cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE NORMAL FELINE THYROID

A technique for performing thyroid scintigraphy in the cat using technetium 99m pertechnetate is presented. Two groups of cats were studied: group I—five young adult cats, and group II—five cats, nine to 11 years of age. The resultant scintigrams were uniform in appearance with no significant differences between groups I and II. Computer analysis was performed to determine radioactivity ratios, comparing thyroid with salivary gland and background radioactivity. A consistent thyroid/salivary ratio (T/S) of approximately 1 was obtained for group I and group II. Thyroid/background ratio (T/B) was variable.
Refining domain theories expressed as finite-state automata

Abstract The kBANN system uses neural networks to refine domain theories. Currently, domain knowledge in kBANN is expressed as non-recursive, propositional rules. We extend kBANN to domain theories expressed as finite-state automata. We apply finite-state KBANN to the task of predicting how proteins fold, producing a small but statistically significant gain in accuracy over both a standard neural network approach and a non-learning algorithm from the biological literature. Our method shows promise at solving this and other real-world problems that can be described in terms of state-dependent decisions.
Low‐Latitude Boundary Layer Formation by Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetic reconnection at the dayside magnetopause allows the direct transport of plasma into and out of the magnetosphere along the interconnected magnetic field, thereby forming boundary layers both inside and outside the magnetopause. The low-latitude portion of this boundary layer is referred to as the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) inside the magnetopause and as the magnetosheath boundary layer (MSBL) outside the magnetopause. As the intermixing plasma encounters the magnetopause current layer, it can be substantially modified through particle acceleration, heating, and partial reflection and transmission. As a result of these effects, the plasma in the LLBL is characterized by densities and temperatures intermediate between those in the neighboring magnetosheath and magnetosphere. The LLBL formation is quite different under southward and northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions. When the IMF is southward, the LLBL forms directly at low latitudes where reconnection is occurring. During northward IMF, the LLBL forms through the remote occurrence of reconnection at high latitudes. In this paper, we present direct observations of the plasma heating and intermixing at high latitudes where reconnection is occurring under northward IMF. We demonstrate that the local entry and heating of the magnetosheath plasma across the high-shear, high-latitude magnetopause is sufficient to account for the observed LLBL properties at low latitudes.
La migración transnacional del discurso intercultural (Laura Selene Mateos Cortés)

El campo de los estudios interculturales es relativamente reciente en las ciencias sociales. Su inicio se situa en torno a los anos sesenta en los Estados Unidos y la Europa britanica bajo el paraguas multiculturalista y en la decada de los ochenta, aunque con indicios en los setenta, en la Europa continental sobre todo francofona.
The preparticipation sports physical: are we dropping the ball?

More than 7 million adolescents regularly compete in high school athletics each year in the United States.1 Most will undergo a limited, sports-oriented preparticipation evaluation before competition.2 This type of examination has been performed for many years to satisfy various legal, academic, and organizational requirements. However, the health care benefits to the teenagers themselves have not been analyzed objectively using direct comparison to the standard history and physical. At present, the value of the sports physical remains unproven and its efficacy has not been clearly established. In addition, the potential negative impact on delivery of comprehensive medical services to adolescents deserves further emphasis in the literature and, therefore, will be the focus of this commentary.
The newborn mouse as a model for study of the effects of hormonal steroids in the young

The use of the fetal and neonatal mouse to study the effects of steroidal and nonsteroidal substances on development and carcinogenesis has a long history. Since the early 1960s, this animal model system has been exploited by several groups throughout the world, and it is useful to recount some of the more significant points in this history. I shall also point out areas of inquiry where the mouse model continues to be used in a search for the fundamental nature of the processes by which steroid hormones cause permanent effects during development, with the hope that some of those experiments may provide clues to the causes of present or yet unseen situations in the human. Early studies 1,2 showed vaginal and cervical tumor formation in adult mice treated with estrogens in the newborn period. As early as 1963, concern was expressed about the possibility of similar consequences in humans who might be exposed to hormonal substances early in development. Subsequent investigations 2-4 showed that administration of estrogen and androgen to newborn female mice in the first five days of life led to permanent vaginal and cervical changes in the adult, which were in many cases (depending on the dose administered) ovary independent; that is, the changes persisted after ovariectomy of the animal at day 40. Studies on the vaginal tissues of the adult animals that had been treated with steroids in the newborn period showed that there were permanent alterations of rates of DNA, protein, and RNA synthesis in those tissues, and that those changes apparently occurred with out modification of the fundamental characteristic of specific binding of estrogen by the vagina. 3
Ethos and Pedagogical Communication: Suggestions for Enhancing Credibility in the Classroom

