscopy is exploited to improve the performance of passive spectroscopic devices for identifying optical signals with a characteristic discrete line spectrum.
Network Organization and Systems Competition: A Marketing Analysis

Network organization and systems competition challenge competition policy and antitrust law. Networks can be powerful engines of marketing and innovation, but they can also function in ways that raise competition questions and antitrust concerns. Drawing on the marketing literature, the authors explain the nature and competitive behavior of firms operating in and competing through networks. Key questions for understanding and analyzing marketing networks in competition policy and antitrust law are discussed. The article adds marketing insights to the growing dialogue on network forms of business organization and systems competition. It also demonstrates the benefits of including knowledge from marketing and related disciplines in competition policy and antitrust analysis.
Hydrodynamic Entrance Lengths for Incompressible Laminar Flow in Rectangular Ducts

The problem of determining the hydrodynamic entrance length in a rectangular channel is solved by the method of linearizing the Navier-Stokes equation. The resulting equation is regarded as an equation to generate a mathematical expression for the axial velocity in the entire region, making smooth transition from a uniform profile to the fully developed one. From this expression, the entrance length, defined as where 99 per cent of the fully developed center-line velocity is attained, is calculated for channels of six aspect ratios. The pressure drops are also calculated and presented herein. A comparison is made with the limited amount of experimental and theoretical data.
Optical scanning cryptography

We introduce a technique called optical scanning cryptography (OSC). The technique can perform encryption on-the-fly using laser beams and can be implemented using an optical heterodyne scanning. We shall first describe the optical heterodyne scanning system and then provide some computer simulations to clarify and confirm the idea of encryption and decryption.
Nonoperative management of the ruptured spleen: A revalidation of criteria*

Background. Our goal was to revalidate this institution's original criteria for safe nonoperative management of splenic injury. Methods. This was a prospective series between October 1991 and December 1995 entering all patients with splenic injury to a modified algorithm. Patients were taken to the operating room if hemodynamically unstable (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg; pulse greater than 110 beats per minute) after 2 liters of fluid resuscitation, positive abdominal examination findings, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale Grade IV or V injuries by computed tomographic scan (unless younger than 15 years old), or associated severe head injuries (unless younger than 15 years old), or age greater than 55. The remainder of the patients were closely observed. Results. One hundred seventy-three patients were entered—six were excluded by death before operating room salvage, and one was excluded because of operation for a ruptured thoracic aorta. Therefore 166 patients were reviewed. Seventy splenectomies and 18 splenorrhaphies were performed, and 78 patients were treated nonoperatively (58% splenic salvage). Two failures occurred in the nonoperative group: a 16-year-old with a grade IV hilar injury was operated on on the eighth day after injury because of a continually falling hematocrit, and a 25-year-old with unresolved tachycardia was operated on at 6 hours (97% success rate). The patients in the operative group had a greater severity of injury as determined by mean Injury Severity Score of 32, 18 deaths, a mean transfusion requirement of 14 units of blood compared with mean injury severity score of 21, two deaths from brain injury, and no transfusions given in 58 of the 78 nonoperative cases. Conclusions. Prospectively applied, these guidelines allow the safe nonoperative management of patients with blunt splenic injury.
An empirical comparison of two pedagogical tools for teaching production/operations management courses

Abstract This paper reports the results of a study that experimentally compares the effectiveness of two pedagogical tools for teaching Production and Operations Management (P/OM) courses. The first pedagogical tool is a commercial manufacturing information system, known as the “Manufacturing Accounting and Production Information Control System” or “MAPICS”. MAPICS runs on an IBM minicomputer, such as System/36, or System/38, and is comprised of many application modules typically used for accounting and production planning and control in a manufacturing organization. The second pedagogical tool tested in this study is a computer-assisted learning system, called the “PC-based MAPICS Emulation System”. This system consists of a set of BASICA programs, and was designed to emulate the MAPICS system. However, the PC-based MAPICS emulation system cannot perform any planning runs (e.g. MRP planning run) as the real MAPICS system does. An experiment using both undergraduate and graduate students was conducted to compare the pedagogical effectiveness of the two systems with respect to three selected criteria: students' mastery of the subject matters, ease of use, and students' attitude toward the systems. The results indicate that, for educational purposes, the PC-based MAPICS emulation system is as effective as the real MAPICS. Thus, as an alternative to a real manufacturing information system, a low-cost PC-based MAPICS emulation system can be used as a pedagogical tool for teaching the basic concepts of production planning and control.
Pictorial essay: The many faces of craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is a common condition in the pediatric age group, which may either be isolated or may present as part of a craniofacial syndrome. This pictorial review illustrates the underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology of craniosynostosis, the various types of craniosynostoses, common craniofacial syndromes and the role of imaging in their diagnosis and management.
Effects of sweetness perception and caloric value of a preload on short term intake

