cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HEME OXYGENASE-1 INDUCTION DOES NOT IMPROVE VASCULAR RELAXATION IN ANGIOTENSIN II HYPERTENSIVE MICE

BACKGROUND Induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) attenuates the development of angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent hypertension in mice. However, the mechanism by which HO-1 lowers blood pressure in this model is not clear. This study was designed to determine whether induction of HO-1 results in an improvement in vascular relaxation in Ang II hypertensive mice. METHODS Mice were treated with either of the vehicles (control), the HO-1 inducer cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP;50 mg/kg), Ang II(1 microg/kg/min, 14 days), or Ang II + CoPP. CoPP was administered as a single bolus dose 2 days prior to subcutaneous implantation of the osmotic minipump containing Ang II. Vascular relaxation was examined in isolated carotid arteries precontracted with the thromboxane mimetic U46619 (0.4 microg/ml). RESULTS Endothelial dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh; 1 micromol/l) was significantly impaired in Ang II-treated mice compared to control mice (56 +/- 3% vs. 40 +/- 4%, P or = 6). Similarly, endothelial independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 1 micromol/l) was significantly impaired in Ang II mice (56 +/- 6% vs. 28 +/- 6%, P or = 6). Relaxation in response to the carbon monoxide donor, CORM-A1 (100 micromol/l), was attenuated after Ang II treatment (75 +/- 7% vs. 59 +/- 7%,P or = 6). CoPP treatment induced HO-1 but not HO-2 protein in the aorta, as measured by western blot analysis. CoPP treatment had no effect on vascular responses in control mice and did not improve ACh (26 +/- 5%, n = 15), SNP (23 +/- 4%, n = 15), or CORM-A1 (46 +/- 7%, n = 10) dependent relaxation in Ang II treated mice. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that induction of HO-1 lowers Ang II-dependent hypertension through a mechanism independent of improved vascular relaxation.
Primary amide groups of human hemoglobin.

SummaryThe hemoglobin from sickle cell anemic individuals does not differ significantly in primary amide content from normal hemoglobin. Normal human hemoglobin was found to contain 26 primary amide groups per mole.
Copper(I) Ethylene Adducts and Aziridination Catalysts Based on Fluorinated Tris(pyrazolyl)borates [HB(3-(CF3),5-(R)Pz)3]- (where R = CF3, C6H5, H; Pz = pyrazolyl)

The ethylene adducts of copper(I) tris(pyrazolyl)borates, [HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]Cu(C2H4), [HB(3-(CF3),5-(C6H5)Pz)3]Cu(C2H4), and [HB(3-(CF3)Pz)3]Cu(C2H4), have been prepared by reacting the corresponding sodium derivative with CF3SO3Cu in the presence of ethylene. They were characterized both in the solid state and in solution using 1H, 13C, and 19F NMR and IR spectroscopy and by X-ray crystallography. Solid samples of these nonionic copper complexes featuring fluorinated tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands display notably high stability toward air oxidation and ethylene loss. The 1H NMR chemical shifts of the copper(I)-bonded ethylene protons appear in the 4.8−5.2 ppm region. The 13C signal of copper-coordinated ethylene shows an upfield shift of about 35 ppm, whereas the 1JC-H shows a minor change (an increase of about 2−5 Hz) compared to the values for free ethylene. X-ray structural data show the presence of pseudo-tetrahedral copper ions and η2-bonded ethylene units and relatively unperturbed ethylene C−C dis...
Worker assessment and the provision of developmental activities with advanced technology: An empirical study

Abstract Research indicates the importance of providing appropriate workforce development for the successful implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs). However, research has often assumed that a direct relationship between advanced technology and workforce development exists with limited consideration to intervening factors. This paper suggests that workers may be important “intermediaries” between the socio-technical elements through their role as assessors of developmental activities within the AMT workplace. The role of contextual factors (i.e., environmental uncertainty, empowerment and competitive developmental expenditures) to influence the impact of worker assessments on workforce development decisions was also examined. Regression results indicate that workers assessments significantly influence plant decisions regarding workforce development activities. These findings support the role of worker assessments as “intermediary” factor within the social-technical system. Findings indicate that contextual variables did not influence the relationship between worker assessments and plant developmental decisions. Contrary to expectations, the impact of worker assessment on developmental decisions did not increase with the complexity of AMTs utilized. The implications of this research to the workplace and future research questions are provided.
SiO2 film growth at low temperatures by catalyzed atomic layer deposition in a viscous flow reactor

Abstract SiO 2 thin films were grown by catalyzed atomic layer deposition (ALD) at low temperatures in a viscous flow reactor using sequential SiCl 4 and H 2 O exposures. Pyridine (C 5 H 5 N) was used as a catalyst for both reactant exposures. Micropulsing was employed to avoid possible film contamination by pyridinium chloride. Quartz crystal microbalance experiments measured a SiO 2 film growth rate of 1.35 A per SiCl 4 /H 2 O AB cycle at 305 K with SiCl 4 , H 2 O and pyridine exposures of 10 3 –10 4 Langmuir (1 Langmuir = 10 − 6 Torr s). This SiO 2 ALD growth rate was verified by ex situ X-ray reflectivity, spectroscopic ellipsometry and surface profilometry measurements. The SiO 2 ALD film growth rate decreased dramatically at higher temperatures. Transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies revealed that the hydrogen-bonded pyridine coverage was correlated with the catalyzed SiO 2 ALD growth rates from 305 to 360 K. Larger pyridine pressures were needed for catalyzed SiO 2 ALD at higher temperatures to offset the larger pyridine desorption rates. The SiO 2 ALD films contained negligible C, N, or Cl impurities as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry. The deposited SiO 2 films were also extremely smooth with a surface roughness identical to the initial Si(100) substrate.
Quadratic base change of θ10