Whether at the conscious or unconscious level, a student's perception of the teacher's ethos, or speaker's character, has an important impact on how he or she will react to the teacher and how effective the teacher will be in the classroom. Erosion of a teacher's ethos can quickly spell disaster in the classroom.This article looks at the critical relationship between ethos and pedagogical communication. The analysis will explore the definition of ethos, its various dimensions, and suggestions for improving it in the classroom.
Experiments concerning the life testing of transistors—I: Operating and storage life testing of transistors for the determination of temperature and voltage dependence of the failure mechanisms

Abstract An 80 million device-hours experiment conducted on transistors having various technologies was made in “operating” as well as temperature storage conditions and performed as usual derated, accelerated and step-stress tests, for the exact determination of temperature and voltage dependence of failure rate, i.e. the behaviour of failure mechanisms bound to surface degradation processes. More important findings are that: (1) the activation energy seems to be independent of technology and amounts to approximately 12,000°K both in the “early failures” and the “constant failure rate” periods; (2) a 4·5–10 times increase in failure rate was found, depending on collector voltage limit rating, when the reverse collector voltage was raised from zero to V CB max limit value; (3) hence a modified Arrheniusean regression equation may be used in a temperature range having a lower limit of 50–60°C, below which the activation energy seems to be decreased markedly (this is suspected to be due to altered failure mechanisms), and having an upper limit of 130°C (alloyed Ge), 230°C (Ge mesa) and at least 300°C (Si planar), depending on material and technology; (4) failure cause distributions are heavily altered at “operating” tests varying the acceleration factor, since at relatively low temperatures degradation of the collector diode ( I CB 0 , BV CB 0 failures) dominate, while at high accelerations the I EB 0 and h f e failures will be equally important; (5) the failure rate vs. test time function cannot be transformed linearly by the acceleration factor since, at highly accelerated tests, the duration of the “early failures” period does not shorten proportionally to the reciprocal of acceleration factor, but is relatively extended. The long-standing problem of the discrepancy in failure rates gained in operating and storage tests (assuming equal temperatures and voltages) has been cleared. This difference stems from the thermal gradient existing in “operating” and missing in storage tests and also caused by erroneous determination of mean junction temperature at the “operating” tests, since thermal resistance has a wide spread and depends on temperature too.
User-contributed descriptive metadata for libraries and cultural institutions

The Library of Congress and other cultural institutions are collecting highly informative user-contributed metadata as comments and notes expressing historical and factual information not previously identified with a resource. In this observational study we find a number of valuable annotations added to sets of images posted by the Library of Congress on the Flickr Commons. We propose a classification scheme to manage contributions and mitigate information overload issues. Implications for information retrieval and search are discussed. Additionally, the limits of a "collection" are becoming blurred as connections are being built via hyperlinks to related resources outside of the library collection, such as Wikipedia and locally relevant websites. Ideas are suggested for future projects, including interface design and institutional use of user-contributed information.
The use of laminaria tents for cervical dilatation prior to vacuum aspiration abortion.

Abstract Laminaria tents have proved to be an extremely useful adjunct to the performance of therapeutic abortion. Their use has markedly decreased the discomfort of mechanical cervical dilatation, and has facilitated the performance of first-trimester abortion without hospitalization. In 1,000 instances of laminaria use there were no uterine perforations and only four cervical lacerations. In four patients a false passage was created at the time of insertion, which was recognized at the time of curettage. Immediate and delayed postabortal complication rates compared favorably with prelaminaria data and the tents may be safely reused after ethylene oxide gas sterilization.
Perioperative Complications in Posterior Pharyngeal Flap Surgery: Review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (NSQIP-PEDS) Database

Background: Posterior pharyngeal flap (PPF) surgery is effective for treating velopharyngeal insufficiency but has historically been associated with risk of airway compromise. This study aims to identify risk factors for complications from and readmission after PPF using a national database. Methods: Patients who underwent PPF surgery were selected from the 2012 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric (NSQIP-PEDS) database. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, and complication/readmission data were analyzed. Results: Among 225 study patients, 12 (5.3%) suffered perioperative complications. The most common complications were pulmonary in nature (5 patients, 2.2%), including prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation (3 patients, 1.3%). Underlying asthma (P = .024) or any cardiac risk factor (P = .047) conveyed significant complication risk. Further, severe cardiac risk factors were associated with postoperative bleeding (P = .024). Readmission (4 patients...
Anterior pericardial tracheoplasty for long-segment tracheal stenosis: Long-term outcomes

