cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Best prediction of yields for long lactations

Lactation records of any reasonable length now can be processed with the selection index method known as best prediction (BP). Previous prediction programs were limited to the 305-d standard used since 1935. Best prediction was implemented in 1998 to calculate lactation records in USDA genetic evaluations, replacing the test interval method used since 1969 to calculate lactation records. Best prediction is more complex but also more accurate, particularly when testing is less frequent. Programs were reorganized to output better graphics, give users simpler access to options, and provide additional output, such as BP of daily yields. Test-day data for 6 breeds were extracted from the national dairy database, and lactation lengths were required to be > or =500 d (Ayrshire, Milking Shorthorn) or > or =800 d (all others). Average yield and SD at any day in milk (DIM) were estimated by fitting 3-parameter Wood's curves (milk, fat, protein) and 4-parameter exponential functions (somatic cell score) to means and SD of 15- ( 300 DIM) intervals. Correlations among TD yields were estimated using an autoregressive matrix to account for biological changes and an identity matrix to model daily measurement error. Autoregressive parameters (r) were estimated separately for first (r = 0.998) and later parities (r = 0.995). These r values were slightly larger than previous estimates due to the inclusion of the identity matrix. Correlations between traits were modified so that correlations between somatic cell score and other traits may be nonzero. The new lactation curves and correlation functions were validated by extracting TD data from the national database, estimating 305-d yields using the original and new programs, and correlating those results. Daily BP of yield were validated using daily milk weights from on-farm meters in university research herds. Correlations ranged from 0.900 to 0.988 for 305-d milk yield. High correlations ranged from 0.844 to 0.988 for daily yields, although correlations were as low as 0.015 on d 1 of lactation, which may be due to calving-related disorders that are not accounted for by BP. Correlations between 305-d yield calculated using 50-d intervals from 50 to 250 DIM and 305-yield calculated using all TD to 500 DIM increased as TD data accumulated. Many cows can profitably produce for >305 DIM, and the revised program provides a flexible tool to model these records.
Application of Statistics to Results in Gamma Ray Astronomy

Some of the published results in gamma ray astronomy are examined, and it is concluded that not all the sources which have been mentioned can be confidently considered to be present.
Thematic drive expression in three occupational groups.

Summary TAT performances of mathematicians, creative writers and physicians were compared by means of Pine's (1960) system for rating amount, integration, and directness of drive expression; and also in terms of expression of affect. Writers were most expressive, followed by mathematicians and then physicians. Mathematicians relied relatively heavily upon use of direct, socialized forms of drive content, while physicians emphasized indirect or disguised forms more than other Ss. These emphases appeared to have defensive and integrative functions, as did the physicians' generally suppressive style. The writers showed no comparable emphases on direct or indirect expression. There were no inter-group differences in overall adjustment Pine's scoring system appears to have considerable potential for comparisons of this kind.
Evaluation of translocation criteria: case study with trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator)

Abstract Translocations are a common conservation technique; however, the feasibility and success of translocations are evaluated rarely. We translocated 57 trumpeter swans ( Cygnus buccinator) from Idaho to Utah during 1996 to encourage migration to more southern wintering areas. We evaluated the feasibility and success of the translocation by studying biological and socio-political criteria prior to and during the translocation. Lack of support from governmental and non-governmental agencies did not allow additional translocations in subsequent years. Additional releases are needed, however, to increase the probability of swan returns to the release area. Our evaluation explores the possibility that trumpeter swans may be more vulnerable to hunting than tundra swans ( Cygnus columbianus) ; however, we still lack conclusive empirical evidence that shows a negative effect of tundra swan hunting on the survival of trumpeter swans migrating through Utah. Finally, some elements of the local public have been negatively impacted by the translocation owing to restrictions imposed on tundra swan hunting and season closures. To ensure the success of trumpeter swan translocations planned as early as the year 2000, all translocation criteria need to be supported before as well as during the translocation.
Comparison of ceftriaxone with standard therapy for bacterial meningitis

Newer β-lactam antibiotics are being considered as alternatives to the current therapy for bacterial meningitis. Features unique to these agents, which make them particularly attractive, include extremely high in vitro activity against common pathogens, excellent penetration into cerebrospinal fluid, broad spectrum of bactericidal activity, and relative rarity of toxicity. The investigational agent, ceftriaxone (RO 13-9904, (Hoffmann-La Roche) offers additional advantages over currently available β-lactam antibiotics in its activity against group B streptococcus and its relatively long half-life of five to eight hours.
Changing the practice of cardiovascular medicine

