cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What Has Been Happening to Aggregate Concentration in the United States

CONCERN about bigness and about aggregate concentration-the percentage of some national economic measure controlled by the leading companies in the nation-has been a recurring theme in the United States.1 In the late I970S the US economy appeared to be going through another merger wave of large companies. Political concern over bigness and aggregate concentration was rising, and legislation was introduced to limit large conglomerate mergers.2 The data marshalled to support or oppose limits on mergers are usually meager. Besides the data on mwergers themselves, the main evidence usually focuses on concentration. But aggregate concentration data for the entire economy are difficult to assemble. Instead, data for individual sectors are provided, but there is usually little mention of the limitations, biases, and misleading nature of much of this evidence. For example, there has been a wholly unwarranted emphasis on aggregate concentration in manufacturing, despite the fact that manufacturing currently accounts for only a quarter of US GNP. This paper will try to establish the recent trends in aggregate concentration in the US. Along the way, we will discuss the merits of alternative measures, the difficulties of compiling the data into an aggregate private sector measure, and the various biases that are likely to plague a number of the measures.
ULTRASONIC PEPTIZATION OF SOYBEAN PROTEINS FROM AUTOCLAVED FLAKES, ALCOHOL-WASHED FLAKES AND COMMERCIAL SAMPLES

An ultrasonic method to peptize soybean proteins from defatted, autoclaved and alcohol-washed flakes and commercial concentrates and isolates was studied. Extraction conditions were optimized by examining factors including sonic power, meal-to-water ratio, salt concentration, pH and sonic time. The present study reaffirmed the fact that sonication can disperse 80% of total proteins from autocalved flakes with one extraction. Also, this method solublilized over 90% of the proteins from alcohol-washed flakes. Results from commercial concentrates and isolates varied. The low solubility of autoclaved commcrcial concentrates is likely due to high acidity rather than the inability to disperse proteins in water by ultrasound.
Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on gastric mucin viscosity, permeability to hydrogen ion, and susceptibility to pepsin

Abstract The effect of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) on peptic degradation of gastric mucin, its viscosity and the ability to retard the diffusion of hydrogen ion was investigated. The results of peptic degradation indicated that, in the absence of the drug, the rate of proteolysis was proportional to mucin concentration up to 400 μg and remained constant with time for up to 1 hr. Introduction of aspirin led to an enhancement in the rate of proteolysis. The apparent K m value of pepsin toward mucus glycoprotein was 8.7 × 10 −7 M in the absence of the drug and 6.9 × 10 −7 M in its presence. Viscosity measurements showed a drop in mucin viscosity following preincubation with aspirin. This decrease was concentration dependent and at a 4.0 × 10 −5 M concentration of the drug reached a value of 75%. Permeability studies revealed that preincubation with 2.0 × 10 −5 M aspirin increased the permeability of mucin hydrogen ion by 10%, while an 18% increase was obtained with 4.0 × 10 −5 M aspirin. The results suggest that aspirin weakens the integrity of the gastric mucus layer by promoting its peptic degradation, decreasing viscosity, and reducing the ability to resist hydrogen ion penetration.
Studies of the Rous sarcoma virus RNA: characterization of the 5'-terminus.

Abstract The 5′ terminus of the Rous Sarcoma Viral 30-40S RNA was characterized as follows: Unlabeled RNA was treated with polynucleotide kinase and (γ-32P) ATP. Degradation of the 5′-(32P) RNA with alkali yielded labeled pAp while degradation with venom phosphodiesterase yielded labeled 5′-AMP. Dephosphorylation with alkaline phosphatase was unnecessary for the RNA to accept32P indicating the presence of 5′-OH ends. This establishes that the base at the 5′ end of Rous Sarcoma Viral 30-40S RNA is adenine.
Impact of aging on heat shock protein expression in the substantia nigra and striatum of the female rat

Many heat shock proteins are chaperones that help refold or degrade misfolded proteins and battle apoptosis. Because of their capacity to protect against protein misfolding, they may help keep diseases of aging at bay. A few reports have examined heat shock proteins (eg. Hsp25, Hsp60, Hsp70, and heat shock cognate 70 or Hsc70) as a function of age in the striatum and nigra. In the present study, we examined the impact of aging on Hsp25, heme oxygenase 1 (HO1 or Hsp32), Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsc70, Hsc/Hsp70 interacting protein (Hip), 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), Hsp90, and ubiquitinated proteins in the nigra and striatum of the female rat by infrared immunoblotting. Female animals are not typically examined in aging studies, adding further to the novelty of our study. Striatal HO1 and Hsp40 were both higher in middle-aged females than in the oldest group. Hsp60 levels were also highest in middle age in the nigra, but were highest in the oldest animals in the striatum. Striatal levels of Hsc70 and the co-chaperone Hip were lower in the oldest group relative to the youngest animals. In contrast, Hsp25 rose with advancing age in both regions. Hsp25 was also colocalized with tyrosine hydroxylase in nigral neurons. Ubiquitinated proteins exhibited a trend to rise in the oldest animals in both regions, and K48 linkage-specific ubiquitin rose significantly from 4–6 to 16–19 months in the striatum. Our study reveals a complex array of age-related changes in heat shock proteins. Furthermore, the age-related rises in some proteins, such as Hsp25, may reflect endogenous adaptations to cellular stress.
Preservation and Recognition of Middle and Early Pleistocene Loess in the Driftless Area, Wisconsin

