cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
237 PLACENTAL TRANSFER OF MORPHINE IN THE EWE

Maternal and fetal plasma clearance of morphine(M) as well as maternal to fetal and fetal to maternal clearance of M were studied in 4 chronically catheterized pregnant ewes and their fetuses. Morphine sulfate was infused into the ewes at a rate of 0.329±0.06 mg/min for 4 hours. Arterial plasma M concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay at specific intervals in the ewes and fetuses during and after the infusion. Twenty-four hours later, M was infused into the fetuses at a rate of 0.054±0.013 mg/min for 4 hours and respective M concentrations measured. During the maternal infusion, the steady state plasma concentration of M achieved by the ewes was 97.8 ± 17.6 ng/ml and by the fetuses 14.7± 8.4 ng/ml. During the fetal infusion, the steady state plasma concentration of M achieved by the fetuses was 141.2± 63.4 ng/ml and by the ewes 3.5±1.7 ng/ml. Plasma clearance of M in the ewes was 3369±397 ml/min and in the fetuses was 425± 150 ml/min. The maternal to fetal clearance of M was 65.1 ±40.4 ml/min. The fetal to maternal clearance of M was 84.4± 33.2 ml/min. These results indicate that only 20.0± 5.0 % of the total fetal clearance can be accounted for by fetal to maternal clearance. This suggests that maternal clearance of morphine is not the major route of elimination for the fetus. It cannot be assumed, however, that the remaining clearance is exclusively fetal metabolism since renal excretion of unchanged drug and placental metabolism were not determined.
Nation and post-nationalism: the contemporary modernist films of Carlos Reygadas

Art cinema has been categorized as international in terms of its influences and reach. Set in opposition to Hollywood and to commercial cinema in general, art cinema simultaneously embodies the idea of the national and the international. It historically figures in discussions of high versus low art, commercial versus non-commercial, and international versus national cultural production. Recent scholarship on art cinema reconsiders the aesthetic, economic and geo-political assumptions of this category in response to its contemporary resurgence among filmmakers working in Taiwan, Iran, Mexico, Thailand, China, Japan and Hong Kong. This article considers two feature films of Mexican director Carlos Reygadas – Japon (2002) and Stellet Licht (2007) – as examples of contemporary art cinema, a category whose meaning is interrogated in relation to questions of nationalism and globalization as well as national histories of film aesthetics. Specifically, I ask how we might consider the relationship of modernist fil...
Redefining Relationships: American Indians and National Parks

What are now federal lands and resources have been for centuries part of the cultural heritage of American Indian tribal communities. Management of these lands and resources, as well as relationships between agencies and tribes, should reflect this fact. In the past, these processes have been characterized by one-way communication, dominant-subordinate relations, and the imposition of non-Indian methods of interaction. Today, growing tribal political awareness and resulting legislation dealing with American Indian relationships to natural resources are forcing federal agencies to redefine their relationships with American Indian peoples.
A study of substitution reactions in Rh6(CO)16 using simple and polymer bound phosphine ligands

Abstract Substitution of phosphines for CO on Rh 6 (CO) 16 as been studied. Controlled addition of triphenylphosphine or of tris-(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phosphine to Rh6(CO) 16 resulted in displacement of 1–3 carbonyl ligands to form compounds of general formula Rh 6 (CO) 16−n Ln. Increased substitution to n > 6 produced unstable materials which were difficult to characterize. These reactions are compared with the reaction of Rh 6 (CO) 16 with phosphine substituted polystyrene to produce polymer bound Rh 6 clusters. Spectroscopic evidence for a very close similarity between the polymer bound rhodium species and the homogeneous phase complexes is presented.
High-performance liquid chromatographic assay for mitoxantrone in plasma using electrochemical detection

A sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay was developed for the quantitation of mitoxantrone in plasma using electrochemical detection. Bisantrene was chosen as the internal standard. A reversed-phase, 10-μm μBondapak C18 analytical column (30 cm × 3.9 mm) with an isocratic mobile phase of 28% acetonitrile in 80 mM sodium formate buffer (pH 3.0) was used. The eluent was monitored by both electrochemical detection at an applied potential of +0.75 V vs. Ag/AgCl and visible absorbance at 660 nm. Only electrochemical detection was able to quantitate the internal standard and provided ten times higher sensitivity than visible absorbance for mitoxantrone with a detection limit as low as 0.1 ng/ml. Calibration curves in the range 0.1–1000 ng/ml showed good linearity (r = 0.998) and precision (coefficient of variation < 10%). This HPLC method utilized a reproducible and inexpensive liquid-liquid extraction procedure. Using methylene chloride, the extraction efficacy of mitoxantrone from plasma was 85.3% with a coefficient of variation less than 2.1%. This new assay was then applied to measure mitoxantrone concentrations in plasma obtained from two leukemic patients receiving 12 mg/m2 mitoxantrone as a 1-h infusion.
Adsorption of arsenic onto hydrous ferric oxide : effects of adsorbate/adsorbent ratios and co-occurring solutes