Five large randomized trials of statins in primary and secondary prevention show the benefits of lipid-modifying therapy on cardiac morbidity and mortality. Evidence is beginning to accumulate showing that early and aggressive treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes (acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina) can result in reduced mortality and morbidity and imparts a variety of mechanistic benefits. Nevertheless, recent surveys of coronary heart disease prevention in Europe and the US indicate that current evidence-based management of risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia is not uniformly employed. In fact, in Europe, only about a third of patients discharged from the hospital after an acute coronary syndrome are receiving prescriptions for statins. In US, more than a fourth of adults are eligible for treatment according to national guidelines but two thirds of them do not receive it. Among those treated, a considerable number do not reach their target levels. Therefore, strategies are needed to improve prescribing patterns among physicians and compliance among patients. It is essential that clinicians be aware of the evidence base supporting early and aggressive treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes and that this is communicated to all clinicians involved in their care of patients with acute coronary syndromes.
Radiation-induced decomposition of radioiodine-labelled 3-iodo-L-tyrosine.

In investigating the radiolytic decomposition of 3-iodo-L-tyrosine we find : 1 that, by studying the effects of dissolved argon, nitrous oxide and hydrogen, e−aq is the reactive intermediate of greatest interest in choosing a protector of the labelled compound. This technique should have general application. 2 that O2/ ethanol and N2O/ ethanol are both good combinations for the purpose of protecting the substrate. 3 that in dilute solutions of MIT, with adequate protector present, high specific activity compound should be no more prone to radiation-induced self-decomposition than is compound labelled at a lower specific activity. Items (2) and (3) should be noted particularly, in view of the widespread belief that high specific activity and the presence of oxygen are always deleterious to the stability of labelled compounde.
An Improved Design of Low-Voltage Panel-Mounted Air Circuit Breaker

Close co-operation with the Navy during the war in working out solutions for rapid improvement of pre-war standards of protection and control of low-voltage distribution circuits, gave the group that developed these circuit breakers an enviable background of experience to fit them for the program just discussed. The results of their efforts have been outlined and can be summarized by saying that industry is offered a new circuit breaker in which high inrush and momentary currents are easily handled, with an increased contact life. Accurate and proved timing elements have been provided giving a variety of desired time-current characteristics. A wider application on motor and other repetitive duty high inrush current circuits is assured by longer contact and mechanism life and accurate delayed tripping obtained with the fluid displacement timing elements. Dependable selective operation can be obtained without the additional expense of current transformers and relays. Contacts and coils which will stand the high momentary currents, while tripping is delayed with an accurate mechanical timing device, make possible dependable selective operation, so unquestionably proved on the Navy's major ships.
Reduced silicon donor incorporation in MBE grown GaAs layers using cracker-generated dimer arsenic

Si dopant incorporation in GaAs layers is shown to be reduced when dimer arsenic is used. Si doped GaAs layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy under different arsenic cracker conditions are studied by a Polaron doping profiles and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Throughout the doping range of investigation, 5X1016 to 2X1018 cm−3, strong reduction in Si incorporation is observed as the fraction of dimer arsenic is increased. The reduction of Si incorporation is enhanced as the growth temperature is increased. Evidence is given to show that, instead of Si self-compensation, Si dopants are actually desorbed in the presence of dimer arsenic. The formation of volatile SixAsy compound(s) due to the reaction between the impinging dimer arsenic species and the Si dopants at the substrate surface may be responsible for this phenomenon. The activation energy of this reaction is estimated.
Coordination Chemistry of Iridium Phosphine–Sulfonate Complexes

A family of new iridium phosphine–sulfonate complexes based on 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-4-benzenesulfonic acid was synthesized and characterized. An iridium(I) phosphine–sulfonate cyclooctadiene species was prepared from transmetalation of a silver salt of the phosphine–sulfonate ligand and iridium(I) cyclooctadiene chloride dimer. This diolefin iridium complex was found to be a functional precatalyst for cyclopentene hydrogenation. A corresponding iridium(I) phosphine–sulfonate dicarbonyl species was prepared by ligand substitution using carbon monoxide. Analysis by infrared spectroscopy established this metal–ligand platform as a relatively electron poor coordination environment. The iridium(I) phosphine–sulfonate cyclooctadiene species was further utilized as a precursor for the synthesis of two iridium(III) phosphine–sulfonate hydride compounds by treatment with strong acids.
Presumptive literacies in technology-integrated science curriculum

In this paper we explore the multiple literacies presumed in the design of inquiry curriculum created at the Center for Learning Technologies in Urban Schools (LeTUS). The current design of LeTUS inquiry-based, technology embedded science curriculum presumes a facility with, and strategic use of literacies on the part of students who enact the curriculum. Here literacy means two things: deriving meaning from patterns in knowledge domains like science and facility with different information forms. We use teacher interviews and on-line discussions to expose presumptive literacies in design and learners' literacy challenges and offer suggestions that teacher modifications to these units can inform future design to support literacy in science.
Expression of the calcitonin receptor in bone marrow cell cultures and in bone: a specific marker of the differentiated osteoclast that is regulated by calcitonin

