cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in plasma from two species of turtle from the Tennessee River Gorge.

Abstract Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are characterized by their resistance to degradation, biomagnification, global transport, and adverse toxicological effects. The goal of this study was to determine baseline concentrations of several classes of POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in two turtle species, the Cumberland slider ( Trachemys scripta troosti ) and the common musk turtle ( Sternotherus odoratus ) from the Tennessee River Gorge. Plasma samples from five male and five female adults of each species were analyzed for concentrations of 83 PCB congeners, six DDT compounds, four toxaphene congeners, 18 additional pesticides, pentachlorobenzene, octachlorostyrene, and 28 PBDE congeners using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In both species, total PCBs were the predominant contaminant class, at approximately 10-fold higher concentration than p,p′-DDE, total PBDEs, and total chlordanes. Mirex, dieldrin and one toxaphene congener (Parlar 50) were also detected at even lower concentrations. The female turtles had lower concentrations of some contaminants (PCB 153 + 132, oxychlordane, mirex, PBDE 153, PBDE 154, ΣPBDEs) than males, suggesting maternal transfer to eggs. Cumberland sliders had lower concentrations of PCB 138, p,p′-DDE, ΣDDTs, oxychlordane, PBDE 47, and PBDE 99 than musk turtles. The turtles had a unique PBDE pattern with PBDE 100 predominating. The POP concentrations were lower than those measured previously in other reptiles from contaminated sites where endocrine disruption has been observed. One exception was a female musk turtle with 29.9 ng g −1 p,p′-DDE (wet mass basis), which is greater than the concentrations measured in reptiles with evidence of endocrine disruption. Additional monitoring and research is necessary to determine if other species or age classes in this turtle assemblage might be at higher risk of POP accumulation, as well as to assess the potential risk of these concentrations on their health and reproduction.
Holoenzyme Switching and Stochastic Release of Sigma Factors from RNA Polymerase In Vivo

Summary We investigated the binding of E. coli RNA polymerase holoenzymes bearing σ 70 , σ S , σ 32 , or σ 54 to the ribosomal RNA operons ( rrn ) in vivo. At the rrn promoter, we observed "holoenzyme switching" from Eσ 70 to Eσ S or Eσ 32 in response to environmental cues. We also examined if sigma factors are retained by core polymerase during transcript elongation. At the rrn operons, σ 70 translocates briefly with the elongating polymerase and is released stochastically from the core polymerase with an estimated half-life of ∼4–7 s. Similarly, at gadA and htpG , operons that are targeted by Eσ S and Eσ 32 , respectively, we find that σ S and σ 32 also dissociate stochastically, albeit more rapidly than σ 70 , from the elongating core polymerase. Up to ∼70% of Eσ 70 (the major vegetative holoenzyme) in rapidly growing cells is engaged in transcribing the rrn operons. Thus, our results suggest that at least ∼70% of cellular holoenzymes release σ 70 during transcript elongation. Release of sigma factors during each round of transcription provides a simple mechanism for rapidly reprogramming polymerase with the relevant sigma factor and is consistent with the occurrence of a "sigma cycle" in vivo.
Intracavity Enhancement of Raman Peaks Inside the Cavity of a Dye Laser

Abstract A Nitrogen pumped dye laser using coumarin 515 as the lasing medium is used as an excitation source to measure Raman scatter inside the cavity of the dye laser. When a Raman active sample is placed inside the resonator cavity, the Raman scatter is enhanced due to the multipass effect inside the resonator cavity. This enhancement allows for easier detection of the Raman bands.
SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS IN URBAN AEROSOLS

Data on the size distributions of urban aerosols are reviewed with emphasis on the physical characteristics of the particles. Types of size distributions, the reliability of size distribution data, and factors affecting urban aerosol size distributions are considered. As examples, the grand average number aerosol distribution from the 1969 Los Angeles smog experiment is compared with a Junge power law distribution calculated with the constants of Clark and Whitby. The computer-prepared volume size distribution measured during the General Motors Sulfate Study in Milford, Mich. is presented, the median size distribution by number for the New York Summer Aerosol Study is considered, and volume concentration distributions for Denver-area aerosols are presented.
Generation of 3D geometric models from unstructured 3D points

Devices such as videocameras, VCRs, microphones, and fax machines have had a great impact on society because they allow various aspects of the physical world to be acquired, stored, transmitted, and reinstantiated. An important physical form that has received little attention is that of 3D shape. Emerging technologies allowing the acquisition and reinstantiation of 3D shape (3D laser scanners and solid freeform fabrication) are motivating numerous applications, including reverse engineering, traditional non-CAD design, and 3D faxing. However, for 3D scanning to realize its full potential, software must be developed to allow the reconstruction of useful 3D geometric models from the raw data that scanners produce. This work addresses surface reconstruction: the recovery of concise, accurate piecewise smooth surface models from scanned 3D points. We present a surface reconstruction method that is significantly more general than previous ones. Neither the topological type of the surface, its geometry, nor the location of its sharp features are known in advance -- all are inferred from the data points. A key ingredient is the introduction of a new class of subdivision surfaces allowing the representation of sharp features such as creases and corners. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the method using both simulated and real data.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cecal volvulus: outcome of management by celiotomy

