cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Highly Improved Precision of the Hypophysectomized Female Rat Body Weight Gain Bioassay for Growth Hormone by Increased Frequency of Injections, Avoidance of Antibody Formation, and Other Simple Modifications*

Mediocre precision has been a frustrating feature of the hypophysectomized female rat body weight gain bioassay for GH, especially human GH (hGH), in the original procedural format of injections once daily, ip, for 10-14 days. Consequently, the principal conditions that influence the bioassay's precision were identified and appropriately modified, by detailed systematic analysis of the daily body weight gain response to treatment with bovine GH (bGH) and hGH. Under identical conditions, the slope and precision of dose-response curves for hGH were markedly inferior to those for bGH. This prompted revision of the injection frequency for hGH to four times daily, sc. Dramatic improvement in slope and precision for hGH resulted, nearly equal to the excellent slope and precision attained for bGH with twice daily injections, sc. In addition, direct and indirect assessment of GH antibody formation pinpointed day 8 as the time of onset of growth-neutralizing antibodies, which are deleterious to precision and accuracy. Accordingly, the injection period was limited to 7 days. A warm environment of 31-32 C to sustain optimal animal health and responsiveness and objective specifications for selection of animals were also used. These modifications, incorporated into standardized procedures (four times daily injections, sc, 7 consecutive days, for hGH; twice daily injections, sc, 7 consecutive days, for bGH) produced a lambda, the index of precision, which hovered on the highly respectable bioassay value of 0.2 consistently and reliably. The demonstration of differing performance characteristics and differing immunogenicities of bGH and hGH in the rat invalidates the use of one as the reference standard for the bioassay of the other, and beclouds the quantitative meaning of all prior data derived in that way.
Elongation of mitochondrial fatty acids during brain development.

— Elongation of mitochondrial fatty acids was studied in whole brain samples from rats before, during and after the period of myelination. The mitochondria were isolated by centrifugation in a discontinuous sucrose gradient and incubated under N2 in a medium containing NADH, NADPH, ATP and acetyl-[1-14C]coenzyme A. Fatty acids were extracted, methylated and analysed by gas-liquid chromatography. A distinct pattern emerged in which brain mitochondria from rats undergoing myelination synthesized longer chain fatty acids preferentially, particularly C22:4. Mitochondria from brains of mature rats synthesized shorter chain fatty acids preferentially, mainly C18:0 and C20:4. We suggest that eicosamonoenoic acid (C22:1) is a precursor in vivo of nervonic acid (C24:1).
Psychostimulant-induced activity is attenuated by two putative dopamine release inhibitors.

Centrally administered amphetamine (AMPH), cathinone, (CATH), or cocaine (COC) have each been shown to produce elevated activity in rats and this effect is dose responsive. The question remains whether these psychostimulants share a common mechanism of action (i.e., do these psychostimulants act by releasing dopamine to increase activity levels?). Experiments were, therefore, conducted to measure the spontaneous activity of these three centrally administered psychostimulants in rats following pretreatment with two putative dopamine release inhibitors, viz., 5-(4-methyl-1 piperazinyl)imidazol(2,1-b) (1,3,5)-benzothiadiazepine maleate [CGS 10746B (CGS); 20 mg/kg)] and 4-(4-benzofurazanyl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicar boxylic acid methyl 1-methyl-ethyl ester [isradipine (ISR); 2.5 mg/kg)]. Rats fitted with chronic indwelling ventricular cannulae received a single dose of ICV-administered CATH (32 micrograms), AMPH (16 micrograms), COC (100 micrograms), or vehicle. Selection of these ICV doses of stimulant drugs was based upon results obtained in preliminary studies that indicated similar elevations of activity. ICV administration of each of these drugs/doses was preceded (20 min) by peripherally administered CGS, ISR, or vehicle. Results show that ICV CATH (32 micrograms), AMPH (16 micrograms), COC (100 micrograms) equieffectively elevate activity (two- to threefold) and that, in each case, this increase was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with CGS or ISR.
Wind field estimation in UAV formation flight

Wind and turbulence, including wakes induced by leading aircraft, have a large impact on flight performance and flight safety of both manned and unmanned aircraft. An accurate real-time wind estimation technique is crucial for tasks such as increasing air traffic capacity, commercial formation flight, or aerial refueling, etc. A leader-follower formation flight of Phastball Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were used as the experimental platform for the above problem. The air data system of Phastball UAV was developed with pitot-tube and flow-angle sensors. Using the designed system, two Unscented Kalman Filters (one standalone UKF and one cooperative UKF) were developed for the wind field estimation with and without using the wake information from the leader aircraft. For close formation flights, the wake of the leader is assumed to be predictable by certain wake models for the follower aircraft. Flight data showed the effectiveness of the standalone EKF for the wind estimation compared with the ground weather station measurements. Simulation results showed the advantage of the cooperative UKF over the standalone UKF.
Self-consistent calculation of the collective excitations in neutral and charged jellium microspheres