In case ofGL n overp-adic fields, it is known that Shintani base change is well behaved. However, things are not so simple for general reductive groups. In the first part of this paper, we present a counterexample to the existence of quadratic base change descent for some Galois invariant representations. These are representations of type θ10. In the second part, we compute the localL-factor of θ10. Unlike many other supercuspidal representations, we find that theL-factor of θ10 has two poles. Finally, we discuss these two results in relation to the local Langlands correspondence.
Young's modulus and damping of Ti6Al4V alloy as a function of heat treatment and oxygen concentration

Abstract Young's modulus and damping of texture-free Ti6Al4V alloy were evaluated at room temperature by longitudinal resonance vibration tests on cylindrical bars of measured length and density. Damping was determined from the half-width Δf of the resonance peaks. The alloy's properties were evaluated as a function of solution heat treatments between 600 and 1200 °C with subsequent quenching, aging treatments between 200 and 550 °C, and plastic deformation of solution-treated and quenched alloy. The effects of oxygen concentration were determined on identically produced Ti6Al4V alloys but with systematic variation of oxygen concentration between 0.17 and 0.30 wt.% (0.50–0.88 at.%). Heat treatment alone accounts for variations in Young's modulus EO by as much as 10% of the nominal value and in damping by more than an order of magnitude. Interstitial oxygen increases Young's modulus in addition to and independent of heat treatment, according to Ealloy (GPa) = E0 + 13.5 (weight per cent of oxygen) Oxygen was found to have little effect on the damping capacity at room temperature. Low Young's modulus values are obtained when the second phase contains a vanadium enrichment of about 10 wt.% V. In the quenched state the second phase is actually a metastable (β + α″) phase mixture with a very low specific modulus values of about 74 GPa and a high specific damping capacity of 1 × 10−2. The largest damping capacity (Q−1 > 10−3) of the alloy is obtained after solution treatment and quenching (STQ) from 800 °C. High damping is also obtained after STQ from just below 1000 °C. The high damping is believed to arise from anelastic deformation of the second phase when it is present as metastable (β−α″) or (α″−α′) mixtures respectively. The damping capacity of STQ-treated alloys decreases rapidly on aging, even at low aging temperatures of 200°C, to Q−1 values of less than 1 × 10−4.
Endocrine effects and pharmacokinetic characteristics of a potent new gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (Ganirelix) with minimal histamine-releasing properties: studies in postmenopausal women.

A potent and safe GnRH antagonist has been sought unsuccessfully for the last 2 decades. The recently developed GnRH antagonist RS-26306 or Ganirelix ([N-Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-pClPhe2,D-Pal(3)3,D-hArg(Et2)6,L-++ +hArg(Et2)8,D-Ala10]GnRH ; Syntex Research, Palo Alto, CA), exhibited high antiovulatory potency and low histamine-releasing properties in preclinical studies. Therefore, we determined the extent to which single sc injections of three doses of RS-26306 (1, 3, and 6 mg) decreased serum concentrations of LH and FSH, the free alpha-subunit of LH/FSH/TSH, PRL, and testosterone in five healthy postmenopausal women. We also examined the pharmacokinetic characteristics of RS-26306 by quantifying serum levels of the drug by RIA. RS-26306 rapidly suppressed serum concentrations of LH, FSH, and free alpha-subunit. RS-26306 (6 mg) maximally decreased serum concentrations (mean +/- SEM) of LH, FSH, and free alpha-subunit by 70.1 +/- 3.6%, 42.3 +/- 2.5%, and 74.6 +/- 3.5%, respectively. RS-26306 also decreased serum testosterone, but not serum PRL, concentrations. RS-26306 concentrations reached peak serum levels at 1.2 +/- 0.3, 1.9 +/- 0.4, and 1.8 +/- 0.5 h, respectively, after 1-, 3-, and 6-mg sc injections. The mean serum half-life values based on the terminal portion of the disappearance curves were 22.8 +/- 2.5 and 26.9 +/- 1.0 h, respectively, after 3- and 6-mg s.c. doses. No systemic side-effects were noted after the administration of RS-26306. Our results demonstrate that the GnRH antagonist RS-26306 has favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics and is a potent suppressor of pituitary gonadotropin secretion in postmenopausal women. These attributes and the lack of systemic side-effects make RS-26306 a promising candidate for future clinical applications.
A geometric programming approach for bivariate cubic L1 splines

Bivariate cubic L"1 splines provide C^1-smooth, shape-preserving interpolation of arbitrary data, including data with abrupt changes in spacing and magnitude. The minimization principle for bivariate cubic L"1 splines results in a nondifferentiable convex optimization problem. This problem is reformulated as a generalized geometric programming problem. A geometric dual with a linear objective function and convex cubic constraints is derived. A linear system for dual-to-primal conversion is established. The results of computational experiments are presented.
Indium-111 leukocyte scintigraphic detection of subclinical osteomyelitis complicating delayed and nonunion long bone fractures: a prospective study.

