cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interior Glazing Systems: Market Analysis

This research represents a three-phase study concerning interior glazing systems. Through data obtained via surveys and interviews, this research suggests how a manufacturing/supply company might enter the interior glazing system market successfully. The research explores the conditions which affect a designerao»s decision to specify a particular glazing system, creating a database of the criteria by which IGS is selected. The research concludes by offering suggestions which will help a company know which types of products are most often used, the types of buildings that should be targeted as primary markets, the most important qualities of the glass products they intend to manufacture, and how to go about educating designers about their products in a way that will help them be more often selected for construction projects.
Cross-species convergence in pupillary response: understanding human anxiety via non-human primate amygdala lesion

Few studies have used matched affective paradigms to compare humans and non-human primates. In monkeys with amygdala lesions and youth with anxiety disorders, we examined cross-species pupillary responses during a saccade-based, affective attentional capture task. Given evidence of enhanced amygdala function in anxiety, we hypothesized that opposite patterns would emerge in lesioned monkeys and anxious participants. A total of 53 unmedicated youths (27 anxious, 26 healthy) and 8 adult male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) completed matched behavioral paradigms. Four monkeys received bilateral excitotoxic amygdala lesions and four served as unoperated controls. Compared to healthy youth, anxious youth exhibited increased pupillary constriction in response to emotional and non-emotional distractors (F(1,48) = 6.28, P = 0.02, η2p = 0.12). Pupillary response was associated significantly with anxiety symptoms severity (F(1,48) = 5.59, P = 0.02, η2p = 0.10). As hypothesized, lesioned monkeys exhibited the opposite pattern i.e. decreased pupillary constriction in response to distractors, compared to unoperated control monkeys (F(1,32) = 24.22, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.33). Amygdala lesioned monkeys and youth with anxiety disorders show opposite patterns of pupil constriction in the context of an affective distractor task. Such findings suggest the presence of altered amygdala circuitry functioning in anxiety. Future lesion and human neuroimaging work might examine the way in which specific amygdala sub-nuclei and downstream circuits mediate these effects.
Candida auris en Chile

C. auris es una levadura que debe preocupar a todos los clinicos y laboratorios de los distintos recintos hospitalarios del pais, debido a las dificultades que presenta para poder identificarla y por la resistencia a las principales familias de antifungicos de uso habitual.
Food studies: a hands-on guide

Food studies: A hands-on guide, by Willa Zhen, joins a catalog of introductory food studies texts that includes Food: The key concepts (Belasco 2008) and Food and society: Principles and paradoxes ...
A Team-based Approach to Improving Asthma Care in Primary Care Clinics. the Systematic Use of Act’s and Aap’s Resulted in a Decrease in the Need for Systemic Steroids and for Hospitalizations for Medically- homed Patients with Asthma

A Team-based Approach to Improving Asthma Care in Primary Care Clinics Creating a partnership team with the primary care provider, school nurse, and family is important for optimal care of pediatric patients with asthma. Communication among these team members is facilitated by the use of an asthma action plan (AAP). We embarked …
“A Spring Sunday” and Its Place in the Oeuvre of Sarah Orne Jewett

When Willa Cather declared that The Country of the Pointed Firs (1896) by Sarah Orne Jewett (1849– 1909) belonged alongside of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and Mark Twain’s Huckleberry ...
Clinical and functional reappraisal of alleged type 5 long QT syndrome: Causative genetic variants in the KCNE1-encoded minK β-subunit.

Background KCNE1 loss-of-function variants cause type 5 long QT syndrome (LQT5). However, most alleged LQT5-causative KCNE1 variants were identified before the true rate of background genetic variation was appreciated fully. Objective The purpose of this study was to reassess the clinical and electrophysiological (EP) phenotypes associated with KCNE1 variants detected in a single-center LQTS cohort. Methods Retrospective analysis of 1026 LQTS patients was used to identify those individuals with isolated KCNE1 ultra-rare variants (minor allele frequency [MAF] Results Overall, 6 KCNE1 variants were identified in 38 of 1026 LQTS patients (3.7%). Based on existing data, 2 KCNE1 variants (p.Asp76Asn-KCNE1 and p.Arg98Trp-KCNE1) were classified as P/LP. Whereas the p.Ser28Leu-KCNE1 VUS conferred a loss-of-function EP phenotype (72% reduction in IKs current) and was upgraded to an LP variant, the 3 remaining KCNE1 VUS (p.Arg67Cys-KCNE1, p.Arg67His-KCNE1, p.Ser74Leu-KCNE1) were indistinguishable from wild type. Collectively, the phenotype observed in p.Ser28Leu-KCNE1-, p.Asp76Asn-KCNE1-, and p.Arg98Trp-KCNE1-positive individuals (n = 22) was relatively weak (91% asymptomatic; average QTc 444 ± 19 ms; 27% with a maladaptive QTc response during exercise/recovery). Conclusion This study indicates that p.Ser28Leu-KCNE1 may be an LQT5-causative substrate analogous to p.Asp76Asn-KCNE1 and p.Arg98Trp-KCNE1. However, the weak phenotype and cumulative gnomAD MAF (42/141,156) associated with these P/LP variants suggest LQT5/KCNE-LQTS may be a more common/weaker form of LQTS than anticipated previously.
Applying the communication theory of Diffusion of Innovations to economic sciences: a response to the ‘Using gossips to spread information’ experiments conducted by the 2019 Nobel Laureates

