cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biological agents, effects, treatment, and differential diagnosis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the various biological agents and their effects and treatments. The chapter also reviews the differential diagnosis for diseases such as anthrax, botulism, intoxication, plague, and smallpox. The causative agent of anthrax is Bacillus anthracis (B. anthracis), which is a sporulating gram-positive rod. There are three forms of anthrax: the inhalational anthrax—from inhalation of the aerosolized anthrax spores; the gastrointestinal anthrax—from eating food contaminated with the bacterium; and the cutaneous anthrax—from skin contact with an item contaminated with anthrax spores. Because of the urgent need to begin therapy, an initial diagnosis of anthrax should be made clinically. Definitive diagnosis can be made by isolating B. anthracis from a culture of blood. Anthrax vaccination is not recommended for the general public. The post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against inhalational anthrax is accomplished with ciprofloxacin 500 mg. The exposed individuals can receive three doses of vaccine (at 0, 14, and 28 days), enabling a shortened 30-day course of antimicrobials.
Medicolegal investigations in Hollywood.

There is a district named Hollywood in the City of Los Angeles within the County of Los Angeles, and thus under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner, but the connotation of “Hollywood” covers far more than the designated boundary of the Hollywood District of LOs Angeles.
An evaluation of environmental, institutional and socio-economic factors explaining successful conservation plan implementation in the north-central United States

Abstract Conservation plans are commonly used tools for prioritizing areas for protection, but plan implementation is often limited and rarely formally evaluated. Without evaluations of planning outcomes, it is difficult to justify expending resources to develop new plans and to adapt future plans so they are more likely to achieve desired conservation outcomes. We evaluated implementation of four conservation plans in Wisconsin, USA, by quantifying land protection within plan boundaries over time. We found that 44% of lands inside plans are currently protected, compared to 5% outside plans. We then asked which environmental, institutional, and socio-economic factors explained implementation of the most recent (2008) plan by the state natural resources agency. Institutional and environmental metrics related to agency policy and past actions explained 61% of implementation variability among individual priority areas within the plan: the agency having secured acquisition authority (a policy requirement) and subsequently successfully protected land in the priority area prior to the conservation plan being completed, and acquiring land near open water (a policy priority). Our findings suggest that implementation is possible under a wide variety of socio-economic settings and indicate that development of new conservation plans may not necessarily lead to action in new locations in the near term, but rather may facilitate action in locations where the institutional groundwork for action has already been laid. Considering institutional policies of active conservation partners in the development of future conservation plans can facilitate identification of priority areas that are more likely to correspond with on-the-ground implementation opportunities.
Future prospects for gamma-ray astronomy

As gamma-ray astronomy moves from the discovery to the exploratory phase, the promise of gamma-ray astrophysics noted by theorists in the late 1940s and 1950s is beginning to be realized. In the future, satellites should carry instruments that will have over an order of magnitude greater sensitivity than those flown thus far, and, for at least some portions of the gamma-ray energy range, these detectors will also have substantially improved energy and angular resolution. The information to be obtained from these experiments should greatly enhance our knowledge of several astrophysical phenomena including the very energetic and nuclear processes associated with compact objects, astrophysical nucleosynthesis, solar particle acceleration, the chemical composition of the planets and other bodies of the solar system, the structure of our galaxy, the origin and dynamic pressure effects of the cosmic rays, high energy particles and energetic processes in other galaxies especially active ones, and the degree of matter-antimatter symmetry of the universe. The gamma-ray results of the forthcoming programs such as Gamma-I, the Gamma Ray Observatory, the gamma-ray burst network, Solar Polar, and very high energy gamma-ray telescopes on the ground will almost certainly provide justification for more sophisticated telescopes. These advanced instruments might be placed on the Space Platform currently under study by N.A.S.A.
Isolation and genetic analysis of mutant strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardi defective in gametic differentiation

Impotent mutant strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardi, mating-type (mt) plus, are described that have normal growth and motility but fail to differentiate into normal gametes. Procedures for their isolation and their genetic analysis are described. Five of the imp strains (imp-2, imp-5, imp-l, imp-7, and imp-8) exhibit no flagellar agglutination when mixed with mt- or mt+ gametes and the mutations are shown to be unlinked to the mt locus (with the possible exception of imp-7). Two of the strains (imp-3 and imp-4) carry leaky mutations that affect cell fusion; neither mutation is found by tetrad analysis to be linked to mt or to the other. Cells of the imp-1 strain agglutinate well with mt- gametes and active agglutination continues for up to 48 hours, but cell fusion occurs only very rarely. Analysis of these rare zygotes indicates that imp-1 is closely linked to the mt+ locus, and fine-structural studies reveal that imp-1 gametes produce a mutant mating structure involved in zygotic cell fusion. The development of sexuality in C. reinhardi therefore appears amenable to genetic dissection.
Sediment fluxes and varve formation in Santa Barbara Basin, offshore California

