cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Double-Bond Requirement in a Fatty Acid Desaturase Mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A fatty acid Δ9-desaturase mutant of yeast was analyzed to establish the specificity of the fatty acid structural requirement. Several double-bond-containing and substituted fatty acids were tested. It was concluded that the presence of a Δ9cis double bond is necessary for growth. The need for a specific chain length or a specific number of double bonds, or for both, is more flexible. Tracer-containing 16:1Δ9cis, 18:1Δ9cis, 18:2Δ9,12cis,cis and 18:3Δ9,12,15 all cis revealed that each of these growth-supporting components, once taken up, was not converted into other fatty acids. Concentration effects on doubling time were also considered.
Ultraviolet Raman Spectrometry

The sections in this article are Introduction Phenomenology Instrumentation Fundamental Applications Analytical Applications Biological Ultraviolet-Raman Studies Conclusions Acknowledgments
Necrotizing fasciitis after cosmetic blepharoplasty.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a case of necrotizing fasciitis after cosmetic blepharoplasty. METHOD: Case report. A 74-year-old woman with history of type II diabetes mellitus underwent bilateral upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Postoperatively she developed fever, grayish discoloration of the skin, violaceous bullae, and a right facial nerve palsy. Necrotizing fasciitis was diagnosed and treated with intravenous antibiotics, debridement of necrotic tissue, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. RESULTS: The infection resolved, but the patient required reconstruction for correction of cicatricial ectropion. CONCLUSION: Necrotizing fasciitis is a potentially fatal infection that typically occurs in the setting of trauma. Early recognition of its pathognomonic signs and aggressive management are paramount.
HIV Neuropathy Pain Continues to Pose a Challenge

HIV-related painful neuropathy (HIV-PN) is particularly challenging and nested within the already challenging problem of neuropathic pain (NP) management. Currently available medications that consistently demonstrate evidence, albeit modest, in painful diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia have failed to demonstrate any measurable benefit in HIV-PN [1]. Two manuscripts in this issue demonstrate efforts to address this problem in different ways. Harrison et al. applied the appealing approach of the blinded crossover study of combination analgesic therapy, an approach perhaps best demonstrated by Gilron et al. in their landmark study of morphine, gabapentin, and combination therapy in NP [2]. By contrast, Dorfman et al. used a nonpharmacologic approach, self-directed hypnosis, to treat HIV-PN. Only …
Influences of supervisor liking of a subordinate and the reward context on the treatment and evaluation of that subordinate

Previous research suggests that a supervisor's liking of a subordinate biases evaluations of that subordinate's performance. Other research suggests that supervisor liking influences the treatment of the subordinate, which may in turn influence the subordinate's performance. The present study investigated these influences in a laboratory simulation. Subjects (N=140) worked on their own tasks and supervised an alleged subordinate during a 30-min work period. Supervisor liking of a subordinate was manipulated by altering the personality characteristics and the attitude similarity of the subordinate. Reward context was manipulated by rewarding supervisors for either the total performance of both the supervisors and subordinates or for the individual performance of each supervisor only. Supervisor liking positively influenced the expected leader-member exchange, treatment of the subordinate, and evaluations of subordinate performance. The reward context influenced supervisor treatment of the subordinate and the number of problems the supervisor solved.
Axo-axonic synapses in the main sensory trigeminal nucleus

Des petites projections, provenant de boutons axoniques, sont emises dans un certain nombre de boutons axoniques adjacents au niveau du principal noyau sensoriel trijumeau.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient mutant in human cell culture.

THE examination of known human genetic differences in cell culture is a prerequisite to the establishment of a somatic cell genetics of man. The recent paper on the inability of cell cultures from galactosaemic subjects to utilize galactose is the first report of the maintenance of a genetically determined metabolic difference in cell culture1. In this communication we wish to report the results of work on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities in cell cultures from a subject with a genetically determined deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and from a series of normal subjects.
Congenital craniopharyngioma and hypercalcemia induced by parathyroid hormone-related protein

ABSTRACT Objective To report a case of congenital craniopharyngioma and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP)-associated humoral hypercalcemia. Methods Details of this unusual case are reviewed, from detection of fetal hydrocephalus and a brain tumor, through cesarean delivery at 36 weeks of gestation, to subsequent laboratory studies, management, and confirmation of the diagnosis. Results Although PTHrP has been well documented as a cause of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) in adult patients with cancer, HHM is uncommon in children. In addition, HHM has rarely been ascribed to nonmalignant tumors. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of a neonate with congenital craniopharyngioma and refractory hypercalcemia (peak ionized calcium level of 1.92 mmol/L; normal, 1.05 to 1.3) attributed to an elevated PTHrP value of 8.6 pmol/L (normal, less than 4.7). Intact parathyroid hormone was appropriately undetectable (less than 10 pg/mL; normal, 15 to 65). Despite calcitonin treatment, the hypercalcemia persisted. Although pamidronate infusion stabilized the serum calcium level, the baby did not survive. Conclusion The diagnosis of craniopharyngioma was confirmed at autopsy, and immunohistochemical studies substantiated that the craniopharyngioma produced PTHrP. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:67-71)
MetaboSearch: tool for mass-based metabolite identification using multiple databases.

