cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dissociation of open-field behavior and pituitary-adrenal function

Abstract Low overall activity, high defecation and high adrenocortical secretions in response to the open-field (OF) test (behavior in a novel arena) are presumed to indicate “emotionality.” Pituitary-adrenal secretions have been considered to be simply an additional indicant of emotional arousal or as a mediator of differences in OF behavior. During lactation in rats there is a reduction in corticosterone elevations following OF exposure; OF behavior, however, did not vary With this physiological change. In a second experiment, pituitary-adrenal activity was blocked with a median eminence implant of hydrocortisone. The OF behavior of these implanted rats did not differ from the no-implant controls; cholesterol-implanted controls had higher activity and corticosterone levels and normal defecation. OF activity was dramatically depressed in subjects who had received traumatic shock treatment previously, but pituitary-adrenal activity at the time of the OF test was unrelated to this depressed activity, and OF defecation was normal. We conclude that pituitary-adrenal secretions do not mediate differences in OF behavior and that since the complex of low overall activity, high defecation and high adrenocortical levels are frequently dissociated, these responses cannot serve to validate each other as measures of emotionality.
Dopamine fails to inhibit Na, H-exchanger in proximal tubules of obese Zucker rats

Dopamine via the activation of D1-like receptors inhibits Na,K-ATPase and Na,H-exchanger and subsequently increases sodium excretion. We have previously reported that dopamine failed to inhibit Na,K-ATPase in the proximal tubules (PTs) of obese Zucker rats. The present study was designed to determine the effect of dopamine on Na,H-exchanger in PTs of lean and obese Zucker rats, and examine D1-like receptor-coupled signal transduction pathway mediating the inhibition of Na,H-exchanger. We found that dopamine inhibited Na,H-exchanger in the PTs of lean rats but this response was absent in obese rats. In brush border membranes, [3H]SCH 23390 binding revealed a, ∼45% reduction in D1-like receptor binding sites in obese compared to lean rats. Dopamine stimulated cAMP accumulation in PTs of lean but not in obese rats. Forskolin-mediated stimulation of cAMP was similar in lean and obese rats. Dopamine as well as forskolin and dibutyryl cAMP-mediated stimulation of protein kinase A (PKA) was reduced in PTs of obe...
A new method for calculating derivatives of eigenvalues and eigenvectors for discrete structural systems

Abstract A new method is presented for calculating the derivatives of eigenvalues and eigenvectors for discrete structural systems. In the cases of distinctive eigenvalues, proportional damping is assumed and the exact eigen-pair derivatives of arbitrary order are calculated. For a repeated eigenvalue, its first-order derivatives are calculated by solving a reduced eigenvalue problem of order equal to the eigenvalue's geometric multiplicity. The new method is computationally efficient and numerically robust. Examples are presented to illustrate the use and effectiveness of the new method.
Assessing DNA damage in cnidarians using the Comet assay.

Abstract The assessment of DNA damage by the Comet assay has been described as a useful non-specific general biomarker of stress in many marine organisms. In field situations it has successfully been employed to distinguish between reference and polluted sites and in the laboratory it has been widely used as a mechanistic tool to determine pollutant effects and mechanisms of DNA damage. To date a wide range of marine vertebrates and invertebrates have been used, however, the usefulness of this assay as a biomarker in cnidarians has not yet been assessed. The aims of this study were to optimize the Comet assay for cnidarian cells and to assess its utility for detecting genotoxic damage in these cells. Cells were isolated from the North American pacific coast temperate sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima using a non-enzymatic dissociation procedure and viability was determined to be in excess of 90%. Cells were incubated either with (1 h acute exposures) hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), ethylmethanesulphonate (EMS) or benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P). In comparison to other marine species, anemone cells exhibited high control or background levels of DNA strand breaks. Despite this, however, we observed dose responses for each of the study chemicals with no reduction in cell viability. This study demonstrates that anemone cells respond to known DNA damaging agents, including B[a]P which requires metabolism to exert its genotoxic effect, and that the Comet assay may prove to be a useful biomarker of stress in cnidarian species.
He II heat transfer through random packed spheres: Pressure drop

Abstract Heat flow induced pressure drop through superfluid helium (He II) contained in porous media is examined. In this experiment, heat was applied to one side of a He II column containing a random pack of uniform size polyethylene spheres. Measured results include steady state pressure drops across the random packs of spheres (nominally 35 μm, 49 μm, and 98 μm diameter) for different heat inputs. Laminar, turbulent, and transition fluid flow regimes are examined. The laminar permeability and equivalent channel shape factor are compared to our past studies of the temperature drop through He II in the same porous media of packed spheres. Results from the pressure drop experiments are more accurate than temperature drop experiments due to reduced measurement errors achieved with the pressure transducer. Turbulent results are fitted to models with empirically derived friction factors. A turbulent model considering only dynamic pressure losses in the normal fluid yields the most consistent friction factors. The addition of the laminar and turbulent heat flow equations into a unifying prediction fits all regimes to within 10%.
Explaining the Rise and Fall of Military Regimes: Civil-Military Relations in the Congo:

