cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aortic valve stenosis

2022 www.thelancet.com Vol 373 June 13, 2009 In SEAS, 1873 asymptomatic patients with peak aortic jet velocity of 2·5–4·0 m/s were treated for a median follow-up of 52·2 months with placebo or a combination of simvastatin 40 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg. Although LDL cholesterol concentrations were lower by about 50% in the treated group, no eff ect on need for aortic valve replacement or on progression of aortic stenosis was achieved. The SEAS study confi rms results from the fi rst smaller randomised clinical trial in this fi eld: the SALTIRE study. The neutral results from both studies provide strong evidence against a favourable eff ect of lipid lowering on aortic stenosis progression and events, despite the fact that lipid lowering in SEAS showed signifi cant benefi cial eff ects on ischaemic events. We conclude that, although retrospec tive studies show a benefi cial eff ect of cholesterol-lowering treatment on the course of aortic stenosis, this fi nding is not confi rmed in the randomised trials published to date.
In Situ Molecular Spectroscopic Evidence for CO2 Intercalation into Montmorillonite in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The interaction of anhydrous supercritical CO2 (scCO2) with both kaolinite and ∼1W (i.e., close to but less than one layer of hydration) calcium-saturated montmorillonite was investigated under conditions relevant to geologic carbon sequestration (50 °C and 90 bar). The CO2 molecular environment was probed in situ using a combination of three novel high-pressure techniques: X-ray diffraction, magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy. We report the first direct evidence that the expansion of montmorillonite under scCO2 conditions is due to CO2 migration into the interlayer. Intercalated CO2 molecules are rotationally constrained and do not appear to react with waters to form bicarbonate or carbonic acid. In contrast, CO2 does not intercalate into kaolinite. The findings show that predicting the seal integrity of caprock will have complex dependence on clay mineralogy and hydration state.
The Detoxication Function of Insect Hemocytes

The initial observation that insects are more susceptible to chemical intoxication when the blood specific gravity is high led the author to the observation that this condition usually presages a molt and at this time the blood count is low. Experiments in which the blood count was reduced chemically or physically brought about an increase in the susceptibility of the grey house cricket to parathion. Further investigation indicates that this susceptibility may be related to the amount and activity of nonspecific esterases which appear to be carried by the hemocytes.
Test Procedures for Measuring Exhaust Emissions From Natural Gas Transmission Engines

The measurement of exhaust components from large natural gas transmission engines involves collection of the exhaust sample, transfer of the sample to the analytical instrumentation, measurement of individual component concentrations, and calculations of emission results in terms of mass, fuel specific, and brake specific rates. The major exhaust components measured include nitrogen oxides (NO x ), total hydrocarbons (THC), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxygen (O 2 ). Various analytical techniques are used to measure the exhaust emission concentrations. These techniques include chemiluminescence for NO x , flame ionization for THC, nondispersive infrared (NDIR) for CO 2 and CO, and polarography for O 2
Rare earth acetylacetonate complexes with 2,7-dimethyl-1,8-naphthyridine

Rare earth acetoacetonate complexes of the type Ln(acac)32,7-dimethyl-1,8-naphthyridine where Ln = Pr  Yb have been synthesized. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductances and IR spectra (4000-200 cm−1). The molar conductances and IR spectra show all ligands are coordinated to the metals. Evidence suggesting a dodecahedral geometry for these 8-coordinate complexes which contain four- and five-membered chelate rings is presented.
The β,ϵ-carotenoid, lutein, is specifically required for the formation of the oligomeric forms of the light harvesting complex in the green alga, scenedesmus obliquus

Abstract The secondary developmental mutants, 2A′-34, 2A′-67, 1 and 2A′-67,3b of Scenedesmus obliquus exhibit specific deletions in the biosynthetic pathway of the β,ϵ and β,β-carotenoids. The inability to convert zeaxanthin to the β,β-epoxycarotenoids (antheraxanthin, violaxanthin and neoxanthin) in the 2A′-67 strains does not influence the photosynthetic competence or alter the types of pigment-protein complexes formed upon illumination of dark grown cultures. However, the absence of the β,ϵ carotenoids, lutein and loroxanthin, in 2A′-34 and 2A′-67, 3b limits the synthesis of chlorophyll b and the light-harvesting complex (LHC-II). This inhibition is clearly correlated with the inability of these mutants to develop the oligomeric forms of the LHC-II. The carotenoid composition of the monomeric form of the light harvesting chlorophyll protein, LHCP3, when purified from each of the mutant types, showed wide variations. No absolute requirement for the β,β-epoxycarotenoids in the formation of the LHCP3 was noted, whereas its further oligomerization to the dimer and trimer forms, LHCP2 and LHCP1, specifically require the β,ϵ-carotenoids. It is noteworthy that the majority of algae that synthesize a chlorophyll b containing LHC also develop a β,ϵ-carotenoid as the principle carotenoid of that pigment-protein complex.
Atmospheric‐electric observations at the College‐Fairbanks Polar‐Year Station

