cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The biphasic pattern in the feedback action of ethinyl estradiol on the release of pituitary FSH and LH.

ABSTRACT Assessment of sequential changes of circulating LH and FSH in response to ethinyl estradiol (EE) treatment was made in 7 postmenopausal women. During a relatively short period of treatment (5–8 days) EE (400 μg/day) initially exerts a negative feedback action which was greater for FSH (36% of control) than for LH (49% of control). This was followed by the occurrence on the 3rd and 4th day of an augmented phase of gonadotropin release which consisted of either acute surges or oscillations. This positive feedback action of EE is quantitatively much greater for LH than for FSH. These results indicate that EE exerts a biphasic action (suppression followed by augmentation) on the gonadotropin-releasing mechanism and that a differential estrogen feedback control between FSH and LH exists.
Dynamic and risk measurement perspectives on bowman's risk‐return paradox for strategic management: An empirical study

Bowman's (1980, 1982) widely quoted papers have reported the existence of a risk-return paradox for strategic management. In this paper the authors examine the dynamic behavior of the risk-return relationship and analyze whether the risk-return paradox is stable across time. The analysis involves tracking Bowman's so-called negative association ratio across time. Using accounting measures of risk and return, it is demonstrated that while the paradox holds during the 1970s, the finding does not hold in the environment of the 1960s. Further, the paradox disappears if market-based risk measures are used. Some implications for strategic management are then discussed and attention is directed towards the meaning of risk in the context of strategic management. In addition, possible explanations for this paradox are evaluated and directions for further research are suggested.
Perceived communication outcomes in computer-mediated communication: an analysis of three systems among new users

Abstract This study investigates group members' perceived communication outcome variables across three CMC systems. The outcome variables were perceived satisfaction, decision confidenece, immediacy, effectiveness, and system ease of use. The role of communication medium and individual characteristic, specifically gender, on perception differences was explored. The results lend support to the argument that perception of communication outcomes differs by CMC medium, gender, and group gender composition status. Specifically there were medium effects for all the five outcome variables. Gender effect was found for three of the variables, which consist of perceived immediacy, decision confidence, and effectiveness. Interaction of medium and gender, and group composition status effects were also found for these three variables. The results also provide some support to the notion that perception changes over time. The discussion addresses implications for mixed gender group and CMC interaction.
A secant method for multiple roots

A superlinear procedure for finding a multiple root is presented. In it the secant method is applied to the given function divided by a divided difference whose increment shrinks toward zero as the root is approached. Two function evaluations per step are required, but no derivatives need be calculated.
Computerized Binocular Pupillography of the Swinging Flashlight Test Detects Afferent Pupillary Defects

Purpose: To investigate the ability of a portable pupillometer, capable of 20-second binocular recordings of the swinging flashlight test (SFT), to detect relative afferent pupillary defects (rAPDs). Methods: Pupillary response curves were recorded from both eyes in healthy volunteers (n = 22) with and without simulated rAPDs (using neutral density filters (NDFs)) and in abnormal patients (n = 24) with clinically graded rAPDs. The light stimulus (0.2 sec on and 1 sec off, or 2 sec on and 0.4 sec off) alternated between both eyes, simulating the SFT. Constriction amplitude (CA), constriction velocity (CV), and pupillary release were calculated by computer algorithm. In abnormal patients, NDFs were used to neutralize inter-eye differences. Results: Significant correlation (Spearman's ρ 0.71, 0.73) between NDF strength and absolute inter-eye differences was seen for CA and CV in simulated rAPDs. All abnormal patients (15/15) having rAPDs greater than 0.5 log units were distinguished from normals using either...
Chronic heart failure-related interventions after starting rosiglitazone in patients receiving insulin.

Study Objective. To determine whether rosiglitazone is associated with the onset or worsening of chronic heart failure (CHF) when administered to patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who receive insulin. Design. Retrospective cohort analysis. Setting. Veterans Affairs medical center. Subjects. One hundred thirty-nine patients who received insulin for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and had rosiglitazone added to their drug regimens. Intervention. Medical records were reviewed for 6 months before and 6 months after each patient's first rosiglitazone prescription. Records were assessed for the diagnosis of CHF and documented patient complaints of CHF symptoms requiring a medical intervention (unscheduled primary care or emergency room visit, start or dosage adjustment of CHF pharmacotherapy, or hospitalization). Measurements and Main Results. A diagnosis of CHF was documented in Thirty-five (25%) patients in the preindex period (before receiving rosiglitazone) versus 42 (30%) in the postindex period (after receiving rosiglitazone). Fifty (36%) patients received a medical intervention for CHF signs or symptoms in the postindex period compared with only 20 (14%) in the preindex period (p<0.0001). Of the 50 patients requiring a medical intervention in the postindex period, 33 (66%) had not required an intervention in the preindex period. The most common symptom was lower extremity edema; this occurred in 25 (18%) patients in the preindex period and 50 (36%) patients in the postindex period (p<0.0001). Conclusion. More patients were diagnosed with CHF during the 6 months after rosiglitazone was added to their drug regimens than in the previous 6 months, when these patients received insulin but not rosiglitazone. In addition, more medical interventions related to CHF occurred after administration of rosiglitazone. Data from this study appear to support the Food and Drug Administration's warning of an increased risk of cardiac failure in patients receiving concurrent treatment with rosiglitazone and insulin.
The structures and crystal chemistry of magnesium chloride and cadmium chloride

