cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED: NON-SUSTAINED VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA AS A RESULT OF ANOMALOUS ORIGIN OF RCA FROM LEFT CORONARY SINUS

PVCs often occur sporadically in patients with no history of heart disease but can trigger ventricular arrhythmias requiring further investigation of associated structural or congenital conditions. A 25 year old female presented with intermittent palpitations on exertion without chest pain,
SIMD String Editing

The input to the string editing problem consists of two strings A =a1a2a3 ...an-1 and B =b1b2b3 ...bm−1; and three cost functions C,D, and I where: $$ C({a_j},{b_j}) = \cos t\,of\,changing\,{a_j}to\,{b_j} $$ $$ D({a_j}) = \cos t\,of\,deleting\,{a_i}\,from\,A $$ $$ I({b_i}) = \cos t\,of\,inserting\,{b_i}\,into\,A $$
Reducing Oil Separation in Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food.

Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is a shelf-stable, low moisture, energy dense medicinal food composed of peanut butter, vegetable oils, milk powder, a multiple micronutrient premix and sugar. RUTF is used by millions of children annually to treat malnutrition. After mixing, RUTF is a semisolid covered with oil. To produce a homogenous RUTF, hydrogenated vegetable oils are incorporated in small quantities. This study utilized a benchtop methodology to test the effect of RUTF ingredients on oil separation. An acceptable oil separation was <4%. This method compared 15 different vegetable oil stabilizers with respect to oil separation. The dynamic progression of oil separation followed a Michaelis–Menten pattern, reaching a maximum after 60 days when stored at 30 °C. Hydrogenated vegetable oils with triglyceride or 50% monoglycerides reduced the oil separation to acceptable levels. The additive showing the largest reduction in oil separation was used in an industrial trial, where it also performed acceptably. In conclusion, fully hydrogenated soybean and rapeseed oil added as 1.5% controlled oil separation in RUTF.
Inconsistent Intersample ALK FISH Results in Patients with Lung Cancer: Analysis of Potential Causes

ALK FISH analyses of multiple specimens occasionally yield inconsistent intersample results in lung cancer patients, posing clinical challenges requiring intensive analysis of all potential causative pre- and post- analytic factors. In this study, 19 patients (8M/11F) with inconsistent intersample ALK FISH results were analyzed, representing 4.9% of patients assessed ≥ twice in our institution. Fifteen patients received ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor(s) (TKIs). Nine patients died, and ten were alive for 8 to 74-month follow-ups (median, 40 months). Through strict and stringent laboratory and case-review policies, all postanalytic factors were excluded. Correlating clinical information, ALK results obtained by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and other concurrent tests, several pre-analytic factors were determined. A suboptimal specimen was likely the cause in three patients, supported by the failure of one or more concurrent tests or discrepant results between FISH and RNA-seq. ALK inhibition by TKIs might have been responsible for the change of ALK status from positive to negative in eight patients. Other potential explanations include the existence of multiple primary lung cancer lesions, tumor heterogeneity, and the clonal evolution of tumor cells, related or not to ALK TKI therapy. This study is helpful for both pathologists and clinicians encountering inconsistent and/or discrepant intersample results.
Theatres of Empowerment: Elite, All-Girls’ Indian ‘Public Schools’ and the Production of Performative Altruism

Northern India’s historic, all-girls ‘Public Schools’ (a British gloss meaning ‘elite’ and ‘private’) have served as showcases of the nation’s modernity and progress since Independence, mobilised a...
Photoisomerization of dicyanorhodanine-functionalized thiophenes

π-Conjugated oligomers functionalized with the popular dicyanorhodanine (RCN) electron acceptor are shown to be susceptible to photo-induced Z/E isomerization. The stereochemistry of two model RCN-functionalized thiophenes is confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis and 2D NMR, and shown to be the thermodynamically stable Z form. Relative energies, Z/E configurations, and conformational preferences are modelled using density functional theory (DFT). The photophysical properties of the model compounds are explored experimentally and computationally; the Z and E isomers display similar absorption profiles with significant spectral overlap and are inseparable upon irradiation to a photostationary state. The well-behaved photoisomerization process is routinely observable by thin-layer chromatography, UV-vis, and NMR, and the photochemical behavior of the two RCN-functionalized thiophenes is characterized under varying wavelengths of irradiation. Ultraviolet (254 nm) irradiation results in photostationary state compositions of 56/44 and 69/31 Z-isomer/E-isomer for substrates functionalized with one thiophene and two thiophenes, respectively. Ambient laboratory lighting results in excess of 10 percent E-isomer for each species in solution, an important consideration for processing such materials, particularly for organic photovoltaic applications. In addition, a photoswitching experiment is conducted to demonstrate the reversible nature of the photoreaction, where little evidence of fatigue is observed over numerous switching cycles. Overall, this work showcases an approach to characterize the stereochemistry and photochemical behavior of dicyanorhodanine-functionalized thiophenes, widely used components of functional molecules and materials.
Associations between fentanyl use and initiation, persistence, and retention on medications for opioid use disorder among people living with uncontrolled HIV disease.