The adsorption of arsenic onto hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) was examined for both As(III) and As(V). The effects of adsorbate/adsorbent ratios and of the presence of sulfate and calcium as co-occurring solutes were examined. The observed results were compared with the results of calculations obtained using the generalized two-layer model (a surface complexation model in which the coulombic term is fixed by double layer theory) to elucidate the factors affecting arsenic adsorption. The extent of arsenic adsorption onto HFO observed over the pH range 4-9 was comparable to that observed in previous studies when similar total arsenic/total iron conditions were examined. These results could be quantitatively described by the model. At decreasing adsorbate/adsorbent ratios, however, observed adsorption of As(III) was underpredicted by the model. This effect of total As(III) concentration (at fixed total iron concentration) could be accounted for by introducing surface heterogeneity, as is common in modeling transition metal cation adsorption. Decreased adsorption of both As(III) and As(V) were observed in the presence of sulfate. The effect of sulfate was greatest at lower pH. These trends were qualitatively consistent with model predictions (excluding site heterogeneity) but the magnitude of the competitive effect was less than predicted by the model, particularly for As(V). A cooperative effect of calcium on adsorption of As(V) at high pH was observed. This enhancement of As(V) adsorption could be attributed to favorable electrostatic effects arising from adsorption of calcium. However, quantitative agreement between the observed results and model predictions under these conditions was poor. Such considerations are crucial in modeling the adsorption behavior of arsenic and other inorganic contaminants, which occur, in natural and engineered aquatic systems, as trace constituents of complex mixtures of inorganic and organic solutes. | An investigation was carried out to examine the adsorption of arsenic onto hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) for both As(III) and As(V). The effects of adsorbate/adsorbent ratios and of the presence of sulfate and calcium as co-occurring solutes were determined. By comparing the observed results with the results of calculations obtained using generalized two-layer model, the factors affecting arsenic adsorption were elucidated.
Robust Automated Step Extraction From Time-Series Contact Force Data Using the PDShoe

This paper presents a method of stride identification, extraction, and analysis of data sets of time-series contact force data for ambulating subjects both with and without Parkinson's disease (PD). This method has been made robust with the use of seeded K-Means clustering, fast Fourier transformation (FFT) spectral analysis, and minimum window size rejection. These methods combine to produce well selected strides of active walking data. We are able to calculate quality of walking measures of stride duration, stance duration (as percent of gait cycle - %GC), swing duration (%GC), time to maximum heel force (%GC), time to maximum toe force (%GC), time spent in heel contact (%GC), and time spent in toe contact (%GC).
Selective Enrichment Yields Robust Ethene-Producing Dechlorinating Cultures from Microcosms Stalled at cis-Dichloroethene

Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains are of particular importance for bioremediation due to their unique capability of transforming perchloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) to non-toxic ethene, through the intermediates cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). Despite the widespread environmental distribution of Dehalococcoides, biostimulation sometimes fails to promote dechlorination beyond cis-DCE. In our study, microcosms established with garden soil and mangrove sediment also stalled at cis-DCE, albeit Dehalococcoides mccartyi containing the reductive dehalogenase genes tceA, vcrA and bvcA were detected in the soil/sediment inocula. Reductive dechlorination was not promoted beyond cis-DCE, even after multiple biostimulation events with fermentable substrates and a lengthy incubation. However, transfers from microcosms stalled at cis-DCE yielded dechlorination to ethene with subsequent enrichment cultures containing up to 109 Dehalococcoides mccartyi cells mL−1. Proteobacterial classes which dominated the soil/sediment communities became undetectable in the enrichments, and methanogenic activity drastically decreased after the transfers. We hypothesized that biostimulation of Dehalococcoides in the cis-DCE-stalled microcosms was impeded by other microbes present at higher abundances than Dehalococcoides and utilizing terminal electron acceptors from the soil/sediment, hence, outcompeting Dehalococcoides for H2. In support of this hypothesis, we show that garden soil and mangrove sediment microcosms bioaugmented with their respective cultures containing Dehalococcoides in high abundance were able to compete for H2 for reductive dechlorination from one biostimulation event and produced ethene with no obvious stall. Overall, our results provide an alternate explanation to consolidate conflicting observations on the ubiquity of Dehalococcoides mccartyi and occasional stalling of dechlorination at cis-DCE; thus, bringing a new perspective to better assess biological potential of different environments and to understand microbial interactions governing bioremediation.
One-year use and cost of inpatient and outpatient services among Female and male patients with an eating disorder: Evidence from a national database of health insurance claims

Objective This study examined rates and cost of inpatient and outpatient treatment among 1,932 patients with an eating disorder. Method One-year (1995) data were available through MarketScan®, a national insurance database containing claims for 1,902,041 male patients and 2,005,760 female patients. Results Female patients (n = 1,756, 0.14% of all females) were significantly more likely to have been treated for an eating disorder than male patients (n = 176, 0.016% of all males), and females received more days of treatment than males. Outpatient treatment was the norm, regardless of gender or type of eating disorder. Average number of days (inpatient or outpatient) was less than the minimum recommended by standards of care. Age-adjusted costs for the treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa were comparable to the cost of treatment for schizophrenia. Discussion The utilization data are discussed in terms of barriers to care and treatment guidelines for eating disorders. © 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 27: 381–389, 2000.
Determination of leading coefficients in Sturm-Liouville operator from boundary measurements. II. Unicity and an engineering approach

