cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in lung tissue fibronectin content and synthesis during postnatal lung growth

We studied changes in lung tissue fibronectin content and synthesis during postnatal lung growth in rats. We reasoned that fibronectin, which is important in cell differentiation, migration, and adhesion, and in the organization of the extracellular matrix, might play a role in the rapid cell proliferation and alveolar septal formation that occurs postnally in mammalian lungs. Newborn rats were sacrificed at 4, 7, 11, 14, and 21 days after birth. The lungs were perfused and lavaged, tissue fibronectin was extracted using urea and heparin (Bray et al, Science 1981; 214:793) and the extracted fibronectin was measured by enzymelinked immunoassay. Tissue fibronectin synthesis was measured by the in vivo incorporation of 35S-methionine into fibronectin that was extracted from lung tissue and immunoprecipitated. Lavage fibronectin and albumin content and lung tissue collagen (hydroxyproline) content were also determined. Lung tissue fibronectin content per g dry lung almost doubled between days 4 and 7 after birth, was slightly higher at day 14 than at day 7, and decreased sharply between days 14 and 21. Lung tissue fibronectin synthesis per g dry lung increased steadily between days 4 and 14 to reach a peak value of about 2.5 times the 4-day value; it then decreased sharply between days 14 and 21. The period of increased fibronectin content and synthesis (4 to 14 days) coincided with the period during which lung cell proliferation and secondary alveolar septa formation are known to be the most active, and the sharp decrease in fibronectin content and synthesis (between 14 and 21 days) coincided with the period during which lung growth and remodeling markedly decrease. The changes in lavage fibronectin and tissue collagen content differed markedly from those in tissue fibronectin. Our results indicate that fibronectin may play a role in postnatal lung growth and remodeling and are consistent with the known importance of fibronectin in cell function and in tissue growth and repair.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Creatine Kinase-BB Isoenzyme Activity and Outcome After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background: The brain is rich in creatine kinase‐BB isoenzyme activity (CK-BB), which is not normally present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Results of previous studies have shown that CK-BB can be detected in the CSF of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but whether CK-BB levels correlate with patients’ neurologic outcomes is unknown. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between CSF CK-BB level and outcome after SAH. Design: Prospective observational cohort. Setting: University-affiliated tertiary care center. Patients: Convenience sample of 30 patients seen for cerebral aneurysm clipping.
Poster 10: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Atomoxetine for Cognitive Dysfunction in Early Huntington's Disease

Background Cognitive symptoms are highly associated with functional disability in HD, yet few controlled clinical trials have examined treatments aimed at improving cognition, which could improve patients' levels of independence and quality of life. Methods Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor approved for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Twenty participants with mild HD who complained of inattention were given atomoxetine (80 mg) or placebo in a 10-week, double-blind, crossover study. The primary outcome measures were a self-report of attention and an attention and executive neuropsychological composite score. Secondary outcomes were psychiatric and motor symptoms, which were not expected to change. Results Regarding safety and tolerability, the rate of any reported side effects while on atomoxetine was 56% (versus 22% on placebo). The most common side effects were dry mouth (39%), loss of appetite (22%), insomnia (22%), and dizziness (17%). There were no serious adverse events related to atomoxetine. There were statistically significant, mild increases in heart rate and diastolic blood pressure on atomoxetine, consistent with other studies, and these increases did not require medical referral. One participant taking creatine had a mildly elevated creatinine level while on atomoxetine. There were no significant improvements while on atomoxetine compared to placebo on the primary outcomes. However, there was evidence of significant placebo effects. There was a significant improvement in global psychiatric functioning under both treatment conditions. There were no group differences on UHDRS total motor score. Discussion There were small but significant improvements in self-reported attention and psychiatric ratings while on atomoxetine, but there was also a significant placebo effect obscuring efficacy results. There were mild but common side effects that are not ideal in HD, such as dizziness and loss of appetite. Although atomoxetine was not effective at improving attention at this dose, its safety and tolerability were similar to other studies.
Accumulated evidence on fish consumption and coronary heart disease mortality: a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Background— Results from observational studies on fish consumption and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality are inconsistent. Methods and Results— A meta-analysis of cohort studies was conducted to examine the association between fish intake and CHD mortality. Studies were included if they provided a relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% CI for CHD mortality in relation to fish consumption and the frequency of fish intake. A database was developed on the basis of 11 eligible studies and 13 cohorts, including 222 364 individuals with an average 11.8 years of follow-up. Pooled RR and 95% CI for CHD mortality were calculated by using both fixed-effect and random-effect models. A linear regression analysis of the log RR weighted by the inverse of variance was performed to assess the possible dose-response relation. Compared with those who never consumed fish or ate fish less than once per month, individuals with a higher intake of fish had lower CHD mortality. The pooled multivariate RRs for CHD mortalit...
Effects of preexisting moods on observers' reactions to helpful and nonhelpful models

