cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An iterative approach for the evaluation of delamination stresses in laminated composites

A computational strategy for the evaluation of delamination stresses in multilayered fibre-reinforced composites is presented. The approach uses special inter-laminar shear elements and an iterative procedure in the calculation of out-of-plane stresses. Both regular and singular elements for the free edge are presented. The solutions are carried on by switching between direct matrix solution methods of small systems of equations and an iterative conjugate gradient method. The proposed discretization avoids ill-conditioning problems, modelling difficulties and large computational cost associated with three-dimensional analysis of delamination of holes, cut-outs, joints and areas of complex stress states.
Venous function in hypertension

Abstract The results described in this review clearly demonstrate that venous extensibility, contractility and prostaglandin synthesis are altered in veins from hypertensive animals and man. Similarly, venous smooth muscle compliance seems to be impaired in human essential and experimental animal hypertension. Decreased venous compliance and enhanced venous contractility may account for the transient increase in cardiac output observed during the labile phase of hypertension. Alterations in venous contractility may reflect intrinsic changes in the vascular smooth muscle later in the hypertensive process. Alternatively, the veins may respond sooner to a circulating humoral stimulus which will subsequently modify arterial smooth muscle function, or to which the arteries are unresponsive. Therefore, the study of venous and arterial smooth muscle function during the development of the hypertensive process could well identify the site, and perhaps, stimulus for the initial changes that occur in hypertension. Similarly, a study of venous and arterial smooth muscle function in hypertension can adequately define those changes intrinsic to the high blood pressure and those secondary to the increased vascular pressure of the hypertension. Therefore, analysis of the type, mechanism and sequence of venous changes which occur in hypertension can provide insight into rational drug therapy to treat the cause, and not the symptoms, of hypertensive vascular disease.
Efficacy of Norethindrone Acetate and Norgestomet Implants in Suppressing Estrus in Female Beef Cattle

AbstractBeef females with corpora lutea on day 12 of the estrus cycle were implanted with 11.5 mg norethindrone acetate implants (7 implanted and 7 nonimplanted controls) at the same time they were administered a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F2aL. Although the implants released 340 to 740 μmlg of norethindrone acetate daily, the implants did not suppress estrus. Norgestomet implants were inserted into beef females 5 days after estrus and implants were left in situ for 16 days. The numbers of cows in the norgestomet study were 27 nonimplanted, 19 with 6-mg implants, and 21 with 8-mg implants. Control cows were not detected in estrus until day 17 of the estrous cycle (12 days after the time of implantation) and 10 of the 27 cows (37%) were detected in estrus over a 5-day period beginning on day 17 (12 to 16 days after the time of implantation). None of the cows implanted with 8-mg implants were detected in estrus while the implants were in situ. However, 3 of the cows with 6-mg norgestomet implants were...
First year's operating experience with control equipment on subway cars

This new all-electric controller for subway cars, completely replacing pneumatic-type contactor and reverser, has many advantages including decreased maintenance, standardization of components, simplification, and reduced weight. Major problems encountered in building and operating sample equipment in 100 New York City Transit System subway cars, are discussed.
Sources and paleoclimatic significance of Holocene Bignell Loess, central Great Plains, USA

This paper reexamines the stratigraphy, sources, and paleoclimatic significance of Holocene Bignell Loess in the central Great Plains. A broadly similar sequence of loess depositional units and paleosols was observed in thick Bignell Loess sections up to 300 km apart, suggesting that these sections record major regional changes in the balance between dust deposition and pedogenesis. New optical ages, together with previously reported radiocarbon ages, indicate Bignell Loess deposition began 9000–11,000 yr ago and continued into the late Holocene; some Bignell Loess is <1000 yr old. There is little evidence that Holocene Loess was derived from flood plain sources, as previously proposed. Instead, thick Bignell Loess occurs mainly near the downwind margins of inactive dune fields, particularly atop escarpments facing the dunes. Thus, the immediate loess source was dust produced when the dunes were active. Previous work indicates that widespread episodes of dune activity are likely to have resulted from drier-than-present climatic conditions. The regionally coherent stratigraphy of Bignell Loess can be interpreted as a near-continuous record of climatically driven variation in dune field activity throughout the Holocene.
Polyolefin photo-stabilisation mechanisms. Reactions of tetramethylpiperidine derivatives in model systems☆