The time-dependent local-density approximation is used to compute the dynamic response of small jellium spheres. These spheres provide a model system for the investigation of the response of the conduction electrons in small alkali-metal clusters. The dipolar collective modes\char22{}surface and bulk\char22{}are computed for neutral and charged spheres with closed-shell configurations.
The Gap Between Evidence And Practice

ABSTRACT: Despite the urgent call to action made by the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Crossing the Quality Chasm report in 2001, several fundamental issues in health care remain largely unaddress...
An analytical framework for categorizing the use of CAS symbolic manipulation in textbooks

The symbolic manipulation capabilities of computer algebra systems, which we refer to as CAS-S, are now becoming instantiated within secondary mathematics textbooks in the United States for the first time. While a number of research studies have examined how teachers use this technology in their classrooms, one of the most important factors in how this technology is used in the classroom is how it is embedded within curricular resources such as textbooks. This study introduces readers to an analytical framework for examining CAS-S within textbooks and presents the results of its application to three secondary U.S. mathematics textbook units involving polynomial functions. The framework consists of two components: application of CAS-S and reflection on CAS-S uses. The analyses identified differences among the three textbook units in pedagogical intent and task connectedness involving CAS-S. The majority of CAS-S tasks were coded as involving low procedural complexity and there were few instances in which the technology was used in the construction of proofs. Textbook developers asked students to reflect on the visible CAS-S result as opposed to the invisible process leading to those results. The implications of these results as well as the potential transformative role of CAS-S are discussed.
Perceived Support, Help Seeking, and Adaptation to Stress among Older Black and White Women Living Alone

This research tested two models of stress buffering to examine how older women living alone adapted to the stresses in their daily lives. No support was found for the suppressor model, but some support for the moderator model of stress buffering. Both perceived support and enacted support moderated the effect of stressors for psychological distress. Confidants were an important source of support for these older women. Both the perception that a friend was available with whom they could discuss their problems and the frequency of confiding moderated the negative impact of stress for psychological distress. Although confidants were a significant source of support for both Black and White women, support from relatives and friends moderated the effect of stressors only for Black women. Black women experienced greater economic hardship and more functional limitations than White women, but they draw on multiple sources of support to adapt to those stressors.
Theoretical study of oxygenated (100) diamond surfaces in the presence of hydrogen

Quantum ab initio calculations and quantum semiempirical molecular-dynamics simulations were employed to study reconstructions of (100) diamond surfaces in the presence of hydrogen and oxygen. The results indicate that the energetically most favorable structures of oxygenated surfaces are those with chemisorbed hydroxyl groups. It was found that hydrogen bonds are formed among chemisorbed oxygenated species. The formation of these hydrogen bonds lowers the adlayer energy. A number of important vibrational modes characteristic of oxygenated diamond surfaces were identified. The analysis of surface vibrational spectra demonstrates the influence of the local environment on the position of vibrational modes and can be useful for interpretation of experimental data.
Effects of ammonium sulfate aerosols on the gas-phase reactions of the hydroxyl radical with organic compounds

Abstract Air quality modeling is of seminal importance to the assessment of air pollution control strategies. Traditionally, these models include four basic components: meteorology data, emissions data, transport mechanisms, and chemistry. The gas-phase chemistry portions have been based on kinetic and product laboratory studies in relatively pristine gas-phase environments. However, given the abundance of particles in the atmosphere, it is possible that aerosols can have catalytic effects on gas-phase reaction kinetics. These studies focus on elucidating those effects. Ultimately, the data gained can be used to improve regional air quality models. Relative rate studies of the OH radical initiated reactions of n -hexane, p -xylene, and 1-propanol were conducted in a Tedlar bag in the presence of ammonium sulfate aerosols. Results show that ammonium sulfate aerosols promote the reaction of 1-propanol with OH radicals compared to the reactions of n -hexane with OH radicals and p -xylene with OH radicals. The relative rate of the 1-propanol/·OH reaction versus the n-hexane/·OH reaction increased from 0.85±0.05 in the absence of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 aerosols to 1.07±0.05 in the presence of aerosols. Also, the relative rate of the 1-propanol/·OH reaction versus the p -xylene/·OH reaction increased from 0.45±0.03 in the absence of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 aerosols to 0.56±0.02 in the presence of aerosols.
3-Phosphohistidine cannot replace phosphotyrosine in high-affinity binding to phosphotyrosine binding or Src homology 2 domains.