We studied the temporal sequence of osteoclast (OC) differentiation from precursor cells in murine marrow cultures. Two markers of the OC phenotype, calcitonin (CT) receptor (CTR) and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), were assessed. Marrow cells from C57BL/6 mice were cultured for 3, 5, 7, and 9 days with or without 1,25-(OH)2vitamin D3 (10(-8) M). In controls only small numbers of osteoclastic multinucleated cells 9MNCs) formed per well ( 80 per well on day 7). Messenger RNA (mRNA) for TRAP was detectable by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification in both control and 1,25-(OH)2D3 treated groups at all times. However, TRAP mRNA was detectable in MNCs by the less sensitive in situ hybridization only on days 5, 7, and 9 and only in 1,25-(OH)2D3 treated cells. In control cultures, CTR mRNA was present on day 3 only in nonadherent cells and was not present in adherent cells (where MNCs formed) at any ...
Association of Body Mass Index With Response and Survival in Men With Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Southwest Oncology Group Trials 8894 and 9916

Purpose: We evaluated the effect of body mass index on prostate specific antigen response, and progression-free and overall survival in men with androgen dependent or androgen independent metastatic prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: We examined the prognostic impact of body mass index in patient cohorts from phase III randomized studies coordinated by the Southwest Oncology Group. The first study included 1,006 men treated with androgen deprivation for metastatic prostate cancer. The second study included 671 patients treated with chemotherapy for metastatic, androgen independent prostate cancer.Results: Among men with androgen dependent disease, higher body mass index was associated with longer overall (p <0.001) and progression-free (p = 0.009) survival, as well as with an increased likelihood of achieving a prostate specific antigen nadir less than 4 ng/ml (p = 0.008). In multivariate analysis adjusting for risk factors, increasing body mass index was positively correlated with overall survival (p...
Inferential product quality control of a multistage batch plant

A modeling framework is developed that addresses the connectivity of a particular, but commonplace, batch plant configuration. Traditional inferential model building techniques such as partial least squares (PLS) and subspace identification are modified to allow for the identification of models that capture the correlation structure across the plant, so that when a disturbance or deviation is detected in one reactor, such information can be shared with other reactors to improve overall control performance. The ability to use information from other running reactors, as well as from previous batch runs, translates into more informed control decisions leading to better overall plant performance. The developed modeling strategy will be applied using data generated from simulating a rigorous model of the Nylon 6,6 process. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 136–148, 2004
Exploiting the Link: Improving Satellite Communication through Higher Elevation Links

Most small satellites operations, including those in the CubeSat community, maximize the duration of single communication passes with ground stations, but, in doing so, do not maximize the total data transferred. In this paper we examine methods to maximize data download by waiting to begin transmission at a non-intuitive high elevation angle. This elevation angle reduces the slant distance and allows the link to be closed at a higher fixed data rate. Though the transmission duration is shorter, the total data downloaded is greater. We examine this method for a variety of pass configurations and compare it to distributions of passes for known ground stations around the world. The results of this study (analytic and numerical) are presented along with recommendations for strategies for maximizing the amount of data transmitted for a given satellite orbit. These methods rely on the ability to alter the data rate of a radio while on-orbit, enabled through the use of flexible-rate radios. We expand this study by examining the amount of data transferred for individual groundstations over the course of a year. It is shown that an optimal fixed data rate can be found such that the amount of data downloaded is maximized for the year. Finally, recommendations for radio development are given for the small satellite community.
An X-ray absorption fine structure study of copper(I) chloride coordination structure in water up to 325°C

Abstract X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to measure the Cl− and H2O coordination structure about Cu1+ in water at temperatures up to 325°C including the coordination numbers, symmetry, distances and the amount of bond disorder. The linear dichloro Cu1+ species, [CuCl2]−, is especially stable and it is predominant from 100°C to 325°C in the presence of excess Cl−. Even for solutions with 2.0 m NaCl, only the dichloro Cu1+ species is observed with no evidence of higher Cl− coordination. There is no evidence of hydration waters in the first-solvation shell of this dichloro-species.
Sterol 14α-demethylase, an abundant and essential mixed-function oxidase

Abstract Sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) is the most widely distributed of all members of the cytochrome P450 gene superfamily and the only CYP family found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It is well known as a drug target for microbial pathogenic infections. Studies of CYP51 gene regulation have been carried out primarily in animals because its regulation is similar to those of other genes involved in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. The function of CYP51 has been studied widely throughout biology including in animals, plants, yeast/fungi, protozoa, and bacteria. The structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography for the soluble prokaryotic form of CYP51 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Together these studies provide the most detailed understanding of any single cytochrome P450 and this minireview summarizes this information.
The Legionella effector SidC defines a unique family of ubiquitin ligases important for bacterial phagosomal remodeling

