cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat and cold acclimation in helium-cold hypothermia in the hamster.

A study was made of the effects of acclimation of hamsters to high (34-35 C) and low (4-5 C) temperatures for periods up to 6 weeks on the induction of hypothermia in hamsters. Hypothermia was achieved by exposing hamsters to a helox mixture of 80% helium and 20% oxygen at 0 C. Hypothermic induction was most rapid (2-3 hr) in heat-acclimated hamsters and slowest (6-12 hr) in cold-acclimated hamsters. The induction period was intermediate (5-8 hr) in room temperature nonacclimated animals (controls). Survival time in hypothermia was relatable to previous temperature acclimations. The hypothesis that thermogenesis in cold-acclimated hamsters would accentuate resistance to induction of hypothermia was substantiated.
Microstructure and Texture Evolution in a Magnesium Alloy During Extrusion at Various Extrusion Speeds

An AM30 magnesium alloy was extruded by using a lab-scale flat die at ~450 °C and various ram speeds: 5 mm/min, 10 mm/min, 20 mm/min, 30 mm/min, and 50 mm/min, respectively. Microstructure and texture in the representative locations inside the die and the extrudate of the AM30 at different ram speeds were examined by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Significant dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurred inside the die, whereas static recrystallization (SRX) took over in the extrudate outside the die. Profuse \(\{ 10\bar 12\} \left\langle {10\bar 1\bar 1} \right\rangle\) extension twinning activated during extrusion at low ram speed of 10 mm/min, but twinning was hardly observed at high ram speed of 50 mm/min. DRX and SRX led to different microstructure evolution at different extrusion speeds. Possible mechanisms that govern the DRX and the SRX were analyzed.
Getting the most from pleural fluid analysis

Virtually, every pulmonary disease and most non-pulmonary diseases may be associated with a pleural effusion. The presence of a pleural effusion allows the clinician to 'diagnose' or narrow the differential diagnosis and aetiology of the fluid collection. However, pleural fluid analysis (PFA) in isolation rarely provides a definitive diagnosis. This review discusses the rationale for evaluating patients with a pleural effusion. If the clinician obtains a detailed history, performs a comprehensive physical examination, reviews pertinent blood tests, and evaluates the chest imaging findings prior to thoracentesis, there should be a high likelihood of establishing a firm clinical diagnosis based on the appropriate PFA. This manuscript reviews the clinical presentation, chest imaging findings, duration and natural course of specific pleural effusions to help narrow the range of pre-thoracentesis diagnoses. A diagnosis of transudative effusion confirms an imbalance in hydrostatic and oncotic pressures, normal pleura and a limited differential diagnosis, which is typically apparent from the clinical presentation. Exudates are the result of infections, malignancies, inflammation, impaired lymphatic drainage or the effects of drugs, and pose a greater diagnostic challenge. The differential diagnosis for a pleural exudate can be narrowed if LDH levels exceed 1000 IU/L, the proportion of lymphocytes is ≥80%, pleural fluid pH is 10%.
Rationalizing Size, Value, and Momentum Effects with a CAPM2

This paper shows that a Capital Asset Pricing Model based on Continuous Asymmetric Polynomial Models (CAPM 2 ) can identify the sources of risk that drive the cross section of stock returns. In accordance with recent decision theory models, the CAPM 2 can price the key factors that drive risky choice behavior: (i) Goal Achievement (importance of the overall probability of obtaining positive payos), (ii) Loss Aversion (losses loom larger than gains), and (iii) preference for Security/Potential (downside risk aversion and preference for upside potential). These three factors are also the key drivers of size, value, and momentum portfolio returns. Therefore, size, value, and momentum factors do not load when they are tested on the CAPM 2 . Moreover, zero cost portfolios that take long (short) positions on securities with the highest (lowest) loadings on the three CAPM 2 factors deliver positive and statistically signicant
Design of the Spar-Wingskin Joint

A variety of spar-wingskin joint concepts have been investigated to optimize out-of-plane strength while still providing low weight and ease of fabrication. The spar-wingskin configuration consists of a thin spar which overlaps and is co-cured perpendicular to a thick wingskin. Investigation parameters were the joint geometry in the immediate vicinity of the base of the spar, and the spar-to-spar spacing. It was found that by varying the overlap geometry and decreasing the interspar spacing a significant increase in out-of-plane strength could be realized. A theoretical analysis was made by the extended use of the finite element technique. Joint strength was predicted through the application of Tsai-Wu and maximum stress failure criteria. These results were verified by comparison to experimental results in which all significant concepts were fabricated and tested.
Electronic absorption spectra of gaseous PuCl3, PuBr3 and PuCl4: The thermodynamics of PuCl4

Abstract The electronic absorption spectra of gaseous PuCl3, PuBr3 and PuCl4 have been measured in the range 4000–30,000 cm−1 at temperatures of ∼1000°. Intraconfigurational 5fn → 5fn transitions and interconfigurational 5fn → 5fn−16d transitions have been identified. The thermodynamics of the reaction: PuCl 3 (l) + 1 2 Cl 3 ⇌ PuCl 4 (g) has been studied spectroscopically. The molar free energy change of this reaction is represented by the equation ΔF = 23,000 − 14·1T (cal).
Degradation of substituted indoles by an indole-degrading methanogenic consortium.