There is a very great lack of extended series of observations of the electrical elements of the lower atmosphere in the northern latitudes and particularly is this true of those regions to the north of our own Continent. Several expeditions into the Arctic have made measurements of the atmospheric potential-gradient, but very few measurements of such elements as air-conductivity or ionic content have even been attempted. The interval of the International Polar Year of 1932–33 was recognized as a very desirable time to obtain additional observations in the field of atmospheric electricity, from both administrative and scientific viewpoints Simultaneous observations of meteorological and other related phenomena would be obtained and would be available later for study toward the end of determining those factors influencing the electrical state of the atmosphere and of course in finally fitting all the factors together in a complete picture. So it was that a comprehensive observaticna1 program in atmospheric electricity was planned for the College-Fairbanks Polar-Year Station to be carried out at College, Alaska.
Phytosterols Promote Liver Injury and Kupffer Cell Activation in Parenteral Nutrition–Associated Liver Disease

Parenteral nutrition–associated liver disease (PNALD) is a serious complication of PN in infants who do not tolerate enteral feedings, especially those with acquired or congenital intestinal diseases. Yet, the mechanisms underlying PNALD are poorly understood. It has been suggested that a component of soy oil (SO) lipid emulsions in PN solutions, such as plant sterols (phytosterols), may be responsible for PNALD, and that use of fish oil (FO)–based lipid emulsions may be protective. We used a mouse model of PNALD combining PN infusion with intestinal injury to demonstrate that SO-based PN solution causes liver damage and hepatic macrophage activation and that PN solutions that are FO-based or devoid of all lipids prevent these processes. We have furthermore demonstrated that a factor in the SO lipid emulsions, stigmasterol, promotes cholestasis, liver injury, and liver macrophage activation in this model and that this effect may be mediated through suppression of canalicular bile transporter expression (Abcb11/BSEP, Abcc2/MRP2) via antagonism of the nuclear receptors Fxr and Lxr, and failure of up-regulation of the hepatic sterol exporters (Abcg5/g8/ABCG5/8). This study provides experimental evidence that plant sterols in lipid emulsions are a major factor responsible for PNALD and that the absence or reduction of plant sterols is one of the mechanisms for hepatic protection in infants receiving FO-based PN or lipid minimization PN treatment. Modification of lipid constituents in PN solutions is thus a promising strategy to reduce incidence and severity of PNALD.
ENGINEERS FOR THE ENGINE ROOM: THE ROLE OF THE COLLEGES' RESOURCES SERVICES

A fashionable cant in education is that teachers are not so much concerned with teaching as with learning. This belief emerged mainly as a result of the work of new thinkers in the 1960's who directed attention to the importance of the learner in the learning process and who heightened an awareness of knowledge as a variable rather than as a given. The resulting re‐appraisal of teaching methods focussed on learning as “acts of cognition, not transferrals of information”, with the teacher as a facilitator.
Dependence of contrast to noise ratio between ablation scar and other tissues on patient heart rate and flip angle for late gadolinium enhancement imaging of the left atrium

Background Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary vein ostia has become a clinically acceptable therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). High-resolution 3D Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) imaging can detect pre-ablation re-modeling of the LA wall and also visualize post-ablation scar in AF patients treated using RF ablation. The 3D Inversion Recovery prepared Gradient Recalled Echo (IR-GRE) LGE sequence typically used, is dependent on parameters like the flip angle and inversion time. However the effect of patient heart rate (HR) on the CNR between scar and fat, myocardium and blood has not been studied before. Here, we simulate the IR-GRE sequence acquisition at different HRs with the aim of improving the performance of this approach to assess post ablation scars. Methods In 3D LGE of the LA, the inversion pulse is applied every heartbeat (RR interval) after which data are acquired. Realistic T1 values at 3T for post-ablation scar, myocardium, fat and blood were estimated from analyzing TI-scout images of 50 patient studies to be 120, 420, 254 and 312 ms respectively. Simulations were performed with these values of T1 and different HRs, TR=3.1 ms, TE=1.4 ms, and multiple flip angles, using MATLAB (Mathworks Inc. Natick, MA). Retrospective analysis of 58 patients’ data acquired on a 3T Verio scanner (Siemens Healthcare, Germany) was performed. High resolution LGE images were acquired
Dural tenting sutures in pediatric neurosurgery

Dural tenting sutures were used on a selective basis in 329 consecutive cranial operations in children; 16 (4.8%) required dural tenting sutures for the control of epidural bleeding and 313 (95.2%) required no dural sutures. Dural tenting sutures were never placed for prophylaxis or to satisfy a routine. Reoperation for postoperative epidural hematoma was required in 1 child (0.3%) and that child was subsequently discovered to have hemophilia. The author concludes that there is no compelling evidence for the prophylactic use of dural tenting sutures in children.
The ligamentum flavum at L4-5: relationship with anthropomorphic factors and clinical findings in older persons with and without spinal disorders.