Abstract The relative rate of cyclohexyl radical scavenging by oxygen or 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidino-N-oxyl has been measured at 25°C, together with the relative rates of cyclohexyl peroxy radical attack on cyclohexane or substituted hydroxylamines derived from 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine. These competitive processes are important in the stabilisation of polymers against photo-oxidative destruction by piperidine derivatives. Peroxy radical scavenging by the substituted hydroxylamine appears to be considerably more important than alkyl radical scavenging by the nitroxide, although both processes are essential for prolonged ultra violet (uv) stabilisation of a polymer. However, a comparison of experimental photo-protection with that predicted by the measured rate constant ratios shows that other processes are needed to account entirely for the observed stabilisation. Other factors which may be involved in piperidine photo-protection of polymers include thermal decomposition of the substituted hydroxylamine to reform nitroxide in polar(oxidised) zones and especially the association of nitroxides with hydroperoxide groups (the dominant photo-initiator in degrading polyolefins).
Characteristics Related to Midblock Pedestrian—Vehicle Crashes and Potential Treatments

Reducing pedestrian crashes is a top priority for transportation professionals. Pedestrian crashes at midblock locations occur frequently and need further investigation. The purpose of this exploratory study is to understand the characteristics of midblock pedestrian crashes to determine appropriate safety treatments. The primary objective was to compare midblock and intersection crashes in light of their roadway characteristics, environment, and characteristics of the involved parties to provide information on the most common factors related to midblock crashes. Databases from Kentucky, Florida, and North Carolina were used to determine which crash variable categories have significantly higher proportions at midblock locations as opposed to intersections. The distribution of crashes was compared across the two groups. The results of a t-test determined the significance of differences of means observed between the two crash groups. Several variables (such as lighting conditions and divided versus undivided roads) are similarly distributed among midblock and intersection crashes. Furthermore, the study highlighted the categories within the variables tested with significantly higher proportions in midblock crashes as opposed to intersection crashes in one or more of the databases. These include two-lane roads, younger male pedestrians involved in the crash, residential land use patterns, and rural crash locations. This paper identifies areas and variables where further research is appropriate, particularly with respect to determining safety treatments for midblock locations.
Properties of the covalently bound flavin of chromatium cytochrome c-552 and its conversion to 8-carboxy-riboflavin.

Summary Previous work has shown that cytochrome c -552 from Chromatium contains a covalently bound flavin, which is not released by denaturation but is liberated by proteolysis or various chemical treatments and that the protein is probably attached at the 8α position of the FAD. In the present study unambiguous evidence was obtained for 8α substitution from (a) ESR hyperfine spectra of the flavin cation radical and (b) from identification of the flavin released by performic acid oxidation from cytochrome c -552 as riboflavin-8α-carboxylic acid. Various lines of evidence suggest that in the native enzyme a reduced sulfur may be linked to the 8α group of the flavin, similarly to monoamine oxidase, which contains cysteinyl 8α-FAD, although the conditions required for cleavage of the flavin from the two enzymes appear to be quite different.
Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism following infliximab therapy in pediatric Crohn's disease.

Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism Following Infliximab Therapy in Pediatric Crohn's Disease
Spastic pure motor monoparesis

Pure motor hemiplegia (PMH) is, in most cases, caused by a lacunar infarction. However, pure motor monoparesis (PMM), i.e., isolated motor involvement with spasticity in one limb, has drawn little attention. We studied prospectively 5 patients with PMM and found that it was always due to a mass lesion in the contralateral superficial cerebral hemisphere. Our observation suggests that PMM should not be regarded as simply a variant of PMH.
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CONVERGENCE THEORY OF SYNTHESIS METHODS FOR SOLVING DIFFUSION EQUATIONS

Abstract This article is a survey of the theoretical questions arising in the development of a convergence theory and error analysis of synthesis methods for solving neutron diffusion problems. For simplicity, we discuss convergence and the error analysis for spectral synthesis methods, in which the trial functions are functions solely of energy. The diffusion coefficient, the total and scattering cross-section data for the diffusion model are assumed spatially and energy dependent, and interior interfaces (i.e. spatial discontinuities in the diffusion coefficient and cross-section data) are present. The boundary conditions imposed are homogeneous Dirichlet conditions.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome induced by lipopolysaccharide and Shiga-like toxin.

Induction of experimental hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) by simply administering Shiga-like toxin (Stx) to rodents has not yet been successful. Attention has been paid to the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the pathogenesis of HUS. In this study, we showed successful induction of an experimental HUS in LPS responder mice by administering Stx together with LPS. Intraperitoneal administration of 200 ng of Stx 2 for 2 days, followed by 250 μg of LPS on the 2nd day of Stx administration, caused a significant decrease of thrombocytes and deterioration of renal function, with proteinuria and hematuria. Electron microscopy revealed alterations of glomerular endothelial cells. Administration of Stx alone or LPS alone caused neither hematological nor histopathological changes, as were observed with Stx and LPS co-administration. Interestingly, when LPS was administered before Stx, no hematological and histological changes were observed. The results showed that LPS was essential for the induction of HUS, but LPS pretreatment might protect against Stx toxicity. The order of LPS and Stx administration is important for the induction of experimental HUS.
Linkage Analyses of Stimulant Dependence, Craving, and Heavy Use in American Indians

