cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Transscleral Iontophoretic Transport with Ion-Exchange Membrane

Transscleral iontophoresis has been recently re-examined for drug delivery to the back of the eye. In conventional iontophoresis, due to the relatively high electromobility of the endogenous competing ions (counterions) relative to that of the drug ion in the tissue barrier, the efficiency of iontophoretic drug delivery is generally low. The objective of the present study was to examine ion-exchange membrane-enhanced transscleral iontophoretic transport in which the ion-exchange membrane in series with the sclera can hinder the transport of the competing counterions and selectively allow the transport of the permeant across the sclera. The physical properties of the Ionac ion-exchange membrane and excised rabbit sclera were determined in equilibrium uptake experiments and in passive and iontophoretic transport experiments with salicylate, tetraethylammonium, urea, and mannitol. Transscleral experiments with the ion-exchange membrane were conducted with salicylate and excised rabbit sclera in vitro. The contribution of electroosmosis to electrotransport during transscleral iontophoresis was assessed with urea and mannitol. The ion-exchange membrane is highly positively charged and has a small effective pore size. The sclera is relatively porous with a large effective pore size and low pore tortuosity. The sclera is also net negatively charged but this does not significantly affect the transport of small ions. A three-fold steady-state transscleral flux enhancement of salicylate was observed in ion-exchange membrane-enhanced iontophoresis over conventional transscleral iontophoresis without the membrane. Such enhancement was relatively independent of the applied electric current density and the thickness of the studied ion-exchange membrane assembly. Although the ion-exchange membrane altered transscleral electroosmosis, the contribution of electroosmosis to electrotransport was not significant. The present study has demonstrated the potential of ion-exchange membranes for enhancing iontophoretic transport and drug delivery.
Communication in a chiropractic clinic: How A D.C. treats his patients

This study of a chiropractor and his patients represents the first interaction analysis of an alternative practitioner. Relationships between the types and quantities of communications in clinical exchanges and patient satisfaction with treatment are examined using both quantitative and qualitative analysis of verbal dialogue and clinical observations. Findings suggest that patient satisfaction is enhanced by a practitionerpatient relationship characterized by initial transmission of large amounts of comprehensible information successively supplanted by personal affective dialogue. New patients are usually unfamiliar with the chiropractic belief system and may have special communication needs due to the psychoemotional component to their, often chronic, problems. The chiropractor provides the patient with a structured, supportive environment and theoretical explanations designed to take the mystery out of process and problems. In essence, the chiropractor first manipulates a patient's belief structure before manipulating his or her physical structure, providing an analogous structural realignment in both the mind and body. Contrasts between biomedical and chiropractic clinical encounters are noted.
An Infant with Subvalvar and Valvar Aortic Stenosis, Subvalvar and Valvar Pulmonary Stenosis, Severe Biventricular Hypertrophy and Pulmonary Hemorrhage: A Case Report

An infant with subvalvar and valvar pulmonary stenosis, subvalvar, and valvar aortic stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, who presented with pulmonary hemorrhage, is reported. He had right ventricular hypertrophy, thickened pulmonary valve leaflets, severe asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy with outflow tract obstruction, and a thickened and dysplastic aortic valve.
Effects of including a quantitative trait locus in selection under different waiting plans of young bulls

The advantage of using the genotype of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) in selection schemes of dairy cattle was quantified using stochastic simulation. Three selection plans were studied. In the first plan, young bulls waited for 3 yr until their sisters completed a lactation and then were evaluated and selected based on an animal model. In a second plan, young bulls waited for 5 yr until their daughters completed a lactation. An intermediate 4-yr waiting plan was also studied. Simulation was for 16 yr with overlapping generations. Population and model parameters were proportional to the U.S. Holstein population. The advantage of using a QTL was quantified as the percentage of superiority of QTL-assisted over QTL-free selection using cumulative genetic response. Percentage of superiority was reported for four selection pathways: active sires, young bulls, bull dams, and first lactation cows. A general trend was observed: low superiority in early years of selection that increased to a plateau in later years and then decreased. The superiority of the QTL information was greatest in the 3-yr waiting plan and least in the 4-yr waiting plan. Superiority at plateau for selection pathways ranged from 16 to 26% for the 3-yr waiting plan, from 3 to 12% for the 4-yr waiting plan, and from 5 to 13% for the 5-yr waiting plan. The contribution to selection response attributed to the QTL and the polygenes was quantified. The rate at which the favorable allele approached fixation and the accuracy of predicting breeding values on the percentage of superiority were studied.
Feulgen slope determinations of urodele nuclear DNA amounts

Measurements of the initial slope of the Feulgen hydrolysis curve allow the precise determination of specific nuclear DNA amounts. The low stain densities involved preclude density-dependent systematic error. Best estimates of the nuclear DNA amount for sixteen salamander species are presented.
α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor: Role in Early Odor Learning Preference in Mice

