cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of recombinant human erythropoietin to enhance autologous blood donation in a patient with multiple red cell allo-antibodies and the anemia of chronic disease

We treated a patient with alcohol-induced cirrhosis, intractable pain from a defective hip prosthesis, and multiple red cell allo-antibodies with recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) in order to facilitate collection of blood for autologous transfusion during an elective total hip revision. This patient had experienced a delayed transfusion reaction 4 months earlier after receiving least incompatible packed red cells for gastrointestinal bleeding. His blood could not be crossmatched because of the development of multiple antibodies to homologous blood given during previous surgery and several episodes of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Following initiation of EPO therapy, there was a prompt and persistent increase in the reticulocyte count from a baseline of 1.6% to a maximum of 8.6%. This was accompanied by maintenance of the hematocrit between 32% and 38.5% despite withdrawal of seven units of autologous blood over the 45-day treatment period. Poor venous access and availability of blood bank personnel, not hematocrit level, were the limiting factors that determined how frequently blood could be collected. We conclude that EPO stimulated erythropoiesis in this patient with underlying anemia of chronic disease and facilitated harvest of autologous blood for elective surgery.
The Role of Atrial Systole in Valve Closure: Report of Patient with Complete Heart Block and a Mitral Prosthetic Valve

A patient is reported with complete heart block, normal sinus rhythm and a mitral prosthetic valve. Studies were performed to evaluate the role of atrial systole on valve closure. Cinefluorographic studies were performed which demonstrated that valvular closure may occur with either atrial or ventricular contraction. The contribution of the atrium and ventricle to valve closure was dependent on the time interval separating the contraction of these chambers. A short PR interval was associated with late closure due entirely to ventricular systole. As the PR interval increased, valvular events (onset and completion of closure) occurred earlier. At PR intervals over 275 msec the valve was completely closed before the QRS. PR intervals over 400 msec were associated with double diastolic closure of the valve. The first closure was due to atrial systole, while the second closure was due to ventricular contraction. At PR intervals over 450 msec, closure was again late and due to ventricular contraction. These observations support studies in animals that atrial systole can influence mitral valve closure.
Solar coronal Ar/Fe and Ne/Mg abundance ratios derived from ultraviolet forbidden line spectra

An Ar/Fe abundance ratio of 0.031 + or - 35 percent and an upper limit of 0.4 to the Ne/Mg abundance ratio are determined for solar coronal active regions using solar spectra. Forbidden lines occur at 1324.45 A for Mg V, 1349.38 A for Fe XII, 1375.98 A for Ca XV, and 1392.12 A for Ar XI. The unobserved Ne V line is predicted to fall at 1574.68 A. These abundance ratios are consistent with lower abundances of Ne and Ar in the corona relative to low first ionization potential elements.
REDISTRICTING AND NATIONALIZATION: SOUTHERN HOUSE ELECTIONS IN THE 1990s

In 1994 the Republicans won a majority of the southern seats in the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time since Reconstruction. Republican success in southern House elections occurred after the 1990 redisricting in which southern states were required to concentrate minority voters in an effort to elect the maximum possible number of minority representatives. This article argues that while redistricting was a factor in Republican gains in southern House elections, the nationalization of southern House elections was also a boon to Republicans. Presidential and House elections converged as a large majority of conservative southern districts elected Republican representatives. In 1994 Republican House candidates received the same large majority of the southern white vote that the GOP's presidential candidates have won in recent elections.
Modeling Blast Induced Neurotrauma in Isolated Spinal Cord White Matter

Blast-induced neurotrauma (BINT) is a common injury associated with the present military conflicts. Exposure to the shock-wave produced from exploding ordnances leads to significant neurological deficits throughout the brain and spinal cord. Prevention and treatment of this injury requires an appropriate understanding of the mechanisms governing the neurological response. Here, we present a novel ex-vivo BINT model where an isolated section of guinea pig spinal cord white matter is exposed to the shock-wave produced from a small scale explosive event. Additionally, we define the relationship between shock-wave impact, tissue deformation and resulting anatomical and functional deficits associated with BINT. Our findings suggest an inverse relationship between the magnitude of the shock-wave overpressure and the degree of functional deficits using a double sucrose gap recording chamber. Similar correlations are drawn between overpressure and degree of anatomical damage of neuronal processes using a dye-exclusion assay. The following approach is expected to significantly contribute to the detection, mitigation and eventual treatment of BINT.
Expected duration of hospital stay of low birth weight infants: graphic depiction in relation to birth weight and gestational age.