Abstract The crystal structures of MgCl2 and CdCl2 have been refined using powder X-ray diffraction data. They have space group R 3 m . For magnesium chloride a = 3.6363(1) A, c = 17.6663(5) A, V = 202.31 A3, Dx = 2.35 g cm−3, Mg 0,0,0; Cl 0,0,0.25784(8), and for cadmium chloride a = 3.8459(1) A, c = 17.4931(4) A, V = 224.07 A3, Dx = 4.08 g cm−3, Cd 0,0,0; Cl 0,0,0.2520(1). d(MgCl) = 2.4873(6) A (6×), d(CdCl) = 2.637(1) (6×). The structures and their relationship to that of fluorite are discussed within the framework of a simple Born-Mayer model.
Conscientious of the Conscious: Interactive Capacity as a Threshold Marker for Consciousness

Along with their potential benefits, recent technological advances in neuroimaging and electroencephalographic assessment of brain-injured patients have brought to light uncertainty in diagnosing disorders of consciousness. Such technologies highlight the difficulty in determining the presence or absence of consciousness, and in particular the distinction between the minimally conscious state (MCS) and the vegetative state (VS). We describe the ethical importance of this diagnostic distinction, discuss how these delineations have been affected by recent technological advances, and explore the resulting ethical challenges. We then propose a potential means of addressing these diagnostic dilemmas—namely, by stipulating demonstrable interactive capacity as a standard threshold for assessing consciousness—in order to guide the ethical management of patients whose state of consciousness remains uncertain.
Influence of vine vigor on grape (Vitis vinifera L. Cv. Pinot Noir) anthocyanins. 2. Anthocyanins and pigmented polymers in wine.

The relationships between grapevine (Vitis vinifera) vigor variation and resulting wine anthocyanin concentration and composition and pigmented polymer formation were investigated. The study was conducted in a commercial vineyard consisting of the same clone, rootstock, age, and vineyard management practices. Vine vigor parameters were used to designate vigor zones within two vineyard sites (A and B) to produce research wines (2003 and 2004) and conduct a model extraction experiment (2004 only) to investigate the vine−fruit−wine continuum. Wines and model extracts were analyzed by HPLC and UV−vis spectrophotometry. For the model extractions, there were no differences between sites for pomace weight, whereas juice volume was higher for site A. This was not related to a larger berry size. Site A had a higher anthocyanin concentration (milligrams per liter) in the model extracts than site B specifically for the medium- and low-vigor zones. For anthocyanin composition in the model extraction, site B had a gre...
Mössbauer-electronic double resonance in NH4(57Fe, Al)(SO4)2·12H2O☆

Abstract A perturbation of the Mossbauer spectrum of NH4(57Fe, Al)(SO4)2·12H2O by an external microwave magnetic field has been observed. This perturbation was produced by changing the low temperature thermal equilibrium ground-state populations of the 57Fe nuclei with a saturating microwave field tuned to the ESR magnetic resonance frequency of the m s : ± 5 2 → ± 3 2 allowed transitions. The observed change in the γ-ray recoilless absorption with microwave saturation agrees with our theoretical estimates.
On optimal physical synthesis of sleep transistors

Considering the voltage drop constraint over a distributed model for power/ground (P/G) network, we study the following two problems for physical synthesis of sleep transistors: the min-area sleep transistor insertion (and sizing) (TIS) problem with respect to a fixed P/G network, and the simultaneous sleep transistor insertion and P/G network sizing (TIPGS) problem to minimize the weighted area of sleep transistors and P/G network. We show that there may exist multiple sleep transistor insertion solutions that all lead to a same minimum area in the TIS and TIPGS problems. We develop optimal algorithms to TIS and TIPGS problems by modeling the circuit as a single current source, and then extend to the case modeling the circuit as distributed current sources. Compared with the best known approach, our algorithms achieve area reduction by up to 44.1% and 61.3% for TIS and TIPGS, respectively.
Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for patients with perforated peptic ulcer

Background Perforation accounts for 70% of deaths attributed to peptic ulcers. Laparoscopic repair is effective but infrequently used. Our aim was to assess how many patients with perforated peptic ulcer could be candidates for a transluminal endoscopic omental patch closure.
Effect of body weight on the attainment of puberty and reproductive performance of Galway and Fingalway female lambs