To determine the effects of calories and sweetness perception on intake, fasted normal weight subjects drank a preload sweetened with sucrose (1.1 g/kg) or L-asparthyl-L-phenylalanyl-methyl ester (Aspartame, 0.011 g/kg), or with no added sweetener. Sweetness perception of the load was reduced in half of the subjects by oral application of Gymnema sylvestre extracts. One hour after the preload, a meal of snack foods was presented and amounts of nutrients eaten were calculated. Subjects whose perception of sweetness had been decreased for the preload ate less total and sweet calories than did those with normal perception. Calories did not affect intake. The effect of calories and perception of the load was also assessed on variables presumed to correlate with satiety. Sucrose pleasantness ratings were not related to calories, perception or intake. Subjects' estimates of the amount of milkshake that they would drink if given the opportunity to do so and hunger ratings were related to overall intake and carbohydrate intake, respectively. The findings indicate that hedonistic aspects of taste are of greater importance than calories in determining short term intake.
Behavior therapy for depressed breast cancer patients: predictors of treatment outcome.

OBJECTIVE Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common psychiatric disorder among breast cancer patients and is associated with substantial functional impairment. Although several outcome studies have explored the utility of psychotherapy for breast cancer patients with subsyndromal depression symptoms, only a few clinical trials have explored the efficacy of behavior therapy for patients with well-diagnosed MDD. An additional limitation of this research is that little is known about factors that best predict treatment outcome. METHOD In the context of a recent randomized trial of behavior activation and problem-solving therapy for depressed breast cancer patients (n = 80; Hopko et al., 2011), this study explored predictors of treatment outcome with selected demographic (age, education, marital status, occupational status), psychosocial (pretreatment depression and environmental reward, coexistent anxiety disorders, social support, history of psychotherapy) and cancer-related variables (cancer stage, duration of cancer diagnosis, and cancer treatment). RESULTS Positive treatment outcome as defined by Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck et al., 1996) response and remission criteria was associated with being married, increased social support, not actively undergoing cancer treatment during psychotherapy, and having a history of psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of behavior therapy for depressed breast cancer patients may depend on several patient variables. Implications for the provision of behavior therapy for breast cancer patients are discussed.
Intellectual Property Rights and Chinese Tradition Section: Philosophical Foundations

Western attempts to obtain Chinese compliance with intellectual property rights have a long history of failure. Most discussions of the problem focus on either legal comparisons or explanations arising from levels of economic development (based primarily on the example of U.S. disregard for such rights during the 18th and 19th centuries). After decades of heated negotiation, intellectual property rights is still one of the major issues of misunderstanding between the West and the various Chinese political entities. This paper examines the sources of this problem from the standpoint of traditional Chinese social and political philosophy (specifically Neo-Confucianism). It points out that the basic assumptions about the nature of intellectual property, which arose during the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, are fundamentally at odds with the traditional Chinese view of the role of intellectuals in society. It suggests that policies which do not take these differences into account, but which attempt to transfer Western legal concepts without the underlying social constructs are responsible for much of the lack of success in the area of intellectual property rights.
Reply to Humphreys' and Parsons'"Piagetian Tasks Measure Intelligence and Intelligence Tests Assess Cognitive Development.".

Abstract Relationships which exist among 27 Piagetian reasoning assessments and standard measures of intelligence and achievement were determined in a study conducted by Stephens, McLaughlin, Miller and Glass. Subsequently a study conducted by Humphreys and Parsons was purported to correct errors in the original designs of the Stephens et al. study. In reply Glass and Stephens note fallacies in Humphreys and Parsons reasoning and question their statement that measures of intelligence and Piagetian reasoning assessments can be used interchangeably.
Lasting effects of developmental dexamethasone treatment on neural cell number and size, synaptic activity, and cell signaling: critical periods of vulnerability, dose-effect relationships, regional targets, and sex selectivity.