Recently, we have shown that mice with decreased expression of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7) in the olfactory bulb were associated with a deficit in odor discrimination compared to wild-type mice. However, it is unknown if mice with decreased α7-receptor expression also show a deficit in early odor learning preference (ELP), an enhanced behavioral response to odors with attractive value observed in rats. In this study, we modified ELP methods performed in rats and implemented similar conditions in mice. From post-natal days 5-18, wild-type mice were stroked simultaneously with an odor presentation (conditioned odor) for 90 s daily. Control mice were only stroked, exposed to odor, or neither. On the day of testing (P21), mice that were stroked in concert with a conditioned odor significantly investigated the conditioned odor compared to a novel odor, as observed similarly in rats. However, mice with a decrease in α7-receptor expression that were stroked during a conditioned odor did not show a behavioral response to that odorant. These results suggest that decreased α7-receptor expression has a role in associative learning, olfactory preference, and/or sensory processing deficits.
Determination of extracellular kynurenic acid in the striatum of unanesthetized rats: effect of aminooxyacetic acid.

Abstract Kynurenic acid (KYNA) production from its bioprecursor l -kynurenine (KYN) was assessed in vivo by intrastriatal microdialysis in freely moving rats. In the absence of KYN, the extracellular concentration of KYNA was below the limit of assay sensitivity (i.e. μ l). In the presence of KYN (50–2000 μM), KYNA concentration in the dialysate increased continuously to reach steady-state levels after 2 h of perfusion. Introduction of the unspecific transaminase inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) through the dialysis probe caused a progressive decrease of extracellular KYNA, which reached dose-dependent minimal levels within 2 h. One mM AOAA caused an almost complete depletion of KYNA in the dialysate. These data demonstrate that extracellular KYNA can be assessed by microdialysis and that AOAA can be used as a tool to examine the neurobiology of KYNA in awake, freely moving animals.
Public policy and the effect of sibship size on educational achievement: A comparative study of 20 countries

Abstract Using international data on educational achievement among 15-year-olds in 20 OECD countries, I compare the effect of sibship size on reading literacy and link the cross-national variation in the sibship-size effect to differences in national contexts of public policies for families and children. Comparisons highlight significant cross-national variation in the level of public policies, even among countries ordinarily thought to belong to the same welfare regime. Deviating from previous literature that focused on overall differences across welfare regimes, I explore the way in which specific public policy variables, rather than categorical regimes, mediate the relationship between sibship size and educational achievement. The results of two-level hierarchical linear models show that countries with stronger public support for childcare, universal child benefits, larger public expenditures on education and family, show a much less negative effect of growing up in large families. Moreover, these policy variables explain a large part of the better performance of social democratic countries in reducing the negative effect of sibship size.
Investigating the solid electrolyte interphase using binder-free graphite electrodes

Abstract Binder-free (BF) electrodes simplify interpretation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) data obtained from studies of graphite surfaces. In this work, we prepared BF-graphite electrodes by electrophoretic deposition (EPD), and the SEI layers formed on the electrode in lithium cells containing LiPF6- and LiF2BC2O4-bearing electrolytes were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that the dominant SEI species were lithium alkyl carbonates (ROCO2Li) and lithium alkoxides (ROLi); Li2CO3 was conspicuously absent. Trigonal borate oligomers are most likely present in the SEI of graphite samples cycled in LiF2BC2O4 electrolyte, while lithium fluorophosphates are present on graphite samples cycled in LiPF6 electrolyte. The SEI layer coverage was greater on graphite samples cycled in LiF2BC2O4 electrolyte than in the LiPF6 electrolyte. Our results demonstrate that BF-graphite electrodes prepared by EPD are suitable for the study of SEI layer formed in various electrolyte systems.
El tributo indígena en el Perú. Siglos XVI y XVII

EL TRIBUTO INDIGENA FUE UNO DE LOS MAS IMPORTANTES INGRESOS DE LA HACIENDA CASTELLANA EN INDIAS Y UNA INSTITUCION BASICA PARA LA COMPRENSION DE LAS RELACIONES ENTRE ESPANOLES E INDIOS AMERICANOS. LAS TASAS TUVIERON UNA DOBLE IMPORTANCIA PARA EL ESTADO ESPANOL: DESDE UNA VERTIENTE POLITICA IMPIDIO LA CONSOLIDACION DE LOS SENORIOS QUE PRETENDIERON LOS ENCOMENDEROS Y DESDE OTRA ECONOMICA FACILITO EL APROVECHAMIENTO RACIONAL DEL PRODUCTO DE LOS REPARTIMIENTOS DE INDIOS RESERVADOS PARA LA CORONA. SE ESTUDIAN LAS DIFERENTES FORMAS QUE TUVO LA ADMINISTRACION TRIBUTARIA POR PARTE DE LOS ENCOMENDEROS CORREGIDORES CURACAS Y OFICIALES REALES Y LAS MODALIDADES DE PAGO: EN METALICOY EN PRODUCTOS NATURALES Y MANUFACTURADOS; Y LOS TRES TIPOS DE TRIBUTOS PERFECTAMENTE DEFINIDOS EN SUS ASPECTOS JURIDICOS Y PRACTICOS: TRIBUTOS REALES A ENCOMENDEROS Y VACOS. SE RECOGEN LAS TASAS DEL VIRREY TOLEDO Y OTRAS DEL RIO DE LA PLATA ASI COMO LA RECAUDACION EN DIVERSAS CAJAS DEL VIRREINATO DE DIFERENTES RUBROS DEL TRIBUTO INDIGENA.
Effect of cations and some compounds on paraquat accumulation into cultured pneumocytes.

