cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization and localization of alkaline phosphatase in canine seminal plasma and gonadal tissues

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is a useful indicator of the presence of the sperm-rich (2nd) fraction in the canine ejaculate. Two AP isoenzymes originating from separate genes have been identified in the dog: tissue nonspecific (TNS) and intestinal. Bone, liver, and corticosteroid-induced AP are different isoforms of the TNS and intestinal isoenzymes. Using gel electrophoresis and levamisole inhibition assays, it was determined that seminal plasma AP (SAP) is a unique isoform of canine TNS AP whose glycosylation is distinct from either of the TNS AP isoforms commonly found in canine serum. Using immunocytochemistry, SAP activity was localized to the epididymal and seminiferous tubular epithelium. The ability to distinguish SAP from bone AP, liver AP and corticosteroid-induced AP could be beneficial to the practitioner in determining the quality of a semen sample.
Increased Alignment of Electronic Polymers in Liquid Crystals via Hydrogen Bonding Extension

Crucial for the development of enhanced electrooptic materials is the construction of highly anisotropic materials. Nematic liquid crystals are able to control the chain conformation and alignment of poly(phenylene ethynylene)s (PPEs), producing electronic polymers with chain-extended planar conformations for improved transport properties. Here, we show that the dichroic ratio, and hence polymer alignment, increases dramatically when interpolymer interactions are introduced by end capping the PPE with hydrogen bonding groups. This increased order can be readily turned off by the introduction of a competing monofunctionalized hydrogen bonding compound. The formation of hydrogen bonds between the polymers results in the formation of gels and elastomers which may be of interest for future applications.
Vortex-Induced Vibration of a Sprung Rigid Circular Cylinder Augmented With a Nonlinear Energy Sink

We study the nonlinear fluid-structure interaction of an elastically supported rigid circular cylinder in a laminar flow. Periodic shedding of counter-rotating vortices from either side of the cylinder results in vortex-induced vibration of the cylinder. We demonstrate the passive suppression of the limit cycle oscillation (LCO) of the cylinder with the use of an essentially nonlinear element, the nonlinear energy sink (NES). The computational study is performed at a Reynolds number (Re) of 100; Re is defined based on the cylinder diameter and inlet velocity. The variational multiscale residual-based stabilized finite-element method is used to compute approximate solutions of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The NES is comprised of a small mass, an essentially nonlinear spring, and a linear damper. With appropriate values for the NES parameters, the coupled system of flow-cylinder-NES exhibits resonant interactions, resulting in targeted energy transfer (TET) from the flow via the cylinder to the NES, where the energy is dissipated by the linear damper. The NES interacts with the fluid via the cylinder by altering the phase relation between the lift force and the cylinder displacement; this brings about significant reduction in the LCO amplitude of the cylinder for several set of values of the NES parameters.© 2012 ASME
Severe fetal acidemia: neonatal neurologic features and short-term outcome.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine if infants delivered with severe acidemia (cord umbilical arterial pH 2 , and base deficit for the 47 infants was 6.86 ± 0.11, 97 ± 22 mm Hg, and −17 ± 4, respectively. Labor complications were common and included placental abruption in 8, ruptured uterus in 4, cord prolapse in 3, fetal heart rate decelerations in 12, and other (n = 14). Most infants were delivered via emergency cesarean section (n = 29). Delivery room interventions included oxygen and bag/mask ventilation only (n = 20) and intubation and ventilation (n = 22); 7 of 22 infants received CPR and epinephrine for persistent bradycardia (heart rate P P = .019) and CPR in the delivery room ( P
Hardware-in-the-loop simulation system of the Beijing Simulation Center

This paper mainly deals with the hardware-in-the-loop system developed by Beijing Simulation Center and its chief applications. A detailed description is also given herein to the major hardware-in-the-loop systems in the center.
Ginkgo biloba prevention trials: more than an ounce of prevention learned.

