cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suicide attempts in sexual abuse victims and their mothers

Suicide attempts occurred in 11 of 201 (5.4%) families in which sexual abuse was substantiated during a 2-year study period. Thirteen attempts occurred in the eleven families--five in mothers and eight in daughter-victims. No perpetrators in this social agency sample attempted suicide. Three mothers made attempts within the 1st week after the sexual abuse report; these three had borderline personalities, prior suicide attempts, personal histories of incest, and, surprisingly, all returned rapidly to adequate maternal functioning. The two mothers who made attempts later had primary depressions with underlying dependent personalities and never returned to successful mothering of their victimized daughters, both of whom themselves attempted suicide later in the family's treatment course. All eight daughters who attempted suicide were 14 to 16 years old and had been involved in incest with father figures. None of their families remained intact after the disclosure of incest, and their mothers actively blamed and disbelieved these victims. Seven of the eight had behavior problems which may have masked depression.
The electronic structure of pentaammine(pyrazine) ruthenium(II) and (III): the metal-ligand π conjugation and its implications in electron delocalization

Abstract Results of electronic structure calculations on the title cations are reported. Our transition operator calculations have confirmed the original assignments of optical absorption transitions at 250 and 470 nm for the 2+ ion and have suggested assignments for transitions observed at 238 and 270 nm for the 3+ ion. Because the pyrazine ligand resides in an asymmetric environment, the identities and symmetry designations of the six π states of the free ligand are heavily obscured in these cations. The 2+ species exhibits substantial mixing of the Ru 4d xz orbital with a π * orbital of pyrazine, while the 3+ species does not. Conversely the 3+ ion shows some mixing of the 4d xz orbital with a π orbital of pyrazine, while the 2+ ion has only weak mixing of these orbitals. We find that the polarization of the pyrazine ligand is toward the metal ion, which is consistent with simple electrostatic predictions. The dependence of the π-bonding and backbonding strengths upon the electron occupation (or charge) of the metal species is an important feature of the ruthenium-pyrazine system. The electron density distribution within the pyrazine ligand also depends strongly on the charge. Implications for extended and complexed mixedvalence species are discussed.
Optoacoustic images of early cancer in forward and backward modes

Optoacoustic tomography combines advantages of pronounced optical contrast between different tissues and high resolution of ultrawide-band ultrasound imaging. Laser pulses may be effectively used to produce acoustic sources in tissue with enhanced optical absorption. Ultrasonic waves can propagate in biological tissue with minimal distortion and deliver diagnostic information to the surface of tissue, where they may be detected with temporal resolution by piezoelectric transducers. Current status of the optoacoustic tomography applied in early detection of cancerous lesions in the breast (utilizing forward mode) and in oral cavity (utilizing backward mode) is reviewed.
Studies on alpha albumin in nervous tissue. III. Observations on pathological specimens

Abstract One hundred and three cerebral biopsies and 93 brains from patients with neurological disorders were examined for the presence of α-albumin. The sampling was restricted to the cerebral cortex and the subcortical white matter where α-albumin does not occur in functionally normal brains. Out of a total number of 196 cases, α-albumin was present in 36, usually in the subcortical white matter. Among 14 cases of Tay Sachs disease there were 6 which revealed a striking correlation between the concentration of α-albumin and the brain weight. In addition to these observations, α-albumin was found in approximately one-fourth of glioblastomas and astrocytomas but not at all in slow-growing infiltrative, intrinsic tumors such as spongioblastomas. α-Albumin was also present in 3 out of 9 cases of demyelinating myelinoclastic diseases and in 4 out of 11 cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Efforts to correlate the presence of α-albumin in pathological specimens with capillary alteration appear to offer a logical extension of the present studies.
A full-wave solution for the mutual coupling between circular microstrip patch antennas

A full-wave solution for the mutual coupling between circular microstrip patches fed by idealized vertical probe feeds is presented. The grounded slab Green's function is used together with the moment method to determine the current distribution on each patch. From this, the patch port impedance matrix and, hence, the mutual coupling can be determined. Measured data that validate the theory are presented.
Symmetrical Components as Appkied to the Single-Phase Induction Motor

THIS PAPER is intended to show in detail the application of the method of symmetrical components to the solution of single-phase-induction-motor performance characteristics. By the use of this method single-phase-motor theory follows very closely the simpler case of the balanced polyphase-motor theory. The author of this paper is of the opinion that a clearer concept of the physical theory can be obtained as contrasted to other methods — either from the revolving-field or the cross-field concepts.
Developments from Barr's thesis☆

Abstract In 1962, Barr exhibited an idempotent in the rational group algebra of the symmetric group which split the Hochschild cochain complex of a commutative algebra into the direct sum of the Harrison complex and a complement. This discovery has led to significant developments both in the cohomology of commutative algebras and in understanding the relations between Hochschild cohomology and simplicial and sheaf cohomology.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Proton Transfer Reaction Between the Catalytic Residues in HTLV-I Protease

In order to study the catalytic mechanism of Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) protease, it is important to determine the protonation states of the two aspartic acid residues at its active site. Free energy simulations have been conducted to study the proton transfer reaction between the catalytic residues of HTLV-I protease using a combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) molecular dynamic simulation. Free energy profiles for the reaction in apo-enzyme and in an enzyme-substrate complex will be presented. In addition, the structural features of HTLV-I protease will be compared and discussed for different protonation states of the active site residues.
Cellular immunity in dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca before and after treatment with topical 2% cyclosporine.