We study the problem of determining the leading coefficient k=k(x) of the Sturm-Liouville operator Au=-(k(x)u^'(x))^'+q(x)u(x),x@?(a,b), from a measured data given in the form of Dirichlet or/and Neumann type (additional) boundary conditions. The contribution of the each measured data to the unicity of the inverse problem solution is analysed. Based on the analysis the problem is treated as a Cauchy problem for the first-order ordinary differential equation with respect to k(x). For the case when the direct problem solution u=u(x) belongs to the class of the second-order polynomials and u^'(x) 0, we present an analytical formula for an approximate solution of the inverse problem. Numerical examples related to accuracy of the solution and to essential features of the inverse problem are demonstrated.
Bleaching increases likelihood of disease on Acropora palmata (Lamarck) in Hawksnest Bay, St John, US Virgin Islands

Anomalously high water temperatures may enhance the likelihood of coral disease outbreaks by increasing the abundance or virulence of pathogens, or by increasing host susceptibility. This study tested the compromised-host hypothesis, and documented the relationship between disease and temperature, through monthly monitoring of Acropora palmata colonies from May 2004 to December 2006, in Hawksnest Bay, St John, US Virgin Islands (USVI). Disease prevalence and the rate of change in prevalence showed a positive linear relationship with water temperature and rate of change in water temperature, respectively, but only in 2005 during prolonged periods of elevated temperature. Both bleached and unbleached colonies showed a positive relationship between disease prevalence and temperature in 2005, but the average area of disease-associated mortality increased only for bleached corals, indicating host susceptibility, rather than temperature per se, influenced disease severity on A. palmata.
Tetrapyrroles. V. Formal syntheses of the ring-C,D pyrromethenones of phytochrome and phycocyanin

Abstract Formal syntheses of pyrromethenones 2 and 3, potential intermediates for the preparation of phycocyanin (5) and phytochrome (4), respectively, have been accomplished by Pdo mediated coupling of iodopyrrole 7 with acetylenic amides of general structure 8a,b followed by F- catalyzed 5-exo-dig cyclization and DDQ oxidation.
Deoxyribozyme-based half-adder.

We have constructed a solution-phase array of three deoxyribozyme-based logic gates that behaves as a half-adder. Two deoxyribozymes mimic i1ANDNOTi2 and i2ANDNOTi1 gates that cleave a fluorogenic substrate, reporting through an increase in fluorescence emission at 570 nm. The third deoxyribozyme mimics an i1ANDi2 gate and cleaves the other fluorogenic substrate, reporting through an increase in fluorescence emission at 520 nm. Together, this system represents the first example of a decision-making enzymatic network with two inputs and two outputs. Similar systems could be applied to control autonomous therapeutic and diagnostic devices.
Alkaline basalt-phonolite rocks from the Singen area, Hegau, southern F.R.G.

Pliocene volcanic rocks in the Singen ara, southern F.R.G., belong to an alkaline basalt-phonolite suite. The basalts show an average of 18% olivine xenocrysts, 5% augite xenocrysts, a groundmass of augite-melilite and some nepheline. Hydrous mafic minerals, such as hornblende and < 1% biotite, are present only in phonolite. Olivine was found to include spinel inclusions, and to have (Mg0.83Fe0.17)2SiO4 composition. Partial melting of 3–7% of appropriate pyrolite (clinopyroxene-olivine wehrlite with a small amount of basalt) may account for the magmatic composition of these rocks. Rimming of xenocrystic augite by pigeonite, and then by an outer rim of augite slightly richer in Fe, is common. These xenocrysts are followed successively by the crystallization of microphenocrysts of groundmass augite and then groundmass augite. The percentage of ferri Tschermak's molecule in augite rims seems to increase as Fe3+ increases during the crystallization of clinopyroxene, and the presence of Na in excess of K indicates the presence of acmite fraction. The presence of feldspathoids in the basalt-phonolite rocks, the absence of Cs and Rb from the basalts, the composition of olivine xenocrysts and the presence of spinel inclusions indicate an origin from the lower half of the spinel peridotite zone in the upper part of the mantle, i.e. at 50–60-km depth. Ba, Th and U show a close affinity with K. Ba/Sr and K/Sr ratios, and Sc appear higher in alkali olivine-melilite rocks than those found in high-Al2O3 basalts. The reverse is true for K/Ba.
Lung tumors in strain A mice: application for studies in cancer chemoprevention.

