cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pearls & Oy-sters: Cerebral venous air embolism after central catheter removal Too much air can kill

A 95-year-old woman with a history of hypertension presented from a long-term care facility for altered mental status in the context of dehydration and hypoglycemia. Multiple attempts to obtain a peripheral IV failed, and a triple lumen catheter was placed into the right internal jugular vein using the Seldinger technique under ultrasound guidance. No complications followed the procedure. The patient was then rehydrated and given multiple ampules of D50, leading to prompt resolution of the hypoglycemia and improvement in her mental status. After resolution of symptoms, the central line was removed, with the head of the bed at 30°. Within minutes of removal of the central line, the patient developed severe respiratory distress and hypoxia with desaturation to 80% on a non-rebreather mask with 100% oxygen. On examination, the patient was unconscious and gasping for air with severe suprasternal retractions; she was tachypneic and tachycardic, and her blood pressure was 210/100 mm Hg. All limbs were flaccid. She was placed in the left lateral decubitus position as resuscitation efforts were activated. She was then intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit. A stat CT angiogram of the head and neck did not show signs of stroke, bleeding, or vascular occlusion. Chest CT with contrast showed dilation of the distal esophagus with fluid and debris within the distal trachea and left mainstem bronchus, without evidence of pulmonary embolism, and consistent with aspiration. An echocardiogram revealed an ejection fraction of 79%, normal left ventricular function, and mildly dilated left atrium, but no thrombi, vegetations, or evidence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) with agitated saline contrast. Troponin I peaked about 8 hours after the event (0.468, normal range 0–0.034), simultaneous creatine kinase MB was elevated (4.92, normal range 0–2.30), and multiple EKGs were consistent with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Prolonged cardiac telemetry failed to show atrial fibrillation.
The colonization of solid PVC surfaces and the acquisition of resistance to germicides by water micro-organisms

Six common water bacteria were examined for their ability to colonize polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surfaces, survive various germicidal treatment, and re-establish themselves in sterile distilled water (SDW). For each test, two 30·4 cm PVC pipes attached to a 90° PVC elbow were filled with 600 ml of distilled water inoculated with either Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ps. cepacia, Ps. mesophilica, Acinetobacter anitratus, Mycobacterium chelonae or M. chelonae var. abscessus. After 8 weeks contaminated water was removed and the pipes were exposed to 600 ml of 1 : 213 iodophor disinfectant (ID), 1 : 128 phenolic detergent (P), 1 : 256 quaternary ammonium compound (QA), stock iodophor antiseptic (IA), 2% formaldehyde (F), 10–15 ppm free chlorine (C), 2% glutaraldehyde (G) and 70% ethanol (E). These germicides were periodically sampled, neutralized and examined for surviving organisms. After exposure for 7 d the germicides were removed and each pipe was refilled with SDW. This was assayed at 7 d intervals to determine microbial re-establishment. Samples were removed during microbial conditioning and examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pseudomonads were isolated directly from ID, QA, C, P and F, and mycobacteria from QA, IA, ID, P, G, C and F. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Ps. cepacia survived in PVC pipes after 7 d of exposure to P, ID and C; Ps. mesophilica, after C and ID; and both mycobacteria, after C. SEM examination of PVC remnants revealed bacterial attachment and formation of extracellular material with embedded cells. These studies show that common water bacteria can attach and colonize the interior surface of PVC pipes and develop significant resistance to the action of certain germicides. Specific disinfection strategies are needed to control microbial populations that form in water distribution systems.
Endoscopic transluminal drainage and necrosectomy by using a novel, through-the-scope, fully covered, large-bore esophageal metal stent: preliminary experience in 10 patients.