The activity of proteins delivered into host cells by the Dot/Icm injection apparatus allows Legionella pneumophila to establish a niche called the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV), which is permissive for intracellular bacterial propagation. Among these proteins, substrate of Icm/Dot transporter (SidC) anchors to the cytoplasmic surface of the LCV and is important for the recruitment of host endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins to this organelle. However, the biochemical function underlying this activity is unknown. Here, we determined the structure of the N-terminal domain of SidC, which has no structural homology to any protein. Sequence homology analysis revealed a potential canonical catalytic triad formed by Cys46, His444, and Asp446 on the surface of SidC. Unexpectedly, we found that SidC is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that uses the C–H–D triad to catalyze the formation of high–molecular-weight polyubiquitin chains through multiple ubiquitin lysine residues. A C46A mutation completely abolished the E3 ligase activity and the ability of the protein to recruit host ER proteins as well as polyubiquitin conjugates to the LCV. Thus, SidC represents a unique E3 ubiquitin ligase family important for phagosomal membrane remodeling by L. pneumophila.
The Location of Cilician Ura.

La cite de Ura en Anatolie du sud a joue un role important aux âges du Bronze et du Fer. Le texte le plus ancien concernant la localisation de la cite est la chronique Neriglissar. L'A. suggere que le port de Ura, important pour les Hittites a l'Age du Bronze et capitale de Pirindu a l'Age du Fer est localise a Gilindere pres de Aydincik
Psychiatric disorders and mutations at the Wolfram syndrome locus

Identifying genetic loci at which mutations predispose individuals to common psychiatric illnesses will have major impact on the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. The available evidence indicates that mutations at the Wolfram syndrome locus contribute substantially to the prevalence of psychiatric illness in the general population. Patients with mutations at this locus on both parental chromosomes, called Wolfram syndrome homozygotes, have a distinctive and rare autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by juvenile onset diabetes mellitus and bilateral progressive optic atrophy. Diverse and serious psychiatric manifestations frequently have been observed in Wolfram syndrome patients; however, the population burden of mental illness attributable to mutations at this locus is almost entirely from individuals who carry a single mutation, called Wolfram syndrome heterozygotes, who have no distinguishing physical characteristics but constitute approximately 1% of the population. Molecular genotyping of blood relatives of Wolfram syndrome patients has shown that Wolfram syndrome heterozygotes are 26-fold more likely than noncarriers to have a psychiatric hospitalization. Severe depression was the predominant finding in the test group studied. The prediction that approximately 25% of all patients hospitalized for depression are Wolfram syndrome heterozygotes now can be tested by mutation screening of hospitalized patients from the general population. Many other behavioral and cognitive difficulties also have been observed in Wolfram syndrome families. For each specific psychiatric abnormality, a "test group" of blood relatives within Wolfram syndrome families with that abnormality can be formed. By comparing the number of Wolfram syndrome heterozygotes found in each test group by molecular genotyping with the number expected under the null hypothesis, the index-test method can determine which clinical phenotypes result from mutations at the Wolfram syndrome locus. This method can be utilized to identify other loci at which mutations predispose individuals to psychiatric illnesses.
Health Information-Seeking Behaviors Among Classically Trained Singers

Understanding health information-seeking behaviors (HISBs) within a particular patient demographic group is an important part of effective clinical outreach and education efforts. Although the community of classically trained singers has long been recognized by specialized health care providers, no studies have yet addressed the processes by which they search for voice-related health information, and little is known about how they use and access medical care. An electronic questionnaire focusing on HISB and voice-related health care issues was administered to 151 self-identified classically trained singers and 49 nonsinger controls. Outcomes of interest were tested for association with groups of singers and controls, followed by tests of association between demographic variables (age, gender, insurance status) with each outcome of interest. Results showed significant differences in specialty care access including point of first contact (P=0.0085), gender-associated delay of treatment initiation (P=0.0324), and use of home remedies for vocal problems (P≤0.0001). Significant differences in HISB were noted as well, including history of having undertaken an information search (P≤0.0001), likelihood of having concerns about information quality (P≤0.0001), and difficulty knowing where to find information (P≤0.0001). Differences were influenced by singing status, age, and gender. The insights provided by these data may inform decision-making processes regarding patient care, patient education, and clinical outreach to the target population.
Artemin Overexpression in Skin Enhances Expression of TRPV1 and TRPA1 in Cutaneous Sensory Neurons and Leads to Behavioral Sensitivity to Heat and Cold