Objective To examine the relationship between ligamentum flavum thickness and clinical spinal stenosis. Design A validation study. Setting Clinical research laboratory. Patients A total of 119 subjects from the Michigan Spinal Stenosis Study (MSSS). Methods Two new measurement techniques were compared by use of magnetic resonance images of 4 asymptomatic subjects by 2 examiners. The technique with the best interrater reliability was then used to measure the ligamentum flavum at L4-L5 in 119 subjects in the MSSS who, on the basis of clinical examination without imaging, were thought to have lumbar stenosis, mechanical back pain, or no pain. These findings were related to other radiologic findings, demographics, clinical severity, and electrodiagnostic findings. Main Outcome Measurements Perpendicular on the inside of the spinal canal from the deepest point of concavity of the lamina to the edge of the ligament. Results The ligamentum flavum width measurement had high interrater (r = 0.774) and intrarater (r = 0.768) reliability. In 28 asymptomatic volunteers, ligamentum flavum width averaged 5.72 ± 0.95 mm, with the left side significantly thinner than the right (t = 2.117, P = .044), and thicker ligaments with age (r = 0.653, P P = .032). Persons with clinical stenosis (n = 48) and mechanical pain (n = 43) had ligament thickness similar to that of asymptomatic volunteers. Among patients with clinical stenosis, ligamentum flavum thickness did not relate to symptom severity (pedometer and laboratory ambulation tests, Pain Disability Index, and visual analog scale for pain). Most neurophysiological findings had no relationship with ligamentum flavum width, except the presence of limb fibrillation potentials related to a thinner ligament (t = 2.915, P = .004). Conclusions The measurement technique is standardized for the ligamentum flavum for future use. Although the ligamentum flavum appears to get thicker with age, other factors, including clinical diagnosis, pain, and function, do not appear to relate to the ligamentum flavum width.
Peak Period Use of I-15 Corridor in San Diego, California: Long-Term Impact of FasTrak Program

The results of the 1998 to 2008 peak period monitoring of a 8-mi FasTrak section of Interstate 15 (I-15) in San Diego, California, are reported in this paper. The paper examines changes in peak period utilization and volume distribution throughout the peak with the emphasis on the level of service (LOS) offered on both high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes and the main lanes of I-15. The study revealed that the peak period volumes on the HOT lanes (both FasTrak and carpool) strongly depend on the LOS deficit on the main lanes. Carpool participation was not hurt by the growing FasTrak volumes. The law-mandated LOS C was effectively protected by the dynamic pricing mechanism on the HOT lanes. The Congestion Pricing Project in San Diego proved able to redistribute a portion of the peak period volumes on the HOT lanes from the middle of the peak to its shoulders and now plays an important role in improving operation of the entire I-15 corridor.
Semantic Priming and Interpretation Bias in Social Anxiety Disorder

Cognitive models of social anxiety posit that recurrent interpretation of ambiguous information as threatening is involved in maintaining symptoms of social anxiety. Researchers have used several methodologies to assess interpretation bias in social anxiety, including homographs (i.e., words with two meanings, e.g., chicken-poultry and chicken-scared). In the current study, we examined the effects of priming in 21 individuals with social anxiety disorder and 21 non-anxious control participants. All participants completed a homograph priming paradigm. In this task, participants see a fixation cross followed by a homograph prime. This homograph is then followed by related or unrelated neutral, physical, or social threat target words examining the priming effect of the homograph on the target. As hypothesized, for non-threat targets, we obtained the typical priming effect in all participants. Moreover, we found that individuals with social anxiety disorder were slower to respond to related social threat targets compared to unrelated social threat targets when these targets were preceded by socially relevant homographs. These data suggest that individuals with social anxiety disorder inhibit social threat meaning of ambiguous primes perhaps due to a vigilance-avoidance pattern of threat relevant information.
Plasma cell dyscrasia with marrow fibrosis. Clinicopathologic syndrome

Five new cases of plasma cell dyscrasia with coexistent myelofibrosis are described and six previously reported cases are reviewed. Four of the new patients and two from the literature had features of a previously unrecognized syndrome. This syndrome was characterized by significant paraprotein levels, marked marrow fibrosis, and plasmacytosis, without features of extramedullary hematopoiesis (agnogenic myeloid metaplasia) and leukoerythroblastosis. These patients were generally severely anemic and commonly leukopenic and thrombocytopenic. In contrast, one of the new patients and four in the literature showed classic features of the myeloproliferative disease, myelofibrosis with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, along with features of typical multiple myeloma.
Evidence for Giant E 2 Transitions in High-Energy α-Particle Capture

High-energy g rays have been observed from the /sup 12/C(a,g) reaction decaying from states between 32 and 39 MeV in /sup 16/O. A narrow unexpectedly strong line, corresponding to decay to a state at 14.8 +- 0.1 MeV in /sup 16/O, was observed with an angular distribution suggesting a strong E2 component. Structure in the excitation function of this transition favors a resonant rather than direct capture mechanism. Comparisons with SU(3)- and shell-model calculations suggest a giant quadrupole excitation built on the 6/sub 1//sup +/ state in /sup 16/O.
Defensive reactions to masculinity threat : More negative affect toward effeminate (but not masculine) gay men