JAMA Ginkgo biloba for Prevention of Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial Steven T. DeKosky, MD; Jeff D. Williamson, MD, MHS; Annette L. Fitzpatrick, PhD; Richard A. Kronmal, PhD; Diane G. Ives, MPH; Judith A. Saxton, MD; Oscar L. Lopez, MD; Gregory Burke, MD; Michelle C. Carlson, PhD; Linda P. Fried, MD, MPH; Lewis H. Kuller, MD, DrPH; John A. Robbins, MD, MHS; Russell P. Tracy, PhD; Nancy F. Woolard; Leslie Dunn, MPH; Beth E. Snitz, PhD; Richard L. Nahin, PhD, MPH; Curt D. Furberg, MD, PhD; for the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) Study Investigators Context: Ginkgo biloba is widely used for its potential effects on memory and cognition. To date, adequately powered clinical trials testing the effect of G biloba on dementia incidence are lacking. Objective: To determine effectiveness of G biloba vs placebo in reducing the incidence of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease (AD) in elderly individuals with normal cognition and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 5 academic medical centers in the United States between 2000 and 2008 with a median follow-up of 6.1 years. Three thousand sixty-nine community volunteers aged 75 years or older with normal cognition (n = 2587) or MCI (n = 482) at study entry were assessed every 6 months for incident dementia. Intervention: Twice-daily dose of 120-mg extract of G biloba (n = 1545) or placebo (n = 1524). Main Outcome Measures: Incident dementia and AD determined by expert panel consensus. Results: Five hundred twenty-three individuals developed dementia (246 receiving placebo and 277 receiving G biloba ) with 92% of the dementia cases classified as possible or probable AD, or AD with evidence of vascular disease of the brain. Rates of dropout and loss to follow-up were low (6.3%), and the adverse effect profiles were similar for both groups. The overall dementia rate was 3.3 per 100 person-years in participants assigned to G biloba and 2.9 per 100 person-years in the placebo group. The hazard ratio (HR) for G biloba compared with placebo for all-cause dementia was 1.12 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.33; P = .21) and for AD, 1.16 (95% CI, 0.97-1.39; P = .11). G biloba also had no effect on the rate of progression to dementia in participants with MCI (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.85-1.50; P = .39). Conclusions: In this study, G biloba at 120 mg twice a day was not effective in reducing either the overall incidence rate of dementia or AD incidence in elderly individuals with normal cognition or those with MCI. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00010803 JAMA. 2008;300(19):2253-2262..
Fatigue in rate sensitive solids

The fatigue process, viewed as a sequence of slow growth periods, is described by a non-linear differential equation of the first order which includes the “creep component” of crack growth in a visco-elastic solid. It is shown that fracture in a rate sensitive medium may extend even under sustained or decreasing loads. The total rate of growth consists therefore of two terms where the first term is a familiar power law, valid for a high-cycle range and limited plasticity effects, while the second one accounts for the time-dependent contribution. Here f denotes frequency, Y is the yield stress, Kcdenotes fracture toughness, ΔK stands for the stress intensity range while the crack closure correction α, the rate sensitivity C and the constant R * are defined in the text.
Induction and reversal of cardiac phenotype of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutation cardiac troponin T-Q92 in switch on-switch off bigenic mice.

Objectives The aim of this study was to establish reversibility of cardiac phenotypes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by generating bigenic mice in which expression of the mutant transgene could be turned on and off as needed. Background Advances in molecular therapeutics could ultimately lead to therapies aimed at correcting the causal mutations. However, whether cardiac phenotypes, once established, are permanent, or could be reversed, if expression of the mutant protein is turned off, is unknown. Methods We generated ligand-inducible bigenic mice, turned on and off expression of cardiac troponin T-Q92 (cTnT-Q92), responsible for human HCM, and characterized molecular, histologic, and functional phenotypes. Results We established six lines and in dose-titration studies showed that treatment with 1,000 μg/kg of mifepristone consistently switched on cTnT-Q92 expression in the heart. Short-term (16 days) induced expression enhanced myocardial systolic function without changing myocardial cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels. Levels of PTEN, a regulator of cardiac function, phospho-protein kinase C-Ζλ-Thr538 and phosphor-protein kinase D-Ser744-748 were reduced, whereas messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of NPPA, NPPB, and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium adenine triphosphatase 2 (ATP2A2) (hypertrophic markers) and procollagen COL1A1, COL1A2, and COL3A1were unchanged. Long-term (70 days) induced expression increased COL1A1and COL1A3 mRNAs levels and collagen volume fraction and reduced levels of NPPAand NPPB. Switching off expression of the cTnT-Q92 reversed functional, molecular, and histologic phenotypes completely. Conclusions The initial phenotype induced by cTnT-Q92 is enhanced myocardial systolic function followed by changes in signaling kinases and interstitial fibrosis. Established phenotypes in HCM reverse upon turning off expression of the mutant protein. These findings provoke pursuing specific therapies directed at correcting the underlying the genetic defect in HCM.
Issues with Gold Electroplating for Microelectromechanical System Applications

Electro-plated gold films are used extensively in packaging of MEM sensors to make connections to signal conditioning electronics. Over the past two years, production lots of gold plated substrates, procured from various vendors, failed an accelerated aging qualification test. In this test, 0.0025 [mm] diameter aluminum wires were ultrasonically welded to the film, aged at 120°C for 48 hours, and then pulled to destruction. The criterion for passing this test was that the wires should break both before and after aging. In the defective lots, the wires lifted off of the gold film after aging. Analysis of these defective films by SEM, Auger, and TOF-SIMS suggested that residues, deposited from the plating bath, concentrated beneath the bond as the gold and aluminum reacted to form an inter-metallic compound during aging. A combination, etch and cleaning treatment was developed for defective substrates, which removed a sufficient amount of residues from the gold to pass the qualification test.
Accuracy of Cardiac Auscultation by Microwave