This study was undertaken to evaluate the care of patients with cecal volvulus recently treated in Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) hospitals. This large contemporary review examines the outcomes of surgical treatment and is also the largest reported series of attempted colonoscopic decompressions. All patients with the ICD-9-CM code for colonic volvulus during the period 1991–1995 were identified in the computerized national DVA database. Data on patient demographics, clinical course, and outcomes were collected. Fifty-five patients with cecal volvulus and complete medical records were identified. The average age was 68 years; all were male. Previous abdominal surgery (5 of 55 patients; 9%), and neurologic impairment (6 of 55 patients; 11%) were the most common risk factors. Diagnosis was possible by plain radiography in the majority of patients (39 of 55; 71%). Colonoscopic decompression was attempted in 20 patients (36%), but was successful in only one (5%). The mortality rate was 18% for colectomy and primary anastomosis (5 of 28 procedures), 31% for colectomy and stoma formation (5 of 16 procedures), 11% for cecopexy (1 of 9 cases), and 100% for tube cecostomy (2 procedures). Mortality was significantly correlated with emergent surgery (p < 0.01). Cecal volvulus frequently presents as a surgical emergency, and continues to be associated with a high mortality rate. Prompt diagnosis is often possible with plain radiographs, but colonoscopic decompression is typically unsuccessful. Cecopexy provides a safe alternative to resection and primary anastomosis in suitably selected patients.
Acute Ethanol Does Not Protect Against Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury in Rabbit Myocardium.

Moderate use of alcohol has shown protective effects in coronary artery disease, while excessive use has been associated with cardiomyopathy and hypertension. Since alcohol is a vasodilator, we postulated that it might have protective effects when administered acutely in the setting of ischemia/reperfusion. Therefore, we studied the acute effects of alcohol on myocardial infarction in a rabbit model. Anesthetized, open chest rabbits were subjected to a 30 minute coronary artery occlusion followed by 4 hours of reperfusion. Rabbits were randomized to a control group (n = 20), receiving an infusion of 10 ml normal saline, intravenously, over 10 minutes via a Harvard pump, or an alcohol group (n = 20), receiving a diluted solution of 100% ethanol (1 ml/kg diluted in normal saline to 10 ml total solution) infused in a similar fashion. This infusion regimen resulted in an average blood alcohol level of 110 mg/dl (range 77–129) tested in five rabbits within the study. Ten minutes after infusion, a marginal branch of the circumflex artery was occluded. Regional myocardial blood flow during coronary occlusion and reperfusion was measured using radioactive microspheres. Myocardial ischemic area at risk (AR) was assessed by blue dye injection and myocardial necrosis (AN) by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The mean regional coronary blood flow in ischemic tissue was 0.04 ± 0.01 ml/min/g in the control group versus 0.03 ± 0.01 ml/min/g in the experimental group (p = NS) and averaged 1.74 ml/min/g (control) to 1.98 ml/min/g (alcohol) in the nonischemic tissue. All rabbits received comparable ischemic insult: Collateral blood flow and AR were similar in both groups. An overall analysis showed no significant reduction in infarct size (expressed as the percent of necrotic tissue within the area at risk) in the alcohol group (23 ± 3%) compared with the control group (27 ± 4%). In conclusion, alcohol did not reduce infarct size in the rabbit model.
The enigmatic pursuit of puberty in girls.

* Abbreviations: BCERC — : Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers NHANES — : National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey PROS — : Pediatric Research in Office Settings Nuances of puberty, the actual trigger, influencing factors, secular and tempo changes, continue to plague us. Uncertainty, as in quantum physics, may continue. Niels Bohr concluded decades ago that what you see depends on how you look. In the robust Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers (BCERC) study in this issue of Pediatrics by Biro et al, onset of Tanner 2 breast development is the main end point.1 This article adds to studies providing the unsettling findings that the age of onset of breast development, in synch with, though not entirely explained by, the “obesity epidemic,” has continued to drop. It will inspire continued investigations of causes and implications for psychosocial public health. Remedies will follow. The 1997 cross-sectional Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) study on 17 000 US girls, followed by nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES), reported earlier onset of secondary sexual characteristics in girls over the previous several decades.2 The considerable controversy and angst generated by these findings led to lay and scientific essays and studies here and abroad. … Address correspondence to Marcia E. Herman-Giddens, PA, DrPH, 1450 Russell Chapel Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312. E-mail: mherman-giddens{at}unc.edu
A study of the target gas dependence on the collisional ionization mass spectra of some metastable and hypervalent molecules

