cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Further purification of the follicle stimulating hormone and its effect in normal and hypophysectiomized rats.

SummaryA method is described for the preparation of follicle-stimulating preparations by tryptic digestion and the removal of a fraction which caused reactions in the human being at the site of injection.Preparations made by the tryptic digestion method before and after it was changed to remove the local reacting factor were assayed both in normal and hypophysectomized rats. By macroscopic observation the ovaries from both kinds of rats appeared to contain only follicles but microscopic examination showed that a few contained lutein tissue indicating that not all the preparations were entirely devoid of luteinizing activity.
Air sampling in hospitals

Air sampling in hospitals is performed for the epidemiologic investigation of nosocomial infections, for the elucidation of spread and control of airborn microorganisms, for assessing biohazards associated with instruments, equipment and procedures and for controlling the performance of devices and techniques used for the reduction of airborne contaminants. Many different air-sampling devices are available but only a few have found use in hospitals. Certain samplers are used for special studies such as the Andersen stacked-sieve impactor or the liquid impingers. Lately, samplers have been developed which due to their size and weight are more useful to the hospital microbiologist and epidemiologist than the older slit samplers. the Ross Microban sieve sampler and the Biotest Reuter Centrifugal Sampler were tested in comparison with the Casella slit sampler and found to show comparable results. The hand-held, battery-operated Biotest RCS sample is the most versatile for general sampling of hospital air.
Development of signal processing tools and hardware for piezoelectric sensor diagnostic processes

This paper presents a piezoelectric sensor diagnostic and validation procedure that performs in-situ monitoring of the operational status of piezoelectric (PZT) sensor/actuator arrays used in structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. The validation of the proper function of a sensor/actuator array during operation, is a critical component to a complete and robust SHM system, especially with the large number of active sensors typically involved. The method of this technique used to obtain the health of the PZT transducers is to track their capacitive value, this value manifests in the imaginary part of measured electrical admittance. Degradation of the mechanical/electrical properties of a PZT sensor/actuator as well as bonding defects between a PZT patch and a host structure can be identified with the proposed procedure. However, it was found that temperature variations and changes in sensor boundary conditions manifest themselves in similar ways in the measured electrical admittances. Therefore, we examined the effects of temperature variation and sensor boundary conditions on the sensor diagnostic process. The objective of this study is to quantify and classify several key characteristics of temperature change and to develop effcient signal processing techniques to account for those variations in the sensor diagnosis process. In addition, we developed hardware capable of making the necessary measurements to perform the sensor diagnostics and to make impedance-based SHM measurements. The paper concludes with experimental results to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Groups which are isomorphic to a semigroup of a linear nonsingular subautomaton

Abstract This paper gives necessary and sufficient conditions for a group to be isomorphic to a semigroup of a linear nonsingular subautomaton.
Molecular analysis of dorsal-ventral polarity in Drosophila

Embryonic cells in Drosophila come to express distinct sets of genes and follow different pathways of morphogenesis based on their locations within the developing embryo. Past genetic studies suggest that the specification of positional information along the dorsal-ventral (D/V) body axis involves the activities of a class of genetic loci that is distinct from the class of genes required for establishment of the anterior-posterior (A/P) axis. In general, mutations that disrupt one process do not appear to alter the other significantly. At least twenty genes have been identified as playing crucial roles in D/V polarity of the early embryo (see Anderson, Trends Genet. 3, 91-97, 1987). Twelve of the genes are maternally active; that is, they are expressed during oogenesis and encode products which are deposited in the unfertilized egg. Null mutations in eleven of these, the so-called dorsal group genes, cause the same “dorsalizing” phenotype, whereby all embryonic cells-those located in both dorsal and ventral regions-follow a dorsal pathway of development. It has been proposed that interactions among the products of the dorsal group genes are responsible for the specification of a morphogen gradient that ascribes unique positional identities to the different cells along the D/V axis (Anderson et al., Cell 42, 779-789 and 791-798, 1985). According to this model, the ventral-most regions of the early embryo contain the highest concentration of morphogen, with more dorsal regions containing progressively lower concentrations. In the absence of morphogen, which results when any one of the eleven dorsal group genes is eliminated, all cells follow a dorsal pathway, the developmental “ground state:’ by default. However, there is currently no direct evidence that a maternal factor or combination of factors is distributed in a concentration gradient around the D/V axis, or that different concentrations of this factor(s) define distinct positional identities. A more conservative view is that an asymmetrically distributed maternal factor(s) is responsible for initiating the expression of several zygotic genes, which in turn broadly subdivide the D/V axis into domains of diverse developmental potential. More discrete positional identities may be subsequently elaborated by regulatory interactions among zygotically active D/V genes. Among the eleven maternally active dorsal group genes, Toll has been implicated as playing a particularly important role in the differentiation of the D/V pattern (Anderson et al., op. cit.). Embryos obtained from To//mothers lack inherent D/V polarity. When To//embryos are injected with cytoplasm obtained from any portion of wild-type donor embryos, the site of injection of the mutant embryo defines the location of the ventral pole. In conMinireview
Benefits of biodiversity conservation to agriculture and rural livelihoods

