cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early arteriolar and capillary changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and intraperitoneal hyperglycaemic rats.

Comparison of intestinal arteriolar characteristics in vivo were made in normal rats, normal rats injected intraperitoneally twice daily with either 0.15 mmol/l saline or 16.6 mmol/l glucose in 0.15 mmol/l saline (total value 5% of body weight), and in streptozotocin treated rats (plasma glucose > 22.2 mmol/l). Each regimen was continued for 4–5 weeks before the study. Interperitoneal injection of glucose increased the plasma glucose concentration by 0.8–1.6 mmol/l for 2–2.5 h. The microvascular characteristics of normal and saline injected rats were identical. Results obtained in glucose-treated and diabetic animals were very similar and included: 1) resting arteriolar vasodilation, 2) subnormal dilation at removal of all vascular control with adenosine, 3) total arteriolar vessel wall, including smooth muscle, cross-sectional area and wall to lumen ratio one-third to one-half less than normal, and 4) capillary separation distances increased above normal by 40%–50%. The results indicate that the morphological and functional changes in intestinal arterioles and capillaries found in diabetic rats after 4–5 weeks can be reproduced in the intestinal tissues of a normal animal exposed to intermittent increases in intraperitoneal glucose concentration.
The reaction of tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium with self-assembled alkyltrichlorosilane monolayers possessing -OH, -NH2, and -CH3 terminal groups.

The reactions of tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium, Ti[N(CH3)2]4, with alkyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) terminated by −OH, −NH2, and −CH3 groups have been investigated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For comparison, a chemically oxidized Si surface, which serves as the starting point for formation of the SAMs, has also been investigated. In this work, we examined the kinetics of adsorption, the spatial extent, and stoichiometry of the reaction. Chemically oxidized Si has been found to be the most reactive surface examined here, followed by the −OH, −NH2, and −CH3 terminated SAMs, in that order. On all surfaces, the reaction of Ti[N(CH3)2]4 was relatively facile, as evidenced by a rather weak dependence of the initial reaction probability on substrate temperature (Ts = −50 to 110 °C), and adsorption could be described by first-order Langmuirian kinetics. The use of angle-resolved XPS demonstrated clearly that the anomalous reactivity of the −CH3 terminated SAM could be attri...
Microneedle-based analysis of the micromechanics of the metaphase spindle assembled in Xenopus laevis egg extracts

To explain how micrometer-sized cellular structures generate and respond to forces, we need to characterize their micromechanical properties. Here we provide a protocol to build and use a dual force-calibrated microneedle-based setup to quantitatively analyze the micromechanics of a metaphase spindle assembled in Xenopus laevis egg extracts. This cell-free extract system allows for controlled biochemical perturbations of spindle components. We describe how the microneedles are prepared and how they can be used to apply and measure forces. A multimode imaging system allows the tracking of microtubules, chromosomes and needle tips. This setup can be used to analyze the viscoelastic properties of the spindle on timescales ranging from minutes to sub-seconds. A typical experiment, along with data analysis, is also detailed. We anticipate that our protocol can be readily extended to analyze the micromechanics of other cellular structures assembled in cell-free extracts. The entire procedure can take 3-4 d.
Expression of a constitutively active type I BMP receptor using a retroviral vector promotes the development of adrenergic cells in neural crest cultures.

Previous work has demonstrated that the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-2, BMP-4, and BMP-7 can promote the development of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive and catecholamine-positive cells in quail trunk neural crest cultures. In the present work, we showed that mRNA for the type I bone morphogenetic protein receptor IA (BMPR-IA) was present in neural crest cells grown in the absence or presence of BMP-4. We have used a replication-competent avian retrovirus to express a constitutively active form of BMPR-IA in neural crest cells in culture. Cultures grown in the absence of BMP-4 and infected with retrovirus containing a construct encoding this activated BMPR-IA developed five times more TH-immunoreactive and catecholamine-positive cells than uninfected control cultures or cultures infected with virus bearing the wild-type BMPR-IA cDNA. The number of TH-positive cells which developed was dependent on the concentration of virus bearing the activated receptor cDNA used in the experiments. Most TH-positive cells which developed also contained viral p19 protein. Total cell number was not affected by infection with the virus containing the activated receptor construct. The effect of the activated receptor was phenotype-specific since infection with the virus bearing the activated receptor cDNA did not alter the number or morphology of microtubule-associated protein (MAP)2-immunoreactive cells, which are distinct from the TH-positive cell population. These findings are consistent with the observation that MAP2-positive cells are not affected by the presence of BMP-4. Taken together, these results suggest that activity of BMPR-IA is an important element in promoting the development of the adrenergic phenotype in neural crest cultures.
Neodarwinian theories of violent criminality and antisocial behavior: Photographic evidence from nonhuman animals and a review of the literature

