cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ricin depresses cardiac function in the rabbit heart

Ricin, at toxic glycoprotein from the castor bean, causes myocardial hemorrhage and a decrease in blood pressure. We studied the effects of ricin on myocardial function in the isolated rabbit heart. Rabbits were given 0.22 micrograms/kg of ricin i.v. and 48 hr later, the heart was isolated and retrogradely perfused through the aorta with Tyrode's solution. A latex balloon was inserted into the left ventricle and isovolumic left ventricular function curves were generated. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), heart rate, coronary artery flow, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, myocardial oxygen consumption, oxygen extraction (a - vO2), and contractility (+dp/dt) were measured over a range of left ventricular volumes. Dose-response curves to isoproterenol (10(-9)-10(-8) M) and phenylephrine (10(-9)-10(-6) M) were also obtained. Compared to the control group, ricin pretreatment markedly decreased ventricular compliance (p < 0.01), diminished maximum left ventricular developed pressure (p < 0.05), and reduced maximal +dp/dt (p < 0.05). Myocardial oxygen consumption, heart rate, electrocardiographic PR, QRS, and QT intervals were not different in control and ricin treatment groups. Ricin did not significantly alter the inotropic or chronotropic responses to isoproterenol and phenylephrine. The results from the binding studies showed that ricin neither reduced beta-adrenergic receptor numbers nor altered the dissociation constant. thus, ricin reduced both systolic (LVDP and +dp/dt) and diastolic (compliance) left ventricular functions, perhaps due to increased vascular permeability, without altering responses to the alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor agonists phenylephrine and isoproterenol.
Formation of edulinine and furoquinoline alkaloids from quinoline derivatives by cell suspension cultures of Ruta graveolens

Abstract The formation of furoquinoline alkaloids and of edulinine, elaborated by cell suspension cultures of Ruta graveolens , was found to occur by way of 4-hydroxy-2-quinolone. Other substrates transformed to furoquinolines included 4-hydroxy- and 4-methoxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-quinolone, known earlier as natural precursors in studies with whole plants. Involvement of dictamnine as a natural precursor of 8-methoxydictamnine (γ-fagarine) and skimmianine was proved using 14 C-labelled compounds. Edulinine in the cell suspensions was formed from such substrates as 4-hydroxy- N -methyl-2-quinolone, 4-hydroxy-3-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)- N -methyl-2-quinolone and its 4- methyl ether; this is probably the natural biosynthetic sequence. Changes in alkaloid yields were noted upon prolonged subculturing.
Orientation arising from grazing collisions of argon ions with a copper target

Abstract The orientation of S, P, D, and F states of 20–100 keV argon ions by grazing collision with a polished copper target was studied. A general increase in the relative circular polarization of the emitted light with ion velocity was found, with larger magnitudes of circular polarization for D and F states than for S and P states. Alignment tensor parameters were found to be significant in the interpretation of the orientation data.
Epidemic Bloodstream Infections From Hemodynamic Pressure Monitoring: Signs of the Times

Arterial pressure monitoring is an essential feature of the care of approximately 80% of the millions of patients cared for in hospital intensive care units in this country each year.',2 Despite numerous reports of epidemic bloodstream infection traced to pressure monitoring3-21 and published guidelines for safe use of hemodynamic monitoring,22,23 outbreaks of nosocomial bacteremia have continued to plague unwary users of this special application of infusion therapy. In this issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (pp 54-59), Beck-Sague and Jarvis report eight outbreaks of nosocomial bloodstream infection traced to contamination of transducers used for
Numerical simulations of stochastic differential equations

A simple, very accurate algorithm for numerical simulation of stochastic differential equations is described. Its relationship to colored noise is elucidated and exhibited by explicit results. The especially delicate problem of mean first passage times is highlighted and highly accurate agreement between the numerical simulations and analytic results are shown.
Nuclear forensics: searching for nuclear device debris in trinitite-hosted inclusions

This study documents the 3D morphology of trinitite-hosted metallic inclusions and the first observations of alloys consisting primarily of Pb, Ta, Ga, and W. Scanning electron and backscatter electron imaging, as well as energy dispersive X-ray spectra chemical composition data are reported for heavy metal inclusions in 14 different samples of trinitite. Inclusions consisting of Fe–Ti–Si are the most abundant and presumably derived predominantly from the explosion tower. Grains of Cu, Pb, Ta + Ga + W were also observed and are likely derivatives of the trinitite device wiring, tamper, and tamper and core, respectively. Additionally, a Ba-rich grain and multiple zircons (ZrSiO4) were observed in a large majority of samples. The spherical morphology and the ubiquitous positioning of the heavy metal inclusions on the crater walls of the glassy trinitite surfaces indicate a two-step formation. Stage one involves formation of the glassy trinitite, while the second stage involved the precipitation of the inclusions that were incorporated onto the surface of the trinitite. Furthermore, the precarious positioning of these inclusions further emphasizes the need for analysis using non-destructive techniques prior to methods employing a bulk sample digestion approach.
Inclusive protonlike production cross sections from 0.757 GeV/nucleon La+La collisions.