SAITO, K. Effect of Cations and Some Compounds on Paraquat Accumulation into Cultured Pneumocytes. Tohoku J. exp. Med., 1986, 148 (1), 41-47 -Paraquat and diquat, bipyridilium herbicides, have been shown to be accumulated into pneumocytes of three species in culture. Paraquat at 10-3M was accumulated to a maximum of 3-7nmol/mg protein for 20min. Diquat accumulated more slowly but reached a concentration of 1-6nmol/mg protein for 60min. Differences in the ability of various pneumocytes to accumulate paraquat and diquat appear to exist. It was found that the cations, Ca++, Na+ and K+, reduced the accumulation of paraquat. Valinomycin stimulated paraquat accumulation significantly. On the other hand, paraquat accumulation was inhibited by 2, 4-dinitrophenol. These results indicate that paraquat may be accumulated, in part, as cation species into pneumocytes and also by a energy-dependent process regulated by cellular ATP.
The effects of diet cholesterol on the synthesis of rat serum apolipoproteins.

Abstract The major objectives of this study were to determine the effects of diet cholesterol on serum lipoprotein apoprotein synthesis and to test the hypothesis that the synthesis of serum high density lipoprotein apoproteins may be interrelated with cholesterogenesis. The relative rates of synthesis of serum apoproteins were determined by assay of apoprotein radioactivity at 30-min intervals after intraperitoneal injection of [4,5-3H]leucine. The rate of incorporation of labeled leucine into apoproteins of high density lipoproteins was significantly less in male rats ingesting 1% cholesterol for 14 days than in those animals receiving no cholesterol. Reduction of high density lipoprotein apoprotein synthesis was accompanied by an increase in the synthesis of very low density lipoprotein apoprotein. Changes in apoprotein synthesis were independent of the nature of diet fat. Turnover studies revealed that diet cholesterol slightly increased the rate of degradation of very low density lipoprotein apoprotein but had no effect on the rate of catabolism of high density lipoprotein apoproteins. Concentrations and specific radioactivities of serum high density lipoprotein apoproteins in groups of animals fed different levels of cholesterol for 14 days were found to be inversely proportional to total cholesterol in hepatic tissue. Rapid changes in both apoprotein and cholesterol synthesis occurred during the first 3 1 2 days after 0.5% cholesterol was included in the diet. Reduction of high density lipoprotein apoproteins and cholesterol synthesis, determined by simultaneously injecting [4,5-3 H]leucine and [1-14C] acetate, was evident as early as 1 1 2 days after animals had access to cholesterol diets. The results of this study suggest (a) that the altered levels of serum lipoproteins affected by diet cholesterol arise primarily from altered rates of synthesis of apoprotein moieties, (b) that the rate of cholesterol synthesis may be dependent on available levels of high density lipoprotein apoproteins, and (c) that excessive accumulation of lipid in hepatic tissue which accompanies cholesterol feeding is secondary to alterations in serum apoprotein synthesis.
Influences of lateral magnification and optical interval on the output of 1.54-μm intracavity Raman laser

The influences of lateral magnification M and optical interval (Delta) on the output of 1.54 micrometers intracavity Raman laser are studied, by using matrix optical methods, and the results are confirmed experimentally.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Los aspectos legislativos del gasto público en México, 1970-1996

Public spending is one of the main instruments of public policy for achieving the objectives of national development. However, different indicators suggest that legislative control over this area of economic policy has been deficient and insufficient, and this has contributed to corruption in the government and to various economic crises that the country has suffered in recent decades. This essay explores the role of the Chamber of Deputies in the budgetary process and suggests some political, judicial and technical variables that might explain the backwardness of legislative supervision in Mexico.
Dipole moment of the hearts of various species.

Methods which have been used for finding the resultant dipole moment of the hearts of various species are described. These include both isolated perfused hearts and heartsin vivo. A table of numerical values is given together with equations relating heart weight, body weight and dipole moment. Very high correlations between these variables, when plotted on a log-log basis, were obtained.
Peak power identification on power bumps during test application

Peak power during test can seriously impact circuit performance as well as the power safety for both CUT and tester. In this paper, we propose a method of layout-aware weighted switching activity identification flow that evaluates peak current/power on power bumps to detect high power patterns. The dynamic power model uses load capacitance as a metric to represent its value. Parasitic capacitance is also extracted from layout and taken into account in calculating power. Resistance network is considered regarding power bus to determine the power delivery path and power level on each specific power bump. The peak power identification flow can be integrated in gate level pattern simulation that the IR-drop results have good correlation with commercial power sign-off analysis tool.
Effects of solutes on the temperature dependence of chymotryptic hydrolysis