Posttranslational phosphorylation of proteins is an important event in many cellular processes. Phosphorylated tyrosine residues can serve as association sites for other proteins in signal transduction cascades of tyrosine kinase receptors. Formation of phosphohistidine residues in proteins has been found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Furthermore, it has been suggested that phosphohistidine might substitute for phosphotyrosine in conferring high-affinity binding to proteins involved in signal transduction. We have analyzed the ability of 3-phosphohistidine to associate with the known phosphotyrosine-specific phosphotyrosine binding and src homology 2 protein domains. From our binding studies using synthetic peptides, we conclude that 3-phosphohistidine cannot replace phosphotyrosine in conferring high-affinity binding to the phosphotyrosine binding domain of shc or the src homology 2 domain of phospholipase C-γ1.
Target Marketing at an NFL Training Camp: The Role of Proximity

ABSTRACT The present research analyzes the attendance of individuals at a National Football League (NFL) training camp, comparing attendees within an 80-mile radius around the training camp with attendees from the NFL team's city who drove 100–140 miles to attend the training camp. Over 1,700 training camp attendees were surveyed. The results indicate that training camp attendees from the local region and those from the NFL city were found to be significantly different in terms of age, use of information sources, and previous attendance at the training camp. Proximity to the training camp location was the most important influence on the decision to attend the training camp. However, the data also suggest that proximity to the NFL city (team identification) was also an important influence on attendance.
Reply to Miller on agendas and sincerity

Contrary to Miller, Farquharson’s agenda trees do omit real parliamentary information. And the assumptions he uses to justify Farquharson’s definition of sincere (or naive) voting justify too little (e.g., he drops maximax) and rule out too much (e.g., non-pre-set agendas and principled sincere voting).
Proton microprobe analysis of zinc in skeletal tissues

Abstract A proton microprobe with windowless exit port has been used to study zinc distributions in various types of skeletal tissues. The use of an external beam facilitated positioning of the targets for examination of particular points of interest. The proton microprobe is uniquely suited to this work since it combines high sensitivity for zinc determination in thick samples with good spatial resolution. Our measurements on rat and rabbit Achilles tendon showed a significant increase in zinc concentrations as the beam moved from the unmineralized collagen into the mineralized attachment site. Cartilage gave a similar result, with calcified cartilage having a greater zinc level than the articular surface on unmineralized epiphyseal cartilage.
Differential Analysis of Social Security Disability and Vocational Rehabilitation Applicants

An effort was made to differentiate the characteristics of clients who applied for Social Security Disability from those who applied for Vocational Rehabilitation. Psychological, diagnostic, intellectual, academic ability differences, and demographic factors of sex, age, and race between social security disability applicants and vocational rehabilitation applicants were examined. The latter were more intelligent and had higher academic functioning. Applicants for social security disability were less intelligent and tended to be functionally illiterate. Multiple discriminant analysis indicated that mathematics scores and differences in intelligence were the primary discriminants. Another difference appeared to be that rehabilitation clients tended to be diagnosed as substance abusers or learning disabled, while disability clients were more likely to be diagnosed as mentally retarded or having dementia.
Acquaintanceship, familiarity, and coordinated laughter in writing tutorials

This study compared the frequency, structure, and purposes of laughter in writing tutorials between 46 acquainted and unacquainted tutor–student pairs. Of particular interest were instances of shared, or coordinated laughter, which took the form of sequenced, simultaneous, and extended laughter. Familiarity, viewed as a continuum, was also investigated with reference to coordinated laughter. Results showed that coordinated laughter was indeed more frequent in acquainted-pair interactions, and in those interactions where both tutor and student moved beyond laughter as a way of mitigating face threat to a resource in developing familiarity. Implications are suggested for future research on acquaintanceship, familiarity, and laughter in educational settings.
Evolution of Drosophila mitochondrial DNAs. Comparison of denaturation maps.

Abstract In an approach to the functional anatomy of the mitochondrial genome and its evolution, we have compared buoyant densities, contour lengths, and denaturation maps in circular mitochondrial DNAs of the genus Drosophila . Mitochondrial DNAs from three representatives of the subgenus Drosophila (D. virilis, D. hydei, D.funebris) are similar in size (approx. 5 μm or 1 · 10 7 daltons) and buoyant density (approx. 1.685 g/ml), while in two members of the subgenus Sophophora (D. melanogaster, D. simulans ), mitochondrial DNAs are longer (approx. 6 μm or 12.4 · 10 6 daltons) and have a lower buoyant density (approx. 1.681 g/ml). The latter mitochondrial DNAs also share one distinctly large early melting region, which in D. melanogaster is equivalent to 1.54 μm of native DNA. The corresponding (A + T)-rich region in D. virilis or D. hydei mitochondrial DNA is 1 μm shorter. Except for this region, denaturation maps of D. melanogaster and D. virilis mitochondrial DNAs are indistinguishable. The addition or deletion of a single block of (A + T)-rich sequences can fully account for the differences in buoyant density and size between the mitochondrial DNAs we have examined. In an appendix, we show that there is an equivalent discrepancy between the extent of strand separation determined by electron microscopy and the actual extent of DNA denaturation, whether this is determined from absorbance changes or inferred from the reduction in contour lengths of individual circular molecules. The reduction in contour length appears to result exclusively from the uniform foreshortening of single-stranded DNA, not only in regions of visible strand separation but also in denatured regions hidden within putatively native segments of molecules. For molecules showing 15–45% strand separation, we estimate that putatively native segments are approximately 50% denatured.
Mechanistic understanding of silicon nitride dispersion using cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes

Abstract The influence of interface properties of silicon nitride powder on the dispersion and particle size distribution in aqueous environments was investigated in the presence of cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes. The isoelectric point of as-received silicon nitride powder at pH 6.6 shifted to 4.0 in the presence of 1500 ppm ammonium polymethacrylate, an anionic polyelectrolyte (APE). However, no isoelectric point could be observed up to pH 10.8 when 1500 ppm quaternized polyamine epoxychlorohydrin, a cationic polyelectrolyte (CPE), was present in the silicon nitride suspensions. The dispersion characteristics of silicon nitride powder in the presence of various concentrations of the two polyelectrolytes and by pH variation were examined. The slightly better dispersion of silicon nitride powder in the presence of CPE than that in the presence of APE is explained in terms of differences in the adsorption characteristics and surface charge concentration in aqueous environments. A mechanistic understanding of the role of interface chemistry and, in particular, polyelectrolyte adsorption on the dispersion of silicon nitride powder is presented.
Teaching data abstraction to the practicing programmer: A case study

We have been experimenting at The George Washington University with our undergraduate and graduate courses in Data Structures. In particular, we are using a very modern text [HORO78] and a strong emphasis in lectures and projects on the practical application of data abstraction, and its relationship to both structured programming and machine efficiency. Student projects are subroutine packages written, in “real-world” programming languages, as faithful and modular implementations of the abstractions studied.Throughout the courses, attention is paid to the relationship between structured programming and data structures, and between these two and time/space efficiency considerations.After a preliminary discussion of data abstraction concepts, we present a case study, namely a sparse-matrix system, and some observations.
Stylet penetration by the bayberry whitefly, as affected by leaf age in lemon, Citrus limon

Bayberry whitefly (Parabemisia myricae [Kuwana]) crawlers were placed on young and mature lemon leaves and were allowed 7–9 days to settle. Afterwards, the nymphs were fixed and sectioned in situ on the leaves and the area of leaf under each whitefly was examined at 1 000 × for stylet penetration. Both stylets and stylet tracks were readily visible in the sections. The path of penetration was mostly intercellular and the objective appeared to be the phloem. Passage of the stylets through the plant tissue did not cause detectable damage to most cells; however, damaged plant cells occasionally were noticed. Nymphs that had moulted during the 7–9 day settling period reached the phloem significantly more often than those that were still in their first instar. In each of the three replicates, penetration in the mature leaf occurred significantly less often than penetration in the young leaf (4% vs. 72%, p < 0.01, χ2). Penetration appears to be inhibited in the mature leaf either by the leaf cuticle or by factors detected by the nymphs after very shallow penetration into the leaf. The cuticle of mature leaves was much thicker than the cuticle of young leaves and may have been a barrier to stylet penetration. RESUME Influence de l'âge des feuilles du citronnier (Citrus limon) sur la penetration des stylets de l'aleurode, Parabemisia myricae Des larves de premier stade (avant la fixation) de l'aleurode, Parabemisia myricae (Kuwana), ont ete placees, pour qu'elles se fixent, pendant 2 a 9 jours, sur des feuilles jeunes ou mures de citronnier. Des morceaux de feuilles avec des larves fixees ont ete trempes dans 2% d'agar; ce procede a permis de maintenir les larves a leurs sites de fixation finale. Des pieces d'agar contenant les morceaux de feuilles avec les larves ont ensuite ete trempees dans de la paraffine, et sectionnees en series de 10 μ. Il etait necessaire de maintenir une basse temperature pendant l'operation afin d'obtenir de bonnes sections des feuilles mures durcies. Les stylets et leurs traces etaient faciles a voir dans les sections teintees aux safranins, et ‘fast green’. Presque toutes les traces des stylets etaient intercellulaires et leur destination semblaient etre de phloeme. En general, la plupart des cellules ne semblaient pas endommagees, les larves qui avaient mue pendant la periode de 7 a 9 jours de fixation avaient atteint significativement plus le phloeme que les larves du premier stade. Dans trois essais, la penetration des feuilles mures etait significativement moins frequente que celle des feuilles jeunes (p < 0.01, χ2). La penetration dans des feuilles mures semble etre empechee par la cuticule ou par des facteurs percus par les nymphes apres une penetration superficielle. La cuticule des feuilles mures etait beaucoup plus epaisse que la cuticule des jeunes feuilles et pourrait donc representer une barriere a la penetration des stylets.
Magnetic Circular Dichroism of Impurities in Solids: Vibrationally Induced d-->d Transitions in MgO: Ni