Amphetamine-type substances are the second most widely used illicit drugs in the United States. There is evidence to suggest that stimulant use (cocaine and methamphetamine) has a heritable component, yet the areas of the genome underlying these use disorders are yet to be identified. This study's aims were to map loci linked to stimulant dependence, heavy use, and craving in an American Indian community at high risk for substance dependence. DSM diagnosis of stimulant dependence, as well as indices of stimulant "craving," and "heavy use," were obtained using the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA). Genotypes were determined for a panel of 791 microsatellite polymorphisms in 381 members of multiplex families using SOLAR. Stimulant dependence, stimulant "craving," and "heavy stimulant use," were all found to be heritable. Analyses of multipoint variance component LOD scores, failed to yield evidence of linkage for stimulant dependence. For the stimulant "craving" phenotype, linkage analysis revealed a locus that had a LOD score of 3.02 on chromosome 15q25.3-26.1 near the nicotinic receptor gene cluster. A LOD score of 2.05 was found at this same site for "heavy stimulant use." Additional loci with LOD scores above 2.00 were found for stimulant "craving" on chromosomes 12p13.33-13.32 and 18q22.3. These results corroborate the importance of "craving" as an important phenotype that is associated with regions on chromosome 12, 15, and 18, that have been highlighted in prior segregation studies in this and other populations for substance dependence-related phenotypes.
Object Correlation, Maneuver Detection, and Characterization Using Control-Distance Metrics

Object correlation, maneuver detection, and maneuver characterization are persistent problems in space surveillance and space object catalog maintenance. This paper demonstrates the utility of using control effort as a rigorously defined metric with which to correlate object observations, detect maneuvers, and characterize maneuvers given dynamical systems with boundary-condition uncertainty. Uncorrelated tracks and new object measurements are incorporated into the control-distance metric framework and corresponding control-distance distributions are computed. Approaches are given with which to rank control-distance distributions and hypothesis testing is used to detect possible maneuvers in the presence of system uncertainty. Simulated examples of the approaches are given and implications are discussed. Potential avenues for future research and contributions are summarized.
Structure of the Mg2+-loaded C-lobe of cardiac troponin C bound to the N-domain of cardiac troponin I: comparison with the Ca2+-loaded structure.

Cardiac troponin C (cTnC) is the Ca2+-binding component of the troponin complex and, as such, is the Ca2+-dependent switch in muscle contraction. This protein consists of two globular lobes, each containing a pair of EF-hand metal-binding sites, connected by a linker. In the N lobe, Ca2+-binding site I is inactive and Ca2+-binding site II is primarily responsible for initiation of muscle contraction. The C lobe contains Ca2+/Mg2+-binding sites III and IV, which bind Mg2+ with lower affinity and play a structural as well as a secondary role in modulating the Ca2+ signal. To understand the structural consequences of Ca2+/Mg2+ exchange in the C lobe, we have determined the NMR solution structure of the Mg2+-loaded C lobe, cTnC(81−161), in a complex with the N domain of cardiac troponin I, cTnI(33−80), and compared it with a refined Ca2+-loaded structure. The overall tertiary structure of the Mg2+-loaded C lobe is very similar to that of the refined Ca2+-loaded structure as evidenced by the root-mean-square d...
Effect of enucleation on choline acetyltransferase activity in layers of goldfish optic tectum.

Abstract Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was determined in layers of optic tectum in control goldfish and in goldfish 4–20 days following unilateral enucleation. Significant changes in activity were found in the periventricular (PV) and superficial gray and white (SGW) layers. Within 4 days, ChAT activity in the PV layer on the lesioned side was about 75% of that on the control side. By 20 days, ChAT specific activity in the SGW layer on the lesioned side was about 150–160% of that on the control side. This increase in specific activity in the SGW layer was accounted for by the decrease in volume and in density of the layer after enucleation, so that the total amount of activity in the layer did not change significantly, indicating that the optic terminals contain little to no ChAT activity. ChAT activity in the optic tract was very low and did not decrease after enucleation. These data strongly indicate that the retinotectal pathway in goldfish is not cholinergic and, therefore, that the ChAT activity in the SGW layer is related to sources other than retinal ganglion cells. It is suggested that one such source might be neurons with somata in the PV layer.
Catarrhine phylogeny and classification: Principles, methods and comments