Artemin, a neuronal survival factor in the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family, binds the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein GFRα3 and the receptor tyrosine kinase Ret. Expression of the GFRα3 receptor is primarily restricted to the peripheral nervous system and is found in a subpopulation of nociceptive sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) that coexpress the Ret and TrkA receptor tyrosine kinases and the thermosensitive channel TRPV1. To determine how artemin affects sensory neuron properties, transgenic mice that overexpress artemin in skin keratinocytes (ART-OE mice) were analyzed. Expression of artemin caused a 20.5% increase in DRG neuron number and increased the level of mRNA encoding GFRα3, TrkA, TRPV1, and the putative noxious cold-detecting channel TRPA1. Nearly all GFRα3-positive neurons expressed TRPV1 immunoreactivity, and most of these neurons were also positive for TRPA1. Interestingly, acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) 1, 2a, 2b, and 3 mRNAs were decreased in the DRG, and this reduction was strongest in females. Analysis of sensory neuron physiological properties using an ex vivo preparation showed that cutaneous C-fiber nociceptors of ART-OE mice had reduced heat thresholds and increased firing rates in response to a heat ramp. No change in mechanical threshold was detected. Behavioral testing of ART-OE mice showed that they had increased sensitivity to both heat and noxious cold. These results indicate that the level of artemin in the skin modulates gene expression and response properties of afferents that project to the skin and that these changes lead to behavioral sensitivity to both hot and cold stimuli.
RNA Decay by the Eukaryotic Exosome

The eukaryotic RNA exosome is a multi-subunit protein complex that regulates RNA processing and decay in processes that maintain the quality and abundance of cellular RNA. The subunit composition and activities of eukaryotic exosomes were determined by reconstituting exosomes from yeast and human. The structure of the ∼300 kDa nine-subunit human exosome revealed the architecture for the asymmetric nine-subunit eukaryotic exosome core. While the eukaryotic exosome core resembles that of bacterial PNPase and archaeal exosomes, eukaryotic exosomes differ fundamentally from their bacterial and archaeal counterparts because they do not catalyze phosphorolytic exoribonuclease activity. In contrast, hydrolytic activities within the yeast ten- (Rrp44) or eleven-subunit (Rrp44 + Rrp6) exosomes can be fully attributed to the processive or distributive activities of Rrp44 and Rrp6, respectively. While the activities of yeast Rrp44 and Rrp6 explain most activities of the eukaryotic exosome in yeast, the activities of human Rrp44 or Rrp6 have not been analyzed in any detail. In fact, human Rrp44 has not been isolated as a stable constituent of human exosomes. Current efforts are focused on characterizing activities for human counterparts to yeast Rrp44 and Rrp6 and on defining substrate preferences for the yeast exosome complexes and associated subunits through kinetic analysis using defined substrates to determine how the nine-subunit core contributes to RNA processing and decay.
Advective flow through the upper continental shelf driven by storms, buoyancy, and submarine groundwater discharge

Data from monitoring wells on the Carolina, USA, continental shelf require a reevaluation of pore water exchange across the seafloor. Temperature, salinity, and 226Ra data from 3 offshore wells require rapid and frequent pore water exchange to depths of several meters through sands and other permeable sediments. The exchange is driven by tidal pumping, storms, buoyancy, and submarine groundwater discharge. Tidal pumping causes semidiurnal temperature cycles in one well that can only be explained by rapid fluid flow. The effect of large storms is evident in sudden temperature changes 2–4 m below the seabed in two wells. These changes require considerable pore water exchange. Sudden cooling of the ocean may cause pore waters to become buoyant with respect to the ocean and trigger pore water convection to several meters depth as observed in one well. The wells also display frequent large (factor of ten) changes in 226Ra activity. This requires a substantial input of 226Ra-enriched fluids to replace 226Ra that is lost during exchange events. These data support a fourth flow process, which is groundwater seeping from the underlying limestone. The pore spaces in the overlying sand provide a temporary reservoir for these fluids. We conclude that pore water residence times in 2–4 m thick sands on this continental margin are on the order of a few months or less.
Structural reform, institutions and earnings: Evidence from the formal and informal sectors in Urban Peru

Reforms undertaken in Peru in the early 1990s might have resulted in a slight reduction of the informal sector. Costs associated with becoming and staying informal, and benefits of becoming formal might have increased. This, when a legalistic definition of informality is used. Earnings differentials between formal and informal self‐employed workers are negligible although they persist between formal and informal salaried workers. Skilled workers are more likely to be found in the formal sector and informal wage earners tend to be younger and less skilled. The earnings generating process for both the formal and the informal self‐employed workers is similar.
Ventricular fibrillation frequency characteristics and time evolution in piglets: a developmental study.