Objective Although several techniques have been described for the treatment of tracheal stenosis, including slide tracheoplasty, tracheal autograft, rib grafting, and use of a pericardial patch, the optimal repair remains controversial because of a lack of long-term follow-up data. The purpose of this study is to examine the long-term results of anterior pericardial tracheoplasty. Methods To assess the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent repair of tracheal stenosis with anterior pericardial tracheoplasty, we reviewed the case histories of 26 consecutive patients (1984–present). All but 5 had long-segment tracheal stenosis with more than 10 complete tracheal rings. Twenty-one had significant cardiac disease, and 10 had their cardiac lesions repaired at the time of their tracheoplasty. The median age was 6 months (range, 2 days–25 years). All patients underwent anterior pericardial tracheoplasty through a median sternotomy during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. We have previously described our tracheoplasty technique. An average of 14 tracheal rings (range, 5–22) was divided anteriorly, and a patch of fresh autologous pericardium was used to enlarge the trachea to 1.5 times the predicted diameter for age and weight. Results There were 3 hospital deaths (at 1, 2, and 7 months, respectively) and 2 late deaths (at 2 and 13 years postoperatively, respectively). No deaths were related to airway obstruction. Two survivors required tracheostomy postoperatively, one after formation of granulation tissue and stenosis and the other after failure to wean from mechanical ventilation. All survivors remain asymptomatic, with minimal to no evidence of airway obstruction. Median follow-up is 11 years (range, 3 months–22 years). Conclusion Anterior pericardial tracheoplasty for tracheal stenosis provides excellent results in the majority of patients at long-term follow-up.
Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/poly(vinyl alcohol) sensitizing system for solution photogeneration of small Ag, Au, and Cu crystallites.

Illumination of air-free aqueous solutions containing sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) and poly(vinyl alcohol) with 350 nm light results in benzophenone ketyl radicals of the polyketone. The polymer radicals form with a quantum yield 0.02 and decay with a second-order rate constant 6 orders of magnitude lower than that of typical α-hydroxy radicals. Evidence is presented that the polymeric benzophenone ketyl radicals reduce Ag+, Cu2+, and AuCl4- to metal particles of nanometer dimensions. Decreases in the reduction rates with increasing AgI, CuII, and AuIII concentrations are explained using a kinetic model in which the metal ions quench the excited state of the polymeric benzophenone groups, which forms the macromolecular radicals. Quenching is fastest for Ag+, whereas Cu2+ and AuCl4- exhibit similar rate constants. Particle formation becomes more complex as the number of equivalents needed to reduce the metal ions increases; the AuIII system is an extreme case where the radical reactions operate in p...
Repair Processes for Photochemical Damage in Mammalian Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses different repair processes for photochemical damage in mammalian cells. Eukaryotic chromosomes respond to DNA and protein damage in different ways. Damage to DNA alone has minimal effect on overall chromosomal structure that is maintained by protein. Damage to protein results in disruption of the chromosome and breaks in DNA. Repair of damage to each chromosomal component is different. Protein damage does not initially involve loss of genetic information, so repair can be affected through normal protein synthesis pathways that are active at all stages of the cell cycle. Repair of DNA involves novel pathways, such as photo reactivation and excision repair that are distinct from normal DNA synthesis and insensitive to many inhibitors that block semi-conservative DNA replication. During normal replication, there is an additional recovery system, S-phase recovery, which enables DNA to be replicated on damaged templates.
Reported weight loss and dexamethasone nonsuppression in depressed patients A negative study

In a sample of 96 patients with DSM-III major depressive disorder and in a subset of 78 melancholic patients, there was no evidence that dexamethasone nonsuppression was more common in patients with reported weight loss.
Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric identification of epinine in rat superior cervical ganglia and formation in vivo

Epinine was identified in rat superior cervical ganglia by a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method. The deuterated methyl group of i.v. administered labeled methionine was incorporated into epinine at a slow rate, although epinephrine-CD3 was rapidly formed. These results indicated that epinine found in the ganglia is not a precursor of epinephrine.
Distribution of blood flow in the muscles of conscious animals during exercise

This study reviews the recent research on the distribution of blood flow within and among skeletal muscles in conscious animals during locomotory exercise. A brief description of the technique that has been used in these studies, the radiolabeled microsphere method, is presented, including a short discussion of the assumptions that must be met in using the methodology. Distinct patterns of flow distribution occur in the muscles during exercise that are related to the fiber-type composition of the muscles or muscle parts (and, presumably, the patterns of fiber recruitment) and the intensity of the exercise. The mechanisms that regulate the differential elevations in blood flow within and among the muscles at the initiation of exercise have not been elucidated. However, studies on the conscious animal model indicate that the control cannot be totally explained by local metabolic factors, sympathetic influences or mechanical effects.
Neuroleptics increase striatal catecholamine metabolites but not ascorbic acid in dialyzed perfusate.