Abstract In this article, photographic evidence is presented that humans are not alone in the commission of crime, except in the rather trivial sense that crimes can only be committed by “adult” humans living in societies where written criminal statutes exist. Accompanying this evidence are descriptions of six recently proposed evolutionary theories of violent criminality and persistent antisocial behavior (e.g., chronic deceit and cruelty toward others). These theories venture far from Cesare Lombroso's famous 19th century proposal regarding criminal atavism that has been used to amuse introductory students of criminology for years. Two categories of evolutionary theories are described. The first category pertain to specific crimes: rape (or sexual assault), spousal (and romantic triangle) assault/murder; and child abuse and neglect. The second category of theories target criminal and antisocial behavior more broadly. These are the cheater (or cad) theory, the r/K selection theory , and the coincidental status striving theory . All six theories have in common the assumption that just as in other social animals, natural selection has acted on human populations over numerous generations in ways that frequently give a reproductive advantage to individuals who victimize others under certain conditions. While these theories are still too new to have been empirically scrutinized in all respects, the available evidence is sufficiently supportive to warrant their being given further research attention. Several hypotheses derived from the six theories are identified for future exploration.
NK Cells, Innate Immunity and Hepatitis C Infection after Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation in patients with active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is followed by almost universal recurrence of viral infection. The control of HCV infection has been characterized largely in terms of the HCV-specific function of T-lymphocytes and the adaptive immune response. Emerging data suggest that components of the innate immune system, including natural killer cells, have a central role in determining the nature of posttransplant HCV infection and the likelihood of response to antiviral therapy. This review examines the emerging evidence implicating innate immunity in the pathogenesis of posttransplant HCV infections and the potential therapeutic implications of these observations.
International trade, religion, and political freedom: an empirical investigation

This paper explores the impact of religion (Islam), culture, and political freedom on bilateral trade flows by employing an augmented version of the gravity model. A stratified global sample of thirty–three countries for the period 1996–99 is selected. Unlike past studies that used gravity models to estimate "separately" the impact of religion, culture, or language on trade in a categorised framework such as the Organization of Islamic Countries, this study investigates the effects of religion, culture, and political freedom in one model and within a global framework. After controlling for oil–exporting countries and regional trade arrangements, findings reveal that, on average, Muslim majority countries trade less than their Christian, Buddhist, or other counterparts. Results also reveal that countries with more political freedom and English language affiliation (a proxy for one aspect of culture) tend to trade more than the model predicts.
Residential energy simulation and scheduling: A case study approach

Residential energy contributes to 38% of the total energy consumption of the United States [1]. Current research aims to reduce consumption through time-of-use (TOU) pricing or by providing energy information to consumers. Industrial innovations are focused on energy efficiency and automated control of appliances. However, to date, quantifying the benefits of current and future technology improvements in residential energy management is difficult. This work presents HomeSim, a simulation platform aimed at residential energy modeling that can compare and quantify these results. The subsequent case studies leverage HomeSim to explore current and future technologies, including distributed batteries, renewable sources, smart appliances, cost-aware scheduling, and peak power reduction.
Metabolism of monoiodotyrosine, diiodotyrosine, triiodothyronine and thyroxine by L-amino acid oxidase.

Thyroxine, triiodothyronine, diiodotyrosine and monoiodotyrosine, labelled with I131, were incubated with L-amino acid oxidase of cobra venom, and their metabolites studied by paper chromatography and radioautography. Under these conditions, the iodinated tyrosines were converted to the corresponding alpha-keto acid and acetic acid, inorganic iodide, and a number of unknown compounds. The deiodination of iodotyrosines by L-amino acid oxidase occurred after their corresponding alpha keto acids were formed by deamination of theamino acids. Triiodothyronine and thhyroxine were converted to their respective acetic acid derivatives, but not to inorganic iodide. The rate of degradation of these aromatic iodinated compounds by L-amino acid oxidase was related to the number of iodine atoms in the phenyl or diphenyl ether radical; i.e. monoiodotyrosine→diiodotyrosine→triiodothyronine→thyroxine.
Ground Relay Protection for Transmission Systems

The relay problems of an electric power system are most important, and are very vital to the successful operation of the system. More and more consideration is being given to the relay engineers' point of view with resultant improvement in system operation. Several large, successful companies undertake no project having any bearing on the primary electric system without due regard to the relay engineer's recommendation. With the transmission networks becoming more and more interconnected, and with the injection into the problem the interconnections with other power companies, the absolute necessity of isolating a faulty line, (or a faulty piece of equipment), is essential and is becoming more clearly recognized by all large companies. Since this article was written, other 66-kv., ground relay tests have been made with a resistor grounded neutral and with a solidly grounded neutral, and some very interesting and unexpected points were discovered. It is hoped these points will be brought out during the discussion of this paper.
Sequences required for antitermination by phage 82 Q protein