We report absorption spectra and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) of $d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d$ transitions in single-crystal MgO:Ni over the range 4-300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. General theoretical expressions for the zeroth and first moments of the absorption and MCD of a vibration-induced band are derived. Their application to the MgO: Ni data leads to the conclusion that the intensities of the $^{3}T_{1}^{a}$, $^{1}T_{2}$, and $^{3}T_{1}^{b}$ bands are predominantly induced via ${t}_{1u}$ vibrations. A consistent qualitative analysis of observed structure in these bands is made. The main vibrational structure is assigned to the dispersion of the allowing ${t}_{1u}$ phonons. All spin-orbit components of the $^{3}T_{1}^{a}$ band are identified. The analysis does not require Jahn-Teller effects to be invoked in any of these bands.
What influences climate and glacier change in southwestern China

The subject of climate change in the areas of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and the Himalayas has taken on increasing importance because of available water resources from their mountain glaciers. Many of these glaciers over the region have been retreating, while some are advancing and stable. Other studies report that some glaciers in the Himalayas show acceleration on their shrinkage. However, the causes of the glacier meltings are still difficult to grasp because of the complexity of climatic change and its influence on glacier issues. However, it is vital that we pursue further study to enable the future prediction on glacier changes.
Two-gap superconductivity and microwave properties of YBCO

The YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7[minus]x] compound contains two conductive subsystem and as a result displays a two-gap structure. The Cu-O[sub 2] planes are characterized by intrinsic pairing, whereas the superconducting state of the Cu-O chains is induced by two different charge-transfer channels (intrinsic proximity effect and phonon-mediated transfer). Oxygen ordering affects the value of the induced energy gap. Such spectrum along with a short coherence length lead to peculiar microwave properties of YBCO thin films. The large residual microwave losses are explained in the framework of the two-gap model. 14 refs.
Asthma diagnosis and airway bronchodilator response in HIV-infected patients

Background Despite the high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and obstructive lung disease in HIV-infected subjects, the prevalence of bronchodilator reversibility (BDR) and asthma has not been systematically studied during the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). Objective We sought to determine the prevalence of asthma diagnosis and related pulmonary function abnormalities in an HIV-infected cohort and to identify potential mechanisms. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 223 HIV-infected subjects with data on respiratory symptoms and diagnoses, pulmonary function, sputum cell counts, and asthma-related cytokines and chemokines in serum/sputum. Results Doctor-diagnosed asthma was present in 46 (20.6%), and BDR (≥200 mL and ≥12% increase in FEV 1 or forced vital capacity) was present in 20 (9.0%) participants. Pulmonary symptoms and function were worse in those with doctor-diagnosed asthma. Doctor-diagnosed asthma was independently associated with female sex ( P = .04), body mass index of greater than 29.6 kg/m 2 (vs 2 , P = .03), history of bacterial or Pneumocystis pneumonia ( P = .01), and not currently taking ART ( P = .04) and in univariate analysis with parental history of asthma (n = 180, P = .004). High sputum eosinophil percentages (>2.3% based on the highest decile) were more likely in those with doctor-diagnosed asthma ( P = .02) or BDR ( P = .02). Doctor-diagnosed asthma tended to be more common with high sputum IL-4 ( P = .02) and RANTES ( P = .02) levels, whereas BDR was associated with high plasma macrophage inflammatory protein 1α ( P = .002) and sputum macrophage inflammatory protein 1β ( P = .001) levels. Conclusion Asthma diagnosis and BDR are prevalent in an HIV-infected outpatient cohort, and associations with family history, obesity, allergic inflammation, prior infection, absence of ART, and increased HIV-stimulated cytokines suggest possible mechanisms of HIV-associated asthma.
Prostaglandin E1 effects on ethanol metabolism in the rat.

Abstract Previous studies in our labaratory have shown that PGE1 prevents alcohol induced fatty livers in the rat. Since PGE1 could primarily affect alcohol metabolism, we studied the effect of this compound on the metabolism of a single intragastric dose of alcohol given to rats that had been previously maintained on a normal diet or on an alcohol supplemented diet. Neither the acute nor the chronic administration of PGE1 affected the disappearance of alcohol from blood whether the animals had been previously fed the control or the alcohol diet. PGE1 did not affect alcohol dehydrogenase activity of either group of animals. These studies suggest that the protective effect of PGE1 on alcohol induced fatty liver in rats is not related to a direct action on alcohol metabolism.
Electrical Properties of Boron Nitride Matrix Composites: II, Dielectric Relaxations in Boron Nitride–Silicon Carbide Composites

A low-frequency Maxwell-Wagner relaxation, resulting from space-charge buildup, was observed when BN-SiC composites were subjected to an ac current. This paper discusses the Maxwell-Wagner relaxation and information that it reveals about the microstructure of the composite. A modified Maxwell-Wagner equation for the real part of the permittivity is used to model the data. SiC has a higher dielectric constant than that of BN. The microstructure of these composites is anisotropic, with BN platelets preferentially oriented perpendicular to the hot-pressing direction. Samples measured in this direction exhibit a lower dielectric constant than those measured parallel to the hot-pressing direction. In regard to frequency response, the permittivity of BN shows no dependence on frequency, whereas frequency dependence is seen with increasing SiC content.
Real-time noncoherent correlator using liquid crystal television

