cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
X-radiation /E greater than 10 keV/, H-alpha and microwave emission during the impulsive phase of solar flares.

A study has been made of the variation in hard (E greater than 10 keV) X-radiation, H-alpha and microwave emission during the impulsive phase of solar flares. Analysis shows that the rise-time in the 20-30-keV X-ray spike depends on the electron hardness. The impulsive phase is also marked by an abrupt, very intense increase in H-alpha emission in one or more knots of the flare. Properties of these H-alpha kernels include: (1) a luminosity several times greater than the surrounding flare, (2) an intensity rise starting about 20-30 sec before, peaking about 20-25 sec after, and lasting about twice as long as the hard spike, (3) a location lower in the chromosphere than the remaining flare, (4) essentially no expansion prior to the hard spike, and (5) a position within 6000 km of the boundary separating polarities, usually forming on both sides of the neutral line near both feet of the same tube of force. Correspondingly, impulsive microwave events are characterized by: (1) great similarity in burst structure with 20-32 keV X-rays but only above 5000 MHz, (2) typical low frequency burst cutoff between 1400-3800 MHz, and (3) maximum emission above 7500 MHz.
Reoperative Surgery for the Complicated Pediatric Stoma

Colostomies are not uncommonly used in pediatric surgery, especially for cases of anorectal malformations. The special approaches toward complications (often because of poor siting and prolapse) are discussed by authors expert in their management. Operative approaches need to take into consideration the nature of subsequent rectal and anal reconstruction and the presence of an associated fistula with the urinary tract in this select patient group.
The Politics of Quasi-Government: Hybrid Organizations and the Dynamics of Bureaucratic Control

List of figures List of tables Acknowledgements List of acronyms 1. Introduction 2. Building a better model of bureaucratic control 3. Administration by regulation 4. Principal's preference, organizational structure and the likelihood of control 5. Hybrid organizations and the alignment of interests 6. The limits of congressional control: agent structure as constraint 7. Regulating hybrids: structure and control 8. Conclusion Appendix: background of organizations studied Interview subjects References Index.
The Acrorhagial Response in Anthopleura Krebs I: Intraspecific and Interspecific Recognition

The acrorhagi (marginal sperules) of some sea anemones of the family Actiniidae are normally inconspicuous vesicles at the base of the tentacles, bearing atrich nematocysts (usually some basitrich nematocysts and spirocysts present), which have been considered a major characteristic of acrorhagi (Carlgren, 1949; Abel, 1954; Bonnin, 1964; and Francis, 1973b).
ON THE CYTOLOGICAL UNIT FOR PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN VIVO IN E. COLI. III. ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC AND ULTRACENTRIFUGAL EXAMINATION OF INTACT CELLS AND FRACTIONS.

Abstract Electron micrographs are presented for intact cells, membrane fraction, free ribosome fraction, and the fraction of ribosomes obtained by de-aggregating the cytoplasmic membrane with deoxycholate. Micrographs for each of these preparations from Escherichia coli B and K-12 were obtained. In addition, the sedimentation patterns of Escherichia coli B free ribosomes, deoxycholate-treated free ribosomes and ribosomes isolated from the membrane are shown. These studies demonstrate that the fraction obtained by treating the membrane fraction with deoxycholate is a ribosome preparation. It is also shown that ribosomes tend to associate with the inner surface of type K-12 cytoplasmic membranes.
Comparing effectiveness of CPT to CPT-C among U.S. Veterans in an interdisciplinary residential PTSD/TBI treatment program

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a leading cognitive-behavioral treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a front-line intervention according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs treatment guidelines. The original CPT protocol entails the creation of a written trauma account and use of cognitive therapy. Cognitive processing therapy-cognitive therapy only (CPT-C) does not involve a written account and in a previous study resulted in faster symptom improvement and fewer dropouts than standard CPT. This study sought to replicate these findings by comparing the effectiveness of CPT to CPT-C in a sample of 86 U.S. male veterans receiving treatment in a PTSD residential program for individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury. CPT and CPT-C were delivered in a combined individual and group format as part of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment program. Outcomes were self- and clinician-reported PTSD and self-reported depression symptoms. Multilevel analysis revealed no significant difference for PTSD symptoms, but did show a greater decrease in depression at posttreatment (d = 0.63) for those receiving CPT. When an experiment-wise α correction was applied, this effect did not remain significant.
Hydrolysis and Epimerization Kinetics of Pilocarpine in Aqueous Solution