Abstract Background Associations between fentanyl use and initiation and retention on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are poorly understood. Methods Data were from a multisite clinical trial comparing extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) with treatment as usual (TAU; buprenorphine or methadone) to achieve HIV viral suppression among people with OUD and uncontrolled HIV disease. The exposure of interest was fentanyl use, as measured by urine drug screening. Outcomes were time to MOUD initiation, defined as date of first injection of XR-NTX, buprenorphine prescription, or methadone administration; MOUD persistence, the total number of injections, prescriptions, or administrations received over 24 weeks; and MOUD retention, having an injection, prescription, or administration during weeks 20–24. Results Participants (N = 111) averaged 47 years old and 62% were male. Just over half (57%) were Black and 13% were Hispanic. Sixty-four percent of participants tested positive for fentanyl at baseline. Participants with baseline fentanyl positivity were 11 times less likely to initiate XR-NTX than those negative for fentanyl (aHR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.03–0.24, p Conclusions Fentanyl use was a substantial barrier to XR-NTX initiation for the treatment of OUD in persons with uncontrolled HIV infection. There was no evidence that fentanyl use impacted partial/full agonist initiation and, once initiated, retention on any MOUD.
J-integral for a semi-elliptical surface crack at a bimaterial interface

Surface cracks are common defects in welded, bonded, and composite structures. The elastic-plastic fracture of these defects may be analyzed using the J-integral. The authors have recently developed a new approach to evaluate the J-integral for semi-elliptical surface cracks in panels made of homogeneous materials and subject to remote tension. This approach, which is based on load separation, allows the evaluation of J for such a three-dimensional geometry using a single specimen test record. It is analogous to the single specimen technique in two-dimensional geometries. In this article, the authors extend their study to surface cracks at bimaterial interfaces. A three-dimensional finite element model is developed to model such a crack. The J-integral is evaluated along the crack front using the virtual crack extension method. The elastic-plastic fracture behavior of the crack is studied. Load separation is also examined and the new single specimen approach for surface cracks in single material panels is extended to those at bimaterial interfaces. The study also includes a comparison between the results of surface cracks in single material panels and those at bimaterial interfaces.
PERITONEAL DIALYSIS KINETICS - A PEDIATRIC PERSPECTIVE

Although the technique of peritoneal dialysis is being used with increased frequency in children, relatively few studies dealing with dialysis kinetics, i.e. the movement of solute and water across the peritoneal membrane, have been performed in children and/or the developing animal. The purpose of this presentation is three-fold. Firstly, a few general principles of transperitoneal solute and water movement will be reviewed. Secondly, the available data describing peritoneal dialysis kinetics in children will be reviewed. Thirdly, certain aspects of studies which we have performed in order to increase our knowledge of peritoneal dialysis kinetics in the experimental animal as well as in children will be reviewed.
Activation of the enzymic activity of hepatic lipase by apolipoprotein A-II: Characterization of a major component of high density lipoprotein as the activating plasma component in vitro

Human post-heparin plasma contains two major lipases, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase. Lipoprotein lipase has been investigated extensively and in the presence of a specific activator, apolipoprotein C-II, is of major importance in modulating the hydrolysis of triacylglycerol rich lipoprotein particles in plasma. The metabolic function and regulation of hepatic lipase is less well established. We have reported previously that apolipoprotein A-II(apoA-II)in vitro increased the activity of hepatic lipase by 3.6-fold [Jahn et al. (1981) FEBS Lett. 131, 366–368]. We have extended these studies and report here the effects of normal plasma, very low density, low density and high density lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL and HDL) and apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, C-I, C-II and C-III on hepatic lipase enzymic activity. Normal plasma and HDL activated hepatic lipase by 255 ± 53% (n = 9) and 288 ± 55% (n = 7) respectively, whereas VLDL inhibited hepatic lipase to 25% and LDL did not affect hepatic lipase enzymic activity (n = 7). Isolated apoA-I, apoC-I, apoC-II, and apoC-III inhibited hepatic lipase enzymic activity to 25 ± 8% (n = 5), 25 ± 15% (n = 5), 23 ± 7% (n = 5) and 13 ± 10% (n = 5) of the basal level. ApoA-II recombined with HDL lipids activated by 273 ± 42% (n = 5) whereas apoC-III recombined with HDL lipids inhibited hepatic lipase to 30% of basal activity. Activation of hepatic lipase by apoA-II was dependent on temperature and pH, with maximal activation (5.75-fold over basal levels) occurring at pH 7.5 and 37°C. The addition of lipid-free apoA-II 10 min after the hydrolysis of triacylglycerol by hepatic lipase had begun resulted in an increase in rate from 1.9 nmol min−1 ml−1 to 7.0 nmol min−1 ml−1. The rate observed by the addition of apoA-II before the start of the reaction was 9.5 nmol min−1 ml−1. These results are consistent with the concept that apoA-II modulates the enzymic activity of hepatic lipase, and may play a role in vivo in the regulation of hepatic lipase activity and HDL lipoprotein metabolism.
Polymorphism in Liquids