Background Interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis have undergone a recent paradigm shift toward minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy (ETN). The optimal stent for endoscopic transmural drainage remains unsettled. Objective To evaluate a novel large-bore, fully covered metal through-the-scope (TTS) esophageal stent for cystenterostomy in large walled-off necrosis (WON). Design Retrospective case series. Setting Single tertiary care academic center. Patients Ten patients with large (>10 cm) WON collections who underwent endoscopic transmural drainage and ETN. Intervention Initial cystenterostomy was performed by using EUS, and in the same session, a TTS (18 × 60 mm), fully covered esophageal stent was placed to create a wide-bore fistula into the cavity. In 1 or more later sessions, the stent was removed, and ETN was performed as needed. Main Outcome Measurements Technical and clinical success rates and adverse events. Results The TTS stent was successfully deployed at the initial cystogastrostomy in all 10 patients. All patients had large WON (median size 17 cm, range 11-30 cm) and underwent intervention at a median of 30 days (range 12-117 days) after onset of acute pancreatitis. Resolution of WON was achieved in 9 of the 10 patients (90%) after a median of 3 endoscopic sessions. There were no early adverse events. Late adverse events occurred in 3 patients (30%); worsening of infection from stent migration and occlusion of cystogastrostomy (2 patients), and fatal pseudoaneurysmal bleeding from erosion of infected necrosis into a major artery distant from the stent (1 patient). The stent was easily removed in all the cases after resolution or improvement of the necrotic cavity. Limitations Retrospective, single-center evaluation of a small number of cases. No comparative arm to determine the relative efficacy or cost-effectiveness of these stents compared with conventional plastic stents. Conclusions Endoscopic therapy using a large-bore TTS, fully covered esophageal stent is feasible for use in the treatment of large WON. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.
Presurgery resting-state local graph-theory measures predict neurocognitive outcomes after brain surgery in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Summary Objective This study determined the ability of resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) graph-theory measures to predict neurocognitive status postsurgery in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL). Methods A presurgical resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) condition was collected in 16 left and 16 right TLE patients who underwent ATL. In addition, patients received neuropsychological testing pre- and postsurgery in verbal and nonverbal episodic memory, language, working memory, and attention domains. Regarding the functional data, we investigated three graph-theory properties (local efficiency, distance, and participation), measuring segregation, integration and centrality, respectively. These measures were only computed in regions of functional relevance to the ictal pathology, or the cognitive domain. Linear regression analyses were computed to predict the change in each neurocognitive domain. Results Our analyses revealed that cognitive outcome was successfully predicted with at least 68% of the variance explained in each model, for both TLE groups. The only model not significantly predictive involved nonverbal episodic memory outcome in right TLE. Measures involving the healthy hippocampus were the most common among the predictors, suggesting that enhanced integration of this structure with the rest of the brain may improve cognitive outcomes. Regardless of TLE group, left inferior frontal regions were the best predictors of language outcome. Working memory outcome was predicted mostly by right-sided regions, in both groups. Overall, the results indicated our integration measure was the most predictive of neurocognitive outcome. In contrast, our segregation measure was the least predictive. Significance This study provides evidence that presurgery rsFC measures may help determine neurocognitive outcomes following ATL. The results have implications for refining our understanding of compensatory reorganization and predicting cognitive outcome after ATL. The results are encouraging with regard to the clinical relevance of using graph-theory measures in presurgical algorithms in the setting of TLE.
Activation of polyphenol oxidase in extracts of bran from several wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars using organic solvents, detergents, and chaotropes.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO), known to induce browning in wheat-based products, has been shown to be activatable in wheat (Triticum aestivum) bran extracts by chemical compounds. The activity in the extracts could be increased to varying degrees with acetone, methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, and n-butanol as additives in the extraction buffer. The most potent alcoholic activator was n-butanol (about a 3-fold increase), followed by 2-propanol and ethanol, whereas methanol had the least effect. Ionic detergents in the extraction buffer were also good activators, with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) being more potent (3-fold increase) than cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) that had only half as much effect, whereas the nonionic detergent, Triton X-114, was ineffective. The chaotropes, urea and guanidine·HCl (GND), were the most potent activators of all, increasing the activity over 4-fold. Of the two chaotropes, GND was more effective at lower concentrations (<6 M) than urea. However, the enzyme activity lessened...
Isolation of N-acetylaspartic acid from hypothalamic tissue and significance of its ACTH-releasing activity.

Abstract During extensive fractionation of extractives of porcine hypothalami tissue, advanced steps were monitored by RIA for the activity of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). Two entities with CRF-activity were observed and identified. They were
Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity for cultured autologous melanoma cells

Abstract Sera from 33 patients with malignant melanoma were tested for antibody-dependent cellmediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against cultured autologous melanoma cells prelabeled with [ 3 H]proline in a 36-h assay. Effector cells (autologous or from normal donors) were obtained by Ficoll-Hypaque separation of peripheral blood. Assay sensitivity (but not specificity) was affected by the effector cells used, the optimal source of effector cells varying between different autologous serum-target cell combinations. The activity of autologous effector cells appeared to correlate inversely with the extent of disease. Sera from 18 patients gave positive direct tests. In seven cases reactivity was strong enough to permit analysis of specificity with absorption tests. Serum from one patient recognized a melanoma antigen restricted to autologous melanoma cells and three other melanoma cell lines, and not present on other melanoma cell lines or autologous tissues, nonmelanoma tumor cells, or xenogeneic cells. Sera from 5 patients detected a diverse group of widely distributed antigens, all related to fetal calf serum (FCS). Serum from the seventh patient reacted with a widely distributed antigen not related to FCS.
Bilateral Pelvic Lymph Node Metastases in a Case of FIGO Stage IA1 Adenocarcinoma of the Cervix