In recent years, zoological systematists have engaged in heated debate over methods of phylogeny reconstruction and classification, but little of this interaction has penetrated the anthropological literature. I have summarized part of it here, concentrating on the cladistic method of phylogeny analysis and the relationship of classification to its underlying phylogeny, with examples and comments from the evolutionary history of catarrhine primates. Phylogeny may be broken down into “cladogeny”, the study of branching points and phyletic linkages among taxa, and “scenarios”, or interpretive reconstructions of adaptation and ancestry. In cladogeny analysis, fossils are treated in the same way as modern taxa, with their stratigraphic age considered only in special circumstances. In a scenario, the identification of actual ancestor taxa may be attempted in a probabilistic manner only if specific criteria are fulfilled. Classifications must closely reflect the group's cladogeny, but several methods are available to assign ranks to taxa and to vary the final hierarchical pattern. These theoretical postulates are applied to the catarrhines, resulting in several cladograms of intertaxon relationship, a more extrapolative phylogeny diagram and some alternative classifications, including the insertion of new ranks.
Possible effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on sex determination in rainbow trout

Aqeous exposure of newly hatched rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) larvae to Aroclor 1260 resulted in altered sex ratios and severe gonadal abnormalities in juvenile females. The proportion of females decreased from 41.9% in combined controls to 31.6 to 36.1% in groups that accumulated 2.5 μg/g Aroclor 1260 after 3-h immersions, although this decrease was not statistically significant (p = 0.057). A total of 18.2% of the females in the treatment group that accumulated 2.1 μg/g Aroclor 1260 had abnormal gonads as compared to 2.7% in combined controls (p = 0.001). Abnormalities were characterized by inconsistent or extremely limited development of oocytes. Although further work is required to validate these results, this study suggests that environmentally realistic tissue concentrations of Aroclor 1260 may disrupt sexual development in female trout.
Time Courses of Concentrations of Circulating Gonadotropin, Prolactin, Testosterone, and Cortisol in Adult Male Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta) Throughout the 24 h Light-Dark Cycle

Attempts were made to characterize the time courses of concentrations of circulating LH, FSH, PRL, testosterone (T), and cortisol throughout the light-dark cycle (lights on 0600-1800 h) in intact adult male rhesus monkeys. Blood samples were withdrawn from five animals every 20 mm with a remote sampling device that permitted continuous access to the venous circulation with minimal restraint of the animal. Mean concentrations of plasma T were highest during darkness and declined abruptly shortly after the lights came on to reach a nadir ‘\ 3 h later at 0900 h. Mean T levels then increased progressively and in an apparently rhythmic fluctuating fashion throughout the remainder of the light phase of the 24 h cycle. Individual animals exhibited very striking moment-to-moment changes in plasma T concentration composed of 7-12 discrete peaks during the 24 h cycle. The frequency of these episodes of testicular T secretion throughout the light phase of the cycle, and particularly during the initial 6 h of illumination (approximately one plasma T peak every S h), was noticeably slower than that during darkness (approximately one peak every 2 h). The amplitude of plasma T peaks, however, was similar throughout the entire light-dark cycle. Essentially every peak in concentration of circulating T was preceded by a brief, but distinct, elevation in plasma LH, and most discharges of LI-I (89%) were followed by an episode of T secretion. These findings suggest that in the male rhesus monkey the characteristic diurnal variation in circulating T is determined primarily by changes in the frequency of episodic testicular T secretion which, in turn, appears to be occasioned by a corresponding pattern of intermittent release of LH. Plasma prolactin levels were lowest at ‘-‘-‘0800 h, and concentrations of circulating cortisol exhibited, as expected, a diurnal variation typical of this plasma steroid. The time course of FSH was not forthcoming because concentrations of this plasma gonadotropin in the circulation were usually immeasureable by the JtIA employed.
The Effect of Boron and Gibberellic Acid on the Senescence of Leaf Discs from Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Rutgers

When leaf discs of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Rutgers were floated on solutions containing 4.33 × 10–6 M gibberellic acid (GA3), 1.0 ×x 10–6M boron (B), separately and together, senescence was retarded with respect to controls. Degradation of chlorophyll, total protein, RNA, and DNA was delayed, and decreases in fresh weight and leaf disc diameter checked. The loss of chlorophyll, protein, RNA, DNA, fresh weight, and diameter were 10, 20, 30, 8, 28, and 0 per cent with GA3 alone; 15, 25, 35, 8, 31, and 0 per cent with B alone; 8, 14, 25, 7, 25, and 0 per cent with GA3 plus B; contrasted with 50, 40, 50, 9, 42, and 3 per cent for the controls. An analysis of variance was performed on all data except for disc diameter. All sources of variance were significantly or highly significant at the 1 per cent level except for the effect of boron on DNA level, which was significant only at the 2.5 per cent level. Retardation of senescence by GA3 may be associated with the known ability of GA3 to stimulate m-RNA and protein synthesis. The effect of boron may be due to an effect on sugar and starch balance, translocation of sugar, or on water balance, but more likely boron plays a role in nucleotide and protein metabolism in plants. Boron may be involved in the synthesis of DNA, a role perhaps mediated by GA3.
HOT-ATOM CHEMISTRY