Neonatal duration of hospital stay correlated with both birth weight and gestational age in positively skewed, nonlinear relationships. Within increments of birth weight, gestational age had a semiindependent influence on length of stay. Log length of stay correlated with both birth weight and gestational age in linear, normally distributed relationships. A nomogram is provided for predicting individual lengths of stay.
Hydrophilic graft modification of a commercial crystalline polyolefin

Hydroxy-functionalized isotactic poly(1-butene) was synthesized using transition metal-catalyzed regioselective C-H borylation at the side chain of the commercial polyolefin and subsequent oxidation of the boronic ester functionality. Functionalization up to ∼ 19 mol % of the termini of the ethyl side chain occurred without significant side reactions that could alter the polymer chain length. Esterification of the hydroxy group in the polymer with 2-bromoisobutyl bromide generated a side chain-functionalized polyolefin macroinitiator. Atom transfer radical polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate from the macroinitiator produced a high molecular-weight graft copolymer of the polyolefin, isotactic poly(1-butene)-graft-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PB-g-PtBA). Finally, the hydrolysis of the tert-butoxy ester group of PB-g-PtBA created an amphiphilic polyolefin, isotactic poly(1-butene)-graft-poly(acrylic acid), which contained a short carboxylic acid-functionalized polymer block at the side chain.
Astrophysical and cosmological constraints on excited neutrinos

Abstract Mimicking the standard weak interactions, we construct a phenomenological lagrangian for excited leptons and compute the lifetime of excited neutrinos as a function of their mass and the compositeness scale. From limits on the thermal shape of the microwave background, on cosmic photon fluxes, and from stellar evolution dynamics, we rule out excited neutrino masses between 10 meV and 10 MeV.
Resource allocation techniques for cellular networks in TV white space spectrum

TV white space (TVWS) represents unused TV channels — resulting from the transition to digital over-the-air broadcasting — made available by FCC for unlicensed secondary users. This presents opportunities for new wireless networks and services, for example as a complement to licensed 4G cellular networks as a mechanism for data offloading, in analogy with the use of 802.11 WLAN hotspot networks for current 3G networks. However, certain design challenges must be addressed — TVWS spectrum is characterized by significant (spatial) variability in number and quality (measured by signal to interference and noise ratio) of available channels. Therefore, channel allocation — that seeks to optimize some overall network performance metric — must be adapted to this variation while complying with FCC regulations. In this paper, we explore the problem of resource allocation in TVWS spectrum by developing models for channel availability based on co-channel interferences among secondary users as well as primary-to-secondary interference. We define two formulations: a) based on maximizing number of allocated channels, and b) based on total network throughput. Techniques for solving these two formulations are explored and the results are compared through numerical evaluations.
SARTRE, MULTIDIRECTIONAL MEMORY, AND THE HOLOCAUST IN THE AGE OF DECOLONIZATION

Jacques Derrida's memorial reflections on the impact of Sartre's journal Les temps modernes in shaping his generation's projects highlighted the legend of the courier from Marathon who died while running to deliver his message of victory to the Athenians. Sartre alluded to the fable in his manifesto for engaged writing. “It's a beautiful myth,” Sartre wrote in his precis for the politics of commitment, for it shows that for a little while longer the dead act as if they were living. A little while—one year, ten years, maybe even fifty . . . and then they're buried a second time. This is the standard we offer for the writer: as long as his books provoke anger, embarrassment, shame, hatred, love . . . he shall live! This moment in Sartre's text captured Derrida's attention for he sought to point out that political involvement often has effects that are deferred. It is these detours of memory—signals and signatures from a once-buried moment that ramify politically anew in different contexts—that are wound into the complex circuitry of what Michael Rothberg has called “multidirectional memory.” And it is the signature of Sartre, whose anticolonial provocations remain prescient and provocative, that enable us to link these two books that are united by the word “decolonization” in their subtitles. Each tome is a touchstone for new openings at the intersection of postwar French intellectual history, postcolonial theory, and critical race and Holocaust studies. Both books ask us to reconsider racism and empire; memory, alterity, and history; temporality and trauma; identity both individual and collective; and the singularity versus the generalizability of instances of oppression and calls for liberation. Each beckons us to do so in light of the unfinished project of coming to terms with Europe's colonial legacy in a globalized world.
Media influences on male and female non-eating-disordered college students: A significant issue

Abstract Few studies have addressed the importance of media influence on persons who do not have an eating disorder. These persons are usually considered a control group. However, the influence of the media on non-eating-disordered females and males is a significant issue. The purpose of this study is to assess the immediate impact of very brief exposure to images taken from media on the self-consciousness and anxiety of male and female college students. There was a significant effect of looking at pictures of thin models on female participants only. In the group of college women who looked at pictures of thin female models, there were significantly higher levels of private self-consciousness, body competence, and state anxiety. For the male college students, there were no differences in self-consciousness or anxiety between those who looked at the pictures of thin male models and those who looked at control pictures.
Hydralazine differentially increases mRNAs for the α and β subunits of prolyl 4-hydroxylase whereas it decreases proα1(I) collagen mRNAs in human skin fibroblasts