Results from a year-long sediment-trap study provide the first direct observations of seasonal variability in sediment fluxes to the sea floor in Santa Barbara Basin, offshore California, and are used to evaluate varve formation in this basin. Sediment fluxes throughout the year are dominated by lithogenic material; biogenic sediments (primarily silica) are of secondary importance. We conclude that the combination of high lithogenic fluxes and low biogenic fluxes during the fall-winter period results in the deposition of dark laminae. The onset of upwelling and high surface productivity in the spring results in high biogenic silica fluxes that last into the summer. The relative contribution of silica to the total sediment flux is highest during this spring-summer period, and we suggest that light laminae are formed at that time. This is consistent with previous suggestions that sediment input is the primary factor controlling varve formation in this basin.
Partial purification and characterization of maize-leaf pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase regulatory protein: a low-abundance, mesophyll-chloroplast stromal protein.

The C4 mesophyll-chloroplast stromal enzyme pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) regulatory protein (RP) catalyzes the activation/dephosphorylation and inactivation/phosphorylation of PPDK. This bifunctional converter enzyme has been partially purified from maize leaf extracts approximately 100-fold to a final specific PPDK-inactivation activity of 3-10 units PPDK/min/mg protein and an overall recovery of 1-5%. Purification of active RP was accomplished by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and sequential column chromatography on dye-ligand and size-exclusion or FPLC-based anion-exchange matrices. Immunoblot analyses of size-exclusion and anion-exchange fractionated preparations indicate that NADP-malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase are major contaminants, respectively. During sequential dye-ligand and anion-exchange chromatography, RP activity copurifies with a ∼48-kDa polypeptide on silver-stained denaturing gels. Both RP activities are readily detected in maize mesophyll-chloroplast stromal extracts, but unlike stromal PPDK and NADP-MDH, the putative, ∼48-kDa RP polypeptide is barely detectable in silver-stained gels. Our collective data indicate that RP constitutes <0.04% of the total soluble maize-leaf protein and <1% of its target enzyme, contrary to a previous report. PPDK-inactivation and -activation activities are quantitatively equivalent in light- and dark-adapted maize-leaf tissue rapidly extracted and assayed at either pH 7.0 or 8.0, suggesting that the opposing RP activities are not regulated differentially by reversible covalent modification or pH effects.
Antepartum corticosteroids: Disease stabilization in patients with the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP)

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the impact of antepartum administration of corticosteroids on the course of the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) in pregnancies at 24 to 37 weeks' gestation. Study Design: This prospective, randomized study was undertaken in 25 antepartum patients with atypical severe preeclampsia expressed as HELLP syndrome. Twelve pregnant women were randomized to receive double-dose dexamethasone (10 mg intravenously every 12 hours) until delivery, and 13 women were randomized to the control arm. Management and delivery decisions for all patients were based on a common protocol, with delivery undertaken for a deteriorating maternal or fetal condition. Results: In the corticosteroid-treated group the maternal platelet count significantly increased ( p = 0.006), whereas lactic dehydrogenase and alanine aminotransferase significantly decreased over time ( p = 0.03 and p = 0.005) in comparison to the 13 women who did not receive corticosteroids. Maternal urinary output after entry into the study was significantly increased within hours after steroid administration versus the control group ( p = 0.0006). The study entry-to-delivery interval (41 ± 15 hours) was significantly longer in the group of steroid-treated women ( p = 0.0068). Conclusions: Stabilization and significant improvement in the laboratory and clinical parameters associated with HELLP syndrome occurred in women who received high-dose antenatal corticosteroids, as measured by maternal platelet count, urinary output, lactic dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and postponement of delivery. We believe the findings of this investigation permit us to speculate that this therapeutic approach could enhance maternal-fetal care by postponing delivery of some previable fetuses, reduce the need for maternal transfusion of blood products, reduce neonatal morbidity or mortality from multiple systemic effects, and facilitate a safer transfer of the ill mother to a tertiary care site for optimal peripartal care.
Insulin Resistance: A Chicken That Has Come to Roost

Insulin-mediated glucose disposal varies approximately 10-fold in apparently healthy human beings. Insulin (I)-resistant individuals can remain glucose tolerant if the pancreas compensates for this defect by secreting large amounts of I. Type 2 diabetes develops when I-resistant persons cannot sustain this state of compensatory hyperinsulinemia (increases I). However, the ability of increases I to prevent decompensation of glucose tolerance is a mixed blessing, and the combination of I resistance and increases I predisposes such individuals to develop a series of abnormalities that increase risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Given the health-related consequences of I resistance and increases I, it has been suggested that a "thrifty" genotype exists that favored evolutionary survival by enhancing I secretion and thereby promoting energy accumulation. An alternative view is that conservation of muscle mass was necessary for survival, and that muscle I resistance was the "thrifty" genotype. This latter hypothesis is more consistent with current data, and there is evidence of a genetic basis for I resistance. In either case, there is little question as to the importance of I resistance and related abnormalities in diseases of Western civilization. However, the strength of the association between I resistance and its consequences varies in magnitude, and it is necessary to emphasize that development of a clinical end-point will vary as a function of (1) degree of I resistance; (2) "closeness" of I resistance to the end-point; and (3) the ability to compensate for the effects of I resistance. I resistance is a physiological characteristic, genetically determined, that helped primitive humans to survive. It is greatly aggravated by obesity and physical inactivity, and represents a modern scourge.
A new calorimeter for measuring rapidly thermal conductivities of the organic liquids and the electrically conducting liquids