Strain A mice develop a high incidence of spontaneous lung tumors during their lifetime. These tumors may be found in some animals as early as 3 to 4 weeks of age, increasing to nearly 100% by 24 months of age. The strain A mouse is also highly susceptible to the induction of lung tumors by several classes of chemical carcinogens and has been used extensively as a mouse lung tumor bioassay for assessing the carcinogenic activity of a variety of chemicals. In addition to its use in carcinogen detection, the strain A mouse lung tumor model has been employed extensively for the identification of inhibitors of chemical carcinogenesis. A number of chemopreventive agents including beta-naphthoflavone, butylated hydroxyanisole, ellagic acid, phenethyl isothiocyanate, phenylpropyl isothiocyanate, phenylbutyl isothiocyanate, phenylhexyl isothiocyanate, indole-3-carbinol, etc., have been shown to inhibit chemically induced lung tumors in strain A mice. In most instances, inhibition of lung tumorigenesis has been correlated with effects of the chemopreventive agent on the metabolic activation and/or detoxification of carcinogens. To date, no chemopreventive agent has been shown to inhibit lung tumorigenesis in strain A mice when administered after the carcinogen, i.e., during the promotion/progression stages of tumor development. Efforts should be made to develop a standardized protocol in strain A mice for evaluating chemopreventive agents as inhibitors of both the initiation and progression stages of lung tumor development.
Investigation of a Homologous Series of Fatty Acids by TLC. Part III. Application of Terms Describing the Separation of Homologous Series of Saturated Fatty Acids in TLC

Fatty acids from pentanoic to tricosanoic have been separated on RP-18 HPTLC plates, with and without concentrating zone, with methanol-water, ethanol-water, and n -propanol-water mobile phases. Separation factors (α), resolution ( R S ), and Δ R F values were calculated for all the chromatograms. Analysis showed that the most useful measures of the quality of the chromatographic separation of these fatty acids were the resolution, R S , and Δ R F . The best chromatographic conditions for separation of the fatty acids were RP-18 plates without concentrating zone and methanol-water, 90 + 10 ( v/v ), methanol-water, 95 + 5 ( v/v ), and ethanol-water, 90 + 10 ( v/v ), as mobile phases, and RP-18 plates with concentrating zone and methanol-water, 90 + 10 and 95 + 5 ( v/v ), 100% methanol, and ethanol-water, 90 + 10 and 95 + 5 ( v/v ), as mobile phases.
Signs of Genomic Battles in Mouse Sex Chromosomes

Y chromosomes are challenged by a lack of recombination and are transmitted to the next generation only via males. Sequencing of the mouse Y reveals how these properties drive opposing evolutionary processes: massive decay of ancestral genes and convergent acquisition and amplification of spermatid-expressed gene families on the X and Y chromosome. The convergent acquisition and amplification of X-linked paralogs on the Y maintains a surprisingly gene-rich, euchromatic mammalian male chromosome.
Drying of pollen with peldri II (proprietary fluorocarbon) for scanning electron microscopy

Abstract Pollen grains dried with the proprietary fluorocarbon Peldri II appear robust and undistorted when viewed by scanning electron microscopy. This method is more expeditious than freeze drying and critical point drying methods and as equally reliable. The need to dry pollen from fluids other than water, alcohol or acetone extends beyond the most commonly recognized problem of pollen grain distortion. For example, aggregations of artificially formed dyads and triads are frequently noted when surface tension forces from uncontrolled drying are not minimized. The proprietary fluorocarbon procedure is outlined in detail.
Acoustic-phonetic transformations for improved speaker-independent isolated word recognition

The authors present a method for improving HMM (hidden Markov model) phonetic discrimination capability which is a linear discriminant transform of acoustic features to a continuous-valued feature space such that phonetic distinctions correlate closely with Euclidean distance in the transformed feature space. Experimental testing with a 30-word single syllable highly confusable vocabulary showed that the acoustic-phonetic transform could be used to reduce word error rates approximately 25%. In general, results based on the LDA2 transform, i.e., linear discriminant analysis with whitening of the within-class covariance matrices, are superior to those obtained with LDA1, linear discriminant analysis without whitening. Recognition results also improve if a block transform of several frames per block is used rather than a transform based on one frame per block. >
The Journey Home: Jewish Women and the American Century

In recent decades, prominent American Jewish women like Bella Abzug and Betty Friedan have made headlines and history, challenging the constraints facing women in American public life. Few realize that these women embody a hundred-year legacy of remarkable activism. From suffrage to birth control, from trade unionism to higher education, from civil rights to feminism to every aspect of popular culture, Jewish women have been in the vanguard, leading key social movements and shaping cultural consciousness. Anarchists and Zionists, 'sob sister' writers and Supreme Court justices, rabbis and reformers, personalities as diverse as Emma Goldman, Sophie Tucker and Gertrude Stein have left their indelible mark on the American century. Joyce Antler profiles these women leaders in "The Journey Home," interweaving social history with brilliant portraiture. In a fresh and lively narrative, she examines the political conflicts and personal tensions that animated their lives as they redefined the landscapes of American culture and society. To change their nation they battled class and gender prejudice, anti-Semitism, and anti-immigrant fervor. They drew sustenance from Jewish tradition but always took independent stands.
Spectral stochastic two‐scale convergence method for parabolic PDEs

Following the theory of two-scale convergence method introduced by Nguetseng (SIAM J. Math. Anal. 1989; 20:608–623) and further developed by Allaire (SIAM J. Math. Anal. 1992; 23:1482–1518), we introduce the chaos two-scale method as a spectral stochastic tool to tackle parabolic partial differential equations where the material properties are stochastic processes σe(t, x, ω) of the form σ(t, x, t/eγ, x/e, ω), oscillating in both space and time variables with different speeds. Periodicity with respect to the fast or local variables is assumed, and, stationary Gaussian material properties processes are considered. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simplifying the Travel Cost Method