We have used specific oligonucleotide probes to measure the effect of hydralazine on mRNA levels of the alpha and beta subunits of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (PH), a key post-translational modifying enzyme in collagen biosynthesis. Hydralazine exerts a paradoxical effect on collagen biosynthesis in cultured fibroblasts. Cells exposed to hydralazine synthesize substantially reduced amounts of collagen, which is severely deficient in hydroxyproline. Surprisingly, however, the level of prolyl hydroxylase activity assayed in extracts of treated cells is markedly increased, suggesting overproduction of the enzyme. Hybridization analysis indicated that in untreated cells the concentration of the alpha PH subunit mRNA was about 20-25% of the beta PH subunit mRNA concentration. Hydralazine treatment increased the mRNAs for both alpha and beta subunits of PH by three- to fourfold. A differential induction of these mRNAs was observed, however. The alpha subunit mRNA was maximally increased within 24 h, whereas the beta subunit mRNA was increased more slowly, reaching a maximum at 72 h. In contrast, the 5.8 and 4.8-kb mRNAs for pro alpha 1(I) collagen were virtually eliminated by 72 h. This study demonstrates that the increased prolyl hydroxylase activity is a direct result of hydralazine-mediated increases in steady state mRNA content for the alpha and beta subunits of this enzyme. Moreover, the earlier induction of alpha PH mRNA may provide the first evidence at the mRNA level that regulation of PH activity occurs mainly through regulation of the alpha subunit of PH. In addition, the decrease in collagen synthesis by hydralazine appears to result directly from suppression of both species of mRNA for pro alpha 1(I) collagen.
German Socialist Opposition to the Tirpitz Plan: Bebel and the Naval Law of 1900

(1978). German Socialist Opposition to the Tirpitz Plan: Bebel and the Naval Law of 1900. The Historian: Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 704-734.
Working Group Report on High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

This report updates the 1990 National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group Report on High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy and focuses on classification, pathophysiology, and management of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Using evidence-based medicine and consensus, this report updates contemporary approaches to hypertension control during pregnancy by expanding on recommendations made in the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI). The recommendations to use K5 for determining diastolic pressure and to eliminate edema as a criterion for diagnosing pre-eclampsia are discussed. In addition, the use of blood pressure increases of 30 mm Hg systolic or 15 mm Hg diastolic as a diagnostic criterion has not been recommended, as available evidence shows that women in this group are not likely to suffer increased adverse outcomes. Management considerations are made between chronic hypertension that is present before pregnancy and those occurring as part of the pregnancy-specific condition preeclampsia, as well as management considerations in women with comorbid conditions. A discussion of the pharmacologic treatment of hypertension in pregnancy includes recommendations for specific agents. The use of low-dose aspirin, calcium, or other dietary supplements in the prevention of pre-eclampsia is described, and expanded sections on counseling women for future pregnancies and recommendations for future research are included. Once again we thank Dr. Ray Gifford, Jr., and his committee for volunteering their time to produce this important report. We hope it helps the busy clinician prevent and manage a very important problem.—Claude Lenfant, MD, Director, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and Chair, National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee
Molecular Weight and Branching Distribution of a High Performance Metallocene Ethylene 1-Hexene Copolymer Film-Grade Resin

The bivariate, or cross branching distribution of a gas-phase produced, film-grade ethylene 1-hexene copolymer with enhanced Elmendorf tear in machine direction, MD, and in transverse direction, TD, (> 400g/mil) and high dart impact has been characterized through the analysis of fractions obtained by molecular weight and 1-hexene composition. The molecular weight fractions, obtained by a solvent-non-solvent fractionation technique, are each mixtures of molecules with at least two different 1-hexene compositions, one component with a constant relatively high density (∼1 mol% hexene) and a second of a lower density broadly distributed along the molecular weight fractions. The content of the low density component increases with increasing molecular weight of the fraction while the level of 1-hexene decreases. The mixed compositional character of these fractions is easily inferred by their high crystallization rates and both high melting and crystallization temperatures compared to the values of model random ethylene copolymers. The set of compositional fractions obtained by TREF display an increasing 1-hexene concentration with increasing molecular weight, and except for the highest molecular weight components (Mw > 150,000 g/mol) their melting and crystallization behavior followed the random pattern. Higher than expected melting temperatures and a constancy of the high melting temperature peak with increasing crystallization temperature, suggests that the intra-chain 1-hexene distribution of the highly branched, high molecular weight fraction deviates strongly from the random behavior. These structural features and the bimodal character of the composition distribution of this resin, that contains high molecular weight chains with both low and high 1-hexene contents, are correlated with the enhanced key film properties.
Influence of the electron–phonon interaction on electron transport in wurtzite GaN