Collisional ionization mass spectra of a fast beam of neutral molecules with ionization potentials in the range 4–5 eV have been obtained with a series of target gases, NO2, O2, N2 and He. Neutral beams were generated in a near resonant electron transfer process X+ +K(g) → X* + K+ where X+ is He2+, H3+, ND4+ or N2D7+. The efficiency of collisional ionization of metastable He2* and the ground state radicals ND4 and N2D7 on target gas decreases in the order NO2 > O2 > N2 > He. Of the four neutral species studied, only in the case of H3* is a change in rotational state of the projectile required for ionization. This restriction may explain the lack of an apparent target gas dependence on the efficiency of ionizing H3*. The technique is extended to a study of the CD5 radical where no evidence for metastability is observed. An upper limit of 10−8 s is set on the lifetime of this species.
Babies, Bodies, and the Production of Personhood in North America and a Native Amazonian Society

Each society must determine how its youngest will come to achieve the status of persons, how they will be recognized and granted a place within a human community. This article examines the social processes involved in turning fetuses and infants into social beings in two societies: the United States and the Wari'1 (Pakaa Nova) Indians of Rondonia, Brazil. We are specifically concerned with how cultural models of the body are invoked in the social production of personhoods. Concepts of personhood are contingent on the social meanings given to bodies-newly forming babies' bodies in particular-and, in turn, on how body imageries are used to create and transform social relationships. The issue of how to define personhood is, of course, at the heart of some of today's most vexing social debates. In the United States, controversies over abortion, the use of fetal tissue, and life support for extremely premature infants reveal the beginning-of-life period to be one of deep moral ambiguity and uncertainty for the social collective. In all societies, the complexities and contradictions in normative ideologies of personhood are heightened during the
Biological evaluation of Paclitaxel-peptide conjugates as a model for MMP2-targeted drug delivery

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a highly effective cytotoxic agent widely used for the treatment of several solid tumors. However, PTX shows dose-limiting cytotoxicity and in most cases induces drug resistance followed by failure in treatment. To enhance the therapeutic index of a given drug, various drug delivery methods have been explored to systemically deliver sufficient amount of the drug to the desired site. In the present study, we designed and synthesized two PTX prodrugs by conjugating PTX at different sites with an octapeptide (AcGPLGIAGQ) that can be cleaved by MMP2 at tumor sites. As a result, PTX is expected to be released at the tumor sites, absorbed by the tumor cells, and thereby inhibit the tumor growth. We evaluated the in vitro activities of the two drugs in a panel of drug-sensitive and -resistant cancer cell lines and their in vivo efficacies in a HT1080 fibrosarcoma mouse xenograft model that overexpresses MMP2. Our in vitro results showed that the PTX-AcGPLGIAGQ conjugates inhibited cancer cell proliferation with higher activity compared to that observed for free PTX, both of which were mediated by an arrest of G(2)/M-phase of the cell cycle. Consistent with the in vitro results, treatment with PTX-octapeptide conjugate resulted in extensive areas of necrosis and a lower percentage of proliferating cells in xenograft tumor sections. Together, our results indicate the potential of the tumor-targeted delivery of PTX to exploit the specific recognition of MMP2, reduce toxicity, and selectively kill tumor cells.
Intermediate levels of soil disturbance maximize alpine plant diversity

The intermediate-disturbance hypothesis1–9 predicts that plant species diversity will be maximized at intermediate levels of vegetation disturbance (D). As yet, the only directly applicable data seem to be from Grime's1 study, which served more as a source of the conjecture than an independent test of it, and in which disturbance was not measured. Here I report an analysis of the relationship between soil frost disturbance and diversity of vascular plant species in Arctic–alpine fellfield vegetation in the White Mountains of interior Alaska. To study plant species diversity, a measure (SD) is calculated, which is affected by both the number of species (species richness, SR) and the evenness of their relative abundances. I show that intermediate levels of disturbance maximize SD by influencing the evenness of relative abundances, but not the overall number of species. Because disturbances caused by soil frost action and animals are frequent in many Arctic and alpine tundras, these results imply that disturbance could be an important factor in species diversity differences within and between tundra vegetation types. If theoretical predictions1–9 are confirmed by dynamic tests now under way, the theory could be applied to problems of tundra vegetation management such as revegetation and disturbance by trampling and vehicles.
Analgesic Activity as Determined by the Nilsen Method

The Nilsen method for determining analgesic activity (pain stimulus and electrical pulsations to the mouse tail) was compared with the hot-plate procedure for several compounds including “pure” analgesics (agonists) (morphine, codeine, and meperidine), a known “pure” antagonist (naloxone), several so-called mixed agonist-antagonists (nalorphine, pentazocine, and cyclazocine), one antagonist that appears to be naloxonelike, and two compounds of relatively unknown pharmacology. The results obtained confirm the validity of the Nilsen test for the agonists and indicate its superior predictive value (to the hot-plate, Smith D′Amour, and perhaps writhing methods) for man with those substances possessing antagonist properties. The Nilsen technique may also be complementary to other procedures now used to predict “pure” antagonism. Refinements in methodology and instrumentation are described.
Domain decomposition via operator splitting for nonsymmetric problems