The kinetics of the hydroxide-ion-catalyzed hydrolysis and epimerization of pilocarpine in aqueous solution were investigated utilizing pH-stat titrimetry and NMR spectroscopy. The mechanism of epimerization involves formation of a carbanion stabilized by resonance with the enolate hybrid. Both hydrolysis and epimerization follow pseudo-first-order kinetics, and the appropriate rate constants and energies of activation were calculated. Epimerization was found to occur to a greater extent than previously assumed and must be considered as a major pathway of degradation and inactivation of pilocarpine. The rate of hydroxide-ion-catalyzed epimerization increases more rapidly with temperature than does the rate of hydrolysis, a fact that should be considered if ophthalmic solutions of pilocarpine are sterilized by heat. It is suggested that isopilocarpine may not be a genuine jaborandi alkaloid but an artifact produced by epimerization of pilocarpine during drying, storage, and extraction of the plant material.
Verification of a one‐dimensional analysis of sound propagation in a variable area duct without flow

A predicted standing wave pressure and phase angle profile for a hard wall rectangular duct with a region of converging–diverging area variation is compared to published experimental measurements in a study of sound propagation without flow. The factor of 1/2 area variation used is of sufficient magnitude to produce large reflections. The prediction is based on a transmission matrix approach developed for the analysis of sound propagation in a variable area duct with and without flow. The agreement between the measured and predicted results is shown to be excellent.
Comparative neuropsychology and Korsakoff's syndrome. I.--Spatial and visual reversal learning.

Abstract Alcoholic Korsakoff's disease is associated with widespread cerebral damage. Damage to the hippocampus and its major connections has been linked directly to the severe anterograde amnesia observed in Korsakoff patients. However, since other brain regions also are destroyed with chronic alcoholism, a thorough description of any additional behavioral abnormalities is essential to understanding the alcoholic Korsakoff syndrome. Using spatial and visual reversal-learning paradigms popular in comparative and physiological psychology, we have observed profound defects in the formation of stimulus-reinforcement associations by a group of 12 Korsakoffs in comparison to 13 alcoholic and 11 aphasic control subjects. A group of 15 patients with Huntington's disease showed severe deficits on visual but not spatial reversals, and their poor visually-based performance was qualitatively different from that of the Korsakoff patients.
Pulmonary clearance and hilar lymph node content in rats after particle exposure.

Abstract The alveolo-bronchial and the lymphatic pathways are most important in pulmonary clearance of relatively insoluble particles. We were interested in studying the effect of the lung burden on the size of the fraction cleared via the lymphatic system. TiO2 particles, representing the “inert and insoluble” class of particulate matter, were used in rats utilizing both intratracheal instillation and inhalation exposures. After a single exposure about 40–45% of the deposited particles are cleared from the lung in 25 days and about 0.7% are found in the hilar lymph nodes at low exposures. At high exposures lung clearance decreases, in some experiments to zero values, and the lymph node content increases to ∼4%. At low exposures both exposure techniques result in similar clearance values; however, the lymphatic node content rises with increased lung burden faster after intratracheal instillation. The possible mechanisms involved are discussed.
Data broadcasting in SIMD computers

Considers the data broadcasting problem for single instruction stream, multiple data stream (SIMD) computers. Two versions of this problem, i.e., random access read (RAR) and random access write (RAW) are considered. Efficient data broadcasting algorithms are developed for both cases. For the case of a RAR, the complexity of the algorithm is O(q2n) on a q-dimensional nq PE mesh-connected computer and 0(log2N) on an N PE cube-connected or perfect shuffle computer. For the case of a RAW, the complexity of the algorithm is 0(q2n+dqn) on a q-dimensional MCC and 0(log2N+d log N) on an N PE cube-connected or perfect shuffle computer; d is the maximum number of data items written into any one PE.
Educational technology's metaphors

This article starts from an assumption that the essence of technology is a realm of discovery. Within this realm, humanity and the tools of technology are engaged in a dialogue. The author challenges the objectivism of technical rationality which fragments this dialogue and replaces people's creativity with rigorous, but often useless, propositions. It suggests that, at least in the field of education, it is time to break away from technical rationality and its accompanying focus on mastery of information. The author looks at some of educational technology's metaphors and discusses how they reflect determinism and consumerism. She explores an alternative approach, the musical metaphor (Hlynka & Nelson, 1986), which encourages both rigour and creativity. She concludes with an appeal to researchers in the field of educational technology to grapple with new metaphors to help us cope with the exponential growth of information. She further suggests that educational technology need not be limited by the legacy of positivism, but can ally itself with communications technologies and the fine arts.
Social and academic impairment in youth with ADHD, predominately inattentive type and sluggish cognitive tempo

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) was originally identified as a construct that characterized the inattention problems of some children with attention deficit disorder (ADD). Research has indicated that using SCT symptoms to identify a subset of youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, predominately inattentive type (ADHD-IT) may elucidate distinct patterns of impairment and thereby improve the external validity of ADHD subtypes. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether youth with clinically-assessed ADHD-IT and high levels of SCT exhibit unique social and academic impairments. In a clinic-referred sample of youth (N = 209; 23 % female) aged 6 to 17 years, participants who met criteria for three different groups were identified: ADHD, Combined Type (ADHD-CT; n = 80), ADHD-IT with low SCT symptoms (n = 74), and ADHD-IT with high SCT symptoms (n = 55). These groups were compared on indicators of social and academic functioning while considering the effects of co-occurring internalizing and disruptive behavior disorders. Youth with ADHD-IT high in SCT exhibited uniquely elevated withdrawal, as well as low leadership and low peer-directed relational and overt aggression, which were not accounted for by co-occurring disorders. This high-SCT group was also the only group to have more homework problems than the ADHD-CT group, but only when other disruptive behavior disorders were absent. The distinctiveness of the high-SCT group, which was primarily evident in social as opposed to academic functioning, provides partial support for the external validity and clinical utility of SCT.
Parvalbumin-containing interneurons in rat hippocampus have an AMPA receptor profile suggestive of vulnerability to excitotoxicity