Telemedicine, the practice of medicine at a distance, offers the opportunity to facilitate cardiac consultation in remote areas to alleviate existing shortages of qualified specialists. For such consultation to be useful, accurate transmission of auscultatory findings is essential. To study this accuracy, auscultation of the heart was carried out on patients with heart murmurs and normal controls through the use of a standard stethoscope and a telestethoscope. The telestethoscope allowed auscultation by an observer situated 2.7 miles away from the 50 subjects. The observer was unaware of the status of the subject with respect to “patient” or “control” at the time of the teleauscultation. All murmurs of grade 2/6 or more were easily and accurately described using telestethoscope. Two of the 32 grade 1/6 murmurs were not heard. This study indicates that the telestethoscope is a potentially useful tool for extending the availability of the cardiologist to medically disadvantaged areas.
Nuclear and mitochondrial alterations in amebae exposed to ethidium bromide

Abstract Cultures of Amoeba proteus were exposed to ethidium bromide at concentrations ranging between 5 and 100 μg/ml for periods of up to 1 week. Samples of treated and control cells were prepared at intervals for electron microscopy. The main ultrastructural alterations were in nucleoli and in mitochondria. The nucleoli of treated cells increased in density and became spherical with more sharply defined margins than those of normal amebae. Many nucleoli contained electron-lucent regions or nucleolar vacuoles of varying size. The chromatin was unusually condensed in some amebae. Mitochondria developed a central electron-lucent region and accumulated a dense material in the matrix. Some cristae were abnormally dilated. The nuclear alterations occurred at least as early as the mitochondrial changes and were present even in cells exposed to the lower concentrations of inhibitor, in which mitochondrial changes were minimal.
NOMENCLATURE OF VOICE DISORDERS AND VOCAL PATHOLOGY

An improved nomenclature framework is crucial to improve communication regarding voice problems and to advance the field of voice disorders. The subjective nature of the voice evaluation process does not lend itself readily to uniformity and most voice-disordered patients demonstrate multiple pathologic processes. In this article, the authors offer a broad-based nomenclature paradigm for the classification of voice disorders and vocal pathology. Four major categories of voice disorders are identified based on pathophysiology and auditory-perceptual and visual-perceptual observations. As the understanding of vocal fold biomechanics and pathophysiology evolves, it is expected that this nomenclature system will also increase in specificity.
Thermodynamic analysis of binary liquid alloys of group iib metals—III

Abstract The heats of solution of seven other group B metals in mercury were determined calorimetrically at 150° over a fairly wide range in composition. The relative partial enthalpies of mercury were derived, and were compared with excess free energies obtained from the literature. Unlike the corresponding alloys of zinc and cadmium, the considered mercury systems show no correlation between the excess enthalpy, the excess entropy and the valence difference between solvent and solute. However, the observed heats of formation seem to reflect the competition between an “electro-negativity” factor, which gives rise to negative terms in the enthalpy, and a “misfit” factor, which gives rise to positive terms.
Evaluation of regional antibiograms to monitor antimicrobial resistance in hampton roads, Virginia

We studied recent antibiograms (2010 to 2011) from 12 hospitals in the Hampton Roads area, Virginia, that refer patients to a tertiary-care facility affiliated with Eastern Virginia Medical School. The data was compiled into a regional antibiogram, and sensitivity rates of common isolates from the tertiary-care facility (central) were compared to those of referring hospitals grouped by locale. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common Gram- positive and E. coli the most common Gram- negative organism grown from clinical samples in the area. Overall 53% of S.aureus isolates were resistant to oxacillin. There was a broad scatter of MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) for vancomycin within the susceptibility range, and MIC of 4 μg/mL was reported in 2012. Penicillin resistance was seen in 50% and erythromycin resistance in 45% of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Vancomycin resistance was seen in 75% of Enterococcus faecium and 2% of Enterococcus faecalis respectively. Acinetobacter baumannii was the most resistant Gram negative organism in the data compiled. Among the Escherichia coli, 26%, 44% and 52%were resistant to Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole ( SXT) ampicillin- sulbactam and ampicillin respectively. We found significant differences in methodology, interpretation and antibiotic panels used by area laboratories. Based on these findings, we are now prospectively following resistance patterns in the tertiary-care facility, sharing data, and creating a consistent approach to antimicrobial susceptibility testing in the region.
A versatile and convenient synthesis of benzofurans

Abstract A convenient, general, one-step synthesis of 2-substituted benzofurans from o-iodophenols and acetylenic compounds in the presence of cuprous oxide is presented.
Graphical Methods in Statistics

Abstract Graphical methods have played a central role in the development of statistical theory and practice. This presentation briefly reviews some of the highlights in the historical development of statistical graphics and gives a simple taxonomy that can be used to characterize the current use of graphical methods. This taxonomy is used to describe the evolution of the use of graphics in some major statistical and related scientific journals. Some recent advances in the use of graphical methods for statistical analysis are reviewed, and several graphical methods for the statistical presentation of data are illustrated, including the use of multicolor maps.
Idempotent density matrices for correlated systems from x-ray-diffraction structure factors