We examined whether, due to men’s desire to reject stereotypically feminine traits in themselves, a masculinity threat would elicit negative affect toward effeminate, but not masculine gay men. Fifty-three male undergraduates from the United States received bogus feedback that they had either a “masculine” or “feminine” personality before rating affect toward two “types” of gay men: effeminate and masculine. Results were consistent with the notion that defensive reactions target groups stereotyped as having the specific traits perceivers wish to deny in themselves: masculinity threat selectively increased negative affect toward effeminate, but not masculine, gay men. Thus, gay men who exhibit feminine traits may be at particular risk from men whose masculinity is threatened.
Do Noncontingent Incentives Increase Survey Response Rates among Mental Health Providers? A Randomized Trial Comparison

Surveys can be a useful tool for mental health services research. Unfortunately, clinicians typically show low response rates to surveys. To determine whether noncontingent incentives would increase responses among clinicians, we compared no incentive versus four incentives (mood magnet, $1, $2, $5) on response to a 7-page self-report survey of mental health assessment and treatment practices in a sample of 500 clinicians from the 5 largest professional guilds. Noncontingent monetary incentives significantly increased response rate compared to no incentive across all disciplines. Noncontingent monetary incentives are discussed as a cost-effective method for increasing survey response rate among mental health clinicians.
Wide-area adaptive active noise cancellation

This paper describes an adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) system that is based on an output-whitening approach and is an extension of the work of Graupe and Efron on single point adaptive ANC. The controller works by continually estimating the time-series parameters of the noise to be cancelled and by forcing the cancellation network to follow the identified parameters, so that the output is whitened. To address the problem of wide-area cancellation, a system that consists of a weighted array of single point output-whitening cancellation systems is proposed. Each controller is chosen to cancel the local temporal effects of the noise, and the array weights are chosen to match the wavefront shape. A comparison of cancellations based on single-point and wide-area systems demonstrates the superiority of the wide-area system. >
New biomedical approaches for sexually transmitted infection prevention: vaccines and microbicides.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS are major global public health problems. In the United States it is estimated that more than 12 million people are infected with STIs each year and worldwide the number of HIV-infected people exceeds 42 million. Each year approximately 3 million adolescents acquire an STI and one in four sexually experienced adolescents will acquire an STD by the time they are 18 years of age. Articles elsewhere in this issue discuss epidemiology and the manifestations and sequelae of each pathogen. Current strategies of abstinence monogamy condom use and partner notification and treatment are having an effect but may not be sufficient to stem the tide of the STI epidemic. The development of additional biomedical prevention strategies such as vaccines and topical microbicides holds promise for the future. Vaccination will be effective only if there is widespread uptake however and microbicides only if they are used consistently and correctly. Thus even new biomedical strategies will require behavioral interventions. This article reviews the status of vaccine and topical microbicide development and the issues that will be associated with adolescent acceptance of these new methods. (authors)
Platelet utilization and the transfusion trigger: a prospective analysis.

Background Prophylactic platelet (PLT) transfusion practices have become more conservative as studies support a threshold for transfusions at 10 x 10(9) per L. This change in practice may reduce our use of PLT transfusions. Study design and methods Data were prospectively collected to assess the impact at one academic hospital when the transition from a 20 x 10(9) to a 10 x 10(9) per L threshold prophylactic transfusion was made. Results A total of 503 patients received 7401 PLT transfusions. Seventy-four percent of the transfusions were prophylactic. During the first phase of the study, only 53 percent of transfusions were given at a pretransfusion PLT count of less than 20 x 10(9) per L and 20 percent less than 10 x 10(9) per L. In the second phase of the study when the transfusion trigger was 10 x 10(9) per L, 28 percent of transfusions were given at this level. Conclusion Many prophylactic PLT transfusions were given at PLT counts higher than the recommended trigger. Although the new transfusion guidelines altered transfusion practice, only a minor change in overall PLT usage was observed. Other changes in transfusion practices, such as dose per transfusion or sampling interval, will be required before significant reduction in the costs and hazards of prophylactic PLT transfusions can be realized.
Repackaging the Egyptian Monarchy: Faruq in the Public Spotlight, 1936–1939