Abstract α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors mediate excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system, and contain combinations of four subunits (GluR1-4). We developed a GluR3-specific monoclonal antibody and quantified the cellular distribution of GluR3 in rat hippocampus. GluR3 immunoreactivity was detected in all pyramidal neurons and most interneurons. In addition, we found a subset of parvalbumin (PV)-containing interneurons in the hippocampus and neocortex that was notable for its intense GluR3 immunoreactivity and lack of GluR2 immunoreactivity. Such an expression pattern of AMPA receptor subunits is likely to make these interneurons selectively vulnerable to excitotoxicity.
Comparative study of two highly purified forms of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450: Circular dichroism and other properties

Abstract The two major forms of rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P -450, P -450 LM2 and P -450 LM4 , which were previously shown to differ in their absorption spectra, electrophoretic and immunochemical properties, and substrate specificities, have been further characterized by several methods, (a) The two cytochromes have different CD spectra in the ferric state but similar spectra when reduced. Upon conversion of P -450 LM2 to P -420 by treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate, the CD spectrum is greatly diminished except in the far ultraviolet region, whereas the conversion of P -450 LM4 to P -420 with this detergent results in a spectrum with a new positive band in the visible region, (b) Although P -450 LM4 has a much higher tryptophan content than P -450 LM2 , the fluorescence spectra of these proteins are similar in magnitude. Upon denaturation, the fluorescence of P -450 LM4 increases, thereby indicating a large quenching effect in the native protein, (c) Studies on the interaction of dilauroylglyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine with the cytochromes showed that P -450 LM2 gives a much stronger Type I difference spectrum than does P -450 LM4 . This phospholipid has no significant effect on the state of aggregation of these cytochromes as judged by calibrated gel filtration. The CD spectra of P -450 LM2 and P -450 LM4 are unchanged in the visible region but are enhanced in the far ultraviolet region upon the addition of phosphatidylcholine. The results appear to indicate an increase in α-helical content, particularly with P -450 LM4 , in the presence of the phospholipid.
Small town development and rural urbanization in China.

Abstract A new way of urbanization has emerged in China where farmers are urbanizing the rural areas instead of migrating to the large cities. This article addresses the question of why current urbanization takes this direction in which surplus labor has been transferred from agriculture into the industrial and service sectors without leaving the rural areas. The findings indicate that continual population pressure and reform policies in post-Mao China have resulted in strategic development of small towns in the rural areas. In this development, township and village enterprises have been the locomotive of rural urbanization. Institutional constraints could be moved, created, or utilized in a way which can be conductive for social development. The rural urbanization in China could be significant for many developing countries.
Factors affecting the isolation of CCC DNA from Streptomyces lividans and Escherichia coli

Based on the results of a systematic study of factors affecting plasmid yield and purity, a procedure suitable for the rapid screening for and isolation of covalently closed circular DNA from Streptomyces lividans and Escherichia coli was developed. The method consists of lysis of lysozyme-treated bacteria combined with alkaline denaturation of DNA at high temperature. Renaturation of CCC DNA and precipitation of single-stranded DNA together with protein is achieved by the addition of a minimal amount of phenol/chloroform. The screening procedure uses only a single tube and the samples can be analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis about 30 min after lysis. Removal of phenol and further purification of the plasmid preparation is achieved by consecutive precipitations with isopropanol and spermine, followed by extraction with ethanol, producing samples suitable for restriction endonuclease digestion, ligation, and transformation of S. lividans protoplasts or competent E. coli cells in about 2 h. All steps of the procedure are explained in detail with information about the effects of changing parameters. This should help the experimenter to obtain reproducible results and may be useful if the method has to be adapted to new strains or plasmids.
What is a Political Theory