Background:Derived variables of ventricular fibrillation, such as the frequency distribution by fast Fourier transformation and its evolution over time, have been used to determine the optimum timing for defibrillation. We hypothesized that these frequency variables would differ among neonatal, young child and older child populations due to cardiac developmental and size differences. Such differences may have important implications for developing defibrillation algorithms for pediatric patients and for extrapolating adult defibrillation algorithms to children in VF. Methods: Ventricular fibrillation was induced and recorded for 6 min in 4 kg ( n = 11), 14 kg (n = 10), and 24 kg (n = 16) piglets, corresponding to neonatal, young child and older children. Mean, median, and dominant frequencies were computed in 30 s intervals and compared among weight classes. Results: All frequency variables in all weight groups showed first a decline at 1.25–1.75 min, followed by a gradual rise and plateau. There were significant differences for mean, median and dominant frequencies among weight classes. Specifically, 14 kg piglets showed higher frequency variables overall with a time evolution that was different from that of 4 and 24 kg piglets. Mean frequency showed the most stable time evolution with the least moment-to-moment variability. Conclusion: The frequency waveform characteristics and time course are somewhat different in 14 kg piglets compared with 4 and 24 kg piglets. If similar differences are demonstrable among children of different weights and ages, AEDs designed to determine optimal timing of defibrillation shocks in adults by frequency waveform characteristics may require modification for use in children with VF. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Serotonin syndrome due to venlafaxine and maintenance tranylcypromine therapy

A number of novel serotonergic antidepressants have been introduced to clinical practice over the last decade. These medications are felt to be safe alternatives to the traditional tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, particularly in the overdose setting. Serious adverse reactions and drug interactions have been appreciated and fatalities have been reported. We describe the development of the serotonin syndrome in a 60 year old female on chronic tranylcypromine treatment following the inadvertent ingestion of a single dose of venlafaxine. Manifestations included an altered mental status that progressed to hyperthermia and coma. She recovered quickly and without complications. Health care providers and poison specialists need to be aware that this potentially serious syndrome can be precipitated by a single dose of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor in patients being treated with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
Measurement of the Tritium Concentration in Natural Waters by a Diffusion Cloud Chamber

The radioactivity of tritium is easily recognized and visually counted in a hydrogen-filled diffusion chamber. A 6-in. diameter diffusion chamber, filled with 100 psi of hydrogen obtained by completely converting 14 cc of water in a Mg furnace, is used to measure the tritium concentration in surface water of the Long Island Sound, in New Jersey well water, and in a number of rain and atmospheric moisture samples. These samples had tritium concentration (T/H ratios) that ranged from ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}$ to 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$. Some samples were measured directly, others required some electrolysis to give measurable tritium concentrations. No tritium could be detected in glacial water.
Combined therapy with cephalothin, kanamycin and colistin in patients with presumed bacteremia,

A BASIC premise of this study is that it is desirable to treat patients with Gram-negative bacteremia with an appropriate antibiotic in the early stages of the infection. This does not mean that other therapeutic measures can be ignored; indeed, we wish to emphasize the importance of incision and drainage of abscesses, relief of urinary obstruction, removal of infected foreign bodies, monitoring of central venous pressure, restoration of intravascular volume, and use of appropriate vasoactive amines. In most cases even the best antibiotic therapy will not succeed unless attention is given to these other measures. The beneficial effects of antibiotics are often slow to be noticed; they cannot be evidenced until many infecting bacteria are inhibited or killed, and reparative processes begin. We emphasize these other aspects of the treatment of infection because we will devote the rest of this paper to a discussion of a potent and potentially dangerous antibiotic regimen, especially when used by those unfamiliar with its properties. Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity are the major problems. The vast majority of patients with infections do not require this regimen; it should be used only for serious infections, even then infrequently and selectively; and only by those who have become familiar with the proper use of these antibiotics. The regimen does not negate the need for appropriate cultures to document the nature of the infection. We observed 50 patients at The Johns Hopkins Hospital treated with a regimen consisting of cephalothin, kanamycin, and colistin (33 patients were treated with intravenous polymyxin B sulfate instead of intramuscular colistin methanesulfonate). For the rest of this paper we shall refer to this regimen as CKC. We will tell why this regimen became popular, what its efficacy seemed to be, and what its toxicity has been.
Media discourse on the climate slowdown

We must not fall victim to decontextualized and ahistorical media accounting of climate trends.
The clinical picture. A woman with aplastic anemia and a rash.

A patient who is receiving multiple drugs, including several antibiotics, develops a rash on her chest, abdomen, and extremities. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Resonant excitation in helium ion-atom collisions

An energy resonance in the production of helium metastable atoms was observed for helium ions impacting on helium atoms. The peak of the resonance occurs at 28 ev in the c.m. system for metastables scattered forwardly. (R.E.U.)
Identifying climate and other scenarios that influence the performance of coastal infrastructure projects in Alaska