Twenty patients were studied prospectively with indium-labeled leukocyte imaging to evaluate its effectiveness in differentiating noninfected delayed or nonunion from osteomyelitis complicating these entities. All patients underwent an open surgical procedure within 24 h of the scan. Bone specimens from the nonunion site were obtained for microbiological and histological analysis to confirm the presence or absence of osteomyelitis. In these twenty patients, the sensitivity of the indium scintigraphy was 100%, the specificity 100%, and the overall accuracy 100%. Indium-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy is significantly more accurate than /sup 99m/technetium and /sup 67/gallium imaging had been, when studied earlier, in detecting subclinical osteomyelitis complicating nonunion. Indium-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy should supplant sequential technetium and gallium studies in this patient population when the surgeon must determine whether subclinical osteomyelitis is complicating fracture management of delayed and nonunions.
Aspects of Mothers’ Parenting: Independent and Specific Relations to Children’s Depression, Anxiety, and Social Anxiety Symptoms

Theories on children’s depression, anxiety, and social anxiety note aspects of parenting such as acceptance/rejection and behavioral control. Despite these theoretical relations and high rates of comorbidity among children’s internalizing symptoms, no studies have examined multiple aspects of parenting and children’s symptoms of depression, anxiety, and social anxiety simultaneously. We examined mother- and child-reported mothers’ parenting behaviors (acceptance/rejection and behavioral control) and their combined, independent, and specific relations with children’s depression, anxiety, and social anxiety symptoms in a community sample of 124 mother–child dyads (children 10–12 years old). Children’s report of maternal behavioral control was related to mothers’ report of children’s anxiety problems. Importantly, children’s report of mothers’ acceptance/rejection was an independent predictor of all three child-reported symptom types, and child- and/or mother-report of maternal acceptance/rejection was an independent predictor of mothers’ report of children’s anxiety and affective problems. After controlling for anxiety, social anxiety, and both together, children’s perceived maternal acceptance/rejection emerged as a specific and unique predictor of children’s depression symptoms. But, after controlling for depression, parenting behaviors were no longer related to children’s anxiety and social anxiety. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed, as well as directions for future research.
Comparison of breeding value prediction for two traits in a Nellore-Angus crossbred population using different Bayesian modeling methodologies

The objectives of this study were to 1) compare four models for breeding value prediction using genomic or pedigree information and 2) evaluate the impact of fixed effects that account for family structure. Comparisons were made in a Nellore-Angus population comprising F2, F3 and half-siblings to embryo transfer F2 calves with records for overall temperament at weaning (TEMP; n = 769) and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF; n = 387). After quality control, there were 34,913 whole genome SNP markers remaining. Bayesian methods employed were BayesB (π = 0.995 or 0.997 for WBSF or TEMP, respectively) and BayesC (π = 0 and π), where π is the ideal proportion of markers not included. Direct genomic values (DGV) from single trait Bayesian analyses were compared to conventional pedigree-based animal model breeding values. Numerically, BayesC procedures (using π) had the highest accuracy of all models for WBSF and TEMP (ρgĝ = 0.843 and 0.923, respectively), but BayesB had the least bias (regression of performance on prediction closest to 1, βy,x = 2.886 and 1.755, respectively). Accounting for family structure decreased accuracy and increased bias in prediction of DGV indicating a detrimental impact when used in these prediction methods that simultaneously fit many markers.
Subjective perceptions of and attitudes toward primary interpretation of x-ray images in a PACS environment

As part of a multi-project program, we are conducting a number of studies on the implementation and use of digital radiology in the modern radiology environment. In several of our completed studies, 10 participating radiologists have each been asked to view and interpret 300 or more posteroanterior chest cases, presented on both conventional film and on a high-resolution workstation. Because we believe that radiologists' subjective acceptance of new uses of the digital modalities is important if these techniques are to be more widely utilized, we administered a comprehensive questionnaire to these radiologists to examine their attitudes regarding use of the workstation vs use of film. General adjustment to the digitial modality, personal comfort levels, and perceptions about time required for and resulting accuracy of readings, as well as advantages and disadvantages of the digital system were examined. In general, the radiologists in this study felt slightly less comfortable using the workstation than using film, although they found adjustment to the workstation to be fairly easy. The most important advantage of the workstation was thought to be the ability to control contrast and brightness; the most important disadvantage, that interpreting from the workstation was more tiring than interpreting from conventional film when comparable numbers of images (50) were interpreted in a single reading session.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Invariant families of cones and Lyapunov exponents