Degradation of indole by an indole-degrading methanogenic consortium enriched from sewage sludge proceeded through a two-step hydroxylation pathway yielding oxindole and isatin. The ability of this consortium to hydroxylate and subsequently degrade substituted indoles was investigated. Of the substituted indoles tested, the consortium was able to transform or degrade 3-methylindole and 3-indolyl acetate. Oxindole, 3-methyloxindole, and indoxyl were identified as metabolites of indole, 3-methylindole, and 3-indolyl acetate degradation, respectively. Isatin (indole-2,3-dione) was produced as an intermediate when the consortium was amended with oxindole, providing evidence that degradation of indole proceeded through successive hydroxylation of the 2- and 3-positions prior to ring cleavage between the C-2 and C-3 atoms on the pyrrole ring of indole. The presence of a methyl group (-CH3) at either the 1- or 2-position of indole inhibited the initial hydroxylation reaction. The substituted indole, 3-methylindole, was hydroxylated in the 2-position but not in the 3-position and could not be further metabolized through the oxindole-isatin pathway. Indoxyl (indole-3-one), the deacetylated product of 3-indolyl acetate, was not hydroxylated in the 2-position and thus was not further metabolized by the consortium. When an H atom or electron-donating group (i.e., -CH3) was present at the 3-position, hydroxylation proceeded at the 2-position, but the presence of electron-withdrawing substituent groups (i.e., -OH or -COOH) at the 3-position inhibited hydroxylation.
The UCLA Dementia Care Program for Comprehensive, Coordinated, and Patient-Centered Care

The UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (UCLA ADC) program uses a co-management model (nurse practitioner Dementia Care Manager) and consists of six key components: Patient recruitment and a dementia registry Structured needs assessments of patients in the registry and their caregivers Creation and implementation of individualized dementia care plans based on needs assessments Monitoring and revising care plans, as needed Facilitating transitions of care Access 24/7, 365 days a year for assistance and advice
Abstract 1935: Transformation of epithelial cells through recruitment leads to polyclonal intestinal cancers

Background: Intestinal tumors in mice and humans can originate from multiple progenitors. The consequent heterogeneity within these polyclonal tumors probably causes them to be more resistant to chemotherapy. Understanding how these tumors arise is therefore likely to provide insight into more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Polyclonal tumors could form as a result of cooperation between two or more independently initiated cells in close proximity, or else recruitment in which a single initiated cell facilitates the transformation of nearby cells. We tested these two potential mechanisms using murine models of human colorectal cancer that carry clinically relevant gene mutations. Methods: We generated mosaic mice in which the status of Apc and Pik3ca varied from crypt to crypt in the distal small intestine and colon. Some cells lost one copy of Apc, expressed an activated form of Pik3ca, or both and consequently had a high tumorigenic potential, whereas others were wild type and had an extremely low tumorigenic potential. These mosaics allowed us to address fundamental questions regarding the formation of polyclonal tumors. Results: The clonal structure of 50 tumors from 11 mice was determined. Cells with low tumorigenic potential were frequently transformed in combination with cells with high tumorigenic potential: 1 out of 8 tumors (13%) from mice expressing the activated form of Pik3ca were heterotypic, containing a mixture of cells with low and high tumorigenic potential; 9 out 14 tumors (64%) from mice that carried only an Apc mutation were heterotypic; and 12 out of 28 tumors (43%) from mice that carried both mutations were heterotypic. Tumor progression does not affect the structure. Many adenomas (9/20; 45%) and adenocarcinomas (13/30; 43%) were polyclonal. Immunohistochemistry was used to visualize the localization and expression level of β-catenin and pAKT to ascertain the impact of the cells with high tumorigenic potential upon those with low tumorigenic potential. Conclusion: These data indicate that initiated cells recruit cells that would not otherwise form tumors, and that this structure forms and persists even in settings in which one progenitor would be expected to have a large growth advantage over another progenitor. Recruitment might be mediated by Wnt signalling. Citation Format: Alyssa A. Leystra, Dustin A. Deming, Amanda M. Wisinger, Christopher D. Zahm, Chelsie K. Sievers, Kristina A. Matkowskyj, Dawn M. Albrecht, Michael A. Newton, Richard B. Halberg. Transformation of epithelial cells through recruitment leads to polyclonal intestinal cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1935. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1935
The spectrum of the variation in latitude

A Fourier series analysis of the motion of the Earth's rotation axis in the frequency range 0.74 to 1.14 cycles per year, containing 9pct of the total power in the motion, shows: (1) an annual line without recognizable structure comprising about 2pct of the power in the region examined; (2) the Chandler component comprising about 7pct of the power, with band structure somewhat broader than heretofore recognized, leading to a value 9.5 yr for the amplitude decay time; (3) an annual component of excitation in agreement with previous determinations, equivalent to a root-mean-square displacement of the axis of inertial symmetry of 0.023″ of arc; (4) a continuous spectrum of excitation which is well determined in the Chandler region, at least roughly determined at other frequencies below annual, but not determined above the annual frequency. The magnitude of the continuous spectrum below annual frequency is consistent with the hypothesis that it, in association with the annual line, arises in the atmosphere, but lack of a determined spectrum at higher frequencies prevents examination of side-band symmetry.
"Working Through" as Ideological Intervention: The Case of Homophobia in Rescue me