A new calorimeter for measuring thermal conductivity of liquids has been constructed. It is wholly automatic under the computer control. The time of measurement is 1 s and the temperature rise due to heating is within 1°C. Six organic liquids and six aqueous solutions of electrolytes were employed as reference standards. The instrument was calibrated at 25°C. Its accuracy is better then 1% with a precision of about 0.2%.
Mood Disturbance in a Large Kindred With a High Prevalence of Narcolepsy and Isolated Sleepiness

These findings suggest that genetic haplotypes associated with narcolepsy may create a liability for the development of depression and anxiety in patients with narcolepsy as well as their sleepy kindred.
Spin-Lattice Relaxation Time of a Dilute Solid Solution of Orthohydrogen in Hydrogen Deuteride

The statistical theory of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is applied to compute the spin-lattice relaxation time of hydrogen deuteride with very low concentration of $o$-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$. We find that the theory fits experimental data of Hardy and Gaines if the crystal field due to the zero-point motion of HD is more general than that assumed by Kranendonk and Sears. For extremely low concentration (\ensuremath{\sim}0.01%) of $o$-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, our results are compared with the recent data by Rubins, Feldman, and Honig, and a general quantitative agreement is reached. A detailed comparison is not possible, because of insufficient information, but we have pointed out the essential experimental information needed to check the calculations given here.
Topotecan combined with myeloablative doses of thiotepa and carboplatin for neuroblastoma, brain tumors, and other poor-risk solid tumors in children and young adults.

Topotecan appears to be relatively unaffected by the most common multidrug resistance mechanisms, may potentiate cytotoxicity of alkylators, has good penetration into the central nervous system, is active against a variety of neoplasms, and has myelosuppression as its paramount toxicity. We present our experience with a myeloablative regimen that includes topotecan. Twenty-one patients with poor-prognosis tumors and intact function of key organs received topotecan 2 mg/m2 by 30-min intravenous (i.v.) infusion on days -8, -7, -6, -5, -4; thiotepa 300 mg/m2 by 3 h i.v. infusion on days -8, -7, -6; and carboplatin by 4 h i.v. infusion on days -5, -4, -3 with a daily dose derived from the pediatric Calvert formula, using a targeted area under the curve of seven mg/ml* min ( approximately 500 mg/m2/day). Stem cell rescue was on day 0. The patients were 1 to 29 (median 4) years old; 18 were in complete remission (CR) and three in partial remission (PR). Early toxicities were severe mucositis and erythema with superficial peeling in all patients and a seizure, hypertension, and renal insufficiency followed by veno-occlusive disease in one patient each. Post-transplant treatment included radiotherapy alone (four patients) or plus biological agents (11 patients with neuroblastoma). With a follow-up of 6+ to 32+ (median 11+) months, event-free survivors include 10/11 neuroblastoma patients (first CR), 4/5 brain tumor patients (second PR or CR), 1/3 patients with metastatic Ewing's sarcoma (first or second CR), and a patient transplanted for multiply recurrent immature ovarian teratoma; a patient with desmoplastic small round-cell tumor (second PR) had progressive disease at 8 months. Favorable results for disease control, manageable toxicity, and the antitumor profiles of topotecan, thiotepa, and carboplatin, support use of this three-drug regimen in the treatment of neuroblastoma and brain tumors; applicability to other tumors is still uncertain.
Metronidazole may inhibit intestinal colonization with Clostridium difficile.