Groups of spring-born Galway (G) and Fingalway (F) ewe lambs were fed a concentrate diet either ad libitum (H) or at a restricted level (L) during the period 25 July to 16 October 1974 in order to induce differences in body weight at the start of the breeding season. The mean live weights of the GL, GH, FL and FH groups on 16 October 1974 were 37·8 ± 1·3, 44·6 ± 1·3, 35·1 ± 1·1 and 41·9 ± 1·2 kg respectively. More than 95% of the lambs in all four groups attained puberty before 28 February 1975. Galway ewe lambs reached puberty later in the breeding season and were older and heavier at puberty than Fingalways. Animals fed ad libitum were heavier at puberty and attained puberty earlier in the season and at a younger age than those on the restricted feeding regime. Both conception rate and litter size were lower in Galways than Fingalways. There was no evidence of any effect of the nutritional treatments on conception rate or litter size. The mean body weights at puberty for ewes which lambed and those which were barren were 41·9 ± 0·49 and 41·5 ± 0·78 kg respectively. The birth weight and growth rate of the progeny of the ewe lambs was similar for the two breeds and was not influenced by the previous nutritional treatment of the dams. The total lamb mortality between birth and weaning was 40·3%, and 72% of all deaths occurred within 48 h of birth. Losses among twins (48%) were particularly heavy.
Prioritizing Legal Requirements

Requirements prioritization is used in the early phases of software development to determine the order in which requirements should be implemented. Requirements are not all equally important to the final software system because time constraints, expense, and design can each raise the urgency of implementing some requirements before others. Laws and regulations can make requirements prioritization particularly challenging due to the high costs of noncompliance and the substantial amount of domain knowledge needed to make prioritization decisions. In the context of legal requirements, implementation order ideally should be influenced by the laws and regulations governing a given software system. In this paper, we present a prioritization technique for legal requirements. We apply our technique on a set of 63 functional requirements for an open-source electronic health records system that must comply with the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Interventions based on psychological principles improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal diseases. Renz A, Ide M, Newton T, Robinson PG, Smith D. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD005097. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005097.pub2. Level of Evidence Level 1: Good-quality, patient-oriented evidence. Strength of Recommendation Grade Grade B: Consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence. Purpose The objective of this review was to determine the impact of interventions aimed to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adult periodontal patients, when the interventions are based on psychological models or theoretical frameworks. Source of Funding No sources of support supplied. Type of Study/Design Systematic review.
Quasi-equilibrium in Holocene climatic change

Abstract To understand man's impact on the environment we should consider the long-term record. Within the Holocene epoch (approximately the last 10 ka), often regarded as having a uniformly mild ‘interglacial-type’ of climate, infrequent but violent fluctuations have disturbed this uniformitarian ideal. A quasi-equilibrium is maintained, however, by powerful feedback mechanisms. The precise nature of both the disturbance-forcing functions and the recovery mechanisms urgently requires study on an interdisciplinary basis, calling for a common-front approach by historians (for the best time scale), by geologists (for establishing the paleoecological and paleogeographical conditions by means of isotopic, sedimentological and stratigraphic studies), and by climatologists (for modelling the meteorological, synoptic conditions that characterize the varied events). Five non-linear forcing agents may be considered in a framework of working hypotheses to help explain the climatic departures: (1) Volcanic eruptions (dust veils and aerosols); (2) lunar and luni-solar tidal effects (variable standing waves in atmospheric pressure, modulation of ocean tides and currents); (3) terrestrial spin-rate and axial tilt (with secular change in precession, the 18.6 year axial rotation and the 1.2 year Chandler wobble); (4) oceanographic and glacial lag factors (influencing the chronology of latitudinal heat transfer; (5) solar radiation modulation of two principal types affecting the corpuscular pulses (solar flares), and the electromagnetic radiation (sunspot and Gleissberg cycles). This paper addresses particularly the last variable because this is the most neglected, and because new information has now become available thanks to new computer-based data sources.
No association between cSHMT genotypes and the risk of breast cancer in the Nurses' Health Study

Increased breast cancer risk has been observed with both low folate status and a functional polymorphism in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C → T). Cytoplasmic serine hydroxymethyltransferase (cSHMT) affects the flow of one-carbon units through the folate metabolic network, but there is little research on a role for genetic variation in cSHMT in determining breast cancer risk. A nested case–control study within the Nurses' Health Study was used to investigate an association between cSHMT (1420C → T) and breast cancer risk. No evidence for an association between the cSHMT genotype and breast cancer was observed. There was also no evidence of a gene–gene interaction between cSHMT and MTHFR. There was no evidence of an association between the cSHMT genotype and breast cancer occurrence. Further research in populations with differing average folate intake may be required to fully understand the interactions of folate nutrition, sequence variation in folate genes and breast cancer risk.
Twin and Sibling Attachment in a Nationally Representative Sample