Large discrepancies have existed, factor of [similar to]2.5 ([similar to]5[sigma]), between a variety of cascade-type theoretical models and published experimental results for the inclusive protonlike production corss sections at the 20[degree] polar laboratory angle for relativistic La + La collisions. In view of this discrepancy the present work was undertaken to check the experimental cross sections for 0.76 GeV/nucleon La + La collisions using a small-acceptance magnetic spectrometer. The 20[degree] cross sections were determined by measuring the appropriate range of polar laboratory angles and momenta which, when transformed into the projectile frame, produce the cross sections at 20[degree]. Cross sections have been determined from 30[degree] to 75[degree] for protons and light nuclei with rigidities from 0.5 to 2.0 GeV/[ital c] in the laboratory frame. Cross sections were also deduced at 15[degree] and 20[degree] in the projectile frame for nucleon momenta from 0.9 to 1.5GeV/[ital c]. The original experimental results for the larger polar laboratory angles (40[degree] and 60[degree]) were confirmed; however, the 20[degree] cross sections disagree by a factor of about 1.5 ([similar to]2[sigma]). At large polar laboratory angles (40[degree][minus]70[degree]) the model calculations disagrees in the low-momentum range with the present data by a factor of 1.5 ([similar to]3[sigma]). Themore » discrepancy at small polar angles (15[degree] and 20[degree]) has been significantly reduced from the original factor of 2.5 down to a value of 1.2 ([similar to]3[sigma]).« less
Uncertainty Boundaries for Complex Objects in Augmented Reality

Registration errors between the physical world and computer- generated objects are a central problem in Augmented Reality (AR) systems. Some existing AR systems have demonstrated how to dynamically estimate registration errors based on estimates of spatial errors in the system. Using these error estimates, these systems also demonstrated a number of ways of ameliorating the effects of registration error. One central part of this previous work was the creation and use of error regions around objects; unfortunately, the analytic methods used only created accurate regions for simple convex objects. In this paper, we present a simple and stable algorithm for generating the uncertainty regions for complex objects, including non-convex objects and objects with interior holes. We demonstrate how our approach can be used to create a set of more accurate error-based highlights in the presence of registration error, and also be used as a general highlighting mechanism.
Evaluation and treatment of congenital syphilis

As of this writing, a total of 941 cases of congenital syphilis have been reported in 1989 to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a 95% increase from 1987 and the highest yearly total since the introduction of penicillin. However, because of the implementation of routine maternal serologic screening during pregnancy and at delivery, it is now uncommon in the United States to encounter a child with classic signs of late congenital syphilis. Currently, the most common challenge is evaluation of the symptom-free infant born to a mother with a positive result on a serologic screening test for syphilis. The pediatrician must assess the maternal treatment regimen for adequacy of treatment of infection in the fetus, and must determine the need to treat an infection that may not be clinically apparent in the newborn infant. The management of these infants is complicated by the lack of major clinical trials evaluating recommended therapies for syphilis in pregnant patients and in newborn infants. Published reports of individual treatment failures have formed the basis of renewed concerns about central nervous system involvement in early syphilis and about treatment efficacy of benzathine penicillin G in infants and ,in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Moving on out: when are employees willing to follow their organization during corporate relocation?

Summary This research examines the willingness of employees to follow their organization when the entire business unit is geographically relocating. The site for the study was a large government defense agency moving from a major U.S. northeastern metropolitan area to a rural area south of Washington, D.C. The study participants were 380 employees who were deciding within the next 6 months if they would relocate, too. Attachment to the present community, attachment to the current organization, and availability of job market alternatives are the factors most significantly associated with willingness to move during corporate relocation. ? 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transjugular biopsy results in the transplanted liver: comparison of two surgical hepatic venous anastomotic configurations in 269 consecutive biopsies over a 14-year period.