We show that in several cases preservation of cones leads to non-vanishing of (some) Lyapunov exponents. It gives simple and effective criteria for nonvanishing of the exponents, which is demonstrated on the example of the billiards studied by Bunimovich. It is also shown that geodesic flows on manifolds of non-positive sectional curvature can be treated from this point of view.
Sham feeding of sucrose increases the ratio of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid to dopamine in the hypothalamus

Abstract Recent pharmacological experiments suggested that central dopaminergic (DA) mechanisms are necessary for the normal eating response to sweet stimuli. To test this hypothesis, we measured the ratio of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) to dopamine (DA) in forebrain DA terminal fields during the sham feeding of sucrose (1–40%) by rats after 17 hr of food deprivation. After 9 min of sham feeding 10% or 40% sucrose, DOPAC/DA increased in the hypothalamus, but not in other forebrain regions including the n. accumbens, amygdala, and pyriform cortex. This increase in hypothalamic DOPAC/DA did not occur after 9 min of sham feeding 1%, 1.25%, or 2.5% sucros. The increased DA metabolism required that sham feeding of 10% or 40% sucrose be maintained for longer than 3 min, because no increase of DOPAC/DA was observed in any forebrain region after 3 min of sham feeding. These results are strong evidence that hypothalamic DA mechanisms are activated by the sham feeding of sucrose solutions and they support the hypothesis that central DA mechanisms are necessary for the normal eating response to sweet stimuli.
Fiber length distribution variability in cotton bale classification: Interactions among length, maturity and fineness:

Proper classification and bale selection are prerequisites to success in a modern cotton spinning operation. Currently, for crops where automatic High Volume Instrument (HVI) classification is the norm, fiber selection is done based on HVI data which does not include adequate characterization of fiber length distribution. This research evaluates the effectiveness of current cotton fiber classification and selection procedures in controlling for variability in fiber length distribution and presents a new approach to adequately clustering cotton bales into homogenous groups based on empirical length distributions. The results show that using the common HVI parameters to group the bales produces categories with uncontrolled length distribution variability. Differences in distribution patterns appeared related to the potential for bales with the same micronaire levels to differ significantly in maturity and thus in propensity to break.
Sector-focused cyclotrons

This paper will discuss the principles of operation of the sector-focused cyclotron as well as the major design problems which have evolved and the progress which has been made as shown in recent studies of this device. The cyclotron1 produces energetic beams of charged particles, which are used principally as a research tool to probe the atomic nucleus in an attempt to understand in detail the nature of the forces which hold the nucleus together. An important subsidiary use of the cyclotron beams is for isotope production work. Generally, only neutron-rich radioisotopes can be produced in a nuclear reactor. Neutron-deficient isotopes, of which there are many of practical importance, require the use of charged particle beams such as are obtained from the cyclotron.
Parameter validation for software reliability

This paper presents a method for increasing software reliability through parameter validation. Existing systems are examined and a proposed technique is presented to aid in the static parameter validation of RATFOR programs.
Evaluation of genetic variances, heritabilities and correlations for yield and fiber traits among cotton F(2) hybrid populations

F2 hybrid cultivars continue to occupy a small portion of the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production are in the United States, but occupy a larger proportion of the production area in some other countries. Sixty-four F2 hybrids resulting from crosses of four commercial cultivars and 16 pest-resistant germplasm lines were evaluated for five fiber and four yield traits in four environments at Mississippi State, MS. An additive-dominance genetic model was employed for these traits. The minimum norm quadratic unbiased estimation (MINQUE) method was used with a mixed model approach for estimating genetic variance and covariance components and for predicting genetic correlations. This study investigated genetic variances, heritabilities, and genetic and phenotypic correlations between agronomic and fiber traits among these 64 F2 hybrid populations and discussed the usefulness of these populations for use as hybrids or for selections for pure lines.
Separation of single-stranded ribonucleic acids by acrylamide-agarose-urea gel electrophoresis.

Abstract The incorporation of 6 m urea into polyacrylamide-agarose gels reduces the width of the bands formed upon electrophoresis by single-stranded RNA molecules in the 10 5 - to 10 6.5 -dalton size range. As a result the resolving power of gels is increased and molecules that differ in size by as little as 5% can be separated.
Epidermal growth factor receptor down-regulation induced by UVA in human keratinocytes does not require the receptor kinase activity

Activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor by EGF, its ligand, results in receptor internalization and down-regulation, which requires receptor kinase activity, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. In contrast, we have found here in human HaCaT keratinocytes that exposure to UVA induces EGF receptor internalization and down-regulation without receptor phosphorylation and ubiquitination. The presence of the receptor kinase activity inhibitor AG1478 increased UVA-induced receptor down-regulation, whereas it inhibited EGF-induced receptor down-regulation. These observations demonstrate that, in contrast to EGF, receptor kinase activity is not required for receptor down-regulation by UVA. Concurrent with receptor down-regulation, caspases were activated by UVA exposure. The presence of caspase inhibitors blocked receptor down-regulation in a pattern similar to poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase cleavage. Much more receptor down-regulation was observed after UVA exposure in apoptotic detached cells in which caspase is activated completely. These results indicate that UVA-induced receptor down-regulation is dependent on caspase activation. Similar to UVA, both UVB and UVC induced receptor down-regulation, in which receptor kinase activity is not required, whereas caspase activation is involved. Inhibition of EGF receptor down-regulation increased receptor activation and activation of its downstream survival signaling ERK and AKT after UVA exposure. Preventing the activation of each of these pathways enhanced apoptosis induced by UVA. These findings suggest that EGF receptor down-regulation by UVA may play an important role in the execution of the cell suicide program by attenuating its anti-apoptotic function and thereby preventing cell transformation and tumorigenesis in vivo.
Analysis of Human Skin Emanations by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. 1. Thermal Desorption of Attractants for the Yellow Fever Mosquito (Aedes aegypti) from Handled Glass Beads