Abstract To determine the effects of dopamine receptor blockade upon oxidizable components of striatul extracellular fluid, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection was used to assay levels of ascorbic acid, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in perfusates obtained from unanesthetized rats following i.p. administration of haloperiodol (1.0 mg/kg) or clozapine (20 mg/kg). Striatal push-pull perfusion was performed by passing artificial CSF between two pulled glass micropipets, encapsulated by a hollow, semipermeable cellulose fiber, thereby limiting recovery to compounds under mw 5000. Samples were directly injected into a C-18 column at half-hour intervals before and after neuroleptic administration. Haloperidol administration resulted in increases in extracellular DOPAC and HVA while failing to alter 5-HIAA or ascorbic acid levels. Similar results were found with clozapine, except for a more variable individual response to the drug; clozapine also produced a small increase in 5-HIAA levels. Animals given a saline injection did not show increases in any of these compounds. These data confirm the involvement of extracellular dopamine metabolites in the electrochemical signal increases observed in vivo following dopamine receptor blockade and provide evidence that extracellular ascorbic acid in the striatum is insensitive to peripheral neuroleptic administration.
In vitro metabolism of palmitic acid in human fetal tissue.

Extract: In vitro uptake of palmitic acid-1-14C (PA) by human fetal tissue at various periods of development and its conversion to lipids and CO2 has been studied. Incorporation of PA into placental phospholipids, triglycerides, and free fatty acids (FFA) was proportional to time of incubation (5–120 min) and to concentration of FFA in the medium (1.0 to 3.0 mM). Production of 14CO2 was independent of the studied concentrations of FFA in the medium, but it increased linearly with incubation time. Brain, lung, and liver readily metabolize PA to 14C-lipids and 14CO2. In anaerobiosis, 14CO2 production was decreased fourfold and triglyceride synthesis twofold, but phospholipid synthesis was unchanged. Incubation at 0° decreased placental 14C-lipid synthesis and 14CO2 production to near zero. However, incorporation of PA into placental tissue FFA was unchanged. The uptake of PA by young placenta (12–16 weeks) into triglycerides was 50% higher than that by term placenta. When placental tissue, preincubated with PA, was reincubated without FFA, 14C-lipid synthesis and 14CO2 production continued as readily as when FFA were present in the medium. The radioactivity of placental FFA decreased threefold, however, at the end of 2 hr. Most of the decrease in tissue C14-FFA can be accounted for in the medium and in the other tissue lipids. The data suggest that FFA of maternal and/or fetal origin can be the source of fetal lipids and energy. The placental transfer of FFA is a non-energy dependent process. Speculation: The data suggest that the lipid metabolism of the human fetus could depend, in part, on the availability of FFA originating from maternal or fetal circulation. Since the regulation of plasma FFA is altered in disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, the diabetic or prediabetic state of pregnancy might influence the lipid metabolism of the developing fetus.
Individual differences in sensory preferences for fat in model sweet dairy products

Sensory preferences for fat in foods are influenced both by subject characteristics and by the nature of the food stimulus. Hedonic responses to sugar/fat mixtures depend on strong interactions between perceptions of the two ingredients, including tactile as well as gustatory effects. Fat-containing liquid and solid foods, and dessert-type sugar/fat mixtures produce different hedonic response profiles. Body weight, weight history and the presence of eating disorders are associated with differences in hedonic responsiveness to fat among women. This inter-subject variability in hedonic response profiles mandates the use of novel techniques for data analysis. Conventional hedonic response curves mask between-subject differences. Individual patterns of hedonic responses to sugar/fat mixtures are better represented by frequency distributions of maximum hedonic responses or of individual optimal sugar-to-fat ratios.
Systolic arrays-warp speed ahead for compute-bound problems using systolic arrays

The nature of parallel processing and the operation of high-speed parallel computing structures highly suited for implementation in VLSI are explained. As an example, a systolic array configuration for matrix vector multiplication is considered. Practical implementation issues that need to be resolved are discussed. These concern solving problems larger than array size, mapping of algorithms to arrays, lack of programmability, clock skew, reliability, and design for large systolic arrays. >
Immunopathology of parasitic diseases: involvement of basophils and mast cells.

This review has considered three related cells that are involved in the immunopathologic responses to parasites that invade host tissues of the skin and gastrointestinal tract: (1) connective tissue mast cells that are already present in tissues when infection occurs; (2) intestinal mucosal mast cells that may arise from recirculating gut-homing stem cells and are induced via T-cell dependent mechanisms to differentiate locally into distinctive mast cells; and (3) bone marrow derived basophils that are recruited by T-cells and/or antibody mediated mechanisms to leave the blood and enter parasite infested skin or intestinal tissue. The precise role of these cells in immune resistance mechanisms to parasites is not yet understood. It is most likely that a variety of mediators released by these cells contribute to immune resistance and also to modulation of the local inflammatory response. Mediators released by these cells may contribute to resistance in at least three ways:first, by leading to the local accumulation of antibody, complement, and effector leukocytes;second, by activating these effector cells for augmented ability to damage the parasites; andthird, by effects on local tissue elements, such as goblet cells and smooth muscle; initially to produce an environment inhospitable for attachment and feeding of the parasites, and finally to aid in the expulsion of the parasites.
An exploratory study of musical emotions and psychophysiology