Abstract Improvements in the travel cost method of estimating demand for a recreational site have focused upon more complete specifications of the per capita demand function. With these refinements have come additional data requirements as well as a host of complex measurement, specification, and estimation issues. The added complexity limits the application of these methods for demand and value estimation, particularly within fisheries and other resource management agencies where the data and necessary economic and statistical skills may be lacking. This paper proposes a shortcut approach to travel cost analysis. Compared to unit-day value methods, the suggested procedures add only modest increases in data requirements and technical skills while capturing the price-quantity relationship and the influence of population distributions around the site. Substitute sites, quality variations, and other complexities of recreation demand must be handled in an ad hoc manner.
Balloon-occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (BRTO): Technical Results and Outcomes.

Variceal bleeding is one of the major complications of portal hypertension. Gastric variceal (GV) bleeding is less common than esophageal variceal (EV) bleeding, however, is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) is an established procedure for the management of gastric varices in Japan and has shown promising results in the past decade. The technical success rate, intent-to-treat (including technically failed BRTO-procedures) obliteration rate, and the obliteration rate of gastric varices of technically successful BRTO procedures was 91% (79–100%), 86% (73–100%), and 94% (75–100), respectively. BRTO is successful in controlling active gastric variceal bleeding in 95% of cases (91–100%) and in significantly reducing or resolving encephalopathy in 100% of cases. However, BRTO diverts blood into the portal circulation and increases the portal hypertension, thus aggravating esophageal varices with their potential for bleeding. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year esophageal variceal aggravation rates are 27–35%, 45–66%, and 45–91%, respectively. The gastric variceal rebleed rate of successful BRTO procedures, the intent-to-treat gastric variceal rebleed rate, and the global (all types of varices) variceal rebleed rate are 3.2–8.7%, 10–20%, and 19–31%, respectively. However, the advantage of diverting blood into the portal circulation and potentially toward the liver is improved hepatic function and possible patient survival. Unfortunately, the improved hepatic function is transient (for 6–12 months); however, it is preserved in the long-term (1–3 years). Patient 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates are 83–98%, 76–79%, 66–85%, and 39–69%, respectively. Patient survival is determined by baseline hepatic reserve and the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Blacks and Jobs Never the Twain Shall Meet

A critical problem facing American society is the growing physical separation of racial minority groups from the jobs being created in suburbia. This separation has at least two dimensions. The first, and the one that has attracted the most attention, is the continued concentration of racial minority groups in central cities, where they are isolated from the growing number of jobs in suburbia. Although this city/suburban dichotomy has been recognized, the physical separation of jobs from minority groups that are located within suburbia itself is of increasing importance—but this phenomenon has not been widely studied. In this research note, the authors concentrate on the relationship between spatial patterns of suburban job growth and black suburbanization.
Estrogen Implants in the Medial Preoptic Area Stimulate Maternal Behavior in Male Rats

Abstract The present study investigated whether the medial preoptic area (MPOA) mediates estrogen stimulation of maternal behavior in the male as it does in the female. Previous studies have shown that lesions of the medial preoptic area prevent sensitization of maternal behavior in male rats and that in gonadectomized, hormonally primed males, systemically administered estradiol benzoate stimulates short-latency maternal behavior. These findings are similar to those found in females. In the present study adult males were gonadectomized and hormonally primed with subcutaneously implanted capsules of estradiol (Days 1–16) and progesterone (Days 3–15) and then were stereotaxically implanted bilaterally in the MPOA with implants containing 10% estradiol. Tests with young pups were started 48 h later and continued for 10 days (11 tests). Control groups were implanted in the MPOA with cholesterol or were injected subcutaneously with estradiol benzoate (100 μg/kg). Estradiol implanted males had shorter latencies for maternal behavior (retrieving, crouching, licking pups) than cholesterol implanted males, but their latencies were slightly longer than those of estradiol benzoate injected males. The medial preoptic area, therefore, mediates estrogen stimulation of maternal behavior in males as it does in females.
Immobilization of enzymes and antibodies to radiation grafted polymers for therapeutic and diagnostic applications

Abstract Pre-irradiation and mutual radiation grafting were employed to produce poly(methacrylic acid) (MAAc) hydrogels on polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) copolymer films, PP films and porous PP fibers of a plasma filter. A diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay was developed to measure the surface peroxide concentration of the pre-irradiated PP/PE films prior to grafting. Mutually grafted porous PP fibers were used for subsequent immobilization of L-asparaginase while the mutually grafted PP/PE films were used to immobilize a schistosoma monoclonal antibody.
Cytokinesis during early development of a teleost embryo: Brachydanio rerio.