Abstract Introduction. Although the FIGO staging system has been recently described for microinvasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix, the precise role it will have on determining how patients are treated remains uncertain. Using various definitions for the classification of microinvasion, recent reports have suggested conservative management for patients with this disease. Case. We present the case of a 62-year-old woman with FIGO stage IA 1 adenocarcinoma of the cervix found to have bilateral microscopic pelvic lymph node metastases. To our knowledge, this is the only documented case of lymph node metastases in a patient with IA 1 disease. Conclusions. A review of the controversial issues involving the definition and management of microinvasive adenocarcinoma of the cervix is presented. The finding of lymph node metastases in our patient provides support for aggressive surgical management in selected patients with this disease.
Effect of microstructure on reliability predictions for glass ceramics

Abstract A study is made of the fracture properties of a range of three Li 2 OSiO 2 glass ceramics with different grain sizes. Both equilibrium and kinetic crack propagation parameters are evaluated using the controlled flaw indentation technique with a view to making reliability predictions. Fracture toughness in the well-behaved large-contact-flaw range is found to increase with increasing grain size. At low contact loads the strength and apparent toughness are found to fall below the predictions of the well-behaved region, this tendency increasing with increasing grain size. At the fixed contact load chosen for fatigue testing, the susceptibilities to slow crack growth for the three materials are found to be similar. A theory is developed to allow the variations in apparent toughness to be taken into account for lifetime prediction. The results suggest that caution must be exercised when reliability predictions are made for materials showing the effects of crack-microstructure interaction, especially in extrapolations to low contact loads.
Characterization of bioflocculants from biologically aerated filter backwashed sludge and its application in dying wastewater treatment.

Abstract In this study, the feasibility of bioflocculant extraction from backwashing sludge to reduce its production costs was investigated. Results showed that ultrasound and base treatment could significantly enhance bioflocculant extraction efficiency, however, flocculating activity was affected. It was observed that bioflocculants extracted from sludge of pH 11.0 had no flocculating activity. In contrast, bioflocculants extracted from sludge of pH 5.0, named as M-1, had good flocculating activity. To further study the flocculating activity of M-1, factors such as bioflocculant dosage, temperature and pH of the reaction solution were tested. The optimal conditions were 6.0 mg/l bioflocculant dosage and pH 5.0, at a temperature of 10 °C. Under these conditions, the flocculating rate of kaolin clay was 92.67%. The effectiveness of such bioflocculants in the decolorization of synthetically dyed wastewater was then examined. In flocculating methylene blue and fast blue in aqueous solutions, decolorization efficiency levels were 82.9% and 77.8%, respectively.
Net energy analyses of eight technologies to provide domestic hot water heat

Abstract Net energy analyses have been carried out for eight trajectories which convert an energy source into heated domestic water. In addition, economic and metals consumed estimates have been made for three methods of producing heated domestic water. While some of the trajectories producing electrically heated water showed a slightly higher ratio of energy produced to energy consumed than a flat plate solar collector system, when all factors were considered (i.e. cost, quality of energy, and metals consumed), the flat plate solar collector system appears to be the system our energy policy should encourage for heating domestic water, even in the cloudy inter-Lakes area of the United States. Based on only net energy factors, it seems clear that the synthetic fuels program should not be encouraged as a means of providing a fuel source for heating domestic water.
Fleshing: Spine‐driven Bending with Local Volume Preservation

Several design and animation techniques use a one-dimensional proxy C (a spine curve in 3D) to control the deformation or behavior of a digital model of a 3D shape S. We propose a modification of these “skinning” techniques that ensures local volume preservation, which is important for the physical plausibility of digital simulations. In the proposed “fleshing” techniques, as input, we consider a smooth spine C0, a model S0 of a solid that lies “sufficiently close” to C0, and a deformed version C1 of C0 that is “not overly bent”. (We provide a precise characterization of these restrictions.) As output, we produce a bijective mapping M, that maps any point X of S onto a point M(X) of M(S). M satisfies two properties: (1) The closest projection of X on C0 and of M(X) on C1 have the same arc length parameter. (2) U and M(U) have the same volume, where U is any subset of S. We provide three different closed form expressions for radial, normal and binormal fleshing and discuss the details of their practical real-time implementation.
Genetic diversity within tall formSpartina alterniflora Loisel along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States

Spartina alterniflora is the dominant flowering plant of regularly flooded salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Studies have suggested that there may be a genetic basis for the morphological, physiological, and phenological differences observed in plants sampled over a broad geographic range. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was employed to assess the genetic variability in tall formS. alterniflora from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Twenty-nine RAPD primers produced 300 scoreable electrophoretic bands, of which 225 were polymorphic (75%). An UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method using an arithmetic average) phenogram based on Jaccard’s genetic distances showed three clusters of plants: New England/New Jersey, North Carolina/South Atlantic, and Gulf coast, Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was used to estimate how genetic variability is partitioned among regions, areas, and individuals. The resulting variance components were highly significant at all hierachical levels for the sampling regime employed. The correlation between genetic and estimated coastal geographic flow among plants from geographically separate areas is not probable due to differences in flowering phenology, a total barrier to the exchange of genetic information is not likely. Present data and results of previous studies suggest a genetic continuum for this species rather than discrete, isolated populations.
Radiation‐induced sarcoma of bone