Abstract The gene Q antiterminator proteins of phages λ and 82 modify RNA polymerase at sites (named qut ) that are close to, and apparently inseparable from the promoters themselves. Modification occurs while RNA polymerase has paused close to the start site, at nucleotide 16 for λ, and nucleotides 15 and 25 for phage 82. We present a deletion analysis of the phage 82 qut site that identifies sequences required for pausing and shows that these sequences also are required for efficient Q function in vivo and in vitro . We show (1) that deletions as close as +5 to the RNA start site retain some ability to be modified by Q 82 , suggesting that part of the qut site is in the non-transcribed region of the promoter; (2) that NusA protein is required for activity of Q 82 on certain qut82 site deletions, whereas it only modestly stimulates antitermination from the native qut82 site; and (3) that qut82 is active only on RNA polymerase that initiates at the qut -associated promoter, and not on RNA polymerase that initiates upstream and passes through an otherwise active qut82 site.
Epidemiology and (neo-)colonialism

Reflecting on the complex and important issues raised in the paper by Luis Aviles in this issue of the journal,1 I would like to discuss an example of how a recent shift in the epidemiological approaches used by researchers at an international agency may both mirror the underlying assumptions and reinforce the practice of neocolonialism. As experienced by many low income countries today, “neocolonialism” refers to the replacement of colonial powers' direct political and military control with indirect economic control by multilateral international lending agencies, bilateral donors (often including the former colonisers), and private, corporate investors from affluent countries. Underlying this new order are the basic free market assumptions that aggregate economic growth is the ultimate measure of societal development, and that optimal growth can only be attained when market forces are unimpeded by policies designed to redistribute wealth. What is the relevance of these political and economic issues to epidemiology? For centuries, strong links between health and socioeconomic status/position (SES) have been demonstrated across diverse settings and health measures. Given that evidence, and the widening disparities in wealth occurring in countries of all income levels, many have argued for routine reporting and analysis of health information disaggregated by markers of SES.2-6 This perspective supports ongoing monitoring of social inequalities in health (SIH) within countries, that is, health disparities between subnational population groups defined by social factors such as poverty/wealth. With the goal of providing data needed to …
Sample design and cohort selection in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Purpose The Hispanic Community Health Study (HCHS)/Study of Latinos (SOL) is a multicenter, community-based cohort study of Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States. A diverse participant sample is required that is both representative of the target population and likely to remain engaged throughout follow-up. The choice of sample design, its rationale, and benefits and challenges of design decisions are described in this study. Methods The study design calls for recruitment and follow-up of a cohort of 16,000 Hispanics/Latinos 18–74 years of age, with 62.5% (10,000) over 44 years of age and adequate subgroup sample sizes to support inference by Hispanic/Latino background. Participants are recruited in community areas surrounding four field centers in the Bronx, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego. A two-stage area probability sample of households is selected with stratification and oversampling incorporated at each stage to provide a broadly diverse sample, offer efficiencies in field operations, and ensure that the target age distribution is obtained. Conclusions Embedding probability sampling within this traditional, multisite cohort study design enables competing research objectives to be met. However, the use of probability sampling requires developing solutions to some unique challenges in both sample selection and recruitment, as described here.
Fully relativistic complete active space self-consistent field for large molecules: Quasi-second-order minimax optimization

We develop an efficient algorithm for four-component complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) methods on the basis of the Dirac equation that takes into account spin–orbit and other relativistic effects self-consistently. Orbitals are optimized using a trust-region quasi-Newton method with Hessian updates so that energies are minimized with respect to rotations among electronic orbitals and maximized with respect to rotations between electronic and positronic orbitals. Utilizing density fitting and parallel computation, we demonstrate that Dirac–Coulomb CASSCF calculations can be routinely performed on systems with 100 atoms and a few heavy-elements. The convergence behavior and wall times for octachloridodirhenate(III) and a tungsten methylidene complex are presented. In addition, the excitation energies of octachloridodirhenate(III) are reported using a state-averaged variant.
High-precision hyperfine structure measurement in slow atomic ion beams by collinear laser-rf double resonance

A new collinear laser-ion beam apparatus for slow ions (1 to 1.5 keV) has been built for measuring the hyperfine structure of metastable levels of ions with laser-rf double resonance technique. Narrow linewidths of approx.60 kHz (FWHM) have been observed for the first time in such systems. As a first application the hyperfine structure of the 4f/sup 7/(/sup 8/S/sup 0/)5d /sup 9/D/sub J//sup 0/ metastable levels of /sup 151,153/Eu/sup +/ has been measured with high precision. 10 refs., 8 figs.
SecA protein is exposed to the periplasmic surface of the E. coli inner membrane in its active state