Abstract Contrary to published reports, chymotrypsin is sensitive to the nature of the solute accompanying it in solution. This is seen in the temperature dependence of its hydrolysis of N- acetyl- l -tyrosine ethyl ester in 9 different solutions. Despite the variation in temperature dependence as a function of the solute, there exists a temperature, near 25°, where the rate is insensitive to the solute. This constitutes an example of linear entropic compensation for enthalpy in the rate determining step of catalysis. The results are considered in relation to the known thermally-induced conformational change that chymotrypsin undergoes at 25°.
GILBERT SYNDROME IS ASSOCIATED WITH NEONATAL JAUNDICE. • 1809

A molecular marker for Gilbert Syndrome (GS) was recently identified (Bosma et al, NEJM 1995;333:1171-5). GS is associated with hyperbilirubinemia and decreased bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity (B-UGT) in adults. However, GS is usually diagnosed after puberty and the role of GS in the neonatal period is unknown. The current study tested the hypothesis that this marker (an extra TA in the TATAA box of the B-UGT gene, UGTIA, promoter) is associated with neonatal jaundice.
Physiological response of yellow-poplar seedlings to simulated acid rain, ozone fumigation, and drought

Abstract One-year-old containerized seedlings of yellow poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.) were exposed to simulated acid rain (pH 3.0, 4.0, 5.5), ozone (O 3 ) fumigation (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 ppm), and drought (1, 2, or 3 one-week drying cycles) from late May until mid-October. Measurements of net photosynthesis ( P n ), leaf stomatal conductance ( G s ), and xylem water-potential ( ψ x ) were made on seedlings from each treatment during June, July and August. Seedlings treated with simulated acid rain at pH 3.0 showed reductions in P n (29%), G s (33%), and ψ x (17%) when compared with similar seedlings treated with rain at pH 5.5. For seedlings fumigated with O 3 , there were no significant differences in P n or G s between the controls and the other O 3 treatments. For seedlings subjected to drought, P n increasing stress but ψ x declined. Interactions involving drought and O 3 together had a greater impact on ψ x than did either factor alone. For certain stress combinations, particularl those involving drought, it appears that one factor may exert a dominant role over another in determining the overall physiological response.
Tandutinib Inhibits the Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Colon Cancer Growth

The c-Kit receptor can activate distinct signaling pathways including phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Aberrant c-Kit activation protects cells from apoptosis and enhances invasion of colon carcinoma cells. Tandutinib is a novel quinazoline-based inhibitor of the type III receptor tyrosine kinases including c-Kit. We determined the effect of Tandutinib on colon cancer growth and identified a mechanism of action. Tandutinib inhibited phosphorylation of c-Kit, Akt, mTOR and p70S6 Kinase. In addition, Tandutinib significantly inhibited the proliferation and colony formation ability of colon cancer cell lines but did not affect normal colonic epithelial cells. There were increased levels of activated caspase 3 and Bax/Bcl2 ratio, coupled with a reduction in cyclin D1 suggesting apoptosis. There was also a downregulation of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 expression suggesting effects on cancer promoting genes. In addition, overexpressing constitutively active Akt partially suppressed Tandutinib-mediated colon cancer cell growth. In vivo, intraperitoneal administration of Tandutinib significantly suppressed growth of colon cancer tumor xenografts. There was a reduction in CD31-positive blood vessels, suggesting that there was an effect on angiogenesis. Tandutinib treatment also inhibited the expression of cancer promoting genes COX-2 and VEGF, and suppressed the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling proteins in the xenograft tissues. Together, these data suggest that Tandutinib is a novel potent therapeutic agent that can target the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway to inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis.
Stratigraphy of a Cretaceous Coastal-Plain Fluvial Succession: The Campanian Masuk Formation, Henry Mountains Syncline, Utah, U.S.A.