Purpose To compare the results of transjugular liver biopsy in patients who have undergone liver transplantation via an inline versus a "piggyback" hepatic venous surgical anastomosis. Materials and Methods From October 1994 to July 2008 (165 months), 269 consecutive transjugular liver biopsy procedures were performed on 139 patients (94 male patients underwent 194 procedures) who had received cadaveric liver transplantation. Mean patient age at the time of the biopsy was 46.9 years (range, 1–71 y). There were 131 biopsy procedures on patients with an inline hepatic venous anastomosis and 138 on patients with a piggyback anastomosis. Records were reviewed for patient demographic data, surgical configuration of hepatic venous anastomosis, laboratory and procedural data, complications, and surgical pathologic findings. Results Among 269 biopsy procedures, 257 (95.5%) produced a diagnostic tissue specimen based on pathology reports and were deemed successful procedures. Catheterizing the hepatic veins and obtaining a diagnostic tissue sample significantly favored the inline anastomotic configuration (129 of 131; 98%) versus the piggyback configuration (128 of 138; 93%; P = .035). The difference between groups in the inability to cannulate the hepatic veins (0.8% vs 4%) was not significant ( P = .12), nor was the incidence of pathologically insufficient tissue when cannulation and biopsy was performed (0.8% vs 0.3%; P = .37). There were two major complications consisting of hemorrhage that contributed to a patient's death in each group. Conclusions Transjugular liver biopsy is less likely to yield diagnostic tissue when the hepatic venous anastomosis has a piggyback configuration. However, the procedure is equally safe and possesses acceptable tissue yields with a piggyback or inline configuration.
High frequency torsional-mode nanomechanical resonators enabled by very thin nanocrystalline diamond diaphragms

Abstract We report an experimental demonstration of high-frequency (HF) torsional-mode nanomechanical resonators based on nanocrystalline diamond films as thin as 50 nm. Devices axially supported by pairs of tethers as small as 90 nm × 50 nm in cross section are fabricated from suspended diaphragms by using focused ion beam (FIB), showing multi-mode resonances with frequencies (fres) into the HF band (up to ~ 10 MHz, while most existing sensitive torsional devices are at kHz or low-MHz), and quality (Q) factors exceeding 1800 at room temperature in moderate vacuum (~ 20 mTorr). This fabrication process evades the conventional electron-beam lithography and etching steps that are destructive for very thin diaphragms. From the torsional and flexural modes of device resonances, we calculate Young's modulus (EY) to be as high as 977 GPa, which is almost comparable to the known value of 1220GPa for single-crystal diamond.
A visuospatial “phonological loop” in working memory: Evidence from American Sign Language

In two experiments, the question of whether working memory could support an articulatory rehearsal loop in the visuospatial domain was investigated. Deaf subjects fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) were tested on immediate serial recall. In Experiment 1, using ASL stimuli, evidence for manual motoric coding (worse recall under articulatory suppression) was found, replicating findings of ASL-based phonological coding (worse recall for phonologically similar lists). The two effects did not interact, suggesting separate components which both contribute to performance. Stimuli in Experiment 2 were namable pictures, which had to be recoded for ASL-based rehearsal to occur. Under these conditions, articulatory suppression eliminated the phonological similarity effect. Thus, an articulatory process seems to be used in translating pictures into a phonological code for memory maintenance. These results indicate a configuration of components similar to the phonological loop for speech, suggesting that working memory can develop a language-based rehearsal loop in the visuospatial modality.
Is acetazolamide similar to topiramate for reversal of antipsychotic-induced weight gain?

Acetazolamide (AZD), a sulfa-like moiety, is a potent, nonspecific inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes and has been demonstrated to decrease lipogenesis in adipose cells in in vitro cell culture studies. In contrast, topiramate (a sulfamate moiety) appears to inhibit specific (CA) enzymes II and V. Four placebo-controlled trials with topiramate have demonstrated positive results in weight loss. There is only anecdotal evidence that AZD may cause weight loss. The following case is of a 49-year-old African-American woman with a long history of schizoaffective disorder, hypertension, diabetes type II, stress incontinence, and obesity (body mass index, 45.5 kg/m 2 ). Previous trials of topiramate demonstrated temporary but significant weight loss before AZD use. A 4 week washout period occurred before starting AZD, 250 mg twice daily. Significant weight loss of 11.5 lbs was seen over 4 weeks. During washout periods of either topiramate or AZD, her total mean weight was approximately 2 to 7 lbs higher than when she was treated with AZD. Although tolerance and side effects may limit the use of AZD as a safe and effective strategy for medication-related weight gain, the pharmacology may provide research insights into the causes and treatments of obesity.
Race and Context in the Criminal Labeling of Drunk Driving Offenders A Multilevel Examination of Extralegal Variables on Discretionary Plea Decisions

This research seeks to add a new dimension to the growing body of literature investigating disparities in sentencing outcomes. Our study used multilevel modeling techniques to incorporate legal and extralegal individual-level variables with macro-level data in an examination of the factors influencing the formal application of the criminal label when identical noncriminal sanctions are available. Results suggest that measures of police racial profiling are predictive of unfavorable plea outcomes and subsequent application of a criminal label. Findings indicated that the likelihood of receiving an unfavorable criminal plea bargain was greater for men, non-Whites, defendants with a prior arrest, defendants arrested in areas of low concentrated disadvantage, and defendants arrested in areas with high levels of racial profiling. In addition, both concentrated disadvantage and stop disparity conditioned the effect of race on plea outcome.
The Search for the Frugal Grail: An Empirical Assessment of the Cost-Effectiveness of Public Versus Private Correctional Facilities