Peripheral cellular immunity of ten dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) that had not been treated with topical corticosteroids or cyclosporine was evaluated (by use of in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assays and CD4+CD8+ lymphocyte subset analysis) before and after 1 and 3 months of treatment with topical ocular 2% cyclosporine (CsA). In vitro lymphocyte proliferation and CD4+CD8+ lymphocyte subset analysis was done in eight normal dogs at the 0, 1 and 3 month time periods to use for comparison. There was no significant difference in lymphocyte proliferation or numbers of CD4+ or CD8+ lymphocytes in dogs with KCS and normal dogs prior to CsA treatment. However, by 1 month's time, lymphocyte proliferation had decreased in the CsA-treated Dogs with KCS, and by 3 months there was a significant difference (P<0.0001) from the normal dogs. These results suggest that dogs with KCS may not have altered peripheral cellular immunity and that use of topical 2% cyclosporine for treatment of KCS causes a suppression of lymphocyte proliferation after 1 to 3 months of use.
Mistranslation-Induced Protein Misfolding as a Dominant Constraint on Coding-Sequence Evolution

Strikingly consistent correlations between rates of coding-sequence evolution and gene expression levels are apparent across taxa, but the biological causes behind the selective pressures on coding-sequence evolution remain controversial. Here, we demonstrate conserved patterns of simple covariation between sequence evolution, codon usage, and mRNA level in E. coli, yeast, worm, fly, mouse, and human that suggest that all observed trends stem largely from a unified underlying selective pressure. In metazoans, these trends are strongest in tissues composed of neurons, whose structure and lifetime confer extreme sensitivity to protein misfolding. We propose, and demonstrate using a molecular-level evolutionary simulation, that selection against toxicity of misfolded proteins generated by ribosome errors suffices to create all of the observed covariation. The mechanistic model of molecular evolution that emerges yields testable biochemical predictions, calls into question the use of nonsynonymous-to-synonymous substitution ratios (Ka/Ks) to detect functional selection, and suggests how mistranslation may contribute to neurodegenerative disease.
Socialism: lost and regained

The essay discusses the connection between science and technology as the root cause of economic growth, the fortuitous nature of the rewards from invention in the capitalist economy, and the possibility that socialism can exploit inventive opportunities to improve human wellbeing.
Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure for Intensified Cytoreduction of Ovarian Cancer

The objective was to evaluate the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for intensified cytoreduction of ovarian cancer. Twenty consecutive women with residual epithelial ovarian cancer following maximum cytoreduction by standard surgical techniques were treated with LEEP-intensified cytoreduction. LEEP was employed to resect metastases involving intestines (18 patients), diaphragm (3 patients), liver (6 patients), spleen (3 patients), and peritoneal surface (18 patients). Median LEEP time was 9 min (range 3-27 min). Blood loss secondary to LEEP was minimal with no patient experiencing bleeding > 20 ml. Following LEEP-intensified cytoreduction, 17 of 20 patients (85%) had no gross residual disease. Seventeen of 18 patients (94%) had all intestinal metastases resected. All superficial liver (6 patients) and splenic metastases (3 patients) were completely resected. Peritoneal metastases were completely resected in all 18 patients. No patient experienced a complication directly related to LEEP. LEEP can be performed rapidly, with minimum blood loss, and results in intensified cytoreduction with minimal morbidity.
Improved bipolar model equations for small-signal circuit simulation

Abstract The silicon bipolar model equations have been examined and implemented in small-signal circuit simulation. The modified model equations account for the physical effects of emitter current crowding, emitter-base sidewatl injection, base-width modulation, base-conductivity modulation, base pushout, and current-dependent series resistance for all levels of injection. SPICE simulation employing the present model is compared with the small-signal PISCES device simulation and good agreement is obtained.
Association of Na(+)-H(+) exchanger isoform NHE3 and dipeptidyl peptidase IV in the renal proximal tubule.