Handled glass has the ability to collect and concentrate nonaqueous human skin emanations while minimizing the collection of aqueous perspiration. Compounds originating from the skin and collected on glass have previously been found to attract the Aedes aegypti species of mosquito. Therefore, glass beads were used as the medium to collect skin emanations from humans for subsequent chemical analysis. This process consisted of a 5-15-min collection of sample on glass beads, followed by loading the beads into a gas chromatograph (GC) injector insert for subsequent desorption of the collected compounds onto the GC column. After cryofocusing by liquid nitrogen at the head of the column, the thermally desorbed compounds were analyzed by GC/MS. Microscale purge and trap introduction was also used to provide complementary information. In this case, the beads are held in a round-bottom flask, purged with nitrogen, and heated as the concentrator collects the headspace above the beads. The chromatograms produced by both of these sample introduction methods demonstrate good resolution of a complex sample. Cryofocusing volatiles from handled glass allowed identification of lactic acid, aliphatic fatty acids, and other polar to nonpolar compounds of moderate volatility while purge and trap allowed detection of nonpolar to moderately polar compounds of high volatility.
Observations of Infrared Absorbance by the B2u and B3u Fundamentals of Rhombic Li2F2 Matrix Isolated in Xe and Ar

Infrared absorption spectra of the Li(2)F(2) rhombic dimer isolated in Xe, Ar, and Ar-mixed matrices suggest that rotational stereodynamics occurs for Li(2)F(2) in its Xe trapping site. Providing evidence for this, the absorbance peak for the B(3u) fundamental at 617 cm(-1) changes little upon annealing and heating processes, which cause the B(2u) peak at 534 cm(-1) to lose most of its absorbance strength-despite their common provenience. The explanation is rooted in (a) the volume compatibility of Li(2)F(2) and the Xe vacancy, (b) the D(2h) symmetry of Li(2)F(2), (c) the state-specific generation of rotational stereodynamics by vibrational relaxation of the 534 cm(-1) B(2u) mode, and (d) the IR transparency manifested by Li(2)F(2) isolated in Xe crystallites providing rough alignments between the B(2u) transition dipole and the spectrometer IR beam. Analogous behavior appears to occur for the Xe-isolated LiF monomer.
Profile analysis in person–situation integration

Abstract Personality and Assessment [Mischel, W. (1968). Personality and assessment. New York: Wiley] challenged personality psychology to commit to the idea that behavior emerges from an interaction of personality characteristics and situational forces. To understand the mechanisms driving person–situation interaction, personality psychologists often study behavioral regularities such as consistency, stability, coherence, and explainability. The current paper articulates such regularities via profile analysis of cross-situational behavioral contingencies, it articulates profile normativeness and distinctiveness as important considerations in profile analysis of behavioral contingency, it integrates an idiographic profile approach with a more traditional nomothetic approach, and it discusses conceptual and methodological implications. Importantly, the profile perspective provides a useful framework that integrates previous examinations of behavioral regularities and that points to new questions advancing personality psychology’s pursuit of person–situation integration.
An ultra-thin-window gas cell

Abstract A gas cell has been developed for which the total areal density encountered by outgoing reaction products can be as low as 50 μg/cm 2 at 25 torr gas pressure.
Evaluation of drug therapy for treatment of hypertensive urgencies in the emergency department

Abstract Oral nifedipine (N) and clonidine (C) are often used in the treatment of hypertensive urgencies; however, until recently, there were no comparative studies using the same patient population. The authors reviewed the records of hypertensive patients treated in the emergency department between October 1, 1987 and September 30, 1988. Selected patients had a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of greater than 115 mm Hg without evidence of acute end organ damage. Patients were stratified into three treatment groups: N, C, and group 3 (G3). G3 received a variety of drug therapies but not exclusively N or C. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), DBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), percent decrease in MAP (%MAP), time to lower blood pressure, admissions, and discharges were evaluated. Efficacy and safety were defined as reaching a DBP less than 110 mm Hg but %MAP of no greater than either 25% or 40%, respectively. Thirty-five N, 32 C, and 27 G3 patients were identified with no statistical difference between groups in race, gender, pretreatment SBP, DBP, or MAP. N, C, and G3 significantly reduced SBP, DBP, and MAP ( P p
Simultaneous acquisition of phosphocreatine and inorganic phosphate images for Pi:PCr ratio mapping using a RARE sequence with chemically selective interleaving