The primary argument of this article is that the disintegration of the military is a function of circumstances generated within civil-military relations. This argument seems to undermine Samuel Huntington's military subordination through either subjective or objective controls. In looking at the Congolese situation, this analysis relies on Morris Janowitz's idea of a politicized military corps to understand the rise and fall of General Mobutu Sese Seko. Janowitz's suggestion that the military is becoming more politicized, regardless of its level of professionalism, properly represents events in the Congo under General Mobutu. In fact, it was this high level of politicization that over time led to Mobutu's downfall. Using Janowitz's typology of the military in developing countries, this article focuses on several factors that explain why the military might fail to perform effectively in its mission of defending the state. Among these conditions are colonial legacy, economic survival, frequent military purg...
Repeat torsion of "fixed" testis.

Abstract Four cases of torsion of the spermatic cord are reported following previous fixation for the same condition. In all cases the initial fixation was by absorbable chromic catgut suture, and at the subsequent operation for repeat torsion the testes were found to be freely mobile. The use of nonabsorbable suture material (2–0 silk) is recommended for testis fixation in cases of torsion.
Improved turbulent boundary-layer model for shock tubes

A viscous boundary-layer model was assembled to help describe the nonideal gas dynamics within shock tubes operating at high densities. The analytical model is based primarily on the landmark work of Mirels, who used the Blasius relation for the turbulent skin friction. The main improvement was the incorporation of a modern friction model for compressible, turbulent boundary layers via changes to the constants and exponents of Mirels's original boundary-layer relations. For example, the wall shear stress now depends on a Reynolds number to the -0.14 power as compared to -0.25 in the original model. As a result, the boundary layer at higher densities is thicker in the present model than in the original one, thus increasing the incident-shock attenuation and related nonuniformities. Even in borderline cases, the boundary-layer transitions to turbulent very quickly, usually within 100 μs for incident-shock pressures greater than about 2 atm. Because a turbulent boundary layer is thicker than a laminar one at the same conditions, the boundary-layer thickness in higher-pressure shock tubes is expected to be a larger fraction of the tube diameter than normally seen in lower-pressure shock tubes
Disruption of integrin α5β1 signaling does not impair PDGF-BB-mediated stimulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway in smooth muscle cells

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation is dependent on both anchorage to the extracellular matrix by integrins and the presence of growth factors. Integrins and growth factor receptors transduce signals that seem to converge on the extracellular signal-regulated (ERK) pathway, but the molecular basis for this interaction is not known. SMC proliferation has previously been shown to be supported by culture on fibronectin (FN), whereas cells cultured on laminin (LN) are growth inhibited. In the present study, we examined the mitogenic response to platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) in baboon SMCs cultured on FN vs. LN. Induction of DNA synthesis and the activity of ERK and the ERK activating kinase MKK-1 were reduced only slightly after stimulation with PDGF-BB in cells cultured on LN vs. those cultured on FN. We tested the possibility that endogenous FN secretion contributes to the ability of the cells to respond to PDGF stimulation during culture on LN. Inhibition of interactions between FN and integrin alpha 5 beta 1 by the competitive GRGDSP-peptide or anti-alpha 5 integrin antibody restricted cell spreading, reduced cell-surface staining for alpha 5 beta 1 and FN fibrils, and inhibited PDGF-BB-induced DNA synthesis. These results showed that SMC growth on LN required a provisional FN matrix. Although disruption of interactions between alpha 5 beta 1 and FN by the GRGDSP-peptide prevented PDGF-BB-induced DNA synthesis, neither ERK activity nor translocation of ERKs into the nucleus was inhibited. These results show that integrins regulate SMC growth through pathways that function in parallel with, but distinct from, growth factor-mediated ERK signaling.
A study of the utility of convergent characters for phylogeny reconstruction: do ecomorphological characters track evolutionary history in Anolis lizards?

Abstract The reconstruction of phylogeny requires homologous similarities across species. Characters that have been shown to evolve quickly or convergently in some species are often considered to be poor phylogenetic markers. Here I evaluate the phylogenetic utility of a set of morphological characters that are correlated with ecology and have been shown to evolve convergently in Anolis lizards in the Greater Antilles. Results of randomization tests suggest that these “ecomorph” characters are adequate phylogenetic markers, both for Anolis in general and for the Greater Antillean species for which ecomorphological convergence was originally documented. Explanations for this result include the presence of ecomorphologically similar species within evolutionary radiations within islands, some monophyly of ecomorphs across islands, and the existence of several species that defy ecomorphological characterization but share phylogenetic similarity in some ecomorph characters.
Extensions to the pre-equilibrium statistical model and a study of complex particle emission