Abstract In an attempt to identify proteins that assemble with the apical membrane Na+-H+ exchanger isoform NHE3, we generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against affinity-purified NHE3 protein complexes isolated from solubilized renal microvillus membrane vesicles. Hybridomas were selected based on their ability to immunoprecipitate NHE3. We have characterized in detail one of the mAbs (1D11) that specifically co-precipitated NHE3 but not villin or NaPi-2. Western blot analyses of microvillus membranes and immunoelectron microscopy of kidney sections showed that mAb 1D11 recognizes a 110-kDa protein highly expressed on the apical membrane of proximal tubule cells. Immunoaffinity chromatography was used to isolate the antigen against which mAb 1D11 is directed. N-terminal sequencing of the purified protein identified it as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) (EC 3.4.14.15), which was confirmed by assays of DPPIV enzyme activity. We also evaluated the distribution of the NHE3-DPPIV complex in microdomains of rabbit renal brush border. In contrast to the previously described NHE3-megalin complex, which principally resides in a dense membrane population (coated pits) in which NHE3 is inactive, the NHE3-DPPIV complex was predominantly in the microvillar fraction in which NHE3 is active. Serial precipitation experiments confirmed that anti-megalin and anti-DPPIV antibodies co-precipitate different pools of NHE3. Taken together, these studies revealed an unexpected association of the brush border Na+-H+ exchanger NHE3 with dipeptidyl peptidase IV in the proximal tubule. These findings raise the possibility that association with DPPIV may affect NHE3 surface expression and/or activity.
Comparison of the electrochemical reductions of Ru(II) complexes of dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine and 10,12-dimethylpteridino[6,7-f][1,10]phenanthroline-11,13(10H,12H)-dione (an alloxazine analog) in aprotic and mixed aprotic/aqueous media

Abstract We obtained and compared voltammetric and coulometric data on the ligand-centered reductions of the complexes [(bpy)2RuII(dppz)]2+ (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) and [(bpy)2RuII(pptd)]2+ (pptd = 10,12-dimethylpteridino[6,7-f][1,10]phenanthroline-11,13(10H,12H)-dione; an alloxazine analog) in both aprotic (DMSO) and protic (80 mol% H2O/DMSO pH ∼6.6) media. The (1e−) electrochemical behaviors in the aprotic environment were quite similar. However, in the protic media, the 2e− reduction for the dppz-complex showed very poor electrochemical reversibility compared to the pptd-complex.
Determination of Aspirin and Its Major Metabolites in Human Urine by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry, II

Abstract A method is described which determines aspirin and its major metabolites in human urine. The samples are specifically treated for the determination of free metabolites (all nonconjugated forms) and total metabolites (free and conjugated forms), followed by extraction through solid phase C18cartridges. The extraction procedure yields excellent recovery for all metabolites. All of the metabolites are then derivatized to their respective trimethylsilyl forms, using the standard addition method to enhance quantitation. Using SIM and monitoring the single, high mass ion yields unsurpassable specificity, selectivity, and sensitivity on the GC/MS. The power of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry enables the identification of unknown metabolites, even from the complex urinary matrix.
Anaerobic infection therapy

Anaerobes are involved mainly in abdominal surgical infections and the Bacteroides fragilis group is still predominant in such infections. By definition surgery itself plays the major role in therapy while antibiotics have an adjunctive role. Depending on the source of the infection, several combinations of either an older cephalosporin for community acquired infections or a more advanced cephalosporin, an aminoglycoside, aztreonam or a quinolone with metronidazole or clindamycin for nosocomial infections, are acceptable therapeutic regimens. Cefoxitin, cefotetan, carbapenems and the inhibitors may also be used as monotherapy. However whenever selecting an antibiotic to combat anaerobes the following points should be seriously considered. The value of anaerobic cultures which should always be obtained in order to be used for local resistance surveillance. There is a lack of important newer antimicrobials active against anaerobes. Studies of newer antibiotics generally exclude critically ill patients and are chiefly made up of appendicitis cases which by definition end up with >90% cure rate. The importance of hyperbaric oxygen in selected cases should be considered.
Mass spectrometry of aryl‐substituted benzoylcyclopropanes

The electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra of several benzoylcycloprpanes carrying a wide variety of ring substituents were examined. Cleavage of the benzoyl-cyclopropyl CC bond was a dominant process in the spectra of the compounds. Retention of the positive charge with either the benzoyl or the cyclopropyl moiety was influenced by the electron-donating properties of the ring substituents. The stereoselectivity of hydrogen abstraction in the elimination of ArH groups was evaluated using deuterium-labelled analogs.
Sensitization and habituation regulate reinforcer effectiveness

We argue that sensitization and habituation occur to the sensory properties of reinforcers when those reinforcers are presented repeatedly or for a prolonged time. Sensitization increases, and habituation decreases, the ability of a reinforcer to control behavior. Supporting this argument, the rate of operant responding changes systematically within experimental sessions even when the programmed rate of reinforcement is held constant across the session. These within-session changes in operant responding are produced by repeated delivery of the reinforcer, and their empirical characteristics correspond to the characteristics of behavior undergoing sensitization and habituation. Two characteristics of habituation (dishabituation, stimulus specificity) are particularly useful in separating habituation from alternative explanations. Arguing that habituation occurs to reinforcers expands the domain of habituation. The argument implies that habituation occurs to biologically important, not just to neutral, stimuli. The argument also implies that habituation may be observed in "voluntary" (operant), not just in reflexive, behavior. Expanding the domain of habituation has important implications for understanding operant and classical conditioning. Habituation may also contribute to the regulation of motivated behaviors. Habituation provides a more accurate and a less cumbersome explanation for motivated behaviors than homeostasis. Habituation also has some surprising, and easily testable, implications for the control of motivated behaviors.
Oral bezafibrate induces daily torpor and FGF21 in mice in a PPAR alpha dependent manner