The objective of this research was to evaluate the hypothesis that twin relationships are attachments, using data from a nationally representative sample. The results indicated that twin siblings were more likely than nontwin siblings to be attached to their siblings. Moreover, analyses indicated that both attachment theoretical and inclusive fitness perspectives are necessary for explaining these findings. Namely, twins were more likely to be attached than nontwin siblings, as expected from an attachment perspective. But identical twins were more likely than fraternal twins to be attached to one another, as might be expected from an inclusive fitness perspective. Cross-sectional analyses indicated that older people are less likely than younger people to use their sibling as an attachment figure compared to younger people and that married adults are less likely to use their sibling as an attachment figure than nonmarried people.
Nuclear energy and the agro-industrial complex

On November 12, 1968, Dr Weinberg spoke to the American Society of Agronomy, Special Program on Research with a Mission. This is what he said.
SOME PROBLEMS OF INTERFERENCE IN THE USE OF ENGLISH VERBS BY NATIVE TAGALOG SPEAKERS

The forms signaled by the inflectional verb endings {-s},{-ed}, {-en}, and {-ing} in English, and categories involving these forms, are either absent or reinterpreted in Tagalog. The absence of obligatory distinctions of number and person in Tagalog verbs gives rise to a problem frequently observed even among highly educated Tagalog speakers of English, that of failing to mark consistently the third person singular verb. Voice is reinterpreted in Tagalog by the focus system, and English tense, with its multiple axes of orientation, by the single-axis aspect system of Tagalog. The Tagalog imperfective aspect includes English “simple present” and all nonfuture {be + -ing} forms; the perfective aspect, English “simple past” and all {have + -en} forms. Furthermore, tense distinctions signaled by intlectional endings in English, such as those between past and non-past {have + -en} forms, are often signaled in Tagalog only by non-verbal markers. The interference problems traceable to this reinterpretation of English tense distinctions are the Tagalog speaker's inconsistent use of verbal markers to signal perfected events, and his tendency to overlook distinctions between past and non-past forms of auxiliaries and between different {have + -en) and {be + -ing} forms.
Transient synthesis of a specific set of proteins during the rapid cleavage phase of sea urchin development.

Abstract The rapid cleavage stage of early sea urchin development is characterized by the transient synthesis of a specific set of proteins. These proteins were identified by comparing the pattern of newly synthesized proteins from fully grown sea urchin oocytes, unfertilized and fertilized eggs, several embryonic stages, and adult tissues by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. We found that, in contrast to fertilization, meiotic maturation results in major changes in the relative amounts and types of proteins synthesized. The synthesis of many proteins in the oocyte, including actin, tubulin, and other proteins which have accumulated during oogenesis, appears to be greatly reduced or eliminated in the unfertilized and newly fertilized egg. An examination of the proteins synthesized in unfertilized and fertilized eggs reveals several proteins that are synthesized only during this phase of development and may be required for the rapid cell divisions which occur during this period. At the midblastula stage, when the cell-doubling time slows down, the pattern of synthesis changes to resemble that of the oocyte. These results imply that many of the changes in the pattern of protein synthesis seen around the blastula stage may be associated with the return of the cell cycle to a normal length rather than synthetic changes associated with differentiation.
Pitch control margin at high angle of attack - Quantitative requirements (flight test correlation with simulation predictions)

Recent mishaps and incidents on Class IV aircraft have shown a need for establishing quantitative longitudinal high angle of attack (AOA) pitch control margin design guidelines for future aircraft. NASA Langley Research Center has conducted a series of simulation tests to define these design guidelines. Flight test results have confirmed the simulation studies in that pilot rating of high AOA nose-down recoveries were based on the short-term response interval in the forms of pitch acceleration and rate.
Enzymatic clearing of lipemic serum for the determination of serum calcium

Abstract An on-line enzymatic clearing technology has been incorporated into a serum arsenazo Ill-based calcium procedure that eliminates the optical aberrations caused by hypertriglyceridemia. Lipase and a fatty acid scavenging agent, α-cyclodextrin, are added to an arsenazo III reagent at pH 6.6. At 37 °C, using a 1:67 sample to reagent ratio, clarification is complete within 4 min of incubation. The absorbance of the calcium-arsenazo III complex is measured at 650 nm versus a reagent blank. The within-run precision was 2.3% and between-run precision was 3.9%.
A descriptive analysis of the distribution of NBPTS-certified teachers in North Carolina

Abstract In this paper, we use a unique data set that includes a panel of all teachers in North Carolina over a 4-year period (1996–1997 through 1999–2000) to describe the distribution of teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) across classrooms, schools, and districts. The sorting of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) across students is an important equity issue both because these teachers are thought to be exceptionally qualified teachers and because in North Carolina (and many other states) state-level financial incentives are provided to NBCTs, creating an implicit subsidy to those districts and schools where they are employed. Our findings on the sorting of NBCTs across districts, schools and students reflects the research on the distribution of teacher credentials across students: the most disadvantaged districts, schools, and students are least likely to have access to those teachers who are recognized by NBPTS as being exceptionally qualified teachers.
Novel Surface-Mounted Neutron Generator