Drs Abhijit Banergee, Esther Duflo, and Michael Kremer won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for their remarkable series of large-scale field experiments to lessen global poverty. The main ...
Aqueous Elemental Mercury Production versus Mercury Inventories in the Lake Michigan Airshed: Deciphering the Spatial and Diel Controls of Mercury Gradients in Air and Water

Atmospheric delivery of mercury (Hg) is important to the Upper Great Lakes, and understanding gaseous Hg exchange between surface water and air is critical to predicting the effects of declining me...
Pancreaticoduodenectomy is safe in appropriately resourced rural hospitals.

Abstract Background Research shows improved safety and treatment outcomes for patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at high-volume centers. Regionalization of pancreaticoduodenectomy to high-volume urban centers can result in unintended negative consequences for rural patients and communities. This report examines outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy performed at a rural hospital and compares them with national standards. Methods A prospectively maintained database of pancreatic operations performed at a rural tertiary hospital was queried. Demographic and clinical information for patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (2007–2019) was analyzed. Primary outcomes were the rates of patient mortality and morbidity. Secondary outcomes were readmission rates, indications, and associations with clinical variables. Results We included 118 patients in our study. There were 41 postoperative complications (34.7%), including 1 death (0.9%). The 90-day readmission rate was 24.6%. The most common indication for readmission was deep space infection (n = 7, 24.1%). Patients requiring an intraoperative transfusion were more likely to need hospital readmission (41.4% vs 9.0% of patients without transfusion, P = .016). Patients with postoperative complications required readmission more frequently (51.7% vs 29.2%, P = .093). These findings are similar to data from urban hospitals. Conclusion Patient safety and surgical outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy performed in appropriately resourced rural hospitals can be comparable with national standards. Safely treating rural patients near their home benefits patients and their communities.
Efficient calculation of fully resolved electrostatics around large biomolecules

Abstract We present a simple framework for calculating the electric potential by solving the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann equation and the free solvation energies of large biomolecules. To achieve this we build upon the work of Bochkov and Gibou [9] to develop a novel solver capable of solving nonlinear elliptic equations, where the diffusion coefficient, the source term, the solution and its flux are discontinuous across the interface. The interface is represented by the zero-level set of a signed distance function, empowering a natural and systematic approach to generate adaptive Cartesian grids, which drastically reduce the computational cost by focusing resources to regions near the surface of the molecules. The solver is implemented on a forest of Octree grids in parallel to enable fast computations over large molecules.
Passionate Playgoing in Early Modern England

Allison P. Hobgood tells a new story about the emotional experiences of theatregoers in Renaissance England. Through detailed case studies of canonical plays by Shakespeare, Jonson, Kyd and Heywood, the reader will discover what it felt like to be part of performances in English theatre and appreciate the key role theatregoers played in the life of early modern drama. How were spectators moved - by delight, fear or shame, for example - and how did their own reactions in turn make an impact on stage performances? Addressing these questions and many more, this book discerns not just how theatregoers were altered by drama's affective encounters, but how they were undeniable influences upon those encounters. Overall, Hobgood reveals a unique collaboration between the English world and stage, one that significantly reshapes the ways we watch, read and understand early modern drama.
Therapy of caustic ingestion: new treatment considerations

Purpose of reviewThis review will focus on therapeutic considerations and recent advances in treatment of caustic ingestion injuries.Recent findingsA retrospective study suggests that it may be safe to advance the endoscope beyond the first circumferential burn to allow for a more complete assessmen
Oxidation of d-Malic and β-Alkylmalic Acids by Wild-Type and Mutant Strains of Salmonella typhimurium and by Aerobacter aerogenes

Abstract A mutant strain of Salmonella typhimurium (SL 1634 dml-51) capable of growth on d-malate as sole carbon source was shown to produce d-malic enzyme. This enzyme was absent in the parent wild-type strain which was unable to grow on d-malate. Growth of the mutant on d-malate also resulted in a greatly increased level of β-isopropylmalic enzyme compared with its level in the wild-type strain grown on citrate or l-malate. The d-malic and β-isopropylmalic enzymes, both of which catalyze a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide- and Mg++-dependent oxidative decarboxylation of their respective substrates, were shown to be distinct enzymes by selective inhibition with erythro-dl-β-hydroxyaspartate and by other methods. Cell extracts of the mutant strain also oxidized dl-β-methyl-, dl-β-ethyl-, dl-β-propyl- and dl-ββ-dimethylmalates, in order of decreasing activity. dl-β-Methyl-malate was shown to be oxidized by both the d-malic and the β-isopropylmalic enzymes, whereas the oxidation of the other β-alkylmalates appeared to be effected exclusively by the β-isopropylmalic enzyme. β-Isopropylmalic enzyme activity was induced by d-malate but not by l-malate, showing that it behaved as a d-malictype enzyme. Growth of Aerobacter aerogenes on d-malate, which caused induction of d malic enzyme, resulted in only a small increase in the activity of β-isopropylmalic enzyme.
Effect of the ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel combined oral contraceptive on the activity of cytochrome P4503A in obese women