Abstract A real-time noncoherent correlator using liquid crystal television (LCTV) is described. Although spatial phase variation exists inherently in the LCTV, space invariance can be simply obtained in the proposed system. Since the LCTV has a low space-bandwidth product, the noncoherent correlation technique is naturally suitable for the system. Experimental results are also presented.
Photoplethysmography and calf muscle pump function after subfascial endoscopic perforator ligation

Abstract Objective: Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) results in acceptable healing and recurrence rates. The role of hemodynamic venous testing in this situation, however, is poorly understood and inconsistently used. Our ongoing experience was reviewed to explore how SEPS affects the photoplethysmographic assessment of the leg. Methods: Preoperative and postoperative venous refill times (VRTs) were measured with photoplethysmography in 30 limbs in 28 patients who underwent SEPS and superficial ablation, when indicated, with complete clearing of the anterolateral surface of the tibia, thus opening the deep posterior compartment from mid calf to close to the malleolus. Postoperative healing and duplex scanning were used to assess clinical and anatomic success, respectively. The VRTs were classified as "interpretable" if the leg emptied or "uninterpretable" if the calf could not empty. The "interpretable" study results were further classified as "normal" if the refill took 20 seconds or more or "abnormal" if less. Results: Before the patients underwent SEPS, six study results (20%) showed inability of the calf to empty and thus were judged uninterpretable. After the patients underwent SEPS, 12 study results (40%) were uninterpretable (NS; P = .09 with the χ 2 test). Of the 24 preoperative interpretable study results, two (8%) were normal, and of the 18 postoperative interpretable study results, seven (39%) were normal ( P Conclusion: Although VRT is unpredictably affected by SEPS, the most consistent finding is the inability of the calf to empty, which invalidates the remainder of the test. In addition, most ulcers heal, even with uninterpretable or abnormal postoperative VRTs. This suggests that photoplethysmography is a poor method of assessment of venous reflux after SEPS. (J Vasc Surg 1999;30:1067-76.)
Theory of transitions among tilted hexatic phases in liquid crystals

We present a Landau theory for transitions among tilted hexatic phases in liquid-crystal films. Using the renormalization group, we then derive phase diagrams with four tilted hexatic phases: the hexatic-I and hexatic-F phases, an intermediate hexatic-L phase, and an unlocked phase. If the films are crystalline rather than hexatic, all these phases except the unlocked phase still exist. These results are consistent with recent experiments on thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals. We also study the five-armed ``star'' defect close to the hexatic-to-hexatic transitions. Near the first-order transition from hexatic-I to hexatic-F, the thickness of the arms increases as \ensuremath{\Vert}T-${T}_{\mathrm{IF}}$${\ensuremath{\Vert}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1/3}$ through a process similar to wetting. This thickening should be observable in thin tilted hexatic films.
Chick Bioassay of Vitamin K Compounds Using Dicumarol and Pivalyl as Anticoagulants

Abstract CHICK bioassay procedures have been widely used to study the relative efficacy of vitamin K compounds (Perdue and Frost, 1960; Griminger, 1965; Dua and Day, 1966). Since the reduction of blood prothrombin time is the criterion used in such studies, a stress agent to sensitize the assay is desirable. Despite certain adverse side effects, sulfaquinoxaline has been used as the anticoagulant stress agent in most previous work. Snake venom has been used as the sensitizing agent on a limited basis (Matschiner and Doisy, 1966). Toxic effects of sulfaquinoxaline have been studied by Delaplane and Milliff (1948), Newbern and Buck (1956), Sanger et al. (1956) and others. Sanger et al. (1956) found that experimental birds receiving 0.1 percent sulfaquinoxaline in the feed along with alfalfa meal and vitamin K active compounds developed hemorrhages, leukocytic infiltrations, bone marrow hypoplasia and anemia. Yacowitz et al. (1955) were unable to completely protect the chicks . . .
High Spectral Resolution IR instrumentation Developments for CLARREO

The infrared component of the CLimate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) benchmark climate system under development at NASA will include on-orbit standards and test equipment to directly verify very high end-to-end instrument accuracy on-orbit.
Sensorimotor skills and language comprehension in autistic children

The objectives of this study were to examine the level of sensorimotor concepts of young autistic children and to relate these concepts to language comprehension. A sample of 16 autistic children with a mean mental age of 24.8 months was administered a standardized scale of sensorimotor intelligence and of receptive language. The autistic children demonstrated surprisingly sophisticated sensorimotor skills, particularly object permanence. While their initial performance was inferior to that of normal controls matched on mental age, particularly in their use of objects in combination, the difference between groups diminished on the second test administration. On the receptive language measure, the autistic children were less able to identify words correctly. The sensorimotor behavior of autistic children who demonstrated language comprehension did not differ from those who showed no language comprehension, except that the former group tended to use an object as an instrument somewhat more frequently. The fact that the autistic children were so impaired in language even with fairly good sensorimotor skills suggests that these skills, particularly object permanence, play a minor role in their language acquisition.
Pretransplant Psychiatric and Substance Use Comorbidity in Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma Who Received a Liver Transplant