Abstract The ratio of inorganic phosphate to phosphocreatine (Pi:PCr) is a validated marker of mitochondrial function in human muscle. The magnetic resonance imaging rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) pulse sequence can acquire phosphorus-31 (31P) images with higher spatial and temporal resolution than traditional spectroscopic methods, which can then be used to create Pi:PCr ratio maps of muscle regions. While the 31P RARE method produces images that reflect the content of the 31P metabolites, it has been limited to producing an image of only one chemical shift in a scan. This increases the scan time required to acquire images of multiple chemical shifts as well as the likelihood of generating inaccurate Pi:PCr maps due to gross motion. This work is a preliminary study to demonstrate the feasibility of acquiring Pi and PCr images in a single scan by interleaving Pi and PCr chemical shift acquisitions using a chemically selective radiofrequency excitation pulse. The chemical selectivity of the excitation pulse evaluated and the Pi:PCr maps generated using the interleaved Pi and PCr acquisition method with the subject at rest and during exercise are compared to those generated using separate Pi and PCr acquisition scans. A paired t test indicated that the resulting Pi:PCr ratios for the exercised forearm muscle regions were not significantly different between the separate Pi and PCr acquisition method (3.18±1.53) (mean±standard deviation) and the interleaved acquisition method (3.41±1.66). This work demonstrates the feasibility of creating Pi:PCr ratio maps in human muscle with Pi and PCr images acquired simultaneously by interleaving between the Pi and PCr resonances in a single scan.
Nutrition Information Sources Used by Adolescents.

Sources from which adolescents receive general nutrition information and are most likely to seek information about specific nutrition topics were examined. Data were collected from 163 14- to 18-year-old males and females. Over 90 per cent of the respondents reported that they had Iearned about nutrition in at least one school course during the current or previous school years. Home economics class was most frequently reported, followed by health, science, and physical education. Respondents indicated that they had often received information about nutrition during the current school year from television and parents or guardians. Other frequently cited sources were labels on food packages, maga zines, and radio. Respondents who were older or in higher grades were more likely than those who were younger or in lower grades to report receiving nutri tion information from mass media sources, and were less likely to report re ceiving information from health professionals and significant others. The respon dents reported that they would most frequently seek information from physicians and parents or guardians if they had questions about losing or gaining weight or using vitamin/mineral supplements. However, if they had questions about eating to help sports performance, the majority reported that they would first seek in formation from coaches.
A Binding Site Expressed on the Surface of Activated Human Platelets Is Shared by Factor X and Prothrombin

We have demonstrated the presence of a saturable, reversible, and Ca2+-dependent binding site for 125I-labeled factor X ([125I]factor X) on human platelets (16 000 ± 2 000 sites per platelet, Kd = 320 ± 40 nM, n = 12) activated with either thrombin or the thrombin receptor agonist peptide, SFLLRN-amide, but not with ADP. Bound [125I]factor X could be completely removed by the addition of a Ca2+ chelator or an excess of unlabeled factor X. Antibodies that inhibit binding of factor X to the MAC-1 integrin receptor of monocytes and those directed against human factor V, failed to disrupt [125I]factor X binding to platelets. Prothrombin, but neither factor VII, factor IX, protein C, nor protein S, was an effective competitor of [125I]factor X binding with a Ki ≈ Kd. [125I]Prothrombin also binds to activated (but not unactivated) platelets in a saturable, reversible, and Ca2+-dependent manner (20 500 ± 1 500 sites, Kd = 470 ± 110 nM, n = 3). Annexin V potently inhibited the binding of both [125I]factor X and [...
Quality of Internet education about living kidney donation for Hispanics.

Context—Hispanics need disproportionately more kidney transplants, yet receive disproportionately fewer kidney transplants and living donor kidney transplants than non-Hispanic whites. Lack of knowledge and cultural beliefs about living kidney donation contribute to these disparities. The Internet is an optimal venue to educate underserved, low-literacy populations.Design—Websites were evaluated for information on living kidney donation targeted to Hispanics. Hispanic websites addressing living kidney donation were identified through the Google search engine, using the search terms Hispanic, Latino, Spanish, and living kidney donor/donation. Websites were evaluated for accessibility of information, readability, and content required by 9 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations representing 12 topics, and cultural competency.Results—Twenty resources met inclusion criteria. Websites contained 2.3 pages on living kidney donation and required 2.4 links to access all information on living kidney ...
The Influence of the Ventriculotomy Site on the Contraction and Function of the Right Ventricle

The effects of right ventricular cardiotomy were investigated in a total of 28 dogs. Half of the group were studied by high-speed cinematography and half by means of ventricular function curves. In both groups long vertical ventriculotomies were done in eight animals and transverse ventriculotomies were performed in six. Adverse effects on the contraction and function of the right ventricle were observed in the animals undergoing vertical cardiotomy. On the other hand, transverse ventriculotomy did not result in significant abnormalities of right ventricular performance. It is concluded that transverse ventriculotomy is more physiologic and may be the incision of choice, especially in the higherrisk group of patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Premisses and Paradigms in Leadership Research

Is leadership theory ready for a major reappraisal? Theories of leadership are explored through underlying sets of assumptions (basic frameworks or paradigms). The result is a convenient way of negotiating a vast body of literature. This meta‐analysis offers scope for further research, and linkages between theory and practice. For example, charismatic theory is identified as being ripe for paradigm shift.
Perspectives on… Special Collections at ARL Libraries and K-12 Outreach: Current Trends