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Obesity is known to suppress CYP3A4/5 activity. • Use of combined oral contraceptives (COC) has been shown to suppress CYP3A4/5 activity in non-obese women. • However, the effect of COC on CYP3A4/5 activity is unknown in obese women who constitute 50% of women of reproductive age. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Although we hypothesized that obesity exposure might amplify the impact on CYP3A4/5 activity in COC users, we found that this was not the case. • This finding is reassuring regarding potential additional drug–drug interactions in obese COC users as CYP3A4/5 is a major player in the metabolism of many marketed drugs. AIM(S) While it is known that CYP3A4/5 activity is decreased with combined oral contraceptive (COC) use and obesity suppresses CYP expression, the combined effects of obesity and COC use on CYP3A4/5 activity are unclear. Therefore, our aim was to examine the effect of COC usage on CYP3A4/5 activity in obese women. METHODS Thirty-four, obese (body mass index, BMI > 30 kg m−2) women of reproductive age (18–35 years old) were placed on a COC pill containing 20 µg ethinylestradiol/100 µg levonorgestrel for 21 days starting at the onset of menses. A midazolam pharmacokinetic study was conducted prior to initiation and after 21 days of COC treatment. Serial blood samples were collected and plasma concentrations of midazolam were measured using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using a non-compartmental method. RESULTS Midazolam clearance, a surrogate measure of CYP3A4/5 activity, was significantly decreased upon COC use (63.3 l h−1vs. 53.9 l h−1, P < 0.05). A median decrease of 5.6 l h−1 (95% CI −4.1, 13.3 l h−1) was observed. However, the magnitude of change was similar to that reported in women with normal BMI. CONCLUSIONS Although we hypothesized that obesity might amplify the impact on CYP3A4/5 activity in COC users, we found that this was not the case. This finding is reassuring regarding potential additional drug−drug interactions in obese COC users as CYP3A4/5 is a major enzyme in the metabolism of many marketed drugs.
Forward link acquisition performance in CDMA mobile communications

The paper derives the performance of a direct sequence spread spectrum acquisition scheme. The effect of multiple access interference on acquisition performance is determined. The analysis presented is applicable to the forward link (base station to mobile) of a mobile communications system which employs code division multiple access (CDMA). A non-coherent receiver and a parallel search strategy are utilized. The results are derived for both long and short spreading sequences in order to show that the periodicity of the spreading sequences has a significant effect on acquisition performance. Furthermore, the results show that the reverse link has better acquisition performance than the forward link.
Evolution of the Rembrandt Impact Basin on Mercury

MESSENGER’s second Mercury flyby revealed a ~715-kilometer-diameter impact basin, the second-largest well-preserved basin-scale impact structure known on the planet. The Rembrandt basin is comparable in age to the Caloris basin, is partially flooded by volcanic plains, and displays a unique wheel-and-spoke–like pattern of basin-radial and basin-concentric wrinkle ridges and graben. Stratigraphic relations indicate a multistaged infilling and deformational history involving successive or overlapping phases of contractional and extensional deformation. The youngest deformation of the basin involved the formation of a ~1000-kilometer-long lobate scarp, a product of the global cooling and contraction of Mercury.
Identifying gene and protein names from biological texts

Extracting and identifying gene and protein names from literature is a critical step for mining functional information of genes and proteins. While extensive efforts have been devoted to this important task, most of them were aiming at extracting gene/protein name per se without paying much attention to associate the extracted name with existing gene and protein database entries. We developed a simple and efficient method to identify gene and protein names in literature using a combination of heuristic and statistical strategies. Our approach will map the extracted names to individual LocusLink entries thus enable the seamless integration of literature information with existing gene/protein databases. Evaluation on a test corpus shows that our method can achieve both high recall and precision. Our method exhibits good performance and can be used as a building block for large biomedical literature mining systems.
Elevation of endogenous anandamide impairs LTP, learning, and memory through CB1 receptor signaling in mice

In rodents, many exogenous and endogenous cannabinoids, such as anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG), have been shown to play an important role in certain hippocampal memory processes. However, the mechanisms by which endogenous AEA regulate this processes are not well understood. Here the effects of AEA on long-term potentiation (LTP), hippocampal-dependent learning and memory tasks, pERK1/2, pCaMKIV, and pCREB signaling events in both cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice were assessed following administration of URB597, an inhibitor of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Acute administration of URB597 enhanced AEA levels without affecting the levels of 2-AG or CB1R in the hippocampus and neocortex as compared to vehicle. In hippocampal slices, URB597 impaired LTP in CB1R WT but not in KO littermates. URB597 impaired object recognition, spontaneous alternation and spatial memory in the Y-maze test in CB1R WT mice but not in KO mice. Furthermore, URB597 enhanced ERK phosphorylation in WT without affecting total ERK levels in WT or KO mice. URB597 impaired CaMKIV and CREB phosphorylation in WT but not in KO mice. CB1R KO mice have a lower pCaMKIV/CaMKIV ratio and higher pCREB/CREB ratio as compared to WT littermates. Our results indicate that pharmacologically elevated AEA impair LTP, learning and memory and inhibit CaMKIV and CREB phosphorylation, via the activation of CB1Rs. Collectively, these findings also suggest that pharmacological elevation of AEA beyond normal concentrations is also detrimental for the underlying physiological responses.
The resilience of families in Israel : Understanding their struggles and appreciating their strengths