This paper is part of a History Compass conference cluster tracing the formation of national culture in Egypt. Guest edited by Walter Armbrust, this cluster of articles was originally part of a conference in Oxford on January 12–13, 2007, organized by Walter Armbrust, Ronald Nettler, and Lucie Ryzova, and funded by the Middle East Centre (St. Antony's), The Faculty of Oriental Studies, The Khalid bin ‘Abdullah Al-Sa’ud Professorship (Professor Clive Holes), and The Centre for Political Ideologies. The cluster is made up of the following articles: Guest Editor: Walter Armbrust ‘The Formation of National Culture in Egypt in the Interwar Period: Cultural Trajectories’, Walter Armbrust, History Compass 6 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2008.00571.x‘Repackaging the Egyptian Monarchy: Faruq in the Public Spotlight, 1936–1939’, Matthew Ellis, History Compass 6 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2008.00572.x‘How Zaynab Became the First Arabic Novel’, Elliott Colla, History Compass 6 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2008.00573.x‘Women in the Singing Business, Women in Songs’, Frederic Lagrange, History Compass 6 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2008.00574.x‘Long Live Patriarchy: Love in the Time of ‘Abd al-Wahhab’, Walter Armbrust, History Compass 6 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2008.00575.x‘Football as National Allegory: Al-Ahram and the Olympics in 1920s Egypt’, Shaun Lopez, History Compass 6 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2008.00576.x‘The Professional Worldview of the Effendi Historian’, Yoav Di-Capua, History Compass 6 (2008), DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-0542.2008.00577.x
A novel DRB1 allele in DR2-positive American blacks.

Abstract Class II D region antigens of the major histocompatibility complex are naturally occurring dimeric proteins found on the surface of lymphoid cells. In most haplotypes at least two of the polymorphic β chains are associated with a nonpolymorphic α chain. The allelic variation of these proteins lies in the first domain of the expressed protein. At present, there are four known DRB genes. DRB1 encodes for the classical DR 1, 3, 4, 5, etc., specificities. DRB3 and DRB4 encode the four supertypic specificities of DRw52 and the single phenotype of DRw53, respectively. Two DRB genes are expressed in human leukocyte antigen DR2-positive individuals. While DRB1 is the more polymorphic gene in most haplotypes, in DR2 haplotypes it appears that DRB5 encodes the polymorphic DRβ chain and the DRB1 encodes a nonpolymorphic β chain. We attempted to further define the diversity of this region by direct dideoxynucleotide sequencing of polymerase-chain-reaction-amplified genomic DNA. We identified a novel DRB1 allele in DR2-positive individuals that was only observed in the American blacks sampled. This allele may code for a black specific class II antigen.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y2 receptors of rabbit kidney cortex are largely dimeric.

Abstract The neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y2 receptors and the pancreatic polypeptide Y4 receptors from rabbit kidney cortex are isolated largely as ∼ 180 kDa complexes constituted of one receptor dimer and one G-protein heterotrimer, similar to NPY receptors expressed in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. As expected, kidney and CHO cell Y2 dimers are converted into monomers by increasing concentrations of a selective agonist. Prevalence of dimeric Y2 receptors in the kidney could be related to low plasma levels of Y2 agonists, and possibly also to a relatively low concentration of Gi α subunits.
Elastic response of a layered cylinder subjected to diametral loading

Abstract The elastic stress field produced in an arbitrarily layered cylinder subjected to diametrically opposed loads is examined and subsequently employed to investigate the transverse strengths of tungsten-cored boron and carbon-cored silicon carbide fibers measured from diametral compression tests. The displacement formulation of linear elasticity and the local/global stiffness matrix method are used to obtain solutions for stress and displacement components in a composite cylinder consisting of annular linear elastic isotropic shells under the assumption of plane strain. It is found that the presence of the carbon and tungsten cores in the ceramic fibers gives rise to a tensile stress concentration at the core/outer shell interface under diametral compressive loading. This is shown to contribute to a significant loss of apparent transverse strength. The solution also provides insight into first-stage consolidation of alloy-coated ceramic fibers. Elevated hoop stresses are shown to occur at fiber-fiber contacts that result in a reduction in the yield coefficient from that of homogeneous alloy fibers. Thus, the initiation of the yield mechanism of consolidation can be accomplished at lower applied loads when a ceramic fiber is present.
Comparison of the effects of vinpocetine, vincamine, phenytoin, and cinnarizine in a rat model of cerebral ischemia

Vinpocetine is an eburnamenine derivative reported to protect the brain from ischemia, both in experimental animals and in man. Its effects have been directly compared to those of vincamine, phenytoin, and cinnarizine in the Fisher rat following bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO). Upon acute b.i.d. administration (25–100 mg/kg i.p.), both vinpocetine and vincamine significantly increased latency to ischemic convulsion in a dose-related manner, but neither drug significatly affected survival time. Neither phenytoin nor cinnarizine (25–100 mg/kg, b.i.d.) significantly altered latency to convulsions or survival time. After daily dosing for 5 days, vinpocetine, but none of the other drugs, caused a dose-related increase in the latency to ischemic convulsion. Vinpocetine's effects occurred at lower doses (25 and 50 mg/kg/day) after subchronic administration than after acute administration. Vinpocetine (25 mg/kg/day) and cinnarizine (100 mg/kg/day) also increased survival time. These results are consistent with other experimental and clinical studies demonstrating a protective effect of vinpocetine against cerebral ischemia and further show that vinpocetine's activity is maintained during repeated administration.
Low-Pressure Laser Spectroscopy with Flame Atomization

La pression reduite dans la cellule de mesure permet d'obtenir des resultats spectrometriques libres de l'effet Doppler
Apocrine Sweat Retention in Man