Background Psychopathology has been commonly observed in liver transplant candidates, and up to 40% have comorbid psychiatric disorders. This illness burden may negatively impact quality of life and transplant outcome. Liver transplantation for cholangiocarcinoma remains uncommon due to the complex treatment protocol. We assessed for pretransplant psychopathology and substance use disorders in liver transplant recipients with cholangiocarcinoma to better characterize this patient group. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 143 liver transplant recipients who completed pretransplant psychological screening with the PAS, BDI-FS, BSI-18, and the SAAST between 2000 and 2004. The majority completed an evaluation by a transplant psychiatrist. Rates of pretransplant psychiatric and substance use symptoms and disorders were compared between 26 patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 117 other liver recipients using χ2 or Fisher's exact tests. Results Of the total cohort, 35% had a pretransplant psychiatric diagnosis, 35% had a substance use disorder, and 43% were current or former smokers. The cholangiocarcinoma cohort had significantly lower scores on the PAS, BDI-FS, and the BSI-18. On interview, the cholangiocarcinoma group was less likely to have an alcohol use disorder (P = 0.03) or any substance use disorder (P = 0.04), but the two groups did not differ significantly in the likelihood of having a psychiatric disorder or smoking history. Conclusions This study suggests that patients with cholangiocarcinoma have lower rates of alcohol and drug use disorders than other liver transplant recipients. They do not differ in rates of psychiatric disorders or smoking. Psychosocial assessment and support are recommended throughout the transplant process.
Aortic dissection : rupture into right ventricle and right pulmonary artery

Rupture of an acute ascending aortic dissection into a surrounding cardiac chamber or pulmonary artery is an uncommon occurrence, and is often only diagnosed post mortem. Although fistulization (aortopulmonary and aorta—right atrial) after acute aortic dissection has been well documented in the literature, acute aortic dissection fistulizing into both the right ventricle and pulmonary artery has not. We report on a 75-year-old woman who presented with an acute ascending aortic dissection with both aortopulmonary and aorta—right ventricular fistulas who underwent repair and had long-term survival.
Involvement of pallidal and nigral gaba mechanisms in the generation of tremulous jaw movements in rats

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to investigate the role of pallidal and nigral GABA in the generation of tremulous jaw movements in rats. In these experiments, tremulous jaw movements were induced by i.p. injections of the anticholinesterase tacrine (5.0 mg/kg). Previous work has shown that the tremulous jaw movements induced by cholinomimetics and dopamine depletion are dependent upon striatal mechanisms. Thus, the present study investigated potential striatal output pathways that could be involved in the generation of these movements. Because there are GABAergic projections from neostriatum to entopeduncular nucleus (medial globus pallidus) and substantia nigra pars reticulata, the GABA agonist muscimol was injected directly into these structures to study the effects of GABA stimulation on tacrine-induced jaw movements. Injections of muscimol into the entopeduncular nucleus (25–100 ng) failed to have any significant effects on tacrine-induced vacuous jaw movements. However, injections of muscimol (12.5–50 ng) into the substantia nigra pars reticulata blocked the jaw movements induced by tacrine. In the third experiment, it was again demonstrated that 25.0 ng of muscimol injected directly into the substantia nigra pars reticulata blocked the jaw movements induced by tacrine; in addition, it was shown that injections of this dose 2.0 mm dorsal to the substantia nigra pars reticulata failed to affect tacrine-induced tremulous jaw movements. It was shown in the fourth experiment that injections of muscimol into a more medial portion of the substantia nigra pars reticulata also reduced tacrine-induced tremulous jaw movements. These results indicate that stimulation of GABA A receptors in substantia nigra pars reticulata can block tacrine-induced tremulous jaw movements. This finding is consistent with the notion that striatonigral GABA projections are involved in the generation of tremulous jaw movements. It is also possible that striatonigral GABA mechanisms are involved in human clinical phenomena such as parkinsonian tremor.
Interactions of lead and calcium on the synaptosomal uptake of dopamine and choline

Exposure of rodents to lead in vivo has been associated with alterations in cholinergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission in the CNS. These effects have been hypothesized to result from competitive interactions between lead and calcium at sites involved in uptake and release of neurotransmitters and their precursors. These experiments reproduced the in vivo observation by in vitro exposure of crude synaptosomal suspensions to lead. Lead-induced inhibition of high affinity choline uptake was mimicked by reduced in vitro calcium concentrations, which suggests that lead's effects on cholinergic function are explainable by the lead-calcium hypothesis. However, inhibition of dopamine uptake was produced only by lead and not by reduced calcium; further additions of calcium did not reverse lead-induced effects on dopamine uptake. Increased calcium concentrations were shown to increase the release of dopamine; lead in the presence of normal calcium concentration did not affect dopamine release. However, more dopamine was released when increased calcium was combined with exposure to 1 × 10−4 lead. This effect may have resulted from lead's ability to increase the uptake of calcium by synaptosomes. Thus, the interactions between lead and calcium appear to differ in terms of effects on cholinergic and dopaminergic function; in the former, the results suggest a competitive interaction similar to that shown functionally at peripheral cholinergic sites; in the latter, a different role for calcium is hypothesized which may account for the different effects of lead.
A new laboratory minicomputer language for biomedical applications.