Abstract Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hormone released from the liver that mediates many of the physiological responses of fasting, such as lipolysis and ketogenesis. FGF21 is induced by the nuclear receptor PPARα when bound to its endogenous agonist, free fatty acid, or to the synthetic agonist, bezafibrate. To determine whether PPARα agonists mediate the metabolic suppression and accompanying fall in body temperature (Tb) in a bout of torpor that occurs in mice in response to fasting, C57Bl/6J mice (wildtype) and PPARα −/− mice were implanted with temperature telemeters and fed either a control (CON) diet or one containing a PPARα agonist, bezafibrate (BEZA), for 2 weeks, followed by a fast. Wildtype mice on the BEZA diet had a striking phenotype: most entered spontaneous torpor bouts without caloric restriction towards the end of the 2 weeks. This is the first demonstration that an additive to food could induce spontaneous bouts of daily torpor. However, PPARα −/− did not express this phenotype. Moreover, wildtype mice on the BEZA diet had twice the length of torpor bouts in response to a fast as did wildtype mice on the CON diet. PPARα −/− mice did enter bouts of fasting-induced torpor, but these were unaffected by the BEZA diet. The BEZA diet induced the level of FGF21 in the blood to fasting levels only in wildtype mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that a BEZA diet mimics the fasted state in both induction of FGF21 and in thermoregulation and does so in a pathway dependent on PPARα.
Neuroendocrine involvement in osmoregulation in the grapsid crab Metopograpsus messor

Abstract 1. 1. The grapsid crab Metopograpsus messor regulates both hypo- and hyperosmotically in sea-water (SW) concentrations ranging from 25 to 125%. Isosmoticity is approached at approximately 80% SW. The urine osmotic concentration is slightly higher than of blood in all salinities, the urine/ blood ratios ranging from 1·03 to 1·07. 2. 2. The ligation of the eyestalks causes a rapid decrease in the blood osmotic concentration when the animals are placed in 25% SW. This drop can be prevented in part by the injection of eyestalk homogenates. 3. 3. The decrease in the blood osmotic concentration in eyestalk-ligated animals is presumably due to an increased water influx. 4. 4. The results support the idea of an eyestalk-ventral ganglion involvement in osmoregulation in crabs.
Fibrin activatable urokinase (FA-UK): a latent form of UK found in urine related to a complex with an inhibitor/fibrin-interacting cofactor

Abstract In order to investigate the binding of pro-urokinase (pro-UK) in urine to fibrin/Celite, the property which led to its discovery, the effect of fibrin on the plasminogen activator activity of urine was studied. The plasminogen activator activity in urine was found to be consistently about 2-fold higher when measured by fibrin plate assay than by amidolytic substrate (S-2444), when normalized against the UK reference standard. When the amidolytic activity measurement was preceded by incubation of urine with soluble fibrin, a 2-fold increase in amidolytic activity was also found. Fibrin similarly increased plasmin generation in urine enriched with Glu- or Lys-plasminogen as determined by synthetic substrate S-2251. The observed promoting effect was common to several forms of soluble fibrin and was dose dependent, whereas fibrinogen had little effect. The promoting effect of fibrin was not expressed in the presence of pro-UK or two-chain UK (TC-UK) in buffer and therefore was attributed to another constituent of urine. Since the activity was inhibited by antibodies to UK but not to t-PA, it was called fibrin activatable UK (FA-UK). Gel filtration (Sephacryl-200) of urine revealed FA-UK activity in fractions eluting at a molecular weight of ∼ 100K. A 100K band of activity was also consistently seen when concentrated urine was subjected to zymography. Treatment of concentrated urine with hydroxylamine (1 M) eradicated both these activities and was associated with an increase in baseline amidolytic activity in the urine sample indicative of the release of UK from an inhibitor complex. Moreover, passage of urine over insolubilized monoclonal antibody against UK-inhibitor (PAI-3) complexes resulted in loss of FA-UK activity and of the 100K band on the zymogram suggesting that the complex responsible for FA-UK was related to a PAI-3 complex. Since the FA-UK activity appeared to bind to fibrin/Celite, attempts were made to investigate complexation with pro-UK. Unfortunately, due to the instability of pro-UK in urine, no reliable data were obtained. It was concluded that PAI-3 may serve as a fibrin-interacting co-factor of UK, and therefore may play a role in fibrinolysis.
Atomically detailed simulations of concentrated protein solutions: the effects of salt, pH, point mutations, and protein concentration in simulations of 1000-molecule systems.