Summary E. coli cells harboring pCG169 containing the secD secF locus possessed SecA protein almost entirely in an integral membrane form in which it displayed normal protein translocation activity. These results imply that integral membrane SecA is the catalytically active form of this enzyme and that products of the secD secF locus regulate SecA association with the inner membrane. Protease and biotinylation accessibility studies of right side-out and inside-out membrane vesicles derived from this strain revealed that SecA was exposed to the periplasmic surface of the inner membrane. These studies suggest a model of bacterial protein secretion, whereby insertion of SecA into the inner membrane and its association with SecY/E/G promotes assembly of active protein-conducting channels comprised in part of integral membrane SecA protein, and products of the secD secF locus regulate the channel assembly-disassembly reaction by modulating the SecA insertion-deinsertion step.
Improved source and transport of monoenergetic MeV positrons

Abstract A new monoenergetic MeV positron beam source was designed and constructed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) positron facility. The positron source provides a low emittance beam with high energy resolution for channeling, scattering, and in-flight annihilation experiments. New beam optics for extracting slow positrons from a moderator mounted in a Pelletron electrostatic accelerator is presented. A beam line was designed and constructed to energy analyze the output of the accelerator and to provide adjustable size and angular divergence beams to a target station. A post target large angle acceptance magnet separates positrons transmitted through the target from forward gamma ray emission.
The reinstatement model and relapse prevention: a clinical perspective.

Objectives This commentary assesses the degree to which the reinstatement model is homologous to the human experience of relapse.
The beta decay of 18N and T = 2 states of mass 18

Abstract The 18 N(β − ) 18 O decay was observed via the 9 Be( 18 O, p2α) 18 N reaction, utilizing helium-transport techniques and Ge(Li) spectroscopy. In addition to the previously reported β-decay to the 18 O 4456 keV level ( J π = 1 − ) branches were observed to levels at excitation energies (in keV) of 1982 ( J π = 2 + ). 5530(2 − ), 6198(1 − ). 6350(2 − or 1 + ), 6880(0 − ), and 7771(2 − ). The percentage β-branches, in order of increasing excitation energy, are 3.9 ± 1.5, 54.6 ± 1.0, 3.1 ± 0.4, 1.4 ± 0.2, 2.2 ± 0.3, 14.8 ± 0.8 and 5.0 ± 0.5. respectively, with 15 % assumed on the basis of calculations to proceed to non-γ-emitting states. These measurements allow definite assignments J π = 1 − for the 18 N ground state and J π = 0 − for the 18 O 6880 keV state. Additional measurements determine the 18 N half-life to be T 1 2 = 624 ± 12 ms. A shell-model calculation for mass 18 was carried out in a full 1ħω basis. The predictions for the T = 2 energy level spectrum and for 18 N β-decay are discussed.
Severe psychosocial stress and heavy cigarette smoking during pregnancy: an examination of the pre- and perinatal risk factors associated with ADHD and Tourette syndrome

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently diagnosed in children with Tourette syndrome (TS). The basis for this co-occurrence is uncertain. This study aimed to determine if specific pre- and perinatal risk factors, including heavy maternal smoking and severe psychosocial stress during pregnancy, were associated with one or both disorders, or neither. We compared maternal report data on pre- and perinatal risk factors on 222 children between the ages of 7 and 18 years including 45 individuals with TS alone, 52 individuals with ADHD alone, 60 individuals with condition of comorbid TS + ADHD, and 65 unaffected control children. Pre- and perinatal histories as well as psychiatric assessments were performed using standardized questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with the mothers and children. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio for each variable of interest. Compared to the mothers of unaffected control children, the mothers of children with ADHD alone reported higher rates of heavy smoking (>10 cigarettes per day) during pregnancy and higher levels of severe psychosocial stress during pregnancy (OR = 13.5, p < 0.01 and OR = 6.8, p < 0.002, respectively). The TS + ADHD and the TS alone patients also had higher rates heavy maternal smoking and high levels of psychosocial stress compared to the control children, but these differences failed to reach statistical significance (heavy smoking: OR = 8.5, p < 0.052, OR = 4.6, p < 0.19, respectively; severe psychosocial stress: OR = 3.1, p < 0.07, OR = 2.6, p < 0.11, respectively). Heavy maternal smoking and severe levels psychosocial stress during pregnancy were independently associated with a diagnosis of ADHD. TS patients also had higher rates of these risk factors, but the ORs failed to reach statistical significance. Efforts are needed to reduce the frequency of these risk factors in high-risk populations. Future studies, using genetically sensitive designs, are also needed to sort out the causal pathways.
Clinical intestinal transplantation

The advent of tacrolimus allowed clinical intestinal transplantation to become a feasible procedure for patients with irreversible intestinal failure. Over last 5 years, 71 patients underwent intestinal transplantation. Forty-one recipients were children, and 30 recipients were adults. Twenty-five patients received an isolated intestinal graft, 34 patients received a combined liver-intestinal graft, and 12 received a multivisceral graft. The colon was included the intestinal graft in 29 patients. One-year, 2-year, and 4-year actuarial patient survival is 72%, 57%, and 45%, respectively. Our experience has shown that infectious, and immunological problems have caused significant morbidity and mortality. In this paper, we present our clinical experience and overview with intestinal transplantation.
Neurologic sequelae of cardiac catheterization