During the period 1931 to 1970, 50 cases of radiation-induced osteogenic sarcoma were seen at the Memorial and James Ewing Hospitals. Twenty-two of these cases had previously been described; the present paper adds an additional 28 cases to the existing series and reviews those factors related to the development of neoplastic changes. In 35 patients, there was evidence of preexisting bone pathology in the form of benign osseous growths. Fifteen patients had soft-part and visceral neoplasms, such as retinoblastoma, seminoma, and breast carcinoma, the involved bone lying in the pathway of the radiation beam. Symptoms ranged from a palpable tender mass in the involved bone to intestinal obstruction secondary to metastatic radiation-induced osteogenic sarcoma. Essentially all bones in the skeletal system appear to have been vulnerable. The radiation dosages ranged from 1,200 rads given in a few weeks to 24,000 rads given in 2 years. Induction time covered a period of 4 through 30 years with a mean of 9 years. Thirty-two of the patients developing this neoplasm have since died of their disease.
Predicting preterm birth: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of 9 strategies for the management of threatened preterm labor. Study Design: We derived 6 management options from the literature. These were (1) to treat all women with tocolytics and corticosteroids ("treat all"); (2) to treat all women while awaiting results of the "traditional" fetal fibronectin test results, then discontinue treatment on those with negative results; (3) to treat only those with abnormal cervical length measurements as detected by ultrasonography; (4) to treat only those with abnormal "rapid" fetal fibronectin test results; (5) to perform rapid fetal fibronectin testing and cervical length measurements and treat those with a positive result on either or both; (6) not to treat any women ("treat none"). To assess the contributions of tocolytics and corticosteroids to our outcomes, we analyzed 3 additional treatment options: (7) to treat all women with outpatient corticosteroids but not give tocolytics, (8) to administer corticosteroids to all but give tocolytics only to those with abnormal rapid fetal fibronectin test results, and (9) to administer corticosteroids to all but give tocolytics only to those with abnormal cervical length. We used decisionanalytic techniques to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis. Results: A decision tree was constructed on the basis of these strategies. We reviewed the literature to derive all probability information. We derived sensitivity and specificity for delivery Conclusion: Risk prediction strategies with the fetal fibronectin assay or corticosteroids plus rapid fetal fibronectin testing or cervical length assessment may offer cost savings compared with treatment of all women with threatened preterm labor and may prevent similar numbers of cases of respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal deaths. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1589-98.)
Optimal volumetric and economic groundwater mining for the Arkansas Grand Prairie

Abstract This paper demonstrates the use of models for development of optimal groundwater extraction strategies for an area in which the availability of water from other sources is anticipated by the end of the planning period. The study area: (1) has more wells than can be modeled individually, (2) has an existing piezometric surface that is stressed and not at steady state, and (3) is a portion of a larger aquifer system, the flow regime of which should not be disrupted. As a result, presented models incorporate, respectively: (1) cell-influence coefficients, instead of well-influence coefficients, (2) a convolution equation not previously demonstrated in optimizing groundwater mining, and (3) constant-head/restrained flux boundary conditions. Optimal 10-year groundwater extraction volumes are presented for the intensively irrigated 4700 km2 Arkansas Grand Prairie. For the assumed conditions, strategies that maximize extraction volume are very similar to those that maximize the present value of net economic return resulting from agricultural production. The sensitivity of results to limits on drawdown and changes in pumping with time is demonstrated.
Climate-Biased Storm-Frequency Estimation

Storm frequencies for the future are often estimated directly from past historical records of sufficient length. The estimation requires no detailed knowledge of the area's meteorology, but presumes it is unchanged in the future. However, the climate seldom remains static. Numerous climate forecasts of meteorological probabilities over extended periods are now available. It is possible to use these meteorological forecasts directly in the estimation of storm frequencies from the historical record. A heuristic approach is defined here to estimate storm frequencies that recognize forecasts of extended weather probabilities. Basically, those groups of historical meteorological record segments matching forecast meteorological probabilities are weighted more than others, during the estimation of storm frequencies. (Affiliated groups of hydrologic record segments may be similarly weighted for hydrological estimation; e.g., flood frequency estimation.) An example of frequency estimation is made for maximum annua...
Fragmentation during carbon conversion: Predictions and measurements