An exceptional stratigraphic and pedologic record of Pleistocene environmental conditions occurs at the Kieler Site in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin. Peoria, Roxana, Loveland, and pre-Loveland loesses overlie weathered bedrock residuum. The pre-Loveland unit previously has been included as part of the residuum at other Driftless Area sites. Early and middle Pleistocene loesses in the Mississippi Valley are normally absent at most localities. Rather than nondeposition, we suggest the apparent absence of pre-Illinoian loess units is due in part to erosion, but also to weathering that renders loesses unrecognizable so they are classified as “residuum.”
The agglutination reaction in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract In the serum of most patients with rheumatoid arthritis and some with other collagen diseases, an agglutinating factor is present. The factor is not detectable with a significant incidence in the serum of patients with other chronic arthritides. A variety of agglutinating systems, including sensitized bacteria, erythrocytes, and synthetic polymers, have been utilized to demonstrate the presence of the rheumatoid factor. It is likely, but not certain, that the same factor is concerned in each system. The sensitizing agent is, in all instances, a gamma globulin constituent of variable composition attached to the particulate body, in some cases as an antibody and in others nonspecifically. Agglutination is believed to occur as a result of reaction between the sensitizing factor and the rheumatoid factor. The demonstration of precipitation between fraction II (gamma globulin) and rheumatoid serum supports this point of view. When whole serum is examined electrophoretically, the agglutinating activity is found in the beta and gamma globulin fractions, but when purified fractions are so studied, the activity is usually found in the gamma globulin fraction. It has been suggested that the rheumatoid factor is an autoantibody to gamma globulin. Though it is well established that interaction occurs between this factor and various gamma globulin constituents, it has not yet been proved that the factor is a true antibody. One or more constituents of the gamma globulin fraction of human and rabbit serum have the capacity to inhibit the agglutinating activity of the rheumatoid factor when present in sufficient concentration to bind it preferentially. The presence of an agglutinating factor in the gamma globulin fraction of the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis suggests, along with other data, that alterations in the composition of this fraction may play an important part in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Ketonic Mannich Bases and the Products of their Reduction and Bromination

A group of ketonic bases, indicated as types I and II, were synthesized by means of the Mannich reaction for pharmacological study. Certain of the type I Mannich bases were then reduced by means of aluminum isopropoxide to nitrophenyl amino alcohols (type III) for use as side chains in future studies. Other type I bases were brominated to give ketonic nitrogen mustards for study against cancer. Except for appreciable in vitro antituberculous activity of some of the Mannich bases, there were no noteworthy pharmacological results.
Close physical linkage of the murine Ren-1 and Ren-2 loci

In addition to the Ren-1 gene common to all mice, some inbred strains carry a second copy of the renin structural gene, Ren-2. These two loci are tightly linked genetically on mouse chromosome one. We have used pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to study the physical arrangement of the two renin genes in the inbred strain DBA/2. PFGE mapping permitted the construction of a restriction map of the Ren loci spanning roughly 120 Kb. The results indicate that the genes are transcribed in the same relative direction, that Ren-2 lies upstream relative to Ren-1, and that the respective coding sequences are separated by approximately 20 Kb.
The effect of temperature on production and function of bovine interferons.

Subnormal temperatures were found to depress the production of interferon by bovid herpesvirus 2 (BHV-2)-infected bovine testicular cells, bovine peripheral blood leukocytes, and bovine monocytes, as well as by BHV-2 antigen-stimulated immune peripheral blood leukocytes. Interferon titers generated at 30° C were approximately 10 percent of those at 40° C. Also, subnormal temperatures depressed interferon function. Bovine testicular cells treated at 40° C for 24 hours with high concentrations of BHV-2-induced bovine monocyte interferon or BHV-2 antigen-stimulated immune peripheral blood leukocyte interferon, and then infected with BHV-2 and retreated with interferon at 40° C, had little or no viral growth or cytopathic effect after 72 hours. Cultures without interferon, or those treated with the same amount of interferon at 30° C, had significantly more cytopathic effect and had viral titiers up to 107 TCID50 higher than cultures at 40° C. Earlierin vitro studies done without exogenous interferon showed that BHV-2 replicated to high titers at 30° but not at 40° C. Thus, at low temperatures (30° C)in vitro, BHV-2 induced little interferon, was not highly suppressed by interferon, and replicated to high titers. At higher temperatures (40° C), BHV-2 replication induced high interferon levels, was strongly suppressed by interferon, and replicated poorly. This may help explain the restriction of BHV-2 lesions to skin despite the presence of virus in both skin and internal organs in infected cattle.
Ferromagnetic instability in the heavy-electron compound URu 2 Si 2 doped with Re or Tc