Neurologic complications are a known and at times tragic consequence of cardiac catheterization. During a four-year period, 1,362 procedures were performed at our institution on children less than 15 years of age. Eighteen children, without prior nervous system disease, developed neurologic sequelae within 24 hours of cardiac catheterization (1.3%). Three presented with seizures only, ten with neurologic deficits, and five with both focal seizures and stroke. Computerized tomography scans (16 patients) demonstrated areas of nonhemorrhagic infarction in all but one. The 18 patients were studied retrospectively for possible factors contributing to the neurologic complications. They were matched to controls by age, cardiac lesion, and catheterization technique. Data examined included catheterization duration and approach, contrast agent, precatheterization urine specific gravity, pre- and postcatheterization hematocrit, blood loss, and intracatheterization events. Catheter and catheter sheath clots were noted in both patient groups. The neurologic complication group had 7/18 intracatheterization neurologic events versus only one in the controls and the change in hematocrit was greater in the complication group (t = 2.89, p less than 0.01). Due to this study's results and to prevent possible thromboembolic events, a heparinization protocol was instituted and patients were prospectively observed for neurologic complications. No neurologic complications have occurred over three years since the institution of this protocol.
39 DELAYED MOTOR DEVELOPMENT IN PREMATURE INFANTS WITH BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA

Attrition in neuromuscular capabilities may result from an inability to use muscles in infancy. To study motor development in infants after immobility associated with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), we studied three matched groups of infants: 1. respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and BPD (N=6); 2. RDS(N=6); 3. no neonatal pulmonary disease (N=6). Since we wished to evaluate the effects of prolonged pulmonary disease, we excluded infants with intracranial hemorrhage. There were no differences among the groups with respect to birthweight, gestational age, current weight or length, mean Apgar score at 1 or 5 min. or parental educational level. Assessments were at a mean age of 20 months (range 16-22) and were corrected for degree of prematurity. Resting respiratory rates were increased in the BPD group. Neuromuscular assessment utilized the Gesell Fine and Gross Motor Scales, the Barnes-Crutchfield-Herzia Reflex Scale and an adaptation of the Prechl Muscle Tone Assessment, and were administered without knowledge of patient grouping. There were no significant differences in muscle tone or reflex behavior among the three groups. There was, however, a significant delay in both gross and fine motor development in the BPD group. BPD infants have delayed motor development unrelated to abnormal muscle tone or reflexes when compared to their premature peers.
Evaluation of Autocorrelation Techniques for Detection of the Fetal Electrocardiogram

This paper presents an evaluation of autocorrelation techniques for the detection of fetal electrocardiogram signals from abdominal recordings. Raw signals are digitized, then processed and analyzed by a digital computer. The effect of elimination of the maternal signal and of fluctuations in the fetal period is demonstrated. Correlation parameters such as length of signal and sampling rate are investigated.
Visualization of turbulent reactive mixing in a planar microscale confined impinging-jet reactor

Turbulent reactive mixing in a rectangular microscale confined impinging-jet reactor was investigated using the pH indicator phenolphthalein in this study for three different jet Reynolds numbers Rej = 25, 1000 and 1500. Laminar flow was observed at Rej = 25 whereas the flow was turbulent at Rej = 1000 and 1500. An image processing technique was applied to instantaneous images to extract quantitative mixing data by identifying regions with pH ≥ 9.3 and regions with pH < 9.3. Ensemble averages were computed using these thresholded images to compare mixing performance between different Reynolds numbers. Finally, the spatial auto-correlation fields of the thresholded image fluctuations were evaluated, based on which large-scale turbulent structures were analyzed.
A SOLUTION BIREFRINGENCE STUDY OF POLYMER ELONGATION IN SPATIALLY PERIODIC STRETCHING FLOWS

The flow birefringence of dilute polymer solutions in periodically converging/diverging channels has been employed to study the dynamics of flexible chain molecules under transient stretching stresses. The onset of periodic birefringence for chains of high molecular weight is only observed after the chains have experienced several cycles of stress, at a point deep into the channel. This slow onset indicates that the solutions possess a memory on time scales much greater than that normally associated with a relaxed flexible coil. This behavior is recorded for both aqueous and nonaqueous solutions, at concentrations both above and below the entanglement concentration. Centerline birefringence, however, which is associated with purely elongational flow, is only observed for aqueous polymer solutions. An explanation for these birefringence results is suggested, based on a configuration-dependent dumbbell model for polymer chains in dilute solution.
Biochemie der Pteridine