This article considers the ideological significance of homophobic discourse as part of a sophisticated interrogation of homophobic outlooks in the FX series Rescue Me. It posits that a variety of narrative features enable a strategy of “working through” in which characters’ frank conversations and evolving perspectives depict the process of experiencing ideological challenge. Working through emphasizes the need for scholars to fully explore the internally contradictory narratives that are characteristic of the increasing complexity of some television storytelling and defies norms of critical media analysis that argue particular media texts either reinforce or resist dominant ideology. Cogent examination of other instances of working through could reinvigorate stymied intellectual spaces by insisting that scholars consider characters’ process of struggle with ideological perspectives throughout the unfolding of a series.
Understanding Suppressor Cells: Where Have We Gone Wrong?

The initial description of regulatory cells which modulate immune responses was reported in 1970 by Gershon and Kondo [1]. Since that time there have been numerous descriptions of lymphoid populations which depress immune responses in an antigen specific fashion. Phenotypic analyses of these populations generally indicate that suppressor cells express cell surface antigens which are absent on other T cell subsets, e.g. I-J or idiotype-related determinants [2, 3]. Many different experimental models have been used to characterize antigen specific suppressor T cells (Ts). The scope of this review will be confined to questions concerning Ts which demonstrate nominal antigen specificity during their induction, activation and/or interactions.
Hurwitz stability of weighted diamond polynomials

Abstract In this note we consider real diamond polynomials of degree n whose roots are required to lie in the open left half plane. A minimal number of exposed edges whose stability guarantees the stability of the entire polynomial family is selected. A condition under which the stability of the vertices of the diamond guarantees the stability of the entire polynomial family is provided. Some illustrative examples are given.
Particle Focusing in Staged Inertial Microfluidic Devices for Flow Cytometry

Microfluidic inertial focusing has been demonstrated to be an effective method for passively positioning microparticles and cells without the assistance of sheath fluid. Because inertial focusing produces well-defined lateral equilibrium particle positions in addition to highly regulated interparticle spacing, its value in flow cytometry has been suggested. Particle focusing occurs in straight channels and can be manipulated through cross sectional channel geometry by the introduction of curvature. Here, we present a staged channel design consisting of both curved and straight sections that combine to order particles into a single streamline with longitudinal spacing. We have evaluated the performance of these staged inertial focusing channels using standard flow cytometry methods that make use of calibration microspheres. Our analysis has determined the measurement precision and resolution, as a function of flow velocity and particle concentration that is provided by these channels. These devices were found to operate with increasing effectiveness at higher flow rates and particle concentrations, within the examined ranges, which is ideal for high throughput analysis. Further, the prototype flow cytometer equipped with an inertial focusing microchannel matched the resolution provided by a commercial hydrodynamic focusing flow cytometer. Most notably, our analysis indicates that the inertial focusing channels virtually eliminated particle coincidence at the analysis point. These properties suggest a potentially significant role for inertial focusing in the development of inexpensive flow cytometry-based diagnostics and in applications requiring the analysis of high particle concentrations.
Thermal decomposition mechanisms common to polyurethane, epoxy, poly(diallyl phthalate), polycarbonate and poly(phenylene sulfide)

Thermal decomposition of polyurethane, epoxy, poly(diallyl phthalate), polycarbonate, and poly(phenylene sulfide) was examined using a combination of thermal and chemical analysis techniques. Thermal gravimetric analysis with simultaneous analysis of evolved gases by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and gas chromatography coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to obtain rate data, determine enthalpy changes, and identify decomposition products. Examination of the evolved decomposition products indicated a common set of chain scission mechanisms involving the aromatic moieties in each of the polymer materials studied.
Antimuscarinic agents as substances of abuse: a review.

Centrally active antimuscarinic agents are generally used in psychiatry to treat the extrapyramidal side effects of antipsychotic medications. However, these agents may have antidepressant and mood-elevating properties, and the literature suggests they are liable to abuse. The author reviews this li
Bone Mineral Deficiency as the Main Factor of Dolichocephalic Head Flattening in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants

We hypothesized that the postnatally reduced rate of bone mineralization observed in many very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants is the main cause of dolichocephalic flattening of the head in this group of newborns. We measured head shape by using the ratio of the frontooccipital and biparietal diameters, bone mineral content (BMC) at the right midhumerus, birth weight, body weight, and postnatal age at the time of BMC measurement in 85 newborn infants during the first 5 d of life (gestational age: median 34 wk, range 24-40 wk; birth weight: median 1.590 g, range 430-6.730 g) and in 269 VLBW infants at transfer to other hospitals or discharge. The head shape shortly after birth was not influenced by gestational age. Mean frontooccipital diameter/biparietal diameter was 1.27 +/- 0.73 SD (range 1.13-1.59). Stepwise multiple regression analysis from 315 measurements made in 46 VLBW infants during the first 5 d after birth and the 269 infants at discharge revealed a 27% contribution of BMC/body weight to the variation in head shape. The other variables had only a small effect (gestational age 4%, body weight 1%) or no observable effect on head shape. At discharge, the ratio of BMC to body weight was significantly lower than in the reference fetuses of the same body weight. The results support the hypothesis, and we speculate that there is a causal relationship between the head shape of VLBW infants at discharge and the amount of calcium and phosphorus given as a supplement until that time.
Global Energy Flow in the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere System

Planning for the OPEN (Origin of Plasmas in the Earth's Neighborhood) program in 1977-1978 was representative of early concepts to obtain a quantitative estimate of the energy flow through the magnetosphere-ionosphere system. The magnetosphere was the focus of those early planning discussions and the OPEN program was defined to address global issues of mass, momentum, and energy flow. The STEP program that we are celebrating at this conference is in many ways a direct evolution of the early work that led to the OPEN program. One of the main characteristics of those early discussions was the desire to obtain a global view of the magnetosphere. This pursuit of a global view not only has persisted through the evolution of OPEN through STEP, but it has been a consistent pursuit of space physics from its very beginnings. In fact, ground-based scientific activities prior to the space age had already recognized the importance of establishing observation networks designed to provide global views of the parameters being observed. In this paper, we review briefly both the early attempts at obtaining a global view of the magnetosphere and the initial arguments for obtaining a global measure of the energy flow through the magnetosphere. We then show, through realistic simulations, what now can be accomplished in the arena of measuring the global energy flow through the magnetosphere and its component parts. We discuss both qualitative and quantitative results, stressing the manner in which global observations play a vital role in furthering our understanding of the magnetosphere and its dynamics. Finally we present an example constructed from a video shown at the symposium that illustrates what might be seen of global magnetosphere dynamics with presently existing instrumentation.
Curability of patients with invasive breast carcinoma based on a 30-year study.

A 30-year follow-up study of 1458 women who were treated by standard radical mastectomy for potentially curable invasive breast cancer at Memorial Hospital, New York, showed 12.6% of the patients alive and free of cancer, 24% dead of other causes without breast cancer, 56.6% dead of breast cancer and 6.8% lost to follow-up. Small primary lesions, negative axillary lymph nodes and histologic types of cancer other than infiltrating duct carcinoma were all associated wih higher survival rates. Patients with low grade cancers developed a second cancer in the remaining breast much more frequently than patients with infiltrating duct carcinoma. Of the 184 30-year survivors, 34 had metastases to axillary lymph nodes at levels II and III at the time of operation. It is concluded that radical mastectomy is capable of controlling local disease and curing a substantial number of patients.
Obtaining the exact solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract The Navier-Stokes equations of two-dimensional, steady, incompressible flow are studied using the unknown streamlines as one of the coordinates. The solution of the equations for in-plane motion is obtained, which corresponds to the well known solution of Couette flow, radial flow, spiral flow and the flow between two concentric cylinders. Possibilities of obtaining other solutions by this approach are also discussed.
Spectral constants computed for CnH22+ carbodications

Abstract Spectral constants for C n H 2 2+ carbodications have been determined from self-consistent field molecular orbital MNDO calculations. Predicted asymmetric C-H stretching mode frequencies increase as a function of n from a value of 2831 cm − for C 2 H 2 2+ to 3179 cm −1 for C g H 2 2+ , while rotational constants decrease from 28.71 GHz to 56.60×10 −2 GHz as n increases from 2 to 8.
Search for small-mass black-hole dark matter with space-based gravitational wave detectors

If the halo dark matter were composed of primordial black holes (PBHs) with mass between 10^16 and 10^20 g, their gravitational interaction with test masses of laser interferometer may lead to a detectable pulselike signal during the fly-by. If a proof-mass noise of 3×10-15 m/s^2/Hz^1/2 down to ~10^-5 Hz is achieved by the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, the event rate, with signal-to-noise ratios greater than 5, could become ~0.1 per decade, involving black holes of mass ~10^17 g. The detection rate could improve significantly for future space-based interferometers, though these events must be distinguished from those involving perturbations due to near-Earth asteroids. While the presence of primordial black holes below a mass of ~10^16 g is now constrained based on the radiation released during their evaporation, the gravitational-wave detectors could potentially extend the search for PBHs to several orders of magnitude higher masses.
The Effect of Micellularization on Octylglucoside Spinlattice Relaxation

Abstract 13C-spin-lattice relaxation measurements are used to examine the effect of the monomer-to-micelle transition on the molecular motion of octylglucoside molecules. The octylglucoside concentration dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation rate is used to determine spin-lattice relaxation rates for the detergent in the monomer and micelle states. Two observations are made. First, a motional gradient exists along the octylglucoside alkyl chain, which is approximately as pronounced in the micelle as in the monomer state. Second, motional restriction is observed for all examined carbon atoms upon passing from the monomer to the micelle state.
Patent Urachus with Bladder Prolapse