Some solid compounds can exist in two or more "polymorphs" with different atomic structures but the same chemical composition. Similar behavior has been observed for glasses and liquids, where the phenomenon is termed "polyamorphism." In their Perspective, Yarger and Wolf highlight the reports by Katayama et al. and Tanaka et al., who have observed polymorphism between two different liquids in phosphorus and triphenyl phosphite, respectively. This observation in single-component systems is unusual and sheds light on the thermodynamics of liquid-liquid phase transitions.
Religious Monopolies and the Commodification of Religion

State protection of religious monopolies (through such things as elevated status, constitutional protection, protectionist legislation, and financial assistance) may degrade the liberty of citizens, undermine the autonomy and vibrancy of all religions, and allow oppression by dominant religions.
Multiple Steered Axles for Reducing the Rollover Risks of Heavy Articulated Trucks

This paper presents an analytical study of the performance improvements that can be obtained at both high and low speed using multiple steered axles on heavy articulated trucks. At high speed, rollover usually represents a worst case scenario. Therefore we have chosen to evaluate possible steering designs based on their ability to reduce lateral acceleration of the semitrailer center of gravity. This is in contrast to passenger cars where four wheel steering has typically been evaluated based on measures that were thought to be related to driver acceptance. This paper also investigates the effects of steering rear tractor axles on the low speed manoeuvrability of the vehicle. Steering algorithms for the rear tractor tyres were evaluated using frequency response and simulation of an obstacle avoidance maneuver. Results indicate that at high speeds considerable reductions in trailer lateral acceleration can be obtained during transient manoeuvres. At low speeds, steering of the rear axles demonstrated improvements in manoeuvrability. More work is needed to determine if drivers are able to effectively make use of these improvements indicated by the open loop models, and to evaluate the practicality and cost of implementing these systems (A).
Hormone-specific alterations of T4, T3, and reverse T3 metabolism with recent ethanol abstinence in humans

Effects of recent alcoholic withdrawal on thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3), and reverse T3 (rT3) metabolism were determined by serum tracer kinetic studies in recently abstinent alcoholics without overt hepatocellular injury or caloric deprivation. Data were compared with those of normal subjects using a three-pool model, with rapidly and slowly equilibrating pools exchanging with serum. Significant differences included 1) reduced serum total rT3 levels (to 69% of normal) and rT3 degradation rates (to 61%); 2) increased rT3 binding in rapidly (to 557%) but reduced binding in slowly (to 13%) equilibrating tissues, with opposite effects on rT3 fractional transfer rates to serum from rapidly (to 7.5%) and slowly equilibrating sites (to 669%); 3) increased T4 fractional transfer rates from serum to rapidly equilibrating tissues (to 122%); and 4) increased T4 binding to both rapidly (to 195%) and slowly (to 190%) equilibrating tissues. T3 kinetics were not significantly altered. Thus recently abstinent alcoholics have hormone-specific alterations of T4, T3, and rT3 transfer, distribution, and metabolism distinct from other nonthyroidal illnesses or caloric deprivation. Furthermore, these data indicate separate transfer processes for T4, T3, and rT3 from serum to tissue sites and hormone-specific tissue binding characteristics in humans in vivo.
Neutron Techniques as a Probe of Structure, Dynamics, and Transport in Polyelectrolyte Membranes

Polyelectrolyte membranes (PEMs) have been employed as solid electrolytes in fuel-cell technologies as early as the 1950s, when they were used in NASA’s Gemini program. However, PEM materials have only gained wide-spread attention in the last two decades due to advancements in membrane electrode-assembly (MEA) formation and the synthesis of new and interesting materials. Over the past several decades, various neutron techniques have played an instrumental role in measuring the structure and transport properties of PEMs in order to develop a deeper understanding of structure-property and performance relationships in PEM materials for fuel-cell applications.
A payback assessment for materials development for the low-gap unit of a multi-junction cell: a numerical modeling study

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate how computer simulations can be used to determine the best payback when the improvement of solar cell efficiency is sought. For this demonstration, modeling work has been undertaken to examine how the material quality of the absorber and p/i interface layers of the a-SiGe:H heterojunction of a triple junction can affect device performance. According to simulation results, which are based on assuming a simplified a-SiGe:H sub-cell structure with only doped layers, interfacial layers, and a homogeneous absorber, the authors find that the scheme with the best payback for enhancing cell efficiency is different for the absorber layer and the p/i interface layer. For the absorber, the density of mid-gap states is the most important factor, but for the p/i interface layer the mobility gap is the most dominant factor. Their numerical analysis approach allows the determination of where material improvement efforts will have the most effect. Put succinctly, the relative importance analysis, which can be achieved with simulation, shows where material development efforts will have their best payoff chances. >
The Internet remote robot with Skype webcam