A deuterium-tritium base reaction pulsed neutron generator packaged in a flat computer chip shape of 1.54 cm (0.600 in) wide by 3.175 cm (1.25 in) long and 0.3 cm (0.120 in) thick has been successfully demonstrated to produce 103 neutrons per pulse (14 MeV) in a 0.5- μs pulse. The neutron generator is based on a deuterium ion beam accelerated to impact a tritium-loaded target. The accelerating voltage is in the 15- to 20-kV range with a 3-mm (0.120 in) gap, and the ion beam is shaped by using a lens design to produce a flat ion beam that conforms to the flat rectangular target. The ion source is a simple surface-mounted deuterium-filled titanium film with a fused gap that operates at a current-voltage design to release the deuterium during a pulselength of about 1 μs. We present some of the preliminary results and the general description of the working prototypes, which we have labeled the “NEUTRISTOR.”
Teleshopping or Store Shopping? A Choice Model for Forecasting the Use of New Telecommunications-Based Services:

Teleshopping provides an option to shop from home. To date, the adoption of such services by the residential sector has been slower than expected by many forecasters. In this paper teleshopping is considered within a framework of shopping behavior, including both in-home and out-of-home alternatives. Shopping is defined as the activity of gathering information that precedes the purchase decision. This definition focuses attention on the informational attributes of alternative shopping modes. It is hypothesized that, in addition to a demand for information, shopping activities also fulfill other recreational and social objectives. Consumers will choose a shopping mode that satisfies both the informational and the recreational needs, given the costs of shopping. A method is presented for forecasting the use of new technologies, by using teleshopping as a case study. The approach combines a qualitative analysis of consumers' responses to alternative shopping modes and a quantitative approach. A stated-prefer...
bioTk: Componentry for genome informatics graphical user interfaces

Abstract bioTk is a collection of graphical “widgets” and utilities that support application programming in the domain of bioinformatics. It is intended to establish a framework that encourages the development of communicating window-based applications and flexible, non-modal user interaction. The current release to bioTk has domain-specific widgets for chromosome ideogram displays, genome maps, and scrolling sequence windows.
New comparison of the Anderson and s-d exchange models

Abstract Nonequivalent results are found for the two-particel quasibound state in the s-d exchange and the Anderson models. In the latter the pole disappears for a T o ∼ 1 3 T k and for a moment μ ∼ 10−3 μB. In the former the quasi-bound state is not pure singlet and hence possesses a moment. These new results depend on proper analytic continuation in the study of the Green function poles.
Comparative hemodynamic effects of intravenous nitroprusside and oral prazosin in refractory heart failure.

Abstract Beneficial effects of vasodilator therapy in heart failure have been amply described. Afterload reduction with intravenous nitroprusside improves hemodynamic values in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. The oral vasodilator prazosin was given to 10 patients with refractory heart failure, and its hemodynamic effects were compared with those of intravenous nitroprusside in the same patients. With prazosin, heart rate remained unchanged, mean arterial pressure decreased 13 percent ( P P P P Intravenous infusion of nitroprusside resulted in similar changes in heart rate and arterial pressure but greater reduction in left ventricular filling and mean pulmonary arterial pressures ( P P
Dimethyl sulfoxide prevents hydroxyl radical-mediated depolymerization of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract : We found that DMSO protected hyaluronic acid against deploymerization due to either of two sources of .OH, gamma irradiation or activated PMN. These findings are consistent with previous studies in which DMSO blocked the effects of .OH in other test systems. Specifically, DMSO prevented depolymerization of hyaluronic acid by enzymatically generated oxygen radicals, presumably including .OH. Furthermore, DMSO inhibited the bactericidal activities of .OH generated either by the Fenton reaction or by activated PMN. Also, DMSO protects against radiation in vivo, presumably by scavenging .OH, as in the present in vitro studies. Finally, in yet another in vitro system, DMSO protected plasmid DNA against nicking by .OH generated by radiation. Protection of hyaluronic acid by DMSO against PMN-mediated depolymerization may have some clinical relevance. PMN, which release .OH, may contribute to breakdown of hyaluronic acid and connective tissues in some inflammatory conditions where influx of PMN is prominent, such as in arthritis. DMSO, or other antioxidants, might then decrease the injurious effects of PMN-released oxidants.
Development of Parametric Material, Energy, and Emission Inventories for Wafer Fabrication in the Semiconductor Industry

Currently available data suggest that most of the energy and material consumption related to the production of an integrated circuit is due to the wafer fabrication process. The complexity of wafer manufacturing, requiring hundreds of steps that vary from product to product and from facility to facility and which change every few years, has discouraged the development of material, energy, and emission inventory modules for the purpose of insertion into life cycle assessments. To address this difficulty, a flexible, process-based system for estimating material requirements, energy requirements, and emissions in wafer fabrication has been developed. The method accounts for mass and energy use at the unit operation level. Parametric unit operation modules have been developed that can be used to predict changes in inventory as the result of changes in product design, equipment selection, or process flow. A case study of the application of the modules is given for energy consumption, but a similar methodology can be used for materials, individually or aggregated.
Nanoelectronic synaptic devices and materials for brain-inspired computational architectures

To realize extreme-scale neuromorphic computation inspired by a biological brain, there is a need to develop two-terminal reconfigurable devices that can mimic the low-power specifications and scalability of a biological synapse. This paper discusses the synaptic characteristics of doped transition metal oxide based two-terminal devices. Spike-frequency dependent augmentation in conductance was observed. In addition, the devices could be reconfigured to different conductance states by changing the input pulse-width. This characteristic was used to demonstrate spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP). The mechanism of reconfiguration is also briefly discussed.
Natural killer cells in guinea pig spleen bear Fc receptors.