We report a case of bladder prolapse through a patent urachus in a term male neonate with a large, red, tubular, mucosa lined mass inferior to the umbilical cord. A cystic mass communicating with fetal urinary bladder was detected in an antenatal ultrasound in a 26 years primigravida at 18 and 26 weeks gestation. The cyst disappeared at 35 weeks and a new solid mass was noted at the fetal abdominal wall. After birth a protruded mucosal mass inferior to the umbilical cord was noted. Urethral catherisation confirmed communication with bladder. On the second day of life excision of urachus, repair, reduction of bladder and reconstruction of abdominal wall was performed. The patient voided well and was discharged on ninth day without any complication. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v34i1.7877 J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2014;34(1):68-70
Adapting parametric acoustic arrays for tomographic imaging

In this paper, we present a theoretical model of a parametric array for tomographic applications. The array in the model is assumed to extend right up to the receiver and its cross section is assumed not to be negligible. These two assumptions have not been previously made in applications concerned with tomography. We invoke conditions that permit the derivation of a simple relation for tomographic reconstruction of variations in the acoustic nonlinear parameter throughout the cross section of an object.
Divisibility properties of values of partial zeta functions at non-positive integers

We conjecture a new bound on the exact denominators of the values at non-positive integers of imprimitive partial zeta functions associated with an Abelian extension of number fields. At s = 0, this conjecture is closely connected to a conjecture of David Hayes. We prove the new conjecture assuming that the Coates–Sinnott conjecture holds for the extension.
Spin-lattice relaxation (T1) times of cerebral white matter in multiple sclerosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the cerebral white matter of three subject groups: (1) 22 patients with known multiple sclerosis (MS) (11 with disease of shorter duration (0–5 years) and 11 with disease of longer duration (>5 years)); (2) 9 patients with suspected MS; and (3) 12 normal volunteers. Transverse spin-echo (SE) 30/ 500 and 120/1000 radiofrequency pulse sequences were used for anatomic localization and plaque identification, respectively, while combined spin echo-inversion recovery was used for T1 determination. T1 values were calculated for grossly normal cerebral white matter in the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes of normal volunteers and MS patients, and for plaques in MS patients. When compared with normals, the T1 values of plaquefree areas from definite MS patients (shorter and longer duration disease groups combined) were significantly longer in the frontal lobe (MS = 374 ± 34 ms, Normal = 352 ± 39 ms, P < 0.05) and in the occipital lobe (MS = 414 ± 37, Normal = 378 ± 40, P < 0.02). Although the T1 values of the shorter duration MS group were longer than those of normals, the difference was not statistically significant. Thus, the significant difference between the definite MS group (both shorter and longer duration) is more heavily weighted by the longer duration MS group. T1 values in patients with suspected MS without plaques were not significantly different from those of normals. In diagnosed MS patients, T1 values of plaques were significantly longer than T1 values of corresponding normal areas (P < 0.05). In conclusion, plaque-free white matter in patients with clinically diagnosed MS has longer T1 values than white matter in normals, suggesting the presence of biophysical abnormalities which are not seen on other routine imaging modalities. These differences may be accentuated as the disease progresses. Thus, it may be possible in the future to evaluate MS disease activity based on T1 characteristics of normal appearing white matter. © 1986 Academic Press, Inc.
Medical Robotics and Computer-Integrated Interventional Medicine*

Abstract This chapter is concerned with computer-integrated interventional medicine (CIIM). The fundamental premise of CIIM, which is sometimes also referred to as Computer-Integrated Surgery (CIS), is that the use of information and information-driven systems will fundamentally change clinical care by improving physicians' ability to plan, execute and follow up surgical and other interventional procedures. We first introduce the concepts of Surgical (or Interventional) CAD/CAM and Surgical Assistance. Next, we discuss the basic technology and techniques underlying these systems and provide examples of typical Surgical CAD/CAM and Surgical Assistant Systems. We conclude with a few thoughts about the growing significance and future prospects of the field.
Profile analysis: The effects of rove on sparse spectra

Profile-analysis thresholds were measured in the presence and absence of overall level variation at different stimulus levels to determine whether nonlinear changes in the shape of the edges of excitation pattern peaks contribute to poorer spectral-shape sensitivity observed under roving levels. Roving levels decreased sensitivity for stimuli having few components separated widely in frequency to a greater extent than for stimuli having more densely spaced components. The stimulus level did not influence sensitivity when overall level variation was absent, suggesting that listeners rely on peaks in the excitation patterns and not the edges of the peaks (as would have been predicted by the near miss to Weber’s law). Because the edges of the peaks were not used in the absence of roving levels, it follows that the larger rove effects for sparse stimuli were not likely due to excitation pattern inconstancy.
Suppression of GLUT1; a new strategy to prevent diabetic complications