The ophthalmologists are well acquainted with retention cysts of the glands of Moll. Duke-Elder's encyclopedic textbook of ophthalmology1 describes them as pinkish, transparent vesicles noted only in the ciliary margin of the eyelid. They develop slowly and may reach large size without any tendency to shrink or disappear. They may be unilocular or multilocular. Simple puncture of the cyst empties it, but recurrence is the rule. Excision or destruction by electrodesiccation is the only satisfactory type of treatment. During the last two years we have seen four patients with retention cysts of the glands of Moll. Recognizing that this gland belongs to the apocrine group of sweat glands, one would suspect that apocrine sweat-retention cysts could occur wherever apocrine glands are found. However, the medical literature is silent on this point. Our initial studies rapidly convinced us that apocrine sweat-retention cysts are actually common in apocrine areas such as the axilla.2 Yet, they were to be found only on histologic examination. They produced no clinical signs or symptoms. An example of such a subclinical apocrine retention cyst is shown in Figure 1. The histologie find¬ ings duplicate those of the retention cysts of the eyelids. Further study 3
Additive summation by stimulus compounding irrespective of behavioral contrast during discrimination training: An investigation with positive reinforcement and avoidance schedules

The similarity in the discrimination training leading to behavioral contrast and that preceding tests producing response enhancement to combined discriminative stimuli suggested that the two phenomena might be related. This was investigated by determining if contrast in discrimination training was necessary for this outcome of stimulus compounding. Responding to tone, light, and to the simultaneous absence of tone and light (1' + L) was maintained during baseline training by food reinforcement in Experiment I and by shock avoidance in Experiment II. During subsequent discrimination training, responding was reduced in T + L by programming nonreinforcement in Experiment I and safety or response-punishment in Experiment II. In the first e:g»e!i.ment, one rat exhibited positive behavioral contrast, i.e., tone and light rates increased while his T + L rate decreased. In Experiment Il, rats punished in 'if + L showed contrast in tone and light, this being the first demonstration of punishment contrast on an avoidance baseline with rats. The discrimination acquisition data are discussed in the light of current explanations of contrast by Gamzu and Schwartz (1973) and Terrace (1972). During stimulus compounding tests, all subjects in both experiments emitted more responses to tone-plus-light than to tone or light (additive summation). An analysis of the terminal training baselines suggests that the factors producing these test results seem unrelated to whether or not contrast occurred during discrimination training. It was concluded that the stimulus compounding test reveals the operation of the terminal baseline response associations and reinforcement associations conditioned on these multicomponent free-operant schedules of reinforcement. Additive summation refers to an increase in responding to the simultaneous presentation of two independently conditioned discriminative stimuli relative to that controlled by either stimulus presented alone. Weiss (1971, Experiment 1) has shown, however, that separate experience with the two stimuli ultimately compounded is, in itself, insufficient to produce additive summation when these stimuli are later presented simultaneously. Rats were trained on a two-component multiple schedule where responding during a tone produced food on the average of every 30 sec [variable interval (VI) 30 sec] while responding in light produced food every 120 sec, on the average. Responding to tone plus light in a later test was intermediate between the levels of responding to tone and light presented separately. The major procedural difference between the two-component multiple schedules of that experiment and the three-component schedules of experiments reporting additive summation was that in the latter experiments extinction was associated with the simultaneous absence of the positive discriminative stimuli.
Investigation of the oxidation of sialons with infrared reflection spectroscopy

Hot-pressedβ-sialons (Si6-z Al z O z N8-z formed in the Si3N4-Al2O3-AIN and Si3N4-SiO2-AIN systems have been investigated using infrared reflection spectroscopy (IRRS). Asz increases, the IRRS bands decrease in frequency. The decrease can be explained by the decrease in the force constants of the chemical bondings. IRRS has been applied to the study of the oxidation sialons at 1200 and 1300°C as a function of time. The technique has sensitively detected cristobalite, mullite and glass phases on the oxidized surface. This is considered to be effective for understanding the oxidation kinetics of sialons.
Visual masking, mental age, and retardation ☆

Abstract Performance of retarded subjects under both forward and backward masking was less accurate than either an equivalent chronological age or equivalent mental age group of normals. It was suggested that the iconic memory impairment of retarded subjects in attributable in part to mental retardation and not simply to low mental age.
A PHASE TESTING METHOD FOR RAPIDLY DETERMINING THE STABILITY OF SAUSAGE EMULSIONS