Abstract The internal architecture and genetic-stratigraphic analysis of coastal-plain fluvial successions has applications to both academic understanding of continental-margin stratigraphy and to the economic evaluation of subsurface hydrocarbon and water reservoirs. Despite the abundance of exposed ancient examples of such coastal-plain to shallow marine transitions, however, the lateral facies changes and stratigraphic stacking patterns of such transitions remain largely unresolved in detail. This study presents a sedimentological and stratigraphic analysis of the Campanian Masuk Formation in the Henry Mountains syncline of Utah, western USA, and proposes a sequence-stratigraphic model to explain the geometries of fluvial-channel lithosomes found in the unit. At its type section, the Masuk Formation is an ~ 220-m-thick succession of interbedded sandstone, mudstone, and coal with minor intraformational breccias. Six facies are defined: Facies 1, coal and carbonaceous shale, records accumulation of organic sediments in coastal-plain mires; Facies 2, mudrock, records coastal-plain floodbasin settings; Facies 3, thinly interbedded sandstone and siltstone, represents estuarine-basin deposits with one interval of marine flooding; Facies 4, admixed siltstone-sandstone with intraformational breccia, represents chaotically filled coastal plain channels; Facies 5, interbedded sandstone-siltstone with inclined heterolithic stratification (IHS), records deposits of coastal-plain channels with variable sediment supply; and Facies 6, trough-cross-bedded sandstone, records sand-dominated coastal-plain channel deposits. Facies 4, 5, and 6 all show evidence of coastal and tidal influence on sediment accumulation (IHS, low-diversity trace-fossil assemblages, bimodal to bipolar paleocurrent distributions, mud drapes on small-scale sedimentary structures) to varying degrees. Facies analysis and tracing of key surfaces such as regionally extensive erosion surfaces (sequence boundaries) and flooding surfaces suggest that the entire Masuk Formation (and the uppermost part of the underlying Muley Canyon Sandstone) is a single depositional sequence. The typically multilateral channel bodies are traceable in a depositional strike direction over distances much greater than empirically calculated estimates of channel-belt width. This pattern suggests an allogenic control on stacking patterns. Multistory and multilateral channel bodies typically have a Facies 4 unit at the base, overlain by one or more stories of Facies 5, and in turn capped by Facies 6. This stacking pattern could reflect cycles of incision, initial lowstand channel filling, and subsequent backfilling of estuarine channels during transgressions. This pattern further hints at the possibility of preservation of high-frequency sequences nested within the longer-term sequence. This study provides new insights into the stacking patterns of coastal-plain fluvial successions and their interpretation.
Pathologic Findings Associated With Invasive EEG Monitoring for Medically Intractable Epilepsy

Invasive electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring is often needed for presurgical evaluation in patients with medically intractable epilepsy (MIE). This study retrospectively reviews the pathologic changes associated with EEG monitoring. Two hundred twenty-six patients who underwent invasive monitoring (53.5% males; mean age, 29.8 years) and 55 controls without EEG monitoring (52.7% males; mean age, 25.6 years) were evaluated. Median length of invasive EEG monitoring was 7.0 days. Compared with controls, patients who were monitored had more pathologic changes related to invasive EEG monitoring (n = 171 [75.7%] vs n = 12 [21.8%]; P < .0001) including meningeal or parenchymal chronic inflammation (n = 128 [56.4%] vs n = 11 [20.4%]; P < .0001) and acute contusion and/or acute/subacute infarct (n = 110 [48.5%] vs n = 0; P < .0001). Histologic evidence of pathologic changes typically associated with invasive monitoring and/or craniotomy occurred in 76% of our patients with invasive monitoring compared with 19% in patients without prior invasive EEG evaluation. The most common pathologic changes related to invasive monitoring were chronic inflammation and contusion/infarct.
Deciphering Foreign Language

In this work, we tackle the task of machine translation (MT) without parallel training data. We frame the MT problem as a decipherment task, treating the foreign text as a cipher for English and present novel methods for training translation models from non-parallel text.
University Life Science Programs and Agricultural Biotechnology

We examine sources of productivity in bioscience research and graduate training in U.S. universities. For this purpose, we first identify the scientific publications cited on agricultural biotechnology patents, and then trace the citations back to the universities producing the cited research. Insight is thus gained into the university investments that demonstrably influence useful technology. Life-science budget allocations substantially affect both graduate education and technology-relevant science. Graduate training shows decreasing returns to budget scale, while productive research shows decreasing returns in the short run but increasing returns in the long run. Training is a weak substitute for research, while research is a moderate complement to training.
Does detection of carotid plaque affect physician behavior or motivate patients

Background Imaging techniques to identify subclinical atherosclerosis are becoming more widespread, but few data exist regarding their influence on patient or physician behavior. We evaluated the impact of ultrasound screening to identify carotid artery plaques on physician treatment plans and patient motivation. Methods Subjects included asymptomatic patients without known vascular disease who had 2 or more cardiac risk factors. Circumferential scanning of the right and left carotid arteries to identify carotid plaques was performed using a handheld ultrasound device in an office setting. The physician's initial treatment recommendations were assessed before and after the results of the carotid scan were reported. Subjects completed a survey to assess motivation to make lifestyle changes before and after the results of the scan were provided. Results Fifty subjects were enrolled over 9 months. Their mean (SD) age was 54.0 (10.4) years and their mean Framingham 10-year cardiovascular risk was 7.8% (7.9%). More than half (58%) of the subjects had at least one carotid plaque. When carotid plaque was identified, physicians were more likely to prescribe aspirin ( P = .031) and lipid-lowering therapy ( P = .004). Although subjects with carotid plaque reported an increase in their perceived likelihood of developing heart disease ( P = .013), they did not report increased motivation to make lifestyle changes. Conclusions Ultrasound screening for carotid plaque in an office setting can alter physician treatment plans. Although the presence of plaque increased patient perception of cardiovascular risk, it did not motivate patients to make lifestyle changes.
Thermodynamic rationalization of molten-salt clectrodeposition in oxide-based systems

Electrodeposition from molten-salt systems has been studied extensively as a method of producing both polycrystalline and single-crystalline materials. In this work, the thermodynamic aspects of the electrodeposition process are examined in a number of cases in which the molten-salt system behaves effectively as an oxygen-transporting medium, with particular reference to the thermodynamic properties of the melt. It is demonstrated how information gained from the construction of the appropriate isothermal phase diagram may be used to control and/or rationalize the behavior found in a given melt system on electrolysis.
European and North American populations should be screened for coeliac disease.