High blood glucose results in high glucose levels in retina, because GLUT1, the sole glucose transporter between blood and retina, transports more glucose when blood glucose is high. This is the ultimate cause of diabetic retinopathy. Knockdown of GLUT1 by intraocular injections of a pool of siRNAs directed against SLC2A1 mRNA which codes for GLUT1 significantly reduced mean retinal glucose levels in diabetic mice. Systemic treatment of diabetic mice with forskolin or genistein, which bind GLUT1 and inhibit glucose transport, significantly reduced retinal glucose to the same levels seen in non-diabetics. 1,9-Dideoxyforskolin, which binds GLUT1 but does not stimulate adenylate cyclase had an equivalent effect to that of forskolin regarding lowering retinal glucose in diabetics indicating that cyclic AMP is noncontributory. GLUT1 inhibitors also reduced glucose and glycohemoglobin levels in red blood cells providing a peripheral biomarker for the effect. In contrast, brain glucose levels were not increased in diabetics and not reduced by forskolin. Treatment of diabetics with forskolin prevented early biomarkers of diabetic retinopathy, including elevation of superoxide radicals, increased expression of the chaperone protein β2 crystallin, and increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These data identify GLUT1 as a promising therapeutic target for prevention of diabetic retinopathy.
Di-[1,10]-phenanthrolinyl Diazines: A New Family of Bis-tridentate Chelators

A series of three bis-tridentate bridging ligands has been prepared in which two 1,10-phenanthroline units have been symmetrically appended to a central pyridazine, pyrimidine, or pyrazine ring. These ligands have been treated with [Ru(tpy-d11)Cl3] to afford both mono- and bimetallic complexes that show very self-consistent NMR properties.
Extraordinary Governance Challenges

A reading of the daily news reminds us that the threat of crisis is an ever-present reality for .public administrators. In The Politics of Crisis Management, Arjen Boin, Paul't Hart, Eric Stern, and Bengt Sundelius detail the context of management and politics in which a leader operates during a crisis. They also give practical guidance to leaders based on their extensive research, teaching, and training in the field. With its multinational cadre of authors, this book may appeal to an international audience.
Bridging temporal gaps between CS and US in autoshaping: A test of a local context hypothesis

Recent reports indicate that conditioning to contextual cues importantly modulates the amount of trace conditioning. According to this view, the strength of conditioning to a trace CS should be inversely related to the extent to which other external stimuli already predict US occurrence. An experiment with pigeons in an autoshaping (sign-tracking) preparation examined this proposition. Insertion of a tone in the 12-sec gap between CS and US led to strong CS responding, except for the case in which the tone also overlapped the CS. However, weak CS responding was obtained when the tone filled only the first or last half of the CS-US gap, even though CS and tone did not overlap. These findings are discussed in terms of an explana­ tion of the effects of gap filling based on conditioning to "local" and "general" contextual cues, and in terms of the possible contributions of second-order conditioning. Trace conditioning procedures, which involve CS pre­ sentation followed after a stimulus-free period by US delivery, typically produce weaker acquisition of condi­ tioned responses to CS than if a different external stim­ ulus intervenes between CS termination and US delivery (a serial conditioning procedure), Facilitation brought about by filling the CS-US gap has been reported by Kamin (1965) in the rat conditioned emotional re­ sponse (CER) paradigm, Kehoe, Gibbs, Garcia, and Gormezano (1979) in the rabbit nictitating membrane response paradigm, and Newlin and LoLordo (1976) in the pigeon autoshaping paradigm, among others. Previous explanations of the "trace conditioning
The B. subtilis multigene sporulation test for mutagens: detection of mutagens inactive in the Salmonella his reversion test.

Abstract Hydrogen peroxide, nalidixic acid, bleomycin, actinomycin D and methotrexate, mutagens scored as negative in the Salmonella his reversion test, are mutagenic in the B. subtilis multigene sporulation test. Mitomycin C, detected by repair-proficient strains of Salmonella not normally used in screening, is highly active in the test. Quercetin, positive in the Salmonella test, is negative in the B. subtilis test.
Elimination of Gaseous Microemboli from Cardiopulmonary Bypass using Hypobaric Oxygenation

Background Numerous gaseous microemboli (GME) are delivered into the arterial circulation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). These emboli damage end organs through multiple mechanisms that are thought to contribute to neurocognitive deficits after cardiac surgery. Here, we use hypobaric oxygenation to reduce dissolved gases in blood and greatly reduce GME delivery during CPB. Methods Variable subatmospheric pressures were applied to 100% oxygen sweep gas in standard hollow fiber microporous membrane oxygenators to oxygenate and denitrogenate blood. GME were quantified using ultrasound while air embolism from the surgical field was simulated experimentally. We assessed end-organ tissues in swine postoperatively using light microscopy. Results Variable sweep gas pressures allowed reliable oxygenation independent of carbon dioxide removal while denitrogenating arterial blood. Hypobaric oxygenation produced dose-dependent reductions of Doppler signals produced by bolus and continuous GME loads in vitro. Swine were maintained using hypobaric oxygenation for 4 hours on CPB with no apparent adverse events. Compared with current practice standards of oxygen/air sweep gas, hypobaric oxygenation reduced GME volumes exiting the oxygenator (by 80%), exiting the arterial filter (95%), and arriving at the aortic cannula (∼100%), indicating progressive reabsorption of emboli throughout the CPB circuit in vivo. Analysis of brain tissue suggested decreased microvascular injury under hypobaric conditions. Conclusions Hypobaric oxygenation is an effective, low-cost, common sense approach that capitalizes on the simple physical makeup of GME to achieve their near-total elimination during CPB. This technique holds great potential for limiting end-organ damage and improving outcomes in a variety of patients undergoing extracorporeal circulation.
Effects of carotid artery occlusion on the pressor response induced by sustained isometric contraction in the cat