PURPOSE: Antibiotics suppress normal gut flora, allowing overgrowth of acquired or nativeClostridium difficile, with release of toxins that cause mucosal inflammation. Oral metronidazole is used to treat antibiotic-associated colitis (pseudomembranous colitis). This study was designed to determine whether oral metronidazole, as part of preoperative bowel preparation, prevents or decreases incidence of antibiotic-associated colitis after elective colonic and rectal procedures. METHODS: Eighty-two patients (40 men) were prospectively, randomly assigned to receive one of two oral antibiotic regimens before colorectal surgery. All patients underwent mechanical bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution before administration of oral antibiotics. Group 1 (n=42) patients received three doses (1 g/dose) of neomycin and erythromycin. Group 2 (n=40) patients received three doses (1 g/dose) of neomycin and metronidazole. Both groups received one preoperative and three postoperative doses of intravenous cefotetan (2 g/dose). Both groups had stool samples tested forC. difficile toxin in the preoperative and postoperative periods by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay or by tissue culture cytotoxicity. Patients with preoperative stool studies positive forC. difficile were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Treatment groups were not different for age, gender, or surgical procedure. Mean age ±1 standard deviation was 67.6±13.6 (range, 34–94) years in Group 1 and 62.1±13.5 (range, 35–84) years in Group 2 (P=0.069). Mean length of hospital stay ±1 standard deviation was 9.76±4.9 (range, 4–28) days for Group 1 and 8.05±2.6 (range, 3–14) days for Group 2 (P=0.053). Five patients in Group 1 (neomycin and erythromycin) and one patient in Group 2 (neomycin and metronidazole) had positive stool studies forC. difficile. Relative risk of colonization withC. difficile in Group 1 was 4.76 times that in Group 2 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.581, 39). This difference was not statistically significant (P=0.202). There were no significant differences inC. difficile colonization rates with respect to age, length of stay, or gender. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there may be a clinical association between use of metronidazole preoperatively and inhibition of intestinal colonization byC. difficile in this patient population undergoing colonic and rectal surgery.
Influence of the hair growth cycle on the glyceride content of whole mouse skin

In order to examine the glyceride content of whole mouse skin during the hair growth cycle, adult male C57 Black mice (C57BL/6J) were plucked of hair in a region of the mid-dorsum in order to initiate synchronous growth of new hair. Samples of whole skin were removed from each of three different mice on various days following plucking. Stages of the hair growth cycle were ascertained by examining microscopically a portion of each sample. The remaining piece of each sample, weighing approximately 225 mg, was minced, frozen with dry ice and weighed. Following this, each sample was ground in sand with a mortar and pestle and then extracted with ethanol-ether, cleared by centrifugation and assayed for esterified fatty acids. This investigator found that during anagen the glyceride content of samples of whole mouse skin is nearly twice that found in telogen. It is possible that such cutaneous glycerides are major energy sources for the proliferation of hair, as well as for the development of the resting follile. On the other hand, the same factors which determine active hair proliferation may be responsible for glyceride accumulation under these conditions, and the two events otherwise could be unrelated.
Two-equation turbulence model for compressible reacting flows

A two-equation k-epsilon turbulence model is presently modified for applicability to compressible flows by adapting a compressibility correction model. Compressible mixing layer computations show that the reduced growth rate of the mixing layer with increasing convective Mach number is accurately predicted by these means. Preliminary studies of reacting mixing problems involving dissimilar gases show the model's suitability for application to such flows.
Travel Agents and Their Survival Thomas

Abstract The travel agency industry depends upon commissions for a majority of its revenue. When these commissions decrease or stop the industry must change the means in which revenue is made. The Internet has caused a significant reduction in airline ticket sales and therefore has caused travel agencies to change. In addition travel agencies have reduced commissions paid to airlines thus causing more changes. There were four categories of travel agencies discussed in the article along with their adaptation styles. These types include (1) the independent operator of a small travel agency with very limited resources (2) the normal agency with 2 or 3 agents which does a substantial business (3) the larger agency that is high-tech and high touch and depends on automation and the Web to some extent (innovators) (4) agencies that are Web based with very little automation otherwise and who were technologically adaptable and saw opportunity in the Web. The study examines how agencies have adapted and prospered t...
Quickies : intelligent sticky notes

In this paper, we present 'Quickies', an attempt to bring one of the most useful inventions of the 20th century into the digital age: the ubiquitous sticky notes. Sticky notes help us manage our to-do lists, tag our objects and documents and capture short reminders or information that we may need in the near future. 'Quickies' enrich the experience of using sticky notes by allowing them to be tracked and managed more effectively. Quickies are sticky notes that have intelligence and the ability to remind us about the task we ought to perform or to provide us at the right time with the information we captured in the past. The project explores how the use of artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP), RFID, and ink recognition technologies can make it possible to create intelligent sticky notes that can be searched, located, can send reminders and messages, and more broadly, can help us to seamlessly connect our physical and digital experiences. (4 pages)
PHOTOSENSITIZATION IN BIOPOLYMERS

— The energetics of photodynamic action is discussed in terms of oxidation potentials of sensitizing dye intermediates. The results are compared with rate constants and quantum yields for photodynamic oxidation of iodide ion, aromatic amino acids, and lysozyme in the presence of eosin Y. The role of dye binding is discussed for the eosin-human serum albumin complex.
Antisaccades and smooth pursuit eye movements in schizophrenia