During early development of the teleost Brachydanio rerio , both furrow cleavage and vesicle cleavage were found in the same blastula. Furrow cleavage, characterized by an “in-pinching” of the plasma membrane with a fine deposit on the cytoplasmic side of the encroaching furrow, and vesicle cleavage, characterized by a row of vesicles across the plane of daughter cell separation, are found until one-third epiboly stage embryos, when only furrow cleavage was found.
β-Amyloid-induced Dynamin 1 Depletion in Hippocampal Neurons A POTENTIAL MECHANISM FOR EARLY COGNITIVE DECLINE IN ALZHEIMER DISEASE

Synaptic dysfunction is one of the earliest events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic defects in AD are largely unknown. We report here that β-amyloid (Aβ), the main component of senile plaques, induced a significant decrease in dynamin 1, a protein that is essential for synaptic vesicle recycling and, hence, for memory formation and information processing. The Aβ-induced dynamin 1 decrease occurred in the absence of overt synaptic loss and was also observed in the Tg2576 mouse model of AD. In addition, our results provided evidence that the Aβ-induced decrease in dynamin 1 was likely the result of a calpain-mediated cleavage of dynamin 1 protein and possibly the down-regulation of dynamin 1 gene expression. These data suggest a mechanism to explain the early cognitive loss without a major decline in synapse number observed in AD and propose a novel therapeutic target for AD intervention.
Wideband microwave characterization of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) gel in cement-based materials

Abstract Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and its effect on cement-based infrastructure is an ongoing concern for ensuring long-term performance. However, it remains challenging to identify ASR damage in concrete before damage progresses and ASR gel staining, expansion and cracking compromise serviceability. This research demonstrates that microwave materials characterization is an effective method by which ASR gel in cement-based materials can be detected and that materials containing ASR gel can be distinguished from those without. Further, this work provides a basis for the development of field evaluation techniques and lab-based investigations to better understand the relationships between concrete composition and ASR damage propagation.
Observations on the histologic features of the human edentulous ridge. Part II: Connective tissue

Presented at the International Association for Dental Research meeting, Chicago, Ill. Supported by research funds from the Veterans Administration. *Private practice, Topeka, Kan., and Visiting Professor, Howard’ University, School of Dentistry, Washington, D.C.; formerly, Chief, Dental Service, Leavenworth Veterans Administration Medical Center, Leavenworth, Kan. **Chief, Dental Service, Leavenworth Veterans Administration .Medical Center, Leavenworth, Kan.; and Associate Professor, University of Missouri-Kansas City. ***Professor of Dentistry, Department of Histology, University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Health System Reform: Let's Not Miss Our Chance

Abstract: Support for reform is at its highest level, but criticism of President Bill Clinton's plan is widespread. Nevertheless, the core components of the Clinton plan should be supported. These ...
Depression of the late receptor potential and the ERG by light deprivation in cats.

Abstract The ERG and late receptor potentials were recorded from normal and light-deprived eyes of cats. Light deprivation was accomplished by suturing the lids of one eye closed shortly after birth, and the cats were tested after at least 6 months of light deprivation. Both the late receptor potential and the ERG were significantly smaller in the light-deprived eyes. The degree of depression varied considerably between animals which is probably due to the variation in the amount of light flux eliminated by lid closure. No difference between the two eyes could be detected 8 weeks after the previously closed eye was opened. A hypothesis regarding the physiological basis for the depression is presented.
Studies of Rh1 Metarhodopsin Stabilization in Wild-Type Drosophila and in Mutants Lacking One or Both Arrestins†

We have used Drosophila mutants which are deficient in one or both of the arrestins present in photoreceptor cells to critically test the requirements for arrestin in the stabilization of Rh1 metarhodopsin under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Heads from flies illuminated with blue light were homogenized to obtain membranes or micellar extracts, and the amount of metarhodopsin present was quantitated by spectroscopic methods. Compared to wild-type, ∼64% Rh1 metarhodopsin was recovered in flies deficient in arrestin-1 (arr11 mutant), ∼38% in flies deficient in arrestin-2 (arr23 mutant), and ∼6% in flies deficient in both arrestin-1 and arrestin-2 (arr11, arr23 double mutant). In contrast, no decrease was observed in the amounts of Rh1 metarhodopsin recovered from illuminated flies which were deficient either in the eye-specific phosphatase (rdgC mutant) or in the eye-specific phospholipase C (norpA H24 and norpAH52 mutants). Further, reconstitution experiments in total head homogenates showed that metarho...
Serum chemistry and electrolyte alterations in sled dogs before and after a 1600 km race: dietary sodium and hyponatraemia.

Sled dogs are known to develop numerous serum biochemical changes due to endurance exercise. Previous studies have suggested that mild hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia can develop during endurance racing. The aim of the present study was to determine if serum biochemical alterations are similar to previous reports, and if electrolyte alterations are still present with present feeding practices utilised by mushers. Serum chemistries were obtained from 26 Alaskan Huskies belonging to 3 different teams, before and after a 1600 km race. Meals and snacks were analysed via calculation to determine daily macronutrient and electrolyte intake. Numerous biochemical alterations were observed including significant differences in serum total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, TAG, NEFA and urea nitrogen (P < 0·05). Serum electrolyte status revealed a mild, yet significant decrease in serum sodium (P = 0·002); and serum potassium was not significantly different (P = 0·566). Further examination of the sodium intake across the three teams revealed two teams with an average daily intake of approximately 8·5 g/dog/d (700 mg/4184 kJ) and the other team consuming 11·1 g/dog/d (1200 mg/4184 kJ). Regression analysis shows a significant modest positive correlation between serum sodium decrease and sodium intake per metabolic body weight of the dogs, as well as a modest positive correlation between sodium intake and serum potassium implicating the renin–angiotensin aldosterone system as a major factor involved in sodium and potassium homoeostasis. These findings suggest that consumption of approximately 0·9 g/kg0·75 (1·2 g/4184 kJ) of sodium per d may prevent exercise-induced decreases in sodium and potassium.
Molecular mechanical studies of base‐pair opening in d(CGCGC):d(GCGCG), dG5·dC5, d(TATAT):d(ATATA), and dA5·dT5 in the B and Z forms of DNA