Abstract Griffin's pre-equilibrium statistical model for nuclear reactions has been further extended to take account of the distinguishability between protons and neutrons as well as of the competition of particle emission with particle-hole pair creation and destruction. In addition, an empirical factor equal to the factorial of the mass number of the emitted particle has been introduced into the rate expressions for particle emission. In this extended form, the model has been used to analyze the spectra of protons, deuterons, tritons, 3He and 4He ions emitted in protoninduced reactions. For each reaction system, the model parameters were varied to reproduce the proton spectrum, and the spectra for the remaining four particle types were calculated with no added adjustable parameters. For systems lighter than gold, the relative charged particle yields are well reproduced by the model, while for 197Au and 209Bi too few tritons are predicted. The spectral shapes for the complex particles are approximately reproduced at bombarding energies around 30 MeV, but for higher energies the data show more high-energy tritons, 3He and 4He ions than can be accounted for with the model. It is thought that these high-energy particles may be produced in direct two and three nucleon pick-up processes which are not included in the model. The initial exciton numbers obtained from the analysis appear to be consistent with earlier values if strong collective excitations are removed from the proton spectra. The fraction of pre-equilibrium emission is found to increase with increasing bombarding energy.
WE‐C‐330A‐09: Dynamic, MultiModality Imaging: Temporal Precision and US Artifact Reduction

Purpose: Herein we describe the development of a dynamic fusion technology for ultrasound(US) and other static 3D data sets. We tested whether the high US frame rate is sufficient to accurately track objects subject to respiratory motion. In addition, we used the spatial registration functions of the system to test whether aggressive compounding of USimages would be efficacious in terms of artifact reduction and boundary detection. Materials/Methods: The system's dynamic spatial accuracy was tested using a phantom translated at a velocity of either 4 or 16 mm/s. To test inaccuracies due to video processing we offset the arm and video frame data in single frame increments. Static 3D USdata sets were acquired incorporating an acoustic obstruction. Data sets were reconstructed using images from multiple angles of interrogation. Similar experiments were performed to assess the system's ability to reduce reverberation artifacts and tested on a human subject. Results: By correcting for video processing latency, the system was able to track object motion to 0.2 and 0.5 mm for speeds of 4 and 16 mm/s, respectively. Aggressive image compounding was able to reveal objects that were otherwise obstructed from a single view. Reverberation artifacts were reduced, in addition to enhancing certain object boundaries . These results were present although less obvious in early human testing.Conclusions: Our imagingsystem is spatially accurate over a range that permits interrogation of an adult abdomen from a wide range of angles. The system's ability to track respiratory motion has been demonstrated. Aggressive compounding demonstrated that obstructed test objects could be visualized by non‐intelligently summing images from varying angles. Soft tissue boundaries and other US artifacts may also benefit from application of the technology. Supported by NIH R01EB002899.
MEASURING THE ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS OF WRITING ABILITY

The present study assessed the relationship among holistic writing ability, the Test of Standard Written English (TSWE), and the following tests of organizational ability: anagram solving, word reordering, sentence reordering, and paragraph assembly. Based upon a sample of 105 undergraduate students, the main findings were that writing ability, as measured by the holistic method of scoring, was significantly correlated with performance on the TSWE and the four tests of organizational ability. A composite score on all four organizational tests was found to have the highest zero-order correlation with the measure of writing ability. A stepwise regression analysis, with the measure of writing ability as the criterion, also indicated that the composite score explained a significant proportion of the variance beyond that explained by the TSWE. The results are discussed in terms of the Kintsch and van Dijk model of strategic discourse processing, which suggests that different organizational strategies operate at the levels of words, sentences, and paragraphs. It is concluded that tests assessing organizational strategies ought to be included in assessments of writing ability.
Inhibition of the lymphotoxin pathway as a therapy for autoimmune disease.

SUMMARY The lymphotoxin (LT) system is part of the tumor necrosis factor family and is required for lymph node development. It has provided a wonderful tool for the dissection of processes critical not only for lymphoid organ development but also the maintenance of the adult immune architecture and the formation of ectopic organized lymphoid tissues in chronically inflamed sites. A soluble lymphotoxin-beta receptor-immunoglobulin (LTbetaR-Ig) fusion protein can block this pathway and is currently being tested in the treatment of autoimmune disease. This review focuses on the immunological consequences of combined LT and LIGHT inhibition with LTbetaR-Ig administration as distinct from the developmental biology.
Texas Instruments' virtual phase charge-coupled device (CCD) imager operated in the frontside electron-bombarded mode

The present investigation is concerned with the suitability of the virtual phase CCD imager for frontside detection of electrons up to 25 keV. The investigation has the objective to determine if the imager can be used in the frontside mode with a photocathode to detect very low light levels in astronomical applications, the ultimate goal being individual photon detection. It is found that the standard virtual phase imager will function properly over an extended period at low levels of 20 kV electron irradiation consistent with photon counting applications. The imager can detect individual primary electrons with nearly 100 percent efficiency. However, further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms for the flat band shifts so that the imager design may be modified to eliminate or at least reduce them.
Predicting water quality in unmonitored watersheds using artificial neural networks.