Abstract We give two domain decomposition algorithms, provably convergent irrespective of the size of the skew symmetric part of the operator being decomposed. The first is fine grained parallel at the level of individual elements. The second is coarse grained parallel.
A class of regression models for multivariate categorical responses

SUMMARY When data composed of several categorical responses together with categorical or continuous predictors are observed, it is often useful to relate the response probabilities to the predictors via a generalised linear model with a composite link function. This paper discusses a class of link functions that lie between the two extremes of the multivariate logistic transform of McCullagh & Nelder (1989) and the log-linear decomposition of contingency table analysis. The models derived from these link functions are shown to inherit various desirable properties of both the multivariate logistic regression models and the log-linear regression models. A computational scheme for implementing these models is derived and they are demonstrated to be computationally more tractable than the multivariate logistic regression models. Their application is illustrated in a numerical example.
Radiation and brain calcium: A review and critique

Serious controversy pervades the scientific study of radio-frequency (RF) radiation and its biological effects. The issues range broadly from international differences in safe exposure standards to questions pertaining to the neurological symptoms purportedly induced by electromagnetic radiation. In a more specialized vein, there is great concern in the discipline about the influence of different sources of radiation on the activity of calcium in the brain. A principal and very realistic reason for this concern stems from the pivotal importance of calcium ions in the normal functioning of the brain in all of its myriad complexity. The purpose of the review is to critically evaluate from an unbiased and "non-involved" viewpoint the major findings on the possible interaction between calcium ions and various radiation sources. Background information is also considered as it relates even indirectly to hypothetical mechanisms that might be used to explain any possible shift in Ca++ ion kinetics. Finally, an inclusive critique is presented which deals with the bench-top methods and strategy used in the conduct of calcium-radiation experiments.
Selective radiofrequency ablation of the slow pathway for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia : evidence for involvement of perinodal myocardium within the reentrant circuit

BACKGROUNDThe circuit of atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia may include perinodal atrial myocardium. Furthermore, in patients with dual AV nodal pathways, the atrial insertion of the slow pathway is likely to be located near the ostium of the coronary sinus, caudal to the expected location of the AV node. The present study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of selective catheter ablation of the slow pathway using radiofrequency energy applied along the tricuspid annulus near the coronary sinus ostium as definitive therapy for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia.METHODS AND RESULTSAmong 34 consecutive patients who were prospectively enrolled in the study, the slow pathway was selectively ablated in 30, and the fast pathway was ablated in four. Antegrade conduction over the fast pathway remained intact in all 30 patients after successful selective slow pathway ablation. There was no statistically significant change in the atrio-His interval (68.5 +/- 21.8 msec before and 69.6 +/- 23....
Using computers in employee assistance programmes

Discusses recent developments in employee assistance programmes, which have led to their being both proactive and reactive. Since the US Department of Labor decided that programmes should begin with education and prevention, the use of computer‐assisted instruction (CAIs) programmes has increased. Discusses the development of these programmes covering both advantages and disadvantages. Concludes that they are not a panacea, but are useful when used with other tools.
Chromogranin A: A New Proposal for Trafficking, Processing and Induction of Granule Biogenesis

Chromogranin A (CgA), a member of the granin family serves several important cell biological roles in (neuro)endocrine cells which are summarized in this review. CgA is a "prohormone" that is synthesized at the rough endoplasmic reticulum and transported into the cisternae of this organelle via its signal peptide. It is then trafficked to the Golgi complex and then to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) where CgA aggregates at low pH in the presence of calcium. The CgA aggregates provide the physical driving force to induce budding of the TGN membrane resulting in dense core granule (DCG) formation. Within the granule, a small amount of the CgA is processed to bioactive peptides, including a predicted C-terminal peptide, serpinin. Upon stimulation, DCGs undergo exocytosis and CgA and its derived peptides are released. Serpinin, acting extracellularly is able to signal the increase in transcription of a serine protease inhibitor, protease nexin-1 (PN-1) that protects DCG proteins against degradation in the Golgi complex, which then enhances DCG biogenesis to replenish those that were released. Thus CgA and its derived peptide, serpinin, plays a significant role in granule formation and regulation of granule biogenesis, respectively, in (neuro) endocrine cells.
Stress intensity factors for cracks in panels with uniformly spaced holes

Abstract Stress intensity factors are presented for cracks at the edges of the central holes in a panel containing a uniformly spaced array of circular holes. The finite element method is employed to obtain numerical values of the J- integral and the near-tip displacements from which the stress intensity factor, K 1 , is inferred. Six representative ratios of hole spacing to hole radius are studied: 1.2, 1.25, 1.4, 1.6, 2.0 and 4.0. For each hole spacing, the stress intensity factor is computed for a number of crack lengths for each of two crack configurations. Uniaxial loading in two orthogonal directions is considered. Computed stress intensity factors are presented in graphical and functional form for all cases. The functional form should prove convenient for fatigue crack growth computations.
An improved medium for adventitious shoot formation and callus induction in Beta vulgaris L. in vitro