A phase testing procedure for determining sausage emulsion stability provides a rapid, relatively simple and comparably sensitive alternative to accepted time-consuming cooking or cooking-centrifugation procedures.
Absence of the p53 tumor suppressor gene promotes osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract Objective Osteosarcoma arises predominantly in the metaphyseal growth plate of children during the growth spurt years. These tumors develop during physiological growth from an expanding cell population, suggesting that the transformed cell is a bone-forming progenitor. An absence of the p53 oncogene has been implicated in the origin and progression of osteosarcoma, and because mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the physiological osteogenic progenitor cell population, we hypothesized that a p53 −/− mutation would enhance bone differentiation of MSC in a mouse model of in vitro osteogenesis. Methods Clonal MSC populations were derived from p53 −/− mice. P53 −/− and wild-type cells were placed in osteogenic culture and assessed via Alizarin Red quantification and alkaline phosphatase staining. The osteogenic marker genes Cbfa1 , osteopontin, and osteocalcin were assessed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction during differentiation. Results Bone nodule formation and alkaline phosphatase staining was accelerated and enhanced in the p53 −/− cells. The early and intermediate osteogenic markers, Cbfa1 and osteopontin, were upregulated in p53 −/− MSCs compared with wild-type cells during osteogenesis. The terminal osteogenic marker gene osteocalcin was paradoxically lower in p53 −/− MSCs indicating impaired terminal differentiation. Conclusion The p53 −/− mutation enhances and accelerates early osteogenesis in MSCs, but prevents terminal differentiation toward a mature osteocyte phenotype. These findings may have important implications for the regulation of the MSC compartment during the derivation of osteosarcoma in children.
The Use Of Glassy Matrices To Identify Intermediates In The Nitric Oxide Dioxygenase Reaction Of Hemoglobins And Myoglobins

The nitric oxide dioxygenase (NOD) reaction of nitric oxide with ferrous oxy derivatives of Hb and Mbs is important from many physiological standpoints. Several mechanisms have been proposed; however, the experimental difficulties in probing this reaction in solution at physiological pH and ambient temperatures have precluded an unambiguous determination of the sequence and nature of intermediates. We have developed a method of following the progression of this reaction in glassy matrices that allows for the trapping and probing of key intermediates. The technique is based on incorporation of O2 derivatives of Hb and Mb in a thin glassy matrix (derived from trehalose) that lines the inner wall of an optical quality tube. After purging the sample with dry nitrogen to remove the unbound excess oxygen, the tube is filled with NO. Absorption spectroscopy is used to follow the spectral progression initiated as the NO slowly accesses the heme bound oxygen. The spectra reveal an intermediate that resembles the spectrum attributed to the bound peroxynitrite intermediate. The final product under these condition is a species with a spectrum that is identical to that which is generated when met Hb(Mb) is incorporated into a glass in the presence of an excess of nitrate. The spectrum attributed to the nitrate product only appears when the glass is dry. The results are consistent with water being an effective competitor for the ferric heme site in the presence of nitrate.
Geographic variation in the diet of opaleye (Girella nigricans) with respect to temperature and habitat.

We studied diet variation in an omnivorous fish across its range, which allowed us to test predictions about the effect of ocean temperature and habitat on herbivory. Throughout most of its geographic range, from Southern California to central Baja California, the opaleye (Girella nigricans) fed primarily on red and green algae, but there was significant variation in the amount of algal material in the diet among sites. The proportion of algal material in the diet was related to habitat, with algae making up a larger proportion of a fish’s diet in algal-dominated habitats than in urchin barrens. Independent of habitat, the proportion of algal material in the diet increased with environmental temperature. Analyses of stable isotopes revealed similar changes in trophic position and confirmed that these associations with diet persisted over relatively long time scales. The shift to a more herbivorous diet at warmer temperatures is in agreement with past laboratory studies on this species that show a diet-dependent change in performance with temperature and can indicate a diet shift across the species’ geographic range to meet its physiological demands. A possible plastic response to herbivory was a longer gut relative to body size. The results of this study are consistent with past findings that associate temperature with increases in the relative diversity of herbivorous fishes in tropical parts of the ocean.
Opening detrusor pressure and the influence of age on success following colposuspension

Objective Women with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) have lower opening and closing detrusor pressures than women without USI. This study was undertaken to determine whether a change occurs in opening and closing detrusor pressures after colposuspension, whether cure is associated with change, and whether age influences cure. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary referral urogynaecology department. Participants Consecutive women who had undergone colposuspension between 1998–2000 and 1993–1995. Methods Pre- and post-operative urodynamic records were reviewed. Eighty eight women were included. Objective cure was defined as an absence of USI and subjective cure as an absence of symptoms of stress incontinence. Results Mean age was 52.4 (11.0) years. Sixty nine percent (61/88) were objectively cured and 48% (42/88) were subjectively cured. Postoperatively, opening detrusor pressure increased (P = 0.0001) and maximum flow rate decreased (P= 0.0464) in women objectively cured but these parameters did not change in the not cured group (P > 0.05). Women had a 4.5 times higher chance of failed surgery if post-op opening detrusor pressure was ≤20 cmH2O (P = 0.035). Opening detrusor pressure declined with age (P < 0.001) and women who were objectively cured were on average almost 7 years younger (P = 0.0330). Conclusions Increase in opening detrusor pressure occurs only in women who are cured following colposuspension. Change in opening detrusor pressure is dependent on age and objective cure is higher in younger women. The effects of ageing on sub- urethral supports might explain why surgery is more likely to fail in older women. Neurourol. Urodynam. 23:10–15, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Evidence that type I osteoporosis results from enhanced responsiveness of bone to estrogen deficiency