This article reveals the mystifying reality, enduring struggles and uncertain future facing families in Israel. The compelling literature shortage of inclusive and fair scholarly representation of the various ethnic groups in Israel inspired the focus of this work on the commonalities, including the shared sense of suffering as well as manner in which life is celebrated. Of significance are the factors that generate divergence among the various ethnic groups while supporting their family strengths. Family and cultural resilience is a mere derivative of the commitment to family and traditions, faith, communication styles, and a strong recuperative energy that unite all groups.
Studies of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Aliphatic Alcohols on Antral Mucosa

Studies were made in 4 dogs with antral pouches of transmucosal potential difference (PD), and Na+, H+, K+, and Cl− fluxes, in response to aspirin, phenylbutazone, indomethacin, and cortisone acetate, as well as the aliphatic alcohols of carbon chain lengths C1 to C4. Potential difference was measured using 3% agar-saturated KCl electrodes connected to a potentiometer. Net fluxes of electrolytes were measured after instillation of 15 to 20 ml of a solution of 100 mm HCl + 54 mm NaCl, plus the test substance. Aspirin, 10 mm and 20 mm, increased net gain of Na+ into the pouch and increased net loss of H+ from the pouch. PD decreased from control of −43.8 my to −31.2 my in response to 20 mm aspirin. Phenylbutazone (200 mg per 100 ml), indomethacin (250 mg per 100 ml), and cortisone acetate (2.5 mg per 100 ml) did not change net movements of electrolytes or alter PD. The net movements of Na+ and H+ increased and PD decreased with the aliphatic alcohols (C1 to C4 ), and this effect was proportional to the molar concentration of the alcohol and to the carbon chain length; the greater the concentration or number of carbon atoms, the greater the effect. Branched chain alcohols (isopropanol and t-butyl alcohol) had less effect on PD and Na+-H+ movements than their straight chain counterparts. Hypertonic solutions of glucose caused a fall in PD and an increase in net Na+-H+ movements. PD was found to be more sensitive of gastric mucosal damage than measurements of ion movement. These studies indicate that the electrolyte and PD response of antral mucosa to alcohols and to anti-inflammatory drugs is generally similar to that found for fundic mucosa.
A novel collusion-resilient architecture for secure group communication in wireless ad-hoc networks

Current architectures for secure group communication schemes have been designed with both the Internet and network-level multicast as an underlying infrastructure. However, such schemes may not be suitable for wireless ad-hoc networks (WAHNs) which are now increasingly being used in several information sensitive applications. In this paper, we propose a novel architecture for secure group communication in WAHNs with no network-level multicast support. For improved efficiency and scalability, our architecture integrates secure multicast functions with group management tasks at the application layer. The architecture consists of key generation and key distribution schemes, which we developed in an earlier work. Here, we introduce a new collusion resistant key assignment protocol for a clustered WAHN. We show its implementability, scalability for communication and storage costs, and suitability for WAHNs.
Regulation of Serotonin Release in the Lateral Septum and Striatum by Corticotropin-Releasing Factor

The serotonergic dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is innervated by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-immunoreactive fibers and contains CRF receptor-binding sites, suggesting that endogenous CRF regulates this system. The present study examined the possibility that CRF in the DRN regulates the release of serotonin (5-HT) in forebrain terminal regions. Intracerebroventricular administration of CRF produced a bimodal effect on extracellular levels of 5-HT in the lateral septum. Doses of 0.3 and 1.0 microg decreased extracellular 5-HT levels, whereas both a higher (3.0 microg) and a lower (0.1 microg) dose had no effect. The reduction of extracellular 5-HT in the lateral septum by CRF (0.3 microg, i.c.v.) was blocked by pretreatment with the CRF receptor antagonist d-PheCRF(12-41) (3.0 microg, i.c.v.). Direct administration of CRF (30 ng) into the DRN reduced extracellular 5-HT levels in the lateral septum and the striatum. Furthermore, injection of d-PheCRF(12-41) (10 ng) into the DRN before ventricular administration of CRF (0.3 microg, i.c.v.) blocked the decrease in extracellular 5-HT in both the lateral septum and striatum. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that CRF may modulate 5-HT release in terminal regions via its effects at the level of the DRN. This modulation supports a potential interaction between CRF and 5-HT in stress-related psychiatric disorders in which both systems have been implicated.
Adaptive capacity in light of Hurricane Sandy: The need for policy engagement