Searching metabolites against databases according to their masses is often the first step in metabolite identification for a mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics study. Major metabolite databases include Human Metabolome DataBase (HMDB), Madison Metabolomics Consortium Database (MMCD), Metlin, and LIPID MAPS. Since each one of these databases covers only a fraction of the metabolome, integration of the search results from these databases is expected to yield a more comprehensive coverage. However, the manual combination of multiple search results is generally difficult when identification of hundreds of metabolites is desired. We have implemented a web-based software tool that enables simultaneous mass-based search against the four major databases, and the integration of the results. In addition, more complete chemical identifier information for the metabolites is retrieved by cross-referencing multiple databases. The search results are merged based on IUPAC International Chemical Identifier (InChI) keys. Besides a simple list of m/z values, the software can accept the ion annotation information as input for enhanced metabolite identification. The performance of the software is demonstrated on mass spectrometry data acquired in both positive and negative ionization modes. Compared with search results from individual databases, MetaboSearch provides better coverage of the metabolome and more complete chemical identifier information. Availability: The software tool is available at http://omics.georgetown.edu/MetaboSearch.html.
The effects of various agents in vitro on homocarnosine-carnosine synthetase from rat brain.

The present paper reports the first evidence that homocarnosine-carnosine synthetase from rat brain requires free sulfhydryl groups for activity. The activity of the synthetase can be stabilized by dithioerythritol and inhibited strongly by Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Zn2+, and to a lesser extent by Ca2+, Ni2+, Li, chlorpromazine, α-methyl DOPA and norepinephrine at the concentrations tested.
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?

Tumors with similar grade and morphology often respond differently to the same treatment because of variations in molecular profiling. To account for this diversity, personalized medicine is developed for silencing malignancy associated genes. Nano drugs fit these needs by targeting tumor and delivering antisense oligonucleotides for silencing of genes. As drugs for the treatment are often administered repeatedly, absence of toxicity and negligible immune response are desirable. In the example presented here, a nano medicine is synthesized from the biodegradable, non-toxic and non-immunogenic platform polymalic acid by controlled chemical ligation of antisense oligonucleotides and tumor targeting molecules. The synthesis and treatment is exemplified for human Her2-positive breast cancer using an experimental mouse model. The case can be translated towards synthesis and treatment of other tumors.
X-ray fluorescence determination of sodium in silicate standards using direct dilution and dilution fusion preparation techniques

Direct dilution of a sample with an equal proportion of cellulose binder and dilution fusion of one part of sample with fourteen parts of LiBO2 flux has been used to prepare pelletized samples of silicate standards for determining sodium by X-ray fluorescence analysis. An RAP analysing crystal was used to disperse and reflect the sodium spectra. Detection limits were found to be 0.07 and 0.39% Na2O at the 2s confidence level for the direct dilution and dilution fusion preparation techniques, respectively.
Owning our off-ramps

In this issue of JCHIMP, Meade et al., publish the results of qualitative analysis regarding a second-year rotation in tracing the outcome of discharged patients. They report that their residents develop remarkable insights into the types of failures and miscommunications that plague our discharge processes. This perspective piece places this article in the context of literature seeking to understand why these problems are endemic and how we must prioritize efforts to address and prevent them. Keywords: BOOST; Hospital discharge; Graduate medical Education; Patient safety; transitions of care (Published: 1 April 2015) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2015, 5 : 26873 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v5.26873
Peptide histidine isoleucine-induced elevations in ACTH and corticosterone in the rat.

Abstract Peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) is one of many neuropeptides found in both the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS). In the present work, we compared the effects of intravenous (IV) and hypothalamic (PVN) administration of PHI on plasma ACTH and corticosterone (CORT) secretion 2 h after the onset of light in fasted, freely moving male rats. The PVN administration of PHI (0.15, 0.30, 1.50, and 3.0 nmol/rat) elicited significant, dose-dependent increases in plasma ACTH and CORT concentrations that were maximal at 15 min postadministration and fell gradually over 60–120 min. The highest dose of PHI increased ACTH and CORT to 821% and 340% of time-matched control levels, respectively. The IV injection of PHI (3.0 nmol/rat) also raised plasma ACTH and CORT levels in these animals. However, the peak response (at 15 min postinjection) to the same dose of PHI was much lower following IV administration (ACTH 188% of control; CORT 210% of control) than after PVN administration. These results suggest that endogenous PHI may be a physiological regulator of ACTH and CORT secretion in rats and that the PVN is a major site for its action.
Logistical rivalries and port competition for container flows to US markets: Impacts of changes in Canada's logistics system and expansion of the Panama Canal