The first quantitative predictions of fragmentation phenomena during carbon conversion are presented. Predictions of the porosity at which fragmentation occurs based on deterministic and statistical models are compared. Analysis of the statistical models is based on percolation theory, which is the geometrical theory of the connectedness of irregular objects. Percolation theory predicts fragmentation at a porosity of about 0.7 for homogeneous samples. Corrections for some aspects of heterogeneity are provided by the theory. In addition, percolation theory predicts that the mass distribution of fragments will exhibit a power-law range f(m)≈m−2.15. The distribution of fragment radii is predicted to exhibit a power-law range g(r)≈r−3.86. The fragments are predicted to be highly irregular, with surface roughness characteristics different than those of the unreacted sample. These predictions are qualitatively consistent with previous observations. New measurements of the porosity at fragmentation for six carbon composite materials are presented. These measurements indicate that the porosity at fragmentation is a reproducible quantity for a given material, and that it depends in a complex way on material properties. These theoretical and experimental results indicate the likelihood that fragmentation contributes significantly to weight loss during conversion. In addition, fragmentation may influence the size distribution of particulate effluents produced during conversion.
Antagonism of contractants and relaxants at the level of intracellular calcium and phosphoinositide turnover in the rat uterus.

The effects of the uterine relaxants relaxin and isoproterenol on intracellular free calcium and inositol phosphate formation were investigated in rat myometrium. Preincubation of fura-2-loaded myometrial cell suspensions with relaxin and isoproterenol inhibited the oxytocin-induced stimulation of intracellular free calcium, with EC60 values of 0.02 and 1.0 μM, respectively. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin or replacement of extracellular calcium with 2 mM EGTA inhibited the oxytocin-induced increase in intracellular calcium by 47% and 50%, respectively, but did not inhibit the action of relaxin. (Bu)2cAMP and forskolin also inhibited the effect of oxytocin on intracellular calcium. In uterine strips prelabeled with [3H]inositol, oxytocin stimulated a dose-dependent accumulation of inositol monophosphate, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol trisphosphate, with and EC60 of 0.38 μM, and pertussis toxin inhibited this effect. Relaxin, isoproterenol, chlorophenylthio- cAMP, and forskolin inhibited t...
Metaphysical Pathos and the Theory of Bureaucracy.

The conduct of a polemic focusses attention on the differences between two points of view to the neglect of their continuity and convergences. No modern polemic better exemplifies this than the controversy between the proponents of capitalism and of socialism. Each tends to define itself as the antithesis of the other; even the uncommitted bystander, rare though he be, is likely to think of the two as if they were utterly alien systems.There have always been some, however, who have taken exception to this sharp contrast between socialism and capitalism and who have insisted that there are significant similarities between the two. One of these, the French sociologist Emile Durkheim, maintained that socialism like capitalism involved an overbearing preoccupation with economic interests. In both socialist and capitalist societies, Durkheim argued, economic concerns were at the center of attention. In Durkheim's view, neither capitalism nor socialism deemed it necessary to bridle materialistic ends; neither society subordinated pecuniary interests to some higher, governing, moral norms. Therefore, “from Durkheim's point of view,” writes Talcott Parsons, “socialism and laissez-faire individualism are of the same piece.”
Conditioning with taste as the CS in conditioned flavor preference learning

There appear to be unconditioned affective reactions to the four basic tastes: liking for sweet and salt and disliking for sour and bitter. We attempted to modify these reactions by pairing the tastes with calories and with sweeter tastes. Differing sucrose concentrations were ineffective in reversing the preference for salt over citric acid or for saccharin over quinine. We could, however, reverse the preference for salt over citric acid, producing an actual preference for sour over salt, by using sucrose and saccharin as the reinforcers. The initial reactions to tastes could also be modified by reducing the initial difference in affect produced by the tastes through mixing both tastes with sucrose.
Random set modelling of three-dimensional objects in a hierarchical Bayesian context

We present a Bayesian approach to modelling and estimating objects in three dimensions. A general stochastic model for object recognition based on points in the domain of observation is created via hierarchical mixtures, allowing for the inclusion of important prior information about the objects under consideration. Objects under consideration are created based on three-dimensional (3D) points in space, with each point having some probability of membership to different objects. This is the first object-oriented statistical approach that models 3D objects in a true 3D environment. A data-augmentation approach and a Birth–Death Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm are incorporated to provide classification probabilities of each data point to one or more of the identified objects and to obtain estimates of the parameters that describe each object. Strengths of the methodology include its ease in accommodating different data and process models, its flexibility in handling varying numbers of mixture components, ...
Anisotropic ultrasound propagation in a smectic-A liquid crystal

An anisotropic ultrasonic velocity in smectic-$A$ diethyl 4,4\ensuremath{'}-azoxydibenzoate was measured at 2, 5, 12, and 20 MHz. The material was aligned by slowly cooling through the phase transition point in a magnetic field of 12.4 kOe. An accuracy of \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08% in the relative velocity was provided by the phase-matching technique, and three elastic constants were calculated.
The “best” of cholesterols, the “worst” of cholesterols: A tale of two receptors