Abstract Well-managed protected areas (PAs) can halt habitat loss, and most countries have made commitments to expand their PA systems. Yet critics argue that even existing PAs deprive countries of needed agricultural lands and, given increased global agricultural demand, such expansion is unacceptable. This paper explores these issues at successive scales - from global to local. First, we examine potential conflicts between agriculture and PA expansion in forested regions using global-scale data. Second, we investigate the value of ecosystem services that support agriculture (e.g. erosion control, soil formation, pollination, biological control, and production of non-timber forest products) to regions identified as global priorities for biodiversity conservation, and spatially quantify the value of ecosystem services to agriculture. Third, we move to regional and national scales, examining how loss of forest services can reduce agricultural production, potentially compromising livelihoods. Finally, we ex...
Compliance with antibiotic regimens in hispanic mothers

Abstract Sixty-six young Hispanic mothers were evaluated for compliance with prescribed antibiotic regimen for their children suffering from acute otitis media. The study utilized a two-group experimental design and was conducted in a free medical clinic setting. Findings did not support the hypothesis that maternal compliance would be significantly greater when written/pictorial instructions in the primary language of the client were added to the verbal instructions given to the control group. Findings imply that future research needs to focus on poor, frequently undocumented Hispanics with limited access to quality health care to discover the variables which influence compliance among this growing client population.
Ultrasonography Should Not Guide the Timing of Thyroidectomy in Pediatric Patients Diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome 2A through Genetic Screening

Background American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines suggest that thyroidectomy can be delayed in some children with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 2A (MEN2A) if serum calcitonin (Ct) and neck ultrasonography (US) are normal. We hypothesized that normal US would not exclude a final pathology diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
The CO2 concentration of air trapped in GISP2 ice from the Last Glacial Maximum-Holocene transition

Measurements of the CO2 concentration of air trapped in Greenland Ice Sheet Project Two ice show an increase from approximately 190 ppm to 270 ppm during the 8000 years between the end of the last glacial maximum and the beginning of the Holocene. This increase is in agreement with other parallel records from both Greenland and Antarctica, although the GISP2 data exhibit considerable variability over periods as small as 50–100 years and show that CO2 can be affected by processes occurring within the ice after bubble formation. The in-situ reactions which contribute to the modification of the concentrations of paleoatmospheric CO2 may include both CO2 uptake as well as CO2 production. The existence of two major episodes of CO2 enrichment, in addition to the variability of the data, prevents a precise determination of the progression of the increase in atmospheric CO2, although the 80 ppm rise between 18.0 kyBP and 10.4 kyBP is evident. These results strongly suggest that some intervals of the GISP2 CO2 record must be interpreted in the context of the chemical composition of the ice, and that records of atmospheric CO2 in polar ice can be considered accurate only if the ice is either (essentially) carbonate-free or contains abundant carbonate.
Mothers’ Reports of Events Causing Anger Differ Across Family Relationships

Mother’s reports of anger causes within the family were analyzed in terms of the family relationships of the persons experiencing and eliciting anger and three independent components of the anger-eliciting event—Type of Cause, Focus of Anger, and Temporal Specificity. Mothers’ reports suggest substantial differences (a) in anger causes across relationships, (b) depending on whether parents or children were experiencing or eliciting anger events, and (c) for the three independent components of the anger events. For example, for type of cause, mothers’ reports indicated more expectancy violations for parents’ than children’s anger, but more goal blockages for children’s than parents’ anger. Also, elicitormattered; mothers’ reports indicated more goal blockages elicited by parents than by children, but more expectancy violations elicited by children than by parents. These patterns are interpreted in terms of differential power and status within the family.
A boundary conforming grid generation system for interface tracking

Abstract The development of an algebraic grid generation system to track a solid-liquid interface during directional solidification of a binary alloy is discussed. A single mapping, constructed with tensor product B-splines, is proposed for calculations of both shallow and deep solidification cells. The initial spline coefficients for the coordinate mapping are modified to minimize a discrete functional that regulates the smoothness and orthogonality of the mesh. The use of transfinite blending function interpolation to obtain an initial grid is examined.
Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Ventricular Arrhythmias and Aortic Valve Disease