Research in the chemical effects of the nuclear transformations during the past 50 years is reviewed.
Perception of a Common Fate in Human—Animal Relations and its Relevance to our Concern for Animals

Considering violence against animals and violence against people as one and the same problem presupposes a comprehensive concept of violence, a concept of suffering uniting humans and animals, and a specific relationship to nature and life. The thesis of this paper is that the greater concern for animals that has developed in western societies, particularly in the last few decades, is fundamentally related to the perception of a common fate that humans and animals share, especially in the face of the threat of an ecological or nuclear catastrophe and the awareness of the competitiveness in human relationships that now prevails the world over. Two literary works and a social psychology study are referred to in order to illustrate this thesis. The perception of a common fate is considered an integral part of identification with others, either humans or animals, of empathy with them, and of an attitude of respect toward nature in general.
The History of Apollo Onboard Guidance, Navigation, and Control

Introduction W Apollo astronauts finally walked on the moon, thousands of engineers, scientists, managers, and technicians of many varied disciplines and specialties shared in the glorious accomplishment of an extraordinary national goal. This is the story of an essential part of that endeavor—that of the development and execution of the guidance, navigation, and control systems which, onboard Apollo along with the astronauts, made essential measurements of the spacecraft motions and directed necessary maneuvers for the mission.
Implantable devices in the coronary artery from metal to genes.

Preliminary data from nonrandomized clinical trials suggest that, in selected subgroups of patients, the implantation of endovascular stents may improve the initial results of coronary dilatation, may successfully treat arterial dissection and abrupt closure, and may reduce the incidence of recurrent stenosis. The widespread use of stents remains limited, however, by the need for intensive anticoagulation to prevent arterial thrombosis. The development of sustained-release drug delivery systems and gene-transfer technology may enable local delivery of antithrombotic and antiproliferative therapies that would greatly increase the safety and applicability of these devices.
Abstract 3112: Host MMP-2 impacts tumor survival in the metastatic bone microenvironment through a TGFβ dependent mechanism

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Breast to bone metastases frequently induce a “vicious cycle” in which osteoclast mediated bone resorption and proteolysis results in the release of bone matrix sequestered factors that drive tumor growth. While osteoclasts express numerous proteinases, analysis of human breast to bone metastases unexpectedly revealed that bone forming osteoblasts were consistently positive for the proteinase, MMP-2. In immunocompetent murine models of the lytic tumor-bone microenvironment, we identified that, independent of osteoclast function, osteoblast derived MMP-2 promoted tumor survival by regulating the bioavailability of TGFβ, a factor critical for cell-cell communication in the bone. Collectively, these studies identify a novel interplay between the osteoblast and tumor compartments that is key for tumor survival in the bone microenvironment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3112. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3112
Nitrogen-15 NMR spectroscopy: Nitrogen-15 chemical shifts of 1,2-diaminobenzenes and 1,8-diaminonaphthalenes

Nitrogen-15 chemical shifts of 1,2-diaminobenzenes, 1,8-diaminonaphthalenes and their monoprotonated species are reported.
Data Management Team-Driven Approach to Handling International Clinical Data

Wellcome manages clinical research programs through two administrative centers: Beckenham, UK, and Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. Clinical trials within a drug development program may be conducted solely through a single administrative center or internationally in support of regulatory submissions. We have developed an approach to managing clinical trial data that facilitates the exchange and merging of international data bases for regulatory submissions. Our data management team approach focuses on an intensive up-front review and agreement of data collection goals for a clinical program. This focus is sustained throughout the life of the program. Our approach facilitates data pooling across protocols for analysis and reporting and reduces the magnitude of that effort without regard to the systems that are used. This paper reviews the features of our approach.
Theory of surface deposition from a binary dilute vapor-containing stream, allowing for equilibrium condensation within the laminar boundary layer

Abstract Deposition rates on solid targets cooled far below the dew point of undersaturated, dilute binary vapor and hot gas mainstreams have recently been found to be reduced and sharply surface temperature dependent compared to their pure vapor deposition counterparts. A rational yet tractable theory to account for such observations is formulated and exploited in particular cases of current practical interest; e.g. the deposition of trace multiple alkali sulfate vapors present in flowing combustion products. Our physicochemical model is based on the formation of a binary solution condensate aerosol near the deposition surface, with the resulting droplets collected by the mechanism of thermophoresis . The binary vapors, assumed here to be in local equilibrium with the solution aerosol phase, are collected by the familiar mechanism of Fick (concentration) diffusion across the prevailing laminar boundary layer (LBL) but we do not make the restrictive assumption that the Fick diffusivities are equal to the energy diffusivity of the carrier gas. As by-products of our calculation of the total (aerosol + vapor) deposition rate we obtain the BL position of condensation onset, as well as the structure of the LBL on either side of this binary “fog-locus”. Illustrative predictions are shown for the effects of Na 2 SO 4 (g) addition on salt deposition rates from combustion product streams containing a fixed amount of K 2 SO 4 (g), on the assumption that the resulting Na 2 SO 4 + K 2 SO 4 droplets form nearly ideal solutions, having droplet thermophoretic diffusivities within two decades of the host gas momentum diffusivity, v . With systematic corrections for the effects of (a) alkali salt vapor dissociation/equilibrium chemical reaction with the hydrocarbon combustion products and (b) slight solution non-ideality, the present theoretical formalism should be useful in accounting for binary nucleation onset effects observed in recent deposition rate experiments using alkali-seeded atmospheric pressure flat flames.
The uptake of labeled norepinephrine by isolated brain and other tissues of the cat