Saccadic and smooth pursuit eye movements were recorded in schizophrenic patients, nonschizophrenic psychiatric patients, and normal controls. Both schizophrenic subjects and psychiatric controls demonstrated greater increases in error rates and greater delays in generating antisaccades than did normal controls. Schizophrenic patients with impaired smooth pursuit tracking showed greater increases in error rates in the antisaccade task than did schizophrenic patients with normal pursuit. Among psychiatric controls, increased errors on the antisaccade task were unrelated to pursuit performance. The small size of this group, however, reduces the power to detect a relation between smooth pursuit tracking and performance on the antisaccade task. Although most patients were receiving one or more medications, some of which can affect eye movements, medication state in this study did not account for differences we report in dependent variables.
Surface membrane-associated phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity in L-929 cells

L-929 cell surface membranes were incubated with S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H]-methionine and found to contain phosphatidylethanolamine: S-adenosylmethionine N-methyltransferase (phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase) activity. The enzyme or combination of enzymes responsible for this activity methylated endogenous phosphatidylethanolamine and its methylated derivatives to yield phosphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyl-N,N-dimethylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine. Maximum enzyme activity was expressed at pH 6.9, the reaction was not dependent on the presence of divalent cations, and exogenously added phospholipids did not stimulate the rate of reaction. Phospholipid methylation was inhibited by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and by local anaesthetic drugs such as chlorpromazine and tetracaine which partition into the lipid bilayer. Control experiments demonstrated that the surface membrane-associated methyltransferase activity was not due to contamination of surface membrane preparations with intracellular membranes. Surface membranes were found to have higher specific methyltransferase activities than whole L-cell homogenates or endoplasmic reticulum-enriched microsomes. The low rate of methyltransferase function expressed in vitro (approximately 1 pmol/min . mg protein) suggests that phospholipid methylation is not a major metabolic source of surface membrane phosphatidylcholine.
Role of electronic-excitation effects in the melting and ablation of laser-excited silicon

Abstract We present a model of laser–solid interactions in silicon based on a previously-developed interatomic potential for silicon where the parameters describing the interactions depend on the temperature of the electronic subsystem Te, which is directly related to the density of electron–hole pairs and hence the number of broken covalent bonds. For 25 fs pulses, a wide range of fluence values are simulated resulting in heterogeneous melting, homogeneous melting, and ablation. The results presented here demonstrate that phase transitions can usually be described by ordinary thermal processes even when the electronic temperature Te is much greater than the lattice temperature TL during the transition. However, the evolution of the system and details of the phase transitions depend strongly on Te and corresponding density of broken bonds. Homogeneous melting appears to be an ordinary thermal phase transition, but occurring over very fast time scales (1–5 ps) before TL reaches the ordinary melting temperature of silicon. For high enough laser fluence, homogeneous melting is followed by rapid expansion of the superheated liquid and ablation. Rapid expansion of the superheated liquid occurs partly due to high pressures generated by a high density of broken bonds. As a result of rapid expansion of the superheated liquid, the system is readily driven into the liquid–vapor coexistence region which initiates phase explosion. These results strongly indicate that phase explosion, generally thought of as an ordinary thermal process, can occur even under strong nonequilibrium conditions when Te ≫ TL. Thus, the results both for melting and ablation processes suggest that for many cases there is no clear separation between thermal and nonthermal processes. Instead, ordinary thermal mechanisms are found to apply when Te ≫ TL, with the high density of broken bonds playing an important role in the detailed evolution of the system.
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing-like receptor family, caspase recruitment domain (CARD) containing 4 (NLRC4) regulates intrapulmonary replication of aerosolized Legionella pneumophila

Background Legionella pneumophila (Lp) flagellin activates signaling pathways in murine macrophages that control Lp replication. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) containing-like receptor (NLR) family, caspase recruitment domain (CARD) containing 4 (NLRC4) and Toll-like Receptor (TLR5) both recognize Lp flagellin in vitro, but whether these two receptors play redundant or separate functional roles in vivo is unknown.
An anatomic study of the tensor veli palatini and dilatator tubae muscles in relation to eustachian tube and velar function.

In a gross anatomic study of 20 sides in 16 human head specimens, the tensor veli palatini, the dilatator tubae, and the tensor tympani muscles were studied. The tensor veli palatini was observed to insert onto the anterior one-third of the pterygoid hamulus, whereas the dilatator tubae rounded the middle one-third of the pterygoid hamulus without an insertion. Thus, the dilatator tubae, not the tensor veli palatini, could serve to tense the anterior velum. An insertion from the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle onto the posterior one-third of the hamulus could provide a curbing function for the dilatator tubae muscle. Adipose tissue, located at the hamulus, could provide lubrication for the tendinous fibers of the dilatator tubae as they round the hamulus. The dilatator tubae was observed to attach to the hook of the eustachian tube and is accepted as the tubal dilator. Observed on 13 of 20 sides in 11 specimens, the bulk of the dilatator tubae remained distinct from the tensor veli palatini despite a connective tissue alliance and intermingling of some muscle fibers. On 5 of 20 sides in 5 specimens, fibers of the dilatator tubae intermingled extensively with the tensor veli palatini. Of the 20 dilatator tubae muscles dissected, 2 were observed to be deficient. The tensor veli palatini was observed to be continuous with the tensor tympani. Full color versions of the figures are available at the following website: http://www.shc.uiowa.edu/papers/tensor/.
Studies on aggregation of embryonic cells: initial cell adhesions and the formation of intercellular junctions.