Forty patients having aortic valve replacement were evaluated preoperatively for ventricular arrhythmia and left ventricular ejection fraction. Arrhythmias were classified as complex or simple using the Lown criteria on the 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram; ejection fractions were determined by radionuclide gated blood pool analysis and contrast angiography. The ejection fractions determined by radionuclide angiography were 59.1 +/- 13.1% for 26 patients with simple or no ventricular arrhythmias, and 43.9 +/- 20.3% for 14 patients with complex ventricular arrhythmias (p less than 0.01). Ejection fractions determined by angiography, available for 31 patients, were also lower in patients with complex ventricular arrhythmias (61.1 +/- 16.3% versus 51.4 +/- 13.4%; p less than 0.05). Seven of 9 patients showing conduction abnormalities on the electrocardiogram had complex ventricular arrhythmias. Eight of 20 patients with aortic stenosis had complex ventricular arrhythmias, while 2 of 13 patients with aortic insufficiency had such arrhythmias. It is concluded that decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, intraventricular conduction abnormalities, and aortic stenosis are associated with an increased frequency of complex ventricular arrhythmias in patients with aortic valve disease.
Characterizing Intrinsic Deactivation in Cobalt-Catalyzed Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Three intrinsic deactivation modes observed in experimental cobalt Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (Co FTS) catalysts are investigated via ex-situ TEM [1]. These include: cobalt oxidation reversible by mild hydrogen treatment, cobalt agglomeration, and cobalt-support mixed oxide formation. All three mechanisms involve redox transformation of the catalytically active cobalt metal. Earlier studies [2] have shown that (a) Co 0 is the catalytically active entity in Co FTS and (b) the site activity is not influenced by the support or the metal particle size in catalysts containing metal particles larger than ~5 nm. Steady-state isotope transient studies with similar catalysts [3] confirmed these conclusions. Consequently, transformations that reduce Co 0 surface by agglomeration or by oxidizing Co particles will reduce catalytic activity. Bulk thermodynamic data [4,5] suggests that CoO would not form under typical Co FTS conditions. However, reactor studies and TEM observations prove that the behavior of nanoscale metal particles deviates from that of the bulk and that cobalt oxidation does occur during commercially relevant Co FTS conditions. The exact nature of the oxidized species is not clear, but it is shown that the process is enhanced by higher CO conversion (higher H2O/H2 ratio) and smaller metal particle size. This oxidation is fully reversed by hydrogen reduction at Co FTS temperature and pressure. Once the cobalt metal is oxidized, it wets the support surface and thus allows nearby oxidized cobalt particles to contact each other. Subsequent reduction can lead metal agglomeration. Since this growth mechanism starts with metal oxidation, it is also enhanced by CO conversion and smaller particle size. However, due to the spatial proximity requirement, metal particle distances on the support surface also play a role. In this regard, the reduction-oxidation-reduction (ROR) treatment of Co FTS catalysts is also instructive. ROR treatment is known to boost Co FTS activity [6] and increase Co dispersion [7,8]. This work shows that the ROR process involves the formation of hollow oxide domes that break up into smaller Co particles upon re-reduction. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that cobalt-support mixed oxide formation with SiO2, Al2O3, and TiO2 is favored at ~70% or even lower conversion of stoichiometric syngas in Co FTS. This path is kinetically open as soon as Co is converted to Co 2+ via byproduct water. Indeed, evidence for various degrees of mixed oxide formation is presented. In general, this solid-state chemistry is slow, although in the case of Co/SiO2, crystalline mixed oxide needles of well-defined stoichiometry formed rapidly at high CO conversions [9].
Expression and purification of recombinant human α-defensins in Escherichia coli

Different strategies have been developed to produce small antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) using recombinant techniques. Up to now, all efforts to obtain larger quantities of active recombinant human alpha-defensins have been only moderately successful. Here we report an effective method of biosynthesis of human alpha-defensins (hNP-1 to hNP-3 and hD-5 and hD-6) in the Escherichia coli. All the peptides, expressed as insoluble fusions with the peptide encoded by a portion of E. coli tryptophan operon (trp DeltaLE 1413 polypeptide), were isolated from the inclusion bodies by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) and separated from the fusion leader by chemical cleavage. Fully reduced peptides that were purified according to a straightforward protocol were subsequently folded, oxidized, and subjected to functional and structural analyses. With the exception of hD-6, all recombinant alpha-defensins exhibit expected anti-E. coli activity, as measured by the colony counting method. The method described in this report is a low-cost, efficient way of generating alpha-defensins in quantities ranging from milligrams to grams.
Inhibition of Hsp27 radiosensitizes head-and-neck cancer by modulating deoxyribonucleic acid repair.

Purpose To present a novel method of tumor radiosensitization through Hsp27 knockdown using locked nucleic acid (LNA) and to investigate the role of Hsp27 in DNA double strand break (DSB) repair. Methods and Materials Clonogenic survival assays, immunoblotting, the proximity ligation assay, and γH2AX foci analysis were conducted in SQ20B and FaDu human head-and-neck cancer cell lines treated with Hsp27 LNA and Hsp27 short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Additionally, nude mice with FaDu flank tumors were treated with fractionated radiation therapy after pretreatment with Hsp27 LNA and monitored for tumor growth. Results Hsp27 LNA and Hsp27 shRNA radiosensitized head-and-neck cancer cell lines in an Hsp27-dependent manner. Ataxia-Telangectasia Mutated-mediated DNA repair signaling was impaired in irradiated cells with Hsp27 knockdown. ATM kinase inhibition abrogated the radiosensitizing effect of Hsp27. Furthermore, Hsp27 LNA and shRNA both attenuated DNA repair kinetics after radiation, and Hsp27 was found to colocalize with ATM in both untreated and irradiated cells. Last, combined radiation and Hsp27 LNA treatment in tumor xenografts in nude mice suppressed tumor growth compared with either treatment alone. Conclusions These results support a radiosensitizing property of Hsp27 LNA in vitro and in vivo, implicate Hsp27 in double strand break repair, and suggest that Hsp27 LNA might eventually serve as an effective clinical agent in the radiotherapy of head-and-neck cancer.
Validity of the Geometric Model of Ovaloid Polymers Based on Simpler Molecules