Summary Slices from brain and peripheral sympathetically innervated tissues of cats take up labeled norepinephrine to several times the concentration of this amine in the incubation media by a mechanism having the characteristics of active transport. The labeled norepinephrine remains in the cell in a site protected from metabolic degradation. Upon release from this site it is rapidly metabolized by monoamine oxidase in brain and o-methyl transferase in heart. Inhibition of metabolism by monoamine oxidase has no effect on uptake. Uptake is inhibited by reserpine and cardiac glycosides and may play a role in maintaining tissue stores of norepinephrine.
Failure of regeneration of the steatotic rat liver: disruption at two different levels in the regeneration pathway

Hepatic resection or transplantation in patients with fatty liver is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The regenerative capacity of fatty livers after major tissue loss is unknown. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a potent inducer of hepatic regeneration in normal and ischemic livers. Therefore, we studied hepatic regeneration at day 1, day 2, and day 4 in a model of 70% hepatectomy in obese and lean Zucker rats, and obese Zucker rats pretreated with recombinant interleukin 6 (rIL-6). The mitotic cycle in hepatocytes was investigated by 4 different markers of regeneration representing distinct phases of mitosis (proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] = G(1) phase, bromodeoxy uridine [BrdU] = S phase, mitotic index, and regenerated liver weight = M phase). Obese Zucker rats had significantly decreased regenerative capacity compared with lean Zucker rats (PCNA, BrdU, mitotic index, regenerated liver weight) at days 1 and 2 after surgery. Four days after resection fatty animals showed an increase in the mitotic index indicating a delay of regeneration in steatotic livers. Animal survival after 70% hepatectomy was significantly decreased in obese rats compared with lean animals. Pretreatment of obese animals with rIL-6 normalized PCNA expression (G(1) phase) in steatotic hepatocytes but failed to increase DNA synthesis (BrdU, S phase), mitosis (mitotic index and regenerated liver weight, M phase), and animal survival. These results indicate major impairment of hepatic regeneration in steatotic livers. Two different blockages of regeneration must be present, one rIL-6 sensitive, at the level of IL-6 or upstream, and a second, rIL-6 resistant, at the level of G(1)/S-phase transition.
Primary wave transmission in systems of elastic rods with granular interfaces

Abstract We study analytically and numerically primary pulse transmission in one dimensional systems of identical linearly elastic non-dispersive rods separated by identical homogeneous granular layers composed of n beads. The beads interact elastically through a strongly (essentially) nonlinear Hertzian contact law. The main challenge in studying pulse transmission in such strongly nonlinear media is to analyze the ‘basic problem’, namely, the dynamical response of a single intermediate granular layer, confined from both ends by barely touching linear elastic rods subject to impulsive excitation of the left rod. The analysis of the basic problem is carried out under two basic assumptions; namely, of sufficiently small duration of the shock excitation applied to the first layer of the system, and of sufficiently small mass of each bead in the granular interface compared to the mass of each rod. In fact, the smallness of the mass of the bead defines the small parameter in the asymptotic analysis of this problem. Both assumptions are reasonable from the point of view of practical applications. In the analysis we focus only in primary pulse propagation , by neglecting secondary pulse reflections caused by wave scattering at each granular interface and considering only the transmission of the main (primary) pulse across the interface to the neighboring elastic rod. Two types of shock excitations are considered. The first corresponds to fixed time duration (but still much smaller compared to the characteristic time of pulse propagation through the length of each rod), whereas the second type corresponds to a pulse duration that depends on the small parameter of the problem. The influence of the number of beads of the granular interface on the primary wave transmission is studied, and it is shown that at granular interfaces with a relatively low number of beads fast time scale oscillations are excited with increasing amplitudes with increasing number of beads. For a larger number of beads, primary pulse transmission is by means of solitary wave trains resulting from the dispersion of the original shock pulse; in that case fast oscillations result due to interference phenomena caused by the scattering of the main pulse at the boundary of the interface. Considering a periodic system of rods we demonstrate significant reduction of the primary pulse when transmitted through a sequence of granular interfaces. This result highlights the efficacy of applying granular interfaces for passive shock mitigation in layered elastic media.
Drug and environmentally induced manipulations of the opiate and serotonergic systems alter nociception in neonatal rat pups.