X-ray structure-factor data can be used to obtain an electron-density matrix corresponding to a wave function that is a single determinant of orbitals. Equations are derived which treat this problem for the case of electronic open shells. The equations are solved for model numerical problems of lithium and berylium atoms. For these cases the structure-factor data are obtained from essentially exact wave functions.
A sense of proportion: commentary on Opfer, Siegler and Young

A growing body of evidence (Barth & Paladino, 2011; Cohen & Blanc-Goldhammer, 2011; Sullivan, Juhasz, Slattery & Barth, 2011) shows that ‘linear’ estimation patterns in published number-line data actually follow a cyclic power function, a signature of proportional reasoning (Hollands & Dyre, 2000; Spence, 1990). Opfer, Siegler and Young argue that fitting a cyclic power function to number-line data is tantamount to capitalizing on chance. We claim, in contrast, that the cyclic power function is (1) theoretically motivated, (2) mathematically sensitive to important fluctuations in the data, and (3) highly unlikely to be fitting noise in these data. We caution OSY if so their estimates should be well characterized by an unbounded power function. OSY see Hollands & Dyre, 2000, Figure 3). Adoption of a reference point can, of course, occur abruptly. OS&Y unfortunately did not test this hypothesis. Finally, OS&Y raised the concern that while power models may provide the best fits, they are not necessarily the best predicting models. They applied leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) techniques to their compiled dataset, finding support for the log-to-linear shift. We conducted LOOCV analyses on B&P’s dataset (one better suited to testing alternative hypotheses). We calculated mean squared error (MSE) as the cross-validation error index, instead of using the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) as OS&Y did (MAPE is at times appropriate for evaluating time-dependent series data, but it is not appropriate for datasets discussed here). We also did not separate children with ‘logarithmic’ vs. ‘linear’ estimation patterns, a serious problem with OS&Y’s analysis (because preassigning these groups
Stroke and the female brain.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the female population carries a larger stroke burden than the male population, partly because of increased life expectancy, and partly because most deaths from stroke occur in women. In this article, Cheryl Bushnell reviews our current knowledge regarding sex-related differences in stroke characteristics and risk factors, including the influence of endogenous and exogenous estrogens. She also describes a new initiative designed to advance the study of stroke in women. Stroke is a major public health problem. The female population carries a higher stroke burden than the male population, both because females have a longer life expectancy and because most stroke deaths occur in women. Differences between the sexes in relation to stroke are increasingly being recognized; for example, among stroke survivors, women tend to have worse outcomes than men, as indicated by more-severe disability and an increased likelihood of institutionalization in women. Women and men with stroke also differ in their risk factor profiles, and they respond differently to primary-prevention and acute stroke treatment. Women experience variations in endogenous estrogens throughout their life cycle and might also be exposed to exogenous estrogens, both of which markedly affect the brain. An understanding of the effects of endogenous and exogenous estrogens on cerebral hemodynamics could guide research into explaining how hormone therapy increases the risk of stroke in postmenopausal women. This Review summarizes the sex differences related to stroke, and the effect of endogenous and exogenous hormones on the cerebrovasculature of the female brain. It also proposes potential research approaches, the results of which could fill in gaps in our knowledge regarding the mechanism of action of estrogen in the brain.
Timing of administration of bevacizumab chemotherapy affects wound healing after chest wall port placement

BACKGROUND: The authors investigated how the timing of administration of bevacizumab, a targeted vascular endothelial growth factor-inhibiting chemotherapeutic agent, affected the risk of wound healing in patients undergoing chest wall port placement. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective search was performed of an institutional review board approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant database between 2002 and 2008, identifying 1108 port placements in patients who were treated with bevacizumab. One hundred twenty of these ports eventually required explant. Data analyzed included patient demographics, indication for port removal, and schedule of bevacizumab therapy. RESULTS: Wound healing complications requiring port explant were seen in 0.9% of placements (10/1108). When bevacizumab was given within 1 day of port placement, the absolute risk (AR) of port removal for wound dehiscence was 2.4% (2/82), compared with 0.3% (3/1021) when 2 or more days had passed between port placement and bevacizumab administration, yielding a statistically significant relative risk (RR) of 8.1 (P < .02). Similarly, when bevacizumab was administered within 7 days of port insertion, there was a significant RR of dehiscence-related port explant (AR 1.4% vs 0.1%, RR 11.5, P < .028). However, no significant RR for dehiscence-related port removal was observed when bevacizumab was administered within 14 days (AR 0.9% vs 0.2%, RR 6.2, P < .09) or 30 days (AR 0.7% vs 0.2%, RR 3.7, P < .23) of port placement. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of a wound dehiscence requiring chest wall port explant in patients treated with bevacizumab was inversely proportional to the interval between bevacizumab administration and port placement, with significantly higher risk seen when the interval is less than 14 days. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Splenic hemangioma with thrombocytopenia and afibrinogenemia.