Abstract The shape parameter obtained from the geometric model of Ishihara and Hayashida for ovaloid polymers, together with the scaled-particle theory, are applied to a mixture of methane and ethylene. The results are in good agreement with the experimental values, indicating the validity of the model and suggesting application to other polymer properties.
Leptin in energy balance and reward : Two faces of the same coin?

Leptin receptors are expressed on mesolimbic dopamine neurons, yet little is known about the functional significance of this anatomical relationship. In this issue of Neuron, Hommel et al. reveal a novel site for leptin's regulation of feeding. In turn, Fulton et al. propose a novel role for leptin in regulating non-feeding-related motivated behaviors.
Substituted amphetamines that produce long-term serotonin depletion in rat brain ("neurotoxicity") do not decrease serotonin transporter protein expression.

: Administration of high-dose d-fenfluramine (d-FEN) or parachloroamphetamine (PCA) produces long-lasting decreases in serotonin transporter (SERT) binding and tissue levels of serotonin (5-HT) in rat forebrain. These changes have been viewed as evidence for 5-HT neurotoxicity, but few studies have measured SERT protein levels. Thus, in the present study we determined the effect of high-dose d-FEN or PCA, administered according to a “neurotoxic” dosing regimen, on the density of SERT sites using ligand binding methods and on SERT protein levels using Western blots. Rats were sacrificed 2 days and 2 weeks after administration of drug or saline. The density of SERT was determined in homogenates of caudate and whole brain minus caudate. d-FEN and PCA decreased SERT binding by 30 to 60% in both tissues and at both time points. Similarly, d-FEN and PCA administration profoundly decreased tissue 5-HT and 5-HIAA in frontal cortex. Despite the large decreases in SERT binding and depletion of tissue 5-HT that occurred with d-FEN administration, SERT protein expression, as determined by Western blot analysis, did not change in either tissue or time point. PCA administration decreased SERT protein by about 20% only at the 2-day point in the caudate. Drug treatments did not change expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a hallmark indicator of neuronal damage, in whole brain minus caudate in the 2-week group. These results support the hypothesis that d-FEN- and PCA-induced decreases in tissue 5-HT and SERT binding sites reflect neuroadaptive changes rather than neurotoxic effects.
Theoretical limitations of tumor imaging

The question of limitations of tumor imaging needs to be examined against the characteristics of current medical imaging systems. Moreover, the examination needs to be carried out against the backdrop of physical imaging properties of the imaging systems, as well as the physiological and chemical aspects of the underlying biological signals (tumors) and background (nontumor) areas. In particular, the important possibilities for enhanced image performance using labeled monoclonal antibodies need to be explored.
The Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome

The pseudotumor cerebri syndrome may be idiopathic or arise from a secondary cause. The major morbidity is visual loss, which may be severe and permanent. This article reviews the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of patients with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome in adults and children.
Pathologists and the third wave of medical genomics.

Over the past two decades, our notions about how genome science and technology would improve health and healthcare have changed. The first wave of medical genomics occurred in the mid-to-late 1990s during the pioneer period of the Human Genome Project and led to overly optimistic expectations about the development of abundant new drugs [1,2]. This optimism rested on rapid and massive gene discovery that would, in turn, quickly yield hundreds if not thousands of new and novel drug ‘targets’, whose roles in disease would be rapidly ‘validated’ through new technologies, especially comparative [3], functional [4] and structural [5] genomics. A plethora of new drugs designed to antagonize these targets and thereby effectively treat or cure disease would then ensue. In reality, only a handful of genome-derived drugs have reached the market to date.
Differential in rectal and chest muscle temperature during arousal in Eptesicus fuscus and Myotis sodalis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae).