The influence of drug- and environmentally induced alterations in serotonergic and opiate activity on pain sensitivity was assessed in 6-day-old Sprague–Dawley-derived rat pups using tail flick-testing procedures. The opiate agonist morphine was observed to induce tail flick analgesia that was blocked by concurrent administration of the opiate antagonist naloxone. Similarly, the serotonergic agonist quipazine induced analgesia that was blocked by pretreatment with the serotonergic antagonist metergoline. Naloxone alone did not alter tail flick responsivity in non-isolated, nondeprived neonates, suggesting that the opiate system may not exert a significant tonic inhibition of pain sensitivity in neonates. In contrast, the serotonergic system may exert some tonic analgesic influence at this age, given that metergoline was observed to induce slight hyperalgesia in nondeprived, non-isolated neonates. Twenty four hours of food and maternal deprivation, shown previously to increase brain serotonin and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and their ratio in neonates ( L. P. Spear & F. M. Scalzo, 1984 , Developmental Brain Research, in press) was observed to induce tail flick analgesia, an effect blocked by metergoline. Isolation from siblings and the dam and nest for 30 min also induced tail flick analgesia; this analgesia was blocked by treatment with naloxone prior to testing. Together, these experiments support the suggestion that the serotonergic and opiate systems may regulate pain sensitivity even in neonatal rat pups, with agonist- or environmentally precipitated increases in serotonergic or opiate activity inducing significant analgesia during the early postnatal period.
Transition equations for isotropic flag manifolds

Abstract In analogy with transition equations for type A Schubert polynomials given by Lascoux and Schutzenberger (1982), we give recursive formulas for computing representatives of the Schubert classes for the isotropic flag manifolds. These representatives are exactly the Schubert polynomials found in Billey and Haiman (1995). This new approach to finding Schubert polynomials is very closely related to the geometry of the flag manifold and has the advantage that it does not require explicit computations with divided difference operators. The generalized transition equations also lead to a recursion for Stanley symmetric functions and a new proof of Chevalley's intersection formula for Schubert varieties. The proofs involve a careful study of the Bruhat order for the Weyl groups and two simple lemmas for applying divided difference operators.
Chronic Psychological Stress and Racial Disparities in Body Mass Index Change Between Black and White Girls Aged 10–19

One of the largest health disparities in the USA is in obesity rates between Black and White females. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the stress–obesity link is stronger in Black females than in White females aged 10–19. Multilevel modeling captured the dynamic of acute (1 month) and chronic (10 years) stress and body mass index (BMI; weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) change in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study, which consists of 2,379 Black and White girls across a span of socioeconomic status. The girls were assessed longitudinally from ages 10 to 19. Higher levels of stress during the 10 years predicted significantly greater increases in BMI over time compared to lower levels of stress. This relationship was significantly stronger for Black compared to White girls. Psychological stress is a modifiable risk factor that may moderate early racial disparities in BMI.
Expression and Characterization of Human Glutamate–Cysteine Ligase

Glutamate-cysteine ligase (GLCL) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in glutathione biosynthesis. GLCL comprises regulatory (GLCLR) and catalytic (GLCLC) subunits. To understand better the structure-function relationship of GLCL subunits and holoenzyme, human GLCLR and GLCLC genes were inserted into the baculovirus genome. Recombinant hGLCLR andhGLCLC were produced in cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses, and homogeneous hGLCL subunits and holoenzyme were purified from cell lysates with a Ni-NTA resin. Purified recombinant hGLCL holoenzyme was catalytically more active than hGLCLC with L-glutamate, L-alpha-aminobutyrate, and ATP as substrates. The selectivity of purified hGLCL holoenzyme for L-glutamate, L-alpha-aminobutyrate, or L-cysteine was significantly higher than for hGLCLC. Glutathione was a noncompetitive inhibitor for both hGLCL holoenzyme and hGLCLC. hGLCLC was more sensitive to inhibition by glutathione than hGLCL holoenzyme. Deletion of the first 25 amino acid residues at the amino terminus of GLCLC dramatically decreased GLCL activity, indicating that the amino terminus of GLCLC is required for full catalytic activity. Expressed and purified hGLCL provides a useful tool to investigate glutathione biosynthesis in vitro.
Age and susceptibility to reduction in life expectancy, an analysis of proposed mechanisms.