A 16-month-old boy who presented with bruising, anemia, an abdominal mass, thrombocytopenia, and afibrinogenemia was cured by the surgical removal of a large splenic hemangioma. Preoperatively, coagulation studies revealed low normal levels of Factors V and VIII, normal fibrinolysis, and high levels of immunologically detectable split products of fibrinogen. The half-life of 131 I-labeled fibrinogen was 36 hours preoperatively and 72 hours postoperatively. Thirteen other cases of hemangioma and thrombocytopenia (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome) associated with hypofibrinogenemia are reviewed.
Statistical multiplexing using MPEG-2 video encoders

This paper presents a system for statistical multiplexing of several compressed video programs using MPEG-2-compatible video encoders. We propose a new external joint rate control algorithm to dynamically distribute the channel bandwidth among the program encoders such that the video quality is approximately equal in all programs. In our algorithm, the bit rate of each encoder is updated on the basis of the relative complexities of the programs measured at boundaries of groups of pictures (GOPs) and whenever scene changes are detected. The proposed algorithm requires no external preprocessing of the input video sources. Furthermore, as compared with previous work in this area, our algorithm is not restricted to operate only with encoders having the same GOP structure. Thus, the GOP boundaries at the different encoders need not be synchronized. Bit rate changes take place only at GOP boundaries, allowing the encoders to operate at a constant bit rate within GOPs. Overall, this results in a piecewise variable bit rate compression for each of the encoders. We also describe a strategy for decreasing the reaction delay of the system for scene changes. Experimental results show that the proposed multiprogram video compression system results in good picture quality with no external preprocessing, despite its relative simplicity.
Cache protection strategies of a scatter-hoarding rodent : do tree squirrels engage in behavioural deception?

Behavioural deception has been studied experimentally primarily in captive-raised primates and corvids, and only in a laboratory setting. Here we show that free-living eastern grey squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis, caching food in the presence of conspecifics perform behavioural deception by covering additional empty sites where nothing has been cached. Such deceptive caching (1) occurred in two distinct populations, (2) occurred more often in the close presence of conspecifics and (3) reduced the probability of cache pilferage by surrogate (human) cache pilferers. In an additional experiment, in which we attempted to elicit deceptive behaviour by pilfering caches, deceptive caching appeared as one behaviour in a suite of pilferage-avoidance responses. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show evidence of behavioural deception by a rodent, and the first to use an experimental approach to studying deceptive behaviour in the wild.
Anterior segment fluorescein cineangiography.

We have developed a technique for performing anterior segment fluorescein cineangiography. Illumination is obtained with a halogen lamp of a standard slide projector that is fitted with a blue excitation filter. Cinematography occurs with a movie camera fitted with an absorption-type barrier filter and mounted to a photo slit lamp through a cineadapter. The technique has been successfully employed with animals, and it is anticipated that the light levels used are tolerable and safe for application with humans.
The application of Raman spectroscopy to the study of adsorbed molecules on alumina surfaces

Surfaces of alumina powders from a variety of suppliers have been studied by recording Raman spectra in air by excitation of the powder surface with a 532 nm pulsed laser beam. The results of these studies, which were largely concerned with the amount and character of adsorbed H2O and CO2 on the “as received” materials, are presented. These powders are used in the manufacture of ceramic supports; however, the area of study also relates to catalytic activity of the powders. In particular, studies of benzene adsorbed on alumina which relates to bifunctional catalysts are also reported. Other studies of composite “green” materials used in manufacturing processes which include alumina are described. The current status of the surface Raman technique including features and limitations is discussed.
Distribution of phytase in the rat.

Abstract Phytase activity has been demonstrated to be widely distributed in the rat, the highest activity being found in the intestinal mucosa. The relative distribution of this enzyme parallels closely the known relative distribution of alkaline phosphatase with the exception of brain which exhibits a high phytase activity in relation to its β-glycerophosphatase activity. Mg++ caused an increase in the phytase activity of crude homogenates from all of the tissues studied, but the degree of activation was not the same for different tissues. Hydrolysis of phytic acid and β-glycerophosphoric acid by intestinal autolyzate was nonadditive and therefore not due to the action of two enzyme systems acting independently of one another.
Exploring Intra-Ethnic Diversity among Four Groups of Hispanic Elderly: Patterns and Levels of Service Utilization:

This study investigates service use by a sample of 2,135 Hispanic elderly in order to address the issue of the homogeneity or heterogeneity within the older Hispanic population as revealed by the use of formal services. Factor analysis revealed a high degree of homogeneity in the patterns of formal service use among the four Hispanic groups in this study that follows three latent, but distinct, patterns of behavior: the use of federal entitlement programs, in-home services, and senior center services. Although the patterns of service use reflect substantial homogeneity among the Hispanics in this sample, there is a high degree of heterogeneity in the level of service use. Overall, service use was systematically lower among “Other” Hispanic elders and systematically higher among Puerto Rican elders, with somewhat more erratic use among Cuban American and Mexican American elders. Controlling for between-group differences in socio-demographic characteristics did little to reduce relatively systematic between...
Cytokines as mediators of autoimmune diabetes and diabetic complications.