A full-band electron transport calculation in wurtzite phase GaN based on an accurate model of electron–phonon interactions using a rigid pseudo-ion model is reported. The calculated deformation potentials are used to estimate the scattering rate in a cellular Monte Carlo (CMC) simulator. Longitudinal optical (LO)-like and transverse optical (TO)-like polar optical phonon scatterings are also employed in this work. The calculated velocity is lower than the previous works which used fixed deformation potentials.
THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF RECTANGULAR SYMMETRIC ANGLE-PLY LAMINATES RESTING ON AN ELASTIC FOUNDATION

An approximate closed form expression was developed and used to predict the fundamental frequency of symmetric laminated composite plates resting on an elastic foundation. Results were presented for various foundation stiffnesses, laminate aspect ratios, and ply orientation
Comparison of nondestructive proton and neutron activation: The case of biological samples

The capabilities of reactor neutron and 12 MeV proton activation were evaluted on samples of orchard leaves, beef liver and bovine liver. Based on γ-ray spectrometry, As, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mo, Pb, Sr, Ti, Zn and Zr at levels ranging from 2 to 20 900 ppm were detected following proton activation of 1 hour. Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, Mg, Mn, Rb and V (ranging from 0.4 to 20 900 ppm) were measured by neutron activation (1 min irradiation). As, Ba, Br, Cr, Co, Fe, Hg, La, Na, Rb, Sb and Zn (ranging from 0.2 to 2400 ppm) were determined following a 14 h neutron irradiation. Although covering different elements, the two techniques are comparable in their scope, i. e. detection limits that can be achieved and number of elements that can be detected simultaneously.
Active sites of alumina and silica-alumina as observed by temperature programmed desorption

Abstract The active sites for chemisorption of ethylene on alumina and on a series of mixed gel silica-alumina catalysts have been investigated by the temperature programmed desorption technique as a function of the temperature of activation of alumina and of the composition of silica-alumina. The activity of these catalysts for ethylene hydrogenation and dimerization at low temperatures has also been measured to obtain additional qualitative and quantitative characterization of the active sites. The total number of sites on alumina is increased when the temperature of evacuation (i.e., the activation temperature) is raised but a treatment with moisture is necessary to create the stronger sites, the sites which are responsible for ethylene dimerization. The specific activity (the activity per site) of the weaker sites of alumina, the sites responsible for ethylene hydrogenation at low temperatures, increases with the evacuation temperature while the specific activity of the stronger sites does not change at evacuation temperatures higher than 550 °. The total number of active sites on silica-alumina increases monotonously with the alumina content, but the specific activity per site for ethylene dimerization goes through a maximum (and the activation energy through a minimum) at about 35 mole % alumina. The results show that the composition of silica-alumina determines both the number of sites and their specific activity. The activity for ethylene hydrogenation is highest with pure alumina and drops sharply when small amounts of silica are added. The transition from alumina to silica-alumina is clearly shown by the activity curves for these two reactions, hydrogenation and dimerization of ethylene.
Zebrafish as a Model System for Studying Neuronal Circuits and Behaviora

Zebrafish are best known as a model system for studies of the genetics of development. They do, however, also offer many advantages for the study of neuronal circuitry because the larvae are transparent, allowing optical studies of neuronal activity and noninvasive photoablations of individual neurons. The combination of these optical methods with genetics through the use of mutant and transgenic lines of fish should make the zebrafish model a unique and powerful one among vertebrates. Here we review the strengths of the model and the possibilities it offers for studies of the neural basis of behavior.
Effect of incompletely converted soybean oil on biodiesel quality

Presence of fully converted monoalkyl esters is the major requirement in quality biodiesel. Due to high associated costs with testing and widespread production of biodiesel not only in commercial scale but also in small scale, there is a high propensity of substandard biodiesel entering the market and being used in compression ignition engines. Due to this reason, it is important to understand how low grade biodiesel with a lower methyl ester conversion affects the parameters of quality standards and as a result, engine performance and durability. In this paper, the performance of fatty acid methyl esters with different proportions of unconverted triglycerides has been evaluated. The study has comprehensively evaluated the effect of unconverted triglycerides on flash point, water and sediment, kinematic viscosity, sulfur content, sulfated ash, copper strip corrosion, cetane number, cloud point, carbon residue, acid number, free glycerin, total glycerin, phosphorus content and distillation temperature.
Fully integrated 2.2-mW CMOS front end for a 900-MHz wireless receiver

Low power consumption is the most important concern for integrated wireless devices. This paper illustrates low-power design principles in the CMOS context. They entail seeking strategic combinations of high-quality off-chip passives with RF integrated circuits and searching for better architectures in wireless receivers to low power. The principles are illustrated with a fully integrated 2.2-mW 1.2-V front end for 900-MHz receiver, fabricated in 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS.
System integrity in small real-time computer systems