Coeliac disease (CD) is an immune mediated enteropathy triggered by ingestion of gluten containing grains in genetically susceptible individuals.1 CD is associated with HLA alleles DQ2 and/or DQ8, and in the continued presence of gluten the disease is self perpetuating.1,2 To sustain the position that active screening in search of CD cases is a justified policy, we will review the WHO guidelines for disease mass screening recommendations to establish whether CD satisfies these criteria.3 1. Early detection of the disease could be difficult on a clinical basis. 2. The disease must be a common disorder causing significant morbidity in the general population. 3. The screening tests must be highly sensitive and specific for the target disease. 4. A treatment for the disease must be available. 5. If not recognised, the disease could result in severe complications difficult to manage. CD can manifest with a previously unsuspected range of clinical presentations, including the typical malabsorption syndrome (chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal distension) and a spectrum of symptoms …
A 0.13µm CMOS preamplifier for low level signal acquisition systems

This paper describes a preamplifier, which is based on switched capacitor techniques in order to minimize both offset and noise; small sensitivity to process variations, mismatch and common mode signals are obtained by using a differential circuit topology. Simulations using a proprietary Intel 0.13µm CMOS process show an offset voltage of 6 µV, a CMRR of 90 dB and a power consumption of 60 µW.
Poly(3-hydroxyoxetane)―An analog of poly(vinyl alcohol): synthesis, characterization, and properties

The spontaneous polymer formed from 3-hydroxyoxetane (HO), as first reported by Wojtowicz and Polak, is linear, low molecular weight, water-soluble, atactic, poly(3-hydroxyoxetane) (PHO) of high crystallinity with OCH2CH(OH)CH2OH end units. The highly crystalline nature of this atactic polymer may be related to the crystalline nature of atactic poly(vinyl alcohol) since PHO can be considered a copolymer of vinyl alcohol and formaldehyde. Spontaneous PHO apparently is formed in a cationic polymerization by the carboxylic acids produced by the air oxidation of HO on standing at room temperature for several months. The polymerization can be duplicated by the addition of 2% hydroxyacetic acid to HO. The rate of this unusual cationic polymerization increases greatly with acid strength, e.g., trifluoromethanesulfonic acid reacts explosively with pure HO. A mechanism is proposed for this cationic polymerization. High molecular weight, water-soluble, linear atactic, and highly crystalline PHO (mp = 155°C) was made by polymerizing the trimethylsilyl ether of HO with the i-Bu3Al–0.7 H2O cationic catalyst followed by hydrolysis. Two 1H-NMR methods for measuring the tacticity of PHO were developed based on finding two different types of methylene units at 400 MHz with the methine protons decoupled. Also, an 1H-NMR method was developed for measuring branching in HO polymers. High molecular weight, linear PHO with enhanced isotacticity (80%) has been obtained in low yield as a water-insoluble fraction with Tm = 223°C. The low molecular weight PHO prepared previously by the base-catalyzed, rearrangement polymerization of glycidol is highly branched.
Over Expression of Stem Cell Homing Cytokines in Urogenital Organs Following Vaginal Distention

Purpose: Vaginal delivery is a risk factor for stress urinary incontinence. Rat models of simulated childbirth demonstrated hypoxia of the urogenital organs as well as the development of stress urinary incontinence following vaginal distention. Stromal derived factor-1 and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 were identified as cytokines that are over expressed after myocardial ischemia and signal stem cell migration to ischemic sites in a rat cardiac model. Given the focal hypoxia observed with vaginal distention, we characterized stromal derived factor-1 and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 expression by pelvic organ tissues after vaginal distention.Materials and Methods: A total of 16 female rats were randomized into 4 groups. Two groups underwent vaginal distention with harvest of pelvic tissues immediately or 24 hours after vaginal distention, a sham group underwent anesthesia only and a control group underwent no intervention. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed on RNA extracted fr...
Electrogenesis in mouse neuroblastoma cells In vitro

Intracellular microelectrode studies of passive membrane properties and action potential generation were carried out on cloned and uncloned mouse neuroblastoma cells in tissue culture. The cloned cells were studied between the eighth and tenth months and the uncloned cells between the third and fifth weeks after primary dissociation. Electrophysiologic measurements of cell membrane properties were made by passing stimulating current pulses across the cell membrane from an intracellular microelectrode and recording simultaneously from the same electrode, by means of a bridge circuit, the changes in membrane potential. The range of responses to electrical stimulation varied from passive increases in membrane potential to repetitive firing of action potentials. A 20 fold range in spike generating capability was found. Passive membrane properties (membrane potential, specific membrane resistivity, and specific membrane capacitance) were similar to those of sympathetic neurons in intact preparations. Seventy-nine percent of the cloned cell line compared to 94% of the uncloned line were capable of generating action potentials. Less than 2% of the cloned cells showed repetitive firing whereas 23% of the uncloned cells had this property. As in several types of normal neurons, the action potential mechanism was largely, although not completely, blocked by iontophoretic and bath applied tetrodotoxin.
Assessing the Statistical Significance of the Achieved Classification Error of Classifiers Constructed using Serum Peptide Profiles, and a Prescription for Random Sampling Repeated Studies for Massive High-Throughput Genomic and Proteomic Studies