Six sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) lines (GWI-248, SPB-11, MonoHy 55, SMS-1, EL45 and FC607) were tested for regeneration. Shoot cultures were initiated in vitro from naked, sterilized embryos obtained from mature seed. Excised petioles from cultured shoots were plated on Gamborg's B5 medium and four modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) media. A medium containing MS inorganic salts supplemented with 0.4 mg/1 N6-benzyladenine, 0.1 mg/1 indole-3-butyric acid, ten vitamins and six amino acids, termed RV, was superior for both adventitious shoot and callus formation. Callus was observed only on RV medium and only on petioles that did not develop adventitious buds directly. Rooting of regenerated shoots and development of complete plants was accomplished by transfer to Gamborg's B5 medium with 5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid as the sole phytohormone. The complete process of regeneration through adventitious shoot production took from 4 to 6 weeks from explants to rooted plants. The callus that formed on nonorganogenic petioles was regenerative when transferred to fresh RV medium. Regeneration from callus occurred mainly by shoot organogenesis but also by somatic embryogenesis at a low frequency.
A decision support model based on a reference point method for end-of-life electronic product management

Although a decision support system is an efficient tool that has been widely used in management areas, it still encounters some problems when it is implemented in an environmentally conscious decision-making problem. Those problems include lack of sufficient and reliable data on environmental impact of end-of-life product treatment, material composition analysis, proper expression of the users’ aspiration levels, system architecture, and the proper optimization method. This paper proposes a systematic decision-making tool for end-of-life (EOL) electronic product recycling scenario analysis and selection. This model can help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) specify the most satisfactory recyclers based on the buyers’ prices and environmental impacts; it can also assist recyclers decide the recycling scenarios for a batch of end-of-life electronic products based on the EOL value, environmental impacts, and processing time. The decision-making process includes the following steps: selection and definition of attributes, quantifying impacts, scaling of attributes, aggregation, and an interactive optimization process. A reference point method is used in the optimization process.
Funcionamiento cognitivo y calidad de vida en la esquizofrenia

Multiples investigaciones han confirmado la existencia de un importante deficit en el funcionamiento cognitivo de las personas enfermas de esquizofrenia. Esta alteracion provocaria un deterioro en el funcionamiento psicosocial de los pacientes repercutiendo negativamente en su calidad de vida. Objetivos: 1) Determinar la relacion entre el funcionamiento cognitivo y el desempeno social y la calidad de vida de personas enfermas de esquizofrenia; 2) Estudiar la relacion entre el desempeno cognitivo y las caracteristicas demograficas de los sujetos; 3) Estudiar la relacion entre el desempeno cognitivo y variables asociadas al curso de la esquizofrenia y 4) Investigar la relacion entre el funcionamiento cognitivo y los sintomas negativos de la esquizofrenia. Metodologia: 50 personas enfermas de esquizofrenia atendidas en forma ambulatoria en el Policlinico del Hospital del Salvador de Valparaiso, fueron evaluadas usando una bateria de pruebas neuropsicologicas, la escala de sintomas negativos, SANS y la escala de calidad de vida, QLS. Los resultados fueron analizados estableciendo los coeficientes de correlacion entre los puntajes en la evaluacion neuropsicologica y las variables de estudio mencionadas. Resultados: Los rendimientos de las Funciones Ejecutiva, Concentracion y Memoria Visual se asociaron en forma inversa con los sintomas negativos y en forma directa con el puntaje de la escala de calidad de vida QLS
Complete atrioventricular block treated with isoproterenol hydrochloride.

T HE MANAGEMENT of the patient with AdamsStokes attacks due to complete heart block is indeed a challenging problem. The many medications recommended certainlyindicate the lack of effectiveness of any one preparation in the treatment of this often incapacitating illness. Therapy is usually directed either toward blocking the vagal cardioinhibitory action or by stimulating cardiac acceleration with sympathomimetic drugs in a manner similar to sympathetic discharge. The vagus has been shown to have only a minimal effect on the activity of the ventricles. Therefore, clinical attempts at amelioration of Adams-Stokes attacks by vagal inhibition are often not successful. Sympathomimetic drugs accelerate the idioi-entricular rhythm, but have as their drawback the fact that they ma)produce premature beats or other more serious ventricular arrhythmias as well as an increase in blood pressure. A sympathomimetic amine capable of increasing the heart rate without the foregoing untoward effects would certainly he a welcome addition to the medical treatment of this disorder. The ideal therapy would be a single effective oral preparation. Nathanson and MillcrlP3 introduced the use of isoprotercnol HCl in the treatment of complete heart block. We have repeated their acute studies and, in addition. have utilized the sublingual route for prolonged maintenance therapy in a group of cases with the Adams-Stokes syndromr due to complete heart block. MATERIAL Twelve men and one woman with complete heart block were studied. The age range was from 55 to 76 years. Seven patients had AdamsStokes episodes and five required hospitalization. The period during which syncopal episodes occurred before isoproterenol HCl therap) was started varied from one day to twenty years. Three patients continued to have asystolic convulsions while under therapy with atropinc, tincture of belladonna, aqueous and oily solutions of epinephrine and ephedrine, alone or in combination.
Loss of the bloom syndrome helicase increases DNA ligase 4-independent genome rearrangements and tumorigenesis in aging Drosophila