A basic issue about musical emotions concerns whether music elicits emotional responses in listeners (the 'emotivist' position) or simply expresses emotions that listeners recognize in the music (the 'cognitivist' position). To address this, psychophysiological measures were recorded while listners heard two excerpts chosen to represent each of three emotions: sad, fear, and happy. The measures covered a fairly wide spectrum of cardiac, vascular, electrodermal, and respiratory functions. Other subjects indicated dynamic changes in emotions they experienced while listening to the music on one of four scales: sad, fear, happy, and tension. Both physiological and emotion judgements were made on a second-by-second basis. The physiological measures all showed a significant effect of music compared to the pre-music interval. A number of analyses, including correlations between physiology and emotion judgments, found significant differences among the excerpts. The sad excerpts produced the largest changes in heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance and temperature. The fear excerpts produced the largest changes in blood transit time and amplitude. The happy excerpts produced the largest changes in the measures of respiration. These emotion-specific physiological changes only partially replicated those found for nonmusical emotions. The physiological effects of music observed generally support the emotivist view of musical emotions.
Vietnam Military Service and Marijuana Use

The effect of military service in Vietnam on drug use among veterans is examined on the basis of data obtained from a nationwide random sample of 2,510 young men. It is generally believed that illicit drug use was more extensive in Vietnam in the 1970s than in earlier years of the conflict. Therefore variables were constructed to reflect location of service (United States; overseas, but not Vietnam; and Vietnam) and the time of service (before 1970; 1970 or later). The results of the analysis indicate that: military service in Vietnam had no significant effect on marijuana use while on active duty, service in 1970 or later had a significant positive effect on during service use while in the service, and location of military service and time of service had a significant interactive effect on rates of marijuana use after discharge from military service. The interaction of service in Vietnam and military service after 1970 has the strongest effect on the veteran's marijuana use in civilian life.
Update on HPV test utilization.

To the Editor Regarding our guidelines published in the April 2014 issue of AJCP ,1 the qualifying word “DNA” can be removed, as the statement also …
Re: Contrast media-induced nephrotoxicity: identification of patients at risk and algorithms for prevention.

Editor: I found the recent article by Waybill and Waybill (1) extremely helpful in the management of patients at risk for contrast-induced nephropathy. I have two questions for the authors. First, what are their recommendations regarding acetylcysteine? A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine by Tepel et al (2) demonstrated decreased nephrotoxicity in patients undergoing infused computed tomographic examinations when treated with this drug. Second, recent American College of Radiology and Food and Drug Administration guidelines (3) suggest withholding metformin 48 hours after contrast administration (not 48 h before, as the authors and Committee of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions recommend). Is there any reason for the different recommendations?
Hybrid spectral-element–low-order methods for incompressible flows

In this article we present a new formulation for coupling spectral element discretizations to finite difference and finite element discretizations addressing flow problems in very complicated geometries. A general iterative relaxation procedure (Zanolli patching) is employed that enforcesC1 continuity along the patching interface between the two differently discretized subdomains. In fluid flow simulations of transitional and turbulent flows the high-order discretization (spectral element) is used in the outer part of the domain where the Reynolds number is effectively very high. Near “rough” wall boundaries (where the flow is effectively very viscous) the use of low-order discretizations provides sufficient accuracy and allows for efficient treatment of the complex geometry. An analysis of the patching procedure is presented for elliptic problems, and extensions to incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are implemented using an efficient high-order splitting scheme. Several examples are given for elliptic and flow model problems and performance is measured on both serial and parallel processors.
Design and experiments of a high-conversion-efficiency 5.8-GHz rectenna

A high-efficiency rectenna element has been designed and tested at 5.8 GHz for applications involving microwave-power transmission. The dipole antenna and filtering circuitry are printed on a thin duroid substrate. A silicon Schottky-barrier mixer diode with a low breakdown voltage is used as the rectifying device. The rectenna element is tested inside a waveguide simulator and achieves an RF-to-DC conversion efficiency of 82% at an input power level of 50 mW and 327 /spl Omega/ load. Closed-form equations are given for the diode efficiency and input impedance as a function of input RF power. Measured and calculated efficiency results are in good agreement. The antenna and circuit design are based on a full-wave electromagnetic simulator. Second harmonic power levels are 21 dB down from the fundamental input power.
Two-Way Video Distance Education: Ten Misconceptions about Teaching and Learning via Interactive Television