Glucocorticoids administered to prevent respiratory distress in preterm infants are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. To evaluate the long-term effects on forebrain development, we treated developing rats with dexamethasone (Dex) at 0.05, 0.2, or 0.8 mg/kg, doses below or spanning the range in clinical use, testing the effects of administration during three different stages: gestational days 17–19, postnatal days 1–3, or postnatal days 7–9. In adulthood, we assessed biomarkers of neural cell number and size, cholinergic presynaptic activity, neurotransmitter receptor expression, and synaptic signaling mediated through adenylyl cyclase (AC), in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. Even at doses that were devoid of lasting effects on somatic growth, Dex elicited deficits in the number and size of neural cells, with the largest effect in the cerebral cortex. Indices of cholinergic synaptic function (choline acetyltransferase, hemicholinium-3 binding) indicated substantial hyperactivity in males, especially in the hippocampus, effectively eliminating the normal sex differences for these parameters. However, the largest effects were seen for cerebrocortical cell signaling mediated by AC, where Dex treatment markedly elevated overall activity while obtunding the function of G-protein-coupled catecholaminergic or cholinergic receptors that stimulate or inhibit AC; uncoupling was noted despite receptor upregulation. Again, the effects on signaling were larger in males and offset the normal sex differences in AC. These results indicate that, during critical developmental periods, Dex administration evokes lasting alterations in neural cell numbers and synaptic function in forebrain regions, even at doses below those used in preterm infants.
Valence transitions of Sm in monosulfide solid solutions

Magnetic-susceptibility and lattice-parameter measurements indicate that Sm in ${\mathrm{Sm}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Y}}_{x}\mathrm{S}$ for $xg0.15$, in ${\mathrm{Sm}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{La}}_{x}\mathrm{S}$ for $xg0.33$, and in ${\mathrm{Sm}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Gd}}_{x}\mathrm{S}$ for $xg0.17$ is in an intermediate valence state at $T=295$ K. A transition from this intermediate valence state to a more divalent but still intermediate valence state is observed on cooling and on heating from room temperature in ${\mathrm{Sm}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Y}}_{x}\mathrm{S}$ for $0.15lxl0.27$. For $xg0.47$, Sm remains intermediate valent on cooling to $T=4.2$ K and on heating to $T=900$ K. Its susceptibility is independent of temperature below $T=100$ K. Related effects are observed in the ${\mathrm{Sm}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{La}}_{x}\mathrm{S}$ and in the ${\mathrm{Sm}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Gd}}_{x}\mathrm{S}$ systems. A model of interconfiguration fluctuations including multiple energy levels in both configurations and crystal-field effect may explain these results.
Emerging Bacterial Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases: Ecological and Epidemiological Factors

Among the etiologic agents of emerging infectious diseases are several bacterial organisms that naturally reside in animal and arthropod hosts. The most compelling emerging bacterial zoonotic and vector-borne diseases in the United States are Lyme disease; a Southern erythema migrans-like illness; human monocytic ehrlichiosis; human granulocytic ehrlichiosis; a novel cat flea-associated typhus group rickettsiosis; bartonelloses of immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons, particularly with AIDS; and sylvatic plague. Some of these antimicrobial-treatable infections are life threatening. During the acute stage of illness when antimicrobial agents are most effective, the flulike clinical signs and symptoms and available laboratory tests frequently do not point to a particular diagnosis. Epidemiological factors determined by the ecology of the bacteria are often the most useful diagnostic clues. The recognition of these evolving problems emphasizes the need for development of better laboratory diagnostic methods, for surveillance for and tracking of disease, and for continued research into factors contributing to transmission of the organisms. The continual appearance of previously unidentified bacterial infections requires prospective national strategies for timely recognition of the syndrome, identification of the agent, establishment of criteria and methods for diagnosis, optimization of the treatment regimen, and determination of successful approaches to prevention and control.
Use of technetium-tagged white blood cells in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: is differential diagnosis possible?