Land use and land cover (LULC) play a central role in fate and transport of water quality (WQ) parameters in watersheds. Developing relationships between LULC and WQ parameters is essential for evaluating the quality of water resources. In this paper, we present an artificial neural network (ANN)—based methodology to predict WQ parameters in watersheds with no prior WQ data. The model relies on LULC percentages, temperature, and stream discharge as inputs. The approach is applied to 18 watersheds in west Georgia, United States, having a LULC gradient and varying in size from 2.96 to 26.59 km 2 . Out of 18 watersheds, 12 were used for training, 3 for validation, and 3 for testing the ANN model. The WQ parameters tested are total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), chlorine (Cl), nitrate (NO 3 ), sulfate (SO 4 ), sodium (Na), potassium (K), total phosphorus (TP), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Model performances are evaluated on the basis of a performance rating system whereby performances are categorized as unsatisfactory, satisfactory, good, or very good. Overall, the ANN models developed using the training data performed quite well in the independent test watersheds. Based on the rating system TDS, Cl, NO 3 , SO 4 , Na, K, and DOC had a performance of at least "good" in all three test watersheds. The average performance for TSS and TP in the three test watersheds were "good." Overall the model performed better in the pastoral and forested watersheds with an average rating of "very good." The average model performance at the urban watershed was "good." This study showed that if WQ and LULC data are available from multiple watersheds in an area with relatively similar physiographic properties, then one can successfully predict the impact of LULC changes on WQ in any nearby watershed.
The Effects of Exercise on Muscle Tension and Subsequent Muscle Relaxation Training.

Abstract This investigation examined the effects of physical exercise on muscle tension and subsequent muscle relaxation training. Twenty college students participated in the first phase of the study, which included a 10-minute EMG baseline, 30 minutes of pedalling on a bicycle ergometer, followed by EMG measurements on the frontalis muscle for up to 3 hours after the end of exercise. The same subjects from Phase I went on to Phase II, which included eight 32-minute EMG biofeedback training (BFT) sessions, utilizing the frontalis muscle. Ten subjects randomly assigned to the experimental group received BFT following an acute exercise bout, while the 10 subjects in the control group received no treatment. The greatest decrease in muscle tension in Phase I occurred 90 minutes after the end of the exercise. This finding was not significantly different from the baseline, indicating that there was no relaxation effect as a result of exercise. In Phase II, significant differences between pre and post-test measu...
Finite Element Analysis of the Shell of GIS Busbar Tube

By finite element software ANSYS a model of GIS busbar tube was established for investigating the effect of the gas pressure on the shell. The results shows that the stress concentration degree is higher on the shoulder between the main tube and the branch pipes under the internal pressure and the gravity, and the highest value is 44.92MPa which is far lower than the admissible stress. Stress changed along the thickness direction, and its value decreased gradually from the inside out. The distributions of the strain and deformation are similar to that of the stress.
Motion Effects on Organ Dose in Respiratory Gated Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

median 3 fractions (1-3) using CBCT image guidance on 6DOF hexapod couch. Maximum tolerated misalignment prior to treatment initiation was sub-mm & sub-degree. Following initial set-up, four CBCT’s were acquired 1 -localization scan; 2-post-residual errors correction pretreatment verification scan; 3 Intrafraction scan & 4End of treatment scan. Patient positioning data was recorded to calculate means, standard deviations (SD) for residual translational & rotational errors (TE, RE). For intrafraction motion dosimetric analysis, CBCT data of patients with more than 0.5 & 0.5mm mm vector shifts between verification scan & postRx scan was considered. Intensity based cubic B-spline algorithm deform algorithm registered original plan, structures & dose with setup uncorrected Verification, midtreatment & post treatment CBCT Scan. Intermodality and intramodality deformation errors were quality assured using registration refine tools prior to data collection. Clinical relevance was measured as the percentage underdosage of target & max dose increase of dose to adjacent OAR. Results:Mean residual TE & RE recorded in localization scans were 4mm (SD:0.6) & 1.8 (SD:0.9) respectively. Mean residual TE & RE on verification scans were 0.3mm(SD:0.1mm) & 0.2 (SD:0.3 ) respectively. Mean intra-fraction motion averaged over all patients and directions was 0.3 ( 0.2) mm for the translations and 0.4 ( 0.9 ) degrees for the rotations, in the interval between mid Rx & post Rx scan 17 patients with lesions in lower dorsal/lumbar spine had RE >0.5 but 1 shift. For dosimetric analysis, the same errors were replicated for CBCT-DIR using the shift editor & doses were thus deformed. For nonspinous process target, a one degree shift in the roll, pitch and yaw directions revealed approximately 1.8% drop in tumor coverage and OAR dose increase of up to 100 cGy.For lesions where spinous process is included there was 2.8% drop in tumor coverage. Conclusions: Majority of errors were rotational occurring at target locations where evacuated cushions were used, ie lower dorsal & LS spine. Every half degree error translates into approx. 1% drop in tumor coverage or 50 cGy increase in OAR. While effective pretreatment pain management is important to minimize these errors, DIR is simple fast tool to understand the clinical relevance of intrafraction motion errors. Author Disclosure: R. Rajan: None. V. Shankar: None. P. Mathew: None. J. Prajapathi: None. P.K. Shinde: None. L. Chaudhari: None. C. Haritha: None. J. Joseph: None. A. Kumar: None. P. Tinimol: None. R. Kumar: None.
Right Retroperitoneal Approach to the Aorta and Its Branches: Part II