The effects of clonidine, a central alpha 2 agonist, on changes in blood pressure caused by muscle afferent nerve (ergoreceptor) activation and baroreceptor manipulation were studied in cats. Prolonged isometric contractions (ergoreceptor activation) of the gastrocnemius and plantaris muscles increased mean arterial pressure by 53 mmHg. This pressor response was not altered by naloxone (0.5 mumol.litre-1) but was eliminated by clonidine (0.5-2.0 micrograms) when injected into the cerebral aqueduct. Brief occlusion of the carotid artery (15-30 s) caused mean arterial pressure to increase by 32-42 mmHg at rest. Neither naloxone nor clonidine altered the magnitude of the reflex pressor response to carotid occlusion. Similar increases in pressure were measured when occlusion was applied during fatiguing isometric contractions; thus baroreceptor induced increases in pressure were superimposed on the ergoreceptor induced blood pressure changes. Naloxone did not affect the changes in pressure caused by either reflex response. Clonidine continued to eliminate the pressor response to muscular contraction but did not affect the pressure increase when the carotid occlusion was applied during contractions. Electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve caused blood pressure to decrease by 36 mmHg during rest and by 41 mmHg during fatiguing isometric contractions. Clonidine did not alter the depressor response to carotid sinus nerve stimulation. These data may indicate that separate pathways centrally mediate the changes in blood pressure caused by ergoreceptor and baroreceptor afferent activation. The integration of the ergoreceptor pathway may involve a catecholaminergic-opioidergic system but the present results do not suggest a similar interaction for the baroreceptor integration.
Pretreatment of Soybean Meal with Phytase for Salmonid Diets to Reduce Phosphorus Concentrations in Hatchery Effluents

Abstract Performances of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed experimental diets containing phytase-treated or untreated soybean meal with graded levels of supplemental phosphorus (P) were compared with the performance of rainbow trout fed a standard commercial feed. Growth rates and feed conversions (feed fed/weight gain) of fish fed diets containing phytase-treated soybean meal were equal to or significantly better (P 0.05). Pretreatment with the enzyme phytase increased P availability in soybean meal by hydrolyzing phytin P to an available inorganic form. Converted phytin P replaced supplemental P in the diet and was utilized effectively by rainbow trout. The lower dietary P levels resulted in a 65–88% reduction of P in the effluent. Juvenile fish (1.9 g/ fish, mean initial weight) fed a commercial feed releas...
AUTOFLUORESCENCE GUIDED BIOPSY FOR THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF BLADDER CARCINOMA

AbstractPurpose: We validate the usefulness of laser-induced autofluorescence for the detection of bladder carcinoma.Materials and Methods: We obtained and analyzed fluorescence spectra from 75 patients in whom bladder cancer was suspected. Tissue fluorescence was excited by a nitrogen laser using a quartz optical fiber placed in gentle contact with the area of interest. The laser-induced autofluorescence spectrum was recorded using an intensified optical multichannel analyzer system. Spectra were corrected for the spectral response of the optical system, and the ratios of laser-induced autofluorescence intensities (I) at 385 and 455 nm. (I385/I455) were determined. We had previously established this ratio as a diagnostic algorithm. We included only suspicious bladder lesions (erythematous, edematous, raised and so forth) that were difficult to diagnose by cystoscopy as well as areas from which random biopsies were obtained. The fluorescence ratio algorithm was applied to 130 bladder areas.Results: Of the...
GAP-43 is critical for normal targeting of thalamocortical and corticothalamic, but not trigeminothalamic axons in the whisker barrel system

Mice lacking the growth-associated protein GAP-43 (KO) show disrupted cortical topography and no barrels. Whisker-related patterns of cells are normal in the KO brainstem trigeminal complex (BSTC), while the pattern in KO ventrobasal thalamus (VB) is somewhat compromised. To better understand the basis for VB and cortical abnormalities, we used small placements of DiI to trace axonal projections between BSTC, VB, and barrel cortex in wildtype (WT) and GAP-43 KO mice. The trigeminothalamic (TT) pathway consists of axons from cells in the Nucleus Prinicipalis that project to the contralateral VB thalamus. DiI-labeled KO TT axons crossed the midline from BSTC and projected to contralateral VB normally, consistent with normal BSTC cytoarchitecture. By contrast, the KO thalamocortical axons (TCA) projection was highly abnormal. KO TCAs showed delays of 1–2 days in initial ingrowth to cortex. Postnatally, KO TCAs showed multiple pathfinding errors near intermediate targets, and were abnormally fasciculated with...
Contraceptive sterilization among married adults: national data on who chooses vasectomy and tubal sterilization.