The aggregation in vitro of embryonic neural retina cells was studied by electron microscopy with special emphasis on the reformation of intercellular junctions. The results show that (1) embryonic neural retina cells dissociated with trypsin retain morphological characteristics and polarity after dispersion into a suspension; (2) initial adhesions between the aggregating cells are nonspecific with respect to cell type and to the site of cell surface involved; (3) histogenetic associations in clusters of reaggregated cells appear within two hours after the start of aggregation. A hypothesis is presented that coated vesicles play a role in the formation of intercellular junctions.
Challenging Low Health Literacy in Rural Honduras: The Utilization of Charlas (Chats) for Patient-Centered Care

This study sought to qualitatively explore the use and need for health education information presented in a charla (Spanish for “health workshop”) in two similar rural Honduran communities with low literacy levels. A Freirean approach was undertaken to explore adult health education based on cultural and patient experiences. Patients (N = 20) aged 18–65 were recruited to complete a charla evaluation survey in two mobile health clinics. Nine community health workers, four doctors, a charla presenter, nurse, and pharmacist were consulted for semi-structured interviews regarding health topics that affect the patients they serve. Data were analyzed using a combination of frequency counts for each item on the survey and content analysis. Findings show that 90 % of patients understood that charlas are meant to improve health in their communities. At least 60 % of patients were interested in learning about new topics including diabetes, hypertension, and feminine and dental hygiene. Participants believed more images and symbols would aid health information comprehension. Charlas convey health information in a manner easily understood by patients with low literacy levels because they utilize symbols and images. Health care providers noted cultural barriers, like machismo (macho) attitudes, can hinder comprehension of sexually transmitted diseases and use of contraception. In designing charlas, it is important to employ a culturally sensitive approach for patient-centered care. Future research should target increasing knowledge about how low health literacy can impact disease burden. Cohort studies should be conducted to explore the impact of charlas in disease prevention.
Microinjection of a protein-tyrosine-phosphatase inhibits insulin action in Xenopus oocytes.

Abstract A protein-tyrosine-phosphatase (PTPase 1B; protein-tyrosine-phosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.48), specific for phosphotyrosyl residues, was microinjected into Xenopus oocytes. This resulted in a 3- to 5-fold increase in PTPase activity over endogenous levels. The PTPase blocked the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of tyrosyl residues on endogenous proteins, including a protein having a molecular mass in the same range as the beta subunit of the insulin or insulin-like growth factor I receptor. PTPase 1B also blocked the activation of an S6 peptide kinase--i.e., an enzyme recognizing a peptide having the sequence RRLSSLRA found in a segment of ribosomal protein S6 and known to be activated early in response to insulin. On the other hand, the insulin stimulation of an S6 kinase, detected by using 40S ribosomes as substrate, was unaffected even though PTPase 1B partially prevented the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 in vivo. Mono Q chromatography of insulin-treated oocyte extracts revealed two main peaks of S6 kinase activity. Fractions from the first peak displayed S6 peptide kinase activity that was essentially abolished in profiles from PTPase 1B-injected oocytes. Material from the second peak, which was best revealed by using 40S ribosomes as substrate and had comparatively little S6 peptide kinase activity, was minimally affected by PTPase 1B. These observations suggest that at least two distinct "S6 kinases" are involved in ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation in vivo and that the activation pathways for these enzymes differ in their sensitivity to PTPase 1B.
Plasticity in a cerebellar-like structure: suppressing reafference during episodic behaviors

SUMMARY Detection of relevant sensory signals requires the filtering out of irrelevant noise, including noise created by the animal9s own movements (reafference). This is accomplished in the electrosense of little skates ( Raja erinacea ) by an adaptive filter in the cerebellar-like electrosensory nucleus (dorsal nucleus) in the medulla. We have shown that electrosensory inputs reliably coupled to the regularly recurring movements of breathing over time are eliminated selectively in the principal neurons (ascending efferent neurons, AENs) by a cancellation signal that is a negative of the reafference and is supplied by a parallel fiber system. Similarly, electrosensory inputs repeatedly linked to passive fin movements are eliminated suggesting that the filter also functions in relation to other behaviors besides breathing. To determine whether this adaptive filter can eliminate reafference created by brief and infrequent episodic behaviors like swimming in skates, we initiated a series of coupling tests in which an external electrosensory stimulus was coupled to short bouts of either parallel fiber stimulation or passive fin movements, and then measured the ability of AENs to generate a cancellation signal. Following five brief coupling periods (30–60 s) separated by long rest periods (1–9 min), 38.5% of the AENs developed a cancellation signal when the coupling was to parallel fiber stimulation, and 73% when the coupling was to passive fin movement. We demonstrate that the cancellation signals can be developed incrementally, persist for at least a 3 h rest period without reinforcement, and are extinguished within minutes when the association of sensory stimulus and fin movement or parallel fiber stimulation no longer exists. The results indicate that the adaptive filter has the properties necessary to cancel reafference associated with even brief and infrequent behaviors.
Capital gains tax rates and the cost of capital for small business: evidence from the IPO market