Climate change influences sea levels, ocean acidification, extreme weather, ecosystem balance, and other phenomena of importance to natural and man-made systems, as well as long-term national security issues. Climate and other uncertainties should be addressed through scenario analysis when considering societal issues and response policies and investments. The consequences and risks of climate change and sea-level rise are increased by ongoing development and the aging of coastal infrastructure protection. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is concerned with incorporating the direct and indirect physical effects of projected changes of climate to the management, planning, engineering, designing, construction, operation, and maintenance of USACE projects that mitigate coastal erosion. Multiple rates and events of climate change address uncertainty in the evaluation of project alternatives. Evaluating and designing alternatives over the full spectrum of sea-level rise rates and other scenarios increases the chance of selecting the appropriate projects for success. Such analyses must consider the issues of human health and safety, economic costs and benefits, aging infrastructure systems, environmental and ecological aspects, and other social effects. Our effort is developing a methodology for identifying the most influential scenarios for infrastructure policies and investments for protection from coastal erosion. The methodology quantifies the sensitivity of twenty-six Alaska infrastructure projects to a variety of scenarios. For each scenario, the methodology elicits from experts the increases or decreases in importance of criteria to rank project needs.
Use of flux pre‐analysis to enable 13C tracer studies in pyruvate kinase‐deficient Escherichia coli

Pyruvate kinase-deficient Escherichia coli (PB25) is a low by-product-producing yet fast-growing mutant that has been shown to have technological potential. Determining the flux limits through finding the extreme point flux sets was previously reported to identify alternate metabolite trafficking scenarios. Previously, the extreme point flux sets were used to design tracer experiments; however, variation in extracellular measurements was not considered, and reaction reversibility was assumed to be low to moderate. In this study, we examined the utility of limiting the fluxes and predetermining the trafficking scenarios in PB25, including confirmation of quasi-linearity between extreme points to ensure sensitivity is maintained. The effects of variation in extracellular measurements and reaction reversibilities were also examined. Tightened flux limits reduced the nonlinearity between label distribution and fluxes. For low to moderate reversibility, contrast was also preserved. However, for highly reversible phosphoglucoisomerase activity, information from common analytes could lead to a flux solution that is biased towards one extreme point. Based on the PB25 model, some suggestions are provided for how predetermining flux limits and trafficking scenarios could enable flux identification in larger network problems.
The chemistry of triazine derivatives II. The acylation of 2,4,6-trimethyl-s-triazine to triazinyl ketones and their facile isomerization to acetamidopyrimidines

A series of triazinyl ketones has been prepared by acylating 2,4,6-trialkyl-s-triazines and these ketones have been isomerized to 4-acylamidopyrimidine derivatives. A possible mechanism for this isomerization is suggested.
Multijunction organic photovoltaics with a broad spectral response.

We demonstrate series-integrated multijunction organic photovoltaics fabricated monolithically by vapor-deposition in a transposed subcell order with the near-infrared-absorbing subcell in front of the green-absorbing subcell. This transposed subcell order is enabled by the highly complementary absorption spectra of a near-infrared-absorbing visibly-transparent subcell and a visible-absorbing subcell and motivated by the non-spatially-uniform optical intensity in nanoscale photovoltaics. The subcell order and thicknesses are optimized via transfer-matrix formalism and short-circuit current simulations. An efficient charge recombination zone consisting of layers of BCP/Ag/MoOx leads to negligible voltage and series-resistance losses. Under 1-sun illumination the multijunction solar cells exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 5.5 ± 0.2% with an FF of 0.685 ± 0.002 and a VOC of 1.65 ± 0.02 V, corresponding to the sum of the VOC of the component subcells. These devices exhibit a broad spectral response (in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 850 nm) but are limited by subcell external quantum efficiencies between 20% and 30% over the photoactive spectrum.
Neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects of pipecuronium

Pipecuronium bromide (Arduan) is a bisquaternary, steroid-type neuromuscular blocking agent in clinical use in Eastern Europe. Before its introduction into clinical practice in the USA, in the first phase of this study the neuromuscular potency of pipecuronium was determined under "balanced" and enflurance anaesthesia by the cumulative log dose-response method in 30 patients each. In the second phase the intubation and onset times, clinical duration of the first and repeated doses, spontaneous recovery index, reversibility of its residual neuromuscular effect by an anticholinesterase and its effect on heart rate and blood pressure was compared with the same variables observed in patients, anaesthetized with identical techniques but who had received vecuronium or pancuronium. The neuromuscular potency of pipecuronium was greater under enflurane (ED95 = 23.6 +/- 1.1 micrograms.kg-1 (mean +/- SEM)] than under balanced (ED95 = 35.1 +/- 17 micrograms.kg-1) anaesthesia. Pipecuronium was more potent than vecuronium under both balanced (ED95 = 45.8 micrograms.kg-1) and enflurane anaesthesia (ED95 = 27.4 micrograms.kg-1). Following the administration of 2 x ED95 doses there were no clinically significant differences in the intubation or onset times of pipecuronium, vecuronium and pancuronium. Under balanced anaesthesia the clinical duration of 2 x ED95 dose of pipecuronium (110.5 +/- 0.3 min) or pancuronium (115.8 +/- 8.1 min) were similar and about three times longer than that of vecuronium (36.3 +/- 2.1 min). The recovery indices of pipecuronium (44.5 +/- 8.2 min) and pancuronium (41.3 +/- 4.2 min) were also similar and about three times longer than that of vecuronium (14.3 +/- 1.4 min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Is intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin better than mitomycin for intermediate-risk bladder cancer?