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the U.S., and atherosclerosis is the major cause of heart disease and stroke (1). It is widely appreciated that cholesterol plays an important role in atherogenesis. Normally, most cholesterol serves as a structural element in the walls of cells, whereas much of the rest is in transit through the blood or functions as the starting material for the synthesis of bile acids in the liver, steroid hormones in endocrine cells (e.g., adrenal gland, ovary, testes), and vitamin D in skin. The transport of cholesterol and other lipids through the circulatory system is facilitated by their packaging into lipoprotein carriers. These spherical particles comprise protein and phospholipid shells surrounding a core of neutral lipid, including unesterified (“free”) or esterified cholesterol and triglycerides. Risk for atherosclerosis increases with increasing concentrations of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol whereas risk is inversely proportional to the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (2, 3). The receptor-mediated control of plasma LDL levels has been well-defined (4, 5), and very recent studies have now provided new insights into HDL metabolism (6–11).
Timing Is Everything, Even for Cholinergic Control

Synaptic plasticity is widely considered to be a cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. In this issue of Neuron, Gu and Yakel show that the precise timing of a single cholinergic pulse of activity can determine whether plasticity will occur at a glutamatergic synapse and confer long-term potentiation versus depression.
Evolution studies of rabbit allotypes-II. Gamma and MU chain sharing of a locus markers and L chain location of b locus markers

Abstract An IgM-rich fraction was isolated from serum of Sylvilagus floridanus (cottontail rabbit) and of Lepus californicus (black-tail Jack Rabbit). Immunodiffusion and immunodifusion inhibition assay showed the fractions to be free of IgG contamination. Indirect radioimmunoassay inhibition experiments suggested that IgM molecules of each genus bear antigenic determinants reactive with alloantisera specific for a locus markers of Ig molecules of Oryctolagus cuniculus . Further, Lepus IgM was shown by radioimmunoassay inhibition to ehibit L chain markers coded by the b locus in Oryctolagus . These data provided an evolutionary basis for Ig V-region sharing among C-region genes for a L chain sharing among diferent Ig classes.
Localization of Connective Tissue Growth Factor during the Period of Embryo Implantation in the Mouse

A role for connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in reproductive function has been suggested from recent studies in the pig. To extend these findings, we have analyzed the immunohistochemical localization of CTGF during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in mice. During the diestrous and early proestrous stages, CTGF was localized at high levels to both luminal and glandular uterine epithelial cells and at much lower levels in the stroma or myometrium. Epithelial expression of CTGF was considerably reduced at estrus. On Days 1.5-3.5 of pregnancy, CTGF was localized mainly to the uterine epithelial cells, which showed a substantially reduced level of CTGF on Day 4.5. On Days 5.5 and 6.5, CTGF was present at high levels in uterine decidual cells. CTGF was detected in the trophectoderm and inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo on Day 4.5 and became preferentially localized to embryonic endoderm and mesoderm on Days 5.5-6.5. Multiple mass forms of CTGF (Mr 14 000-38 000) were present in endometrial extracts and uterine luminal flushings. Collectively, these data support a role for CTGF in uterine cell growth, migration, adhesion, and extracellular matrix production during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy, as well as in early development of the embryo.
In vivo gene delivery to the liver using reconstituted chylomicron remnants as a novel nonviral vector

Lipoproteins are emulsion particles that consist of lipids and apolipoproteins. Their natural function is to transport lipids and/or cholesterol to different tissues. We have taken advantage of the hydrophobic interior of these natural emulsions to solubilize DNA. Negatively charged DNA was first complexed with cationic lipids containing a quaternary amine head group. The resulting hydrophobic complex was extracted by chloroform and then incorporated into reconstituted chylomicron remnant particles (≈100 nm in diameter) with an efficiency ≈65%. When injected into the portal vein of mice, there were ≈5 ng of a transgene product (luciferase) produced per mg of liver protein per 100 μg injected DNA. This level of transgene expression was ≈100-fold higher than that of mice injected with naked DNA. However, such a high expression was not found after tail vein injection. Histochemical examination revealed that a large number of parenchymal cells and other types of cells in the liver expressed the transgene. Gene expression in the liver increased with increasing injected dose, and was nearly saturated with 50 μg DNA. At this dose, the expression was kept at high level in the liver for 2 days and then gradually reduced and almost disappeared by 7 days. However, by additional injection at day 7, gene expression in the liver was completely restored. By injection of plasmid DNA encoding human α1-antitrypsin, significant concentrations of hAAT were detected in the serum of injected animals. This is the first nonviral vector that resembles a natural lipoprotein carrier.
Concurrent engineering: Supporting subsystems