Abstract We examine the issue prices of small initial public offerings around the 1993 tax law change that reduced the capital gains tax on qualified small business stock. We compare the actual issue price of new stock with a benchmark price that is not affected by the change in capital gains tax. We find that, after controlling for IPO underpricing, the issue prices of qualifying small business stock after the tax rate change are significantly higher than the issue prices before the change. A control sample of nonqualifying firms shows no significant difference in issue prices.
Non-equilibrium carrier transport in the base of heterojunction bipolar transistors

Abstract The conventional drift-diffusion equation is inadequate to analyze ballistic effects. In most device analysis, thermoelectric effects associated with gradients in the carrier temperature are assumed to be small. The base thickness dependence of current gain as a result of non-equilibrium transport of electrons in the base was experimentally shown by many researchers. We present a simulation to analyze the electron transport in the base region of an HBT based on the carrier density balance, momentum balance, and energy balance equations. Transistors with base thickness of 1000 A and 2500 A are investigated. Simulation results of electron transport in the base region indicates that tunneling electrons give rise to unique transport characteristics in the base of HBTs. The density profile is found as a result of transition from ballistic to diffusive transport in the base region. The range of observed non-equilibrium transport and the carrier density and temperature profiles in the base region are functions of average momentum and energy relaxation times. The non-equilibrium effects are shown to exist up to 1000 A in the base region of HBTs. The simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data.
The calcium-independent stimulation of thymic lymphoblast DNA synthesis by low cyclic GMP concentrations.

SummaryA very low cyclic GMP concentration (5 × 10–11M) causes the actively “cycling” lymphoblasts in isolated rat thymic lymphocyte populations to start synthesizing DNA by a calcium-independent process. These stimulated cells are able to progress subsequently through the DNA-synthetic phase and enter mitosis. The possible significance of the cyclic GMP-induced stimulatory action in the regulation of lymphoblast proliferation is discussed. An attempt is also made to interrelate the similar actions of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP.
Detection of X-ray emission from the vicinity of two short-period RS CVn-like binaries

Two new soft X-ray sources H0118 + 067 and H0630 + 82 have been detected with a low energy detector of the HEAO A-2 experiment. Short-period RS CVn-like binaries UVPsc and SV Cam lie within the error boxes of these sources and are proposed as the optical identifications for the two X-ray sources. The light curve of H0118 + 067, identified with UV Psc, indicates an X-ray flare event which commenced on 1978 January 11.6 and persisted until at least January 12.7. It is suggested that H0118 + 067 and the flaring X-ray source H0123 + 075, detected by the medium and high energy detectors of the HEAO A-2 experiment, may be the same object. The observed X-ray luminosity of the sources are in the same range as observed for other RS CVn binaries. The X-ray emission is probably of coronal origin.
A simple model for amorphous antiferromagnets

A molecular field model for amorphous antiferromagnets is considered by taking into account the structural fluctuations which could exist in amorphous materials. The results show that the fluctuations shift the susceptibility versus temperature curves towards or away from the temperature axis with changes in the Neel temperatures. The direction of the shift depends on the sign and on the size of the fluctuations in the exchange integrals. The present results are consistent with the magnetic properties of an amorphous MnPC alloy. En supposant que des fluctuations structurales existent dans des solides amorphes, on peut considerer un modele de champs moleeculaires pour rendre compte des proprietes antiferromagnetiques de certains alliages amorphes. On en deduit les courbes donnant la susceptibilite magnetique des solides amorphes en fonction de la temperature, qui sont marquees par un deplacement de la temperature de Neel. Le sens du deplacement depend du signe et de l'amplitude des fluctuations dans les integrales d'echange traduisant les heterogeneites structurales. Les resultats obtenus sont compatibles avec l'experience pour l'alliage amorphe MnPC.
Femtosecond laser solid interaction near material damage threshold at mid IR wavelengths

Laser solid interaction with 80 fs pulses at 3.6 micron wavelength was studied. Damage thresholds of Si, Ge, CaF2, and sapphire were determined. Laser induced surface periodic structures were observed in Si and Ge.
Fluorimetric determination of critical micelle concentration avoiding interference from detergent charge