Two experiments investigated the effects of preexisting mood on observers' reactions to helpful and nonhelpful models. The major predictions, derived from a social learning analysis of altruism and Isen's “cognitive loop” hypothesis, where that (1) subjects experiencing positive moods would be prosocially inclined if exposed to a helpful but not a nonhelpful model, and (2) subjects experiencing negative moods would accede to a request for assistance regardless of the type of model they had observed. Introductory psychology students underwent a positive, negative, or (in Experiment 1) a neutral mood induction. They then observed a model respond either positively or negatively to another person's request for assistance, and were subsequently provided an opportunity to assist the help-seeker. The results were highly consistent across the two experiments. The model's behavior had a stronger impact on subjects' help giving than did preexisting moods. However, internal analyses revealed that the intensity of moods that subjects were experiencing affected their reactions to modeling cues. The prosocial behavior of good mood subjects was positively correlated with the positivity of their moods if they had witnessed a helpful but not a nonhelpful model. By contrast, the helpfulness of subjects experiencing negative moods was positively correlated with the negativity of those moods, regardless of the type of model subjects had observed. The implications of these outcomes for the social learning analysis of altruism and the “cognitive loop” hypothesis are discussed.
The effect of eyestalk hormones on the gastric mill in the intact lobster,Panulirus interruptus

An optical method was developed to analyse gastric mill activity in intact and freely behaving lobsters over several days. 1. In undisturbed animals the gastric mill reaches its highest level of activity, about 300 cycles per hour, in the first hour after the uptake of food. It then decreases and reaches its average-level of spontaneous activity of 10 to 40 cph nearly 40 h after feeding. Because of the limited cycle duration of the neural gastric mill oscillator this low activity can only be achieved by switching the oscillator on and off in bouts of several minutes each. Any disturbance to the animal interrupts the gastric mill cycling. 2. Under normal conditions the gastric mill operates with a constant cycle duration of about 20 s from 5 to 15 h after feeding. The injection of eyestalk extract during this period causes a depression of gastric mill cycling lasting about 1 h. 3. Bilateral eyestalk ablation causes enhanced gastric mill activity for a period of about 40 h.
Analysis of the cure‐dependent dielectric relaxation behavior of an epoxy resin

The dielectric relaxation behavior of an epoxy-amine resin was investigated using the Williams-Watts relaxation function. Phenomenologically, the dielectric features of the resin during cure are similar to those of stable materials. The distribution parameter of the dipole relaxation decreases from the onset of cure to a conversion near the gel point and then maintains a constant value. Based on the experimental observations and theoretical considerations, a single-frequency approach has been proposed for extracting the relaxation time of maximum loss. The relaxation data so obtained are independent of the measurement frequency and are in agreement with those acquired directly from the dipole loss peaks. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Growth and physical properties of metallic In2O3 single crystals

Abstract Single crystals of metallic indium oxide were grown for the first time by molten salt electrolysis and their electrical and magnetic properties were investigated. The crystals are the cubic form of indium oxide with a C-type rare earth oxide structure as inferred by X-ray powder diffraction. The crystals are highly reflective and have colors ranging from dark green to green-yellow depending on the crucible used for preparation and on the location of the crystals at the cathode surface. The resistivity as a function of temperature, on all the crystals, showed metallic behavior up to about 100 K and almost temperature-independent behavior down to ∼2 K. The room temperature resistivity of the dark green sample is in the range of 10−4 Ω-cm. Qualitative Seebeck measurements indicate that electrons are the primary charge carriers. The temperature variation of the magnetic susceptibility is Pauli paramagnetic, consistent with the observed metallic property. The crystals were found to be stable up to ∼1200 K upon exposure to oxidizing atmospheres. The measured physical properties are supportive of the presence of a small concentration of charge carriers with high mobilities.
Imaging transport in nanowires using near-field detection of light

Abstract Major progress in the crystal growth of nanowires and related structures places new demands on our abilities to characterize optical and electronic properties with both an ease and a resolution commensurate with the materials of interest. In particular, transport properties, such as minority carrier diffusion length, are important for a range of applications in light emission, sensing and solar energy conversion. In this paper, a technique to “image transport” in nanostructures by monitoring the motion of charge via the recombination emission of light is reviewed. Transport imaging combines the resolution of near-field optics with the charge generation control of a scanning electron microscope. The technique is related to, but significantly different from standard cathodoluminescence, since it maintains the spatial information of the emitted light. Light is collected in the near-field from a scanning fiber in an atomic force microscope/near-field scanning optical microscope system. It is possible to determine minority carrier or exciton diffusion lengths from a single optical image, without any electrical contact to the sample. New results are presented for minority carrier hole transport in ZnO nanowires and nanobelts.
The distribution of copper, zinc and nickel in sea water of the Gulf of Maine and the Sargasso Sea