The right retroperitoneal approach is a useful surgical route in selected situations. It best lends itself to right renal artery revascularization but can also be used in the other situations described herein. We hope that this and the article published in the March issue on the left retroperitoneal approach have clarified the indications and technical aspects of these approaches and will aid vascular surgeons in gaining practical experience with these versatile approaches.
Three-dimensional discontinuities in chirowaveguides

We report the first study of three-dimensional (3-D) discontinuities in chirowaveguides. The multimode coupled-mode method is an effective numerical approach to analyze this problem. After obtaining the coupled-mode equations, we diagonalize the coupling matrix to obtain a multimode scattering matrix rather than the usual two-mode approximation. Excellent agreement is found when we compare our results with experimental data for the achiral case. Numerical results are displayed to demonstrate the usefulness of our approach, and to examine the effects of the chirality admittance on scattering properties. We find that the sensitivity of the scattering parameters to chirality admittance increases as the chirality admittance increases. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 16: 315–319, 1997.
Renormalization group analysis of the global properties of a strange attractor

This paper considers the circle map at the special point: the one at which there is a trajectory with a golden mean winding number and at which the map just fails to be invertable at one point on the circle. The invariant density of this trajectory has fractal properties. Previous work has suggested that the global behavior of this fractal can be effectively analyzed using a kind of partition function formalism to generate anf versusα curve. In this paper the partition function is obtained by using a renormalization group approach.
Process Examination of Executive Function in ADHD: Sex and Subtype Effects

To examine effects of group (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] versus Typically Developing [TD]), sex, and ADHD subtype on "process/optional" measures of executive functioning, children (n = 123; 54 ADHD, 69 TD) aged 8-16 completed subtests from the D-KEFS. No group, sex, or ADHD subtype effects were found on optional measures from the Trail Making, Color-Word Interference, and Tower tests. A significant interaction was found for Verbal Fluency Total Repetition Errors; boys with Combined/Hyperactive-Impulsive (ADHD-C/HI) type ADHD performed better than ADHD-C/HI girls, whereas girls with Inattentive type ADHD (ADHD-I) performed better than ADHD-I boys. Overall, children with ADHD did not differ from TD on most optional measures from the D-KEFS. When sex and ADHD subtype were considered, children with the subtype of ADHD less common for sex were at greater risk for poorer performance.
A simple proof of the littlewood-Richardson rule and applications

Abstract We present a simple proof of the Littlewood-Richardson rule using a sign-reversing involution, and show that a similar involution provides a combinatorial proof of the SXP algorithm of Chen et al. (1984) which computes the Schur function expansion of the plethysm of a Schur function and a power sum symmetric function. The methods of this paper have also been applied to prove combinatorial formulas for the characters of coordinate rings of nilpotent conjugacy classes of matrices (Shimozono, 1998).
Actinomycin V as a Potent Differentiation Inducer of F5-5 Friend Leukemia Cells

The cell differentiation system of Friend leukemia cells was applied to screening for new types of antitumor antibiotics. F5-5, Friend leukemia cells, were the most suitable for the assay system due to the stability of their response on repeated culture passages. Antibiotics like mitomycin C, adriamycin and actinomycin D, but not cycloheximide, did not induce detectable benzidine-positive cells among the F5-5 cells in the concentration ranges tested. Among the culture fluids of one thousand and fifty-one streptomycete strains subjected to the assay system, actinomycin V, FL-518 and FL-657 were found to be the most active as inducers. Actinomycin V possessing l-4-ketoproline as a substitute for l-proline of actinomycin D at a concentration of 1.0ng/ml caused 39.7% of the F5-5 cells to become benzidine-positive. Furthermore, actinomycin V inhibited the colony formation of F5-5 cells in the soft agar medium at a concentration of 0.004 ng/ml.
“The Production of Post-Supernaturalistic Mythopoesis in Contemporary Nature Religion”

Are there new, emerging forms of nature reverencing religion? If so, what might these look like? This paper seeks to answer this question by drawing on both Bron Taylor's Dark Green Religion (and especially his nature religion schema found therein that includes the category of “Gaian Earth Religion”) and the work of environmental philosopher Donald Crosby (and his category of “religion of nature”). I argue that science writers like Edward Wilson and Carl Sagan, along with ecopoets like Mary Oliver, are creating a new mythopoesis of post-supernaturalistic nature religion. I also look at the complex interaction of religion/science and the role reverence for nature plays in this dialogue. I argue that the nature religion schema put forth by Taylor and the “physisology” put forth by Crosby can help us better theorize emerging strands of post-supernaturalistic religious-like sentiments and narratives that continue to grow 150 years after Darwin's theory revolutionized both science and religion.
A group theoretical proof of Kramers' theorem