Abstract Conversational Laboratory Instrument Computer (CONVLINC) language was designed to facilitate implementation of solutions to problems involving signal acquisition, processing, and display. The instruction set consists of 50 English-like words providing higher level functions than assembly language codes including commands for display of both graphical and alphanumeric data on the minicomputer display screen. By enhancing man-machine intercommunication, CONVLINC permits a laboratory investigator himself to implement computer solutions to his problems rather than requiring an intermediary programmer to translate his needs to a workable assembly language solution.
Radiative Transfer through Arbitrarily Shaped Optical Media. Part II. Group Theory and Simple Closures

Abstract This paper presents a formulation of the radiative transfer equation which allows for the distinction between various groups of spatial scales of variation that comprise the radiance field. Such a formulation provides a convenient means for studying the effects of spatial inhomogeneity and scale interaction on the radiative transfer. Notions of scale hierarchy and closure are introduced into the radiative transfer equation, and it is demonstrated how the customary treatment of partial cloudiness based on cloud amount as a weighting parameter is a special form of closure. Discussion of this particular closure and other assumptions relevant to this partial cloud treatment are presented. Another simple example of closure is described which allows for the treatment of spatial inhomogeneities as a new form of optical property. This concept is introduced into a two-stream model to demonstrate, in a gross way, the effects of inhomogeneities on radiative transfer. Comparisons with the more formal calcula...
Application of backpropagation neural networks to diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancer.

Abstract Neural network programs have been developed in an attempt to improve the diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancer using a group of laboratory tests and the age of the patient. The laboratory tests employed in this study include albumin, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoproteins Al and B, NMR linewidth (the Fossel Index) and a tumor marker (i.e., CA 15-3 or CA 125). The breast cancer study involved 104 patients (45 malignant and 59 benign subjects). The ovarian cancer study involved 98 individuals (35 malignant, 36 benign and 27 control subjects). Methods are outlined for identification of the most influential input parameters and optimization of network structure and training. Network characteristics were contrasted with the test results of the appropriate serum tumor marker assay. For the breast cancer study, the best neural network program, using six input parameters, had a sensitivity of only 55.6% and a specificity of 72.9%. The tumor marker CA 15-3 alone gave results of 61.3% and 64.4%, respectively. For the ovarian cancer study, the best neural network program, using six input parameters, had a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 85.5%. The tumor marker CA 125 alone gave results of 77.8% and 82.3%, respectively. These methods provide an objective approach to neural network optimization and parameter selection applicable to other data bases of clinical and laboratory data.
Profile of David Wineland and Serge Haroche, 2012 Nobel Laureates in Physics

As a postdoctoral student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1978, I trolled the literature, seeking inspiration for my career as an experimental physicist. One article that caught my attention described the first laser-cooling experiment. David Wineland et al. at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS, now the National Institute of Standards and Technology) in Boulder, CO, had trapped a cloud of hot (about 700 K) ions and cooled them to near absolute zero (T < 40 K) by shining light on them (1). (See also ref. 2, which reports an independent and nearly simultaneous demonstration of laser cooling of ions.) Later that year, I was hired by NBS in Gaithersburg, MD and, inspired by Wineland’s landmark experiment, began to work on laser-cooling of neutral atoms.
Splenectomy for thrombocytopenia due to secondary hypersplenism.

• The response to splenectomy of patients with thrombocytopenia due to secondary hypersplenism is frequently unpredictable. Our experience indicated that splenectomy is seldom justified for this indication in patients with chronic myelogenous or chronic granulocytic leukemia. Since patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hairy-cell leukemia, and stage IV lymphoma may have a more prolonged life expectancy, removal of the spleen brings about a satisfactory response of thrombocytopenia in some instances. Elevation of platelet counts after splenectomy in patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia is most likely to occur in women with the primary form of the disease. In other nonmalignant conditions, splenectomy has resulted in a satisfactory response in the majority of patients. ( Arch Surg 1988;123:369-371)
Repeated interaction model for diffusion-induced Ramsey narrowing

In a recent paper [Y. Xiao et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 043601 (2006)] we characterized diffusion-induced Ramsey narrowing as a general phenomenon, in which diffusion of coherence in-and-out of an interaction region such as a laser beam induces spectral narrowing of the associated resonance lineshape. Here we provide a detailed presentation of the repeated interaction model of diffusion-induced Ramsey narrowing, with particular focus on its application to Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) of atomic vapor in a buffer gas cell. We compare this model both to experimental data and numerical calculations.