The phenomenon of natural cytotoxicity or spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity (SCMC) was investigated in guinea pigs and compared with two other in vitro cytotoxicity reactions: mitogen-induced cellular cytotoxicity (MICC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The same xenogeneic target cells were employed in all three cytotoxicity assays. Organ distribution studies revealed that SCMC effector cell activity was present in spleen and peripheral blood but not in thymocytes. Bone marrow cells possessed low levels of SCMC effector cell activity. The organ distribution of effector cell activities for MICC and ADCC paralleled that for SCMC. Studies of the cell surface characteristics of the SCMC effector cell revealed that spleen cells nonadherent to antigen-antibody but not to antigen-F(ab')2 antibody-coated surfaces possessed markedly reduced SCMC effector cell activity. In addition, spleen cells depleted of Fc receptor-bearing cells by EA rosetting also possessed diminished SCMC effector cell activity, while cell populations enriched in Fc receptorbearing cells by EA resetting possessed enhanced SCMC effector cell activity. These fractionation techniques had similar effects on MICC and ADCC effector cell activity. Depletion of adherent spleen cells including macrophages by nylon wool column passage resulted in a population of cells with enhanced SCMC, MICC, and ADCC effector cell activity. Thus, in guinea pig spleen the effector cells mediating SCMC were shown to belong to a population of nonadherent Fc receptor-bearing lymphocytes possessing several cytotoxic capabilities including the potential of mediating MICC and ADCC.
The number and reactivity of the disulfide bonds and the amino acid sequences of some peptides containing half-cystine residues of α1-acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid)

Abstract α 1 -Acid glycoprotein, a well-characterized protein of normal human plasma, was investigated to determine the number and reactivity of its disulfide bonds and the amino acid sequences of some peptides with half-cystine residues. Employing three independent procedures (5,5′-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and N-(4- dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)maleimide (DDPM) techniques and oxidation with performic acid), it was found that this blood globulin contains three disulfide bridges. Two of these bridges can be reduced readily and without apparent changes in the three-dimensional structure of the protein molecule. They are considered to be located at the surface of the molecule. The third disulfide bridge is “buried” and is essential for maintaining the three-dimensional structure of α- 1 -acid glycoprotein. After unfolding the glycoprotein molecule with a strong denaturing agent, the latter disulfide bond was reduced as readily as the other two, permitting determination of the total number of sulfhydryl groups by reduction. After complete reduction, two of the six sulfhydryl residues appear particularly sensitive to oxidation by air, even at pH 4.6, whereas the remaining four groups are relatively stable at this pH and at pH 7.1. For the determination of the amino acid sequences of some peptides with half-cystine, completely reduced α 1 -acid glycoprotein was reacted with DDPM. This derivative was formed to an extent of 95–100%. Subsequently, the protein derivative obtained was digested with pronase, and the orange peptides formed were isolated by chromatography on talcum and DEAE-cellulose columns. Further purification was achieved by high-voltage electrophoresis and paper chromatography. The amino acid sequences of four peptides were elucidated and proved to be as follows: (1) Asp-Cys, (2) Asp-Cys-Glu, (3) Cys-Glu-Pro, and (4) Cys-Ala.
Carrier arrays: an idiom-preserving extension to APL

The idiomatic APL programming style is limited by the constraints of a rectangular, homogeneous array as a data structure. Non-scalar data is difficult to represent and manipulate, and the non-scalar APL functions have no uniform extension to higher rank arrays. The carrier array is an extension to APL which addresses these limitations while preserving the economical APL style. A carrier array is a ragged array with an associated partition which allows functions to be applied to subarrays in parallel. The primitive functions are given base definitions on scalars and vectors, and they are extended to higher rank arrays by uniform application mechanisms. Carrier arrays also allow the last dimensions of an array to be treated as a single datum; the primitive functions are given extended definitions on scalars and vectors of this non-scalar data.This paper defines the carrier array and gives the accompanying changes to the definitions of the APL primitive functions. Examples of programming with carrier arrays are presented, and implementation issues are discussed.
Analytic representation of secondary‐electron spectra

The secondary‐electron spectrum, or the energy distribution of the ejected electrons resulting from charged‐particle impact, is a crucial input to the microscopic modeling of radiation actions. The present article shows a general method for systematizing a bulk of data on the secondary‐electron spectrum into a small number of indices. Our method is based on firm theoretical grounds, i.e., on thorough examination of the mathematical physics that governs the secondary‐electron spectrum. We present several examples of the analysis of recent experimental data for proton impact.
Prenatal protein malnutrition effects on the serotonergic system in the hippocampal formation: an immunocytochemical, ligand binding, and neurochemical study.