Abstract During six cruises to the Gulf of Maine and the Sargasso Sea, water samples were collected by a standardized technique and analyzed by the same operator using the same methods. The results, taken over a period of twelve months, failed to reveal significant seasonal variations, in the surface, that could be attributed to biological removal. However, the Atlantic Slope water and the waters of the Sargasso Sea and Gulf Stream appear to maintain distinctly different concentrations of these metals, and several profiles show significant increases of nickel and zinc with depth. The data indicate that either the rate of uptake of the metals by organisms is low or the rate of regeneration of the metals in the surface is high. Despite the lack of observable seasonal variation, these elements do appear to be non-conservative properties of sea water.
Magic angle Lee–Goldburg frequency offset irradiation improves the efficiency and selectivity of SPECIFIC-CP in triple-resonance MAS solid-state NMR

Abstract The efficiency and selectivity of SPECIFIC-CP, a widely used method for selective double cross-polarization in triple-resonance magic angle spinning solid-state NMR, is improved by performing the tangential-shaped 13 C irradiation at an offset frequency that meets the Lee–Goldburg condition (LG-SPECIFIC-CP). This is demonstrated on polycrystalline samples of uniformly 13 C, 15 N labeled N-acetyl-leucine and N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe-OH (MLF) at 700 MHz and 900 MHz 1 H resonance frequencies, respectively. For the single 13 Cα of N-acetyl-leucine, relative to conventional broad band cross-polarization, the SPECIFIC-CP signal has 47% of the intensity. Notably, the LG-SPECIFIC-CP signal has 72% of the intensity, essentially the theoretical maximum. There were no other changes in the experimental parameters. The three 13 Cα signals in MLF show some variation in intensities, reflecting the relatively narrow bandwidth of a frequency-offset procedure, and pointing to future developments for this class of experiment.
Predicting Functional Properties of Visual Cortex from an Evolutionary Scaling Law

The number of neurons in the primary visual cortex (V1) is, across primate species, related to the number of neurons in the visual thalamus (the lateral geniculate nucleus [LGN]) by a power law with an exponent of 3/2. This evolutionary scaling law is explained by a simple relation according to which the fineness of resolution in cortex is related to the number of neurons in the area of cortex used to process the information from a single point of light (the point-spread area). The same theory provides a link between two functional properties of the visual cortex, the areal cortical magnification factor (ACMF) and the receptive field (RF) area.
Optimization of orbital trajectory for frequency modulated gyroscope

We present the detailed analysis of the orbital trajectory of Frequency Modulated (FM) gyroscopes, and the impact of this on the differential frequency output. The FM approach is based on tracking the resonant frequency split between two, high Q-factor mechanical modes of a Rate Integrating Gyroscope, for the purpose of producing a frequency-based measurement of the input angular rate. We show that the output of FM gyroscopes have a strong dependency on the orbital trajectory. For some orbital trajectories, FM gyroscopes provide inherent self-calibration against common-mode influences, such as temperature and stress, while for other trajectories the gyroscope loses these advantages.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of a New Generation of Modular Nucleophilic Glycine Equivalents for the Efficient Synthesis of Sterically Constrained α-Amino Acids

A new generation of modular achiral glycine equivalents have been evaluated with respect to their synthetic utility for the production of tailor-made, sterically constrained α-amino acids, which proved to be the most efficient approach developed to date for the synthesis of symmetrical α,α-disubstituted-α-amino acids. Among the new series of achiral glycine equivalents, one was found to be a superior glycine derivative for the Michael additions with various (R)- or (S)-N-(E-enoyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones representing a general and practical synthesis of sterically constrained β-substituted pyroglutamic acids. In particular, the application of these complexes allowed for the preparation of several β-substituted pyroglutamic acids which include electron-releasing and sterically demanding substituents in the structure thus increasing the synthetic efficiency and expanding the generality of these Michael addition reactions.
Another look at implied tax rates

Abstract The authors include the effects of the minimum tax and the alternative tax on capital gains in calculating implied tax rates for discount Treasury bonds. They support the previous finding of Van Horne (1982) that there is an inverse relationship between these rates and the level of Treasury bond yields. New implied tax rates, however, fall outside the actual marginal tax range. This finding is not consistent with the efficient market hypothesis.
All-optical flip-flop memory for quantum computing

We present an experimental demonstration of an all-optical flip-flop based on mode competition in a polarization-coupled two-energy system. The two energy systems are comprised of a semiconductor optical amplifier and a supercontinuum generator. Adjusting the polarization state of the coupling between the two energy systems allows for a stable cycling between the four states of a flip-flop namely: (off, off); (off, on); (on, off); (on, on). So that, in this case, representing qubit by orthogonal polarization states enables qubit storage and logic operations.
Photoreduction of 2-nitroso-1-naphthol