Abstract 1. 1. Chest muscle warms slightly faster than rectal temperature (T r ) during arousal in Eptesicus fuscus and Myotis sodalis . 2. 2. Chest muscle temperature (T c ) to T c differential rises slightly more rapidly in M. sodalis than in E. fuscus . 3. 3. T c mean minimum T r required for flight in M. sodalis is 23-8°C, while T c at mean minimum T r required for flight in E. fuscus is 30-1°C. 4. 4. During arousal in both species, differential warming occurs both anterior and posterior to the diaphragm as well as between the deep chest area and the adjacent flight muscles.
Extracellular Matrix Ligand and Stiffness Modulate Immature Nucleus Pulposus Cell-Cell Interactions

The nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc functions to provide compressive load support in the spine, and contains cells that play a critical role in the generation and maintenance of this tissue. The NP cell population undergoes significant morphological and phenotypic changes during maturation and aging, transitioning from large, vacuolated immature cells arranged in cell clusters to a sparse population of smaller, isolated chondrocyte-like cells. These morphological and organizational changes appear to correlate with the first signs of degenerative changes within the intervertebral disc. The extracellular matrix of the immature NP is a soft, gelatinous material containing multiple laminin isoforms, features that are unique to the NP relative to other regions of the disc and that change with aging and degeneration. Based on this knowledge, we hypothesized that a soft, laminin-rich extracellular matrix environment would promote NP cell-cell interactions and phenotypes similar to those found in immature NP tissues. NP cells were isolated from porcine intervertebral discs and cultured in matrix environments of varying mechanical stiffness that were functionalized with various matrix ligands; cellular responses to periods of culture were assessed using quantitative measures of cell organization and phenotype. Results show that soft (<720 Pa), laminin-containing extracellular matrix substrates promote NP cell morphologies, cell-cell interactions, and proteoglycan production in vitro, and that this behavior is dependent upon both extracellular matrix ligand and substrate mechanical properties. These findings indicate that NP cell organization and phenotype may be highly sensitive to their surrounding extracellular matrix environment.
Quinone Emissions from Gasoline and Diesel Motor Vehicles

Gas- and particle-phase emissions from gasoline and diesel vehicles operated on chassis dynamometers were collected using annular denuders, quartz filters, and PUF substrates. Quinone species were measured using O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine derivatization in conjunction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nine quinones were observed, ranging from C6 to C16. New species identified in motor vehicle exhaust include methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (MNQN), and aceanthrenequinone. Gas-phase motor vehicle emissions of quinones are also reported for the first time. Six gas-phase quinones were quantified with emission rates of 2-28 000 microg L(-1) fuel consumed. The most abundant gas-phase quinones were 1,4-benzoquinone (BON) and MNQN. The gas-phase fraction was > or = 69% of quinone mass for light-duty gasoline emissions, and > or = 84% for heavy-duty diesel emissions. Eight particle-phase quinones were observed between 2 and 1600 microg L(-1), with BQN the most abundant species followed by 9,10-phenanthrenequinone and 1,2-naphthoquinone. Current particle-phase quinone measurements agree well with the few available previous results. Further research is needed concerning the gas-particle partitioning behavior of quinones in ambient and combustion source conditions.
Porous tin oxide nanostructured microspheres for sensor applications.

We have sought to enhance the sensitivity of conductometric gas microsensors through the design and fabrication of porous, three-dimensional tin oxide nanoparticle structures. Electrostatically controlled layer-by-layer processing in aqueous solutions was used to decorate sacrificial latex microspheres with Sb:SnO2 nanoparticles. To evaluate their sensing performance, these structures were then deposited as films, via micropipetting, on MEMS micro-hot-plate platforms with interdigitated electrodes. Prior to gas testing, rapid heating of the micro-hot-plates was used to remove the sacrificial latex templates, thereby revealing a 3-D structure composed of interconnected spherical tin oxide nanoparticle shells with porous ultrathin walls. Changes in film conductance, caused by exposure to test gases (methanol, carbon monoxide, benzene, water) in a dry air background, were measured at different temperatures. Hollow nanoparticle microsphere films exhibited partial selectivity for these different gases, good dy...
Continuous Electrospinning of Aligned Polymer Nanofibers onto a Wire Drum Collector

The process of electrospinning produces polymeric fibers with diameters ranging from the micrometer to the nanometer scale. As the fibers are produced, they are usually spun and collected in a random mat lacking structural orientation. In some applications there is interest in parallel alignment of nanofibers to produce structures with unique electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. A simple and successful method for spinning sheets with one centimeter wide strips of aligned nanofibers is presented. The technique uses copper wires spaced evenly in the form of a circular drum as a collector of the electrospun nanofibers. Aligned nanofiber sheets can be collected easily without disturbing the aligned structure, and the method is robust.
The influence of serial retention and theme identification paradigms on encoding.