Abstract The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy brings to light the tenuous U.S. model of natural disaster management. Climatic extremes, like Sandy, are projected to increase in magnitude and frequency, calling upon societies to adapt appropriately to imminent threats. In this paper, we describe the knowledge and policy disconnect exposed by Sandy between what we submit are four key elements of adaptive capacity: resources, institutions, knowledge and innovation of technology. Our synthesis of multi-disciplinary expert knowledge and admonition from civil engineers, climatologists, and urban planners demonstrates the significance of mobilizing knowledge to design robust socio-ecological systems. We contrast the U.S. model to the Dutch system of climate adaptation to emphasize the feasibility, value, and effectiveness of adopting robust adaptive capacities, rather than policies steeped in reactionary responses. Such strategies that integrate coordination and imagination from members across society are imperative in translating scientific foresight into institutional action. The solution we offer is not only material for a more action-based discussion, but also provides an illustration of crafting policy that enhances adaptive capacities of socio-ecological systems.
Dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, demonstrates antifibrotic effects on lung fibroblasts.

Objective Myofibroblasts are the principal mesenchymal cells responsible for tissue remodeling, collagen deposition, and the restrictive nature of lung parenchyma associated with pulmonary fibrosis. We previously reported that thrombin activates protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) and induces a myofibroblast phenotype in normal lung fibroblasts resembling the phenotype of scleroderma lung myofibroblasts. We undertook this study to investigate whether a selective direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran, interferes with signal transduction in human lung fibroblasts induced by thrombin and mediated via PAR-1. Methods Lung fibroblast proliferation was analyzed using the Quick Cell Proliferation Assay. Expression and organization of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was studied by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblotting. Contractile activity of lung fibroblasts was measured by a collagen gel contraction assay. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and type I collagen expression was analyzed on Western blots. Results Dabigatran, at concentrations of 50–1,000 ng/ml, inhibited thrombin-induced cell proliferation, α-SMA expression and organization, and the production of collagen and CTGF in normal lung fibroblasts. Moreover, when treated with dabigatran (1 μg/ml), scleroderma lung myofibroblasts produced 6-fold less α-SMA, 3-fold less CTGF, and 2-fold less type I collagen compared with untreated cells. Conclusion Dabigatran restrains important profibrotic events in lung fibroblasts and warrants study as a potential antifibrotic drug for the treatment of fibrosing lung diseases such as scleroderma lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Induction of micronuclei following exposure to methylene di-phenyl diisocyanate: potential genotoxic metabolites.

Methylene di-phenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is used to make polyurethane products. The predominant occupational disease attributed to diisocyanates, including MDI, is asthma; however, the potential for genotoxicity has also been of concern. Diisocyanates are very reactive compounds that can undergo nonenzymatic hydrolysis to form methylenedianiline (MDA), or react under physiological conditions with primary amines to form ureas and/or with thiols to form labile thiol acid esters. MDA is a carcinogen in animals and a suspected carcinogen in humans. Brown Norway rats (BNR) were exposed to either 7 or 113 mg/m 3 MDI aerosol for 1 h/week x 3 weeks and sacrificed 1 week later. Micronuclei (MN) formation was assessed from bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE). A dose-dependent increase in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCEs) was noted. In vitro exposure of Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79) to MDA or MDI-thiol conjugates, but not to MDI, significantly increased the frequency of MN. MDI-thiol conjugate-exposed cell cultures did not have detectable levels of MDA. A significant increase in the number of V79 cells in metaphase, as well as the number of cells with precipitants within both the cytoplasm and nuclei, were noted in MDI-glutathione-exposed cultures. The results of this study indicate that MDI aerosol exposure can cause MN formation through either the hydrolysis of MDI to MDA or possibly the formation of thiol coniueates.
Ionic liquid soluble photosensitizers

The preparation and investigation of triplet photosensitizers designed to be preferentially soluble in room-temperature ionic liquids are reported. Photosensitizers prepared by covalent attachment of 1-methylimidazole to aryl ketones are soluble in ionic liquids and remain in the ionic liquid layer when the solution is extracted with an organic solvent. The photosensitized isomerization of trans-β-ionol to cis-β-ionol was efficiently carried out in ionic liquid solution with the product ionol being extracted and the sensitizer/ionic liquid mixture being re-used in additional photosensitization reactions. The scope and utility of the sensitizers in sensitizing other reactions are discussed.
Crystal arthritis: Calcium pyrophosphate deposition—nothing 'pseudo' about it!