Abstract The photoreduction of 2-nitroso-1-naphthol in isopropyl alcohol proceeds through an upper triplet excited state, presumed to be the T2 state, and can be reversed by the addition of oxygen. Hydrogen abstraction, which is the primary process, leads to only one photoproduct, namely 2-hydroxyl-amine-1-naphthol. Quantum yields for the disappearance of 2-nitroso-1-naphthol in air-saturated and degassed solutions were determined to be 0.034 ± 0.002 and 0.045 ± 0.002 respectively. The azoxy compound formed from the dark coupling reaction between the hydroxylamine and nitroso compound was isolated in large-scale photolysis, and its photochemistry in vacuum-degassed solutions is shown to involve a reversible photocyclization step.
Optimal allocation of observations for partitioning a set of normal populations in comparison with a control

SUMMARY The optimzal allocation of obiservations when several experimental populations are simultaneously compared with a conitrol is discussed. Two optimal rules are considered: to minimize the expected nutmber of pl)oulations misclassified anid to inaximlize the probability of a correct decision. It is shown that these two rules are different, but that they are asymptotically equivaleint as the total sample size becoimes large.
Effect of subthreshold concentrations of limonin, naringin and sweeteners on bitterness perception.

A sensory panel of experienced judges was used to determine taste thresholds of mixtures of limonin and naringin and various sweeteners. Data from these experiments showed that within the 95% confidence interval, subthreshold interactions between limonin and naringin were additive, indicating that less than threshold amounts of these compounds contributed to bitterness of a mixture. Mixtures of hesperetin dihydrochalcone glucoside (HDG), neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NHD), naringin dihydrochalcone (ND), sucrose and naringin were neither additive nor synergistic at subthreshold concentrations. At suprathreshold levels, sucrose, (HDG) and (NHD) were effective in suppressing naringin bitterness, but (ND) was not.
An analysis and discussion of the voltage and current spectrum of claw-pole alternators for fault detection purposes

The ‘claw-pole’ type synchronous alternator is the heart of virtually all automotive Electric Power Generation and Storage (EPGS) system. Timely and accurate detection of alternator faults will not only decrease “walk-home” incidences for drivers but will also significantly decrease misdiagnoses, thereby resulting in significant warranty cost savings for auto manufacturers. This paper performs a general analysis on the voltage and current spectrum of the claw-pole alternators. Various harmonic components in the spectrum are explained from the first principles. The effect of the built-in rectifier on alternator voltage and current spectrum is also investigated. The analysis leads to a better understanding of claw-pole alternators especially for fault detection purposes.
Magnetotunneling between two-dimensional electron gases in InAs-AlSb-GaSb heterostructures

We have observed that the tunneling magnetoconductance between two-dimensional (2D) electron gases, formed at nominally identical InAs-AlSb interfaces, most often exhibits two sets of Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations with almost the same frequency. This result is explained quantitatively with a model of the conductance in which the 2D gases have different densities and can tunnel between Landau levels with different quantum indices. When the epitaxial growth conditions of the interfaces are optimized, the zero-bias magnetoconductance shows a single set of oscillations, thus proving that the asymmetry between the two electron gases can be eliminated.
Selective Immunohistochemical Staining in the Paraneoplasdc Retinopathy Syndrome

Background: The mechanism leading to visual loss in paraneoplastic retinopathy is not known. An autoimmune process has been imputed based on immunologic investigations of several patients and by analogy to certain other paraneoplastic syndromes. Methods: Two patients with documented small cell carcinoma of the lung who had clinical evidence of paraneoplastic retinopathy are described. Histopathologic examination of the retina from one patient and immunohistochemical staining of human retina with serum from control subjects and both patients were performed. Results: Electroretinograms demonstrated dysfunction of photoreceptors in both patients, with predominant loss of rod function in one patient. Post mortem examination showed patchy loss of photoreceptors of the extramacular retina and relative sparing of cones, findings consistent with the clinical and electrophysiologic test results. Serum from both patients stained the retina in an identical manner, with restriction of the stain to the outer retina. Stain was present over the outer plexiform layer, the outer nuclear layer, and the inner and outer segments of most photoreceptors. A sharp demarcation was present between those areas that did and did not stain. All rod inner and outer segments appeared to stain, and many cone inner segments were not stained. Immunologic tests obtained elsewhere did not show serum antibody to the 23 kD protein. Conclusion: These findings support the concept of an autoimmune pathogenesis by showing selectivity of the immune response and correlation between the apparent target of the immune response and the clinical and pathologic findings. The mechanism by which cell loss occurs in the retina is not answered by this study. The absence of antibody to the 23 kD protein does not exclude the diagnosis of paraneoplastic retinopathy.
Changing class behaviors at run-time in MRP systems

Abstract This paper presents an architecture that can be used to develop and maintain class behaviors in object-oriented material requirements planning (MRP) systems at run-time. The architecture provides this capability through a user-interface, and does not require knowledge of any programming language. The architecture is based on the concept of software reuse, it utilizes a library of fine-grained pre-compiled objects to develop and maintain class behaviors. The architecture is a dynamic-object application builder implemented on top of an object-oriented run-time environment.
Frequencies of confined longitudinal-optical phonon modes in short-period strained semiconductor superlattices