For many centuries the philosophy of Western Europe has included as one of its accustomed parts a study of the nature and well-being of civic societies, a kind of companion-piece to its study, in psychology and ethics, of the nature and well-being of the human individual. Like so much else in European philosophy, this interest in the political community was, at the beginning, a creature of Greek civilization. It began with that humanistic reaction, fostered by the Sophists and crystallized in the overpowering personality of Socrates, which so completely changed the course of Greek philosophy at the end of the fifth century before Christ. Political philosophy began in Athens at the same time with the birth of social studies, such as linguistics, the history and criticism of literature, the descriptive analysis of political and economic institutions, and a critical as distinguished from a merely narrative history. This humanistic relationship, which dominated philosophy for many centuries, was not dissolved even when the rise of the modern natural sciences in the seventeenth century restored subjects like physics and mathematics to a place of foremost interest in the minds of philosophical scholars. Perhaps marginal, in the sense that it has existed on the edges of the more precise and more technical disciplines, political philosophy has still maintained its standing as a subject of perennial philosophical concern. It is usually unprofitable to argue, speculatively and a priori, about the form or the purposes that a branch of science or philosophy ought to have. The discussion of scientific methods,
Informal Care and the Empowerment of Minority Communities: Comparisons between the USA and the UK

This paper examines informal care and the empowerment of minority communities with respect to health care and health promotion in the USA and the UK based upon work prepared for the workshop, 'Involving Black and Minority Ethnic Users in Delivery of Services and Empowering Communities' presented during the bi-national 1997 USA, UK. Conference, 'Health Gain for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities' and the information gained from that Conference. 'Informal care' is operationally defined as 'the practice of alleviating distressful physiological and psychological dysfunctions through all others (e.g. traditional healers, family members, self, etc.) using measures that do not require a physician's prescription or intervention (e.g. lifestyle modifications) typically outside of formal, institutionally based care mechanisms (e.g. homes and communities). Informal care is a significant force in health maintenance, health promotion, and disease prevention. In the USA, at least one-third of the population is estim...
Two-Dimensional Thermal Performance Analysis of a Semi-Transparent Spectral Zirconia Thermal Barrier Coating

The performance of an aero engine can be increased in two ways: one by reducing the air requirement for the cooling of the turbine blades and secondly by increasing the turbine inlet temperature (TIT) that is operating temperature of the turbine blades. Taking into account the latter approach the blade material must withstand high temperatures of above 1350°C. For this enhancing purpose, protective coatings called the thermal barrier coatings (TBC) are being employed. The thermal barrier coating mainly consists of two layers; one is the metallic coating MCrAlY, which is the premiere layer over the substrate Ni based super alloy. The other is the ceramic layer made of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ). Apart from these two layers, an intermediate layer of Al2 O3 is formed by the oxidation of the aluminum in MCrAlY called the diffusion layer which also enhances the adhesion between the two layers. M stands for Nickel or Cobalt. The present study is an investigation on the in-situ thermal performance of TBCs by considering the ceramic layer as a semi-transparent media and varying its thickness and simultaneously increasing the operating temperature on its other boundary surface. The above thermal boundary value problem is modeled in 2-dimensions and solved numerically using the discrete ordinate model for radiative heat transfer in a commercial computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer software. Two samples of Ni based super alloy substrate with dimensions 40 × 100 × 3mm are considered; one sample with a thickness of 0.25 mm ceramic layer and the other sample with 1 mm coating thickness for transient thermal analysis. Simulated transient temperature histories are presented for use in a thermo-mechanical analysis in order to predict the failure modes in the TBC. The temperature distribution in TBC coating mainly depends on the radiative effects combined with heat conduction and convection and radiation at the material boundaries.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Irreversible thermodynamic basis of phase field models

We develop the irreversible thermodynamic basis of the phase field model, which is a mesoscopic diffuse interface model that eliminates interface tracking during phase transformations. The phase field is an auxiliary parameter that identifies the phase; it is continuous but makes a transition over a thin region, the diffuse interface, from its constant value in a growing phase to some other value in the nutrient phase. All phases are treated thermodynamically as viscous liquids, even crystalline solids. Phases are assumed to be isotropic for simplicity with reference to works that include anisotropy. The basis is an entropy functional which is an integral of an entropy density that includes non-classical gradient entropies. Equilibrium is investigated to identify a non-classical temperature and non-classical chemical potentials for a multicomponent system that are uniform at equilibrium in the absence of external forces. Coupled partial differential equations that govern the time evolution of the phase fi...
The A4396G polymorphism in interferon regulatory factor 1 is frequently expressed in breast cancer cell lines

Loss or mutation of known tumor suppressor genes accounts for a small proportion of all breast cancers. We have recently shown that interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) is a putative tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer. We now report that the A4396G single nucleotide polymorphism in the IRF1 gene is more frequent in human breast cancer cell lines than in the general population (P = 0.01). Furthermore, A4396G is more frequently expressed in African American (black) than in European ancestry (white) subjects (n = 70 subjects; P < or = 0.001), leading to a significant difference in genotype distribution between these populations (P = 0.002).
Tunable Blinking Kinetics of Cy5 for Precise DNA Quantification and Single-Nucleotide Difference Detection