Abstract This article examines the results of a survey sent to Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Special Collections requesting information on outreach to K-12 students. Over half of the respondents work with K-12 and many of those who currently do not are planning to. New pressures and changing philosophies contribute to this trend.
A singular pertubation theory for reaction-diffusion equations

Abstract A pertubation theory is developed for the probability density for the displacement in reaction-diffusion equations of the form ∂p/∂τ = ϵ (∂/∂y) [f(y)∂p/∂y] − (∂/∂y) [v(y)p] − κ(yp. In this equation f(y), v(y) and κ(y) are dimensionless functions of y taken to be O(1), and ϵ is a dimensionless parameter which, in the diffusion-dominated regime satisfies ϵ ⪡ 1. We briefly also discuss the case in which v(y) is also proportional to ϵ. Our results are then applied to an exactly solvable example.
The flux ejection dynamo effect

The mean-field effects of cyclonic convection become increasingly complex when the cyclonic rotation exceeds 1/2 pi. Net helicity is not required, with negative turbulent diffusion for instance, appearing in mirror symmetric turbulence. This paper points out a new dynamo effect arising in convective cells with strong asymmetry in the rotation of updrafts as against downdrafts. The creation of new magnetic flux arises from the ejection of reserve flux through the open boundary of the dynamo region. It is unlike the familiar alpha-effect in that individual components of the field may be amplified independently. Several formal examples are provided to illustrate the effect. Occurrence in nature depends upon the existence of fluid rotations of the order of pi in the convective updrafts. The flux ejection dynamo may possibly contribute to the generation of field in the convective core of earth and in the convective zone of the sun and other stars.
Optimal currency forward market hedge ratios: Hedging or concealed speculation?

Finance literature in recent years has contained numerous papers dealing with the issue of optimal hedging ratios. The traditional approach to hedging with futures contracts had been to use a 1:l ratio of futures to spot positions. The more recent portfolio methodology determines the optimal hedge ratio by regressing the cash price, cash price change, or logarithm of cash price relative on the corresponding futures price, change, or logarithm. This procedure, following Johnson [7], Stein [lo], and Ederington [2], finds the minimum variance hedge ratio, which is the regression slope term, generally to be other than l:l, depending on whether the spot:futures/forward relationship is one of positive or negative carrying costs. Swanson and Caples [ll] and Herbst, Kare, and Caples [5] extend the portfolio methodology by using a Box-Jenkins autoregressive, integrated moving average procedure (ARIMA) to explicitly incorporate the effects of serial correlation. This extension yields optimal hedge ratios for major currencies which are lower than those found in the earlier portfolio studies, enlarging the difference in magnitude between traditional and portfolio determined optimal hedging ratios. Most of the studies have focused on risk reduction relating to interest rates and physical commodities. For example, Ederington [2] and Franckle (31 analyzed T-Bill futures while French [4] studied spot copper and silver prices in the United States and forward prices in England. More recently, Toevs and Jacob [13] reevaluated estimation techniques for calculating hedge ratios for interest rate risk and concluded that simple duration-based hedges can dominate regressionbased hedges. Their work thus questions the validity of the portfolio methodology. Less work has been done on foreign currency futures. Cornell and Reinganum [l] compared hedging in the forward and futures market for foreign currencies, and Hill and Schneeweis [6] attempted to measure hedging effectiveness for five major currencies using the foreign currency futures market. Park
Nutrition and somatomedin--XII. Fractionation of somatomedins and somatomedin inhibitors in normal and diabetic rats.

Abstract 1. 1. Bioassayable somatomedins and somatomedin inhibitors were examined after chromatographic separation, using serum from normal rats (enriched in somatomedins) and diabetic rats (enriched in somatomedin inhibitors). 2. 2. At neutral pH, gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300 revealed somatomedins at mol. wt ≈ 140,000 (presumably carrier-bound) and inhibitors at mol. wts ≈ 250,000, ≈ 24,000 and ≈ 1,000. At acid pH, gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 revealed somatomedins at mol. wt ≈ 8,000 (presumably carrier-free) and a single inhibitor at mol. wt ≈ 21,000. 3. 3. Ion exchange chromatography revealed that the inhibitor(s) may be more acidic than the somatomedins, but only low quantities of somatomedins were recovered. 4. 4. Sephadex G-50 fractionation was applied to pathophysiologic models in rats: 3 days of fasting were associated with a 62% fall in somatomedins and a 159% rise in inhibitors; 2 days of diabetes were associated with a 60% fall in somatomedins and a 344% rise in inhibitors. 5. 5. Since chromatography on Sephadex G-50 at pH 2.4 appears to provide adequate separation of somatomedins and somatomedin inhibitors with good estimated recovery of biology activity, this sample approach may be a probe useful in examining the regulation of somatomedins and somatomedin inhibitors in vivo .
"There will be blood" from fibroblasts

The blood system is continuously replenished from a rare population of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that balance self-renewal and differentiation.1 It is believed that HSCs emerge during embryog...
Addendum to "Variational principles for solving nonlinear Poisson equations for the potential of impurity ions in semiconductors with spatially variable dielectric constants"