Molecular mechanical energy refinement of double-helical pentanucleotide tetra-phosphates, d(CGCGC):d(GCGCG), dG5·dC5, d(TATAT):d(ATATA), and dA5 ·dT5 geometries, are presented in order to examine the energy required to open the Nl(purine) … N3(pyrimidine) distance (base-pair opening) of a Watson-Crick base pair from its normal value of 3 A to a value of 6 A. The structural consequences of forcing base-pair opening is sequence dependent. For both dA5 ·dT5 and d(TATAT):d(ATATA), forcing the Nl (AdeKN3 (Thy) distance of the central base pair to a value of 6 A slides the bases perpendicular to the helix axis forming a low-energy non-Watson-Crick base pair having an adenine amine hydrogen … thymine carbonyl oxygen hydrogen bond. The two GC sequences behave differently from both AT sequences and differently from each other. Forcing the Nl(Gua) … N3(Cyt) distance to 6 A leads to unconventional structures in which hydrogen bonds are formed between the separated bases and the bases above or below them. These structures appear to be trapped in true local minima 6–10 kcal/mol higher in energy than the Watson-Crick structures. Preliminary simulations on d(CGCGC):d(GCGCG) in the Z geometry suggest the reason the Z form may be more refractory to proton exchange than the B form, consistent with experimental observations.
Matching Appropriate Pricing Strategy with Markets and Objectives

Standard approaches to price decisions are normally illustrated as step‐by‐step developments that try to group pricing issues loosely into some format. These current approaches do not emphasize the interaction of consumer characteristics with the competitive environment of each market. Describes a modified version of the Tellis Price Strategy Matrix to enable coordinated market issues and company strategies by directing emphasis on pricing issues and techniques that are appropriate and effective, given the consumers′ (or segment′s) as well as the company′s objectives, as constrained by the competitive nature of the product′s market. By using this type of matrix as a guide, product managers can quickly evaluate the appropriate issues of concern for a given pricing decision and then progress toward a pricing decision with more confidence.
Critical Evaluation and Selection of Standard State Thermodynamic Properties for Chromium Metal and Its Aqueous Ions, Hydrolysis Species, Oxides, and Hydroxides

This review critically evaluates the reported thermodynamic data on chromium metal, oxides, hydroxides, free aqueous ions, and hydrolysis species. Several discrepancies and inconsistencies have been uncovered and resolved to improve equilibrium calculations for chemical modeling and related engineering purposes. A revised set of data is derived from evaluation of electrochemical measurements, silver chromate solubility measurements, and auxiliary post-1980 data, reevaluation of earlier data, and reconsideration of the path for the thermodynamic network. The recommended thermodynamic values for Cr(cr), C , C , Cr , Cr2 , Cr2O3(cr), CrO3(cr), FeCr2O4(cr), CrCl2(cr), CrCl3(cr), and KFe3(CrO4)2(OH)6(cr) at 25 °C, 1 bar, and infinite dilution are given.
Localization, regulation and possible consequences of apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) expression in granulosa cells of the mouse ovary.

The recent characterization of apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) in vertebrates as a putative homolog of the Caenorhabditis elegans gene, ced-4, indicates that the third major arm of the C. elegans programmed cell death machinery has also been conserved through evolution. Although apoptosis is now known to be important for ovarian follicular atresia in vertebrates, nothing is known of the role of Apaf-1 in ovarian function. Herein we show by immunohistochemical analysis that Apaf-1 is abundant in granulosa cells of early antral follicles whereas in vivo gonadotropin priming completely suppresses Apaf-1 expression and granulosa cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis of fractionated protein extracts prepared from granulosa cells before and after in vitro culture without hormonal support to induce apoptosis indicated that mitochondrial cytochrome c release, a biochemical step required for the activation of Apaf-1, occurs in granulosa cells cultured in vitro. Moreover, Western blot analysis of pr...
Mathematical modeling of meniscus profile and melt flow in electromagnetic casters

The paper describes a mathematical model which predicts the meniscus shape and melt flow in an electromagnetic caster. Computations were carried out for the two types of caster (with and without a screen to shape the magnetic field) in commercial use. The dependence of meniscus shape on parameters such as inductor geometry, placement, current, and frequency, as well as screen properties and placement, was determined. Calculated velocities showed agreement with measurements of other investigators on a physical model and an actual caster. The effect of an auxiliary low frequency inductor on melt flow was also computed.
Timing of colonoscopy and outcomes in patients with lower GI bleeding: a nationwide population-based study.