Abstract Case studies of worldwide winners: Ford Motor Company's Team Ranger and mid-sized, US$10 million, engineer-to-order Airolite Company, ventilator louver manufacturer, authenticate benefits of applying concurrent Engineering to design processes. They confront and need to surmount: global competition, increased labor costs, rising customer expectations, shorter product life cycles and government regulation. This paper clearly illustrates how Concurrent Engineering in meeting these demands embraces supporting subsystems that include Computer Aided Drafting & Design, Quality Function Deployment and Design for Manufacture & Assembly.
Dynamics of Single-Molecule Rotations on Surfaces that Depend on Symmetry, Interactions, and Molecular Sizes

Rotating surface-mounted molecules have attracted attention of many research groups as a way to develop new nanoscale devices and materials. However, mechanisms of motion of these rotors at the single-molecule level are still not well understood. Theoretical and experimental studies on thioether molecular rotors on gold surfaces suggest that the size of the molecules, their flexibility and steric repulsions with the surface are important for dynamics of the system. A complex combination of these factors leads to the observation that the rotation speeds have not been hindered by increasing the length of the alkyl chains. However, experiments on diferrocene derivatives indicated that a significant increase in the rotational barriers for longer molecules. We present here a comprehensive theoretical study that combines molecular dynamics simulations and simple models to investigate what factors influence single-molecule rotations on the surfaces. Our results suggest that rotational dynamics is determined by the size and by the symmetry of the molecules and surfaces, and by interactions with surfaces. Our theoretical predictions are in excellent agreement with current experimental observations.
Models for simulating salt movement in aggregated field soils

Abstract This paper reviews several “two-region” type models for simulating salt movement in aggregated soils. A common feature of these models is the assumption that solutes are transported by convection and dispersion through well-defined pores or cracks, while diffusion-type equations are used to describe solute transfer inside the soil micropores. Analytical solutions are currently available for several aggregate shapes (spherical, cylindrical and line-sheet type aggregates). A recently developed transformation extends the two-region modeling approach to more general conditions involving aggregates of arbitrary geometry. The method is based on the replacement of a given aggregated soil by a reference soil made up of uniformly-sized spherical aggregates with the same average diffusion properties as the original soil. The method can also be used to quantify the mass transfer coefficient in a first-order rate model for solute exchange between mobile and immobile liquid zones. An advantage of the first-order approach is that it can be included easily in relatively simple management-oriented models using parameters that can be given a physical interpretation. This paper also presents several previously unpublished expressions that lump the effects of intra-aggregate diffusion into an effective dispersion coefficient for use in the classical two-parameter equilibrium transport equation.
Committee on the oceanography of the Pacific

Since the Committee on the Oceanography of the Pacific is one of the committees established by the Pacific Science Association, it is pertinent to state briefly the origin and purpose of the Association. Scientific men have long recognized the need for the establishment of some kind of medium through which co-operative or co-ordinated effort in the investigation of the many scientific problems presented by the Pacific region might be effected. The preparation of programs of research began years ago, and more recently there have been special discussions of the problems of the Pacific at the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Australia in 1914, before the annual meeting of our National Academy of Sciences in 1916, and at the Semi-Centenary of the University of California in 1918. Our National Academy and National Research Council appointed a Committee on Pacific Investigations and the activity of its members resulted in the First Pan-Pacific Science Congress in Honolulu in 1920. The Second Congress was held in Australia in 1923, and at the Third Congress, in Japan in 1926, definite organization of the Pacific Science Association was accomplished. Henceforth the Pacific Science Congresses will be held by the Pacific Science Association, which is primarily an association of the National Research Councils or equivalent bodies of the countries of the Pacific region.
PD98059 Prevents Neurite Degeneration Induced by Fibrillar β‐Amyloid in Mature Hippocampal Neurons

How senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are linked represents a major gap in our understanding of the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have previously shown that the addition of fibrillar beta-amyloid (Abeta) to mature hippocampal neurons results in progressive neuritic degeneration accompanied by the enhanced phosphorylation of adult tau isoforms. In the present study, we sought to obtain more direct evidence of the signal transduction pathway(s) activated by fibrillar Abeta leading to tau phosphorylation and the generation of dystrophic neurites. Our results indicated that fibrillar Abeta induced the progressive and sustained activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in mature hippocampal neurons. On the other hand, the specific inhibition of the MAPK signal transduction pathway by means of PD98059, a MAPK kinase (MEK) specific inhibitor, prevented the phosphorylation of tau (at Ser199/Ser202) induced by fibrillar Abeta. In addition, the inhibition of MAPK activation partially prevented neurite degeneration. Taken collectively, our results suggest that the sustained activation of the MAPK signal transduction pathway induced by fibrillar Abeta may lead to the abnormal phosphorylation of tau and the neuritic degeneration observed in AD.
On the lattice of order ideals of an up-down poset