This project is a robotic vehicle that can be controlled remotely by Skype text messages. A wireless webcam is mounted on the robot, and a live video/audio stream is relayed back to the remote operator via Skype video chat. The robot is wirelessly connected to its host PC with two Xbee modules. The remote operator PC and the local host computer are connected by two Skype clients via the Internet. More sensors and servos can be added to the robot, and controlled remotely by Skype text messages.
Effects of hemolymph of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, on marine cercariae

Abstract The interactions of cellular and humoral factors of hemolymph of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica , and several species of marine cercariae were studied. Attraction of hemocytes to dead but not to living cercariae was observed. Dead cercariae were encapsulated in vitro by oyster hemocytes. The plasma of C. virginica was apparently not toxic to the species of cercariae tested.
Confidence intervals for limited moments and truncated moments in normal and lognormal models

Abstract For Y distributed as normal or lognormal, the interval estimation of the mean and variance of the corresponding limited or truncated random variable is addressed using the concept of a generalized confidence interval, based on a sample from the distribution of Y . Numerical results and practical examples are used to illustrate the results.
Use of amiodarone in the treatment of persistent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation resistant to quinidine therapy.

Efficacy was classified as excellent (no recurrent symptomatic atrial fibrillation) in 15 (55%) of 27 patients with paroxysmal and 5 (45%) of 11 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Efficacy was poor (no effect on atrial fibrillation) in 5 (19%) of 27 patients with paroxysmal and 6 (55%) of 11 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Efficacy was good (amelioration but not total suppression) in 7 (26%) of 27 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Efficacy was related to echocardiographic left atrial dimension, left ventricular ejection fraction and, in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, the duration of the arrhythmia. During the followup period of 15 months (range 1 to 36), overall efficacy (considering response and toxicity) was 67% in the 27 patients with paroxysmal and 45% in the 11 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. The efficacy of amiodarone was assessed in 38 patients with atrial fibrillation resistant to quinidine and an effort made to identify factors correlated with amiodarone response. The study group included 29 patients with and 9 without organic heart disease and either persistent (n = 11) or paroxysmal (n = 27) atrial fibrillation. All patients were treated with amiodarone and followed up in a research clinic. It is concluded that amiodarone offers an additional therapeutic alternative in quinidine-resistant atrial fibrillation and that certain clinical factors are correlated with amiodarone response.
Abundant expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and -β2 by Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cells and by reactive T lymphocytes in Hodgkin's disease

Abstract The depressed cellular immunity observed in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) has been attributed to production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β or TGF-β-like substances by Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg (H-RS) cells. The TGF-β produced by L-428 cells (an H-RS cell line) is a 130-kd molecular weight glycoprotein that apparently differs from the TGF-β (molecular weight, 25 kd) produced by most lymphoid and hematopoietic cells. Among several distinct types of TGF-β that have been purified, only TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 have thus far been identified in hematopoietic cells. By using monoclonal antibodies (1D11 and 3C7) and oligonucleotide probes specific for TGF-β1 and TGF-β2, we confirmed that a cultured H-RS cell line, KM-H2, can produce both TGF-β types, whereas another line, HDLM-1, produces only TGF-β1. Despite the abundance of mRNA in both of these cells, only small amounts of TGF-β activity were detected, probably because of rapid degradation of TGF-β1 mRNA by specific nuclease. No degraded TGF-β2 RNA products were observed in KM-H2 cells. The TGF-β produced by both types of H-RS cells had a molecular weight of approximately 25 kd. In tissues expression of TGF-β was observed in a small portion (30%) of H-RS cells in 16 of 20 cases examined. A large number of small to medium-sized lymphoid cells (T lymphocytes) in tissues involved by HD also were positive for TGF-β. These results indicate that there is functional heterogeneity among H-RS cells, and that H-RS cells are not the only source of TGF-β in tissues involved by HD. Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cells are known to secrete several other cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. These cytokines could be responsible for the increased number of T lymphocytes in tissues involved by HD. Furthermore, T lymphocytes can respond to IL-1 and IL-6 secreted by H-RS cells by increasing their production of TGF-β. Abundant expression of TGF-β by T lymphocytes was not observed in lymphoid tissues other than those involved by HD.
Central role of complement membrane attack complex in monosodium urate crystal-induced neutrophilic rabbit knee synovitis.

Objective Monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals promote gouty inflammation that is critically mediated by neutrophil recruitment and activation. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and closely related chemokines are major neutrophil chemotaxins in experimental gout. But MSU crystals also activate the classical and alternative pathways of complement, and MSU crystals directly cleave C5 on the crystal surface. Unlike IL-8, the roles in acute gout of individual complement-derived peptides and of the terminal C5b–9 complement components that comprise the membrane attack complex (MAC) are unclear. Hence, we studied rabbits deficient in the MAC component C6 to determine if MAC mediated urate crystal–induced arthritis. Methods We injected C6-deficient and C6-sufficient rabbit knee joints with 10 mg of pyrogen-free urate crystals and analyzed IL-8 levels, leukocyte influx, and joint inflammation 24 hours later. Results There was a significant decrease (>60%) in swelling in MSU crystal–injected knees of C6-deficient animals as compared with C6-sufficient animals (P < 0.05). An attenuated rise in MSU crystal–induced joint effusion levels of IL-8 also was observed, which was concordant with diminished numbers of neutrophils (P < 0.05) but not monocytes in MSU crystal–induced knee synovial fluid from C6-deficient animals. Synovial tissue analysis confirmed mononuclear leukocyte infiltration in response to MSU crystal injection in all animals, but substantial neutrophil infiltration only in C6-sufficient animals. Conclusion MAC activation appears to play a major role in intraarticular IL-8 generation and in neutrophil recruitment in experimental acute gouty arthritis of the rabbit knee. C6 and MAC activation may represent novel therapeutic targets for suppression of neutrophil-mediated joint inflammation in gout.
Modification of the Erythrocyte Membrane Dielectric Constant by Alcohols