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) can resolve the intrinsic fast-blinking kinetics (FBKs) of fluorescent molecules that occur on the order of microseconds. These FBKs can be heavily influenced by the microenvironments in which the fluorescent molecules are contained. In this work, FCS is used to monitor the dynamics of fluorescence emission from Cy5 labeled on DNA probes. We found that the FBKs of Cy5 can be tuned by having more or less unpaired guanines (upG) and thymines (upT) around the Cy5 dye. The observed FBKs of Cy5 are found to predominantly originate from the isomerization and back-isomerization processes of Cy5, and Cy5-nucleobase interactions are shown to slow down these processes. These findings lead to a more precise quantification of DNA hybridization using FCS analysis, in which the FBKs play a major role rather than the diffusion kinetics. We further show that the alterations of the FBKs of Cy5 on probe hybridization can be used to differentiate DNA targets with single-nucleotide differences. This discrimination relies on the design of a probe-target-probe DNA three-way-junction, whose basepairing configuration can be altered as a consequence of a single-nucleotide substitution on the target. Reconfiguration of the three-way-junction alters the Cy5-upG or Cy5-upT interactions, therefore resulting in a measurable change in Cy5 FBKs. Detection of single-nucleotide variations within a sequence selected from the Kras gene is carried out to validate the concept of this new method.
Identification of a Conserved Motif That Is Necessary for Binding of the Vaccinia Virus E3L Gene Products to Double-Stranded RNA

Abstract The E3L gene of vaccinia virus encodes the double-stranded (ds) RNA binding proteins p20 and p25 that exhibit inhibitory activity for the IFN-induced, P 1 /eIF-2α protein kinase. A region in the E3L encoded proteins (residues 156-180) shares a high degree of similarity with several proteins that bind double-helical RNA including the P 1 /eIF-2α kinase, bacterial and yeast RNase III, and a human transactivator response element/Rev response element binding protein. In this study, mutants of E3L proteins were constructed in order to determine the region of the proteins required for dsRNA binding and kinase inhibitory activity. Our data indicate that both the region necessary for dsRNA binding and for kinase inhibitory activity are located at the carboxyl terminus of the protein. The E3L proteins with 7 amino acids deleted from the carboxyl terminus (184-190) could bind to dsRNA, but with lower affinity than could the full-length protein. This protein did not detectably inhibit kinase in vitro. Deletion of 26 amino acids from the carboxyl terminus of the E3L proteins (165-190) abolished dsRNA binding activity and kinase inhibitory activity. In addition, mutations at amino acid 164, 167, or 174 severely inhibited binding to dsRNA. On the other hand, deletion of 83 amino acids from the amino terminus did not affect the proteins' ability to bind dsRNA or inhibit kinase. These results suggest that a region of sequence between amino acids 164 and 183 is necessary for E3L proteins' dsRNA binding activity. This region lies within the homologous domain that the E3L proteins share with other dsRNA binding proteins.
The Antibacterial Action of Basic Ethers of Diethylstilbestrol and 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone

The preparation and the antibacterial activity in vitro of five substituted aminoalkyl ethers of diethylstilbestrol on Staphylococcus aureus (209), Ebertbella typbosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. bominis and the results of in vivo studies of the compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis using guinea pigs are reported. Three basic ethers of 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone were prepared and tested in vitro against Escbericbia coli, Staphylococcus aureus (209), and Mycobacterium tuberculosisvar. bominisand were found to possess no antibacterial action.
Prognostic indicators for horses with duodenitis-proximal jejunitis. 75 horses (1985-1989).

The medical records of 75 horses with duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) were reviewed. Ages, physical parameters, laboratory values, and treatment data were compared between horses surviving DPJ and horses not surviving DPJ (Table 1). Fifty of 75 horses (66.6%)survived. Sixty-six horses (88.0%)were managed with medical treatment alone and nine horses (12.0%) were managed with medical treatment plus surgical intervention. Using a logistic regression model, the association of each of the 19 physical and laboratory parameters with death was evaluated retrospectively in the 75 horses. Three parameters (anion gap, abdominal fluid total protein concentration, and volume of gastric fluid for the first 24 hours of hospitalization) were significantly associated with death by univariate analysis. Using a stepwise multiple logistic regression, two parameters remained significantly associated with death (P> 0.05), anion gap and abdominal fluid total protein concentration. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1992; 6:307–311)
Relaxin in Human Pregnancy

Relaxin has beneficial effects upon the endometrium which are responsible for establishment of pregnancy. We have demonstrated that relaxin stimulates endometrial decidualization, the structural and biochemical changes in endometrial parenchymal cells, and the accompanying angiogenesis, modulation of matrix metalloproteinase activity, and increased concentrations in local immune cells which are required for implantation. Our recent data also demonstrate that either too much or too little relaxin can be detrimental. Elevated circulating maternal relaxin concentrations (hyperrelaxinemia) are associated with premature birth. This is likely due to the effects of relaxin at the level of the cervix, via upsetting the balance in the maintenance of cervical connective tissue architecture. In addition, the absence of circulating relaxin during pregnancy in women may have negative consequences upon glucose metabolism.
Images in clinical medicine. "Pseudoinfarction" pattern due to hyperkalemia.