Reliability has been a long-standing concern to the user of small real-time computer systems. Traditionally, reliability has been measured by parameters such as mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) and is usually associated with the failure of a hardware component in the system. But there are many other causes of errors in a computer system: a minute particle of dirt may become momentarily lodged on a magnetic recording media, a transient pulse may be induced in a logic circuit by a line transient or a lightning strike, or an algorithm for a calculation may result in an invalid address. The errors caused by these phenomena can be just as serious, and can have similarly grave consequences, as those caused by actual component failure.
Cell degradation in commercial LiFePO4 cells with high-power and high-energy designs

Abstract A quantitative analysis is presented to determine the degradation modes attributing to capacity fade in commercial LiFePO4 cells with high-power (HP) and high-energy (HE) designs. The capacity fade in the HP cell is predominantly due to the loss of lithium inventory. The fade in the HE cell is much more complicated as a function of rate. Using techniques including rest-cell-voltage measurements to track state-of-charge, dQ/dV analysis to trace peak area variations, and mechanistic model simulations (by the ‘Alawa toolbox), the capacity fades in the initial 120 cycles and subsequent aging are analyzed and degradation modes identified. Detailed ‘Alawa simulation with careful experimental validation explains the complexity of degradation in the HE cell. Peculiar rate-dependent initial capacity increases at rates higher than C/5 was likely attributed to electrochemical milling, resulting in active surface area increases and reduced polarization resistance (as the actual current density in the positive electrode was reduced). The mechanistic model and simulation capability illustrates the merits of this unique diagnostic approach with unprecedented holistic quantitative resolution for complicated cell degradation that seems hardly resolvable by other diagnostic methods.
The Apicomplexan AP2 family: Integral factors regulating Plasmodium development

Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium and involves infection of multiple hosts and cell types during the course of an infection. To complete its complex life cycle the parasite requires strict control of gene regulation for survival and successful propagation. Thus far, the Apicomplexan AP2 (ApiAP2) family of DNA-binding proteins is the sole family of proteins to have surfaced as candidate transcription factors in all apicomplexan species. Work from several laboratories is beginning to shed light on how the ApiAP2 proteins from Plasmodium spp. contribute to the regulation of gene expression at various stages of parasite development. Here we highlight recent progress toward understanding the role of Plasmodium ApiAP2 proteins in DNA related regulatory processes including transcriptional regulation and gene silencing.
Evaluation of ifosfamide salvage therapy for metastatic canine osteosarcoma.

A retrospective study was performed to assess toxicity and response rate of ifosfamide salvage treatment for dogs diagnosed with metastatic osteosarcoma (OSA). Dogs diagnosed with OSA and previously treated with standard chemotherapy were included in the study. Nineteen dogs met the inclusion criteria, and 17 dogs were evaluable for response. Ifosfamide doses ranged from 375 to 425 mg m −2 (median dose 375 mg m −2 ), with a median of two doses administered per dog (range 1 – 7 doses). The overall response to ifosfamide was 11.8% [complete response (CR) = 1/17, partial response (PR) = 1/17, stable disease (SD) = 2/17, progressive disease (PD) = 13/17]. Two dogs were hospitalized due to ifosfamide toxicosis. The median survival duration from the first dose of ifosfamide to death was 95 days. Ifosfamide was well tolerated, but minor anti-tumour activity was observed.
Procedural and Methodological Parameters in Behavioral-Gerontological Research: A Review:

This article analyzes the behavioral-gerontological research published before 1984. The 151 studies located were classified into three main categories: observation, assessment, and intervention. Each study and each category were examined for variations in the behavioral procedures employed, and in the scientific research methods used to collect and analyze data. The survey indicated several serious problems in the research. Much of the behavioral-gerontological research focuses on institutionalized elderly, and tends to perpetuate a passive, helpless role on the part of the elderly in the treatment process. Less than 20 percent of the studies focused on observation or assessment, and most of these were found to be flawed. The intervention studies were also problematic; the majority of them were of short duration and had only one treatment phase which did not vary substantially during the study period. Most also failed to provide for interobserver agreement, generalization, maintenance, and follow-up asses...
Why Four-Dimensionalism Explains Coincidence

In ‘Does Four-Dimensionalism Explain Coincidence?’ Mark Moyer argues that there is no reason to prefer the four-dimensionalist (or perdurantist) explanation of coincidence to the three-dimensionalist (or endurantist) explanation. I argue that Moyer's formulations of perdurantism and endurantism lead him to overlook the perdurantist's advantage. A more satisfactory formulation of these views reveals a puzzle of coincidence that Moyer does not consider, and the perdurantist's treatment of this puzzle is clearly preferable.
A Dynamic Programming-based Approach to Microarray Image Registration