Aliphatic alcohols are found to stimulate the transmembrane fluxes of a hydrophobic cation (tetraphenylarsonium, TPA) and anion (AN-12) 5–20 times in red blood cells. The results are analyzed using the Born-Parsegian equation (Parsegian, A., 1969,Nature (London) 221:844–846), together with the Clausius-Mossotti equation to calculate membrane dielectric energy barriers. Using established literature values of membrane thickness, native membrane dielectric constant, TPA ionic radius, and alcohol properties (partition coefficient, molar volume, dielectric constant), the TPA permeability data is predicted remarkably well by theory. If the radius of AN-12 is taken as 1.9 A, its permeability in the presence of butanol is also described by our analysis. Further, the theory quantitatively accounts for the data of Gutknecht and Tosteson (Gutknecht, J., Tosteson, D.C., 1970,J. Gen. Physiol. 55:359–374) covering alcohol-induced conductivity changes of 3 orders of magnitude in artificial bilayers. Other explanations including perturbations of membrane fluidity, surface charge, membrane thickness, and dipole potential are discussed. However, the large magnitude of the stimulation, the more pronounced effect on smaller ions, and the acceleration of both anions and cations suggest membrane dielectric constant change as the primary basis of alcohol effects.
Representing the Language of the 'Other': African American Vernacular English in Ethnography

Ethnography is often described as the translation of culture, yet there has been little discussion of actual linguistic translation in ethnography. Many ethnographers engage in research across divides of language that require them to make decisions about how to represent the language of their informants. The privileging of academic Standard English creates dilemmas for ethnographers whose subjects speak stigmatized languages. Based on an analysis of 32 book-length ethnographies about African Americans (reviewed in the American Journal of Sociology between 1999 and 2009), this article answers the questions of how ethnographers typically deal with language difference in their texts, particularly when research takes place across dialects of the same language, and why language matters in the production of ethnographic texts.
The formation of vaccinia virus protein in the presence of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine.

Abstract The synthesis of immunologically detectable viral proteins in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells was observed within 2 hours after infection. When DNA synthesis in infected cells was blocked by 10 −6 M FUDR, the formation of viral proteins continued. The rate of viral protein synthesis in the presence of FUDR was maximal for the first 4–6 hours after infection and continued at a diminished rate during the latter 8–10 hours of the infectious cycle. At 14 hours after infection 35% or more of the normal yield of viral proteins was formed. In both inhibited and uninhibited cell cultures approximately one-half the viral proteins synthesized were sedimentable at 14,800 g , a centrifugal force which completely sedimented infectious virus. The association of viral DNA and protein occurred early in infection, before the synthesis of mature virus.
The Making of an Immortal: the Exaltation of Ho Chih-Chang

An unusual case of a Chinese "immortal" (hsien) was the T'ang dynasty statesman Ho Chih-chang (659-744). During his life, Ho displayed little interest in religion until a late-life ordination as a Taoist priest. During the Sung dynasty, however, he was gradually elevated to "immortality" in a series of hagiographical tales. In the 10th-century T'ai-p'ing kuang-chi, Ho appears as a character who learns humility. In the 11 th-century Kao-tao chuan, he appears as a character who yields to the Taoist ideals of restraint and orderly progress. In the 13th-century Chia-ting Ch'ih-ch'eng chih, Ho appears as a master of pharmika who ascends to heaven after a life of several centuries. In that text, the figure of Ho no longer has moral significance: he represents a romantic ideal of "the immortal," but no longer serves as a meaningful spiritual exemplar. In fact, in that text he ceases to function as a representative of Taoist values, for Taoists always aspire to a moral and spiritual elevation, a personal perfection for which the concept of "immortality" serves as a potent metaphor. I suggest that the compilers of such texts appropriated honored historical figures like Ho in an effort to persuade sceptical members of the Chinese elite that "immortality" was a valid and respectable ideal.
House-fly cytochrome P450 CYP6D1: 5' flanking sequences and comparison of alleles.