We report the first ferromagnetic instability observed in a heavy-electron system. Solid solutions of ${\mathrm{URu}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{M}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$, where M=Re or Tc, have been found to undergo a ferromagnetic transition in the concentration range 0.4\ensuremath{\lesssim}x\ensuremath{\lesssim}1.4. Magnetization M measurements at 5 K reveal a small saturation moment that attains maximum values of 0.44${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$/U atom at x\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.8 for Re and 0.27${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$/U atom at x\ensuremath{\approxeq}1 for Tc. The Curie temperature ${\mathrm{FTHETA}}_{C}$ vs x in ${\mathrm{URu}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Re}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$ also exhibits a maximum at x\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.8. The electrical resistivity of both the Re- and Tc-substituted systems contains a ${T}^{2}$ contribution below ${\mathrm{FTHETA}}_{C}$, indicative of electron-magnon scattering. The low-temperature coefficient of the electronic specific heat, \ensuremath{\gamma}, in the ${\mathrm{URu}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Re}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$ system initially increases with x, attains a value of 160 mJ/mol ${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$ at x=0.6, and then decreases with further increase of x. X-ray diffraction analyses indicate a crystallographic transformation in the ${\mathrm{URu}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{M}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$ (M=Re, Tc) systems from tetragonal to cubic symmetry at x\ensuremath{\approxeq}1. The strong sensitivity of M, ${\mathrm{FTHETA}}_{C}$, and \ensuremath{\gamma} to Re or Tc composition coupled with the large value attained by \ensuremath{\gamma} suggests that the ferromagnetism is associated with a narrow feature in the density of states of a band of strongly correlated electrons.
Protein-disulfide isomerase-associated 3 (Pdia3) mediates the membrane response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in osteoblasts.

Protein-disulfide isomerase-associated 3 (Pdia3) is a multifunctional protein hypothesized to be a membrane receptor for 1,25(OH)2D3. In intestinal epithelium and chondrocytes, 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulates rapid membrane responses that are different from genomic effects via the vitamin D receptor (VDR). In this study, we show that 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulates phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-dependent rapid release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), activation of protein kinase C (PKC), and regulation of bone-related gene transcription and mineralization in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells (WT) via a mechanism involving Pdia3. Pdia3 was present in caveolae based on co-localization with lipid rafts and caveolin-1. In Pdia3-silenced (Sh-Pdia3) cells, 1,25(OH)2D3 failed to stimulate PKC and PGE2 responses; in Pdia3-overexpressing cells (Ov-Pdia3), responses to 1,25(OH)2D3 were augmented. Downstream mediators of Pdia3, PLA2-activating protein (PLAA) and arachidonic acid, stimulated similar PKC activation in wild-type, Sh-Pdia3, and Ov-Pdia3 cells supporting the hypothesis that Pdia3 mediates the membrane action of 1,25(OH)2D3. Treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 9 min stimulated rapid phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and increased expression of alkaline phosphatase, MMP-13, and osteopontin but decreased expression of osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin (mRNA and protein), and smad2. These effects were attenuated in Sh-Pdia3 cells. Sh-Pdia3 cells produced higher numbers of von Kossa-positive nodules and alizarin red-positive nodules compared with WT cells with or without 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment whereas Ov-Pdia3 did not show any mineralization. Our data suggest Pdia3 is an important initiator of 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated membrane signaling pathways, which have both genomic and non genomic effects during osteoblast maturation.
NF-kappaB links oestrogen receptor signalling and EMT.

The detrimental effects of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling in cancer cells lacking the oestrogen receptor have now become clear, with the demonstration that increased NF-κB levels induce expression of Bcl-2 to both suppress apoptosis and induce epithelial–mesenchymal transitions (EMTs).
Effect of strontium substitution on the structure, ionic diffusion and dynamic properties of 45S5 Bioactive glasses