Microarray technology is increasingly used as a means of high throughput analysis of human, non-human and plant genomes. Manual methods of array production have inherent imperfections and variations of the quality of output data derived from these arrays. For paired microarray images acquired using manual methods of array production, image registration is necessary for aligning corresponding spots for comparison. In this research, a dynamic programming technique is investigated for registering and comparing microarray image pairs. The output of the cost function developed provides a similarity measure between the images and can be applied to evaluating the quality of the image pair. The backward solution from the dynamic programming algorithm developed provides the basis for registering the image pairs. The image registration technique provides for an optimal alignment of the image pairs. The aligned images facilitate spot-to-spot comparisons between the image pairs for detecting specific genetic expressions that could be related to bio-medical functions.
QUANTIFYING THE POSITION OF THE STATIONARY STATE TRAJECTORY BETWEEN THE MICHAELIS-MENTEN AND BRIGGS-HALDANE EQUATIONS AS A FUNCTION OF THE INITIAL ENZYME CONCENTRATION

For single intermediate enzyme kinetic systems, a relationship between a defined dimensionless parameter alpha (α) and the rate constants and initial enzyme concentration of the system was derived to describe the stationary-state trajectory of d(P)/dt versus (S) between the upper and lower bounds of the Michaelis-Menten and Briggs-Haldane systems. It was found that α is a function of E o /k m and the parameter Ω, which is a function of k 2 and k 3. The development of the α parameter provides a new method for directly estimating all the rate constants in the enzyme kinetic model, given (S) and (P) data as a function of time. This method for estimating the three rate constants and initial enzyme concentration is tested on four sets of simulated discrete (isothermal) data covering a range of different trajectories and on experimental data for the horseradish-peroxidase enzyme system.
Patterns of contraction of distal forelimb muscles produced by intracortical stimulation in cats.

Abstract Cortical activation of distal forelimb muscles was examined by using a method of intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) in cats and the following results were obtained. (1) Stimulation of deep cortical layers (laminae V and VI) with trains of stimulating pulses (300/sec, 4–20 μA) could produce sustained contraction of muscles which lasted as long as the ICMS continued (1–3 sec). (2) Stimulation within superficial layers always produced phasic contractions which ended before the termination of the ICMS. (3) Sustained contractions produced by ICMS could be enhanced or reduced by another ICMS delivered into a different part of the cortex. The cortical zone which produced contraction of a muscle wasnot co-extensive with the zone which inhibited contraction of the antagonist. (4) By properly placing two electrodes within the cortex it was possible to produce simultaneous contraction of antagonistic muscles,i.e., m. extensor digitorum and m. palmaris longus. (5) It is concluded that functional differentiation in motorsensory cortex is accomplished by discrete spatial separation of excitatory and inhibitory zones for each muscle. It is proposed that variety in movement is achieved by activation of various combinations of cortical efferent zones.
Visiting medical student elective and clerkship programs: a survey of US and Puerto Rico allopathic medical schools

No published reports of studies have provided aggregate data on visiting medical student (VMS) programs at allopathic medical schools. During 2006, a paper survey was mailed to all 129 allopathic medical schools in the United States and Puerto Rico using a list obtained from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Contents of the survey items were based on existing literature and expert opinion and addressed various topics related to VMS programs, including organizational aspects, program objectives, and practical issues. Responses to the survey items were yes-or-no, multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and free-text responses. Data related to the survey responses were summarized using descriptive statistics. Representatives of 76 schools (59%) responded to the survey. Of these, 73 (96%) reported their schools had VMS programs. The most common reason for having a VMS program was "recruitment for residency programs" (90%). "Desire to do a residency at our institution" was ranked as the leading reason visiting medical students choose to do electives or clerkships. In descending order, the most popular rotations were in internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, emergency medicine, and pediatrics. All VMS programs allowed fourth-year medical students, and approximately half (58%) allowed international medical students. The most common eligibility requirements were documentation of immunizations (92%), previous clinical experience (85%), and successful completion of United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 (51%). Of the programs that required clinical experience, 82% required 33 weeks or more. Most institutions (96%) gave priority for electives and clerkships to their own students over visiting students, and a majority (78%) reported that visiting students were evaluated no differently than their own students. During academic year 2006-2007, the number of new resident physicians who were former visiting medical students ranged widely among the responding institutions (range, 0-76). Medical schools' leading reason for having VMS programs is recruitment into residency programs and the most commonly cited reason students participate in these programs is to secure residency positions. However, further research is needed regarding factors that determine the effectiveness of VMS programs in residency program recruitment and the development of more universal standards for VMS eligibility requirements and assessment.
Responses of the cells of the supra-optic nucleus; kinetic aspects.