Abstract CYP6D1 is a cytochrome P450 found in the house fly, Musca domestica. Expression is greater in pyrethroid-resistant vs. -susceptible strains and can be induced by phenobarbital in adult susceptible flies. CYP6D1 is expressed only in adult flies. To gain information about possible regulatory elements involved in CYP6D1 expression, and to confirm the gene sequence that was previously determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we screened a house-fly library prepared with genomic DNA from the pyrethroid-resistant LPR strain. A CYP6D1v1 clone was isolated and sequenced. This clone contained 887 nucleotides 5′ to the open reading frame and a previously unknown 2.4-kb intron. Using polymerase chain reaction with primers based on the CYP6D1v1 allele, the sequences 5′ to the ORF were obtained from five pyrethroid susceptible strains. The transcription initiation site (TIS) was identified at the same position in LPR and two susceptible strains (86 nucleotides upstream from the translation start site). A comparison of the 5′ flanking sequences revealed a high degree of similarity for most regions, although differences in the sequences were identified. The possible roles of these sequence differences in regulation of CYP6D1 expression are discussed.
Erectile function in male rats after lesions in the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus.

In previous research on rats, lesions of the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus (LPGi) in the medulla have facilitated the display of reflexive erection and ejaculation. The present research sought to replicate and extend these findings by determining whether LPGi lesions would also promote erection during copulation and during exposure of the male to inaccessible females, i.e. non-contact erections (NCEs). As expected, males with LPGi lesions (n = 10) had a greater incidence of reflexive erection than males with sham lesions (n = 8), and during copulation LPGi-damaged males required fewer intromissions before ejaculation. However, the lesions did not change the copulatory intromission ratio, a partial measure of erectile function, nor did they change the incidence, latency, or number of NCEs displayed. More direct measures of erection will be necessary to determine whether the inhibitory role of LPGi on sexual reflexes is absent in some erectile contexts, or whether its role in some contexts is too small to be evident in behavioral measures.
An Experiment in Three Approaches to Teaching Average to Elementary School Children

The types of experiences children should encounter to best understand average were investigated in this study. Using a traditional approach with problem solving, a concrete approach with manipulatives, or a visual approach with computer spreadsheets, similar lessons on the arithmetic mean were taught to 22 children in grades 4–6, in three multiage groups. Differences among pretest, posttest, and interview performances suggest some advantage in the use of a visual instructional style. Continued gains in performance were found after 4 months without further instruction. An algorithmic-like definition of average corresponded to better long-term performance than less precise definitions. Collaborative deliberations resulted in positive implications for the researchers' teaching.
Can endovascular therapy of infrainguinal disease for claudication be justified

Traditionally, patients with exercise-induced lower extremity ischemia (claudicants) have been treated conservatively. It is important to remember that this is not because the pain of claudication is less important than pain due to other problems, but because the only ‘cure’, operative bypass, has been judged too invasive by both patient and physician. Recent data suggest that endovascular treatment of atherosclerotic disease below the inguinal ligament yields good short-term results, with low periprocedural morbidity and does not compromise future surgical alternatives in the long-term. If this approach is to be used as nonoperative treatment for the pain of claudication, however, the authors suggest that long-term success may be less important than the absolute minimization of short-term and periprocedural risk. The authors believe that given the results of modern endovascular therapy it is increasingly less acceptable to tell claudicants to live with their pain if conservative therapy fails. The option...
Low-dose weekly methotrexate for unusual neutrophilic vascular reactions: Cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa and Behçeťs disease

Low-dose weekly methotrexate therapy has been used to treat patients with psoriasis for more than 20 years. This regimen has also been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and corticosteroid-dependent asthma. We report two patients with Behceťs disease with cutaneous neutrophilic vascular reactions and three with cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa who responded dramatically to low-dose weekly methotrexate therapy.
Lytic antimicrobial activity of hen egg white lysozyme immobilized to polystyrene beads.

ABSTRACT: Lysozyme [EC 3.2.1.17] was covalently attached to polystyrene resin beads by the sole histidine residue (His-15) through peptide spacers of various lengths. The spacers were amino acid chains composed of 6-aminocaproic acid synthesized with the solid phase peptide synthesis method. Immobilized lysozyme with a spacer length of three 6-aminocaproic acid units (2736 U/g resin with a protein load of 2.21 mg/g resin) displayed the greatest degree of hydrolytic activity against lyophilized Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell wall preparations. Enzymatic activity of immobilized lysozyme was 14.2% of that of the free enzyme. Preparations with longer spacers yielded higher total activity yet the retained activity was constant at about 14% level. A control that consisted of randomly coupled lysozyme to polystyrene beads without an amino acid spacer gave an enzyme activity of 158 U/g with a protein load of 1.24 mg/g resin which equated to 1.4% retained activity. Properties of the immobilized lysozyme system were studied, including stability and activity against soluble compared with insoluble substrates. A kinetics study of the immobilized lysozyme using Eadie–Hofstee plot parameters suggested significant external diffusion effects indicative of deviation from classic Michaelis–Menten kinetic behavior.
L-Tryptophan Injection Enhances Pulsatile Growth Hormone Secretion in the Rat