Calcium pyrophosphate disease remains—50 years after its initial description—a challenging disease to diagnose and manage. Newly-reached consensus among European experts suggests standard nomenclature, some recommendations for diagnosis and treatment, and an ambitious future research agenda based on these decisions.
The scope of satisfactory mechanisms for the provision of public goods

Abstract This paper establishes the existence of satisfactory public-good provision mechanisms when utilities are nonseparable. The assumptions used to obtain this result are: (1) that the public good is continuously variable; (2) that utility functions are parametrically representable and twice continuously differentiable; and (3) that the provision rule is a strictly increasing function of the reported marginal rates of substitution between the public good and the private good. The satisfactory mechanisms derived are all augmented Groves mechanisms and are equivalent to Groves mechanisms if, and only if, each consumer's utility function is additive in income.
Nuclear effects on the eigenvalues of the dtμ molecule

The latest information about the $^{5}\mathrm{He}$ nuclear system in terms of R-matrix parameters has been matched to adiabatic dt\ensuremath{\mu} molecular wave functions in order to determine the complex eigenvalues of the molecule. Through the use of the reduced R-matrix formalism, the matching is accomplished by considering only the L=0 dt\ensuremath{\mu} states explicitly. These states are calculated in a series of increasingly more accurate adiabatic approximations that, at least for the lowest vibrational level, appear to be converging to the exact nonadiabatic result. The best complex eigenvalues thus obtained probably have less than 10% uncertainty, and are in reasonably good agreement with those of Bogdanova et al. ( Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. 81, 829 (1981) [Sov. Phys.\char22{}JETP 54, 442 (1981)]).
Nano/microstructured polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes-based hybrid copolymers: Morphology evolution and surface characterization

Abstract Unique “micro-bean sprouts” with “nano-tails” were electrohydrodynamically prepared from poly[(propylmethacryl-heptaisobutyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)-co-(methylmethacrylate)] (POSS-MMA). The nano/microstructured POSS-MMA substrates reveal superhydrophobic nature, with contact angles >160°. Contact angle versus time plots show that water droplet evaporation from the substrates with “micro-bean sprouts” falls into two stages: the initial stage, marked by steadily decreasing contact angles and the later stage, marked by rapidly decreasing contact angles. The turning point differentiating these two stages occurs at ∼120°–130°. The substrates consisting of “micro-bean sprouts” with larger “heads” experience pinned triple-line phase during the early stage of droplet evaporation. In contrast, the triple line for a droplet placed on “micro-bean sprouts” with smaller “heads” can move easily, leading to a rapid decrease in contact diameter. Meanwhile, the contact angle decreases only slightly during the rapidly moving triple-line phase. The contact angles of the fibrous substrates measured during the initial stage of water droplet evaporation are much lower than those of “micro-bean sprouts”, even though the time period of the initial stage is extended. Both the architectures and the sizes of these POSS-MMA nano/microstructures were shown to affect the energy barrier for the triple-line motion during water droplet evaporation and therefore the contact angle hysteresis.
Renal prostaglandin E during acute renal failure.

Abstract Renal prostaglandin E was measured by radioimmunoassay after separation by silicic acid column chromatography and conversion to prostaglandin B in rabbits and rats. A significant increase in the concentration of renal prostaglandin E was found during acute renal failure induced by glycerol or mercuric chloride.
Hatching Time and Early Growth of Age-0 Black Crappies, White Crappies, and Their Naturally Produced F1 Hybrids in Weiss Lake, Alabama

Abstract Extensive natural hybridization occurs between black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus and white crappie P. annularis in Weiss Lake, Alabama. First-generation (F1) hybrids have faster annual growth than black crappies and white crappies in this reservoir. However, no information exists on hatching date and early growth differences among black crappies, white crappies, and F1 hybrid offspring. We collected age-0 crappies in early August 1992–1994 from Weiss Lake and identified species and their hybrids with starch gel electrophoresis. Hatching date and early growth were determined from otoliths. Swim-up dates of F1 hybrids peaked about a week earlier than those of parental species. The growth rate of F1 hybrids (0.86 mm/d) was significantly higher than those of black crappies (0.67 mm/d) and white crappies (0.72 mm/d). Back-calculated lengths at ages 10, 20, and 30 d were higher for F1 hybrids compared with black crappies. Thus, the faster growth of F1 hybrids starts just after hatching and continues...
Valley systems on Tyrrhena Patera, Mars - Earth-based radar measurements of slopes

The presently treated eight topographic profiles across the Martian volcano Tyrrhena Patera indicate that the vocano rises about 1.5 km above the plains of Hesperia Planum to the east, and exhibit an average height/diameter ratio of about 1:340. The slopes of the northern flank of Tyrrhena Patera bear little correlation with the width or depth of valley systems in that area, suggesting that erosion by gravity-driven flows was not responsible for valley formation. Attention is given to such other valley geometry and location controlling factors as ground-water release variations and volcano surface unit materials' strength differences.
Effect of psychrotrophic bacteria and of an isolated protease from Pseudomonas fluorescens M3/6 on the plasmin system of fresh milk.