An ability to accurately simulate the dynamic behavior of concentrated macromolecular solutions would be of considerable utility in studies of a wide range of biological systems. With this goal in mind, a Brownian dynamics (BD) simulation method is reported here that allows systems to be modeled that comprise in excess of 1000 protein molecules, all of which are treated in atomic detail. Intermolecular forces are described in the method using an energy function that incorporates electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and that is calibrated to reproduce experimental thermodynamic information with a single adjustable parameter. Using the method, BD simulations have been performed over a wide range of pH and ionic strengths for three proteins: hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL), chymotrypsinogen, and T4 lysozyme. The simulations reproduce experimental trends in second virial coefficients (B22) and translational diffusion coefficients, correctly capture changes in B22 values due to single amino acid substitut...
Physical dependence on Ultram (tramadol hydrochloride): both opioid-like and atypical withdrawal symptoms occur.

In 1994, the Drug Abuse Advisory Committee (DAAC) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that Ultram® (tramadol hydrochloride) could be marketed as an analgesic drug without scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act based upon extensive pre-clinical, clinical and European epidemiological data. However, to guard against unexpectedly high levels of abuse in the United States, the DAAC recommended that an independent steering committee (ISC) be appointed to proactively monitor abuse/dependence. In the event that high rates of abuse were found, this ISC was given the authority to immediately recommend to the FDA that Ultram® be scheduled. In the course of the surveillance project, the ISC received reports of withdrawal following abrupt discontinuation of Ultram® and in some instances, following dose reductions. In most cases, the withdrawal symptoms consisted of classical opioid withdrawal, but in some cases were accompanied by withdrawal symptoms not normally observed in opiate withdrawal, such as hallucinations, paranoia, extreme anxiety, panic attacks, confusion and unusual sensory experiences such as numbness and tingling in one or more extremities. Withdrawal symptoms of either type were one of the more prevalent adverse events associated with chronic Ultram® use, comprising nearly 40% of all adverse events reported with Ultram®. Most of these consisted of typical opiate withdrawal symptoms, but 1 in 8 cases presented as atypical. These results indicate that physicians and other healthcare professionals need to be aware of the potential of Ultram® to induce withdrawal of the classical opioid type, and that atypical withdrawal may also occur.
The relationship between problem-solving self-appraisal and psychological adjustment

This study examined whether college students' self-appraisal of their problem-solving effectiveness (i.e., perceived confidence, personal control, approach-avoidance) is related to their psychological adjustment, as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Subjects (N = 671) were initially given the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI; Heppner & Petersen, 1982), with 40 subjects who scored in the top 16% and 40 in the lower 16% of the PSI scores selected for additional participation; 67 (81% of the random sample) subsequently completed the study by responding to the MMPI. The data were analyzed on a scale-by-scale basis, as well as through profile analyses by two psychologists skilled in the interpretation of MMPI profiles. Results revealed that self-appraised ineffective (as opposed to effective) problem-solvers scored more negatively on a general index of psychological adjustment (the sum of all the clinical scales), differed on all of the hypothesized validity and clinical scales (F, K, F minus K, D, Pt, and Sc), and differed on all of the hypothesized additional scales (A, Es, Dy, Do, Re, Pr, St, Es minus A, and Do minus Dy). In addition, the profile analyses by the two psychologists suggested that the self-appraised ineffective problem-solvers were less well adjusted psychologically than the self-appraised effective problem-solvers, thus supporting the findings from the scale-by-scale analyses. Whereas behavioral adjustment has been previously linked to the ability to cope with problematic situations, perhaps an equally important variable is the person's appraisal of his/her coping ability.
Ethics, reference, and natural kinds

Rejetant l'interpretation de l'argument de la question ouverte de G. E. Moore developpee par T. Horgan et M. Timmons a partir d'une intuition concernant l'experience de pensee de la terre jumelle, l'A. se propose de reconstruire l'argument de Moore afin d'opposer une meilleure objection au naturalisme ethique. Examinant le probleme de l'identification synthetique des proprietes ethiques et des proprietes naturelles, l'A. souligne le role des intentions referentielles au regard de l'exigence de non-rigidite des termes ethiques
Rectification of process measurement data in the presence of gross errors

Abstract A systematic strategy is developed for the location of the source and the rectification of gross, biased measurement errors in a chemical process. The proposed strategy proceeds in three levels: (a) A structural analysis of the balance equations identifies subsets of balances with measurements which are suspected to possess gross errors. (b) A sequential analysis of the balance equations with suspect measurements further reduces the size of the problem. Statistical criteria are used in this step. (c) Finally, a sequential analysis of the suspect measurements appearing in the reduced set of balances leads to the identification of the source of the gross errors. The proposed strategy: (i) reduces the size of the data reconciliation problem significantly, even for large-scale chemical processes, (ii) is computationally simple and (iii) it conforms with the general process of variable monitoring in a chemical plant. Numerical examples are presented to clarify the elements of the procedure involved and demonstrate their value and effectiveness in dealing with realistic situations.
Attenuation of ammonia toxicity in mice by PK 11195 and pregnenolone sulfate.