Shipments of container imports are heavily concentrated in a number of ports, which has resulted in pressures on logistics networks. Partly in response to such pressures, several new routes are being developed to gain access to US markets. One involves the port of Prince Rupert; the other is the expansion of the Panama Canal. The purpose of this article is to estimate prospective traffic flows through these logistics channels for container shipments to US markets. An optimization model is developed that accounts for congestion and demand uncertainty. It determines the optimal route, ship size, port and hinterland shipping channels based on cost minimization. Our results show that inter-port competition is very intense. Prince Rupert can become an important rival of US ports and routes and the expansion of the Panama Canal can have similar impacts.
Fine structure mapping of DNA repair within a 100 kb genomic region in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Abstract We have investigated at a high level of resolution the repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in a large amplified genomic region in Chinese hamster ovary B11 cells. We found strand selective repair in DNA fragments within two active genes, DHFR and an unknown gene adjacent to DHFR. These genes generate divergent transcripts from the same promoter region; their transcribed strands were virtually free of CPD within 24 h after irradiation with 10 J/m 2 of ultraviolet light (254 nm), while their non-transcribed strands were poorly repaired. We also examined the repair of CPD in three DNA fragments within a 50 kb region downstream of DHFR, in which two origins of replication flanking a matrix attachment site have been characterized from independently derived cell lines with amplified DHFR domains; repair of CPD in this non-transcribed region was similarly poor in both DNA strands. Transcription-coupled repair of CPD in the DHFR gene exhibited the same proficiency throughout the transcription unit: analysis of the efficiency of removal of CPD over time revealed no differences between repair in the 5′ and the 3′ ends of the DHFR gene. Implications for mechanisms of transcription-coupled repair are discussed.
Intestinal Absorption of Sodium and Nitric OxideDependent Vasodilation Interact to Dominate Resting Vascular Resistance

Abstract The villi of the small intestine maintain a hypertonic interstitium at all times, and the submucosal glands constantly secrete ions and accompanying water into the lumen. Generation of the 400- to 600-mOsm interstitial fluid in the villus and secretion by glands may require a large expenditure of energy and, consequently, have major effects on intestinal vascular regulation to supply oxygen and nutrients. Blood flow and oxygen consumption were measured in the ileum of anesthetized rats during natural resting conditions with physiological sodium chloride in the bathing fluid and during isosmotic replacement of sodium chloride with mannitol. Microvascular pressures and blood flow were used to determine the changes in resistance of the major arterioles and the terminal vasculature. When mannitol replaced sodium chloride in contact with the villi, intestinal blood flow decreased to 58.6±2.8% of control, and oxygen consumption was 54.2±3.4% of control. Resistance of the major arterioles increased 101.7±9.9%, and that of the terminal vasculature increased 40.4±6.2%. The increased resistance appeared to be caused by suppression of a nitric oxide mechanism. Local application of 10−4 mol/L N G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester caused about the same reduction in flow and increases in regional vascular resistance as during replacement of sodium but did not alter the oxygen consumption. These data indicate that about half of the intestinal metabolic rate during natural resting conditions is devoted to sodium secretion/absorption. Large resistance vessels are dilated to maintain a high blood flow through release of nitric oxide. We propose that dilation of the terminal vasculature in the metabolically active tissues increased flow velocity sufficiently in the major resistance vessels to cause a flow-mediated release of nitric oxide.
Some recent contributions to communication research methodology

Books reviewed TIME SERIES ANALYSIS: REGRESSION TECHNIQUES. By Charles W. Ostrom, Jr. Sage University Paper series on Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, No. 07–009. Beverly Hills: Sage, 1978; pp. 85. $3.00. ANALYSIS OF NOMINAL DATA. By H. T. Reynolds. Sage University Paper series on Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, No. 07–007. Beverly Hills: Sage, 1977; pp. 82. $3.00. CANONICAL ANALYSIS AND FACTOR COMPARISON. By Mark S. Levine. Sage University Paper series on Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, No. 07–006. Beverly Hills: Sage, 1977; pp. 62. $3.00. ECOLOGICAL INFERENCE. By Laura Irwin Langbein and Allan J. Lichtman. Sage University Paper series on Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, No. 07–010. Beverly Hills: Sage, 1978; pp. 70. $3.00. MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALING. By Joseph B. Kruskal and Myron Wish. Sage University Paper series on Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, No. 07–011. Beverly Hills: Sage, 1978; pp. 93. $3.00. STRATEGIES FOR C...
Wigner distribution: Friend to Biophotonics

The Wigner distribution provides joint information of a signal in two conjugate domains. Unique insights can be obtained into biophotonics problems by using this formalism to examine the coherence of optical fields.
Decreasing Nonurgent Emergency Department Utilization by Medicaid Children