The privatization of corrections has become a growth industry in the United States. Privatization advocates often argue from a "public choice" theoretical perspective, holding that private entities will be more efficient providers of correctional services than their public counterparts (i.e., the "efficiency hypothesis"). This contention, however, has not been empirically demonstrated due to certain methodological limitations such as the selection of model facilities, inadequate sample sizes, and a lack of sophisticated statistical controls. This paper seeks to remedy these empirical problems surrounding the efficiency hypothesis by examining a nationwide census of public and private facilities for juveniles. The results indicate that, on the whole, private correctional facilities for juveniles are no more cost-effective than public facilities; yet, specific types of private institutions (low security, non-detention center-type facilities such as halfway houses and shelters) tend to be more cost-effective...
Ultrastructural alterations in branchial chloride cells of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, during parr-smolt transformation and early development in sea water

The ultrastructure of the gill primary lamellae of juvenile Atlantic salmon was examined during the parr-smolt transformation and for 42 days after smolts were exposed to sea water. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that primary lamellae were characterized by rough convoluted surfaces that became rougher throughout the experimental period and that crypts did begin to form in freshwater fish. Crypt formation increased in sea water. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that parr preadapt for life in sea water in part by changes in chloride cells. Chloride cells show an elaboration of rough endoplasmic reticulum in fresh water and a decline of rough endoplasmic reticulum after 42 days of sea water exposure. The tubular membrane system becomes well developed in fresh water, and apical vesicles become abundant only after seawater exposure. Mitochondria are both spherical and elongate through the period and contain well developed cristae. No evidence of mitochondrial rupture was observed. The junctions between chloride cells and adjacent cells were characterized in fresh water by long tight junctions with desmosomes. This type of junction continued in sea water and was the norm between chloride cells and accessory cells after 42 days of seawater exposure. While leaky junctions appeared to be forming, no evidence was found of membrane interdigitation between accessory cells and chloride cells after 42 days of seawater exposure. It also appeared that seawater exposure influenced the number of chloride cells exposed to the external milieu. Pavement cells showed an elaboration in fresh water of free ribosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum and these elements became less prominent after seawater exposure.
Versatility of alkyne-modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate) layers for click reactions.

Functional soft interfaces are of interest for a variety of technologies. We describe three methods for preparing substrates with alkyne groups, which show versatility for “click” chemistry reactions. Two of the methods have the same root: formation of thin, covalently attached, reactive interfacial layers of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) via spin coating onto silicon wafers followed by reactive modification with either propargylamine or 5-hexynoic acid. The amine or the carboxylic acid moieties react with the epoxy groups of PGMA, creating interfacial polymer layers decorated with alkyne groups. The third method consists of using copolymers comprising glycidyl methacrylate and propargyl methacrylate (pGP). The pGP copolymers are spin coated and covalently attached on silicon wafers. For each method, we investigate the factors that control film thickness and content of alkyne groups using ellipsometry, and study the nanophase structure of the films using neutron reflectometry. Azide-terminated polyme...
High-order Galerkin methods for scalable global atmospheric models

Three different high-order finite element methods are used to solve the advection problem-two implementations of a discontinuous Galerkin and a spectral element (high-order continuous Galerkin) method. The three methods are tested using a 2D Gaussian hill as a test function, and the relative L"2 errors are compared. Using an explicit Runge-Kutta time stepping scheme, all three methods can be parallelized using a straightforward domain decomposition and are shown to be easily and efficiently scaled across multiple-processor distributed memory machines. The effect of a monotonic limiter on a DG scheme is demonstrated for a non-smooth solution. Additionally, the necessary geometry for implementing these methods on the surface of a sphere is discussed.
Radiation therapy for obstructive jaundice secondary to tumor malignancy.

Abstract Obstructive jaundice secondary to cancer is an entity caused by obstruction of the bile ducts by primary or metastatic disease. Several procedures have been attempted for palliation of this distressing condition. Radiation therapy plays a role in the palliative management of this process, in both primary and metastatic disease. At the Radiotherapy Department of the Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 13 patients have been treated with local radiation therapy to the ports hepatis; 8 patients who have completed the course of radiation therapy are presented in this paper. All of these patients experienced improvement from jaundice, the symptom free interval varying from 3 weeks to 11 months. This report illustrates the beneficial effects of radiation therapy for patients suffering from this condition.
Susceptibility of Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacilli Resistant to Carbenicillin in a General Hospital to Piperacillin and Ticarcillin

Abstract During an 8-month period, 858 gram-negative aerobic rods resistant to carbenicillin (minimum inhibitory concentration, ≥128 μg/ml) were isolated. Susceptibility testing of 233 of these suggested that piperacillin might be active against more of these organisms than would carbenicillin or ticarcillin.
Correlation of Biochemical and Morphologic Manifestations of Acute Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats Administered Paraquat