Rats of two strains were provided with 2.5% salt water to drink instead of tap water. This stress to the adrenal-hypophysis system results in a series of changes in the cells of the supra-optic nucleus; the progress of these changes was studied. The enlargement of the cells occurs at a very early stage, whereas the development of rough endoplasmic reticulum occurs somewhat later. These changes are discussed in terms of a model of neuron reactivity to firing.
Service Innovation and Customer Choices in the Hospitality Industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact service innovation has on customers' choices within the hotel and leisure industry. The paper also discusses the influence of the creation of new services on both service development and operational strategy.Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on a national survey of approximately 1,000 travelers in the United States, using a web‐based data acquisition approach. The travelers are segmented by reason of travel (business or leisure), and discrete choice analysis is applied to model customer preferences for various hotel service innovations.Findings – Overall, the study finds that service innovation does matter when guests are selecting a hotel, with type of lodging having the largest impact on a customer's hotel choice. In addition, service innovation is found to have a larger influence on choices when guests are staying at economy hotels rather than mid‐range to up‐scale hotels. Also, leisure travelers were found to be more inf...
Oxidative modification of H-ras: S-thiolation and S-nitrosylation of reactive cysteines

The reactive cysteines in H-ras are subject to oxidative modifications that potentially alter the cellular function of this protein. In this study, purified H-ras was modified by thiol oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), S-nitrosoglutathione, diamide, glutathione disulphide (GSSG) and cystamine, producing as many as four charge-isomeric forms of the protein. These results suggest that all four reactive cysteines of H-ras are potential sites of regulatory modification reactions. S-nitrosylated and S-glutathiolated forms of H-ras were identified by protocols that depend on separation of alkylated proteins on electrofocusing gels. S-nitrosoglutathione could S-nitrosylate H-ras on four cysteine residues, while reduced glutathione (GSH) and H(2)O(2) mediate S-glutathiolation on at least one cysteine of H-ras. Either GSSG or diamide S-glutathiolated at least two cysteine residues of purified H-ras. Iodoacetic acid reacts with three cysteine residues. In intact NIH-3T3 cells, wild-type H-ras was S-glutathiolated by diamide. Similarly, cells expressing a C118S mutant or a C181S/C184S double mutant of H-ras were S-glutathiolated by diamide. These results suggest that H-ras can be S-glutathiolated on multiple thiols in vivo and that at least one of these thiols is normally lipid-modified. In cells treated with S-nitrosocysteine, evidence for both S-nitrosylated and S-glutathiolated H-ras was obtained and S-nitrosylation was the predominant modification. These results show that oxidative modification of H-ras can be extensive in vivo, that both S-nitrosylated and S-glutathiolated forms may be important, and that oxidation may occur on reactive cysteines that are normally targeted for lipid-modification reactions.
Dissociation of Spatial-, Object-, and Sound-Coding Neurons in the Mediodorsal Nucleus of the Primate Thalamus

The mediodorsal nucleus (MD) is the thalamic gateway to the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with spatial and object working memory functions. We have recorded single-neuron activities from the MD nucleus in monkeys trained to perform spatial tasks with peripheral visual stimuli and a nonspatial task with foveally presented pictures of objects and faces-tasks identical to those we have previously used to map regional specializations in the dorso- and ventro-lateral prefrontal cortex, respectively. We found that MD neurons exhibited categorical specificity-either responding selectively to locations in the spatial tasks or preferentially to specific representations of faces and objects in the nonspatial task. Spatially tuned neurons were located in parts of the MD connected with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex while neurons responding to the identity of stimuli mainly occupied more ventral positions in the nucleus that has its connections with the inferior prefrontal convexity. Neuronal responses to auditory stimuli were also examined, and vocalization sensitive neurons were found in more posterior portions of the MD. We conclude that MD neurons are dissociable by their spatial and nonspatial coding properties in line with their cortical connections and that the principle of information segregation in cortico-cortical pathways extends to the "association" nuclei of the thalamus.
Coupling of finite element and moment methods for electromagnetic scattering from inhomogeneous objects

A hybrid formulation which combines the method of moments (MM) with the finite element method (FEM) to solve electromagnetic scattering and/or absorption problems involving inhomogeneous media is discussed. The basic technique is to apply the equivalence principle and transform the original problem into interior and exterior problems, which are coupled on the exterior dielectric body surface through the continuities of the tangential electric field and magnetic field. The interior problem involving inhomogeneous medium is solved by the FEM, and the exterior problem is solved by the MM. The coupling of the interior and exterior problems on their common surface results in a matrix equation for the equivalent current sources for the interior and exterior problems. Combining advantages of both methods allows complicated inhomogeneous problems with arbitrary geometry to be treated in a straightforward manner. The validity and accuracy of the formulation are checked by two-dimensional numerical results, which are compared with the exact eigenfunction solution, the unimoment solution, and Richmond's pure moment solution. >
The emergent father role