Abstract Strontium ions can promote bone growth and enhance bioactivity in bioactive glasses that find critical biomedical applications. In this paper, the effect of SrO/CaO substitution on the structure, ionic diffusion, and dynamic properties of 45S5 bioactive glasses has been studied using constant pressure molecular dynamics simulations with a set of effective partial charge potentials. The simulated structure models were validated by comparing with experimental neutron diffraction results. It was found that the SrO/CaO substitution leads to an increase of glass density and decrease of oxygen density, a measure of compactness of the glass, in excellent agreement with available experimental data. On the other hand, the substitution does not significantly change of the medium range glass structures as characterized by silicon and phosphorous Q n distributions, network connectivity, and ring size distributions. The diffusion and dynamic behavior of these glasses and their melts were also determined by calculating the mean square displacements and velocity autocorrelation functions. It was found that the diffusion energy barriers of sodium, calcium and strontium ions remain nearly constant with respect to the level of substitution. However, strontium ions do influence the diffusion behaviors of calcium and sodium ions at high temperature, as evidenced from their velocity autocorrelation functions. Like calcium and sodium, strontium ions only contribute to the lower frequency (around 100 cm − 1 ) of the vibrational spectra the substitution has little effect on high frequency features and the general shape of the vibrational density of states. These results suggest that the increase of the dissolution rate in strontium containing glasses are mainly due to the increase of free volume and the non-local effect that weakens the silicon-oxygen network due to strontium ions.
Autophagy, Apoptosis, and the Influenza Virus M2 Protein

Viral subversion and inhibition of host cell autophagy has been documented for several viruses. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe,Gannage et al. (2009) show that the influenza virus M2 integral membrane protein blocks autophagosome maturation, significantly affecting host cell apoptosis.
Hot working of Ti-6Al-4V via equal channel angular extrusion

The deformation behavior of Ti-6Al-4V during high-temperature equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) with or without an initial increment of upset deformation was determined for billets with either a lamellar or an equiaxed alpha preform microstructure. For conventional ECAE (i.e., deformation by simple shear alone), flow localization and fracture occurred at temperatures between 900 °C and 985 °C. In contrast, billets deformed at temperatures between 845 °C and 985 °C using an initial increment of upset deformation immediately followed by the simple shear deformation of ECAE exhibited uniform flow with no significant cracking or fracture. A simple flow-localization criterion was used to explain the influence of preupsetting on the suppression of localization in billets with the lamellar microstructure. The suppression of flow localization for the equiaxed microstructure and the elimination of edge cracking for both types of microstructures were explained in terms of heat transfer (die chill) and workpiece geometry. Further evidence of the relative importance of microstructural and thermal effects was extracted from the results of two-pass extrusions, the first with upsetting and the second without upsetting.
Embolectomy for Acute Pulmonary Artery Occlusion Following Fontan Procedure

A 5-year-old child experienced acute hemodynamic decompensation and hypoxia four weeks following an uneventful Fontan procedure for univentricular heart. Cardiac catheterization revealed complete occlusion of the left pulmonary artery, and emergent pulmonary artery embolectomy was performed. The source of the embolus was the atrial septal patch. Because of the altered hemodynamics following the Fontan procedure, stasis of right atrial blood and thrombus formation may occur. Routine anticoagulation immediately following operation is recommended. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with embolectomy may be lifesaving.
Energetics of folding of a lysozyme β-bend☆

The forces directing the “β-fold” at residues 52–59 in hen egg-white lysozyme have been explored by theoretical conformational analysis, which includes solvent interaction. It is shown that, whereas the conformation is in its most favorable free-energy state for a folded form, the fold is actually a destabilizing influence which is overcome only by long range interactions. The concept is introduced that nucleation of the tertiary structure initiates the folding process which is localized by the specific sequence. Thus, long range forces “drive” the fold and short range forces “localize” it.
New Records of Brachyuran Decapod Crustaceans From the Continental Shelf Off North Carolina, U.S.A

Vingt-neuf especes de Crustaces Decapodes sont signales du plateau continental, au large de la Caroline du Nord, U.S.A. Vingt-et-un d'entre eux le sont pour la premiere fois de cette region (extensions geographiques); pour les huit autres ce sont des confirmations de captures precedentes. De nouvelles illustrations sont donnees pour 17 especes, ainsi que des notes sur les tailles maximales, la couleur et les conditions de reproduction, et sur les donnees geographiques et bathymetriques.
Resource utilization in on- and off-pump coronary artery surgery: Factors influencing postoperative length of stay—an experience of 1,746 consecutive patients undergoing fast-track cardiac anesthesia