Background. Studies have suggested that scans with technetium-tagged white blood cells (WBC-Tc99m) may be equal to endoscopy in the assessment of extent and activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Objective. We have retrospectively examined the accuracy of WBC-Tc99m scans in differentiating continuous from discontinuous colitis in pediatric IBD. Materials and methods. There were 207 children in the study (96 boys, 111 girls, median age 13 years). This included 29 controls – children with no gastrointestinal disease (NL) who underwent WBC-Tc99m scans for other medical problems. Scans were obtained at 30 minutes and 2–4 hours following injection. Scans were interpreted as showing continuous colitis, discontinuous colitis, or no colitis. Results. In the 77 children with active Crohn's disease (CD) of the colon, the scans revealed discontinuous uptake in 63 children and continuous uptake in 14. In the 29 children with ulcerative colitis (UC), 23 scans showed continuous uptake and 6 revealed discontinuous uptake. Two of these 6 showed focal activity near the appendix, and subclinical appendicitis could not be excluded. Another child was bleeding and the scan could have been misinterpreted as showing small- bowel inflammation. In the last three patients, skip areas were clearly identifiable. In none of these last three patients were the biopsies typical of CD (i. e., no granuloma was identified) nor was inflammation patchy. In summary, of the 106 scans showing inflammation, 6 were classified into the wrong group. Conclusion. These data show that WBC-Tc99m scanning can be useful in distinguishing discontinuous from continuous colitis.
Optimum mark-up for bidding: a preference-uncertainty trade off approach

Abstract This paper outlines a procedure for selecting the mark-up in competitive bidding situations. The procedure is developed on the basis of multidimensional utility theory. Mark-up is split into different segments representing different contexts. The contexts that have been considered are loss, general overhead, and profit. These segments are assigned separate utility functions, which represent the underlying reference structure of the bidder. The individual utility functions are then combined into one additive function. This function is transformed into an expected utility curve by successive consideration of sources of uncertainty. The mark-up corresponding to the maximum expected utility is considered to be the optimum mark-up.
Assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal tension in hyperfunctional voice disorders

Poorly regulated activity of the perilaryngeal muscles affects phonatory function and contributes to a class of disorders known as hyperfunctional or musculoskeletal tension voice disorders. Recogn...
Characterization of the ΔμH+-Sensitive Ubisemiquinone Species (SQNf) and the Interaction with Cluster N2: New Insight into the Energy-Coupled Electron Transfer in Complex I†

In this report, we describe the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic characterizations of the fast-relaxing ubisemiquinone (SQNf) species associated with NADH−ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) detected in tightly coupled submitochondrial particles (SMP). The signals of SQNf are observed only in the presence of ΔμH+, whereas other slowly relaxing SQ species, SQNs and SQNx, are not sensitive to ΔμH+. In this study, we resolved the EPR spectrum of the ΔμH+-sensitive SQNf, which was trapped during the steady-state NADH−Q1 oxidoreductase reaction, as the difference between coupled and uncoupled SMP. Thorough analyses of the temperature profile of the resolved SQNf signals have revealed previously unrecognized spectra from ΔμH+-sensitive SQNf species. This newly detected SQNf signals are observable only below 25 K, similar to the cluster N2 signals, and exhibit a doublet signal with a peak-to-peak separation (ΔB) of 56 G. In this work, we identify the partner to the interacting cluster N2. We...
Initiating and Maintaining Patients on Warfarin Anticoagulation: The Importance of Monitoring.

Background: The VA Stroke Prevention in Nonrheumatic Atrial Fibrillation study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study comparing low-dose warfarin with placebo in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. The trial showed a 79% reduction in stroke rate in warfarin randomized patients without an increase in bleeding complications. We examined the need for frequent prothrombin time monitoring (international normalized ratios [INR] were not measured directly) in patients receiving warfarin.Methods and Results: Patients were initiated on 4.0 mg/d warfarin with a goal of main taining the prothrombin time ratio (PTR) within the range of 1.2-1.5 (estimated INR: 1.4-2.8). PTR monitoring was performed weekly during a 12-week induction period and monthly thereafter for a total follow-up of 3 years. Two hundred sixty patients were ran domized to receive warfarin. During the induction period, the proportion of patients whose PTRs were in the desired range increased from 28% at 1 week postrandomization...