Abstract The degeneracy of the energy levels of an ion in a crystaline field is at least two-fold if the ion contains an odd number of electrons (Kramers' theorem). This theorem can be proven entirely on the basis of group theory. We show that odd-electron systems have representations of the second kind. From this follows not only Kramers' theorem, but also a number of implications usually attributed to time reversal.
Retinoid absorption from simple and mixed micelles in the rat intestine

The absorption of three retinoid analogs etretinate (ET), acitretin (ETA), and motretinid (MOE) from two distinct micellar systems was studied in the rat intestine. Each of the three drugs was loaded into simple micelles consisting of 10 mM sodium taurocholate (NaTC) and mixed micelles consisting of 10 mM egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) and 10 mM NaTC. Following perfusion through the jejunum segments, both the fraction of drug disappearing from the segment and the permeability of the drug from the lumen into the gut wall (Peff) was greater with the mixed micelles as compared to the simple micelles. Perfusion flow rate had an influence on the Peff for ET and ETA. Similar trends as for the jejunum were seen in the ileum perfusions. The simultaneous uptake of PC and NaTC during the retinoid perfusions was monitored. There appeared to be a correlation between the Peff values for PC and that of the retinoids. The viability of the in-situ perfusion system was confirmed histologically. There is evidence to indicate that the permeability of the intestine is sensitive to subtle differences in the chemical structure of the retinoids.
On the thermal stability of physical vapor deposited oxide-hardened nanocrystalline gold thin films

We describe a correlation between electrical resistivity and grain size for PVD synthesized polycrystalline oxide-hardened metal-matrix thin films in oxide-dilute (<5 vol. % oxide phase) compositions. The correlation is based on the Mayadas-Shatzkes (M-S) electron scattering model, predictive of grain size evolution as a function of composition in the oxide-dilute regime for 2 μm thick Au-ZnO films. We describe a technique to investigate grain boundary (GB) mobility and the thermal stability of GBs based on in situ electrical resistivity measurements during annealing experiments, interpreted using a combination of the M-S model and the Michels et al. model describing solute drag stabilized grain growth kinetics. Using this technique, activation energy and pre-exponential Arrhenius parameter values of Ea = 21.6 kJ/mol and Ao = 2.3 × 10−17 m2/s for Au-1 vol. % ZnO and Ea = 12.7 kJ/mol and Ao = 3.1 × 10−18 m2/s for Au-2 vol. % ZnO were determined. In the oxide-dilute regime, the grain size reduction of the A...
Methods of Sequencing in Job Shops---A Review

In a job shop the sequence of operations required to process a job lot varies from job to job. At any time there are many jobs in the shop competing for the use of the manufacturing facilities. The problem of sequencing the jobs so as to optimize profits has not been solved. A number of solutions are available for special cases. Simulation appears to be a promising method of study for this problem. This paper reviews the definition of the job shop, the models proposed to date, solutions based on these models, and surveys prospects for the future.
Fertility and family planning in Papua New Guinea.

This paper examines some of the data on fertility family size and family planning from a survey conducted between November 1979 and March 1980 in 8 provinces both in rural and urban areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The sample consisted of 6283 male and female respondents; a total of 3986 females in the age group 15-49 and 2297 males between the ages of 20 and 54 were interviewed. About 9% of the rural and 5.4% of the urban female respondents were pregnant at the time of the interview. The higher number of pregnancies recorded for the rural population compared to the urban is due to longer duration of marriage and higher mean age. Both rural and urban respondents have similar attitudes to the ideal number of children. 4 and 6 children were indicated as an ideal number for the urban and rural population respectively. The results indicate that economic pressures are being felt within the family in both urban and rural areas and that the costs of raising children are clearly perceived at least among the educated. Nonetheless the majority of the population desires large numbers of children the main reason being economic security in old age. It is also evident that the people have a negative attitude to modern methods of contraception because they are not well informed about them. The most frequently stated reason the harmful effects on the health of the mother and future offspring is probably one of the obstacles to their more widespread use. Though there is physical accessibility to family planning services for most urban and about 1/2 of the rural dwellers the problems of non-use are mainly of a sociological and psychological nature. The problems include the attitude of husbands to their wives use of contraceptives reinforcement of culturally acceptable behavior by the extended family and community members and the desire for more children. Although the levels of contraceptive awareness are relatively high the overall impression is that the practice of modern contraception in both the rural and urban areas is low. Despite the rural-urban differences in educational and income levels living conditions and the availability of family planning services awareness and current use are only slightly higher among the urban respondents. For family planning programs to have more impact in reducing the high fertility levels a much more intensive program of activites is needed for the country at large.
High-resolution imaging in 3-D reconstructive tomography