Half the subjects attempted to remember the order of presentation of stimulus lists of words; the other half tried to determine the theme of the words. Encoding features were evaluated with surprise recognition tests. Greater auditory encoding was obtained for the stimulus words in the serial retention condition than for the same words in the theme identification condition. Semantic encoding was only obtained in the theme identification condition. These results were discussed in terms of the flexibility of encoding strategies. Present address: Personnel & Training Requirements Branch, AFHRL/ASR Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, U.S.A. Present address: Department of Psychology, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45431, U.S.A.
On the Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Structure−Property Relationships of Metal Chromophores

The synthesis and solvent-dependent second-order polarizability, β, responses of three new platinum(II) chromophores are reported. A strong correlation between the metal chromophore electronic structure and the second-order polarizability is observed that substantiates the use of the two-state model to design, optimize, and study new NLO chromophores.
Subgingival Curettage in Periodontal Treatment

In surgical prosthesis where stents are required in conjunction with surgery, the self-curing resin has made the use of modeling compound obsolete. A stent of resin is cleaner and stronger than one of modeling compound and can be worn by the patient without replacement as long as the surgeon desires. In maxillofacial prosthesis where a socalled permanent appliance is necessary, this technic enables it to be made in the operating room during the progress of the surgery. CONCLUSIONS
Velar Motoneurons of Lamprey Larvae

1. Breathing activity continued in isolated brain-velum-gill preparations of larval lampreys,Petromyzon marinus andLampetra aepyptera (Fig. 1). Periodic discharges were recorded extracellularly in the lateral fifth motor nucleus and from the fifth nerve (Fig. 2); these discharges preceded the contractions of the velum. Later in the respiratory cycle, discharges corresponding to the contractions of the branchial muscle were recorded in the tenth motor nucleus. Evidence is presented that discharges from both fifth and tenth nucleus were produced by motoneurons. 2. Velar motoneurons were identified by physiological criteria. Intracellular stimulation of these cells produced one-to-one movements in ipsilateral velar muscles and one-to-one electromyographio potentials (Fig. 4A). Motoneurons were confirmed as such by antidromic stimulation and collision. Velar motoneurons were located in the lateral part of the fifth motor nucleus (Fig. 3). Branchial motoneurons were also identified in the tenth motor nucleus. 3. During intracellular recordings velar motoneurons exhibited periodic bursts of excitatory synaptic potentials (Fig. 4B), probably produced by unidentified pacemakers in the vicinity of the fifth motor nucleus.
Chronic neck pain: how to approach treatment

Chronic neck pain is a common patient complaint. Despite its frequency as a clinical problem, there are few evidence-based studies that document efficacy of therapies for neck pain. The treatment of this symptom is based primarily on clinical experience. Preventing the development of chronic neck pain can be achieved by modification of the work environment with chairs that encourage proper musculoskeletal movement. The use of neck supports for sleep and active neck exercises together can improve neck pain. Passive therapies, including massage, acupuncture, mechanical traction, and electrotherapy, have limited benefit when measured by clinical trial results. NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and pure analgesics are the mainstays of therapy. Local injections of anesthetics with or without soluble corticosteroid preparations offer additional pain relief. The purpose of these agents is to diminish pain to facilitate normal neck movement. Surgical therapy with cervical spine fusion is indicated for the rare patient with intractable neck pain resistant to all nonsurgical therapies.
Natural language dialogue for intelligent planning applications

The goal of this project is to develop the underlying technologies for spoken dialogue systems that serve as interfaces to complex, state-of-the-art reasoning systems. Most current speech and natural language projects are focusing on applications that involve very little intelligent reasoning, such as data-base query and form-filling. However, the great promise for speech and natural language interfaces is in providing useful interfaces to complex AI reasoning systems such as planning systems and expert systems.
Effects of aging and morphine administration on calmodulin and calmodulin-regulated enzymes in striata of mice.

Male ICR mice, young (25-days old), mature (3-months old), and old (22 months), were injected with morphine sulfate (10 mg/kg, s.c.) or were implanted with morphine pellets (75 mg). Controls received saline injections or placebo pellets. One hour after injections and 72 h after pellet implantations, the mice were decapitated and striatal regions were removed for the following analyses: calmodulin (CaM) levels via radioimmunoassay and activities of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, adenylate and guanylate cyclases, and Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase. Acute morphine treatment produced the following: (1) increases in calmodulin levels in the young and old mice while having no effect on mature levels; (2) increases in activities of guanylate cyclase of mature mice while decreasing those of the old mice; (3) no effects on activity of adenylate cyclase; (4) decreased activity of cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase in young mice only; (5) decreased activity of Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase in the old mice only. The only changes found in striata from morphine-tolerant mice when compared with age-matched controls were elevations in cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase activities in all three age groups. Differences in control values of the three age groups were as follows: CaM levels, mature greater than old greater than young; Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase activity, old greater than mature-young. The results indicate age-induced changes in cellular regulation and biochemical responses to morphine.
Performance of pattern recognition myoelectric control using a generic electrode grid with Targeted Muscle Reinnervation patients

Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a surgical technique that creates myoelectric prosthesis control sites for high-level amputees. The electromyographic signal patterns provided by the reinnervated muscles are well-suited for pattern recognition (PR) control. PR control uses more electrodes compared to conventional amplitude control techniques but their placement on the residual limb is less critical than for conventional amplitude control. In this contribution, we demonstrate that classification error and real-time control performances using a generically placed electrode grid were equivalent or superior to the performance when using targeted electrode placements on two transhumeral amputee subjects with TMR. When using a grid electrode layout, subjects were able to complete actions 0.290 sec to 1 sec faster and with greater accuracy as compared to clinically localized electrode placement (mean classification error of 1.35% and 3.2%, respectively, for a 5 movement-class classifier).These findings indicate that a grid electrode arrangement has the potential to improve control of a myoelectric prosthesis while reducing the time and effort associated with fitting the prosthesis due to clinical localization of control sites on amputee patients.
Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide Input Parameters for Unbound Aggregates in Oklahoma

This study analyzed resilient modulus (Mr) and other routine properties [gradation, LA Abrasion loss, standard Proctor, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS)] of commonly used limestone and sandstone aggregates in Oklahoma. A total of four stress-based regression models were evaluated using a statistical software package ("SPSS", Version 17), and material constants (k1, k2, and k3) for these aggregates were determined. The octahedral model was found to outperform the other models and is recommended for use in Level 1 analysis. Correlation equations for material constants, required for Level 2, were developed using routine aggregate properties, and the universal model was found to be the "best fit" model with a R2 value of 0.57. The estimated Mr values obtained from different models were in agreement with each other, and the variations of Mr values were within 4%. However, all of these models would result in conservative designs compared to the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) recommended typical values. The findings of this study are expected to be helpful in the implementation of the MEPDG in Oklahoma and elsewhere.
Sedation-analgesia in the pediatric intensive care unit.

In the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), many patients are sedated or rendered unconscious for the care of respiratory and multiple organ system dysfunction, for postsurgical management after complex surgeries, or for the performance of invasive procedures. The provision of sedation and analgesia for this care is an integral part of the practice of intensive care medicine. This article addresses the use of sedation and analgesia in the PICU. Although many of the topics discussed have applicability to the general provision of sedation for children, the use of sedative and anesthetic agents for PICU patients is qualitatively different from the use of those same agents in other settings, such as clinics, emergency departments, or radiology suites. It is incumbent on physicians, therefore, to understand and recognize the limits of their experience and expertise in using drugs, no matter how familiar, to produce unconsciousness in an unfamiliar environment or for an unfamiliar procedure. The administration of agents that render a child unconscious and unresponsive to pain is, by definition, the administration of anesthesia, and physicians' ability to provide such care must be within the parameters of their training and credentials. The author believes that intensivists must exercise caution before providing anesthetic care under the rubric of sedation outside of the PICU. It is most prudent not to assume that institutional role without previous consultation with the anesthesia department. By mandate of the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the department of anesthesia of a hospital has the responsibility of overseeing and approving the guidelines and protocols used for sedation.* *Revisions to Anesthesia Care Standards. Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Ambulatory Care. Effective January 1, 2001. Standards and Intents for Sedation and Anesthesia Care, http://www.jcaho.org/standard/anesamb.html. Clinicians also should review the practice guidelines published by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, which are referenced by JCAHO. 2 JCAHO has been emphasizing that equal care standards apply throughout a hospital regardless of the location where a procedure takes place or the personnel that perform that procedure.
Chronic inhalation exposure of hamsters to nickel-enriched fly ash

Abstract Hamsters were chronically exposed to ∼70 μg/liter respirable nickel-enriched fly ash (NEFA) aerosol, ∼17 μg/liter NEFA, or ∼70 μg/liter fly ash (FA) for up to 20 months. A control group received sham exposures. The NEFA particles of respirable size contained approximately 6% nickel, compared to about 0.3% for FA. Five hamsters/group were sacrificed after 4, 8, 12, or 16 months of exposure. An additional five hamsters/group were withdrawn from exposure at the same intervals for lifelong observations. Exposures to NEFA had no significant effect on body weight and life span of the animals although heavy deposits of NEFA in the lungs were demonstrated. However, lung weights of the high NEFA- and of the FA-exposed animals were significantly higher than those of the low-NEFA group and the controls, and mean lung volumes were significantly larger for the high-NEFA group and the FA group than for the low-NEFA group and the controls. Dust was deposited (anthracosis) in the lungs of all exposed hamsters. Incidence and severity of interstitial reaction and bronchiolization were significantly higher in the dust-exposed groups than in the sham-exposed controls. The severity of anthracosis, interstitial reaction, and bronchiolization was significantly lower in the low-NEFA group than in the high-NEFA and FA groups. While two malignant primary thorax tumors were found in two hamsters of the high-NEFA group, no statistically significant carcinogenesis was observed. Of the exposure-related changes, only anthracosis decreased after withdrawal from exposure. Pulmonary nickel burdens after 20 months of exposure suggest that the pulmonary clearance rate was slower in the high-NEFA group than in the low-NEFA group.
Information measures for object recognition