A 38-year-old man presented to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. The patient had type 1 diabetes mellitus and was being treated with insulin. He was also taking lisinopril for the treatment of hypertension. The initial electrocardiogram (Panel A) revealed sinus tachycardia and ST-segment elevation in leads V1 to V3 — findings highly suggestive of acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction. Peaked T waves were noted in leads II, III, aVF, and V3 to V6. The serum glucose concentration was 839 mg per deciliter (46.6 mmol per liter), the arterial blood pH was 7.21, . . .
Differences between Heat-Bleaching and Heat-Shock at the Level of Protein Synthesis in Euglena gracilis

Summary I investigated whether heat-shock and heat-bleaching in Euglena gracilis (Klebs) z strain (Pringsheim) involve a similar response to treatments at elevated temperatures. Using pulse-labeling in vivo , I studied similarities and differences in the kinds of polypeptides that are synthesized at 33 °C (bleaching temperature) and at 36 °C (heat-shock). Although brief treatments at the bleaching and heat shock temperatures initially increase the synthesis of a similar set of major polypeptides, the similarities are limited to the first hour of incubation. Longer periods of incubation at the two temperatures result in significant differences in the synthesis of maj or polypeptides. Unlike other plant systems, a significant increase in the synthesis of polypeptides in the low molecular weight range (15,000 to 30,000 Dal) was not detected at the elevated temperatures. I report that bleaching and heat-shock probably represent different responses to temperature.
Health promotion talk in family practice encounters

The model of family medicine advocates a view of the patient as a psychosocially grounded person, and stresses the value of a preventive approach in maintaining health. Given such principles, it is expected that in the expression of this model--in actual family practice encounters--physicians will regularly introduce topics about health promoting behaviors in their interactions with patients. Examination of a sample of typical and unrehearsed encounters between family physicians and patients, however, reveals a striking absence of such topics. Where they do occur, there is conversational evidence that both parties find the topics troublesome, and employ conversational strategies which tend to distance these topics from the rest of the interview. The conversational features of these distancing strategies, as well as their possible sources and implications, are discussed. Physician participants in the research express no reluctance to introduce topics related to health promotion behavior, and in fact report that they do so regularly: the latter is contradicted by empirical conversational data. Difficulties that physicians evidence in managing these topics--in the absence of any conscious dispreference--suggest that shared interpretive frames operating for the remainder of the medical encounter do not work well for these topics. Physicians desiring to communicate effectively in this area may need to rethink health promotion talk as a special conversational task, which differs in key ways from more conventional topics introduced in medical encounters.
Equatorially Trapped Waves at the 200 mb Level and Their Association with Meridional Convergence of Wave Energy Flux

Abstract Equatorially trapped planetary-scale waves at the 200 mb level are isolated and their characteristics are examined using space-time spectral analyses of wind data in the latitude belt from 20°S to 40°N during the two contrasting northern summers of 1967 and 1972. With the aid of the theoretically known properties of equatorial waves such as the dispersion relation and the symmetry or antisymmetry of wind components with respect to the equator, Kelvin waves with s (zonal wavenumber) = 1 and 2, a mixed Rossby–gravity wave with s = 4, and an equatorially trapped Rossby wave with s = 2 can be clearly identified among the major spectral peaks observed in 1967. However, in 1972 the mixed Rossby–gravity wave is absent and only weak signals of the Kelvin waves with s = 1 and 2 and the equatorially trapped Rossby wave with s = 2 are found. In addition, westward moving waves with s = 1, which are identified as the gravest symmetric free Rossby waves, are observed in both years. All the westward-moving equa...
The Next Wave: Confexting

Radiology conferences enable participants the opportunity to ask experts questions through question and answer (Q and A) sessions or individually. Given the time limitations and intimidating circumstances, we incorporated conference text messaging (confexting) as a method of increasing interactivity between the audience and speakers. During a 5-day radiology conference, text messaging was utilized for anonymous interactivity between the audience and speakers during Q and A sessions. There were 324 text messages; 76 of these were either follow-up statements or questions related to earlier text messages. Forty-two questions were submitted via paper notes. There was a general trend of an increasing number of text messages and a decreasing number of paper notes. The anonymous text messaging system was found to be an effective method for interactivity between the audience and the speakers. The questions and answers could be presented in a PowerPoint format at the formal Q and A sessions. Questions texted to the authors during their talks could be immediately answered or addressed in subsequent talks. Although difficult for some individuals to embrace technology, confexting allows for interactivity and prompts discussion. Confexting is an effective method for interactivity between the audience and speakers not previously utilized in a conference setting. The anonymity and asynchronous communication enable conference participants to submit more questions than in the traditional setting. The speakers may be able to explain more thoroughly difficult concepts more thoroughly with additional slides at Q and A sessions or may immediately answer texted questions during their talks.
Layered Polyelectrolyte Films as Selective, Ultrathin Barriers for Anion Transport