Background The BLM DNA helicase plays a vital role in maintaining genome stability. Mutations in BLM cause Bloom syndrome, a rare disorder associated with cancer predisposition and premature aging. Humans and mice with blm mutations have increased frequencies of spontaneous mutagenesis, but the molecular basis of this increase is not well understood. In addition, the effect of aging on spontaneous mutagenesis in blm mutants has not been characterized. To address this, we used a lacZ reporter system in wild-type and several mutant strains of Drosophila melanogaster to analyze mechanisms of mutagenesis throughout their lifespan.
American Scripture and Christian Scripture: The Use of Analogy to Introduce the Critical Study of the Bible

This paper explores the use of analogy to introduce students to the critical study of scripture. It describes how Pauline Maier's book American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence can offer students an analogous framework for critical study of the Bible. Maier examines four features, necessary to make good sense of this piece of ‘American scripture’: its historical background, its genre, its process of composition, including the editing of sources, and the subsequent reception of the text. Professors can apply her method for studying the Declaration to introduce students to what a critical study of scripture entails: historical backgrounds, genres, composition, and subsequent reception by later readers.
Orientation of lipid tubules by a magnetic field

Lipid tubules, which are straight hollow cylinders consisting of lipid bilayers, are shown to orient in strong magnetic fields. Birefringence measurements were made of dilute samples of tubules of 1,2-bis(10,12-tricosadiynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DC23PC) in magnetic fields of up to 4 T. The tubules were found to orient with their long axes parallel to the field direction, with saturated orientation [P2 (cos theta] approximately greater than 0.95) found at approximately 2 T. From known distributions of lengths and the number of bilayers in the walls, a value delta chi = (-7 +/- 1) X 10(-9) erg cm-3 G-2 was calculated for the tubules, which compares well with some previously reported values for phosphatidylcholines. Magnetic alignment will permit more sophisticated structural studies of monomeric and polymeric tubules, and provide a method of orienting macromolecules in the tubule walls or interior.
A Performance Study to Guide RDMA Programming Decisions

This paper describes a performance study of Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) programming techniques. Its goal is to use these results as a guide for making ``best practice'' RDMA programming decisions. Infiniband RDMA is widely used in scientific high performance computing (HPC) clusters as a low-latency, high-bandwidth, reliable interconnect accessed via MPI. Recently it is gaining adherents outside scientific HPC as high-speed clusters appear in other application areas for which MPI is not suitable. RDMA enables user applications to move data directly between virtual memory on different nodes without operating system intervention, so there is a need to know how to incorporate RDMA access into high-level programs. But RDMA offers more options to a programmer than traditional sockets programming, and it is not always obvious what the performance tradeoffs of these options might be. This study is intended to provide some answers.
A frequency response study of packed bed heat transfer at elevated temperatures

Abstract Interphase heat transfer coefficients and effective axial conductivities were obtained for packed beds of uniform alumina spheres with gaseous throughflow in the temperature range 375–1300 K. The method used was parameter estimation from frequency response measurements at two axial locations in a bed when a small sinusoidal temperature disturbance was imparted to the inlet gas temperature. A new model was proposed and frequency response expressions derived in order to take into account the large effective axial conductivity resulting from radiative transfer, unsteady temperature distribution in the solid, and gas-solid interphase heat transfer. A key feature of the model is the use of the local average particle surface temperature as the dependent variable. Results showed that the interphase Nusselt number was independent of temperature but exhibited characteristically low values at low particle Reynolds numbers with a dependence given by Nu = 0.054 Re 1.48 . Effective axial conductivities showed strong temperature dependence typical of radiative transfer. Calculations showed that the observed Reynolds number dependence of the Nusselt number could be partially explained by a microscopic distribution of porosity. These also showed why results with carbon dioxide—a radiatively participating gas—were little different from radiatively non-participating gases.
Interactions of sulfur-containing acridine ligands with DNA by ESI-MS

The alkylating proficiency of sulfur-containing mustards may be increased by using an acridine moiety to guide the sulfur mustard to its cellular target. In this study, the interactions of a new series of sulfur-containing acridine ligands, some that also function as alkylating mustards, with DNA were evaluated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Relative binding affinities were estimated from the ESI-MS data based on the fraction of bound DNA for DNA/acridine mixtures. The extent of binding observed for the series of sulfur-containing acridines was similar, presumably because the intercalating acridine moiety was identical. Upon infrared multi-photon dissociation (IRMPD) of the resulting oligonucleotide/sulfur-containing acridine complexes, ejection of the ligand was the dominant pathway for most of the complexes. However, for AS4, an acridine sulfide mustard, and AN1, an acridine nitrogen mustard, strand separation with the ligand remaining on one of the single strands was observed. At higher irradiation times, a variety of sequence ions were observed, some retaining the AS4/AN1 ligand, which was indicative of covalent binding.
Clinical Care Update: The Chronically Mentally Ill. Case Management—More Than a Response to a Dysfunctional System