Abstract A new approach to 3-D computer-aided tomographic imaging aimed at reducing the image degradation due to the nonzero cross-section of the X-ray beam is presented. It relies upon the use of a new quantity, the beam integral, whose numerical value can be obtained from data available in practice. A direct consequence of using beam integrals, rather than more commonly accepted quantities, as ingredients in a conventional slice-by-slice reconstruction algorithm is the linearization of the relationship between the blurred image and the original object and, subsequently, the possibility of pushing resolution beyond the fundamental limit dictated by the beam cross-section by having recourse to linear restoration. A general expression for the related 3-D space-variant point spread function is given and a general restoration scheme proposed.
In Vitro Conversion of African Isolates of Blastomyces dermatitidis to Their Yeast For/In vitro‐Konversion afrikanischer Blastomyces dermatitidis‐Isolate zur Hefephase

Summary: African isolates of Blastomyces dermatitidis are notorious for their resistance to conversion from their mycelial to yeast form at 37 °C on such commonly used agar media as brain heart infusion, Kelley's and cottonseed. In 1984, a partially defined medium, namely, Tween-albumin-niacin agar supplemented with casamino acids (KT), was described as the medium of choice for converting North American B. dermatitidis isolates to their yeast form at 37 °C. In our evaluation study, 15 mycelial cultures, comprising 10 African and 5 North American isolates, were grown on KT, Kelley's, and cotton-seed media and incubated at 37 °C. Partial conversion from mould to yeast form was observed only on the KT medium after 72 h in 6 of the 10 African and all 5 of the North American isolates. Complete conversion into their yeast form was achieved in the remaining 4 of the African isolates only after they had been repeatedly sub-cultured onto fresh slants of the KT medium. In contrast, the North American isolates converted completely to their yeast form on all 3 media after 2 weeks at 37 °C. Zusammenfassung: Afrikanische Isolate von Blastomyces dermatitidis sind bekannt fur ihre Resistenz gegenuber der Konversion bei 37 °C auf gebrauchlichen Medien wie Herz-Hirn-, Kelley-(Glucose-Hamoglobin)- und Baumwollsaat-Agar von der Myzelphase in die Hefephase. 1984 wurde ein partiell definiertes Medium, namlich Tween-Albumin-Niacin-Agar mit Casaminosauren-Supplement, das KT-Medium, als Nahrboden der Wahl fur die Konversion nordamerikanischer Blastomyces dermatitidis-Isolate in ihre Hefephase bei 37 °C beschrieben. In unserer Bewertungsstudie wurden 15 Myzelkulturen, bestehend aus 10 afrikanischen und 5 nordamerikanischen Isolaten, auf KT-, Kelley- und Baumwollsaat-Agar bei 37 °C gezuchtet. Eine partielle Konversion von der Fadenpilz- zu der Hefephase wurde nur auf dem KT-Medium nach 72 h Bebrutung bei 6 der 10 afrikanischen und bei allen 5 nordamerikanischen Isolaten beobachtet. Die komplette Umwandlung in die Hefephase wurde bei den restlichen 4 afrikanischen Isolaten erst erreicht, nachdem sie wiederholt auf frischem KT-Schragagar subkultiviert worden waren.
A prospective crossover randomized trial of novobiocin and rifampin prophylaxis for the prevention of intravascular catheter infections in cancer patients treated with interleukin-2.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of novobiocin and rifampin as oral antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of catheter-related infection in melanoma patients treated with interleukin-2 (IL-2) plus interferon-α and chemotherapy (biochemotherapy). METHODS Patients with advanced melanoma who were treated with biochemotherapy at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center were randomized in a crossover study to receive either oral antibiotic prophylaxis consisting of novobiocin and rifampin or observation alone over a 35-day course period. Patients were subsequently "crossed over" to the opposite arm of the study for an additional 35-day period, with each serving as his or her own control. RESULTS Twenty-six patients were enrolled. Nine patients (35%) failed to tolerate oral antibiotics because of severe nausea and vomiting; 17 patients (65%) were crossed over and considered evaluable. During the control patient courses, 71% of evaluable patients had infectious complications, 41% had a catheter-associated bacteremia, and 53% had a local catheter infection. In contrast, of the patients treated with antibiotic prophylaxis, only 12% had an infectious complication (P = 0.001), 12% had a local catheter infection (P = 0.008), and 6% had catheter-associated bacteremias (P = 0.04). Thirty-six episodes of catheter infections occurred during the 17 control courses, whereas only 3 episodes occurred during antibiotic prophylaxis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Although more than one-third of patients receiving IL-2 treatment with biochemotherapy failed to tolerate novobiocin and rifampin, this oral antibiotic regimen was efficacious in preventing the infectious complications, especially those associated with vascular catheters, in this high risk patient population. Cancer 1998;82:403-11. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
White cell fragmentation after therapeutic leukapheresis for acute leukemia

A 70-year-old woman with newly diagnosed acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (FAB M5) underwent therapeutic leukapheresis because of a white cell count (WBC) of 144 X 10(9) per I and clinical evidence of leukostasis. A peripheral blood film taken immediately after leukapheresis showed numerous cytoplasmic and nuclear fragments. The patient's clinical course thereafter was significantly compromised by disseminated intravascular coagulation with a severe bleeding diathesis, renal failure, and respiratory failure that led to her death. This case illustrates that therapeutic leukapheresis for elevated WBC in patients with acute leukemia may result in leukocyte fragmentation and possible intravascular coagulation.
Geometrical requirements for transition-metal-centered aromatic boron wheels: the case of VB10(-).