Rats were administered 24 mg/kg of paraquat intraperitoneally. One, two, three, six and seven days after this injection, the rats were evaluated by several toxicologic, biochemical, and morphologic criteria. These included determinations of weight loss, visible lung hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, in vitro protein and collagen biosynthesis rates of lung tissue, and staining properties of lung sections. Morphologic evidence of mild edema was seen at day 1, while more severe edema was observed at days 2 through 7. Weight loss was apparent from day 1 throughout the experiment. In vitro protein biosynthesis rates by tissue were elevated above control values from day 3 onwards, while collagen biosynthesis rates were elevated from day 2 onwards. Increased staining with the Gomori reagent was observed from day 1, while increased staining with van Gieson's or Masson's trichrome appeared by day 2 or 3.
Thermal attenuation of satellite reflections in modulated structures.

Experimental results obtained from x-ray diffraction experiments performed on 1${T}_{1}$-${\mathrm{TaS}}_{2}$ are carefully analyzed and compared with two existing treatments of thermal factors for modulated structures: one due to Overhauser and another due to Axe. It is shown that Axe's expression disagrees with experiment substantially.
Adhesive Bonding of Clean and Oil-Contaminated Electrogalvanized Steel Substrates

Abstract The performance of two-part, amidoamine-cured epoxy adhesives on clean and oil-contaminated electrogalvanized steel (EGS) was studied using screening and lap shear tests. On exposure to boiling water, the cured epoxy adhesives with amidoamines having higher amine value delaminated from the clean and oil-contaminated EGS surfaces before those cured with amidoamines having low amine value. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the adhesives cured with amidoamines having high amine value were unable to displace the oil from the EGS substrate. However, the durability and the strength of the adhesive bonds on the oiled EGS could be improved by adding proper amounts of silane or wetting agent to the adhesive. The preferential adsorption of amino curing agents occurred on the clean EGS surface, confirmed by XPS and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy, and this decreased the durability of the bonds in boiling water. In addition, from XPS analyses of various specimens, ...
FlyNap (Triethylamine) Increases the Heart Rate of Mosquitoes and Eliminates the Cardioacceleratory Effect of the Neuropeptide CCAP

FlyNap (triethylamine) is commonly used to anesthetize Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether triethylamine is a suitable anesthetic agent for research into circulatory physiology and immune competence in the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae). Recovery experiments showed that mosquitoes awaken from traditional cold anesthesia in less than 7 minutes, but that recovery from FlyNap anesthesia does not begin for several hours. Relative to cold anesthesia, moderate exposures to FlyNap induce an increase in the heart rate, a decrease in the percentage of the time the heart contracts in the anterograde direction, and a decrease in the frequency of heartbeat directional reversals. Experiments employing various combinations of cold and FlyNap anesthesia then showed that cold exposure does not affect basal heart physiology, and that the differences seen between the cold and the FlyNap groups are due to a FlyNap-induced alteration of heart physiology. Furthermore, exposure to FlyNap eliminated the cardioacceleratory effect of crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP), and reduced a mosquito’s ability to survive a bacterial infection. Together, these data show that FlyNap is not a suitable substitute to cold anesthesia in experiments assessing mosquito heart function or immune competence. Moreover, these data also illustrate the intricate biology of the insect heart. Specifically, they confirm that the neurohormone CCAP modulates heart rhythms and that it serves as an anterograde pacemaker.
Current concepts in optimum nutrition for cardiovascular disease.

For the past decade, nutritionists have focused on consensus guidelines (National Cholesterol Education Program) to reduce dietary saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and excess body weight. However, researchers are looking at other ways that diet may influence the progression of cardiovascular disease, including lipoprotein oxidation, thrombosis progression, cardiac arrhythmia, and medication interaction. Some areas of investigation include the role of various fatty acids and supplements—in the form of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and functional foods—as well as traditional foods and diets from other parts of the world. This review outlines some of the new and relevant nutritional approaches including: specific fatty acids (omega 3, monounsaturated and trans fatty acids), dietary supplements (herbs, antioxidants, vitamins C and E, Coenzyme Q10, B vitamins and homocysteine, L-arginine, Chinese red yeast rice, garlic, soy, flax seed, and dietary fiber), food and drink (tea, nuts, plant-sterol and stanolester-containing spreads, alcohol, and grapefruit juice), and the Mediterranean diet.
Revisiting all-terrain vehicle injury risks: Response to critique

This article responds to a recent critique published in this journal of the statistical basis for actions taken by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to address all-terrain vehicle injury risks. It shows that the critique omitted important information in order to make its case, and that the CPSC findings were much more firmly supported by the data than indicated by the critique.
The Frank-Starling relationship of the heart revealed in a large animal study utilizing real-time undersampled radial MRI at variable inotropic state and heart rate