Ammonia and benzodiazepines are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of various benzodiazepine-receptor ligands and neurosteroids on ammonia toxicity in mice. Administration of ammonium acetate (8-15 mmole/kg; i.p.) to Swiss Webster mice resulted in a dose-dependent increase in mortality. Pretreatment with the central benzodiazepine receptor agonist clonazepam or the antagonist Ro15-1788 (7 mg/kg each; i.p.) had no significant effect on the lethal response to 10 mmole/kg ammonium acetate. However, pretreatment with the putative antagonist of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor, PK 11195 (10 mg/kg; i.p.), reduced mortality from 50 to 10%. Ro5-4864 (10 mg/kg; i.p.), an agonist of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors, had no effect on ammonia toxicity. The neurosteroid, pregnenolone sulfate (20 mg/kg; i.p.) reduced mortality from 50 to 25%. The non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, MK-801 (2 mg/kg; i.p.), had no effect on the lethal response to ammonium acetate. The results from the present study suggest a role for peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors and specific neurosteroids in the alleviation of ammonia toxicity in mice.
Cushing'S syndrome attributable to topical use of lotrisone.

ABSTRACT Objective To emphasize the potentially devastating consequences of topical application of corticosteroids. Methods A case report is presented of a previously healthy 38-year-old woman in whom florid Cushing’s syndrome developed after prolonged use of Lotrisone. Results Four years of continuous topical administration of Lotrisone, a combination antifungal-corticosteroid product, led to the development of Cushing’s syndrome. The cream had been applied to less than 10% of the total body surface area without use of occlusive dressings, and the patient had no evidence of liver dysfunction or systemic skin disorder. Laboratory studies revealed an unmeasurable corticotropin level, suppressed or unmeasurable cortisol levels, and suppressed or lownormal 24-hour urine collection values for 17-hydroxysteroids, 17-ketosteroids, and urinary free cortisol, all of which confirm suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Conclusion (1) Betamethasone dipropionate can lead to the development of Cushing’s syndrome, even in the absence of enhancing factors. (2) Combination medications can lead to the unintentional use of component agents. (3) Availability of potent corticosteroids as overthe-counter medications allows for inappropriate duration of therapy and inadequate medical supervision. (Endocr Pract. 1997; 3:140-144)
Nylon Pore System

Porous nylon blocks are currently used as lubricant replenishment reservoirs in moving mechanical assemblies within communication satellites and other spacecraft that must have long mission lifetimes. This report presents theoretical and experimental evidence that the reservoir function is not fulfilled under isothermal conditions because of capillary effects. The LaPlace equation is used to indicate that the direction of lubricant flow is from flat surfaces, toward and into the narrow pore system of the reservoir. The Kelvin equation predicts when this process reaches equilibrium. The Washburn equation is used to indicate that the capillary driven flow is much faster than mass transfer through the vapor phase. Nomenclature / = frequency G = free energy g =gravity,Eq. (2) h - height above free surface of reservoir, Eq. (2) £ = length of capillary Pc = pressure difference across a liquid interface, Eq.(l)
Using Fuzzy Rule–Based Systems to Evaluate Overall Financial Performance of Governments: An Enhancement to the Bond Rating Process

Credit ratings remain a key feature of municipal debt management. The primary objective of this article is to develop a new methodology for evaluating the financial performance and creditworthiness of governments and to illustrate this approach for a sample of large American cities. Specifically, we develop a fuzzy rule–based system (FRBS) that uses economic, debt, and other financial information as well as a measure of financial management to produce rankings of city financial performance. The FRBS credit ratings are highly correlated with actual Moody’s ratings for these cities. FRBS have the potential of enhancing the rating process by standardizing the information used and encouraging consistent rules about what combinations of inputs result in good, fair, or poor performance.
Hydrothermal synthesis of graphene-TiO 2 nanotube composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity

In this study, TiO2 nanotube (TNT)/reduced graphene oxide (hGO) composites were prepared by an alkaline hydrothermal process. This was achieved by decorating graphene oxide (GO) layers with commercially available TiO2 nanoparticles (P90) followed by hydrothermal synthesis, which converts the TiO2 nanoparticles to small diameter (∼9 nm) TNTs on the hGO surface. The alkaline medium used to synthesize the TNTs simultaneously converts GO to deoxygenated graphene oxide (hGO). Compared to GO, the hGO has a ∼70% reduction of oxygenated species after alkaline hydrothermal treatment. The graphene nature of hGO in the composites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, FTIR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The photocatalytic performance of the hGO-TNT composites was evaluated for the photodegradation of malachite green. It was found that the ratio of hGO to TNT in the composites significantly affects the photocatalytic activity. Higher amounts of hGO in hGO-TNT composites showed lower p...
Central Venous Catheter Placement in Patients With Disorders of Hemostasis