Peptide profiles generated using SELDI/MALDI time of flight mass spectrometry provide a promising source of patient-specific information with high potential impact on the early detection and classification of cancer and other diseases. The new profiling technology comes, however, with numerous challenges and concerns. Particularly important are concerns of reproducibility of classification results and their significance. In this work we describe a computational validation framework, called PACE (Permutation-Achieved Classification Error), that lets us assess, for a given classification model, the significance of the Achieved Classification Error (ACE) on the profile data. The framework compares the performance statistic of the classifier on true data samples and checks if these are consistent with the behavior of the classifier on the same data with randomly reassigned class labels. A statistically significant ACE increases our belief that a discriminative signal was found in the data. The advantage of PACE analysis is that it can be easily combined with any classification model and is relatively easy to interpret. PACE analysis does not protect researchers against confounding in the experimental design, or other sources of systematic or random error. We use PACE analysis to assess significance of classification results we have achieved on a number of published data sets. The results show that many of these datasets indeed possess a signal that leads to a statistically significant ACE.
"Low level" intelligence for "low level" character animation

It has been suggested that investing animated characters with low-level cognitive models can allow a rich set of low-level behavior to be produced automatically. For example, a character that has the cognitive capability of Object Persistence can intelligently direct its gaze over a scene and even respond emotionally to certain world events. This level of cognitive modeling allows for complete behavioral control by a human controller or a script, if that degree of control is necessary for the application.
Cooling and power considerations for semiconductors into the next century

With semiconductor power increasing rapidly, there is no doubt that package level cooling and infrastructure level power and cooling issues are important engineering problems to solve. Some of the relevant issues are discussed in this paper.
Ultrahigh Thermal Conductivity of Three-Dimensional Flat-Plate Oscillating Heat Pipes for Electromagnetic Launcher Cooling

Bore components within electromagnetic launchers (EMLs) experience very high heating rates during and after the shot of a projectile. This is a challenge for the next-generation EML which will shoot projectiles repetitively within a specified time frame. The direct integration of 3-D flat-plate oscillating heat pipes (3-D FP-OHPs) for the thermal management of EML bore components is proposed. Unlike conventional heat pipes, the 3-D FP-OHP contains no wick structure and can operate at higher heat fluxes with fewer limitations. Proof-of-concept experiments were performed on a copper 3-D FP-OHP $(130.18\ \hbox{mm} \times 38.10\ \hbox{mm}\ \times 2.86\ \hbox{mm})$ filled with HPLC-grade water at a filling ratio of 72%. The 3-D FP-OHP was found to have an effective thermal conductivity that increased with heat input—approaching 15 000 $\hbox{W/m} \cdot \hbox{K}$ at heat inputs on the order of 0.3 kW. This experimentally determined thermal conductivity was used for numerically analyzing the thermal performance of a longer 3-D FP-OHP configured for axial EML thermal management. These results indicate that the high thermal conductivity of 3-D FP-OHP coupled with an external active cooling solution $(h \sim 50\,000\ \hbox{W/m}^{2} \cdot \hbox{K})$ can provide for peak heat transfer rates on the order of 10 kW. Based on these results, the 3-D FP-OHP is appealing for future EML thermal management solutions; however, significant work is required for their optimal integration.
Life History of the Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (Homoptera: Aphididae), on Transgenic and Untransformed Wheat Challenged with Barley yellow dwarf virus

The life history of Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) was monitored on transgenic and untransformed soft white winter wheat plants that were infected with Barley yellow dwarf virus (BLDV), noninfected, or challenged with virus-free aphids under laboratory conditions. Two transgenic soft white winter wheat genotypes (103.1J and 126.02) derived from the parental variety Lambert and expressing the barley yellow dwarf virus coat protein gene, and two untransformed varieties, virus-susceptible Lambert and virus-tolerant Caldwell, were tested. R. padi nymphal development was significantly longer on the transgenic genotypes infected with BYDV, compared with noninfected transgenic plants. In contrast, nymphal development on Lambert was significantly shorter on BYDV-infected than on noninfected plants. Nymphal development on noninfected Lambert was significantly longer than on noninfected transgenics. No significant difference in nymphal development period was detected between virus-infected and noninfected Caldwell. Aphid total fecundity, length of reproductive period, and intrinsic rate of increase were significantly reduced on BYDV-infected transgenic plants compared with BYDV-infected Lambert. In contrast, reproductive period, total adult fecundity, and intrinsic rate of increase on noninfected Lambert were significantly reduced compared with noninfected transgenics. Transgenic plants infected with BYDV were inferior hosts for R. padi compared with infected Lambert. However, noninfected transgenics were superior hosts for aphids than noninfected Lambert. Moderate resistance to BYDV, as indicated by a significantly lower virus titer, was detected in the transgenic genotypes compared with the untransformed ones. Results show for the first time that transgenic virus resistance in wheat can indirectly influence R. padi life history.
Ontogeny and life history of a large lamniform shark from the Early Cretaceous of North America