Abstract In the present study, we investigated the effect of Pseudomonas spp. growth on the plasmin enzymatic system in casein and whey fractions of fresh milk. Two bacterial strains, Pseudomonas spp. SRM28A and Pseudomonas fluorescens M3/6, were inoculated at a level of ∼10 3 cfu/ml into fresh milk and incubated at 7°C for 3 d. Bacterial counts were ∼10 8 cfu/ml by d 3. Samples collected every 24h were treated to separate the casein from the whey fraction. Casein and whey fractions were subjected to electrophoresis to visualize protein breakdown and plasmin activity and to colorimetric assays to quantify plasmin-related activities. With psychrotrophic bacterial growth, plasmin levels in casein fractions decreased significantly and in whey fractions increased then decreased significantly. Fresh milk results were similar for the two strains and were similar to earlier results with reconstituted nonfat dry milk. A transmission electron microscopy study by immunocytochemistry showed the presence of plasmin in casein micelles and its disappearance upon microbial growth in the milk. We hypothesized that extracellular microbial proteases produced by psychrotrophic microorganisms are responsible for this effect. To confirm this, an extracellular bacterial protease was isolated from Pseudomonas fluorescens M3/6 by ammonium sulfate fractionation and ion-exchange chromatography and incubated with fresh milk. Milk samples analyzed during incubation with the protease had significantly increased plasmin and plasminogen activities in the whey fraction within 5h of incubation, while differences in activities in the casein fraction occurred at time 7.5h for plasmin activity and 10h of incubation for plasminogen activity. These quantitative data were supported by plasmin activity as visualized by casein-SDS-PAGE. These results suggest that growth of the Pseudomonas strains in fresh milk, and particularly their production of extracellular proteases, may be a causative factor in the release of plasmin from the casein micelle. Such plasmin release could affect the quality of cheeses and other food products that utilize dairy ingredients.
Creep of Wood I-Joists Exposed to Abnormally High Moisture Conditions

Wood I-joists have taken a large share of the wood floor framing market and have distinct advantages over solid-sawn joists. Like other wood products, I-joists are intended for dry-use environments. However, in the unusual event that I-joists are exposed to abnormally high or rapidly changing moisture environments, such as occur in certain disaster situations, research shows that the I-joists can undergo greater creep deflection than solid-sawn members exposed to similar environments. Field experience of the writer indicates that creep of I-joists in abnormally high moisture situations can render them unserviceable due to excessive deflection, even though the strength of the I-joists may not have been significantly reduced. Structural engineers and insurance investigators who are involved in natural disasters where I-joists are exposed to water, such as in floods or fires, should take measures to prevent damage to the I-joists from moisture-related creep deflection. Owners and designers of buildings with wood I-joists should also be aware of and take into account this unique performance characteristic of wood I-joists. A brief review of the literature on moisture-related creep deflection of I-joists is provided. Then field observations are discussed to illustrate practical situations in which I-joists can be exposed to abnormally high moisture conditions and experience problems due to excessive creep deflection. These situations include buildings that are waterlogged by fire-fighting operations, are flooded, or have very moist or wet crawl spaces.
Nicotine addiction: a pediatric disease.

Abstract Editor's note: It has been stated by Dr. David Kessler that "adolescents are the gateway through which tobacco addiction enters the population." Multiple studies have indicated that, while setting the stage for health-related problems later in life, cigarette smoking itself does not leave the young habitue unaffected. The most recent study, by Gold et al.,*al.,*Gold DR, Wang X, Wypij D, Speizer FE, Ware JH, Dockery DW. Effects of cigarette smoking on lung function in adolescent boys and girls. N Engl J Med 1996;335:931-7.determined the sex-specific effects of cigarette smoking on the level and growth of lung function in adolescence, when the majority of the people in the United States who smoke tried their first cigarette. They found that cigarette smoking was associated with evidence of mild airway obstruction and slowed growth of lung function in adolescents. The data also suggested that adolescent girls may be more vulnerable than boys to the effects of smoking on lung function. This is of great concern because it is clear that the smoking rate among teenage girls has risen to the point where they are the major source of new smokers in the United States. The concern regarding nicotine addiction has led Dr. Kessler to label it a "pediatric disease." Dr. Kessler, himself a pediatrician, has been recognized for addressing the issue of cigarette smoking during his stewardship of the FDA and was the 1996 recipient of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Excellence in Public Service Award for his work. Dr. Kessler has stepped down as commissioner of the FDA. Despite his departure, his stated goal was to reduce the number of new tobacco users by 50% in 7 years. If this goal is to be achieved, it will require increased understanding and a major commitment by pediatric health care providers. Given the special circumstances and the global importance of these issues, we have invited Dr. Kessler and his colleagues to comment on this pediatric disease. We invite your commentary.— W. F. Balistreri
Correlates of self-worth in preschoolers: The role of gender-stereotyped styles of behavior

It was hypothesized that gender-stereotyped styles of social interaction are apparent as early as the preschool years, and that the use of these gender-stereotyped behaviors is associated with the child's perceived competence and social support. Using a story-completion method with 47 white middle-class preschoolers, the results of the study confirmed the hypotheses. Boys were more likely to use the male-stereotyped styles of domination and intrusion, while girls were more likely to use the female-stereotyped styles of affiliation and inclusion. In addition, the use of male gender-stereotyped behaviors among boys was significantly related to perceived physical competence and peer acceptance. For girls, use of the female gender-stereotyped behavior of Affiliation was related to perceived cognitive competence and, weakly, to perceived maternal acceptance. For both sexes, use of the feminine-stereotyped behavior of Inclusion was negatively related to competence and acceptance variables.
Failure of prior low-intensity exercise to potentiate the thermic effect of glucose