Abstract Prenatally protein malnourished rats bom to dams maintained on a 6% casein diet during pregnancy and then fostered at birth to females on a 25% casein diet show adult alterations in hippocampal kindling and longterm potentiation and behavioral changes that all suggest dysfunction of hippocampal formation (HF). In the present investigation, compared to well-nourished controls, 220 day malnourished rats exhibited a decrease in the 5-HT fiber density in the dentate gyrus (DG) and CA3 subfield and, a 15–25% decrease 5-HT uptake sites assayed with [3H]-citalopram in CA3 andCA1. In malnourished rats, 5-HT1A receptors assayed with [3H]8-OH-DPAT were decreased by 20% in CA3. Because most hippocampal subfields showed no 5-HT changes, hippocampal 5-HT levels determined via HPLC methods were similar in adult malnourished and control rats. These results suggest that there are localized changes in the 5-HT afferent system in the hippocampal formation of the 220 day prenatally protein malnourished rat. Considering the 5-HT afferent input to inhibitory intrahippocampal neurons, the decreased 5-HT plexus may result in increased inhibition within specific hippocampal subfields despite overall normal levels of 5-HT in the total HF.
Oral misoprostol versus vaginal dinoprostone for labor induction in nulliparous women at term.

Oral misoprostol versus vaginal dinoprostone for labor induction in nulliparous women at term
Anticonvulsant profile of drugs which facilitate gabaergic transmission on convulsions mediated by a gabaergic mechanism

Abstract The effects of selected modulators of GABAergic transmission, either alone or in combination, were tested for their potency on the seizure pattern and mortality induced by convulsant drugs in rat. Pentobarbital and diazepam were effective against both tonic and clonic seizure components induced by bicuculline and picrotoxin. The anticonvulsant profile of ethanol closely resembled that of pentobarbital. Pentobarbital, diazepam and ethanol did not modify seizures induced by strychnine. In contrast, progabide, a central γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor agonist, caused significant protection only against convulsions induced by strychnine and its lethality, but did not protect against seizures induced by bicuculline or picrotoxin. Data on interaction of drugs with subprotective doses of these agents clearly demonstrated potentiation of the anticonvulsant actions of these modulators. Thus seizures induced by bicuculline were more sensitive to the inhibition by pentobarbital in combination with diazepam or ethanol, while pentobarbital with progabide was equally effective against convulsions induced by GABA antagonists. Diazepam, in combination with progabide, blocked only convulsions induced by picrotoxin. Ethanol, in combination with either pentobarbital or with diazepam, was effective against all the three convulsant drugs. These results are consistent with the concept that drugs which facilitate GABAergic transmission are effective against seizures related to an impairment of GABA transmission. Further, the present data indicate that tonic seizures are more susceptible to the actions of drugs than the clonic component. Smaller doses of these drugs, alone or in combination, modified the seizure patterns and mortality, whereas at larger doses, the possible involvement of a nonspecific depressant action cannot be ruled out.
The role of antibiotic prophylaxis for tubal microsurgery

Objectives Antibiotic prophylaxis is effective in preventing postoperative wound infections and pelvic cellulitis for a variety of gynecologic procedures. Though frequently used, there is no uniform agreement and little data descriptive of the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis for infertility surgery. The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence of postoperative infection-related complications after microsurgical tubal repair for infertility and to assess the possible role (if any) of antibiotic prophylaxis for tubal surgery.
Regulation of Glucocorticoid Receptor Function through Assembly of a Receptor-Heat Shock Protein Complex

Incubation of immunopurified, hormone-free mouse glucocorticoid receptors with rabbit reticulocyte lysate results in ATP-dependent and monovalent cation-dependent assembly of the GR into a heterocomplex with hsp90, hsp70, and hsp56. Heterocomplex assembly is accompanied by conversion of the receptor from a form that does not bind steroid to a high affinity steroid-binding conformation. Reticulocyte lysate also promotes ATP-dependent dissociation of unliganded receptors from a prebound receptor-DNA complex. Receptor released from DNA has been reconstituted into the heat shock protein heterocomplex and converted to the non-DNA-binding state. The reticulocyte lysate also reconstitutes pp60v-src into a heterocomplex containing hsp90 and p50, both of which are components of the native heterocomplex form of the tyrosine kinase in cytoplasm. Although the c-Raf-1 serine/threonine kinase has never been found in native association with hsp90, it can be assembled into a heat shock protein heterocomplex by the ATP-dependent system in reticulocyte lysate.
MENTORSHIP AND THE FIELD SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

This chapter discusses the benefits to both students and faculty program directors who participate in ethnographic field schools. Mentoring is a productive way to teach students that enables them to learn by doing. Although there are many stresses and strains in conducting mentor-structured programs, the payoffs are great as the directors gently lead their students into developing deeper understanding of anthropology and ethnography. This approach often provides the best way for students to decide if they have the “right stuff” to be anthropologists, and their mentors provide them with the encouragement and support necessary to find out for themselves.
Decline in sialic acid composition of cellular membranes isolated from ovine corpora lutea during prostaglandin-induced luteolysis: apparent independence of autoimmune recognition.