Objective. To test interventions to decrease the utilization of hospital emergency departments (EDs) for routine, nonemergent health care among Medicaid recipients. Methods. Families of a Medicaid-recipient child presenting to a children9s hospital ED for nonurgent problems received information from either a health professional or a clerical employee about the importance of a primary care provider and assistance with making an appointment to the provider of their choice. The health professional continued to work with her assigned families in eliminating barriers to appropriate utilization of a primary care provider for up to 3 months after the index ED visit. A third (comparison) group received no intervention. Subsequent health care utilization for each enrollee was tracked via Ohio Medicaid claims data throughout the four subsequent 6-month periods after the index ED visit. Results. Children in the intervention groups had 11.1% and 14.5% fewer nonurgent ED visits in the 6 months after the index ED visit with a concomitant decrease in cost for this type of care when compared with the comparison group during the same time period. No difference in the number of preventive or ill-child primary care visits was seen. There was no difference in health care cost or utilization in the time period 6 to 24 months after the intervention. Conclusions. Interventions in pediatric EDs aimed at decreasing subsequent ED utilization for nonurgent care can be effective, resulting in modest decreases in the cost of health care for a Medicaid population.
Soybean genotypic differences in sensitivity of symbiotic nitrogen fixation to soil dehydration

Nitrogen fixation activity by soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) nodules has been shown to be especially sensitive to soil dehydration. Specifically, nitrogen fixation rates have been found to decrease in response to soil dehydration preceding alterations in plant gas exchange rates. The objective of this research was to investigate possible genetic variation in the sensitivity of soybean cultivars for nitrogen fixation rates in response to soil drying. Field tests showed substantial variation among cultivars with Jackson and CNS showing the least sensitivity in nitrogen accumulation to soil drying. Glasshouse experiments confirmed a large divergence among cultivars in the nitrogen fixation response to drought. Nitrogen fixation in Jackson was again found to be tolerant of soil drying, but the other five cultivars tested, including CNS, were found to be intolerant. Experiments with CNS which induced localized soil drying around the nodules did not result in decreases in nitrogen fixation rates, but rather nitrogen fixation responded to drying of the entire rooting volume. The osmotic potential of nodules was found to decrease markedly upon soil drying. However, the decrease in nodule osmotic potential occurred after significant decreases in nitrogen fixation rates had already been observed. Overall, the results of this study indicate that important genetic variations for sensitivity of nitrogen fixation to soil drying exist in soybean, and that the variation may be useful in physiology and breeding studies.
Optical system having a large focal depth for distant object tracking.

We analyze an optical system after inserting a simple quartic phase plate in its pupil plane to extend the focal depth. The system is used specifically to track distant objects like stars. We design an optimum quartic phase plate for a real lens system which has an effective focal length of 29 mm, an F-number of 1.6, a field of view of 20 degrees, and a working wavelength range of 0.5~0.75 µm. By introducing the quartic phase plate, we enhance the focal depth of the system more than threefold as compared to a system having no phase plate.
Effects of Atropine on Brain Respiration.

Summary(1) It was found that atropine in relatively high concentrations inhibited the respiration of rat brain homogenates by as much as 40% under optimal conditions. (2) The respiration inhibition was partially reversible by acetylcholine under certain conditions. (3) The inhibition was pH dependent, increasing with increasing pH. Corresponding changes in the atropine absorption spectrum with varying pH were observed.
Natural convection heat transfer characteristics of flat plate enclosures

Heat transfer by natural convection in rectangular enclosures has been experimentally studied using interferometric techniques. The effects of Grashof number, tilt angle, and aspect ratio on both the local and average heat transfer coefficients have been determined. The Grashof number range tested was 4 x 10/sup 3/ to 3.1 x 10/sup 5/, and the aspect ratio (ratio of enclosure length to plate spacing) varied between 9 and 36. The angles of tilt of the enclosure with respect to the horizontal were 45, 60, 75 and 90 deg. Correlations are developed for both local and average Nusselt number over the range of test variables. The effect of tilt angle is found to reduce the average heat transfer by about 18 percent from the value of 45 deg to that at 90 deg. No significant effect of aspect ratio over the range tested was found. A method for characterizing the flow regimes that is based on heat transfer mechanisms is proposed.
Imaging concussion: a review.