Chemische Labilitat und eine zumeist ungewohnlich niedrige biologische Konzentration sind die Hauptgrunde, warum die Biochemie der offenbar ubiquitaren Pteridine erst im Verlauf der letzten funfzehn Jahre experimentell zuganglich wurde. Neben schonenden Isolierungsmethoden brachte vor allem die Isotopentechnik Erkenntnisse uber Biosynthese, Anabolismus und Katabolismus dieser Stoffklasse. Hydrierte Pterine sind Cofaktoren mehrerer mischfunktioneller Oxygenasen und sind am zellularen Elektronentransport beteiligt. Das physiologische Verhalten, das negative Redoxpotential und histoautoradiographische Daten sprechen fur eine Reihe weiterer, bisher noch unbekannter katalytischer Funktionen der Pteridine im Zellstoffwechsel.
Epidemiology and stratification of risk for sudden cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major cause of mortality in the United States. Approximately 65% of cases of SCD occur in patients with underlying acute or chronic ischemic heart disease. The incidence of SCD increases 2- to 4-fold in the presence of coronary disease and 6- to 10-fold in the presence of structural heart disease. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) precipitated by ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a common mechanism of cardiac arrest leading to SCD. Triggers for SCD include electrolyte disturbances, heart failure, and transient ischemia. Although a large percentage of patients with out-of-hospital SCD do not survive, successful resuscitation to hospitalization has improved in recent years. One of the challenges for preventing SCD lies in identifying individuals at highest risk for SCD within a lower-risk population. The progression from conventional risk factors of coronary artery disease to arrhythmogenesis and SCD can be represented as a cascade of changes associated with levels of increasing risk. At the first level is atherogenesis, followed by changes in atherosclerotic plaque anatomy, which may be mediated by inflammatory processes. Disruption of active plaque formed during a transitional state initiates the thrombotic cascade and acute occlusion, after which acute changes in myocardial electrophysiology become the immediate trigger for arrhythmogenesis and SCD. Each level of the cascade offers different opportunities for risk prediction. Among the classes of risk predictors are clinical markers, such as ECG measures and ejection fraction. Transient risk markers, such as inflammatory markers, are potentially useful for identifying triggers for SCD. In the future, genetic profiling is expected to allow better assessment of individual risks for SCD.
On the stability of miniemulsions in the presence of RAFT agents.

The colloidal stability of miniemulsions in the presence of RAFT or other control agents for controlled free radical polymerization is examined. A derivation, based on Lifshitz−Slyozov−Wagner (LSW) theory, is proposed here to evaluate the effect of a RAFT agent on the diffusional stability of the miniemulsions before the onset of polymerization. Results indicate that, depending on the hydrophobicity of the control agent, its presence may augment or detract from the effectiveness of the costabilizer in preventing diffusional instability due to Ostwald ripening.
Rethinking the Context of Production through an Archaeological Study of Ancient Salt Production in the Sichuan Basin, China

Excavations at a salt-production site named Zhongba in the Three Gorges region of China document a complex system of intersecting activities that changed gradually over a long period of time. As the salt production became much larger in scale during the Bronze Age, the context of this production shifted from one for which there is no archaeological evidence for attachment between producers and those who control the products to a situation in which the exchange of salt to other regions seems to have been controlled, or at least directed, by an emergent elite whose authority was based in part on divinatory ability and the control of ritual knowledge. This study examines the concept of context in relation to the organization of salt production at this site and argues that multiple lines of evidence must be considered if we are to avoid simplified assumptions concerning the nature of products and the production processes through which they are made.
The Continuing Relevance of Strategy

My father-in-law understood what accounting was, or at least he was satisfied with his definition. He was much less sure about 'strategy', and I was not much help. It has never been easy for me to explain my field to others, although an example will sometimes suffice. 'Strategic decisions have longterm impact,' I said to my father-in-law a number of years ago. 'Your decision not to open a branch store in Aspen was strategic.' This kind of definition can lead to further conversation, or stop it. 'I didn't realize it was so important at the time,' he might have said, giving me an entree to Mintzberg's (1978) arguments about realized strategy. Instead he dismissed my example by contending, 'I couldn't give it much thought, because I didn't have anyone who could handle it.' Unfortunately, I had not read Edith Penrose (1959) at the time. I recently have had an increasing number of such unsatisfying conversations. Though I have much better stories to tell, I still worry that collectively we are falling short. Strategy is too often dismissed in this globalizing world of shifting alliances and instantaneous electronic connections as timeconsuming and irrelevant. I think one problem is definitional. In the last several decades, organization behavior, organization theory, human relations and other areas of management inquiry have grown and developed, yet they do not seem to have had the difficulties defining their subject that we have had. The conversations we start, among ourselves and with others, are rarely brought to conclusion; they tend to falter in the face of new enthusiasms. The millennium is a good point to examine some of these starting points, and contemplate how we might further a fascinating, but elusive, area of inquiry.
A New Frontier in Computation---Computation with Information Described in Natural Language