Background LV performance is coupled to loading conditions (i.e. preload and afterload) and myocardial contractility (1,2). Therefore load-independence is an important means to isolate and study LV contractility in preclinical studies of cardiovascular pharmaceuticals and devices (3). Precise and rapid assessment of LV pressure is achieved with high fidelity catheter-based pressure transducers but measurements of LV volume are more difficult and less reliable. Thus far, MRI has not demonstrated sufficient spatiotemporal resolution to measure beat-to-beat changes of the pressure-volume (PV) loop to measure left ventricular (LV) elasticity or preload-recruitable stroke work (PRSW). Our aim was to develop a realtime (rtMRI) approach to measure PV and FrankStarling relationships in a preclinical model of heart disease under normal and stressed physiologic conditions.
High-temperature chlorine-rich fluid in the martian crust: A precursor to habitability

Abstract We report scapolite in a melt inclusion in olivine in Nakhla, which is the first occurrence of Cl-scapolite found in a martian meteorite. Using terrestrial metamorphic experiments and modeling we constrain its origin. Cl-rich scapolite in Nakhla is consistent with formation from either a late stage Cl-rich, water-poor magma or magmatic Cl-rich hydrothermal brine at a minimum temperature of 700 °C. The temperature of hydrothermal activity recorded by the Cl-scapolite is significantly higher than the temperatures recorded by alteration minerals in Nakhla, and the fluid was Cl-rich, not CO 2 -rich. Our results demonstrate that high-temperature Cl-rich fluids were present within the martian crust, and any potential biologic activity would have to survive in these high temperatures and saline fluids. Halophiles can thrive in NaCl-rich systems but at significantly lower temperatures than those recorded by the scapolite. During cooling of the fluid, the system could have reached a habitable state for halophiles. Importantly, halophiles can survive the conditions of space if they are encased in salt crystals, and therefore chlorine-rich phases present an opportunity to investigate for extant life both on the surface of Mars and in martian meteorites.
On Dualizing a Multivariable Poisson Summation Formula.

It is known [7] that dualizing a form of the Poisson summation formula yields a pair of linear transformations which map a function o of one variable into a function and its cosine transform in a generalized sense. The present work presents conditions on o for which the transform relation holds in the classical sense, and extends this result to a class of generalizations of the Poisson formula in any number of dimensions.
Network model for visually mediated ciliary locomotion in Hermissenda

The overall goal of this study is to investigate the ways in which learning modifies behavior. A combination of computational and empirical studies is being used to address this issue. Empirical studies investigate learning from a cellular and synaptic perspective in the relatively simple nervous system of the nudibranch mollusk Hermissenda [1-3]. Pavlovian conditioning produces light-elicited inhibition of normal positive phototaxis in Hermissenda. Learning changes both cellular excitability and synaptic strength in the neural circuit that supports phototaxis. In the present study, a model of the circuit that supports visually mediated locomotion (Fig. ​(Fig.1A)1A) was developed. Consistent with empirical observations, simulated responses to light increased the level of VP1 spike activity (Fig. 1B1), which is equivalent to positive phototaxis. Simulations indicated that phototaxis resulted from disinhibition of VP1. Light increased activity in Ie and decreased activity in Ii (Fig. 1B2). The net result was less activity in IIIi and disinhibition of VP1 (Fig. 1B2). Simulations also indicated that disinhibition produced phototaxis only if VP1 had a high level of tonic firing. The model is being refined and expanded, and will be used to investigate the generation of other behaviors (e.g., foot contraction), the responses to other sensory inputs (e.g., gravity), and the influence of learning-induced plasticity (e.g., increased Ie excitability and decreased VP1 tonic firing). Simulations also will help identify features of the model that warrant further empirical investigation. Figure 1 Network model for visually mediated ciliary locomotion. A: The model had six cells: LB, lateral B-type photoreceptor; Ib, Ie, Ii and IIIi, interneurons; VP1, ciliary motor neuron. The cells were Hodgkin-Huxley-like neurons. Membrane conductances also ...
Was Fundamental Education Another Form Of Colonialism

A description of the work of Pedro Tamesis Orata provides an opportunity to investigate the conflicts that can occur when educators seek to reduce poverty while trying to respect indigenous cultures. A native of the Philippines, Orata completed his doctoral studies at the Ohio State University in 1927. During US President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, he accepted the position of school principal for the US Bureau of Indian Affairs. After World War II, he directed the spread of fundamental education through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In his final years, he returned to the Philippines where he began a movement to spread what were called self-help high schools. In these activities, Orata taught people to follow John Dewey’s five steps of thinking while working to improve their standards of living. In the 1970s, educators, such as Paulo Freire, complained that problem-solving methods, similar to those Orata favored, reinforced the oppressive aspects of formerly colonial societies. While Freire may have been overly critical, conflicts among cultural orientations appear to be unavoidable. The hope behind this investigation is that the difficulties can be reduced when people understand the different forces that persist.
Occupational and environmental health nursing: Ethics and professionalism