The effect of injecting L-tryptophan or a serotonin receptor agonist [6-Cl-2-[1-piperazinyl]pyrazine ((MK0212)] on pulsatile GH secretion was studied in male rats bearing right atrial cannulae. After injection, blood samples were drawn at 15-min intervals for periods up to 4 h. L-Tryptophan administration (50 or 100 mg/kg, ip) significantly enhanced mean plasma GH levels measured over a 3.5-h period. Injection of another large neutral amino acid, L-valine (100 mg/kg, ip), did not influence plasma GH levels. However, when administered with tryptophan, valine blocked the tryptophan-induced enhancement of GH secretion and blunted the increases in brain tryptophan and serotonin levels that normally accompany tryptophan injection. Injection of MK-212 (2 mg/kg, ip) elicited an immediate rise in plasma GH levels; this effect was completely blocked by pretreatment with metergoline (2 mg/kg, ip), a serotonin receptor antagonist. Taken together, these data support the notion that treatments which increase serotonin receptor stimulation enhance or induce pulsatile GH secretion.
A global-memory message-passing multiprocessor

Abstract The unusual class of multiprocessors which employ a global memory and private process access environments presents intriguing possibilities for machines which retain high efficiency even when process interactions are relatively frequent. Because all writable data is private to a process, such machines are free from the cache consistency concerns of shared-variable architectures, while, in contrast to distributed memory machines, a global memory is available for code and data which is physically (not logically) shared. An example of this class of multiprocessors, the virtual port memory (VPM) architecture, is apparently scalable to at least 256 processors using only a simple bus-based interconnection network. A prototype VPM machine is discussed, including a comparison of its scalability with that of the Butterfly multiprocessor. VRAM global memory and second-generation RISC processors are discussed as enhancements for this architecture.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Mediates Apoptosis Via Ca sup ++ /Mg sup ++ Dependent Endonuclease with Protein Kinase C as a Possible Mechanism for Cytokine Resistance in Human Renal Carcinoma Cells

AbstractPurpose: Because renal cell cancers have been found to be resistant to numerous chemotherapeutic agents, other agents including tumor necrosis factor are now being considered for clinical use. In this study, we used 2 renal cancer cell lines, SK-RC-42 and SK-RC-49, and determined the cytotoxic effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the possible mechanism of TNF resistance.Materials and Methods: Cytotoxic assays, comparative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nuclease digestion analyses were used.Results: Cytotoxic assays with SK-RC-42 demonstrated that TNF at 50 ng./ml. for 24 hours resulted in 19 percent cytotoxicity of the cells. Similar assay with SK-RC-49 only demonstrated less than 4 percent cytotoxicity. Based on these results, we defined our TNF-sensitive cells as SK-RC-42 and SK-RC-49 as our TNF-resistant cells.To determine whether protein kinase C (PKC), which is involved in the signal transduction pathway of a cell, could regulate endogenous basal TNF mRNA l...
Linking knowledge among spatial and temporal scales: Vegetation, atmosphere, climate and remote sensing

Global scale modeling is reviewed with respect to global circulation models, biosphere-atmosphere models, and climate-biosphere models. These different models focus on short to long time scale interactions between atmospheric and surface systems. Remote sensing is shown to play a central role in acquisition of data for these models, and an experiment, termed FIFE, is described, which is the first attempt to take simultaneous land surface observations of meteorological and biophysical parameters at sufficient resolution to test hypotheses linking the vegetated surface and circulation within the lower atmosphere.
Lighting the Olympic Flame

The 1905 establishment of the British Olympic Association (BOA) signalled the first real awakening of British interest in the international Olympic movement. Unlike the mismatched and loosely organized band of British athletes that competed in the previous three editions of Olympic competition, the fledging BOA successfully raised an 'official’ Great Britain team to compete at the 1906 Intercalated Games held in Athens, Greece. The Athens games, while serving as a landmark in Britain's Olympic history, forcefully revealed the national and ethnic tensions that existed between the constituent parts of the British Isles, as well as the growing fallacy of Britain's historical claims to international sporting dominance.
Surface features observed during thermal etching of Ice

Abstract Polycrystalline- and single-crystal ice specimens were etched in a saturated air atmosphere. Observations were made at about 50x magnification after etching times of a few minutes to several weeks. High-angle boundaries became visible as grooves within the first few minutes. Straight low-angle boundaries, which formed during solidification or in the course of plastic deformation, were also observed. Sharply defined short straight lines, raised above the surface of the specimen, were frequently observed and have been investigated in detail. These features developed within a few minutes and were very stable, retaining their initial appearance for as long as several hours of etching time. The lines formed either a triangular or a rectangular pattern that was related to the crystallographic orientation of the exposed surface. It was established that one family of these lines was parallel and a second was perpendicular to the C axis. Occasionally small round hillocks with a small central feature that appeared to be a crater formed during etching. The concentration of hillocks appeared to be greatest along subboundaries. A honeycomb-like network of hillocks was sometimes observed. Triangular hillocks were observed to form on the surface of some grains. The bisector of the acute angle associated with the raised part of the triangle was perpendicular to the basal plane. After extensive thermal etching, rectangular pits with well-developed facets appeared. The etching technique was used to study structural changes that occurred in ice during creep and fracture experiments.
A Historical Review of Penetrating Abdominal Trauma

The course of history changed because of the deaths of these two men. Although the world doesn't remember Chester Allan Arthur (JAG's Vice President), Theodore Roosevelt became one of our most popular presidents. Neither president's injuries were life-threatening, but they died of postoperative complications. The technology and treatment used for penetrating abdominal trauma have changed tremendously over the past 100 years. Both presidents would survive if they sustained their injuries today.
Inactive form of edeine in the edeine-producing Bacillus brevis Vm 4 cells.

Abstract 1. 1. Exogenous edeine inhibits the synthesis of DNA and protein, but not that of RNA, in extracts of edeine-producing Bacillus brevis Vm 4 cells. This is analogous to the effect of edeine on extracts obtained from edeine-sensitive cells. 2. 2. Producer cells, in contrast to sensitive ones, are not permeable to exogenous edeine. DNA synthesis in producer cells rendered permeable by toluene treatment becomes sensitive to edeine. 3. 3. No free edeine could be detected in post-log producer cells during maximal synthesis of edeine. Nascent edeine exists in the cell in a biologically inactive form, bound to a fast-sedimenting fraction. Edeine B, identical to the antibiotic present in the medium, is released from this fraction by mild treatment with alkali.
Primary CNS plasmablastic lymphoma: Report of a case with CSF cytology, flow cytometry, radiology, histological correlation, and review of the literature

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphoma and commonly presents as an oral mass in HIV patients. Extraoral PBL has been reported, including one case of primary central nervous system PBL (PCNSPBL). The cytological features of PBL have been described, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology findings for secondary CNS involvement by PBL. The etiology of PCNSPBL is still unknown. We report here the CSF cytology of a PCNSPBL, which shows a hypercellular specimen composed of markedly atypical, singly dispersed plasmacytoid cells with frequent abnormal mitoses and binucleation. The neoplastic cells are positive for CD138. Flow cytometry of the CSF specimen demonstrates a monoclonal neoplastic cell population, which is CD138 positive, kappa light chain positive, lambda light chain negative, and CD19 negative. Molecular analysis and immunohistochemical stains on a tissue biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and reveal concurrent infections with Epstein-Barr virus and human polyomavirus JC virus. Clinical and radiological correlations are reported, and the literature is reviewed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report for CSF cytology of a PCNSPBL, demonstrating the utility of the cytological examination in the triage and diagnosis of this disease. Because of its dismal prognosis, it is critical for cytopathologists to be aware of the entity and recognize the neoplastic cells in CSF specimen. This report also emphasizes the importance of clinical and radiological correlation in the diagnosis of this lethal disease.
Mossbauer Spectroscopic Study Of Amorphous RE-TM Thin Films

Mossbauer spectroscopy has been used to analyze the magnetic and structural properties of amorphous rare earth-transition metals (RE-TM) thin films prepared under a variety of conditions. For those samples that were stable at elevated temperatures, magnetization as a function of temperatures up to the Curie point was determined.
Fitness Disadvantage of Transitional Intermediates Contributes to Dynamic Change in the Infecting-Virus Population during Coreceptor Switch in R5 Simian/Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques

Fitness disadvantage of the transitional intermediates compared to the initial R5 viruses has been suggested to constitute one of the blockades to coreceptor switching, explaining the late appearance of X4 viruses. Using a simian model for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor switching, we demonstrate in this study that similar molecular evolutionary pathways to coreceptor switch occur in more than one R5 simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)SF162P3N-infected macaque. In infected animals where multiple pathways for expansion or switch to CXCR4 coexist, fitness of the transitional intermediates in coreceptor usage efficiency influences their outgrowth and representation in the infecting virus population. Dualtropic and X4 viruses appear at different disease stages, but they have lower entry efficiency than the coexisting R5 strains, which may explain why they do not outcompete the R5 viruses. Similar observations were made in two infected macaques with coreceptor switch, providing in vivo evidence that fitness disadvantage is an obstacle to X4 emergence and expansion.
RNA synthesis in vaccinia-infected L cells: inhibition of ribosome formation and maturation.

Abstract The shutoff of cellular ribosome formation following infection by vaccinia virus was studied in L mouse fibroblasts. The synthesis of precursor rRNA, its methylation, and its conversion first to nuclear, and finally to cytoplasmic ribosomal particles was followed. The data show that by 2 hr after infection, the processing of precursor rRNA molecules and the rate of maturation of ribonucleoprotein particles was slowed. Three hours after infection little or no synthesis of new ribosomes was detected. The appearance of newly synthesized protein in cytoplasmic ribosomes was compared to that of new rRNA at various times after infection. The synthesis of new ribosomal protein was clearly depressed before that of new rRNA. Experiments in which cells were infected with amino acid- 14 C labeled virions showed that peptides derived from the infecting virions become associated with the nucleus and the nucleolus. It is postulated that the observed inhibition of cellular ribosomal synthesis may be mediated by such peptides.