In conventional modes of computation, the objects of computation are values of variables. In computation with information described in natural language, or NL-Computation for short, the objects of computation are not values of variables but states of information about the values of variables, with the added assumption that information is described in natural language. A simple example: X is a real-valued random variable. What I know about X is: (a) usually X is much larger than approximately a; and (b) usually X is much smaller than approximately b, with a less than b. What is the expected value of X? Another simple example: (a) overeating causes obesity; and (b) obesity causes high blood pressure. I overeat. What is the probability that I will develop high blood pressure? The importance of NL-Computation derives from the fact that much of human knowledge, and particularly world knowledge, is expressed in natural language. Natural languages are intrinsically imprecise. A prerequisite to computation is precisiation, that is, translation of the given information into what is referred to as precisiation language. A key idea in the approach which is described is that of representing information as a so-called generalized constraint. This idea serves to construct an expressive precisiation language called the Generalized Constraint Language (GCL), whose elements are generalized constraints. Propositions and predicates drawn from a natural language are precisiated via translation into GCL. Through precisiation, computation with information described in natural language is reduced to computation with generalized constraints.
Design of Inlet Conditions for High Pressure NOx Measurements in Lean Premixed Combustors

Semi–empirical characteristic time models (CTMs) for NOx emissions index (EI) and lean blowoff are used in the design of an inlet condition matrix for measurement of NOxEI from a lean premixed combustor. Such models relate either NOxEI or the weak extinction limit to times representing relevant physical and chemical processes in the combustor. Lean premixed (LP) natural gas/air combustion is considered for the following conditions: inlet temperature, 300–800 K; combustor pressure, 1–30 atm; and equivalence ratio, 0.5–0.7.The NOx model is used to determine combinations of inlet conditions corresponding to greatest NOx sensitivity. A dependence of NOx emissions on pressure is included in the model. Emissions of oxides of nitrogen are found to he most sensitive to variations in inlet temperature and combustor pressure, in the 560–800 K and 20–30 atm ranges, respectively, while sensitivity to variations in equivalence ratio is substantial over the entire range considered. Thus it is found that operating conditions for high thermal efficiency in LP turbine combustors conflict with the goal of lowering NOx emissions, a result consistent with thermal NOx from conventional, diffusion flame combustors.A lean blowoff model is used to estimate the lowest equivalence ratio at which a flame can he held, as well as to determine whether a flame can be stabilised at the operating conditions suggested by the NOx sensitivity analysis. The results suggest a nominal lower limit on equivalence ratio of 0.4, and that a flame can be held for most of the combinations of inlet conditions suggested by the NOx sensitivity analysis. Autoignition of the fuel/air mixture is also considered in relation to the location and/or design of the premixing system.The current NOx CTM is applied to LP natural gas fired data from the literature. A model modification, thought to better represent the fluid mechanics relevant to LP NOx formation, is applied, and its implications discussed.Copyright © 1995 by ASME
Stress effects on the performance of optical waveguides

Stresses can cause anisotropic and inhomogeneous distribution of the refractive index. Their effects on the performance of optical waveguides have been observed in photoelectric devices. In this paper, the photo-elastic relation and wave equations for inhomogeneous and anisotropic waveguides are reviewed. The effective refractive indexes and mode shapes of planar waveguides under different stress states are obtained analytically. It is found that stress can affect the optical performance; different stress states play different roles: high stress value can change the cutoff thickness, which may induce multimode; in-plane stress causes birefringence, which may induce polarization shift and polarization dependent loss; stress concentration can change the mode shape, which may induced large transition loss; and pure shear stress has little effects on the effective refractive index.
The sputtering yield of polycrystalline materials

Abstract Measurements were made of the sputtering yield of polycrystalline niobium due to 15 kev argon ion bombardment. The crystallographic orientations of individual grains were carefully surveyed using selected area electron channeling patterns. It was demonstrated that the average yield behavior could be calculated from theory provided allowance was made for ion channeling. The method for calculating yields can be applied to any combination of ion-polycrystalline target material provided the distribution of grain orientations (texture) is known.
Reproductive Biology of the Smooth Flounder in Great Bay Estuary, New Hampshire

Abstract The smooth flounder Pleuronectes putnami is the only small, boreal flatfish species of inshore waters along the east coast of North America. Insights into the selection forces that shape the evolution of flatfish life histories can be gained by comparing the life history traits of smooth flounder with those of the larger, deeper-dwelling flatfishes. We examined several aspects of the reproductive biology of a population of smooth flounder in Great Bay estuary, New Hampshire. All males examined were sexually mature, including age-0 fish as small as 73 mm total length. Females matured during their first or second year at a mean length of 97.7 mm. The small size and young age at maturity suggest that the species is subject to high mortality, slow growth, or both. This would be consistent with their existence in highly variable boreal estuaries. Fecundity of 46 females 87–172 mm long ranged from 4,600 to 52,000 ova. The sex ratio overall did not differ significantly from 1:1. However, most of the lar...
A 2×4 substrate-integrated waveguide probe-fed cavity-backed patch array