In the above-named paper, a simplified form of the nonlinear Poisson equation for the impurity-ion potential has been solved approximately by making use of an equivalent variational principle. The difference between the exact and the simplified nonlinear Poisson equations is a term involving the derivative of the potential and the derivative of the spatially variable dielectric constant. The purpose of the present paper is the presentation of a more general variational principle, by which one might obtain an approximate solution of the exact nonlinear Poisson equation.
Caste and Personal Rank in an Indian Village: An Extension in Techniques1

Caste is a dominant theme in the Indian status order, but observations of social behavior in a village make it clear that caste alone does not determine fully the status order of the villagers. The hypothesis is offered that within his home village each individual has a personal status that is a combination of his caste status and such noncaste statuses as wealth, power, and office. It is further suggested that vector analysis can offer a useful model for perceiving personal status. To test the hypothesis, Marriott's caste-ranking technique was used to rank thirty Konduru castes and eighteen individuals. A comparison of the two tests throws light on the relative importance of caste as a determinant in the personal status order and the extent to which a man's influence in the village is determined by non-caste factors. There are possible implications for the concepts of caste and caste structures.
Comparative Advantage, Self-sufficiency and Food Security in Iran: Case Study of Wheat Commodity

Food security has a dynamic notion during the time and may be affected by various domestic and global factors. Nevertheless, Iranian policy makers consider food security as same as self-sufficiency in agricultural food products, particularly wheat production. However, self-sufficiency can contribute to food security only if it is in coincidences with comparative advantage and sustainable resource management. The present study aims to investigate the coincidences of self-sufficiency and comparative advantage and the real impact of selfsufficiency on net social benefit as a measure of food security; by developing a Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) to analyze the trend of comparative advantage and self-sufficiency measures for the past decade. The data for wheat input-output quantities and their domestic prices during the period of study were obtained from production and cost system of agricultural products, and other relevant information collected from World Bank statistics and FAO database. The results showed that the self-sufficiency policy through price supports, inputs and credit subsidies and research and extension programs, has increased the physical productivity of wheat farms as well as increased the area under cultivation. However, the net social profit of wheat production was negative during the period of study, indicating a negative effect of self-sufficiency policy on the food security.
Medical Care Price Indexes

Since 1950, medical care prices have risen twice as fast as nonmedical prices, as indicated by the CPI and other price indexes. Indexes, however, may overstate price increases in medicine compared to other sectors. Extracting prices from expenditure data is difficult in all service sectors because outputs are hard to define. The problem may be worse in medicine, where technological change is particularly rapid.
Synthesis and characterization of PECVD-grown, silane-terminated silicon quantum dots

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have been the subject of intense research interest due to novel experimentally observed properties, such as tunable bandgap, phonon bottleneck, and a variety of surface effects. The control of these properties makes quantum dots a candidate for revolutionizing a variety of fields, including photovoltaics. Because silicon is such a well characterized PV material in its bulk form, it would be a good choice for QD research for application in solar cells. In addition, there is recent theoretical evidence that its indirect gap may become more direct as size decreases, allowing for a fine-tuning of the absorption characteristics for photovoltaics.
Operating modes of an atmospheric pressure radio frequency plasma

The physics of an atmospheric pressure, radio frequency plasma has been investigated. The discharge is generated with helium and 0.4 vol.% nitrogen passing between two metal electrodes with a 3.0-mm gap. It was discovered that at a critical power density of 2.1 kW/cm/sup 3/, the plasma undergoes sheath breakdown and transitions from the /spl alpha/- to the /spl gamma/-mode. Photographs are presented showing the unique distribution of excited-state species under these conditions.
Electrophoretic deposition of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets on TiO2 nanotube arrays for dye-sensitized solar cells

a b s t r a c t In the present work, electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is used to deposit reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets onto a TiO2 nanotube array for application as photoelectrode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The as-deposited RGO nanosheets are very uniform and can be obtained with controllable thick- ness. Due to the enhanced electronic conductivity caused by RGO, the short-circuit current of DSSCs based on RGO-modified TiO2 nanotube arrays is much higher than that of DSSCs based on unmodified TiO2 nanotube arrays. In addition, the short-circuit current (Jsc) increases with longer EPD time for RGO deposition but decreases with increased EPD time later; a peak value of 8.87 mA cm−2 is reached for Jsc at an EPD time of 30 s. Therefore, DSSC based on TiO2 nanotubes (6.8 m long) modified using EPD time 30 s delivers the highest energy conversion efficiency of 4.10%, while DSSC consisting of bare nanotubes exhibits efficiency of 2.97% and short-circuit current of 6.24 mA cm−2, which represents a 38.0% enhance- ment of energy conversion efficiency in DSSC consisting of TiO2 nanotubes modified with RGO compared to that of DSSC based on bare nanotubes. Moreover, RGO-deposition on longer bamboo-type TiO2 nano- tube arrays (16.8 m long) can further increase the energy conversion efficiencies to 6.01% by utilizing higher surface area of bamboo-type nanotubes for dye loading.