A class of transition-metal-centered aromatic boron wheels (Dnh-M©Bnq−) have been recently produced and characterized according to an electronic design principle. Here we investigate the interplay between electronic and geometric requirements for the molecular wheels using the case of VB10−, which is isoelectronic to the decacoordinated molecular wheels, Ta©B10− and Nb©B10−. Photoelectron spectra of VB10− are observed to be broad and complicated with relatively low electron binding energies, in contrast to the simple and high electron binding energies observed for the molecular wheels of its heavier congeners. An unbiased global minimum search found the most stable isomer of VB10− to be a singlet “boat”-like structure (C2), in which the V atom is coordinated to a quasi-planar B10 unit. A similar triplet C2v boat-like isomer is found to be almost degenerate to the C2 structure, whereas the beautiful molecular wheel structure, D10h-V©B10−, is significantly higher in energy on the potential energy surface. Therefore, even though the VB10− system fulfills the electronic requirement to form a D10h-M©B10− aromatic molecular wheel, the V atom is too small to stabilize the ten-membered boron ring.
Anomalous microwave propagation in open space

It has been observed in the far radiating zone that at a certain receiver antenna position and orientation the transit time of the arriving pulse-modulated microwaves in open space was constant regardless of the distance between the receiver and the transmitter. The apparent phase velocity exceeded the intrinsic velocity. Calibration techniques employed and repeated time-domain measurements done at different frequencies and distances confirmed this phenomenon.
The perception of erotic arousal in men and women by same- and opposite-sex peers

Recent empirical evidence suggests that males and females differ very little in their response to erotica. Yet public opinion suggests that there are indeed differences: perceived differences. The present study explored two possibilities why these perceived differences continue to exist. One basis for such differences would be that both males and females see males as being more aroused (or arousable) by erotic stimuli, that is, a pure gender stereotype. A second possibility, suggested by Griffitt (1973), is that individuals who are asked to indicate how they think others would respond depend primarily on a “projection” process to make these attributions. The results of the study suggest that the latter process is more typical of males than of females; and that the former process is partially true for females, who tend as well to view all others (males and females) as being more aroused by erotic stimuli than they themselves are.
Transshipment along a single road

This article explores the problem of the transshipment of goods between centers that are situated along a single road. Costs are incurred both for goods that are shipped and for goods that remain in their original centers. A procedure is developed that determines a partial optimal assignment by use of a northwest corner rule solution. This partial assignment then is completed by solving a number of smaller tridiagonal transportation problems.
In-situ wafer contamination detection through rf-PCD Measurements

Radio-frequency photoconductance decay (RF-PCD) is a contactless method of measuring minority carrier lifetime in silicon. Low detection limits and speed of measurement makes this method ideally suited for in-situ determination of silicon wafer passivation and contamination processes. Comparative measurements of copper contamination of silicon surfaces using RF- PCD and TXRF yield a detection limit of about 109 Cu/cm2. The fast detection of changes in surface defects enables the time resolved observation of surface passivation breakdown due to the exposure of the wafer to controlled atmospheres. While nitrogen does not attack the surface passivation, oxygen exposure results in immediate native oxide growth.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Wais Performance of Neurologically Impaired Aged

The present study investigated the performance of patients with multi-infarct dementia, dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and vertebrobasilar insufficiency with dementia using the WAIS. Forty-two patients ranging in age from 45 to 85 yr. (M, 66) were included. Significant differences in cognitive and intellectual performance were found between patients with dementia due to vertebrobasilar insufficiency and multiple-infarctions versus neuronal atrophy of the Alzheimer type. The group with Alzheimer's disease performed significantly and consistently lower on all measures. There were no significant differences between the two cerebrovascular disease groups, even though the multi-infarct dementia group performed consistently more poorly than the vertebrobasilar insufficiency group. A discriminant function analysis classified 74% of the patients correctly based on the individual WAIS scores. A step-wise regression analysis ranked Block Design and Similarities as the best discriminators.
IAP degradation: decisive blow or altruistic sacrifice?

Abstract Some members of the inhibitors of apoptosis protein (IAPs) family block apoptosis by binding and neutralizing pro-apoptotic caspases. A glut of recent papers, predominantly utilizing the power of Drosophila genetics, has attributed a novel mode of action as to how this IAP-mediated apoptosis ‘roadblock' is overcome in cells fated to die. Ubiquitin-mediated degradation and general inhibition of protein translation are now thought to downregulate IAP levels, resulting in unrestrained death-inducing caspase activity. Although IAP degradation might well be a key event in the initiation of apoptosis, we propose an alternative interpretation of the recent results on IAP degradation. We argue that the instability of IAPs might actually shed light on their normal, anti-apoptotic mode of action. In healthy cells, IAPs could safeguard cell viability through the coordinated mutual destruction of themselves and associated IAP antagonists.