Background The role of urgent colonoscopy in lower GI bleeding (LGIB) remains controversial. Population-based studies on LGIB outcomes are lacking. Objective To investigate the impact of the timing of colonoscopy on outcomes of patients with LGIB. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2010. Patients International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes identified patients with LGIB who underwent colonoscopy. Main Outcome Measurements In-hospital mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization costs in patients who underwent early (≤24 hours) or delayed (>24 hours) colonoscopy. Results A total of 58,296 discharges with LGIB were identified; 22,720 had a colonoscopy performed during the hospitalization. A total of 9156 patients had colonoscopy performed within 24 hours (early colonoscopy), and 13,564 had colonoscopy performed after 24 hours (delayed colonoscopy). There was no difference in mortality in patients with LGIB who had early versus delayed colonoscopy (0.3% vs 0.4%, P = .24). However, patients who underwent early colonoscopy had a shorter length of hospital stay (2.9 vs 4.6 days, P P P Limitations Administrative dataset. Conclusions Early colonoscopy within 24 hours is associated with decreased length of hospital stay and hospitalization costs in patients with LGIB.
P-Glycoproteins and Multidrug Resistance

Multidrug resistance represents a major obstacle in the successful therapy of neoplastic diseases. Studies have demonstrated that this form of drug resistance occurs both in cultured tumor cell lines as well as in human cancers. P-glycoprotein appears to play an important role in such cells by acting as an energy-dependent efflux pump to remove various natural product drugs from the cell before they have a chance to exert their cytotoxic effects. Expression of the MDR1 gene product has been associated with a poor prognosis in clinical studies. It has been demonstrated in the laboratory that resistance mediated by the P-glycoprotein may be modulated by a wide variety of compounds. These compounds, which include verapamil and cyclosporin, generally have little or no effect by themselves on the tumor cells, but when used in conjunction with antineoplastic agents, they decrease, and in some instances eliminate, drug resistance. Clinical trials to modulate P-glycoprotein activity are underway at the present time to determine if such strategies will be feasible. Although the P-glycoprotein is expressed in many cell lines and occurs in patient tumors, its expression is not a universal feature of multidrug resistance, suggesting that other mechanisms are operating.
Burden of Malnutrition in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Baguio City

1. Rosemarie J. Dominguez[1][1] 1. 1St. Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines 1. Rosemarie J. Dominguez, School of Medicine, St. Louis University, Bonifacio St., Baguio City, 2600, Philippines. Email: rtjdominguezmd{at}yahoo.com The objective of this study is to determine prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic impact of malnutrition. Nutritional state was assessed by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and body mass index (BMI). Risk factors for malnutrition and effect of malnutrition on morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. Prevalence of malnutrition on admission and on discharge was 73%. Risk factors significantly associated with malnutrition were severity of primary diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 3.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [2.26, 5.18], p < .0001), age ( p < .001), and presence of comorbidities (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = [1.13, 2.46], p < .013). Malnourished patients had longer hospital stay (5.1 ± 4.9 days, p < .0001) and higher risk of dying (OR = 6.38, 95% CI = [1.14, 135.80], p < .030), and were more likely to be confined for more than 7 days (OR = 4.20, 95% CI = [1.89, 9.34], p < .001). The study concludes that malnutrition is prevalent on admission and discharge. Malnourished patients are older, suffer more serious disease, and have comorbidities. Complications risk is higher if malnourished. [1]: #aff-1
Taxol mediates serine phosphorylation of the 66-kDa Shc isoform

In the human lung carcinoma cell line A549, Taxol (20 nM) causes a decreased electrophoretic mobility of the 66-kDa Shc isoform (p66shc), beginning 4 h after drug exposure, and reaching a maximum at 9-18 h. No shift was observed for the 52- and 46-kDa isoforms of Shc. The electrophoretic mobility shift of p66shc caused by Taxol is not the result of tyrosine phosphorylation, and there is no indication of a Shc/Grb2 complex in Taxol-treated A549 cells. This modification is blocked by the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A. In vivo 32P-labeling and subsequent phosphoamino acid analysis of p66shc indicated that both the original and the shifted p66shc were predominantly serine phosphorylated. Cyanogen bromide digestion of p66shc produced a phosphorylated fragment with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 7.9 kDa from the untreated cells and two phosphorylated fragments, of approximately 7.9 and approximately 9.6 kDa, from the Taxol-treated cells. The domain of Taxol-induced serine phosphorylation is thought to be in the cyanogen bromide fragment containing residues 2-65. The Taxol-induced electrophoretic mobility shift of p66shc was inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, but not by the mitogen-activated and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059. This mobility shift did not occur in Taxol-resistant A549-T12 cells treated with 20 nM Taxol. In addition to Taxol, other microtubule-interacting drugs caused a decreased electrophoretic mobility of p66shc. This Taxol-mediated serine phosphorylation seen in p66shc may result from a MEK-independent signaling pathway that is activated in cells that have a prolonged or abnormal mitotic phase of the cell cycle and may play a role in signaling events that lead to cell death.