Type I osteoporosis occurs within 20 years after menopause and is associated with excessive cancellous bone loss and fractures of the vertebrae and distal radius. We have suggested that it may be caused by estrogen deficiency plus some additional factor predisposing to excessive bone loss. One such factor might be a greater degree of sex steroid deficiency, a possibility that could not be previously excluded because assays of sufficient sensitivity have only recently become available. Thus, we studied 36 women with vertebral fractures due to typical high turnover type I postmenopausal osteoporosis and 36 normal postmenopausal women using new ultrasensitive assays with detection limits of 1 pg/ml for estradiol, 5 pg/ml for estrone and 5 ng/dl for testosterone to test if type I osteoporosis results from enhanced responsiveness of bone to estrogen deficiency. Mean levels of serum sex steroids were identical in both groups, but bone turnover was increased by up to 55% in the women with type I osteoporosis. Moreover, compared with controls, the osteoporotic women had a 51% higher (P<0.01) serum osteoprotegerin level, which was likely a compensatory response to the increased bone turnover. In the osteoporotic women, 1-year treatment with transdermal estrogen in 14 women reduced total deoxypyridinoline, an index of bone resorption, by 58% as compared with placebo treatment in 17 women (P<0.001). Thus, as compared to controls, postmenopausal osteoporotic women had comparable sex steroid levels but higher bone turnover levels that were responsive to estrogen therapy. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the greater bone loss in type I osteoporosis is the result of impaired responsiveness of bone to low postmenopausal levels of sex steroids.
Fate of diradicals in the caldera: stereochemistry of thermal stereomutation and ring enlargement in cis- and trans-1-cyano-2(E)-propenylcyclopropanes

This study of thermally induced stereomutation and ring enlargement in both (-)-trans-1-cyano-2(E)-propenylcyclopropane [(-)-trans-1] and (+)-cis-1-cyano-2(E)-propenylcyclopropane [(+)-cis-1] to cyclopentenes definitively contraindicates the usefulness of Woodward-Hoffmann rules of orbital symmetry as a theoretical basis for predicting the stereochemistry of the products. From both diastereomers, the same (+)-trans-4-cyano-3-methylcyclopentene [(+)-trans-2] is the major product among the four diastereomeric products, "allowed" and formally the result of a single internal rotation of the cyano-bearing carbon atom from (-)-trans-1, "forbidden" and the result of zero internal rotations from (+)-cis-1. Stereomutation and ring enlargement are discussed in detail in terms of rotational propensity, thermodynamic preference, and the possible role of diradicals in transit and diradicals as intermediates in a caldera.
Single ply and multi-ply braided composite response predictions using modified subcell approach

AbstractIn this work, the modeling of triaxially braided composites was explored through a subcell approach using an improved semianalytical discretization scheme. The unit cell of the braided composite was divided into four unique subcells, each approximated by a mosaic stacking of unidirectional composite plies and modeled through the use of layered-shell elements within the finite-element model. Two subcell discretization schemes were investigated: a model explicitly capturing pure matrix regions, and a model which absorbed pure matrix pockets into neighboring tow plies. Differences in the mesostructure between single-ply and multi-ply braid coupons were addressed through modifications to the subcell discretization. The absorbed matrix model simulated the unique out-of-plane deformations observed experimentally in single-ply tensile tests with acceptable moduli predictions. An investigation of single-shell versus multi-shell coupons for the analysis of multi-ply braids revealed the through-thickness mo...
Behavioral relevance of species-specific vasotocin anatomy in gregarious finches.

Despite substantial species differences in the vasotocin/vasopressin (VT/VP) circuitry of the medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTm) and lateral septum (LS; a primary projection target of BSTm VT/VP cells), functional consequences of this variation are poorly known. Previous experiments in the highly gregarious zebra finch (Estrildidae: Taeniopygia guttata) demonstrate that BSTm VT neurons promote gregariousness in a male-specific manner and reduce anxiety in both sexes. However, in contrast to the zebra finch, the less gregarious Angolan blue waxbill (Estrildidae: Uraeginthus angolensis) exhibits fewer VT-immunoreactive cells in the BSTm as well as differences in receptor distribution across the LS subnuclei, suggesting that knockdown of VT production in the BSTm would produce behavioral effects in Angolan blue waxbills that are distinct from zebra finches. Thus, we here quantified social contact, gregariousness (i.e. preference for the larger of two groups), and anxiety-like behavior following bilateral antisense knockdown of VT production in the BSTm of male and female Angolan blue waxbills. We find that BSTm VT neurons promote social contact, but not gregariousness (as in male zebra finches), and that antisense effects on social contact are significantly stronger in male waxbills than in females. Knockdown of BSTm VT production has no effect on anxiety-like behavior. These data provide novel evidence that species differences in the VT/VP circuitry arising in the BSTm are accompanied by species-specific effects on affiliation behaviors.