Objective To define the incidence of bleeding complications from central venous access procedures performed by a critical care service in patients with disorders of hemostasis. Design Prospective, consecutive sample, collection of clinical data. Setting University teaching hospital. Patients Seventy-six consecutive patients with disorders of hemostasis who required central venous access for clinical management between October 1992 and October 1993. Measurements Age, sex, clinical diagnosis, most recent platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were recorded from the medical record of patients with known coagulation or platelet abnormalities. The site of central venous catheter placement, the number of needle passes necessary to complete the procedure, and the occurrence of complications were reported by the critical care attending physician performing or supervising the procedure. Results One hundred four central venous access procedures were performed on 76 patients with disorders of hemostasis. Seventy-three percent of catheters were placed in patients with platelet counts less than 100,000/mL and 40% of catheters were placed in patients with abnormalities of PT, aPTT, or both. Thirteen percent of patients had abnormalities of both platelets and coagulation profile. There were no serious complications. Bleeding complicated 7 (6.5% of the procedures; 5 patients had bleeding from the skin (from the suture sites in four), and 2 patients developed small periosteal hematomas. All patients with bleeding complications had thrombocytopenia with mean platelet counts of 22,000/mL and a range of 6,000 to 37,000/mL. Most patients with platelet counts in this range did not have clinically evident bleeding. Conclusions Central venous access procedures can be done safely in patients with disorders of hemostasis by skilled physicians who frequently perform these procedures. Patients most likely to experience bleeding from these procedures are patients with severe thrombocytopenia. In this series, only a single patient, with a platelet count of 6,000/mL, required therapeutic blood product administration.
Nitridation of organo-silicate glass: A self-limiting process for PVD Ta1+xN/Ta barrier formation

Abstract Interfacial reactions of sputter-deposited Ta with a low dielectric constant Si–O–C–H material (SiCOH), and with surface-nitrided SiCOH (N-SiCOH) were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The studies were carried out in a system containing a processing chamber attached to an XPS analysis chamber so that sample transport between deposition and analysis environments occurred under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. Ta sputter deposition on unmodified SiCOH yielded an interfacial phase ∼3 nm thick composed of Ta oxide/carbide (Ta–O–C), which is known to interact only weakly with Cu. Bombardment of the vicinal SiCOH surface by 500 eV Ar+ in the presence of NH3 resulted in carbon depletion and the self-limiting nitridation of the surface, with N attachment primarily at Si sites. Subsequent Ta sputter deposition yielded reduced Ta oxide and carbide formation, and formation of a Ta-rich nitride layer of 10 A average thickness. Subsequent deposition resulted in metallic Ta formation.
Block-length dependent thresholds for ℓ 2 /ℓ 1 -optimization in block-sparse compressed sensing

One of the most basic problems in compressed sensing is solving an under-determined system of linear equations. Although this problem seems rather hard certain l 1 -optimization algorithm appears to be very successful in solving it. The recent work of [3, 6] rigorously proved (in a large dimensional and statistical context) that if the number of equations (measurements in the compressed sensing terminology) in the system is proportional to the length of the unknown vector then there is a sparsity (number of non-zero elements of the unknown vector) also proportional to the length of the unknown vector such that l 1 -optimization algorithm succeeds in solving the system. In more recent papers [21, 22] we considered the setup of the so-called block-sparse unknown vectors. In a large dimensional and statistical context, we determined sharp lower bounds on the values of allowable sparsity for any given number (proportional to the length of the unknown vector) of equations such that an l 2 /l 1 -optimization algorithm succeeds in solving the system. The results established in [21, 22] assumed a fairly large block-length of the block-sparse vectors. In this paper we consider the block-length to be a parameter of the system. Consequently, we then establish sharp lower bounds on the values of the allowable block-sparsity as functions of the block-length.
Operation of PEP Longitudinal Feedback System

In order to suppress longitudinal coupled-bunch oscillations which might limit the capabilities of PEP, the 18 GeV e/sup +/e/sup -/ storage ring at SLAC, a longitudinal feedback system is utilized. A frequency domain feedback system was chosen with the frequency spectrum of the stored beam being sampled close to a symmetry point in the ring where the feedback cavity itself is also located. The symmetry point chosen is symmetry point 5 which lies half-way between interaction regions 4 and 6. The system has been installed in PEP and is now operational. However, at stored currents up to the maximum stored in PEP to date at 14.5 GeV (approximately 40 mA in 6 bunches), the ring has been stable to all modes of longitudinal coupled-bunch oscillations both barycentric and the other fundamental modes. By deliberately detuning the main accelerating cavities, small multibunch oscillations can be introduced which, in turn, can be damped by the feedback system. Under optimized beam conditions the feedback system could be adjusted to positive feedback and excite oscillations with relatively small power to the feedback cavity. This will be described along with other details of the system.
Factions in Committees: The U.S. House of Representatives*

This study undertakes a major reanalysis of the decision-making processes in eight committees of the U.S. House of Representatives-Agriculture, Education and Labor, Interior and Insular Affairs, International Relations, Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Post Office and Civil Service, Public Works and Ways and Means. While past studies have relied mainly on interviews, this study uses a data base composed of recorded committee roll-call votes. The analysis consists of a Q-component analysis to determine voting blocs or factions; an R-component analysis to discover issue dimensions; and step-wise regression and correlation utilizing demographic, political and electoral characteristics to define the nature of the voting blocs. The results are then compared with previous analyses of the same eight committees to determine what changes, if any, have occurred since the committees were last analyzed. The findings suggest that partisanship and ideology have become stronger influences on committee decision making than previously noted.
Electron quantum yields from a barium photocathode illuminated with polarized light