Objective: The purpose of the present investigation was to examine factors influencing resource utilization in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft and off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) graft surgery at a major university hospital. The resources examined were time to extubation, packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion, intensive care length of stay (ICULOS), preoperative and postoperative length of stay (PLOS), and total length of stay (LOS). Design: Observational study of consecutive patients undergoing on- and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Setting: Tertiary care cardiac referral center. Participants: One thousand seven hundred forty-six consecutive male and female patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery over a period of 3 years (1999–2001). Eight hundred eighty-one patients underwent CABG with pump, and 865 patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: The mean time to extubation after surgery was 7.4 hours for on-pump patients and 5.8 hours for the OPCAB group ( p ≤ 0.001); 73.7% of patients on pump received PRBC transfusion as compared with 48.6% of the OPCAB group ( p ≤ 0.001). The mean ICULOS for the on-pump group was 1.6 days and 1.4 days for the OPCAB group ( p = 0.006). PLOS was 6.5 days for the on-pump group and 5.6 days for the OPCAB group ( p ≤ 0.001). Mean total LOS was 9.7 days for the on-pump group and 8.8 days for the OPCAB group ( p ≤ 0.001). PLOS is correlated with several clinical and demographic variables. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the effects of on/off pump on PLOS. Use of pump is significantly correlated with increased PLOS ( p ≤ 0.001, Kendall’s correlation), and pump use is strongly associated with transfusion (odds ratio = 2.95, p ≤ 0.001), which in turn is a determinant of PLOS. There were no significant differences between the on- and off-pump groups in the incidence of postoperative complications except for bleeding requiring reexploration and ventilatory support for more than 72 hours. Incidence of bleeding was 3.3% in the on-pump group and 1.7% in the OPCAB group ( p = 0.038). In the on-pump group, 3% of patients required >72 hours to postoperative tracheal extubation compared with 1.5% in the OPCAB group ( p = 0.041). Hospital mortality was 2.7% for the on-pump group and 1.0% for the OPCAB group ( p = 0.010). Conclusion: The authors found that patients undergoing on-pump CABG have significantly longer time to tracheal extubation, increased blood use, longer ICULOS, PLOS, and total LOS and higher in-hospital mortality, which would translate into significant differences in the expenses associated with these 2 surgical approaches to coronary surgery.
Prognostic Value of Coronary Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction

Background— Whether patients at increased risk can be identified from a relatively low-risk population by coronary vascular function testing remains unknown. We investigated the relationship between coronary endothelial function and the occurrence of acute unpredictable cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and unstable angina) in patients with and without coronary atherosclerosis (CAD). Methods and Results— We measured the change in coronary vascular resistance (ΔCVR) and epicardial diameter with intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh, 15 μg/min) to test endothelium-dependent function and sodium nitroprusside (20 μg/min) and adenosine (2.2 mg/min) to test endothelium-independent vascular function in 308 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization (132 with and 176 without CAD). Patients underwent clinical follow-up for a mean of 46±3 months. Acute vascular events occurred in 35 patients. After multivariate analysis that included CAD and conventional risk factors for athero...
Occupational Inhalant Exposure and Respiratory Disorders among Never-Smokers Referred to a Hospital Pulmonary Function Laboratory

ABSTRACT Background Multiple reports have described associations between occupational inhalant exposure and lung disease. Previous occupational lung disease investigations have studied populations consisting of both smokers and nonsmokers. Smoking complicates interpretation of toxicant exposure-response relationships. The objective of this study was to determine whether, among never-smokers, occupational exposure to gases, dusts, or fumes is associated with a history of respiratory disorders and pulmonary function test defined obstructive lung disease. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 517 never-smoker patients who underwent pulmonary function testing in our clinical laboratory between 1986 and 1999. We calculated the relative risks of developing adverse respiratory health outcomes given a history of exposure to occupational inhalants. Results Compared with persons with a negative occupational exposure history, exposed persons had an increased risk of reporting a history of bronchitis [relative risk (RR), 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20–2.12], recurrent lung infections (RR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.14–3.82), and bronchodilator use (RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.26–2.06). There was also a statistically significant association between a history of inhalant exposure and the finding of an obstructive ventilatory defect on pulmonary function testing (RR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.12–2.85). A history of inhalant exposure was not associated with self-reported asthma (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.83–1.41). The population attributable risk estimates for respiratory disorders due to inhalant exposure were: bronchitis, 23.6%; recurrent lung infection, 36.3%; bronchodilator use, 24.3%; and obstructive lung disease, 29.6%. Conclusions Occupational inhalant exposure is a strong risk factor for lung disease in this population of never smokers. A significant burden of respiratory disease in this population may be attributable to occupational inhalant exposure.
Depletion of Energy Metabolites Following Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor-Induced Status Epilepticus: Protection by Antioxidants ☆