Frequencies of confined longitudinal—opticalphonon modes in short—periodstrained semiconductor superlatticesK. W. KimDepartment of Electrical and Computer EngineeringNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC 27695—7911Michael A. StroscioU.S. Army Research OfficeP.O. Box 12211Research Triangle Park, NC 27709—2211J. C. HallDepartment of Electrical and Computer EngineeringNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC 27709—2211ABSTRACTThe theories describing the dispersion of longitudinal—optical (LO) phononmodes and electron——LO—phonon interactions are generalized to include the effectsof both strain and confinement in semiconductor superlattices and semiconductormicrostructures. In particular, the effects of strain and confinement on LOphonon frequencies are analyzed for short—period strained—layer superlattices aswell as for semiconductor microstructures where effective force constants arealtered near heterojunction interfaces.
Effects of myocardial wall thickness on SPECT quantification

The effects of changing myocardial wall thickness in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging are characterized, and a method which may be used to compensate for these effects is presented. The underlying principle is that the phenomena of attenuation, Compton scatter, and finite resolution can be separated and treated independently. Only finite resolution and its effects, along with a proposed method for correcting these effects, are addressed. A cardiac phantom with varying wall thickness (9-23 mm) was developed to characterize the dependence effects on /sup 201/Tl myocardial SPECT images. Correction factors in the form of recovery coefficients have been developed with the use of a convolution simulation, and are shown to improve substantially the agreement of counts extracted from SPECT images of the phantom with the actual /sup 201/Tl concentration. The degree of improvement, however, is markedly affected by external attenuation. Clinical application of this method will require corrections for attenuation and scatter or the development of regional recovery coefficients which include these effects. >
Emerging experimental therapeutics for bipolar disorder: insights from the molecular and cellular actions of current mood stabilizers

Bipolar disorder afflicts approximately 1-3% of both men and women, and is coincident with major economic, societal, medical, and interpersonal consequences. Current mediations used for its treatment are associated with variable rates of efficacy and often intolerable side effects. While preclinical and clinical knowledge in the neurosciences has expanded at a tremendous rate, recent years have seen no major breakthroughs in the development of novel types of treatment for bipolar disorder. We review here approaches to develop novel treatments specifically for bipolar disorder. Deliberate (ie not by serendipity) treatments may come from one of two general mechanisms: (1) Understanding the mechanism of action of current medications and thereafter designing novel drugs that mimics these mechanism(s); (2) Basing medication development upon the hypothetical or proven underlying pathophysiology of bipolar disorder. In this review, we focus upon the first approach. Molecular and cellular targets of current mood stabilizers include lithium inhibitable enzymes where lithium competes for a magnesium binding site (inositol monophosphatase, inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatase, glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, bisphosphate nucleotidase, phosphoglucomutase), valproate inhibitable enzymes (succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, succinate semialdehyde reductase, histone deacetylase), targets of carbamazepine (sodium channels, adenosine receptors, adenylate cyclase), and signaling pathways regulated by multiple drugs of different classes (phosphoinositol/protein kinase C, cyclic AMP, arachidonic acid, neurotrophic pathways). While the task of developing novel medications for bipolar disorder is truly daunting, we are hopeful that understanding the mechanism of action of current mood stabilizers will ultimately lead clinical trials with more specific medications and thus better treatments those who suffer from this devastating illness.
Phase-slip resistivity in high-temperature superconductors: A manifestation of intrinsic nano-granularity

Several critical experiments have shown that the so-called “background” magnetoresistance which occurs with no Lorentz force activation is isotropic in thea-b plane. This isotropic resistivity is linked to paradoxical behavior of vortices which cannot be changed by pinning, a result which may imply intrinsic pinning. Nevertheless, a number of flux-flow observations indicate that vortices may also behave as if they were unpinned. An explanation is proposed which states that this behavior arises as a consequence of defects in oxygen ordering in the Cu-O planes of HTSC crystals; this explanation involves segmentation of the Cu-O planes, and Josephson coupling between adjacent segments. The effective junction areas are seen to be very small, with dimensions characteristic of the size of the unit cell. Thermal motion of nano-scale weak links resolves the pinning paradox by inducing phase-slip resistive dissipation. The resulting phase-slip resistivity is shown to have axial symmetry, that is, the resistivity is independent of the angle between the current and the applied field, with both in thea-b plane.
The effect of quenching media on the heat transfer coefficient of polycrystalline alumina

Surface heat transfer coefficient values were measured for polycrystalline alumina quenched into water, into oil, and into liquid nitrogen. Since the measurements of the surface heat transfer coefficient h for alumina (and ceramics in general) are very limited, we compare our measurements with calculations of h for the water quench and with measurements of h on non-ceramic materials for the oil and liquid nitrogen quenches.
Sympathetic-adrenal medullary responses to acute stress in Dahl hypertensive (S/JR) rats.