The role of intravesical therapy is to prevent recurrences and progression of bladder cancer. Among patients who present with superficial disease, recurrence rates range from 67% to 73%, and progression rates from 20% to 30% [1]. There is some controversy about the best agent to be used for intravesical therapy. Although studies have shown that bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is superior to mitomycin C (MMC) in the management of carcinoma in situ (CIS) and high-risk disease, the role of intravesical chemotherapy is still debated in the management of intermediate-risk bladder cancer. The optimal agent should be more effective with lesser morbidity. The efficacy of BCG intravesical immunotherapy has been compared to that of MMC. Although results have been mixed, most studies have shown equivalent or superior results for BCG. The results from three large meta-analyses help to put the BCG versus MMC question in proper perspective. Using 11 clinical trials involving approximately 2800 patients in aggregate, Bohle et al reported an overall statistical superiority of BCG over MMC in reducing tumor recurrence rate by an odds ratio of 0.56 (38.6% for BCG vs 46.4% for MMC) [2]. Importantly, only studies using BCG maintenance contributed to this advantage (odds ratio: 0.43). The trade-off, though, was a 1.8-fold increase in associated cystitis for BCG (53.8% vs 39.2%). With regard to superficial transitional cell carcinoma progression, the results are less clear. Sylvester et al could not demonstrate a statistically significant advantage of BCG versus MMC for progression (overall 14% difference favoring BCG) [3]. However, Bohle et al, using a larger database including non-English literature, did find a statistically significant reduction in risk of progression for BCG compared to maintenance MMC (odds ratio: 0.66) [4].
Simvastatin mitigates cytokine induced cell adhesion molecule upregulation in cultured human endothelial cells

Abstract Statins exert beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system independently of their lipid lowering properties. We recently developed in vitro models that mimic hemodynamic conditions encountered in vivo at sites of atherosclerotic predilection (arterial bifurcation). We hypothesize that the statins will inhibit pre-atherosclerotic activation of endothelial cell adhesion molecules induced by forces such as disturbed flow or elevated pressure. We investigated the effects of simvastatin on cytokine induced upregulation of endothelial cell adhesion molecules, such as VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule), ICAM-1 (intracellular adhesion molecule) and E-Selectin. Human microvascular endothelial cells, cultured in a collagen coated 96 well plates, were activated with an inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α for 6 hours. The expression of cell adhesion molecules was investigated with or without pre-treatment with simvastatin. The expression of CAMs was evaluated by enzyme linked immunocellular assay (ELICA), and independently by flow cytometry. TNF-α increased cell adhesion molecule expression in a dose dependent fashion. Stimulation of the cells with TNF-α (in concentrations ranging from 1–100 ng/ml) for 6 h resulted in up to a 4 fold upregulation of VCAM-1 expression, 16 and 6 fold upregulation of ICAM-1 and E-selectin. With 10 μM simvastatin, similar cytokine induction was attenuated, for example VCAM by up to 35%. We conclude that simvastatin efficiently mitigated cytokine-induced activation of the atherosclerotic endothelial phenotype, as evidenced by the downregulation of CAMs. Current experiments are investigating the effects of simvastatin on flow induced CAM expression. We propose that simvastatin may interfere with key signaling events involved in endothelial cell activation by inflammatory mediators such as those that may be encountered during surgical procedures.
Heat transfer in a combination microwave–jet impingement oven

Abstract Combination heating of food using microwave and jet impingement has been simulated by coupling Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetics with energy equation and using experimentally measured heat transfer coefficient values for jet impingement in a novel domestic oven. Transient food temperatures from the model and experiment for each separate heating mode and their combination revealed the characteristic nature of each of the heating modes. Contour plots of temperature show that with combination heating, surface can be heated faster (for crispness) and edge over-heating can be partially avoided. Measures of non-uniformity in temperatures in the heated food are developed using coefficient of variation and middle 80-percentile range as the parameters. Using these measures, it is shown that combination heating leads to more uniform heating, without compromising the speed or convenience. A 22–30% increase in uniformity has been observed for combination microwave–jet impingement heating over microwave-only heating. Jet impingement is a good complement to microwave heating as it has different spatial and time variation of heating rates. During the initial period, jet impingement dominates over microwave heating near the surface, with microwave heating being more significant in the interior. At later times, the roles switch with microwaves becoming more dominant on the surface while jet impingement takes a more significant role in heating the interior of the food. These findings should help the product, process and equipment designer achieve the balance between speed and uniformity of heating in a more precise manner.