This article provides an overview of ethical issues related to the practice of occupational and environmental health nursing and possible strategies for resolution. Also, professionalism related to professional growth and advancing the specialty is discussed.
Container to characterization: Impacts of metal oxide handling, preparation, and solution chemistry on particle stability

Abstract A study has been conducted to investigate the impact of experimental handling approaches on the state of model nanoparticles, from the container of dry particles to the characterization of suspended particles. Specifically, the effects of sonication, nanoparticle concentration, and ionic strength upon the size, electrophoretic mobility, and stability of the model metal oxides (TiO2, CeO2 and ZnO) were investigated. For initial breakup of dried nanoparticles in water, results indicate 30 min is the optimum sonication duration (120 W) all three metal oxide nanoparticles over the solution chemistry tested. Since aggregation is evident in metal oxide nanoparticles, sonication to achieve a proper dispersion of nanoparticles in solution is necessary prior to further experimentation. No more than 30 s sonication is needed for preparing well-dispersed test sample from the diluted stock suspension. Effects of nanoparticle concentration on the solution chemistry were also studied. TiO2 or CeO2 addition can reduce pH with increase of nanoparticle concentration; whereas pH increases with ZnO concentration. Consideration of these parameters (effects of sonication, nanoparticle concentration, and solution chemistry) is necessary to ensure successful subsequent toxicity and transport studies.
Altruism in social networks: good guys do finish first

Altruism in social networks was traditionally considered based on user relationships and requirements. The capability of a user to help has seldom been taken into account while studying altruism. Also, to the best of our knowledge, no quantitative analysis has been made to determine the benefits of altruism. Here we quantitatively study the amount of altruism of users based on the help extended by users to each other and the benefits they reap because of being altruistic. Results indicate that a network in which 90 % users have capabilities that are above average contains 90 % altruistic users, while a network containing 50 % of users with above-average capabilities contains only 50 % altruistic users. Results also indicate that altruistic users (the good guys) reap more benefits than selfish users and free riders (i.e., finish first).
New method for determining effluent toxicity using duckweed (Lemna Minor)

Duckweed (Lemna minor), a small vascular plant, grows rapidly, is sensitive to a wide variety of toxicants and is easy to culture. A method is described that measures duckweed frond growth and chlorophyll levels as indicators of growth inhibition. The method requires a small testing volume (15 ml) of reconstituted test medium that is prepared by using commercial grade soil to promote frond and chlorophyll production. A variety of single toxicants, industrial effluents and wastewater treatment plant effluents were tested. For most chemicals, the duckweed was as sensitive as other frequently used test species. The comparative toxicities to Ceriodaphnia dubia and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) with various effluents indicates that, for some industrial effluents, duckweed was the most sensitive indicator used.
The evolutionary potential of Baker's weediness traits in the common morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae)

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Many reports have cited Baker's list of weediness traits, or those that exemplify the "ideal" weed, yet few have considered the evolutionary potential of such traits as a group. Thus, it is unknown whether constraints on the evolution of increased weediness, such as a lack of genetic variation or genetic correlations between the traits, are present. Ipomoea purpurea, the common morning glory, is a problematic weed that exhibits many of Baker's ideal weed traits. METHODS We used progeny from a half/full-sib breeding design in a series of three greenhouse experiments to assess the presence of genetic variation, narrow sense heritabilities, and genetic correlations in Baker's growth, competition, and fitness "weediness" traits in two populations of I. purpurea. KEY RESULTS We uncovered genetic variation underlying reproductive fitness traits and competitive ability in at least one population, but no evidence of genetic variation underlying growth rate in either population. Genetic correlations between many of the weediness characters differed significantly from zero; however, their direction and/or magnitude differed between populations. CONCLUSIONS We found that increased weediness in the common morning glory is more likely to occur through selection on reproductive output and competitive ability rather than through selection on growth rate. Assessing Baker's traits in a quantitative genetics framework can provide a solid perspective on their evolutionary potential and a unique framework within which to determine how weeds will respond to different environmental stresses and/or scenarios of global climate change.
Scaling law test and two predictions of planetary magnetic moments