Status epilepticus (SE)-induced neuronal injury may involve excitotoxicity, energy impairment and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Potential treatment therefore should consider agents that protect mitochondrial function and ROS scavengers. In the present study, we examined whether the spin trapping agent N-tertbutyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) and the antioxidant vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol) protect levels of high-energy phosphates during SE. In rats, SE was induced by either of two inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the organophosphate diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP, 1.25 mg/kg, sc)- or the carbamate carbofuran (1.25 mg/kg, sc). Rats were sacrificed 1 h or 3 days after onset of seizures by head-focused microwave (power, 10 kW; duration 1.7 s) and levels of the energy-rich phosphates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatine (PCr) and their metabolites adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and creatine (Cr), respectively, were determined in the cortex, amygdala and hippocampus. Within 1 h of seizure activity, marked declines were seen in ATP (34-60%) and PCr (25-52%). Total adenine nucleotides (TAN = ATP + ADP + AMP) and total creatine compounds (TCC = PCr + Cr) were also reduced (TAN 38-60% and TCC 25-47%). No changes in ATP/AMP ratio were seen. Three days after the onset of seizures, recovery of ATP and PCr was significant in the amygdala and hippocampus, but not in the cortex. Pretreatment of rats with PBN (200 mg/kg, ip, in a single dose), 30 min before DFP or carbofuran administration, prevented induced seizures and partially prevented depletion of high-energy phosphates. Pretreatment with the natural antioxidant vitamin E (100 mg/kg, ip/day for 3 days), partially prevented loss of high energy phosphates without affecting seizures. In controls, citrulline, a product of nitric oxide synthesis, was found to be highest in the amygdala, followed by hippocampus, and lowest in the cortex. DFP- or carbofuran-induced seizures caused elevation of citrulline levels seven- to eight-fold in the cortex and three- to four-fold in the amygdala and hippocampus. These results suggest a close relationship between SE, excitotoxicity and energy metabolism. The involvement of oxidative stress is supported by the findings that DFP and carbofuran trigger an excessive nitric oxide (NO) production in the seizure relevant regions of the brain.
Protestantism and Politics in Chile and Brazil

Although Protestant missionaries in Latin America have written numerous accounts of their endeavors for over a hundred years, more systematic and theoretically oriented studies of Latin American Protestantism have begun to appear only in the 1960s. Sociologists have approached this subject in search of new data and insights for the field of religious sociology, and both Protestant and Catholic critics have evaluated Latin American Pro-
Stability and Independence for Multivariate Refinable Distributions

Due to their so-called time-frequency localization properties, wavelets have become a powerful tool in signal analysis and image processing. Typical constructions of wavelets depend on the stability of the shifts of an underlying refinable function. In this paper, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of the shifts of certain compactly supported refinable functions. These conditions are in terms of the zeros of the refinement mask. Our results are actually applicable to more general distributions which are not of function type, if we generalize the notion of stability appropriately. We also provide a similar characterization of the (global) linear independence of the shifts. We present several examples illustrating our results, as well as one example in which known results on box splines are derived using the theorems of this paper.
Angiotensin II type-2 (AT2) receptor-mediated inhibition of NMDA receptor signalling in neuronal cells.

Abstract The N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor has been reported to be important in synaptic plasticity, neuronal development, normal brain function and neurologic disease. We have recently shown that PC12W cells, a subclone of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line, release nitric oxide (NO), as measured by in vitro spin-trapping combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, when challenged with NMDA [Norby, S.W., Weyhenmeyer, J.A. and Clarkson, R.B., Stimulation and inhibition of NO production in macrophages and neuronal cells as observed by spin trapping, Free Rad. Biol. Med., 22 (1997) 1–9]. In the present study, we provide immunochemical evidence for the expression of both the NMDAR1 and NMDAR2A/B receptor subunits in PC12W cells, that express only the angiotensin type-2 (AT2) receptor subtype, and in NG108-15 (NG108) cells, a murine neuroblastoma×glioma hybrid that expresses both the angiotensin type-1 (AT1) and AT2 receptor subtypes. We also show that treatment of PC12W cells with angiotensin (Ang II) decreases NMDA-induced NO release by 28.0±4.2%, and that this response can be attenuated by pre-treating the cells with the isoform-specific AT2 antagonist, PD 123319. Interestingly, there was no effect on cGMP accumulation in PC12W cells treated with NMDA. Similar experiments were carried out using NG108 cells since the binding properties and functional characteristics of their NMDA receptors have been previously described [Ohkuma, S., Katsura, M., Chen, D., Chen, S. and Kuriyama, K., Presence of N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors in neuroblastoma×glioma hybrid NG 108-15 cells-analysis using 45Ca2+ influx and [3H]MK-801 binding as functional measures, Mol. Brain Res. 22 (1994) 166–172]. Our results show that NG108 cells significantly increase cGMP levels when challenged with NMDA (21.2±5.0% over control levels), and that this response can be attenuated by the addition of angiotensin (57.1±6.2% of stimulated levels). The effect of angiotensin on NMDA-mediated changes in cGMP levels was blocked by the AT2 antagonist, PD 123319, but was not significantly changed by the addition of the AT1 antagonist, losartan. Further, Ang II action on NMDA signalling in NG108 cells was completely inhibited by the addition of both the AT1 and AT2 antagonists. Taken together, these results suggest that AngII inhibits NMDA-mediated NO and cGMP production through a mechanism involving the AT2 receptor subtype.
‘Como fa la foja’: Versions of Female Authority in the Huon d’Auvergne Manuscript Tradition