Abstract Background Vasectomy has been found to be a highly cost-effective contraceptive method. For couples, tubal sterilization and vasectomy have the same result, but the two methods are used by different segments of the population. Study design We conducted an analysis of data from male and female samples of the 2006–2008 National Survey of Family Growth, nationally representative samples of men and women in the United States aged 15–44 years. Results Among married men, 13.1% reported vasectomies (95% confidence interval 10.4%–16.3%), compared to 21.1% (17.8%–24.9%) of married women who reported tubal sterilizations. Men with higher education and income had greater prevalence of vasectomy than those less educated, while women with lower education and income had the highest prevalence of tubal sterilization. Conclusions Efforts to promote vasectomy use need to understand the reasons behind these differences. Increasing the availability and use of vasectomy will require education about its benefits.
Deoxyribonucleotide pools as targets for mutagenesis by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea☆

This paper describes a biological test of the hypothesis that one or more components of the intracellular nucleotide pool represent a significant target for the mutagenic effects of alkylating agents. In other words, we ask whether mutagenesis can occur either through alkylation of susceptible nucleotide residues in DNA, or through alkylation of a free nucleotide, followed by its incorporation into DNA. Our approach is based upon the premise that if a nucleotide pool is a mutagenic target, then transient expansion of that pool should increase the target size and enhance mutagenesis following subsequent treatment with an alkylating agent. Working either with V79 hamster lung fibroblasts or Chinese hamster embryo fibroblasts (CHEF/18), we treated cells for 30 min, under conditions that expanded one or more pools of deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. This was followed immediately by a 30-min treatment with 0.5 mM N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. After 8 days of additional culture for recovery of cells and expression of mutations, we plated in selective media to determine the abundance of 6-thioguanine-resistant mutants in each culture. We found that conditions which expand pools of either dATP or dTTP and dGTP stimulate mutagenesis by MNU, with the degree of stimulation varying in different experiments from 2- to 6-fold. Although alternate interpretations can be entertained, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that nucleotide pools represent alkylation targets. A biochemical test of the hypothesis is warranted. During our studies we made several other noteworthy observations: (1) treatment of V79 cells with mutagen alone does not significantly affect dNTP pools; (2) deoxynucleotide pool perturbations are quite short-lived following transfer of cells to normal medium; (3) deoxyuridine is significantly more effective than thymidine in expanding dTTP pools; (4) deoxyuridine by itself is significantly mutagenic, particularly to CHEF/18 cells.
Management of Large Ovarian Neoplasms in Pediatric and Adolescent Females

The overwhelming majority of ovarian cysts in pediatric and adolescent girls are physiologic; however, large simple and complex ovarian lesions often require surgical intervention due to the increased risk of neoplasia. In this review article, we discuss the preoperative evaluation and intraoperative management of large ovarian neoplasms. We review the current literature regarding long term ovarian function and fertility, rates of recurrence and residual disease, and novel surgical approaches. Managing large ovarian neoplasms in the pediatric and adolescent population requires careful preoperative and intraoperative care to optimally resect neoplasia while maximizing fertility and minimizing pain.
Use of milontin in the treatment of petit mal epilepsy (three per second spike and wave dysrhythmia).

Summary Twenty-one patients with petit mal (simple staring) spells associated with three per second spike and wave forms in the electroencephalogram were treated with Milontin. The spells were not controlled in any of these patients. No untoward reactions were observed.
Post-herpetic neuralgia in older adults: evidence-based approaches to clinical management.

Many individuals across the globe have been exposed to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox has resolved, the virus remains latent in the dorsal root ganglia where it can re-emerge later in life as herpes zoster, otherwise known as shingles. Herpes zoster is a transient disease characterised by a dermatomal rash that is usually associated with significant pain. Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the term used for the condition that exists if the pain persists after the rash has resolved. Advanced age and compromised cell-mediated immunity are significant risk factors for reactivation of herpes zoster and the subsequent development of PHN. Though the pathophysiology of PHN is unclear, studies suggest peripheral and central demyelination as well as neuronal destruction are involved. Both the vaccine against VZV (Varivax®) and the newly released vaccine against herpes zoster (Zostavax®) may lead to substantial reductions in morbidity from herpes zoster and PHN. In addition, current evidence suggests that multiple medications are effective in reducing the pain associated with PHN. These include tricyclic antidepressants, antiepileptics, Opioids, NMDA receptor antagonists as well as topical lidocaine (lignocaine) and capsaicin. Reasonable evidence supports the use of intrathecal corticosteroids, but the potential for neurological sequelae should prompt caution with their application. Epidural corticosteroids have not been shown to provide effective analgesia for PHN. Sympathetic blockade may assist in treating the pain of herpes zoster or PHN. For intractable PHN pain, practitioners have performed delicate surgeries and attempted novel therapies. Although such therapies may help reduce pain, they have been associated with disappointing results, with up to 50% of patients failing to receive acceptable pain relief. Hence, it is likely that the most effective future treatment for this disease will focus on prevention of VZV infection and immunisation against herpes zoster infection with a novel vaccine.