Abstract Sympathetic-adrenal medullary responses to acute footshock stress were assessed in inbred Dahl salt-sensitive (S/JR) and salt-resistant (R/JR) rats by measuring plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI). Ten-week-old S/JR and R/JR rats were surgically prepared with indwelling tail artery catheters which permitted direct measurements of mean arterial pressure (MAP, mmHg) and heart rate (HR, beats/min) and remote sampling of blood. Two days after surgery, S/JR and R/JR rats were subjected to an acute stress paradigm. Blood samples were collected before and 3 minutes after transfer of rats to a shock chamber, after 1 minute of intermittent footshock, and again 5 minutes later. S/JR rats had significantly higher resting MAP's compared to R/JR rats. In contrast, baseline heart rates were similar for rats of the two strains. Basal plasma levels of NE and EPI were also similar in S/JR and R/JR rats. Upon transfer from the home cage to a shock chamber, S/JR rats exhibited significant increases in plasma levels of both catecholamines, while R/JR rats maintained circulating levels of NE and EPI that were near baseline values. However, S/JR and R/JR rats had similar increments in plasma NE and EPI following acute footshock stress. Five minutes after footshock, levels of NE and EPI returned toward baseline values for R/JR's, but remained significantly elevated above baseline in hypertensive S/JR rats. These data suggest that S/JR rats are more responsive than R/JR controls to the mild stress of transfer, but exhibit comparable responses to the more intense stress of inescapable footshock. Finally, S/JR rats appear to maintain elevated levels of sympathetic-adrenal medullary activity for up to 5 minutes after termination of footshock stress. Alterations in sympathetic-adrenal medullary responsiveness may contribute in part to the development of hypertension in rats of the S/JR strain.
Autoantibody to complement neoantigens in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

With the exception of C3 nephritic factor, autoantibody formation has not been commonly associated with membranoproliferative nephritis (MPGN). We measured autoantibodies (nephritic factors) to the C3 convertases C3bBb (NF a ) and C3bBbP (NF 1 ), which result in fast and slow C3 activation, respectively, and to a neoantigen on C1q fixed to a solid phase (spC1q) in sera from 29 patients with MPGN type I, 26 with type II, and 28 with type III. Autoantibody formation was common in all MPGN types. An autoantibody to a C3 convertase neoantigen was identified in more than 75% of the hypocomplementemic MPGN sera tested. Anti-C3bBb (NF a ) was present in 81% of patients with MPGN type ii bui was rarely found in either type I or type III. Anti-C3bBbP (NF 1 ) was common in both MPGN I and III. Anti-spC1q was presenth in 74% of patients with type I and in 38% and 48% of types II and III MPGN, respectively. Patients with MPGN types I, II, and III had one and two serum autoantibodies detected significantly more frequently than did a group of healthy subjects. The presence of any one autoantibody was not specifically associated with the presence of any other autoantibody. The results indicate that multiple autoantibody formation is common in all MPGN types. MPGN II, and possibly MPGN I, tend to form more specific autoantibodies.
Detection of the Initiation of Pitting by the Higher Harmonic Content of Electrochemical Response

Abstract The use of the higher harmonic content in the electrochemical current response to an applied 30 mHz sinusoidal potential for detecting the onset of pitting corrosion in Al 8090 and type 304 stainless steel has been evaluated. The level of higher frequencies relative to the fundamental in the AC current signal increases just when pitting initiates. However, the relative intensity of the higher frequency component decreases as the rate of pitting increases contrary the prediction of a simple model. This decrease with increasing pitting current is attributed to the increasing importance of the effect of IR drop.
Computerized lung nodule detection: effect of image annotation schemes for conveying results to radiologists

We have developed a computerized method to automatically identify lung nodules in thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans. Since the ultimate goal of such a method is to improve human detection performance, the process through which computer results are conveyed to the radiologist must be considered. Detection results are presented through an interface that automatically places a circle around the detected structure in only one section in which that structure may appear. Consequently, an inappropriate choice of section could result in an actual nodule detected by the computer but not properly indicated to the radiologist, thus reducing the potential positive impact of that detection on the radiologist’s decision-making process. The automated detection method was applied to 38 diagnostic CT scans with an overall sensitivity of 71% and 0.5 false-positive detections per section; however, when these results were converted automatically to annotations on the output images for human visualization, 8.6% of the computer-detected nodules received annotations that failed to encompass a portion of the actual nodule. Thus, the "effective sensitivity" of the automated detection method (i.e., a performance paradigm that considers the eventual human interaction with system output) was reduced.
The Possible Relationship of Starch and Phytoglycogen in Sweet Corn. I. Characterization of Particulate and Soluble Polysaccharides