We have previously shown that following recovery from 45 min exercise at 67% maximum oxygen consumption $$\left( {\dot V_{E max} } \right)$$ the thermic effect of a glucose load is increased by 65% over that observed on a non-exercise day (Young et al. 1986). The purpose of this study was to determine if potentiation of the thermic effect of glucose by prior exercise is dependent on exercise intensity. The thermic response to a 1674 kJ glucose load was measured in five subjects in the absence of exercise (control) and following recovery from 45 min cycling exercise at each of three intensities: low (34% $$\dot VO_{2 max} $$ ), moderate (54% $$\dot VO_{2 max} $$ ), and high (75% $$\dot VO_{2 max} $$ ). The average percentage increase in oxygen consumption over baseline due to glucose ingestion was similar for the control (9.9%, SE 2.0%), and the low- (10.2%, SE 0.9%) and moderate- (12.6%, SE 1.2%) intensity exercise conditions, while a significant increase in average $$\dot VO_{2 max} $$ was observed after the high-intensity condition (18.0%, SE 2.3%,P < 0.05). The total energy expenditure (kJ) over baseline for 3 h was also similar for the control (84.5, SE 11.7), and the low-(100.0, SE 9.2) and moderate- (118.8, SE 5.0) intensity exercise conditions. The thermic response following high-intensity exercise (146.4 kJ, SE 13.4) was significantly greater than that observed in the control (P < 0.01) or low-intensity (P < 0.05) exercise conditions. These findings demonstrate that unlike prior high-intensity exercise (75% $$\dot VO_{2 max} $$ ), low- or moderate-intensity exercise (i.e., 34% or 54% $$\dot VO_{2 max} $$ ) fails to potentiate the thermic effect of a glucose load. The results of this and our previous study suggest that prior exercise must be of sufficient intensity, i.e., greater than approximately 60% $$\dot VO_{2 max} $$ , in order to positively affect meal-induced thermogenesis.
Myocardial revascularization: a combined approach.

The surgical treatment of incapacitating angina pectoris is now possible through the use of a combined approach. Direct and indirect myocardial revascularization is combined with resection of ventricular aneurysms or akinetic areas. During the past 20 months, 44 patients have been operated upon. The procedures performed were: 1) single internal mammary artery implants (12 patients); 2) double internal mammary artery implants (18 patients); 3) aortocoronary vein bypass graft (14 patients, 12 to the right coronary and two to the anterior descending arteries). Twelve of these patients had a combined internal mammary artery implantation and three a ventricular aneurysmectomy. Two patients who did not obtain complete relief after indirect myocardial revascularization had one year later a carotid sinus nerve stimulator implanted and they are able to control their angina. Vein grafts have the advantage of relieving angina immediately, and, when possible, are the procedure of choice. The hospital mortality has been 9 percent. The operative techniques are described.
Breaking the Tradeoff between Speed and Extinction Ratio in Silicon Electro-optic Modulators

We propose a new silicon electro-optic device that breaks the tradeoff between extinction ratio and speed in silicon devices and enables operation at 40 Gbps with high extinction ratios (>15dB).
Reflex Myoclonic Epilepsy in Infancy: A New Age‐Dependent Idiopathic Epileptic Syndrome Related to Startle Reaction

Summary Benign myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (BMEI) is an idiopathic disorder characterized by spontaneous myoclonic attacks with onset in the first 2 years of life. We observed 6 neurologically normal infants (aged 6–21 months) with attacks that resembled those of BMEI but that occurred as reflex responses to unexpected auditory and tactile stimuli. Four infants also had rare spontaneous attacks. These reflex attacks consisted of isolated muscle jerks or clusters of up to eight symmetric limb jerks affecting mainly the arms. Five of the children had a family history of epilepsy or febrile convulsions. Myoclonic attacks disappeared in 614months. In 3 patients, the jerks stopped spontaneously; the others responded to valproate (VPA). Myoclonus could be elicited in wakefulness and in sleep. Ictal EEGs showed brief generalized spike-or polyspike-and-wave discharges. Interictal EEGs were normal during wakefulness; during sleep, brief generalized discharges were evident. We propose that reflex myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (RMEI) is a new agedependent idiopathic generalized epileptic (IGE) syndrome, with an apparently good prognosis.
The Effects of Morphine Anesthesia on Blood Requirements During and After Valve Replacement and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Abstract A comparison of the effects of anesthetic doses of morphine—1 to 3 mg. per kilogram of body weight—and halothane—0.1 to 1.5%—was obtained by determining the blood requirements intraoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively of 105 patients, 45 of whom underwent elective aortic or mitral valve replacement with the remaining 60 undergoing aortocoronary bypass grafting procedures. Of the 51 patients receiving morphine, those who underwent aortic or coronary artery operations needed significantly more blood postoperatively; all required more blood postoperatively than did the 54 patients receiving halothane. Three of the patients who had coronary artery operations and 2 who underwent mitral valve replacement died during or within 24 hours of operation and thus were not included in the final study. We believe, therefore, that, when compared with halothane, morphine produces an increase in total vascular capacitance and that increased intraoperative and postoperative replacement of blood or other colloids is required in order to maintain myocardial filling pressures and outputs.