Concussion is a significant public health problem that is receiving increased attention from physicians, the media, and the public. Recent studies suggest that persistent symptoms after concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) may arise from structural or metabolic alterations in the brain, despite normal conventional neuroimaging studies. New, advanced neuroimaging techniques show promise in refining diagnosis and outcome prediction in concussion/mTBI. Here, we review some of these techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging, task-based and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, as well as positron emission tomography, 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and perfusion imaging. Although further validation is needed through large prospective studies that correlate these techniques with patient outcome, it is likely that the definitions of pathoanatomic lesions, and a better understanding of their relationship to symptoms and prognosis, will continue to evolve as neuroimaging techniques continue to progress.
Pharmacotherapy of the hospitalized young adult schizophrenic patient

The authors surveyed pharmacotherapy in a group of hospitalized 18 to 35-year-old young adult patients (N = 286) with a DSM-III diagnosis of schizophrenia. Drug use comparisons were made between patients with a 180 day or less hospitalization (short-stay, N = 226) and those with a 366+ day hospitalization (long-stay, N = 60). Psychotropic drug usage during the initial 180 and most-recent 180 days of treatment of the long-stay group was compared with the total episode of the short-stay group. Antiepileptic, antidepressant, lithium and anxiolytic/sedative/hypnotic agents, were used in significantly more of the long-stay than short-stay patients. This increase was not observed between the two groups for the initial 180 days of the long-stay group but was observed during the most recent 180 days of treatment. Antipsychotic mean daily doses and patterns of use in the two length of stay groups were similar. Chlorpromazine (CPZ) dosage was significantly increased in long-stay patients compared with short-stay patients (P less than .05).
Breaking the rules: success and failure in groupware-supported business process reengineering

In the information economy, businesses are changing more often and more rapidly than ever before. The lessons learned from a decade of business process reengineering (BPR) research may provide insights to researchers and managers trying to understand and successfully navigate these changes. This paper examines the successes and failures of groupware-supported BPR processes in four organizations. Two were successful and two were failures. Groupware allowed certain tasks to be performed faster, added structure to the BPR process and facilitated participation by more people. The key difference between the successful and the unsuccessful cases was when and how senior management was involved.
Isotherms and crystallography of the hydrides of the system CaxEu1−xNi5

The hydriding of the system CaxEu1−xNi5 has been examined for various values of x using in-situ X-ray diffraction and pressure-composition measurement at 298 K. The single phase solutions which exist in this ternary intermetallic system for x = 0 to 0.25 and 0.8 to 1.0 exhibit hydriding behaviour closely related to that of the corresponding end member binary. Significant changes in the stability, ease of activation and the composition range of the hydrides of the ternaries compared to that of the “related” binaries are observed.
Cross Linking of Erythrocyte Membrane Proteins and Phospholipids by Chemical Probes

Membrane proteins and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in intact red cells and red cell ghosts were reacted with cross-linking probes, which differed in hydrophobicity and charge. Methylacetimidate (MA) cross-links more spectrin bands 1 and 2 in cells than in ghosts. Band 4.1 reacts readily with MA in both cells and ghosts, whereas band 3 and 5 undergo very little linking. However, band 3 and most membrane proteins except band 5 are extensively cross linked by difluorodinitrobenzene (DFDNB). Band 5 reacts with DFDNB more in ghosts than in cells. Isethionyl acetimidate (IA), a nonpenetrating probe, gives very little cross linking of membrane proteins in intact cells, whereas it extensively cross links proteins in ghosts in a similar fashion as does MA. MA reacts extensively with PE in both cells and ghosts. Depending on the concentration of MA, between 47 and 60% of the PE is cross linked to itself. At 20 mM MA, 94% of PE reacts in intact cells, whereas at 20 mM IA only 19% of PE reacts. Furthermore, 66% of the PE that reacts with IA is cross linked to itself. These studies suggest that hydrophilic imidoesters cross link peripheral membrane proteins such as bands 1, 2, and 4.1, but have restricted access to integral proteins such as band 3. However, the hydrophobic probe extensively cross links both integral and peripheral proteins in intact cells except band 5. These data suggest that rearrangement of some membrane proteins occurs when ghosts are prepared.
Tempered orbital energies in SCF MO calculations and their relation to the ordinate in Mulliken-Walsh correlation diagrams and extended Hückel orbital energies

An “average state” of a molecule is defined by distributing the electrons equally among the valence orbitals of a minimal basis set Hartree-Fock calculation. The resulting eigenvalues, called tempered orbital energies, behave much more like the Mulliken-Walsh diagram energies or extended Huckel eigenvalues than do the Hartree-Fock canonical orbital energies.
The coulomb potential near the low-index surfaces of spinels

Abstract The Coulomb potential at sites near the (100), (110), and (111) surfaces of inverse, random and normal spinels are evaluated for semi-infinite crystals containing only one surface. From the potential, the electrostatic contributions to the surface energy are evaluated for these surfaces. It is found that the (100) surface is electrostatically the most stable surface.
Emergency medicine in the Comoros Islands

The Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros lies off between Madagascar and the Southeast Coast of Africa, and comprises a group of three islands with a total population of 651,901. The average annual income per capita is US$ 470 and life expectancies at birth are 59.3 years for men and 63.9 years for women. It became independent from France in 1975 and for the past 17 years, Comorians have made significant progress in improving their healthcare system. The islands are frequently beset by natural disasters such as active volcano eruptions and hurricanes which resulted in the development of a special Emergency Response Program with the United Nations Disaster Management. The main focus of emergency medicine is disaster management and hospital-based clinical practice. There is a paucity of literature on emergency medicine in Comoros and this is the first article to report the current status of emergency medicine in Comoros Islands.
14 GHz microstrip MEMS phase shifters on flexible, organic substrate