Abstract Two-way video, one component of a major revolution in American education, is a workable alternative to traditional face-to-face instruction. In order to provide academic opportunities for more students and faculty, advanced telecommunications infrastructures are being installed in American education P-12 and higher education institutions at a rapid rate. Consequently, increasing numbers of faculty are being asked to teach via interactive television. Ten of the misconceptions about the substance, methodology, and effects of teaching and learning via interactive video networks (IVN) are discussed in this article. Awareness of these misconceptions may help deter the misgivings and support a positive attitude in those who are asked to teach via this mode.
Effects of alcohol-induced lipid interdigitation on proton permeability in L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles.

6-Carboxyfluorescein was employed to examine the effect of alcohol-induced lipid interdigitation on proton permeability in L-alpha-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) large unilamellar vesicles. Proton permeability was measured by monitoring the decrease of 6-carboxyfluorescein fluorescence after a pH gradient from 3.5 (outside the vesicle) to 8.0 (inside the vesicle) was established. At 20 degrees C and below 1.2 M ethanol, the fluorescence decrease is best described by a single exponential function. Above 1.2 M ethanol, the intensity decrease is better described by a two-exponential decay law. Using the fitted rate constants and the vesicle radii determined from light-scattering measurements, the proton permeability coefficient, P, in DPPC vesicles was calculated as a function of ethanol concentration. At 20 degrees C, P increases monotonically with increasing ethanol content up to 1.0 M, followed by an abrupt increase at 1.2 M. The vesicle size also exhibits a sudden increase at around 1.2 M ethanol, which has been shown to result from vesicle aggregation rather than vesicle fusion. The abrupt increases in P and in vesicle size occur at the concentration region close to the critical ethanol concentration for the formation of the fully interdigitated gel state of DPPC. At 14 degrees C, the abrupt change in P shifts to 1.9–2.0 M ethanol, completely in accordance with the ethanol-temperature phase diagram of interdigitated DPPC. Effects of methanol and benzyl alcohol on lipid interdigitation have also been examined. At 20 degrees C, DPPC large unilamellar vesicles exhibit a dramatic change in P at 3 M methanol and at 40 mM benzyl alcohol. These concentrations come close to the critical methanol and benzyl alcohol concentrations for the formation of fully interdigitated DPPC structures determined previously by others. It can be concluded that proton permeability increases dramatically as DPPC is transformed from the noninterdigitated gel to the fully interdigitated gel state by high concentrations of alcohol. This marked increase in proton permeability can be attributed to the combined effect of the changes in membrane thickness and surface charge density, due to the ethanol-induced lipid interdigitation. The possible effects of the increased proton permeability caused by ingested ethanol on gastric mucosal membranes are discussed.
Glucocorticoids and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in polymyalgia rheumatica

Objective To examine the effect of glucocorticoid use on the risk of various cardiovascular diseases in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Methods We assembled a population-based incidence cohort of 364 patients with PMR first diagnosed between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 1999. Inclusion criteria were age ≥50 years, bilateral aching and morning stiffness involving at least 2 areas (neck, shoulders, hips, or proximal aspects of the thighs), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ≥40 mm/hour. In patients who fulfilled the first 2 criteria but had a normal ESR, a rapid response to low-dose glucocorticoids served as the third criterion. Patients were followed up until death or December 31, 2004. Cox models with time-dependent covariates were used to examine the association between glucocorticoid exposure and risk of myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Results A total of 364 PMR patients (mean age 73 years, 67% women) were followed for a median of 7.6 years. During the disease course, 310 (85%) patients received glucocorticoids. After adjusting for age, calendar year, and ESR, patients who received glucocorticoids did not have a significantly higher risk for myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, or cerebrovascular disease (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.58 [0.29–1.18], 0.85 [0.45–1.54], 0.58 [0.24–1.40], and 0.65 [0.33–1.26], respectively) compared with those who did not receive glucocorticoids. In fact, a trend for a protective effect was seen. No significant association was observed between cumulative glucocorticoid dose and any of the outcomes (P = 0.39). Conclusion In patients with PMR, treatment with glucocorticoids is not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Police use of computers

Abstract Police departments have been using computers for over twenty-five years. Using data from a repeated-measure field survey of police computer users conducted in 1976 and 1988, this study discusses the effectiveness of police computer use and the problems that exist with this use. It was found that the respondents in forty-four cities across the United States view computers as a major force in the fight against crime. Although the use and value of computerized searches are overwhelmingly acknowledged, there is still variation in the use. Thus, this study also focuses on factors that affect use with an emphasis on the issue of computer training.
Using a general analysis of variance algorithm for covariance designs