I. Introduction CYTOKINES are molecularly distinct secretory proteins recognized by their common function as intercellular signals. In contrast to hormones, cytokines influence cellular activities largely within confined environs in an autocrine or paracrine fashion and infrequently achieve detectable levels in the circulation. Many cytokines were initially described as cellular “factors” or “activities” contained within experimental tissue culture supernatants. The advent of molecular biology has allowed for the identification, isolation, and characterization of individual cytokine genes and consequently the expression of virtually unlimited quantities of purified protein. Members of the cytokine family include interleukins (IL) (lymphokines and monokines), interferons (IFN), colony-stimulating factors, and peptide growth factors (1). In general, cytokines are glycoproteins of 100–200 amino acid residues. Most cytokines are translated along with an aminoterminal signal peptide that directs the polypeptid...
Determination of the local molecular structure in amorphous polyaniline.

The short-range order within amorphous polyaniline ({ital a}-PANI) has been studied through use of a pair-distribution-function analysis of x-ray scattering data in combination with quantitative refinements of model structure functions. Both the emeraldine base and salt (ES) forms of {ital a}-PANI are less planar than their crystalline counterparts. Direct evidence for appreciable interchain hydrogen bonding is seen. A probable position of the dopant ions in hydrohalogenic-acid-doped ES has also been ascertained. The intrachain structure and the ion location are such that the effective {pi}-conjugation length is lowered and the chain-to-chain packing is frustrated. These characteristics hinder charge transport through the polymer matrix and prevent evolution towards a metallic state. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
An arithmetical hierarchy in propositional dynamic logic

We prove that any alternation of modalities in PDL adds to its expressive power. The proof uses Turing machine models wherePDLformulas define the arithmetical hierarchy of sets. As a by-product, we obtain a theorem of Berman and Paterson.
Most patients with HCV-associated lymphoma present with mild liver disease: a call to revise antiviral treatment prioritization.

Background & Aims Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with development of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HCV-NHL). Antiviral therapy (AVT) is prioritized in HCV-infected patients with significant fibrosis/cirrhosis. It is unknown whether current recommendations based on liver parameters cover the risk of HCV-NHL development. We aimed to evaluate the liver disease stages of patients with HCV-NHL. Methods Hepatitis C virus-NHL patients seen at MD Anderson Cancer Center between 2008 and 2014 were evaluated for underlying liver disease within a year of HCV-NHL diagnosis by non-invasive fibrosis markers, radiology or liver biopsy. Included patients were observed retrospectively (2008–2012) or prospectively (2012–2014). Results Eightynine patients with HCV-NHL were evaluated. Most patients had genotype 1 (62%) infection, had diffuse large B cell lymphomas (62%), and detectable HCV RNA (90%) at NHL diagnosis. Notably, advanced liver disease (Metavir stage ≥ 3) was present in only 18% of the patients at the time of HCV-NHL diagnosis. All 53 patients with chronic HCV infection documented before lymphoma diagnosis were seen by HCV-treating physicians. Providers did not recommend AVT in almost one half of cases (44%), mostly because of the lack of advanced liver disease at HCV diagnosis (38%). Conclusions Most patients with HCV-NHL have mild liver disease at cancer diagnosis. Our findings suggest the need for early initiation of AVT in infected patients to eradicate HCV infection and its extra-hepatic manifestations. Treatment prioritization and cost must be weighed against the potential benefits of preventing NHL.
Dissipative superconducting state of non-equilibrium nanowires

The dissipation-less flow of supercurrent through a wire is a well-known property of superconductors. But in some cases, a normal current can flow in the presence of superconductivity. This may be due to non-equilibrium physics.
Maximal ratio combining in independent identically distributed n nakagami fading channels

Short-term fading in wireless systems can be described using a cascaded approach permitting the modelling of severely faded channels. A maximal ratio combining (MRC) diversity is implemented to study the performance improvement in such channels. While the probability density function (pdf) of the signal-to-noise ratio of the independent and identically distributed N*Nakagami cascade channels is available in terms of Meijer's G functions, the pdf of the MRC output is not available. Because of this, the moment generating function of the MRC output is used to estimate the average bit error rates. The characteristic function is used to obtain the cumulative distribution (CDF) of the MRC output by applying the Gil-Pelaez approximation. The outage probabilities were then estimated using the CDF. Results showed that the wireless system performance improved with diversity even though the level of improvement declined as the number of cascaded components N increased. The analysis also suggests that additional mitigation such as combining signals from multiple base stations (macrodiversity) might be necessary to significantly improve the performances of cascaded channels.
Physical location of host-range mutations of adenovirus type 5; deletion and marker-rescue mapping

Abstract Sites of host-range mutations have been mapped physically on the adenoviral genome by both recombinational mapping with host-range deletion mutants and by marker rescue. The results from the two methods are in excellent agreement; one group of mutations is assigned to the sequence between 1.3 and 3.7 units and the other set to the sequence between 6.1 and 8.5 units.
Assessment of Noise Exposure for Indoor and Outdoor Firing Ranges