A 2×4 Ku-band cavity-backed microstrip patch antenna array has been implemented using the substrate integrated waveguide technology (SIW) –a low cost multi-layer PCB process. Cavities are emulated using vias and the patches are probe fed using a microstrip feed network. The microstrip feed network is placed in the back of the antennas to reduce the mutual coupling between the feed network and the patches. Therefore, a superior antenna performance was obtained in terms of the realized gain and the radiation pattern. The array was fabricated and its measured results agreed well with our theoretical predictions and indicated high efficiency and wide bandwidth of greater than %74 and 6% respectively.
Impedances Of Sensor-like Systems: Cells With Even Or Odd Numbers Of Interfaces

Impedance data, e.g. system responses, from perturbing small amplitude applied signals of near dc to high kilohertz, give chemical information. Analysis of frequency-dependent imaginary and real impedances requires prior chemical and physical significance determined from model systems. Interpretation of bulk transport processes, surface kinetic effects and diffusion phenomena, depends on the type of contacts: symmetric ion contact, symmetric metal contact or asymmetric metal-ion interfaces, and cell design: even (battery or sensor) and odd numbered (junction/ immiscible liquid) interfaces in a system.
Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the breast.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are small, round, blue cell, sarcomatous neoplasms of the bone and soft tissues that arise from neuroectodermal elements and primarily occur in children and adolescents. In adults, they are extremely rare and have been reported in the chest wall (Askin tumor) and other visceral sites. 1-6 To our knowledge, a primary breast PNET has not been reported. 1 We present a case of a primary breast PNET that was initially confused with an epidermal inclusion cyst.
Improvements on the evaluation of declarative specifications

ET is a complete evaluation strategy for pure logic programs. The ET algorithm is an essentially depth-first strategy that uses extension tables, which save the answers of selected predicates, to evaluate (recursive) declarative specifications. The implementation of the ET algorithm in Prolog is straightforward and easily modifiable. The author presents variations of the ET algorithm that, under certain assumptions, improve the evaluation of declarative specifications. >
Expanding the Pyrimidine Diphosphosugar Repertoire: The Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Amino- and Acetamidoglucopyranosyl Derivatives.

The exploitation of a unique thymidylyltransferase (Ep ) allows the rapid syntheses of thymidine and uridine 5'-(aminodeoxy-α-D-hexopyranosyl diphosphates), 5'-(acetamidodeoxy-α-D-hexopyranosyl diphosphates), and even 5'-(aminodideoxy-α-D-hexopyranosyl diphosphates), which are amino analogues of the products from the native reaction of Ep .
Testing for Extraneous Matter in Cheese

Summary The test for sediment in cheese detects unsatisfactory conditions of milk and cheese production except when the milk supply is filtered efficiently. The results of the test may be graded by macroscopic appearance but should also be examined microscopically for critical material. The two practical tests use solutions of either sodium citrate or orthophosphoric acid. Commonly eight ounces of cheese is used with the citrate test while 50 grams of cheese is used with the acid solvent. The larger sample must be filtered through a reversed, milk-sediment disc while the smaller sample is most effective when a filter of Irish poplin is used over a milk sediment disc. The smooth surface of poplin can be examined more easily with a microscope since it retains all particles in view; the milk-sediment disc tends to hide all small particles of sediment. There is not much to choose between the solvents although the acid seems to work faster on young cheese. Neither solvent, under the conditions used in making the tests, destroys enough of the common types of extraneous material to prevent identification although both attack, such material more or less. The acid tends to reduce the size and increase the number of sediment particles. The distribution of extraneous material seems to be fairly uniform within a single cheese but from cheese to cheese from a single lot the distribution is not uniform. Such irregularity makes it desirable to take plugs from several cheese in each lot and essential to test the cheese from a given outlet regularly and as frequently as possible. The identification of extraneous material by microscopic examination of test pads may provide a useful method of determining sources of contamination. Photographs of common types of extraneous matter which are available for distribution from this laboratory may prove helpful in this respect although they cannot replace microscopic study of the actual material from local sources.
Integrating Climate Forecasts and Societal Decision Making: Challenges to an Emergent Boundary Organization:

The International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI) was created in 1996 with an “end-to-end” mission to engage in climate research and modeling on a seasonal-to-interannual time scale and to provide the results of this research in a useful way to farmers, fishermen, public health officials, and others capable of making the best of the predicted climate conditions. As a boundary organization, IRI straddles the divides between the production and use of research and between the developed world and the developing world. This article describes the institutional history of IRI, examining how the end-to-end mission evolved over time, how it is becoming institutionalized in IRI as a boundary organization, and the ongoing challenges it presents to managing the boundary between climate variability research and societal applications.