We have been studying information theoretic measures, entropy and mutual information, as performance bounds on the information gain given a standard suite of sensors. Object pose is described by a single angle of rotation using a Lie group parameterization; observations are simulated using CAD models for the targets of interest and simulators such as the PRISM infrared simulator. Variability in the data due to the sensor by which the scene is remotely observed is statistically characterized via the data likelihood function. Taking a Bayesian approach, the inference is based on the posterior density, constructed as the product of the data likelihood and the prior density for target pose. Given observations from multiple sensors, data fusion is automatic in the posterior density. Here, we consider the mutual information between the target pose and remote observation as a performance measure in the pose estimation context. We have quantitatively examined target thermodynamic state information gain dependency of FLIR systems, the relative information gain of the FLIR and video sensors, and the additional information gain due to sensor fusion. Furthermore, we have applied to the Kullback-Leibler distance measures to quantify information loss due to thermodynamic signature mismatch.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Distraction Effects of Smoking Cues in Antismoking Messages: Examining Resource Allocation to Message Processing as a Function of Smoking Cues and Argument Strength

Findings from previous studies on smoking cues and argument strength in antismoking messages have shown that the presence of smoking cues undermines the persuasiveness of antismoking public service announcements (PSAs) with weak arguments. This study conceptualized smoking cues (i.e., scenes showing smoking-related objects and behaviors) as stimuli motivationally relevant to the former smoker population and examined how smoking cues influence former smokers' processing of antismoking PSAs. Specifically, by defining smoking cues and the strength of antismoking arguments in terms of resource allocation, this study examined former smokers' recognition accuracy, memory strength, and memory judgment of visual (i.e., scenes excluding smoking cues) and audio information from antismoking PSAs. In line with previous findings, the results of the study showed that the presence of smoking cues undermined former smokers' encoding of antismoking arguments, which includes the visual and audio information that compose th...
Fluctuation mechanism for biquadratic exchange coupling in magnetic multilayers.

We show how spatial fluctuations of chromium thickness amounting to one atomic monolayer account phenomenologically for the biquadratic magnetic coupling recently reported in epitaxial Fe/Cr/Fe trilayers. Corresponding fluctuations of the short-period oscillatory term of conventional exchange coupling induce static waves of magnetization whose energy has the observed biquadratic form. An existing calculation of conventional exchange and its recent direct measurements in highly ordered trilayers support our interpretation.
Pigeons experience orientation-contingent chromatic aftereffects.

Two lines of evidence suggest that pigeons experience orientation-contingent chromatic aftereffects following adaptation to red-vertical and green-horizontal stripes. First, in the experiment described, pigeons responded to achromatic horizontal and vertical stripes as though they were colored. Second, they tended to respond to stripes with colors designed to cancel out the aftereffect as though they were achromatic.
Phase relations in the system KFCeF3

Abstract The system KFCeF 3 was investigated as a function of temperature and composition by thermal analysis, differential thermal analysis, and gradient quenching. Crystalline phases in the quenched samples were identified principally by use of the polarizing microscope, but selected samples were examined by X-ray powder diffraction. Three compounds were identified: 3KF·CeF 3 , KF·CeF 3 , and KF·2CeF 3 which melt incongruently at 675±10°C, 755±5°C, and 1135±15°C, respectively. Of these only KF·CeF 3 is stable below 585°C. Three peritectic equilibria were observed corresponding to these incongruent melting points at 24, 32, and 63 mole % CeF 3 . The αKF·2CeF 3 phase exhibits a substantial solid solubility for KF at temperatures above 795°C which results in a region of cubic solid solution whose properties vary over the composition range from 50 to 66- 2 3 mole % CeF 3 .
The “Dual-Pathway” Strategy after Acute Coronary Syndrome: Rivaroxaban and Antiplatelet Agents in the ATLAS ACS 2-TIMI 51 Trial

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a medical emergency often associated with an occlusive coronary event with consequent myocardial underperfusion. Patients require immediate antiplatelet therapy and long-term antithrombotic prophylaxis to reduce the risk of recurrence. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) alone or in combination with a platelet P2Y12 inhibitor (dual antiplatelet therapy [DAPT]) has become the clinically accepted antithrombotic prophylaxis for patients post-ACS. Historically, studies assessing the utility of adding oral anticoagulants (OACs) have not demonstrated a clinical benefit with regard to acceptable bleeding risk. Studies with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) such as warfarin demonstrated a potential to reduce the risk of subsequent death by reinfarction but this benefit was offset by increases in bleeding. Results from studies of two targeted non-VKA OACs also proved disappointing, with little or no apparent reduction in the rate of ischemic events seen. However, the recent ATLAS studies assessing rivaroxaban (an oral factor Xa inhibitor) in patients with ACS demonstrated a reduction in the composite endpoint of deaths from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke, and a reduction in the rate of stent thrombosis. This review provides an overview of the pivotal studies in which the addition of OACs to antiplatelet therapy (the so-called “dual-pathway” approach) has been investigated for the management of patients post-ACS and considers the results of the ATLAS studies and their potential impact on the management of patients after an acute event.