Abstract The overall sensitivity of 4- to 24-month-old C57BL/6J female mice to the life shortening effects of 1400 R, delivered as 10 equal fractions, has been determined and compared to 5 hypotheses which attempt to explain the decline in sensitivity to alteration of life expectancy with advancing age. Reductions in life expectancy amounted to 148 days in those mice exposed at 120 days of age, but equalled a 30-day reduction if exposures were given at 9 months of age. The three oldest groups studied (450, 540, and 730 days) demonstrated face value increases in life expectancy of 53–65 days. These observations cannot be accounted for in terms of insufficient time for expression of injury, identity of aging and radiation injury, or selective shifts in the population base as a result of acute radiation death or normal attrition. More likely it appears that increasing age reduces the sensitivity to the induction of certain diseases, independent of “time required for expression”, and radiation may actually have some therapeutic effects in older diseased animals.
Toilet Training Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: A Critical Review.

Abstract The following article reviews the current literature addressing toilet training individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The review addresses programs typical to toilet training the developmental disability population, most of which are modeled after the original Foxx and Azrin [Azrin, N. H., & Foxx, R. M. (1971). A rapid method of toilet training the institutionalized retarded. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 4 , 89–99; Foxx, R. M., & Azrin, N. H. (1973). Toilet training persons with developmental disabilities: A rapid program for day and nighttime independent toileting . Harrisburg, PA: Help Services Press] rapid toilet training methods. Components of such programs are isolated and described in their contribution to toilet training models. Studies are then reviewed and compared for participant and study characteristics. Individual studies validating toilet training programs are then discussed in light of their program components and efficacy. Shortcomings to currently available programs are highlighted and future areas of study are suggested.
Heart Block in Kearns-Sayre Syndrome : Electrophysiologic-Pathologic Correlation

A 13-year-old boy with Kearns-Sayre syndrome, consisting of retinitis pigmentosa, external ophthalmoplegia, and myocardial fibrosis, is presented. A review of the clinical findings and electrocardiographic changes over a period of three years showed progressive atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction-system disturbances. Electrophysiologic documentation by His bundle recordings localized the atrioventricular (AV) block distal to the AV node. Postmortem examination revealed microscopic degeneration and fibrosis in the distal portion of the bundle of His and the right and left bundle branches. An approach to cardiac evaluation and therapy is discussed.
The Cassini Mission exploring Saturn

Abstract The Cassini Mission, an international collaborative effort between the United States and Europe to conduct an in-depth exploration of the Saturnian system, is now entering the fourth and final year of its prime mission in orbit at Saturn. The performance of the spacecraft and its 12 scientific instruments continues to be excellent, and new scientific discoveries continue to be made. This paper summarizes the activities and significant new science results of the mission over the past year. Based on the performance of the mission and resources remaining on the spacecraft, NASA and Europe are considering a two-year extension of the mission with the same rate of satellite encounters and science data acquisition as in the prime mission. A description of the plans and new science data collection opportunities for a proposed two-year mission extension is included in this paper.
Androgen Regulation of a Laryngeal-Specific Myosin Heavy Chain mRNA Isoform Whose Expression Is Sexually Differentiated

The larynx, the vocal organ of Xenopus laevis, is sexually differentiated; male laryngeal muscle fibers are entirely fast twitch while female fibers are predominantly slow twitch. In adults, all male laryngeal muscle fibers express the mRNA for a laryngeal-specific myosin heavy chain (MHC), LM; female laryngeal muscle expresses LM in a subset of fast-twitch fibers. In juvenile females, LM expression is increased by exposure to exogenous androgen, suggesting that sexually differentiated expression of this laryngeal-specific MHC is regulated by exposure to male sex hormones. Here we examine hormonal regulation of LM expression in juvenile male and female frogs. Exposure to exogenous androgen increases LM expression in both sexes. In situ hybridization analyses of larynges reveal upregulation of LM expression within 8 hr of androgen treatment in males; upregulation is not evident until after 48 hr in females. The upregulation in juvenile females includes both an increase in the number of muscle fibers expressing LM and an increase in expression in fibers already expressing LM. In juvenile males, all fibers express LM from the end of metamorphosis on; levels of LM expression are increased in all fibers by androgen treatment. Androgen-induced increases in LM expression are prevented by treatment with cycloheximide and are thus dependent upon protein synthesis. Castration of juvenile males results in diminished LM expression relative to intact animals. We conclude that expression of LM is regulated by exposure to androgen and that this regulation accounts for the sexually differentiated phenotype.
Stress and reproductive failure: An evolutionary approach with applications to premature labor

This article takes an evolutionary approach to the study of reproductive failure, drawing attention to the importance of reproductive failure among mammals as a means of timing reproduction in response to a variable environment. These concepts also apply to the diagnosis and treatment of prematurity, because before the advent of modern medicine most premature births probably constituted failed reproduction. Problems in the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive failure are described, with specific parallels drawn between the diagnoses and treatments of infertility and prematurity.