Procedures are described which enable researchers to implement balanced covariance designs of from one to four independent variables. Use is made of three subroutines from IBM’s Scientific Subroutine Package which implement a general decomposition algorithm for balanced designs. FORTRAN instructions, illustrating the main calling program, are given.
Two-dimensional gel electrophoretic analysis of plasma proteins from a patient bitten by a rattlesnake†

We have studied changes in plasma proteins in a patient bitten by a western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox). Samples obtained at intervals during recovery were analyzed by “low resolution” two dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis, a method which resolves at least 50 plasma components. The results show three days of complete afibrinogenemia, followed by gradual return of fibrinogen to a normal level. Both α- and β- lipoproteins also appeared altered or decreased in concentration during this period. An anomalous change in electrophoretic mobility of a portion of complement component 3 (C3) was detected during the first 15 days, but not at day 38. This modified protein was not C3b or C3c. A short incubation of human plasma or purified C3 with venom in vitro, did not mimic in vivo effects on either fibrinogen or C3, but plasma lipoproteins were modified directly in vitro. It is possible that the in vivo effects of venom on C3 and fibrinogen, as revealed by the 2-D gel electrophoretic method, are indirect and require release or activation of cellular proteases.
Brain activation on fMRI and verbal memory ability: Functional neuroanatomic correlates of CVLT performance

We have recently reported (Saykin et al., 1999b) selective activation of left medial temporal lobe structures during processing of novel compared to familiar words using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The current study describes the relationship between a widely used clinical test of verbal learning, the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), and the previously reported fMRI activations. Thirteen right-handed healthy adult participants were studied with whole brain echo-planar fMRI while listening to novel and recently learned (familiar) words intermixed pseudorandomly in an event-related design. These participants were also tested with the CVLT. Scores for CVLT Trial 1 (immediate encoding of novel words) and recognition discriminability (recognition of familiar vs. novel words) were correlated with fMRI signal change during processing of novel versus familiar words using a covariance model implemented in SPM96. For the novel words analysis, voxels in the right anterior hippocampus correlated significantly with Trial 1 (r = .76 at the maxima). For the recognition analysis, a significant cluster of voxels was found in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (r = .88 at the maxima). Our prior results of separable left medial temporal activation to novel and familiar words, together with results of the covariance analyses reported here, suggest that in addition to the left medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions that are engaged during novel and familiar word processing, the right hippocampus and right frontal lobe are also involved, particularly in those participants with better memory ability. This positive relationship between fMRI activation and CVLT performance suggests a role for these right hemisphere regions in successful memory processing of verbal material, perhaps reflecting more efficient encoding and retrieval strategies that facilitate memory.
Idiopathic dilatation of the superior vena cava (IDSVC)

Idiopathic dilatation of the superior vena cava (IDSVC) refers to focal dilatation of this vessel without the associated abnormalities that produce increased systemic venous return or elevation of systemic venous pressure. The cause of this entity is unknown, but has been presumed to be an inherent weakness in the wall of the vessel. The lesion is usually demonstrated on routin chest radiograph as a right-sided, smoothly marginated, superior, mediastinal mass. Surgical intervention is discouraged. Appropriate diagnostic measures are proposed. Three new cases are summarized.
Aberrant B-cell homeostasis in chronic GVHD.

Recent studies have compelled further interest in the potential pathological role of B cells in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). In patients with cGVHD, B cells are activated and primed for survival via B-cell activating factor and B-cell receptor–associated pathways. Understanding the signaling pathways that drive immune pathology in cGVHD will facilitate the development of new strategies to selectively target aberrantly activated B cells and restore normal B-cell homeostasis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Nickel/nickel oxide coatings for fiber batteries

Abstract A Nickel–Cadmium fiber micro–battery design consisting of a nickel/nickel oxide coated glass capillary tube, cadmium micro–wire, and polyimide micro–tube was evaluated in this paper. The nickel/nickel oxide thin films were deposited via electrolysis and the quality was evaluated via the effect of the sulfate concentration, plating temperature, plating solution pH, and heat treatment. The maximum voltage range of the fiber batteries ranged from 0.68–1.2 V, while the maximum current supplied by battery ranged from 0.6–1.0 mA. The results of this work demonstrate the feasibility of fiber batteries that can be readily adapted to random or ordered hole fibers and readily integrated into all-fiber optoelectronic devices.
Activity of body energy regulatory pathways in inflammation-induced anorexia