Abstract Due to an incomplete fossil record, little is known about lamniform shark life history from the Early Cretaceous of North America. Recent discoveries have shown that during this time, some lamniformes reached gigantic sizes (>6–8 m in total length) not seen in earlier species. Given the importance of life history to understand how organisms reach such sizes, we conducted an ontogenetic analysis on three very large shark vertebrae, representing a single individual from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) Duck Creek Formation of Texas. Using three different techniques (computed tomography, histological sectioning, and surface texture analysis), we were able to show that this individual was born at a relatively small size and subsequently grew at rapid rate, achieving a total length of over 6.3 m in approximately 18 years; a rate not observed in any other Cretaceous species. Comparison of the different aging techniques yielded complementary results; however, surface texture analysis produced the most complete ontogenetic record for this specimen. More work is needed to determine broad patterns in the life history evolution of giant Early Cretaceous lamniform sharks.
Retrospective Use of Frozen Schirmer Strips for the Measurement of Tear Lysozyme

The Schirmer test is commonly used to evaluate aqueous tear production in suspected dry eyes. Tear lysozyme concentration can be measured directly from tear samples collected on standard Schirmer test strips using an agar disk diffusion technique. In conjunction with results from other diagnostic measurements, such as tear breakup time (TBUT), rose bengal staining pattern, and labial salivary gland cytology, a classification system has been proposed to group patients into categories of severe, moderate, and mild disease. The standardized method for measuring tear lysozyme requires that specimens be incubated within 24 hours of collection on an agar plate flooded with M. lysodeikticus. This is not always feasible, nor practical, in a large referral center. The Schirmer measurement, rose bengal staining pattern, and TBUT can be determined immediately during the clinical encounter. The analysis of tear lysozyme is more cumbersome and lysozyme measurement is not always necessary to make a diagnosis of Sjogrens syndrome in our patients. We routinely freeze all Schirmer strips collected from patients referred to the UCSF Sjogren’s Clinic if the specimens are not immediately analyzed for lysozyme content. Over the past 15 years, this has allowed us to accumulate more than 600 Schirmer strip specimens with associated clinical and histopathological data. To our knowledge, there are no studies investigating the activity of lysozyme frozen on Schirmer strips for more than 24 hours. The purpose of this study was to determine whether human tear lysozyme that was frozen on Schirmer strips for greater than one year maintained activity and could be used to to contribute clinically useful information for future retrospective studies.
Temperature-Dependent Raman Spectroscopic Evidence of and Molecular Mechanism for Irreversible Isomerization of β-Endosulfan to α-Endosulfan

Endosulfan (6,7,8, 9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepine-3-oxide) is a broad-spectrum, organochlorine insecticide used on numerous crops since the 1950s. It is has been identified as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) due to its persistence, bioaccumulation, long-range transport, and adverse effects to human health and aquatic ecosystems; it will be phased out in the United States in 2016. Endosulfan consists of two diastereomers, α and β; α-endosulfan exists as two asymmetrical, twist-chair enantiomers which interchange, while β-endosulfan has a symmetrical-chair conformation. β-Endosulfan has been shown to isomerize to α-endosulfan. Here we document the previously proposed isomerization mechanism using temperature-dependent Raman (TDR) spectroscopy. The bending frequencies in the fingerprint region were assigned to specific bonds. Changes in the signal intensity as a function of temperature were used to identify detailed ring movements and thus conversion of β to α. These movements cannot occur simultaneously nor symmetrically, precluding conversion of α-endosulfan to β-endosulfan.
Blood glutathione and cysteine concentrations in twin children.

Glutathione and cysteine are major antioxidants in blood that are associated with health and longevity. To ensure their measurement, careful attention to avoid auto-oxidation is necessary to stabilize the samples. Since no report of these compounds has been reported in children, our goal was to determine their levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and cysteine (Cys and CSSC), To this end, 140 healthy children, ages 2 to 9 years from the Louisville Twin Study were studied. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for GSH, GSSG, Cys, and CSSC by our HPLC dual electrochemical method. The results showed that GSH and total GSH (GSH + GSSG) levels for monozygotic (MZ) twins were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than levels for dizygotic (DZ) twins. However, the opposite occurred for Cys and total Cys (Cys + CSSC) in that the levels were significantly higher for DZ twins than for MZ twins. (P < 0.005-0.013). In spite of this marked difference in zygosity, the withinpair correlations for twin...
Rehabilitation of patients with hip fracture. A clinical study of 126 cases.

Restoration of functional capacity is the primary object in treating patients with hip fracture. The rehabilitation program should be started early and should be persistently carried out. The prognosis is influenced by the degree of bone healing and the presence of other medical conditions. In the authors' series of 126 patients, more than one-half regained total self-sufficiency through a comprehensive rehabilitation program.