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received an employee request for a health hazard evaluation of a Special Weapons Assault Team (SWAT) in January 2002. The department was concerned about noise exposures and potential hearing damage from weapons training on their indoor and outdoor firing ranges. NIOSH investigators conducted noise sampling with an acoustic mannequin head and 1/4 -inch microphone to characterize the noise exposures that officers might experience during small arms qualification and training when wearing a variety of hearing protection devices provided by the department. The peak sound pressure levels for the various weapons ranged from 156 to 170 decibels (dB SPL), which are greater than the recommended allowable 140 dB SPL exposure guideline from NIOSH. The earplugs, ear muffs, and customized SWAT team hearing protectors provided between 25 and 35 dB of peak reduction. Double hearing protection (plugs plus muffs) added 15–20 dB of peak reduction.
Abuse liability of testosterone

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used by athletes to enhance performance and physique. Case reports and observations propose that AAS have mood elevating properties and that chronic use leads to addiction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective and physiological effects of single doses of testosterone. In a double-blind fashion, according to a balanced Latin square, 10 paid adult male volunteers received doses of i.m. testosterone (50, 100 and 200 mg), morphine (10 mg) or placebo for five consecutive days. Subjective and physiological responses were measured during each drug condition. Testosterone produced no significant changes in self-reported or observed measures, unlike morphine, which produced statistically significant changes in several measures, including 'feel the drug', 'like the drug' and 'feel high'. There were no adverse effects of administering high doses of testosterone. In conclusion, single doses of testosterone are devoid of the usual pharmacologic effects that are associated with abuse.
Habitat structure influences below ground biocontrol services: A comparison between urban gardens and vacant lots

Urban agriculture offers a framework for local self-reliance by provisioning food security, employment opportunities, and other community benefits. However, urban agriculture must rely on the supporting and regulating services of the soil food web. Hence, we quantified belowground biocontrol activity in urban gardens and vacant lots in two post-industrial cities using an in situ insect baiting technique. Due to the differences in habitat structure, we hypothesized that belowground biocontrol services will differ between gardens and vacant lots and the influence of habitat structure would differ with the type of biocontrol organism. Results revealed that biocontrol activity, as assessed by % mortality of baited insects, varied between 51% and 98% with higher activity often recorded in vacant lots than gardens. Major contributions to bait insect mortality were by ants, followed by microbial pathogens and entomopathogenic nematodes, respectively. Ants showed higher (p < 0.0001) % mortality in vacant lots (60% ± 33.4%) than in urban gardens (33.3% ± 22.2%) whereas microbial pathogens exhibited higher (p < 0.0001) mortality in gardens (27.8% ± 15%) than vacant lots (8.3% ± 16.7%). Ants caused higher (p < 0.0001) mortality when larger-mesh size cages were used compared with the smaller-mesh size cages, but mortality by microbial pathogens did not differ with cage type. The high biocontrol activity indicates the resilience of the soil food web in urban ecosystems and the differential effects of habitat structure on biocontrol activity can help guide landscape planning and vegetation management to enhance urban environments and boost local self-reliance.
Einstein spectra of quasars

The results of the initial stage of the CfA survey of quasar energy distributions are reviewed. Einstein imaging proportional counter spectra of 33 quasars have been studied by fitting a single power law slope and absorption by an equivalent column density of neutral hydrogen. Comparison with the higher energy HEAO-A2 data leads to a two-component model for the X-ray spectrum. The X-ray column density is systematically lower than the 21-cm measured Galactic column density along the same line of sight.
The characterizations of solid specimens: Approaching the whole problem

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that complicated mixtures of solids can be characterized to a rather high degree if a coordinated examination by non-destructive methods is used. The techniques discussed are X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction. The application of these methods to the characterization of corrosion scale on an inconel coupon is illustrated. The types of information accumulated were elemental composition, chemical forms of elements, special distributions of elements and compounds in the scale, sizes of particles that made up the scale, variations in composition of particle surfaces from that of their interiors, and composition of scale-alloy interface.
Phenomenological models for nitrogen transport in tissues

Transfer mechanisms and critical pressures are essential elements in decompression calculations and staged procedures. By coupling a multitissue transfer model to fitted critical pressures, decompression data can be synthesized for rapid numerical implementation in applications. Parametric fits to the critical nitrogen pressures are generated for the six tissue compartments (5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120 min) at seal-evel with both linear and constant-pressure ratio extrapolations to altitude conveniently effected with the barometer equation. The macroscopic model used to transfer nitrogen in tissues is described and functional forms of the fit equations are motivated. Accurate exponential representations for mantle pressures and the well-known Cross altitude factors are also generated. Fitted critical tensions vary inversely as the approximate fourth root of the tissue half-life and increase linearly with depth. Air mantle pressures decrease exponentially with altitude and inverse temperature. Using bounce dive constraints, a set of single-tissue decay coefficients, which increase logarithmically with depth, are extracted from depth-dependent decompression criteria and contrasted with corresponding multitissue decay parameters. Bend statistics and a decompression titration experiment, which predicts decreasing critical ratios at depth, are discussed. Overlapping predictions of the models and correlations with experiment are identified.
D4 Dopamine-Receptor (DRD4) Alleles and Novelty Seeking in Substance-Dependent, Personality-Disorder, and Control Subjects