Using data collected before and after birth of a couple's first child, change in each parent's view of men as fathers was investigated in a short-term longitudinal study. Semantic differential scales tapped the man's image of self as father, the woman's image of husband as father, and each parent's rating of the baby's adjustment. Interview questions provided information on circumstances of the birth, the father's early child care activities, and parents' previous child care experience. Men's judgments of their own effectiveness as fathers declined from before the birth to afterward. Wives' judgments of their husbands' effectiveness as fathers also declined over that same period, but wives rated husbands higher than husbands rated themselves at both times. A single-equation multiple regression model, adapted from a structural model, was estimated to explain change in both spouses' ratings of the man's paternal role competence. It revealed that working-class spouses agreed on the basis for their judgments of the father's role performance, in that both judged him mainly in terms of how much he participated in child care. Middle-class spouses disagreed on the basis for their judgments of fathers, however. The middle-class men rated their own performance in the father role mainly in terms of the baby's adjustment; if they judged the baby to be happier, they judged themselves to be more competent as fathers. The middle-class women did not rate fathers on that basis. Instead, the middle-class women's ratings responded to the circumstances of the birth and to the father's participation in child care chores. Findings are discussed in terms of family role theory, social-class differences in the father's role, and recent change in expectations for men's parental role.
Long-term Results of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopic Balloon Dilation in the Management of Benign Tracheobronchial Stenosis

Study Objectives: To assess the short- and long-term effects of balloon dilatation using a fiberoptic bronchoscope in the management of benign tracheobronchial stenosis (TBS). Treatment strategies have included open surgical resection or endoscopic techniques. The endoscopic techniques have included Nd:Yag laser, cryotherapy, stent placement, rigid bronchoscopy, and balloon dilation (BD). Design: Prospective sequentiality study. Setting: Tertiary care academic hospital. Patients: This study consisted of 14 patients, ages ranging from 35 to 72 years, whose symptoms of dyspnea, cough, or wheeze were attributable to a TBS. Intervention: This study describes the use of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) with a balloon catheter for airway dilation. Each patient underwent FFB, in which a balloon catheter was threaded over the guidewire and positioned across the stenosis. Under direct visualization, the balloon was inflated for 30 to 120 s. Repeat inflation-deflation cycles were done if airway narrowing remained after the initial attempt. Results: Seven patients had TBS following lung transplantation, three after sleeve resection, two following irradiation therapy, and two due to fibrosing mediastinitis. All patients had initial success: increased airway dimensions and symptom relief. Ten patients had successful airway dilation after one session. Of the four patients who required multiple sessions, one had cryotherapy and in each of the others an airway stent was placed. Conclusions: BD offers immediate symptom relief and can be used in conjunction with Nd:Yag laser, cryotherapy, stent placement, or mechanical dilation with a rigid bronchoscope. The advantages of FFB with BD include operator familiarity, patient safety, and avoidance of general anesthesia. (CHEST 1998; 114:796–800) Abbreviations: BC=balloon catheter; BD=balloon dilation; FFB=flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy; TBS=tracheobronchial stenosis
Phytochrome and Seed Germination. IV. Action of Light Sources With Different Spectral Energy Distribution on the Germination of Tomato Seeds

Germination of tomato seeds exposed to a single, saturating irradiation from light sources of different spectral energy distribution seems to be dependent upon the photostationary P(FR)/P(R) ratio established by the irradiation. Germination of tomato seeds exposed to prolonged irradiations from the same light sources does not seem to be controlled solely by the P(FR)/P(R) ratio induced and maintained by the irradiation.
Image fusion using the Parameterized Logarithmic Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform

Image fusion combines multiple images into a single image containing the relevant information from each of the original source images. This paper introduces a new Parameterized Logarithmic Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (PL-DT-CWT) and its application for image fusion. The new transform combines the Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DT-CWT) with the Parameterized Logarithmic Image Processing (PLIP) model, a nonlinear image processing framework for processing images. Experimental results via computer simulations illustrate the improved performance of the proposed algorithms by both qualitative and quantitative means.
Band-gap variation in Mg- and Cd-doped ZnO nanostructures and molecular clusters

We study the effect of doping on band gap in Mg- and Cd-doped zinc oxide nanostructures and molecular clusters. The fabrication of doped nanostructures was carried out via solution route. The lower doping efficiency of Cd than that of Mg has been explained in terms of binding energy. The band gap varied from $3.04\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ in Cd-doped ($9.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{at.}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}%$ of Cd) nanostructure to $3.99\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ in Mg-doped ($16.8\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{at.}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}%$ of Mg) nanostructure. Theoretical analysis using first-principles molecular dynamics techniques on pristine and doped ZnO clusters shows that the energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital exhibits a similar variation as does the band gap in nanostructures with the varying concentration of Mg and Cd.