The scaling law for the strength of planetary magnetic dynamos, originally derived from a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory1, has recently been independently re-derived using simple dimensional analysis2. While dimensional analysis is certainly no replacement for a solution based on a physical mechanism, this analysis does lend more credence to the scaling law by the implicit suggestion that the form of the scaling law is not an artefact of the MHD solution. We show here that the scaling law holds quite well in ordering the three well determined planetary magnetic moments. The present meagre data suggest that the terrestrial magnetic moment is about twice the value expected when compared with the other planets. Assuming that Earth is anomalous, rather than Mercury and Jupiter, and that the scaling law is valid, we predict that Saturn will be found to have a moment of 1.2×1029 G cm3 and Io a moment of 6.5×1022 G cm3.
Root foraging traits and competitive ability in heterogeneous soils

The responses of plant roots to nutrient patches in soil may be an important component of competitive ability. In particular, the scale, precision, and rate of foraging for patchy soil resources may influence competitive ability in heterogeneous soils. In a target-neighbor experiment in the field, per-individual and per-gram competitive effects were measured for six old-field species with known root foraging scale, precision, and rate. The presence and number of nutrient patches were also manipulated in a full factorial design. Number and presence of patches did not influence the outcome of competition. Competitive ability was not related to total plant size, growth rate, or root:shoot allocation, or to root foraging precision. Per-individual competitive effects were marginally correlated with root foraging scale (biomass of roots) and root foraging rate (time required to reach a patch). Therefore, competitive ability was more closely related to ability to quickly fill a soil volume with roots than to ability to preempt resource-rich patches.
The Politics of Growth: Strategic Interaction and Economic Performance in the Advanced Industrial Democracies, 1974-1980

Much contemporary research in political economy has stressed the importance of the political power of the Left and the organization of labor on economic performance among the advanced industrial democracies. This paper argues that the impact of each variable on performance, operationalized as proportionate change in economic growth rates, 1974-1980, is conditional upon the relative presence or absence of the other. Specifically, encompassing labor organization is only positively associated with growth when accompanied by Left control of government, and Left governments only have a positive impact on economic growth when labor is highly and centrally organized. Conversely, when either variable is only weakly present, the impact of the other on economic growth is negative.
Effect of Selenium on Peripheral Blood Leucocytes of Chickens Infected with Eimeria

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of dietary selenium (Se) on peripheral blood leucocytes of chickens infected with coccidia. Primary coccidial infection significantly increased blood leucocyte number at 6 days postinfection (PI) in three of four experiments when chicks were fed a corn-soy diet, and in all four experiments at 11 days PI. When chickens were fed a semipurified (SP) diet, coccidial infection did not affect the blood leucocytes number at 6 days PI but significantly increased blood leucocyte number at 11 days PI. In the primary infection, Se significantly decreased blood leucocyte number in four of six experiments at 6 days PI and significantly increased the blood leucocyte number in three of five experiments at 11 days PI. In the secondary infection, chickens had significantly more blood leucocytes than chickens given a primary infection at 8 or 24 hr after challenge. Selenium significantly increased blood leucocyte number at 8 hr after challenge in one experiment and produced numerically higher leucocyte number in three other experiments. The results of these studies indicate that dietary Se supplementation modifies the number of peripheral blood leucocytes in chickens infected with coccidia.
Malaysian Community Mediation

This study investigates the mediations of 127 village leaders (ketua kampungs) and 52 religious leaders (imams) in Malaysia. These mediators rely heavily on techniques of meeting with disputants (s...
Religious Involvement and Status‐Bridging Social Capital

Is religious involvement positively associated with having influential friends or is religious involvement unrelated to this kind of social capital? Building on the distinction between the “bonding” and “bridging” aspects of social capital, I distinguish two kinds of bridging social capital—identity-bridging and status-bridging—that have been a source of terminological confusion. I examine the relationship between religious involvement and status-bridging social capital by analyzing data from a large nationally representative survey of the U.S. adult population that included questions about friendships with elected public officials, corporation executives, scientists, and persons of wealth. The data show that membership in a religious congregation and holding a congregational leadership position are most consistently associated with greater likelihood of having these kinds of friendships. The data also show that frequency of religious attendance is largely unrelated to these measures of social capital and that there are some significant variations among religious traditions and size of congregation.
The “army itch:” A dermatological mystery of the American Civil War

The army itch was a chronic, severely pruritic dermatosis which first appeared among soldiers and some civilians early in the American Civil War (1861-1865). As the war progressed, so did army itch, becoming epidemic in the Potomac Valley of Maryland in 1862 and in Virginia in 1864. Immediately after the war, civilian cases traceable to contact with returning soldiers focused attention on the disorder, but the postwar outbreaks were short-lived and the army itch disappeared by the end of 1867. The origin of army itch eluded medical observers of the time, though many considered epidemic scabies to be the cause. Many cases of army itch were successfully treated with scabicides, but the disease had a well-deserved reputation for intractability. After a review of the chronology of army itch and excerpts from the writings of physicians who saw and treated the disease, it is possible to conclude that army itch was epidemic scabies, though the clinical picture was frequently confounded by coexisting pediculosis, prurigo, and other pruritic dermatoses.