Two reports have been published suggesting an association between the personality trait of novelty seeking and the DRD4*7R allele at the D4 dopamine-receptor locus (with heterozygotes or homozygotes for DRD4*7R having higher novelty seeking). We studied novelty seeking and four coding-sequence polymorphisms affecting protein structure in the D4 dopamine-receptor gene (DRD4) in a sample of 341 American subjects, of whom 224 are of primarily European ancestry and 117 are of primarily African ancestry. These subjects had diagnoses of substance dependence or personality disorder (PD) or were screened to exclude major psychiatric diagnosis. We found that, although the substance-dependent subjects had significantly higher novelty seeking than the control and PD subjects, they did not differ in DRD4*7R allele frequency. There was no association between any DRD4 polymorphism and novelty seeking in any population or diagnostic group, except for a significant association between the DRD4*7R allele and lower novelty seeking among European American females and African American substance abusers. The novelty seeking of subjects heterozygous for a null mutation did not differ from that of subjects with two functional alleles. We conclude that the most likely explanation of these results is that the DRD4 VNTR does not influence directly the trait of novelty seeking, in these samples.
Blunt Traumatic Lung Injuries

Approximately one third of patients admitted to major trauma centers in the United States sustain serious injuries to the chest. The lungs, which occupy a large portion of the chest cavity and lie in close proximity to the bony thorax, are injured in the majority of these patients directly or indirectly. A significant number of lung injuries are also associated with trauma to other critical thoracic structures. This article discusses blunt trauma injuries of the lung, which include pulmonary contusions, hematomas, lacerations, and pulmonary vascular injuries.
SWELLING CAPACITY OF STARCH AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SUSPENSION VISCOSITY‐EFFECT OF COOKING TIME, TEMPERATURE AND CONCENTRATION

A range of concentrations (c) of wheat starch granules dispersed in water were heated at 60, 65, 70 and 75°C for 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 min. Viscosity (η)-shear rate plots for these cooked dispersions, determined with a Haake Rotovisco rotational viscometer at 60°C and 23°C, varied markedly, often showing dilatant behavior, particularly at the shorter cooking times but always becoming typically non-Newtonian shear thinning fluids at the longer cooking times. A t the lowest temperature, 60°C, the viscosity increases very rapidly with concentration above 16%. As the cooking temperature is raised to 65, 70, and 75°C these rapid viscosity increases occur at progressively lower concentrations. These concentration curves for the longest cooking times could be superimposed on a master curve by plotting, instead of 77 versus c, η/cQ versus cQ, where Q is determined in a separate experiment and is the weight of the swollen starch granules after the specified time at cooking temperature divided by the dry weight of the starch prior to cooking. This method of reducing viscosity/concentration data has been reported by Taylor and Bagley (1977) for highly swollen gel systems and by Urbanski (1981) for soy beverages, and thus appears to be a general method for treating viscosity data for suspensions of deformable particles that sorb solvent. Where excess solvent is present, CQ is less than unity and is equivalent to volume fraction; for deformable particles, however, CQ can be greater than unity, and for our systems concentrations in this range represent doughs.
A mitochondrial bottleneck hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease, in its early onset familial form, is known to be a heterogeneous disorder. This suggests that the different degenerative mechanisms, initiated by different genetic causes and ending in the shared phenotype of the disease, should intersect at some point in the degenerative cascade to form a ‘bottleneck' from which the pathological features that are common to each of the genetic forms emerge. A growing body of evidence suggests that disturbances of energy metabolism may play a fundamental role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. In light of this, we propose a ‘mitochondrial bottleneck hypothesis', which unifies the various forms of the disease in which different causes lead to the disorder via disturbances of mitochondrial function. The characterization of such a bottleneck would present a unique target for therapeutic intervention because it would be the earliest point in a neurodegenerative cascade shared by all forms of Alzheimer's disease, independent of cause.
Effects of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) mycorrhizoplane-associated actinomycetes on in vitro growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi

Mycorrhizoplane-associated actinomycetes were isolated using an enrichment technique from red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) roots of seedlings recently outplanted onto cleared northern hardwood sites in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA. Interactions were assessedin vitro between actinomycete isolates and three commonly occurring ectomycorrhizal fungi (Laccaria bicolor (Maire) Orton,L. laccata (Scop.: Fr.) Berk. and Br., andThelephora terrestris Fr.). Most actinomycete isolates exerted a range of effects on the growth of the three fungus isolates during the four week test period, inhibiting some while stimulating others; several inhibited growth of all three fungus isolates. Mycorrhizoplane-associated actinomycetes show potential for use as coinoculants with selected ectomycorrhizal fungi to optimize the soil microflora for developing seedlings.