This essay investigates the variant representations of female authority and rebellion in the Franco-Italian Huon d’Auvergne romance-epic manuscript tradition. Taking textual variance as a productive, not obstructive, locus of analysis, this inquiry focuses on one of the more textually unstable episodes of the Huon epic, the resistance of Huon’s wife Ynide to king Carlo Martello’s consuming passion. Sidestepping concerns about the earliest or best manuscript version of Ynide’s defence episode, this essay examines the female protagonist’s mutable textual situation within the context of changing ideals of womanly virtue in the fourteenth century.
Improving ‘Objective’ Digital Images with Neuronal Processing: A Computational Approach:

This paper describes an experiment where an image recorded with a digital camera is processed using an electro-physiological model of a neuron. The luminosity level of each pixel of the source image is treated as the stimulus for an individual neuron, and the source image is transformed into a response image based on the processing behavior of the Hodgkin-Huxley neuronal model. It is seen that transformation of the image through neuronal processing yields (i) more evenly balanced levels of luminosity and (ii) a more 'subjective' rendering of the environment than what was photographed with the digital camera. The CCD (charge coupled device) – based digital camera reveals its limitation as a linear recording device that does not have a balanced dynamic range. The neuronal processing of the image adds non-linearity and a balanced range to the luminosity levels in the image, rendering it closer to a 'subjective' perception of the scene.
Effects of oral contraceptives on glucose flux and substrate oxidation rates during rest and exercise

We examined the effects of oral contraceptives (OC) on glucose flux and whole body substrate oxidation rates during rest (90 min) and two exercise intensities [60-min leg ergometer cycling at 45 an...
Diffusion through composite membranes: A two-dimensional analysis

Abstract A model of permeation through a composite membrane has been developed for the case where pores are assumed to be embedded in a permeable membrane that is coated on one surface with a nonporous film; a distinguishing feature of the present model is that it takes into account the two-dimensional nature of diffusion in the coating layer. Previous treatments of two-dimensional diffusion in the surface layers of composite membranes and in porous membranes surrounded by boundary layers have been restricted to diffusion through composites where the pores are located in an impermeable membrane. Although this problem and its analysis are general, the model is applied here to the description of gas permeation through glassy, asymmetric hollow fibers that are coated with an elastomer to seal defects and pores in the skin layer. The validity of a more approximate but much simpler analysis that ignores resistance to diffusion in the plane of the membrane coating is assessed, and conditions are identified (e.g., large surface pores) where two-dimensional effects can be significant. The present model shows that surface pores need only be covered and not filled by the coating in order to restore membrane selectivity, and it predicts that selectivity will be a strong function of surface pore diameter for certain permeant/membrane combinations.
A Supplemental Checklist of Lichens in Theodore Roosevelt State Natural Area, North Carolina, USA with a Note on the Rare Teloschistes flavicans

Abstract. From 71 collections 48 species representing 29 genera of lichens were found during a one-day foray in the Hoffman Trail area of Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area, North Carolina in December 2006. All but one were found on bark, with nearly equal representation in the midbole and canopy layers of the forest; only one species was found growing on the forest floor. This checklist supplements that from a survey of the Natural Area conducted during the 12th Tuckerman Workshop in 2003, which focused on the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Trail area. Twenty-seven taxa reported here were not encountered in the 2003 survey and thus represent new additions to the flora. Although not encountered during the survey, a population of the rare Teloschistes flavicans (lichenized Ascomycota: Teloschistiaceae) is reported from the Natural Area by park personnel.
Asymptotic screened hydrogenic radial integrals.

The usefulness of the screened hydrogenic model for the transitions of the helium sequence is studied. The screened hydrogenic radial dipole integral for discrete-discrete transitions from the initial state to the final state is asymptotically expanded to the lowest order such that the final quantum number n approaches infinity. The analytical expression obtained is in terms of confluent hypergeometric functions.
In situ SAXS investigations of isothermal crystallization in poly(TMPS) fractions

The isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(TMPS) has been measured by ISSAXS and results obtained for a molecular weight fraction (21,000) below the critical entanglement molecular weight (25,000) and another one above it (371,000). The SAXS intensity vs. time curves suggest that a single transformation mechanism exists. The SAXS long period is independent of crystallization time for both poly(TMPS) fractions. However the interlamellar thickness contribution to the long period is dependent upon molecular weight and crystallization temperature, increasing with temperature and molecular weight. The crystallite contribution also increases over the range studied. Both fractions exhibit a significant, but reversible decrease in thickness on cooling the sample from the crystallization temperature to room temperature and recyling again. The change is more pronounced for 371,000 specimen in keeping with its lower crystallinity. The path dependence of lamellar dimensions has significant implications in the morphological characterization of polymers annealed or crystallized at one temperature and then measured at another one.
Conservative management of malignant pericardial effusion

The traditional approach to treatment of malignant pericardial effusion has been surgical, with establishment of a pericardial window. Conservative management with local instillation of chemotherapeutic agents and/or focal radiotherapy has received less attention, particularly when solid tumors have been causative. This series of 5 patients with antemortem diagnoses of malignant pericardial disease had predominant pericardial effusion rather than tumor encasement as the basis for tamponade. These 5 patients received initial therapy with local instillation of a chemotherapeutic agent ± radiotherapy. Four of the 5 made complete responses with total disappearance of cardiac symptoms and signs. Two of the responders are dead, 4 and 12 months, respectively, after initial treatment, neither showing significant pericardial fluid at postmortem examination. Two patients are alive and asymptomatic, 40 months and 8 months, respectively, after initial therapy. A literature review of treatment of malignant pericardial effusions discloses longer symptom-free intervals in patients treated by conservative measures compared to surgical programs utilizing pericardial window accompanied by any combination of other treatment modalities.
Planetary science: a wet and altered Mars.