The service systems which assist the long-term mentally ill to function in the community have been routinely described as fragmented and uncoordinated. The development and implementation of case management has been seen as one response to this dysfunctional system. This article examines case management from the perspective that case management is a needed function no matter how coordinated and integrated the system.
The clastogenic effects of chronic exposure to particulate and soluble Cr(VI) in human lung cells

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a well-designated human lung carcinogen, with solubility playing an important role in its carcinogenic potential. Although it is known that particulate or water-insoluble Cr(VI) compounds are more potent than the soluble species of this metal, the mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that the difference in potency between particulate and soluble Cr(VI) is due to more chronic exposures with particulate chromate because it can deposit and persist in the lungs while soluble chromate is rapidly cleared. Chronic exposure to both insoluble lead chromate and soluble sodium chromate induced a concentration and time-dependent increase in intracellular Cr ion concentrations in cultured human lung fibroblasts. Intracellular Pb levels after chronic exposure to lead chromate increased in a concentration-dependent manner but did not increase with longer exposure times up to 72 h. We also investigated the effects of chronic exposure to Cr(VI) on clastogenicity and found that chronic exposure to lead chromate induces persistent or increasing chromosome damage. Specifically, exposure to 0.5 microg/cm(2) lead chromate for 24, 48 and 72 h induced 23, 23 and 27% damaged metaphases, respectively. Contrary to lead chromate, the amount of chromosome damage after chronic exposure to sodium chromate decreased with time. For example, cells exposed to 1 microM sodium chromate for 24, 48 and 72 h induced 23, 13 and 17% damaged metaphases, respectively. Our data suggest a possible mechanism for the observed potency difference between soluble and insoluble Cr(VI) compounds is that chronic exposure to particulate Cr(VI) induces persistent chromosome damage and chromosome instability while chromosome damage is repaired with chronic exposure to soluble Cr(VI).
Estimating Moisture Conditions From AVHRR Data

In cloud free areas the NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer acquires data which relate to agricultural conditions. The visible and near infrared channels respond to the spectral signature of vegetation, providing information on the extent and vigor of crop cover, the thermal infrared (temperature) data are indicative of surface moisture condi-tions, as the cooling effect of evapotranspiration is readily apparent in the AVHRR data. Previous studies of Carlson and Boland,' Price,2 and Rosema et al.,3 have developed the formalism for reducing satellite thermal infrared data to quantitative estimates of surface moisture conditions. The results are generally reasonable, but have not been tested by comparison with surface observations. This problem of verification is chiefly one of spatial scale, e.g., the 1100 m scale of AVHRR data falls at the geometric mean of the scale of weather observations (100's of kilometers) and that of typical experimental ground truth (10's of meters). Yet precipitation and soil moisture at the scale of AVHRR are dominant variables affecting agricultural productivity. Data sets collected through the Statistical Reporting Service of the USDA represent an initial effort to permit tests the utility of AVHRR data for soil moisture and crop yield assessment. The physical and statistical formulations are discussed for dealing with these complex data sets, and the framework of a hypothetical operational system is addressed. The observing system of choice combines daily AVHRR passes with the infrequent but high spatial resolution data from Landsat or SPOT sensors.
Thermal Comfort in a Naturally-Ventilated Educational Building

A comprehensive study of thermal comfort in a naturally ventilated education building (88,000 ft2) in a Chicago suburb will be conducted with 120 student subjects in 2007. This paper discusses some recent trends in worldwide thermal comfort studies and presents a proposal of research for this building through a series of questionnaire tables. Two research methods used inthermal comfort studies are field studies and laboratory experiments in climate-chambers. The various elements that constitute a “comfortable” thermal environment include physical factors (ambient air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air movement and humidity), personal factors(activity and clothing), classifications (gender, age, education, etc.) and psychological expectations (knowledge, experience, psychological effect of visual warmth by, say, a fireplace). Comparisons are made using data gathered from Nairobi, Kenya.Keywords: Comfort, temperature, humidity and ventilation
HOOKLESS1, an Ethylene Response Gene, Is Required for Differential Cell Elongation in the Arabidopsis Hypocotyl

Abstract Bending in plant tissues results from differential cell elongation. We have characterized Arabidopsis "hookless" mutants that are defective in differential growth in the hypocotyl. HOOKLESS1 was cloned and its predicted protein shows similarity to a diverse group of N-acetyltransferases. HOOKLESS1 mRNA is increased by treatment with ethylene and decreased in the ethylene-insensitive mutant ein2 . High level expression of HOOKLESS1 mRNA results in constitutive hook curvature. The morphology of the hookless hypocotyl is phenocopied by inhibitors of auxin transport or by high levels of endogenous or exogenous auxin. Spatial patterns of expression of two immediate early auxin-responsive genes are altered in hookless1 mutants, suggesting that the ethylene response gene HOOKLESS1 controls differential cell growth by regulating auxin activity.
Microstructure and rheology of thermoreversible nanoparticle gels.