Sialic acid was quantified in plasma membranes of corpora lutea isolated during prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha-induced luteolysis in sheep. Concentrations of sialic acid within membranes decreased after injection of PGF2 alpha, and before signs of luteal regression (i.e., a decline in tissue concentrations of progesterone) were manifested. Removal of residues of sialic acid from luteal membranes was not associated with cellular binding of gamma globulin, as monitored by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. We suggest that desialylation of luteal membranes could be an important aspect of the mechanism of luteolysis. Such a process does not appear to involve participation of autoantibody.
Damage: An expert system for structural assessment and failure identification following blast and shock loading events

The development of an expert system for the postevent assessment of reinforced concrete structures subjected to severe loading environments, such as those that correspond to blast and shock effects, is presented and discussed. Initially, the observed behavioral aspects of the structures are presented, then a background discussion of the requirements from an expert system is given, and finally, the specific details for the present approach are examined. Examples of rules and of a typical run are presented, and the results are compared to information obtained from previous studies on the same structures.
Comparison of Intraocular Irrigating Solutions in Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Abstract A prospective, randomized, masked clinical study was conducted to examine the effects of pars plana vitrectomy on the corneal endothelium comparing Balanced Salt Solution (BSS®) to BSS-Plus® as an intraocular irrigating solution. Seventy-one patients were followed for at least six months. A significant 6.9% decrease in endothelial cell density was observed among all patients at six months postoperatively, compared to preoperative values, using the contralateral eye as a control. However, no significant difference in endothelial cell loss was found between BSS® and BSS-Plus® eyes. Both aphakic eyes and those undergoing lensectomy (with vitrectomy) showed a significantly greater reduction of endothelial cell density at six months compared to phakic eyes. No significant difference in corneal thickness was observed at six months postoperatively compared to preoperative values. For the one-year duration of our study BSS® was as efficacious in preserving the integrity of the corneal endothelium as was BSS-Plus®.
Small-Scale Structure of a Coastal Front as Revealed by Dual-Doppler Radar

Abstract The analysis of the rainband structure and wind fields associated with a coastal front along the North Carolina shoreline is described. Dual-Doppler radar and the augmented GALE (Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment) ensemble of in situ stations depict shallow, convective rainbands that overtake the front from the warm-air sector and intensify at the surface front location. Clockwise band rotation is shown to be caused by the difference in alignment between the echo motion and the rainband axes and by new development ahead of the front. Radar measurements depict the circulation systems associated with a portion of one rainband in the cold air ahead of the front. Here shallow precipitation cores are vertically tilted due to the frontal wind shear. Circulation cells and most precipitation cores are centered just above the frontal inversion, as inferred by the wind shift line aloft. This feature is nearly horizontal in the cross-frontal direction but slopes downward in a direction roughly parallel to...
Immunoassay detection in a perfluorocarbon emulsion oxygen therapeutic.

The effect of a perfluorocarbon emulsion oxygen therapeutic (PEOT) on detecting theophylline was explored using a commercial EMIT® (enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique) immunoassay. The EMIT technique is based on a colorimetric reaction, the product of which can be measured spectrophotometrically. The intent was to determine whether the presence of PEOT interferes with this detection. We found that the immunoassay yields excellent quantitative data in the therapeutic range (10–20 ppm theophylline) in 2–10% PEOT, but as the amount of PEOT in the sample increases, the accuracy of the detection method decreases.
Estimate of the scatter component in SPECT

Analytical expressions that describe the dependence of slopes and amplitudes of the scatter distribution functions (SDF) on source depth and media density are used to estimate a scatter component in SPECT projection data. Since the ratio of detected scattered to total photons (S/T), SDF amplitude and slope depend strongly on line source length (SL) used to obtain SDFs, we compared estimated scattered components using SDFs, obtained for lengths of 2-21 cm. At 10 cm source depth, S/T changes from 0.19 to 0.36 when SL changes from 2 to 21 cm. Scatter amplitude's dependence on source depth (d) in water was described by 6.38e/sup -0.186d/ for a 2 cm and 16.15e/sup -0.129d/ for a 21 cm SL. Slope was described by 0.292d/sup -0.601/ for a 21 cm SL, and by 0.396d/sup -0.82/ for a 21 cm SL. The estimated scatter components are compared with simulated SPECT projection data obtained with Monte Carlo modeling of six hot spheres placed in a cylindrical water filled phantom. The comparison of estimated with simulated total counts/projection shows very good agreement when approaching SDF for point source (the % difference varied from 2 to 13% for 2 cm SL). Significant overestimate is seen when source length increases.