Photoemission measurements with a barium photocathode and a nitrogen laser are reported. The cathode is prepared by evaporating barium onto a copper disc. Radiation from a nitrogen laser (337 nm, 10 ns) is polarized and strikes the cathode surface at variable angles. An electron quantum yield as high as 1/spl times/10/sup -3/ is observed. The dependence of the quantum yield on the beam polarization and angle of incidence is investigated. The results indicate that higher quantum yields are achieved when the laser beam is incident at an angle of /spl sim/55/spl deg/ and is polarized perpendicular to the plane of incidence. >
Conjugation rescue of exocytosis mutants in Tetrahymena thermophila indicates the presence of functional intermediates in the regulated secretory pathway

Tetrahymena thermophila possesses a regulated secretory pathway in which mucin proteins are stored in dense-core granules, called mucocysts. Exocytosis-defective mutants exist that fail to secrete mucin in response to secretagogues. Four of the mutants (SB281, SB283, SB285 and SB715) appear to be blocked at different steps of the regulated secretory pathway. SB281 and SB285 accumulate mucin proteins in heterogeneous cytoplasmic organelles which have not yet been identified; SB283 makes mucocyst-like structures but they contain no immunologically identifiable 80-kDa or 50-kDa mucin proteins; and SB715 has more than normal amounts of immature and undocked mucocysts. The organelles that accumulate in exocytosis-defective mutants could be either normal intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway or aberrant structures that form as a result of the mutations. We have used conjugation rescue to analyze steps in the biogenesis of exocytosis-competent mucocysts and to identify functional intermediates. The cytoplasmic organelles that accumulate in SB281 appear to be unidentified biosynthetic intermediates, and the defect is in a cytosolic protein essential for mucocyst maturation. The organelles which accumulate in the other mutants are likely biosynthetic, but their mutations are in proteins which are labile or not free to diffuse into the mutant conjugant.
An investigation of the freezing of water in capillaries

In order to isolate the factors governing the freezing point of cloud and precipitation elements, experiments have been made to measure the effects of physical dimension and of certain ions in solution upon the freezing temperature of water in glass capillaries. The results of these experiments indicate that the freezing point of water in capillaries is independent of the volume or of the interface area, and that the radius of the capillary tubing is the only physical dimension that affects the freezing point of water contained in it. The amount of supercooling necessary to induce freezing can be either increased or diminished by the addition of certain ions in solution. The magnitude and sign of the change in freezing point are functions of the type of ions in solution, the molar concentration of the ions, and the capillary radius.
Hyperactivity persists in male and female adults with ADHD and remains a highly discriminative feature of the disorder: a case-control study

Symptoms of hyperactivity are believed to fade with age leaving ADHD adults mostly inattentive and impulsive. Our aim was to test this assertion using objective measures of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. Participants were 40 subjects with ADHD (23M/17F; 35±10 yrs) and 60 healthy adults (28M/32F; 29±9 yrs) blindly assessed using Wender-Reimherr interview ratings, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders and DSM-IV criteria. Infrared motion capture systems tracked head and leg movements during performance of a No-4’s cognitive control task. Subjects also completed the Conners’ CPT-II. ADHD and controls differed significantly in activity and attention. Effect sizes for activity measures (d’ = 0.7–1.6) were, on average, two-fold larger than differences in attention or impulsivity, correlated more strongly with executive function ratings and were more discriminatory (ROC area = 0.83 for activity composite, 0.65 for No-4’s distraction composite, 0.63 for Conners’ CPT-II confidence index, 0.96 for the combined activity and attention diagnostic index). This finding was true for subjects with the predominantly inattentive subtype as well as subjects with combined or predominantly hyperactive/impulsive subtype. Males and females with ADHD were equally active. The superior accuracy of activity measures was confirmed using Random Forest and predictive modeling techniques. Objectively measured hyperactivity persists in adults with ADHD and is a more discriminative feature of the disorder than computerized measures of inattention or impulsivity. This finding supports the hypothesis that a deficient ability to sit still remains a defining feature of the disorder in adults when it is measured objectively.
The structure of a ketoreductase determines the organization of the beta-carbon processing enzymes of modular polyketide synthases

The structure of the ketoreductase (KR) from the first module of the erythromycin synthase with NADPH bound was solved to 1.79 A resolution. The 51 kDa domain has two subdomains, each similar to a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) monomer. One subdomain has a truncated Rossmann fold and serves a purely structural role stabilizing the other subdomain, which catalyzes the reduction of the beta-carbonyl of a polyketide and possibly the epimerization of an alpha-substituent. The structure enabled us to define the domain boundaries of KR, the dehydratase (DH), and the enoylreductase (ER). It also constrains the three-dimensional organization of these domains within a module, revealing that KR does not make dimeric contacts across the 2-fold axis of the module. The quaternary structure elucidates how substrates are shuttled between the active sites of polyketide synthases (PKSs), as well as related fatty acid synthases (FASs), and suggests how domains can be swapped to make hybrid synthases that produce novel polyketides.