Abstract Previous research has shown that reductions in body weight prior to induction of acute inflammation can attenuate inflammation-induced anorexia in male rats. In the current study, potential mechanisms responsible for this observation were examined. Specifically, the effect of a 12% prior reduction in body weight on serum leptin, insulin, and corticosterone; levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum, liver, and spleen; neuropeptide Y (NPY) and POMC mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus were examined 8 h after induction of acute inflammation. Rats with prior weight reduction had significantly lower serum leptin levels and gene expression of POMC in the ARC than normal-weight rats. In contrast, prior weight reduction altered neither NPY mRNA in the ARC, nor IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in the serum, liver, and spleen. These results suggest that the attenuation of inflammation-induced anorexia by prior weight reduction is not due to altered cytokine activity, but rather to changes in energy regulatory systems that moderate the anorexic actions of IL-1β and IL-6. One potential change may be reduced activity of the CNS melanocortin system induced by decreased circulating leptin.
Efficiency of proton extrusion by chemically modified mitochondria

Bovine heart mitochondria were treated with limited amounts of iodoacetamide, 1-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline, phenylglyoxal, tetranitromethane and 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, respectively. Examination of the respiration and proton extrusion characteristics of the chemically modified mitochondria suggests that sulfhydryl and imidazole groups are not directly involved in proton pumping, but that some of the labeled carboxyl, amino, guanidinium and phenolic groups may participate in an indirect proton-extrusion process. Cross-linking mitochondria with glutaraldehyde drastically decreases the efficiency of proton extrusion, whereas treatment of mitochondria with valeraldehyde under similar conditions did not affect the proton-pumping efficiency significantly. The latter observations show that conformational change in the inner mitochondrial membrane may play a crucial role in the active translocation of protons coupled to electron transport. Comparison of the reactivities of the essential amino and carboxyl groups in mitochondria in different oxidation states suggests that these two types of essential functional groups are more exposed to water in the oxidized state. An indirect mechanism for proton pumping based on protein conformational change driven by electron transport based on the results of the present chemical modification studies is suggested.
The efficiency of depression questionnaires for case finding in primary medical care.

There is a need for case-finding procedures that can efficiently identify depressed persons seeking care in primary medical settings. Several brief, self-administered questionnaires are available for this purpose, but published studies assessing their predictive powers are surprisingly sparse and varied in the quality of relevant information. Different practice settings, cut-off points, and criterion measures limit the generalizability of previous reports. Nevertheless, case finding with a brief questionnaire is an attractive strategy that should be further investigated in specified patient groups, given the need to improve the primary care physician’s diagnosis and treatment of depression.
Histologic features of cytomegalovirus enteritis in small bowel allografts.

Abstract Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common viral infections to affect solid organ transplant patients, most frequently owing to reactivation of a latent infection as a result of immunosuppression. CMV enteritis (CE) may enter into the differential diagnosis of acute rejection in biopsies of small bowel (SB) allografts, where differentiation is important due to disparate therapies. Objective The aim of this study was to identify histologic features in SB allografts that may suggest CE. Methods The case files for a single institution were queried for all cases of SB mucosal biopsies with cells positive by CMV immunoperoxidase staining. Morphologic and clinical information was reviewed. Results Six biopsies demonstrating immunoperoxidase-confirmed CE were identified in a retrospective review of the records of a single institution. A common predisposing factor was the administration of high-dose steroids within a month before CE diagnosis. Most cases (66%) displayed a demarcated area of villous/crypt loss with an abundance of plasma cells and lymphocytes and a paucity of eosinophils. One case showed an acute enteritis-like pattern of injury, corresponding with a higher number of CMV-positive cells. CMV inclusions were visible on hematoxylin-eosin stains in all but 1 case. In no case were histologic criteria for acute cellular rejection met. Conclusions The presence of circumscribed area of mucosal injury with few eosinophils or an acute enteritis pattern should prompt the identification of viral inclusions or the acquisition of a CMV immunostain.
Relativistic spin polarization and magnetization: Knight shift of Pt(001)

A relativistic local-density approach for including magnetic effects into scalar-relativistic electronic structure methods is presented. This method is based on a spin-only relativistic generalization of density-functional theory and on results for the relativistic homogeneous electron gas. The relativistic effects on the magnetization density are found to be important only near the nucleus and hence to affect Fermi-contact hyperfine interactions. The approach is illustrated by means of a detailed determination of the Knight shift $K$ of a thin Pt(001) film. These results show a large positive change in $K$ at the surface with respect to the bulk due to a decreased magnetization at the surface (and hence a decrease in the magnitude of the negative core polarization) plus an increased positive valence-electron contribution. The spin-only value of $K$ in the surface layer is -0.6% versus a center-layer value of -4.1% (compared with the experimental bulk value of -3.4%, which includes a positive orbital contribution). The core polarization per unpaired spin (-1.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{6}$ Oe/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{B}}$) is in excellent agreement with experiment (-1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{6}$ Oe/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathit{B}}$). These results give both a qualitative and quantitative understanding of recent NMR experiments on small Pt particles.