The combinatorial structure of the distributive lattice of order ideals of an up-down poset is studied. Two recursions are given for the Whitney numbers, and generating functions for the Whitney numbers are derived. In addition, an explicit nested chain decomposition is given for the lattice, the existence of which implies that the lattice satisfies the Sperner property and its generalizations, and has unimodal Whitney numbers.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate induced smooth muscle cell migration requires src activation

Abstract Introduction: The object of this study is to examine the role of src signaling axis during smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration in response to sphingosine-1-phosphate (S-1-P). S-1-P is a bioactive sphingolipid released from activated platelets stimulates migration of SMC in vitro through Gi G-proteins and both MAPK and p70S6 kinase activation. Activation of the src signaling axis regulates multiple cellular functions (transcription and translation) during cell migration. Methods: Rat arterial SMCs were cultured in vitro. Linear wound and Boyden microchemotaxis assays of migration were performed in the presence of S-1-P in the presence and absence of the src inhibitor (PP2, 10μM). Western blotting was performed for MEK1/2 and ERK 1/2, MKK3/6 and p38(MAPK), and PI3K/p70S6 kinase phosphorylation after stimulation with S-1-P in the presence and absence of the src inhibitor. Results: S-1-P produced concentration-dependent cell migration in both assays and induced time dependent MEK1/2 and ERK1/2, MKK3/6 and p38(MAPK), and PI3K and p70S6 kinase phosphorylation. Cell migraton was blocked in both assays by src inhibition. PP2 inhibited MKK3/6 and p38(MAPK) but not MEK1/2, ERK1/2 or p70S6kinase activation. S-1-P mediated activation of PI3K was marginally reduced by src inhibition. Conclusions: src mediated p38(MAPK) activation is important in S-1-P induced SMC migrationand ocurs in part in part through PI3K activation. While ERK/2 and p70S6 kinase are involved in migration due to S-1-P, src is not a crucial upstream kinase in the activation of these pathways.
DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN X RAYS AND GAMMA RAYS IN RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL.

Abstract A technique is described for differentiating between X-rays and gamma rays being emmited from the same radioactive sample.
Systematic derivation of incremental programs

A systematic approach is given for deriving incremental programs from non-incremental programs written in a standard functional programming language. We exploit a number of program analysis and transformation techniques and domain-specific knowledge, centered around effective utilization of caching, in order to provide a degree of incrementality not otherwise achievable by a generic incremental evaluator.
On a cost allocation problem arising from a capacitated concentrator covering problem

We formulate a cost allocation problem arising from a Capacitated Concentrator Covering (CCC) problem as a cooperative game, referred to as the CCC game. An efficient representation of the core of the CCC game is presented. In case of nonemptiness of the core we provide an efficient method to find the nucleolus. For the case when the core is empty, we propose the least per capita @e-core and the least-weighted @e-core as concepts for fair cost allocation for the CCC problem, and give their efficient characterizations. Certain ''central'' points of the least per capita @e-core and the least weighted @e-core, respectively, are efficiently computed.
Heat Transfer From Plasma in Tube Flow

Heat transfer data are reported for partially ionized argon flowing in a water-cooled circular tube, 1/2 in. in dia. Experiments were run with initial mixed-mean temperatures up to 21,000 deg R at Reynolds numbers from 140–527 based on equilibrium properties evaluated at the entrance mixed-mean temperature. Measured plasma flow Nusselt numbers computed on an enthalpy basis correlate well with low temperature, constant property results after the first 5–10 diameters of the tube entrance region; closer to the entrance, Nusselt numbers were about 30 percent higher than constant property entrance region predictions. The tendency of the data to approach the constant property solution rapidly was predicted by a laminar finite-difference analysis for plasma flow published earlier [1]. The analysis was modified for the present study to improve its accuracy. The finite-difference theory under predicts the heat transfer in the first few tube diameters; two possible reasons for this discrepancy are the poor resolution in the inlet enthalpy profiles near the tube wall and nonequilibrium between electrons and heavy particles in this region.
Complexation-mediated crystallization. Crystallization of sodium acetate trihydrate needles from cyclohexane solution

The phenomenon of complexation-mediated crystallization is introduced and proposed as a new means for the preparation of novel forms of materials. Attempted crystallization of complexes of salts with crown ethers often results in the precipitation of the uncomplexed salt rather than the complex. In this study, a solution of the 15-crown-5 complex of sodium acetate in cyclohexane precipitated uncomplexed sodium acetate trihydrate as single crystals. The crystal morphology (long needles) of this crystalline sodium acetate stands in sharp contrast to the hexagonal plates known to form from aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that sodium acetate as crystallized from cyclohexane ‘solution’ adopted a crystal lattice identical to that in sodium acetate crystallized from aqueous solution. Possible origins of the change in crystal morphology are discussed.