Synthesis of high-flux composite membranes requires methods for deposition of ultrathin, defect-free films on highly permeable supports. Layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolytes on porous alumina (0.02 μm pore diameter) produces such membranes. Electron microscopy shows that five bilayers (<25 nm) of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) are sufficient to cover porous alumina and that underlying pores are not clogged during the deposition process. The selectivity of anion transport through these membranes increases with the number of bilayers until the substrate is fully covered. Five-bilayer PAH/PSS membranes have Cl-/SO42- and Cl-/Fe(CN)63- selectivity values of 7 and 310, respectively. PAH/poly(acrylic acid) membranes show selectivity values similar to those of PAH/PSS membranes but with a 3-fold decrease in anion flux. Selectivity in both of these systems likely results from Donnan exclusion.
On the Stackelberg strategy in nonzero-sum games

The properties of the Stackelberg solution in static and dynamic nonzero-sum two-player games are investigated, and necessary and sufficient conditions for its existence are derived. Several game problems, such as games where one of the two players does not know the other’s performance criterion or games with different speeds in computing the strategies, are best modeled and solved within this solution concept. In the case of dynamic games, linear-quadratic problems are formulated and solved in a Hilbert space setting. As a special case, nonzero-sum linear-quadratic differential games are treated in detail, and the open-loop Stackelberg solution is obtained in terms of Riccati-like matrix differential equations. The results are applied to a simple nonzero-sum pursuit-evasion problem.
Predicting bacterial functional traits from whole genome sequences using random forest

Microbes are the most abundant and diverse biota on earth. Despite their small size, they have a huge impact in many essential ecosystem services and overall global health. However, due to the complexity of microbial communities and the fact that most of the members cannot be cultured, the molecular and ecological details as well as influencing factors of these processes are still poorly understood [1]. An important question in ecological biology is how biodiversity influences ecosystem functioning [2]. In general, it is thought that biodiversity maximizes potential either through greater chances of containing highly successful individuals and/or poorly understood processes that benefit communities [3]-[5]. Underlying this is the relationship between the presence of individual organism and specific functional traits.
Multi-criteria assembly sequencing

This paper describes the elements of a multi-criteria optimization formulation of the assembly sequencing problem. The criteria considered are: total assembly time and number of reorientations. These two criteria are combined using multi-attribute utility theory to derive a single objective function. The combined objective function has been formulated subject to the precedence constraints of the assembly process. The model has been solved using simulated annealing. The elements of the developed algorithms and their performances are demonstrated in this paper.
Colesevelam HCL reduces LDL particle number and increases LDL size in hypercholesterolemia

Abstract Background Although LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) remains the target of cholesterol-lowering therapy, high levels of LDL particle numbers better differentiate cardiovascular risk than LDL-C concentrations. Colesevelam HCl, a novel bile acid sequestrant, has also been shown to reduce mean LDL-C by 18% with the maximum dose. The effect of colesevelam HCl on LDL particle number and particle size has not been previously published. LDL particle number and particle size were measured by NMR spectroscopy. Methods In this multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 149 patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C > 160 mg/dL [4.14 mmol/L]; triglycerides Results Colesevelam HCl reduced LDL particle number by 6.8% at a dosage of 3.0 g/d (P = 0.031), and 13.7% (P = 0.0002) at a dosage of 3.75 g/d. Baseline levels of triglycerides or LDL size did not influence changes in LDL particle number. Further, mean LDL particle size increased with colesevelam HCl 3.75 g/d (1.1% increase versus baseline, P Conclusion For patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia, treatment with colesevelam HCl at the recommended starting dose of 3.75 g/d lowered LDL particle number, and increased mean LDL particle size.
Ultrasound of the pediatric chest

Historically, the evaluation of the pediatric chest has been accomplished via CT and conventional radiography. Our objective is to discuss and illustrate the role of US as a non-ionizing radiation alternative in the evaluation of the pediatric chest. US is a valuable tool in the evaluation of the pediatric chest. It can be used as a first-line modality in the evaluation of superficial lumps and bumps of the chest wall, diaphragmatic motion, the thymus and pleural effusions, and it can play a valuable secondary role in evaluation of mediastinal masses and pulmonary parenchymal disease.
Desensitizing mice to ovalbumin through subcutaneous microsphere immunotherapy (SMITH).