The starch and phytoglycogen fractions from normal and sugary (su) maize have been compared. Little difference was observed between two inbred lines and two su conversions of the lines studied. Less than 1% of the mature normal kernel dry weight was recovered as phytoglycogen. Normal starch had 25 to 30% amylose. Extraction of su endosperm by two methods resulted in different distributions of starch and phytoglycogen. Regardless of purification method used phytoglycogen was shown to be distributed in a soluble fraction and a particulate fraction which also contained some amylose. The observations are consistent with a pattern of conversion of starch (granules) into phytoglycogen in su endosperm. Der mogliche Zusammenhang zwischen Starke und Phytoglykogen in Susmais. 1. Teil. Charakterisierung der kornchenformigen und loslichen Polysaccharide Die Starke und Phytoglykogenfraktionen von normalem Mais und Zuckermais (su) wurden miteinander verglichen. Zwischen den zwei untersuchten Inzuchtlinien und zwei su-Umwandlungen wurden nur geringe Unterschiede beobachtet. Weniger als 1% der Trockenmasse des reifen Korns wurde als Phytoglykogen gewonnen. Die normale Starke enthielt 25 bis 30% Amylose. Die Extraktion des su-Endosperms nach zwei verschiedenen Methoden ergab unterschiedliche Verteilungen von Starke und Phytoglykogen. Unabhangig von der verwendeten Reinigungsmethode konnte gezeigt werden, das das Phytoglykogen auf eine losliche und eine kornchenformige Fraktion verteilt war, die auch etwas Amylose enthielten. Die Beobachtungen deuten auf eine bestimmte Form der Umwandlung von Starke in Phytoglykogen im su-Endosperm hin.
Seasonal and interannual variability in atmospheric turbidity over South Africa

Aerosols affect climate by attenuating solar radiation and acting as cloud condensation nuclei. Despite their importance in the climate system, our understanding of the time-space variability of aerosols is fragmentary. Measurements and reliable estimates of atmospheric turbidity—the total column amount of aerosol—are scarce in most countries and this is especially true in the Southern Hemisphere. Very little is known about the seasonal, interannual and spatial variability of aerosols over the southern half of the globe. In this paper, we estimate monthly averaged atmospheric turbidity from surface climate data at eight locations in South Africa, regardless of cloud cover. Findings include new estimates of turbidity trends and variability over South Africa. Seasonal trends are evident at many stations, although there is no consistent trend. Over recent decades, turbidity has generally been stable at six of the eight stations. Our methodology can be applied at any location where the requisite climate data are available and, therefore, holds promise for a more complete, and possibly global, climatology of aerosols. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society
State and Local Government Bond Refinancing and the Factors Associated with the Refunding Decision

The decision to refinance existing debt is a significant one made increasingly by public financial managers. Since state and local governments are somewhat limited by the Internal Revenue Service (...
Atypical sieving of open circular DNA during pulsed field agarose gel electrophoresis.

Pulsed field agarose gel (PFG) electrophoresis, originally used to improve the resolution by length of linear DNA [Cantor et al. (1988) Annu. Rev. Biophys. Biophys. Chem. 17, 287-304], is found here to cause atypical sieving of 48.5-97.0-kb open circular DNA. Two procedures of PFG electrophoresis are used: rotating gel electrophoresis with rotation of 2 pi radians [2 pi RGE; Serwer, P., & Hayes, S.J. (1989) Appl. Theor. Electrophor. (in press)] and field inversion gel electrophoresis [FIGE; Carle, G.F., Frank, M., & Olson, M. V. (1986) Science 232, 65-68]. During 2 pi RGE at 6 V/cm, the electrophoretic mobility (mu) of 48.5-kb open circular DNA increases in magnitude as agarose percentage (A) increases from 0.4 to 1.5. The sieving revealed by this mu vs A relationship is highly atypical (possibly unique) for any particle. The extent of this atypical sieving increases as electrical potential gradient, DNA length, and pulse time increase. In some cases a maximum is observed in a plot of mu's magnitude vs A. The mu of open circular lambda DNA is smaller in magnitude than the mu of equally long linear lambda DNA. Atypical sieving has also been observed by use of FIGE. As pulse times used during FIGE decrease below those achievable by 2 pi RGE, the progressive loss of circular DNA's atypical sieving is accompanied by both a dramatic increase in mu's magnitude at the lower A values and a decrease in mu's magnitude at the higher A values. At the lower A values, open circular DNA sometimes migrates more rapidly than linear DNA of the same length.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Responsiveness of human carcinoma cells of gynecologic origin to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol

In responsive tissues the induction of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol 24-hydroxylase activity is a marker of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol action. In this study we investigated the responsiveness of various malignant cells, which were derived from carcinomas of gynecologic origin, to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol; we did so because it has been demonstrated that replication of certain malignant human cells that are 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol-responsive is inhibited by treatment with this substance. We found that 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol treatment caused an increase in 25-hydroxycholecalciferol 24-hydroxylase activity in gynecologic carcinoma cells that were maintained in monolayer culture. The cells were established from ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and vaginal neoplasms. After treatment with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (10 nmol/L) for 18 hours, the specific activity of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol 24-hydroxylase increased between 2,4- and 49-fold in these cells. This increase in 25-hydroxycholecalciferol 24-hydroxylase activity is suggestive that certain gynecologic malignancies are responsive to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. We also found, however, that 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol did not act to decrease the rate of replication of these cells; indeed in ovarian adenocarcinoma cells, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol caused a decrease in doubling time; in the other cells of this study, there was no effect of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on cell replication.
Shear and compaction band formation on an elliptic yield cap