Upon mixing detergent solutions with the neutral fluorescent molecule 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene a large increase in fluorescence is observed if detergent exceeds the critical micelle concentration. This property has been used to determine the critical micelle concentration of anionic, uncharged, zwitterionic, and cationic detergents. Regardless of detergent charge, the critical micelle concentrations obtained agree with the values obtained by other methods. This fluorescence assay is both sensitive and rapid, and should provide a simple and general method for determination of critical micelle concentration of any detergent.
Repair versus replacement for degenerative mitral valve disease with coexisting ischemic heart disease

Abstract Objective: We sought to compare mitral valve repair and replacement as treatments for degenerative mitral valve disease with coexisting ischemic heart disease. Specifically, we sought to (1) identify differences between patients undergoing repair and replacement, (2) determine whether the choice of mitral valve procedure affected survival after adjusting for those differences, and (3) discover which patients were predicted to benefit from mitral valve repair and which from replacement. Methods: From 1973 to 1999, 679 patients (mean age, 67 ± 9.1 years; 73% men) with degenerative mitral valve and ischemic heart diseases underwent combined coronary artery bypass grafting and either mitral valve repair (66%) or replacement (34%). Factors associated with repair and replacement were used for multivariable propensity matching. Risk factors for death were identified by means of multivariable, multiphase hazard-function analysis. Results: Patients more likely to undergo repair had isolated posterior chordal rupture ( P P P = .0003) or had bileaflet prolapse ( P P = .01). Eighty-nine percent of patients were predicted to benefit from repair. Conclusions: In patients with degenerative mitral valve and ischemic heart diseases, mitral valve repair confers a survival advantage over replacement that becomes evident about 2 years after the operation.
Diffusion of Li in Si at High T and the Isotope Effect

The diffusion rate of Li in Si at high temperatures has been re-investigated using an outdiffusion technique. The resulting $D$ for ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$ is (2.21\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sec at (800\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5)\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C and 2.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/sec at (1350\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5)\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. If these results are combined with ion drift results, the diffusion constant can be described by $D=(2.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}(0.655\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01)\frac{e}{\mathrm{kT}}]$. The isotopic effect upon the diffusion has been investigated using ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$ and ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$. At 800\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, the value for $\frac{{D}_{{\mathrm{Li}}^{6}}}{{D}_{{\mathrm{Li}}^{7}}}$ is ${1.07}_{5}$\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02, in accordance with the expected inverse dependence on the square root of the mass. The ionic charge of the Li and the atomic mechanism for Li diffusion is discussed in the light of these and other results.
Formation of a SiO 2 /Si 3 N 4 /SiO 2 electret on a silicon substrate

A new technique is presented for creating a thermoelectret from a PECVD multilayer film of SiO2/Si3N4/SiO2 using a direct contact cathode. The materials used have the advantage of being compatible with standard microfabrication processes. The electret film and activation process can be completed with equipment that is already available in many facilities. Effective surface voltages (ESV) of -236.2 V are possible and the lifetime coefficient for decay shows that it should operate for decades in standard packaged environments below 125°C.
Development and evaluation of a novel, real time mobile telesonography system in management of patients with abdominal trauma: study protocol

Despite the use of e-FAST in management of patients with abdominal trauma, its utility in prehospital setting is not widely adopted. The goal of this study is to develop a novel portable telesonography (TS) system and evaluate the comparability of the quality of images obtained via this system among healthy volunteers who undergo e-FAST abdominal examination in a moving ambulance and at the ED. We hypothesize that: (1) real-time ultrasound images of acute trauma patients in the pre-hospital setting can be obtained and transmitted to the ED via the novel TS system; and (2) Ultrasound images transmitted to the hospital from the real-time TS system will be comparable in quality to those obtained in the ED. Study participants are three healthy volunteers (one each with normal, overweight and obese BMI category). The ultrasound images will be obtained by two ultrasound-trained physicians The TS is a portable sonogram (by Sonosite) interfaced with a portable broadcast unit (by Live-U). Two UTPs will conduct e-FAST examinations on healthy volunteers in moving ambulances and transmit the images via cellular network to the hospital server, where they are stored. Upon arrival in the ED, the same UTPs will obtain another set of images from the volunteers, which are then compared to those obtained in the moving ambulances by another set of blinded UTPs (evaluators) using a validated image quality scale, the Questionnaire for User Interaction Satisfaction (QUIS). Findings from this study will provide needed data on the validity of the novel TS in transmitting live images from moving ambulances to images obtained in the ED thus providing opportunity to facilitate medical care of a patient located in a remote or austere setting.
Dynamics of a satellite stabilized by wires.

This Tm is a function only of the angular displacement and velocity of this boom, consistent with assumption 5. The summation of the inertia torques [Eq. (6)], the boom damping torques [Eq. (A7)], the SEA spring torque [Eq. (14)] and the solid friction torques in accordance with D'Alembert's principle, yields a set of four coupled second-order differential equations. These equations may be written in the matrix form of Eq. (11) but are omitted here because of their prohibitive length.