One and two bit microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microstrip phase shifters at 14 GHz have been realized on 100 /spl mu/m liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate. This paper presents for the first time a MEMS phase shifter on a flexible, organic substrate. LCP is a well-suited substrate for low-cost, low-loss, and near-hermetic applications. Multibit phase shifters have applications in almost all microwave devices, but are most commonly used in phased antenna arrays, which can be realized on a rollable substrate using this technology. The one-bit phase shifters have an average return loss of 19.0 dB and an average insertion loss of 0.59 dB at 14 GHz. The phase shifts are within 1.38/spl deg/ of the intended phase shift at this frequency. For the two-bit phase shifters, an average return loss of 22.5 dB and an average insertion loss of 0.98 dB were measured per bit. The average phase error for the two-bit phase shifter is only 1.26/spl deg/.
Heat transfer in laminar flow of non-Newtonian fluids

Abstract The main objective of this work is the consideration of local heat transfer coefficients for non-Newtonian power-law pseudoplastic liquid in laminar flow in circular conduits. The wall boundary conditions chosen are cases involving uniformly constant heat flux and step change in heat flux. Analytical solutions are developed for the wall temperature profile and compared with experimental data. Additionally, the experimental data have been correlated for comparison with existing relationships, hitherto not verified adequately. The limits of experimental data are:
Variation in self-fertility and floral characters of Geranium caespitosum (Geraniaceae) along an elevational gradient

Characters that have the potential to alter the breeding system ofGeranium caespitosum were investigated. The characters differ mechanistically, functioning either endogenously and independent of pollen transfer, or exogenously by influencing pollen transfer. Little variation in self-fertility (endogenous mechanism) was measured among populations from different elevations grown in a common garden. Variation in floral morphology (exogenous mechanism) was limited and unlikely to create a change in the breeding system. Macroscopic variation (exogenous mechanism), including gynodioecy, sexual specialization, and pollen sterility, was observed in extreme elevation populations and probably has a sizeable effect on the breeding system.
Electromagnetic field of a current loop around a Kerr black hole

The electromagnetic field due to a current loop placed around a Kerr black hole is investigated within the framework of perturbation theory. The asympotic behavior of the field at large distances from the black hole is studied. The process of charge accretion into the black hole due to the electric field generated by the loop is discussed.
Myelin and its abnormalities

This review starts with a brief outline about what myelin is, what it does, and how it is formed. Attention is then turned to newer methods of studying myelinationin vitro. Finally, diseases which can affect myelin are commented upon and advances which have occurred over the last few years are pointed out.
Fine-grained privilege separation for web applications

We present a programming model for building web applications with security properties that can be confidently verified during a security review. In our model, applications are divided into isolated, privilege-separated components, enabling rich security policies to be enforced in a way that can be checked by reviewers. In our model, the web framework enforces privilege separation and isolation of web applications by requiring the use of an object-capability language and providing interfaces that expose limited, explicitly-specified privileges to application components. This approach restricts what each component of the application can do and quarantines buggy or compromised code. It also provides a way to more safely integrate third-party, less-trusted code into a web application. We have implemented a prototype of this model based upon the Java Servlet framework and used it to build a webmail application. Our experience with this example suggests that the approach is viable and helpful at establishing reviewable application-specific security properties.
Interaction of food deprivation with different measures of amphetamine effects

Abstract The effects of d-amphetamine (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg) on feeding, activity, and food-dish contact time of male Holtzman rats were investigated under 4 different levels of food deprivation (0, 12, 24, 36 hr). Differences in the amount of food deprivation significantly influenced the drug's effect on feeding and food-dish contact time, but not on activity. Also, differences in the amount of food deprivation significantly influenced the interrelationship (correlation) of amphetamine's effects on activity and food-dish contact time and on food-dish contact time and feeding, but not so much the interrelationship of the drug's effects on feeding and activity. These findings suggest that the amount of food deprivation differentially influences different general measures of amphetamine effects as well as differentially affecting the interrelationship of amphetamine effects. The importance of the correlation data to the potential incompatibility of the drug's effects as well as to an interpretation of food-dish contact time is briefly considered.
Effective-medium theory of chemical binding: Application to chemisorption

An approximate theory of the total energy change connected with the embedding of an atom in an inhomogeneous host is developed. The primary effect of the inhomogeneous environment is included by replacing it with a homogeneous electron gas of a density equal to that of the host at the atom site. The lowest-order corrections to this simple picture are derived. The scheme, which is computationally very simple, is tested against first-principles calculations for several chemisorption systems. It is found that including a simple first-order correction gives excellent agreement for H and O adsorbates. For less electronegative atoms like Si and Li, it seems that a second-order term involving the polarizability of the atom in a homogeneous electron gas must be included.
Optimizing mini-ridge filter thickness to reduce proton treatment times in a spot-scanning synchrotron system