[1] Conditions for shear and compaction localization are examined for stress states on an elliptic yield cap in the space of Mises equivalent shear stress and mean normal compressive stress σ. Localization is predicted to occur when the slope of the hydrostatic stress versus inelastic volume strain curve falls to a critical value kcrit. When applied to the standard triaxial test, the analysis reveals a transition from compaction localization to shear localization as lateral confining stress σc decreases below a particular value. This value also corresponds to the largest value of kcrit, which is zero if normality is satisfied and slightly positive if not, for either shear or compaction bands. For σc larger than the transition value, compaction bands are the only mode of localized deformation predicted, and kcrit becomes increasingly negative with increasing σc. For σc smaller than the transition value, both shear bands and compaction bands are possible, but the value of kcrit is larger for shear bands. These results are consistent with experimental observations of compaction bands on relatively flat portions of the stress versus strain curve, corresponding to kcrit ≈ 0, and with their occurrence in a limited range of σc. As σc is decreased from the transition value, the predicted angle between the normal to the shear band and the maximum compression direction increases rapidly from 0° (for a compaction band) to 20°–30°. This rapid increase provides a possible explanation for the infrequent observation of very low angle shear bands.
Alcohol and the continuation of early marital aggression.

Background: Husband alcohol use has frequently been found to be related to husband-to-wife marital violence. Research has demonstrated a prospective link between husband alcohol use before marriage and husband-to-wife aggression in the first year of marriage. The present study examined the relationships of husband violence, marital conflict, and couple's alcohol use in the first year of marriage to husband-to-wife marital violence in the second and third years of marriage. Methods: Newlywed couples were recruited at the time of marriage and were interviewed regarding alcohol use and experience with violence before marriage, 1 year after marriage, and 3 years after marriage. Results: Year l violence was predictive of subsequent marital violence. Husband and wife drinking patterns in the first year of marriage interacted to predict violence in later years. The most violence in subsequent years occurred in couples where the husband was a heavy drinker and the wife was not. Husbands who were violent in year 1 were more likely to be violent in later years. When no violence occurred in the first year, frequent use of verbal aggression in year 1 was predictive of violence in subsequent years. Conclusions: The predictive value of husband drinking patterns for subsequent violence extends beyond the transition to marriage. The fact that husband and wife alcohol use interacted to predict future aggression suggests that the relationship between husband alcohol use and marital violence is not spurious nor the result of conflict and violence promoting alcohol use. The findings may reflect multiple instances of acute intoxication and/or alcohol-related stress and conflict within the relationship, both of which may increase the likelihood of aggression.
Approximate calculation of specific fracture energies for grinding

Abstract Equations are developed which relate the strain energy required to fracture single spheres to the repetitive fracture processes occurring in industrial mills as expressed by the mass-rate equations for simulation of mill behavior. A logical problem exists in applying the equations because the specific grinding energy can become infinity if the variation of specific rates of breakage with particle size is extrapolated to very fine sizes. This problem is overcome by operating the mill simulation in closed circuit with ideal classification at high circulating loads to remove fine material from the mill charge. This is illustrated by using the closed analytical solution resulting from a simple approximate solution to the grinding equation. Using literature values for fracture energy of quartz obtained from compression tests, as a function of particle size, the approximate calculation indicates the specific fracture energy to be between one to two orders of magnitude less than the actual grinding energy.
The effect of temperature and body size on digestive efficiency in Fundulus heteroclitus (L.)

Abstract The digestive efficiency of temperature acclimated mummichogs, Fundulus heteroclitus (L.), was determined using the amphipod Orchestia grillus Bosc as prey. Experiments were conducted on three size groups of mummichogs ( 3 g) at 5, 13, 21, and 29 °C. No difference was found in digestive efficiency by different sizes of mummichogs. There was, however, a statistically significant difference in efficiency over the range of acclimation temperatures, with the efficiencies being temperature independent from 13 to 29 °C and dropping slightly at 5 °C. From 13 to 29 °C, digestive efficiencies were the maximum possible. Temperatures in this range are normal late spring, summer, and early fall habitat temperatures in Maine estuaries. The ability to maintain a maximum efficiency of digestion over this 16°C temperature range allows mummichogs to get the maximum amount of energy from their prey during the time of year when they are utilizing substantial energy for growth (somatic and gonadal, and for activity (foraging and mating). The digestive efficiency at 5 °C was only about 13.5% less than at 21 and 29 °C. This drop is probably of little ecological or energetic significance, so that mummichogs are actually able to absorb food energy across their alimentary tract relatively independent of acclimation temperature over a 24 °C range.