Has Mars always been cold and dry or was it once warm and wet? Reanalysis of spacecraft data reveals a signature from the surface rocks that indicates their composition has been altered in the presence of water.
Do peritoneal catheters remove pro-inflammatory cytokines after cardiopulmonary bypass in neonates?

Abstract Background . Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in neonates induces a cytokine-mediated capillary leak syndrome that can cause organ dysfunction. Removing harmful cytokines after CPB may attenuate this response. This study measured the concentrations of serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) cytokines after CPB to determine if harmful cytokines can be removed with peritoneal catheters. Methods . Neonates (n = 18) had cardiac surgery using CPB with circulatory arrest. Peritoneal catheters were placed at the end of surgery to drain excess fluid. Serum samples were obtained before and after CPB, and PF after CPB. Cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results . Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were not detected in any serum or PF sample. Serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 increased significantly after CPB. PF concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 exceeded serum concentrations, whereas IL-10 concentrations were higher in the serum. There was a significant negative correlation between serum and PF concentrations of IL-6 after CPB ( r = −0.63; p Conclusions . PF has very high concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8, after CPB but not the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10. The PF may be a depot for the harmful inflammatory cytokines after CPB, and removing the PF could lower serum concentrations.
Evaluation of the burden of logging injuries using West Virginia workers' compensation claims data from 1996 to 2001.

BACKGROUND: The risks associated with logging are well documented, however little work has been done on estimating the economic impact of injuries among loggers. METHODS: West Virginia Workers' Compensation claims data for the period 1996-2001 was used to assess the economic burden of logging injuries in the state. RESULTS: There were 1,371 claimants during this period with the highest number of claims (39%) in the 25-34 years age category. The total cost of injuries was over $14 million. The most severe injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), thoracic, cervical, and lumbar, resulted in the highest medical costs, indemnity costs and permanent disability. The average medical cost for logging-related to TBI was $198,048 compared to $15,321 for other major industries. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of the economic costs underscores the need for active research of injury prevention among loggers and for greater attention to occupational safety and health programs. Language: en
An application of the suárez reaction to the regiospecific and stereospecific synthesis of the C28-C42 segment of rapamycin

Abstract Specific lactonization of a TBS ether followed by iodinative scisson of a γ-lactol are the key elements of a strategy for maintaining continuous chemical distinction between the latent C 34 and C 32 hydroxyl groups of starring material 3 en route to 14 , the C 28 -C 42 fragment of rapamycin.
Soviet market power and pricing behaviour in Western export markets

INCREASED involvement of the Soviet Union in world markets over the past two decades has led to a continuing debate in the West over the distribution of trade benefits between the USSR and its Western trade partners. I Part of the concern with this distribution derives from the common perception that the Soviet state monopoly of foreign trade enables the USSR to earn monopoly (or monopsony, as the case may be) profits in East-West trade at the expense of Western firms. Some observers have been making the point for some time, however, that the existence of this internal, institutional monopoly over Soviet foreign trade does not necessarily translate into Soviet 'market power' on Western markets.2 (By 'market power' we mean the ability to affect the prices paid for imports and received for exports.) Indeed, with the USSR in recent years accounting for less than 2% of the foreign trade turnover of OECD countries, many observers, including this one, have tended to suggest that the Soviet Union enjoys little market power on Western markets. Heretofore, however, there has been no systematic attempt to investigate the degree of Soviet market power and Soviet pricing behaviour on Western markets. This study examines, for the first time in an intensive and disaggregated way, the degree of Soviet market power in Western export markets. Although market power is easy to define (as above), it is very difficult to measure. Obviously market share in general has a bearing on the degree of market power, but there is no magical market-share criterion which we may use in distinguishing between a 'price taker' and a potential 'price maker' in a given market. Furthermore, it is not always clear how the relevant market for market-share calculations should be defined. Moreover, as 'price leadership' and some other oligopolistic models suggest, having a sizeable market share does not necessarily mean that a given exporter will actively use its market power. For the purposes of this paper we will consider a share of 10% or more in a relevant market as an indicator of potential market power. How Soviet organizations choose to use their market power, when they have it, is another question. Whether Soviet foreign trade organizations (FTOs)