Purpose: Study the contributors to treatment time as a function of Mini-Ridge Filter (MRF) thickness to determine the optimal choice for breath-hold treatment of lung tumors in a synchrotron-based spot-scanning proton machine. Methods: Five different spot-scanning nozzles were simulated in TOPAS: four with MRFs of varying maximal thicknesses (6.15–24.6 mm) and one with no MRF. The MRFs were designed with ridges aligned along orthogonal directions transverse to the beam, with the number of ridges (4–16) increasing with MRF thickness. The material thickness given by these ridges approximately followed a Gaussian distribution. Using these simulations, Monte Carlo data were generated for treatment planning commissioning. For each nozzle, standard and stereotactic (SR) lung phantom treatment plans were created and assessed for delivery time and plan quality. Results: Use of a MRF resulted in a reduction of the number of energy layers needed in treatment plans, decreasing the number of synchrotron spills needed and hence the treatment time. For standard plans, the treatment time per field without a MRF was 67.0 ± 0.1 s, whereas three of the four MRF plans had treatment times of less than 20 s per field; considered sufficiently low for a single breath-hold. For SR plans, the shortestmore » treatment time achieved was 57.7 ± 1.9 s per field, compared to 95.5 ± 0.5 s without a MRF. There were diminishing gains in time reduction as the MRF thickness increased. Dose uniformity of the PTV was comparable across all plans; however, when the plans were normalized to have the same coverage, dose conformality decreased with MRF thickness, as measured by the lung V20%. Conclusions: Single breath-hold treatment times for plans with standard fractionation can be achieved through the use of a MRF, making this a viable option for motion mitigation in lung tumors. For stereotactic plans, while a MRF can reduce treatment times, multiple breath-holds would still be necessary due to the limit imposed by the proton extraction time. To balance treatment time and normal tissue dose, the ideal MRF choice was shown to be the thinnest option that is able to achieve the desired breath-hold timing.« less
A New Finite Element Gradient Recovery Method: Superconvergence Property

This is the first in a series of papers in which a new gradient recovery method is introduced and analyzed. It is proved that the method is superconvergent for translation invariant finite element spaces of any order. The method maintains the simplicity, efficiency, and superconvergence properties of the Zienkiewicz--Zhu patch recovery method. In addition, for uniform triangular meshes, the method is superconvergent for the linear element under the chevron pattern, and ultraconvergent at element edge centers for the quadratic element under the regular pattern. Applications of this new gradient recovery technique will be discussed in forthcoming papers.
Proportions of Ammonia, Urea, Urate and Total Nitrogen in Avian Urine and Quantitative Methods for Their Analysis on a Single Urine Sample

Abstract We have developed a dilution method for avian urine and modified existing analytical methods for ammonia, urea, uric acid and total nitrogen to permit determination of all these compounds on aliquots of the same urine sample. The proportions of urinary nitrogen in these compounds were: uric acid 55–72%, ammonia 11–21% and urea 2–11%. This ranking of proportions was consistent for four different dietary protein-water availability regimes. There were no significant differences in the proportions of these nitrogenous compounds due to either dietary protein intake or changes in water availability.
PREVENTION OF RAT FETAL GROWTH RETARDATION BY DIETARY L-ARGININE, THE PRECURSOR OF NITRIC OXIDE. † 1916

Arginine deficiency and biochemical dysfunction secondary to arginine deficiency are common in pregnancy. Nitric oxide (NO), produced from arginine, influences fetal growth. We tested whether increased availability of L-arg provided through drinking water could improve fetal growth in a model of fetal growth retardation. Pregnant rats reared in a hypobaric hypoxic environment(FiO2.21, 380 mm Hg) develop severe fetal growth retardation (weight at c-section on day 21 of pregnancy: hypoxic: 3.38 ±.70 g, n = 101 fetuses versus normoxic: 5.11 ±.75 g, n = 65 fetuses, p<.000001). Rats maintained in the same hypobaric cage as the hypoxic rats, but who had dietary supplementation with 2% L-arg added to drinking water had improved fetal growth (weight at c-section on day 21 of pregnancy: 4.78 ±.56 g, n = 52 fetuses p<.00001 versus hypoxic; p = NS versus normoxic). D-arginine, unable to induce NO synthesis to the extent of L-arginine, is only partially active at improving fetal growth. Glycine, not known to affect nitric oxide synthesis, does not normalize fetal growth. Rats maintained under hypoxic conditions who had 2% L-arginine added to drinking water had similar protein intake from day 9 to 21 of pregnancy compared to hypoxia treated rats fed normal diets (hypoxic 9.55 ±.92 g per rat, L-arginine supplemented 9.49±.92g per rat). We conclude that dietary L-arg can prevent fetal growth retardation. We speculate that increased dietary arginine leads to increased endogenous NO synthesis, increasing placental blood flow, and improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus.
C/EBPα determines hematopoietic cell fate in multipotential progenitor cells by inhibiting erythroid differentiation and inducing myeloid differentiation