Naive mode coupling theory is applied to particles interacting with short-range Yukawa attractions. Model results for the location of the gel line and the modulus of the resulting gels are reduced to algebraic equations capturing the effects of the range and strength of attraction. This model is then applied to thermo reversible gels composed of octadecyl silica particles suspended in decalin. The application of the model to the experimental system requires linking the experimental variable controlling strength of attraction, temperature, to the model strength of attraction. With this link, the model predicts temperature and volume fraction dependencies of gelation and modulus with five parameters: particle size, particle volume fraction, overlap volume of surface hairs, and theta temperature. In comparing model predictions with experimental results, we first observe that in these thermal gels there is no evidence of clustering as has been reported in depletion gels. One consequence of this observation i...
East-West Communication in Europe The Television Nexus

The volume and contents of a television program exchange between the Eurovision and Intervision TV networks and linking Eastern and Western Europe are examined in an attempt to throw light on the contemporary discussions of cultural dependency. The study found an imbalance in the flow of TV programs between East and West. The apparent dependency of the socialist countries, however, cannot be explained in strict political terms, but must be considered in the global context of relative wealth and population size.
Temporal and spectral characterization of the photosynthetic reaction center from Heliobacterium modesticaldum

A time-resolved spectroscopic study of the isolated photosynthetic reaction center (RC) from Heliobacterium modesticaldum reveals that thermal equilibration of light excitation among the antenna pigments followed by trapping of excitation and the formation of the charge-separated state P800 +A0 – occurs within ~25 ps. This time scale is similar to that reported for plant and cyanobacterial photosystem I (PS I) complexes. Subsequent electron transfer from the primary electron acceptor A0 occurs with a lifetime of ~600 ps, suggesting that the RC of H. modesticaldum is functionally similar to that of Heliobacillus mobilis and Heliobacterium chlorum. The (A0 – − A0) and (P800 + − P800) absorption difference spectra imply that an 81-OH-Chl a F molecule serves as the primary electron acceptor and occupies the position analogous to ec3 (A0) in PS I, while a monomeric BChl g pigment occupies the position analogous to ec2 (accessory Chl). The presence of an intense photobleaching band at 790 nm in the (A0 – − A0) spectrum suggests that the excitonic coupling between the monomeric accessory BChl g and the 81-OH-Chl a F in the heliobacterial RC is significantly stronger than the excitonic coupling between the equivalent pigments in PS I.
Stereopsis and long-term stability of alignment in esotropia.

Abstract Purpose Recent studies of infantile and accommodative esotropia (ET) have focused on stereoacuity as a final outcome measurement for judging the success or failure of treatment. The purpose of the present study was to extend this approach by evaluating whether the presence of stereopsis developing immediately after surgical alignment or optical correction plays a role in maintenance of long-term alignment. Methods Random-dot stereoacuity was assessed within 3 months of initial surgical alignment in 70 children with infantile ET and within 3 months of initial optical correction in 66 children with accommodative ET. At ≥ 5 years of age, adverse outcomes were assessed including loss of alignment, amblyopia, and nil stereopsis. Risk-factor analysis was used to evaluate whether early nil stereopsis increased the risk for subsequent adverse outcomes. Results In the infantile ET cohort, early nil stereopsis was associated with a 3.6 times (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.4 to 4.1) greater risk of surgery for recurrent ET or consecutive exotropia and a 4.2 times (95% CI 3.3 to 4.4) greater risk for nil stereopsis at ≥ 5 years of age. In the accommodative ET cohort, early nil stereopsis was associated with a 17.4 times (95% CI 3.3 to 32.2) greater risk of surgery for ET and a 32.2 times (95% CI 15.8 to 35.6) greater risk for nil stereopsis at ≥ 5 years of age. Conclusion Treatment protocols designed to optimize stereoacuity outcomes promote long-term stability of alignment.
Child fosterage among Zambian families

African continent is characterized by a high prevalence of child fostering than that in the rest of the world. Very few studies have focused on the issue of social services for child fostering families in Zambia. The purpose of this article is to examine the characteristics of Zambian families that foster children and to identify the social services needs of the fostering families based on the empirical findings of this study. The data were collected from 156 households, and nearly one-third of our sample, 52 out of the 156, were fostering households. Results of this study suggest that child fostering in Zambia is not contributing to increases in the educational levels of fostered children. Child fostering appears to be an aspect of family-building strategies. There is a positive relationship between woman’s education and the likelihood of child fostering in Zambia.