Background: We investigated whether subcutaneously-injected, biodegradable, poly (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres loaded with ovalbumin (OVA) were able to down-regulate the T helper 2 (TH2) response in mice that were sensitized to this protein, and whether this response was dose-dependent. Methods: PLGA microspheres were created using a double emulsion technique. Female BALB/c mice were sensitized to OVA and then assigned to receive subcutaneous microsphere immunotherapy (SMITH) using either blank microspheres (n = 4), low-dose OVA-loaded microspheres (n = 5), or high-dose OVA-loaded microspheres (n = 5). Antigen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum was measured at day 0 (prior to sensitization), day 14 (prior to immunization), and days 28 and 42 (after immunization). Results: All mice were successfully sensitized to OVA. In the group receiving blank microspheres, there was a continual rise in antigen-specific IgE from Day 14 to Day 42, which was statistically significant. In the group receiving low-dose OVA-loaded microspheres, there was a statistically significant drop in the antigen-specific IgE levels from Day 14 to Day 28, but overall no significant change in IgE level when looking at the Day 14 to Day 42 interval. A similar pattern of antibody level changes was seen in the group receiving high-dose OVA-loaded microspheres, but the decrease from Day 14 to Day 28 was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our data suggest that SMITH has the ability to downregulate the production of antigen-specific IgE in a food allergy model, and this observation in our study was not dose-dependent. Its potential use in the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic disease warrants further investigation. © 2011 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
The synthesis and pharmacology of some 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines

1. Several 1- and 2-substituted, and 1,2-disubstituted, 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines have been prepared and their toxicological and pharmacological properties have been investigated.2. In general the compounds were neuromuscular blocking agents with the monosubstituted members of the series showing a depolarizing type of activity and the disubstituted compounds a non-depolarizing type.3. The toxicity to mice of some of the monosubstituted compounds was increased by pretreatment of the animals with SKF 525A, but the toxicity of the disubstituted compounds was unaffected.4. The results obtained with these compounds are not at variance with a suggestion made previously that nicotinic action at the neuromuscular junction can result from an interaction between drug and receptor at two points separated by about 4 A.
Regulation of the apolipoprotein AIV gene expression by estrogen differs in rat and mouse

Previously we have shown that estrogen administration to Sprague Dawley rats and to the inbred C3H/HeJ mouse strain produced different effects on plasma lipoproteins [Srivastava, R. A. K., Baumann, D. & Schonfeld, G. (1993) Eur. J. Biochem. 216, 527–538]. While low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels fell in rats, they rose in mice. Plasma apoprotein (apo) AI levels and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol fell in both species but by much less in mice than in rats. Since apolipoproteins AIV and AII are two other protein constituents of HDL, we wished to test the hypothesis that estrogen would produce different effects on these apoproteins in mice and rats. Male rats and C3H/HeJ mice were administered 17β-estradiol at 5 μg · g body mass−1· day−1 for six consecutive days. In a separate experiment, castrated male C3H/HeJ mice were administered β-estradiol [(0.16 μg · g body mass−1· day−1 or 5.0 μg · g body mass−1· day−1, or testosterone (1 μg/g)] for 14 days. ApoAIV mRNA levels were determined in total liver, in liver nuclei and in total intestine. Rat hepatic apoAIV mRNA decreased twofold (from 16.5±3pg/μg total RNA to 7.1±2.5 pg/μg total RNA) while mouse hepatic and nuclear apoAIV mRNA both increased 1.5–2-fold. Intestinal apoAIV mRNA decreased in mice and increased in rats. Testosterone had no effects. Nuclear apoAIV mRNA transcription rates in rat and mouse liver changed little, if at all, indicating that estrogen-induced changes in steady-state levels of apoAIV mRNA were not determined by hepatic transcriptional mechanisms. Both species possessed similar apoAIV mRNA transcription start sites. To assess whether other mouse strains also differed from rats, we surveyed 13 other inbred mouse strains. Some strains increased hepatic apoAIV mRNA, some did not change but, in contrast to rat, no strain experienced a fall in mRNA levels. Estrogen-induced changes in plasma apoAIV levels were not correlated with changes in the levels of hepatic apoAIV mRNA levels. These data indicate that (a) apoAIV mRNA levels are regulated differently by estrogen in mouse and rat livers and intestines, (b) regulation of apoAIV mRNA by estrogen is both mouse strain and tissue specific and (c) regulation of plasma apoAIV is achieved by mechanisms other than those depending on the steady-state levels of hepatic apoAIV mRNA. In contrast with apoAIV mRNA, estrogen decreased hepatic apoAII mRNA both in rat (threefold) and in mouse (twofold) and parallel changes were observed in transcription rates. Thus, estrogen-mediated regulation of ApoAII mRNA levels occurred similarly in the two rodent species, mainly by transcriptional mechanisms.
Sliced configuration spaces for curved planar bodies

We present the first practical, implemented configuration-space computation algorithm for a curved, planar object translating and rotating amidst stationary obstacles. The bodies are rigid, compact, regular, and bounded by a finite number of rational parametric curve segments. The algorithm represents the three-dimensional configu ration space as two-dimensional slices in which the moving object has a fixed orientation. It discretizes the configuration space into in tervals of equivalent slices separated by critical slices. The output is topologically correct and accurate to within a specified toler ance. We have implemented the algorithm for objects bounded by line segments and circular arcs, which is an important class for applications. The program is simple, fast, and robust. The slice representation is a natural and efficient abstract data type for geo metric computations in robotics and engineering.