C/EBPα is an essential transcription factor required for myeloid differentiation. While C/EBPα can act as a cell fate switch to promote granulocyte differentiation in bipotential granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMPs), its role in regulating cell fate decisions in more primitive progenitors is not known. We found increased numbers of erythroid progenitors and erythroid cells in C/EBPα–/– fetal liver (FL). Also, enforced expression of C/EBPα in hematopoietic stem cells resulted in a loss of erythroid progenitors and an increase in myeloid cells by inhibition of erythroid development and inducing myeloid differentiation. Conditional expression of C/EBPα in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells induced myeloid-specific genes, while inhibiting erythroid-specific gene expression including erythropoietin receptor (EpoR), which suggests a novel mechanism to determine hematopoietic cell fate. Thus, C/EBPα functions in hematopoietic cell fate decisions by the dual actions of inhibiting erythroid and inducing myeloid gene expression in multipotential progenitors.
A Two-Wavelength Holographic Interferometry Study on the Solidification of a Binary Alloy Around a Horizontal Pipe

An experimental study on the transient outward solidification of a transparent binary alloy from an internally cooled horizontal pipe is reported. Two-wavelength holographic interferometry was used to visualize the density field in the liquid phase and to measure the local heat and mass transfer rates at the mush/liquid interface at characteristic times, Stefan numbers, and initial concentrations. The presence of double diffusive convection in the liquid phase greatly affected the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers
The effect of crystal orientation on arc erosion resistance of electromechanical relay contacts

Abstract A study of the effect of crystal orientation on the resistance to arc erosion of electromechanical relay contacts has been conducted on single crystal copper. Two crystallographic planes, (111) and (100), served as contact surfaces, and they were microscopically examined after 30,000 to 60,000 cycles at loads ranging from 3 amperes to 5 amperes current and nil to 2 henries inductance, all at 24 volts potential. In all cases, the (111) contacts displayed greater resistance to arc erosion. In addition, it appears that (111) contacts have a higher threshold for penetrating erosion than have (100) contacts. Exact or absolute threshold values were not determined; they doubtless depend upon cycle frequency and heat transfer as well as the contacts. The test results suggest that crystal orientation can be exploited in developing contacts resistant to arc erosion if oriented (polycrystalline or composite) contacts can be prepared.
Revised and abbreviated forms of the genderism and transphobia scale: Tools for assessing anti-trans* prejudice

Many studies of anti-trans prejudice have measured such attitudes using the Genderism and Transphobia Scale (GTS; Hill & Willoughby, 2005). The GTS is unique in assessing negative attitudes and propensity for violence toward trans people. The present research addressed previously observed limitations in the psychometric properties of data produced by the GTS, including inconsistencies in factor structure and subscale scoring across studies. Results across the present 2 studies (Ns = 314 and 250) yielded 2 refined versions of the GTS: the 22-item GTS-Revised (GTS-R) and a more abbreviated 13-item GTS-R-Short Form (GTS-R-SF), each of which produced stable 2-factor structures corresponding with the intended negative attitudes and propensity for violence dimensions of the GTS. The 2 versions differ in that the GTS-R-SF Genderism/Transphobia subscale focuses on more severe expressions of prejudicial attitudes, whereas the longer GTS-R Genderism/Transphobia subscale assesses subtle expressions of prejudice as well. The Gender-Bashing subscale is identical across the 2 versions. Thus, researchers and practitioners may choose the GTS-R or GTS-R-SF depending on the breadth of prejudicial attitudes they wish to assess. Reliability estimates for GTS-R and GTS-R-SF scale and subscale item responses were acceptable and stable across the 2 studies, and validity evidence was garnered in Study 2. These findings can inform use of the GTS-R and GTS-R-SF in research and practice settings, where psychometric precision and efficiency are both critical.
Activation of Thionophosphates by Liver Microsomes

MANY organophosphorus insecticides are poor inhibitors of cholinesterase, but are converted to potent inhibitors (‘activated’) by certain mammalian and insect tissues. The activation by liver slices was first shown by Gardiner and Kilby1 for schradan (a phosphoroamidate), and by Diggle and Gage2 for parathion (a phosphorothionate). Davison3 showed that both these activations could be effected by the combined soluble and microsomal fraction of liver, if magnesium, nicotinamide and diphosphopyridine nucleotide were provided. I have shown that the soluble fraction could be replaced by reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide for activation of schradan4 and malathion5. In the present work, a slightly different technique was used for demonstrating activation of phosphorothionate by liver microsomes with reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide.