cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nanomechanical characterization of SAC solder joints - reduction of aging effects using microalloy additions

In this work, we have examined the ability of microalloy additions (dopants) to reduce aging effects in solder joints by nanoindentation testing of several sets of doped/non-doped alloys. The investigated solder joint alloys included SAC105, SAC105+Ni, and SAC105+Mn. For the doped alloys, the base SAC105 solder in the PBGA component solder balls was modified by microalloying an additional small amount (< 0.05%) of the dopant material (Ni, Mn, etc.). The tested joints were extracted from 14 × 14 mm PBGA assemblies (0.8 mm ball pitch, 0.46 mm ball diameter) that were part of the iNEMI Characterization of Pb-Free Alloy Alternatives Project. After extraction, the joints were then subjected to various aging conditions at high temperature (0–6 months aging at T = 125 °C). After aging, the joints were loaded in the nanoindentation system, and the load-deformation behavior during indentation was used to characterize the mechanical properties of the solder joints for various aging conditions including modulus, hardness, and yield stress. Using constant force at max indentation, we have also measured the creep response of the aged and non-aged solder joint materials for various stress levels. With this approach, we have been able to quantify aging effects in joints and compare the behavior of the standard and doped alloys. Our results have shown that addition of the microalloy elements significantly reduced the aging degradations of the mechanical properties and creep resistance in the joints. For example, the average reduction of the effective elastic modulus of SAC105 joints was 32.9% with 180 days of aging, while the analogous average reductions were 7.0% and 8.1% for the SAC105+Ni and SAC105+Mn joints. Similarly, the average hardness (yield stress) degradation for the SAC105 joints was 45.9%, while those for the SAC105+Ni and SAC105+Mn were 10.5% and 10.7%, respectively. Finally, the creep rate increased 69.1X for the aged SAC105 joints, while the creep rate degradations for the SAC105+Ni (6.5X) and SAC105+Mn (9.0X) were an order of magnitude smaller. Our findings have also suggested that the addition of Ni was slightly more effective than Mn for the SAC105+X dopants.
SEROLOGY OF THE SOLUBLE ANTIGENS OF THE PATHOGENIC CLOSTRIDIA.

Ellner, Paul D. (University of Vermont, Burlington), and Stanley S. Green. Serology of the soluble antigens of the pathogenic clostridia. J. Bacteriol. 86:1084–1097. 1963.—Soluble antigens of 42 strains, representing nine species of clostridia commonly occurring in human infections, were prepared by growing the organisms in a nonantigenic medium. Serological studies demonstrated the occurrence of considerable strain variation within each species. Interactions among the nine species, as well as with the previously characterized Clostridium perfringens, were also investigated. Extreme heterogeneity was observed among the species studied, with many cross-reactions due to common antigens, although species-specific antigens were also found in some cases. Occasional weak reactions were also demonstrated between certain clostridial antisera and the soluble antigens of three of the four species of Bacillus studied.
Interferon Production by Human Cells In Vitro

The relative capacity of several types of human cells and tissue to produce interferon was studied. Types of cells and tissue included were fibroblasts from embryos, foreskins, and biopsied skins; amnion cells; peripheral leukocytes; established lymphoid cell lines; established heteroploid cell lines; and chorioamniotic membrane. When Newcastle disease virus was used as the inducer, fibroblasts and amnion cells produced more interferon per 106 cells than leukocytes, lymphoid cells, and heteroploid cells. Only minor variations in interferon-producing capacity were observed among fibroblasts from 36 persons. Culture passage level, cell concentration, and inducer were factors that significantly affected interferon production.
ESR measurements during γ‐radiation induced solid‐state polymerization of 1,3,5‐trithiane

The time-dependences of ESR spectra were measured during the γ-radiation induced solid-state polymerization of 1,3,5-trithiane to polythiomethylene. The reaction was carried out at several temperatures, both under air and under N2. The initial reaction kinetics are second order, but become of lower order at the highest temperatures under air. Mass spectrographic results indicate spontaneous degradation under these high temperature conditions. It is concluded that an observed peak in reaction rate with temperature derives from the onset of spontaneous chain termination. Wahrend der durch γ-Strahlen ausgelosten Festkorperpolymerisation von 1,3,5-Trithian zu Polythiomethylen wurden ESR Spektren aufgenommen. Die Reaktion wurde bei mehreren Temperaturen, jeweils unter Luft und N2, durchgefuhrt. Wahrend die ursprungliche Kinetik in beiden Fallen zweiter Ordnung ist, wird bei den hochsten Temperaturen unter Luft eine niedrigere Ordnung beobachtet. Massenspektrographische Ergebnisse zeigen spontane Zersetzung unter diesen Hochtemperaturverhaltnissen. Es wird geschlossen, das der beobachtete Peak bei Auftragung der Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit gegen die Temperatur auf den Beginn des spontanen Kettenabbruchs zuruckzufuhren ist.
The PEDALS Stationary Cycling Intervention and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aim The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following a stationary cycling intervention in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method This was a phase I multisite randomized controlled trial with single blinding. HRQOL was evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory SF15 (PedsQL; children) and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI; parent proxy) before and after a 3-month stationary cycling intervention. Sixty-two children (29 male, 33 female; mean age 11y; range 7–18y) with spastic diplegic CP, classified as levels I to III on the Gross Motor Function Classification System, were enrolled. Paired and independent t-tests were used to evaluate within- and between-group differences respectively. Results Between-group differences, favoring the cycling group, were found for PedsQL emotional functioning (p=0.046) and Parental PODCI treatment expectations scores (p=0.006). Between-group differences were not found for other scales. Within-group improvements were found in the cycling group: PedsQL total score (+5.8; p=0.006), psychosocial health summary (+6.9; p=0.008), and school functioning (+8.0; p=0.038). PODCI satisfaction with symptoms decreased significantly only in the control group (–12.0; p=0.046). Interpretation A beneficial influence of exercise on pediatric emotional well-being and parental treatment expectations was found. The evidence was not strong for other aspects of HRQOL. Results support the positive relationship between physical fitness and emotional well-being in the general population. A child’s perception is important when examining change in his or her emotional well-being due to intervention.
Does the Network Centrality of Government Actors Matter? Examining the Role of Government Organizations in Aquaculture Partnerships

The growth in the use of collaborative governance arrangements has been accompanied by burgeoning scholarship in the field of public affairs that seeks to understand the benefits of engaging diverse stakeholders in common venues. However, few scholars have formally assessed the role of government actors in facilitating outcomes for individual participants in such efforts. Moreover, little work on collaborative governance examines how individual incentives and barriers to collective action are formed within the nested nature of these contexts. We contribute to the study of collaborative governance by formally investigating how the relative centrality of government actors in collaborative policy-making venues affects individual relationship building and learning for participants therein. We find that government actor centrality is positively associated with relationship building and learning. However, in testing two different conceptualizations of “centrality,” we find that the definition of this construct clearly matters.
Advanced assembler language and MVS interfaces (2nd ed.): for IBM systems and application programmers

Assembler Language Programming Style and Content. Assembler Language Programming Development and Structure. The Macro Facility and Conditional Assembler Language. Supervisor Services and Macro Instructions. Advanced Assembler Language Techniques. Programming ABEND Recovery. Programming Dataset Allocation. Processing a Partitioned Dataset. Programming Paging Efficiency. Selected Advanced Supervisor Services Macros. Introduction to Channel Programming. Writing SVC Routines. Using the MVS Common Area. Programming Using 31-Bit Addressing. Inter-Address Space Communication. Bibliography. Index.
Carcinoembryonic antigen from human malignant melanoma cells. II: Grafting of the cells in the hamster cheek pouch

Summary The preceding paper described production and release of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by in vitro culture of the human malignant melanotic melanoma (HMMC-ShAE+) cell line; the present paper reports on two findings related to CEA biofunction. o 1) The function of cell membrane oligosaccharides on the antigenantibody reaction, i. e. the binding of 125I-labelled monoclonal anti-HMMC-ShAE+ antibodies to approaches were used: sequential treatment with exohydrolases and cultivation of the cells in media supplemented with nontoxic levels of tunicamycin and swainsonine. 2) The effect of grafting, into the hamster cheek pouch, of modified HMMC-ShAE+ cells on plasma CEA, plasma anti-CEA and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Commercially available 125I-labelled CEA and the “Abbott” enzyme-linked immunoassay were used to monitor plasma anti-CEA and CEA levels, respectively. 125I-deoxyuridine-labelled HMMC-ShAE+ were used to monitor plasma antibody-dependent cellmediated cytotoxicity.
Boundary regularity for the Navier-Stokes equations in a half-space

Weak solutions to the nonstationary Navier-Stokes equations in a half-space are locally bounded at the boundary except for a closed set with finite one-dimensional Hausdorff measure.
Simulation study of instrumental variable approaches with an application to a study of the antidiabetic effect of bezafibrate

Purpose We studied the application of the generalized structural mean model (GSMM) of instrumental variable (IV) methods in estimating treatment odds ratios (ORs) for binary outcomes in pharmacoepidemiologic studies and evaluated the bias of GSMM compared to other IV methods. Methods Because of the bias of standard IV methods, including two-stage predictor substitution (2SPS) and two-stage residual inclusion (2SRI) with binary outcomes, we implemented another IV approach based on the GSMM of Vansteelandt and Goetghebeur. We performed simulations under the principal stratification setting and evaluated whether GSMM provides approximately unbiased estimates of the causal OR and compared its bias and mean squared error to that of 2SPS and 2SRI. We then applied different IV methods to a study comparing bezafibrate versus other fibrates on the risk of diabetes. Results Our simulations showed that unlike the standard logistic, 2SPS, and 2SRI procedures, our implementation of GSMM provides an approximately unbiased estimate of the causal OR even under unmeasured confounding. However, for the effect of bezafibrate versus other fibrates on the risk of diabetes, the GSMM and two-stage approaches yielded similarly attenuated and statistically non-significant OR estimates. The attenuation of the OR by the two-stage and GSMM IV approaches suggests unmeasured confounding, although violations of the IV assumptions or differences in the parameters estimated could be playing a role. Conclusion The GSMM IV approach provides approximately unbiased adjustment for unmeasured confounding on binary outcomes when a valid IV is available. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using the Theory of Reasoned Action to Improve the Understanding of Recreation Behavior

Attitudes, social groups, and gender were examined, using the theory of reasoned action, in an effort to increase understanding and the predictive power of the correlates of recreation participatio...
Axonal injury heralds virus-induced demyelination.

Axonal pathology has been highlighted as a cause of neurological disability in multiple sclerosis. The Daniels (DA) strain of Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus infects the gray matter of the central nervous system of mice during the acute phase and persistently infects the white matter of the spinal cord during the chronic phase, leading to demyelination. This experimental infection has been used as an animal model for multiple sclerosis. The GDVII strain causes an acute fatal polioencephalomyelitis without demyelination. Injured axons were detected in normal appearing white matter at 1 week after infection with DA virus by immunohistochemistry using antibodies specific for neurofilament protein. The number of damaged axons increased throughout time. By 2 and 3 weeks after infection, injured axons were accompanied by parenchymal infiltration of Ricinus communis agglutinin I+ microglia/macrophages, but never associated with perivascular T-cell infiltration or obvious demyelination until the chronic phase. GDVII virus infection resulted in severe axonal injury in normal appearing white matter at 1 week after infection, without the presence of macrophages, T cells, or viral antigen-positive cells. The distribution of axonal injury observed during the early phase corresponded to regions where subsequent demyelination occurs during the chronic phase. The results suggest that axonal injury might herald or trigger demyelination.
Evaluation of Hypermixing for Thrust Augmenting Ejectors

Steady-state distortion levels produced during full scale PG operation as evaluated in terms of IDC (circumferential) and IDR (radial) distortion parameters were generally less 0.02 and nominally 0.01 or less as previously realized in the model test. Figure 10 summarizes the circumferential planarity in terms of phase and amplitude. The probe readings from two of the rakes, 180° apart, at the engine IGV plane were averaged to obtain these summary results. Such a comparison indicates excellent circumferential planarity over the complete range of the test data. A similar summary of radial planarity characteristics is presented in Fig. 11. In this case, all the probe readings from 2 selected radial immersions were averaged. Radial immersion B is the tip and D is the hub ring. The hub ring probes had the most deviation from those in any of the other rings, thus the results of Fig. 11 represent the "worst case."
Interconversions of aglycone and host-selective toxin from Helminthosporium sacchari

Abstract Helminthosporium sacchari , a fungus that causes disease in sugarcane, produces oligosaccharide-sesquiterpene toxins (HS toxins A, B, and C) that are required for infection and disease development. Two free sesquiterpenes were isolated from mycelium but not from culture fluids of the fungus. One sesquiterpene was identified by HPLC and mass spectrometry as an aglycone of HS toxin C and could be obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of this toxin. The other sesquiterpene appeared to be the 2-keto form of the first compound. The aglycone from toxin C hydrolysis was labelled with tritium by successive treatments with active manganese dioxide, sodium boro[ 3 H]hydride, and lithium aluminium hydride. The labelled compound was fed to cultures of H. sacchari , radioactivity was incorporated into HS toxin C and into lower molecular weight homologues. The results suggest a metabolic route (aglycone → metabolite Y, → HS toxin → metabolite X) for the biosynthesis of HS toxin; metabolites X and Y are lower molecular weight homologues of the toxin.
Susceptibility of human tumor cells to ECHO viruses and loss of hemagglutinating capacity of some of the adapted viruses

Prototype ECHO viruses were studied quantitatively for their ability to adapt to stationary tube cultures of HeLa and KB human tumor cell lines, and for the hemagglutinating activity of the human tumor cell (HTCC) adapted ECHO viruses.
Kinetics of the Metabolism of Acetaminophen by Humans

The kinetics of the metabolism of acetaminophen to its sulfuric and glucuronic acid conjugates has been studied in normal adult humans. In post-absorptive and post-equilibrative times the elimination process was found to be first order with a mean half-life of 1.95 hours with a range of 1.62 to 2.83 hours in nine tests using a five-subject test panel. Previously published data on pain threshold elevation resulting from ingestion of acetaminophen were examined during times following maximum elevation. Decay of pain threshold elevation was shown to be an apparent first-order process with a half-life of 0.42 hours. This half-life was less than one-fourth the half-life for metabolism, indicating that poor correlation exists between pharmacological activity and body level of acetaminophen, even though a kinetic relationship may exist between these quantities.
Long-Term Survival Outcomes of Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Lobectomy After Transitioning from Open Lobectomy

Open lobectomy continues to be more commonly performed than video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. We previously described the short-term safety of an approach for transitioning from open lobectomy to VATS. We now assess its long-term safety by evaluating survival results of the initial VATS cases after transition. From a prospective database, survival of stage I non–small cell lung cancer was compared between the first 40 VATS lobectomy and the 40 open lobectomy performed just before the transitioning to VATS. All patients underwent staging by positron emission tomographic scan and mediastinoscopy. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Patient and intraoperative characteristics were not different between the two groups, except for operative time, which was longer for VATS (median 132 vs. 150 min, p = 0.023) and tumor size, which was smaller for VATS (median 2 vs. 2.5 cm, p = 0.002). There was no difference in morbidity and mortality. Median follow-up was 118 months for the open group and 81 months for the VATS group. The 5-year disease-free survival for stage IA (90 % open vs. 97 % VATS, p = 0.439) and IB (74 % open vs. 79 % VATS, p = 0.478) were not different. The 5-year overall survival for stage IA (91 % open vs. 97 % VATS, p = 0.152) and IB (55 % open vs. 67 % VATS, p = 0.198) were also not different. The transition from open to VATS lobectomy is safe with regards to both short-term morbidity and long-term survival. Surgeons currently performing open lobectomy should consider transitioning to the VATS procedure.
The farmer's market organic consumer of Costa Rica

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide local authorities, consumers, retailers and vendors information about the consumer profile of shoppers at the organic farmers market that could be used for devising strategies for local organic market development.Design/methodology/approach – The survey included information about the socio‐demographic, product characteristics and motives to purchase the product by the organic consumer. The selection of persons to be surveyed was random. The location of the survey was “La Feria del Trueque”, the largest organic farmers market in Costa Rica. During February 2004, 280 surveys were conducted and in 2005, 200 surveys. A single database was developed on the outcomes of the analysis of variance conducted. In order to detect the variables influencing the money spent monthly on organic fresh fruits and vegetables products and rank their importance, an ordinal probit model was specified using a restricted procedure.Findings – The organic consumer in Costa Rica app...
Misery Loves Companies: Rethinking Social Initiatives by Business:

Companies are increasingly asked to provide innovative solutions to deep-seated problems of human misery, even as economic theory instructs managers to focus on maximizing their shareholders' wealt...
Interactive effects of light/dark cycle, ECS, physostigmine, and scopolamine on one-way avoidance learning in rats

After 6 weeks on a 12-h light-dark cycle, rats were trained during either the light or the dark phase, 4 or 48 h following ECS or sham ECS, and 30 min following physostigmine, scopolamine, or saline injections. Using “cholinergic excitability” as a hypothetical construct and suggesting that ECS/4 h, physostigmine, and dark-phase training would enhance and that ECS/48 h and scopolamine would reduce cholinergic excitability, it was predicted that the combinations of variables resulting in the highest and lowest excitability values would be associated with the most trials to criterion, that medial values would be associated with the fewest trials, and that intermediate values would be associated with intermediate trials. These predictions were confirmed and supported by a .79 (p < .01) correlation between excitability values and trials to criterion. Discussion considered the learning-performance distinction in the present context as well as the possibility that variables other than cholinergic excitability might be involved.
Constant current regulator for fast recharging of high voltage energy storage capacitors

Abstract A circuit to linearize the charging curve of a capacitive load discharged by a spark gap or thyratron is reported. Use in spark chamber experiments is described.
Specificity of Limulus polyphemus agglutinins for erythrocyte receptor sites common to M and N antigenic determinants.

. The ability of human erythrocytes to absorb Limulus polyphemus (Horseshoe Crab) agglutinins was demonstrated to be significantly reduced by prior coating of erythrocytes with rabbit anti-M or anti-N antibodies. Inhibition of Limulus agglutinin absorption could also be demonstrated using heterozygous MN cells coated with either anti-M or anti-N. Normal rabbit serum did not reduce the absorption of Limulus agglutinins. However, human MN mucoid substances, extracted from stromata, inhibited agglutination of human erythrocytes by Limulus agglutinins, as well as rabbit anti-M and anti-N. These experiments suggest that the N-acetyl-neuraminyl (NANA) receptor site for Limulus agglutinins, designated anti-NANAI,P, is common to both M and N antigenic determinants. The NANA-specific site cannot, therefore, be used to differentiate N from M antigens.
Mapping the expanding landscape of usability: the case of distributed education

As the environments in which we use technology become more complex and more diverse, we need to extend and expand our notion of usability to include a broad spectrum of users and user activities. We take as an example the case of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's distributed education program for human-computer interaction (HCI). While HCI is the subject matter for the courses, the courses themselves present a challenging case study in HCI usability.
Motexafin gadolinium in the treatment of brain metastases.

Motexafin gadolinium (MGd) is a novel, MRI-detectable, anticancer agent that enhances the cytotoxic potential of radiation therapy through several mechanisms, including depleting intracellular reducing metabolites that are necessary for repairing the oxidative damage induced by irradiation. It has tumor-specific uptake, normal tissue sparing, and tolerable and reversible toxicities in clinical trials. MGd’s use in conjunction with whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) has demonstrated an improvement in neurocognitive decline, neurologic progression, and quality of life in patients with brain metastases from NSCLC. Its use in conjunction with radiosurgery and whole brain radiation therapy in the setting of brain metastases is currently being studied, as is MGd with radiation and temozolomide in patients with glioblastoma multiforme. MGd is also being actively investigated as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy in other tumors, including pediatric brain tumors, NSCLC, lymp...
Use of the Erythrocyte T3-131I Uptake Test for Evaluating Thyroid Function in Rats. Its Application to a Study of the Extrathyroidal Action of Propylthiouracil

The Hamolsky erythrocyte T3-131I uptake test was modified to permit use of reduced volumes of arterialized blood and was found to be a reliable index of metabolic status in rats suitable for performing serial evaluations of individual animals. Results of the erythrocyte T3-131I uptake test, together with observations of activity and growth and determination of gland weight, 131I gland uptake and serum PBI in rats given T3, T4 and PTU, suggest that PTU almost fully inhibited the metabolic effects of daily doses of 10 μg of T4 but had little effect on response to 5 ng of T3. The erythrocyte T3-131I uptake in contrast to the PBI showed direct correlation with “clinical” evaluation of the animals’ metabolic status. (Endocrinology 74: 415, 1964)
A new detector system for double beta decays

Abstract We have designed and constructed a new detector system for searching for double beta decays. It consists of a stack of lithium-drifted, surface barrier silicon detectors interleaved with thin source foils. The segmentation greatly reduces backgrounds. The system is free from radioactive backgrounds above 2.5 MeV. The apparatus is also a versatile low background counting facility with high sensitivity.
Monocyte Tissue Factor Expression and Ongoing Complement Generation in Ventricular Assist Device Patients

Abstract Background . Ongoing complement activation in patients with a ventricular assist device may contribute to observed hemostatic abnormalities and cellular aggregation by mediating leukocyte and platelet activation, formation of leukocyte-platelet conjugates, and the tissue factor pathway of coagulation. Methods . Blood from 30 patients was collected before ventricular assist device implantation and during the implantation period. Plasma levels of thrombin–antithrombin III complexes, C3a, and SC5b-9 were measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was used to measure circulating monocyte tissue factor expression and circulating monocyte–platelet and granulocyte–platelet conjugates. Results . Thrombin–antithrombin III complex level and monocyte tissue factor expression peaked in the early postoperative period, with maxima occurring on postoperative days 5 and 3, respectively. Levels of C3a and SC5b-9 remained dramatically elevated over normal values for the duration of the study (6 and 5 times upper normal, respectively). Levels of monocyte–platelet conjugates were normal before implantation, decreased during the first 4 postoperative days, and then increased and remained elevated. Levels of granulocyte–platelet conjugates were elevated over the normal range before implantation and remained elevated from postoperative days 3 to 21. A positive correlation was found between levels of SC5b-9 and granulocyte–platelet conjugates (Spearman R = 0.66; p R = 0.13; p = 0.021). Conclusions . The data suggest a model in which complement mediates formation of leukocyte–platelet aggregates and may indirectly contribute to thrombin generation through monocyte tissue factor expression.
Bedtime H2 blockers improve nocturnal gastric acid control in GERD patients on proton pump inhibitors.

Aim: Proton pump inhibitors taken twice daily before meals (proton pump inhibitor b.d. AC) effectively controls daytime gastric pH; however, nocturnal gastric acid breakthrough (NAB) occurs in more than 75% of patients. Adding an H2-blocker at bedtime decreases NAB in normal subjects. The efficacy of this regimen has not been evaluated in GERD patients. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of proton pump inhibitor b.d., both with and without bedtime H2-blocker on intragastric pH and the occurrence of NAB in GERD patients. Methods: Prolonged ambulatory pH studies in GERD patients were reviewed. Group A: 60 patients (mean age 53 years, male 30) taking either omeprazole 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg b.d. Group B: 45 patients (mean age 49 years, male 23) on proton pump inhibitor b.d. (omeprazole 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg) plus an H2-blocker at bedtime (ranitidine 300 mg, famotidine 40 mg or nizatidine 300 mg). Eleven patients were evaluated during treatment with both regimens (group C). The percentage time of nocturnal and daytime intragastric pH > 4 and per cent of patients with gastric NAB were analysed. In the patients with NAB, its duration and associated oesophageal acid exposure also were analysed. Results: Median percentage time intragastric pH > 4 overnight was 51% in group A, compared to 96% in group B (P 4 was 73% in group A and 79.8% in group B (P=0.14). Median percentage time intragastric pH >p 4 overnight increased from 54.6% without H2RA to 96.5% after adding bedtime H2RA (P=0.0013) in group C patients. NAB occurred in 82% patients in group A and 40% in group B (P < 0.0001). The mean duration of oesophageal acid exposure during NAB was significantly shorter in group B (18 ± 6 min) than in group A (42 ± 9 min, P=0.04). Summary: Adding a bedtime H2-blocker to the treatment enhanced nocturnal gastric pH control and decreased NAB compared to the proton pump inhibitor b.d. regimen. A bedtime H2-blocker also decreased oesophageal acid exposure during NAB. Conclusion: Adding a bedtime H2-blocker to a proton pump inhibitor b.d. regimen should be considered in patients who require continued nocturnal gastric acid control whilst taking proton pump inhibitor b.d.
Modifying the size distribution of microbubble contrast agents for high-frequency subharmonic imaging

Purpose: Subharmonic imaging is of interest for high frequency (>10 MHz) nonlinear imaging, because it can specifically detect the response of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA). However, conventional UCA produce a weak subharmonic response at high frequencies, which limits the sensitivity of subharmonic imaging. We hypothesized that modifying the size distribution of the agent can enhance its high-frequency subharmonic response. The overall goal of this study was to investigate size-manipulated populations of the agent to determine the range of sizes that produce the strongest subharmonic response at high frequencies (in this case, 20 MHz). A secondary goal was to assess whether the number or the volume-weighted size distribution better represents the efficacy of the agent for high-frequency subharmonic imaging. Methods: The authors created six distinct agent size distributions from the native distribution of a commercially available UCA (Targestar-P®). The median (number-weighted) diameter of the native agent was 1.63 μm, while the median diameters of the size-manipulated populations ranged from 1.35 to 2.99 μm. The authors conducted acoustic measurements with native and size-manipulated agent populations to assess their subharmonic response to 20 MHz excitation (pulse duration 1.5 μs, pressure amplitudes 100–398 kPa). Results: The results showed a considerable difference between the subharmonic response of the agent populations that were investigated. The subharmonic response peaked for the agent population with a median diameter of 2.15 μm, which demonstrated a subharmonic signal that was 8 dB higher than the native agent. Comparing the subharmonic response of different UCA populations indicated that microbubbles with diameters between 1.3 and 3 μm are the dominant contributors to the subharmonic response at 20 MHz. Additionally, a better correlation was observed between the subharmonic response of the agent and the number-weighted size-distribution (R2 = 0.98) than with the volume-weighted size distribution (R2 = 0.53). Conclusions: Modifying the size distribution of the agent appears to be a viable strategy to improve the sensitivity of high-frequency subharmonic imaging. In addition, when the size distribution of the UCA has not been suitably modified, the number-weighted size distribution is a useful parameter to accurately describe the efficacy of the agent for high-frequency subharmonic imaging.
RESOLVING PARALLEL PROBLEMS IN GEOGRAPHY CLASSIFICATION UNDER THE DEWEY DECIMAL AND LIBRARY OF CONGRESS SYSTEMS

(1971). RESOLVING PARALLEL PROBLEMS IN GEOGRAPHY CLASSIFICATION UNDER THE DEWEY DECIMAL AND LIBRARY OF CONGRESS SYSTEMS. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 5-10.
Seasonal and long-term temporal patterns in the chemistry of Adirondack lakes

There is considerable interest in the recovery of surface waters from acidification by acidic deposition. The Adirondack Long-Term Monitoring (ALTM) program was established in 1982 to evaluate changes in the chemistry of 17 Adirondack lakes. The ALTM lakes exhibited relatively uniform concentrations of SO42−. Lake-to-lake variability in acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) was largely due to differences in the supply of basic cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+; CB) to drainage waters. Lakes in the western and southern Adirondacks showed elevated concentrations of NO3−, while lakes in the central and eastern Adirondacks had lower NO3− concentrations during both peak and base flow periods. The ALTM lakes exhibited seasonal variations in ANC. Lake ANC was maximum during the late summer or autumn, and lowest during spring snowmelt. In general Adirondack lakes with ANC near 100 Μeq L−1 during base flow periods may experience decreases in ANC to near or below 0 Μeq L−1 during high flow periods. The ALTM lakes have exhibited long-term temporal trends in water chemistry. Most lakes have demonstrated declining SO42−, consistent with decreases in SO2 emissions and SO42− in precipitation in the eastern U.S. Reductions in SO42− have not coincided with a recovery in ANC. Rather, ANC values have declined in some ALTM lakes. This pattern is most likely due to increasing concentrations of NO3− that occurred in most of the ALTM drainage lakes.
International Security Challenges Posed by HIV/AIDS: Implications for China

Emerging infectious diseases are increasingly playing a role in China's evolving concept of security. HIV/AIDS poses both immediate and long-term threats to China's security and ultimately, stability, particularly within the context of China's domestic reforms, the relentless pressure of globalisation and multiple challenges it presents. While it is unlikely that HIV/AIDS by itself will fundamentally or dramatically undermine China's security, the ability of the government to prevent the spread of infectious diseases is not assured, raising concerns about the potentially detrimental long-term effects of HIV/AIDS on society, the economy and relations with neighbouring states.
Units differing by rationals in a cyclotomic field

The problem of classifying the integers that can occur as the difference of two units in the cyclotomic field of prime level p > 3 is considered. It is shown that if d is such a nonzero integer, then (d,p) = 1.
ON THE USE OF INCUMBENT-SUPPLIED JOB-CHARACTERISTICS DATA

Data on satisfaction with the work itself were obtained from incumbents in 15 jobs. Job-scope scores for the same jobs were determined using data from incumbents, peers, and supervisors. Correlatio...
Understanding Alzheimer's: Applying Bioanalytical Techniques for Time-Dependent Structural and Kinetic Studies of the Italian (E22K) Familial Mutation in Aß22-35 Peptide

Many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), are perpetuated by the misfolding of proteins and irregular molecular cleaving due to the presence of the detrimental s -secretase enzyme. The result is beta-amyloid plaque aggregation throughout the hippocampus, ultimately causing the neural death and cognitive dysfunction commonly associated with manifestations of dementia. in order to gain a better understanding of beta-amyloid’s mechanisms and kinetics, our research has focused upon the study of the As22-35 region of the full As1-40 peptide chain because of the strength of the ionic salt bridge and various familial mutations that occur throughout the hair pin region. One such mutation is the Italian (E22K) mutant, distinguished by its substitution of lysine in lieu of glutamic acid at codon 22. Through the implementation of rarely used bioanalytical techniques such as Attenuated Total Reflectance Infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, Ultraviolet Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we observed the peptide’s structural changes from monomers to oligomers to beta-sheet intermediates to final beta-sheet aggregations. These techniques both enabled study of the rate of fibril aggregation in time-dependent studies. Our research on the Wild Type (WT As22-35) peptide has served as a solid reference of comparison for the mechanisms of E22K mutant. Likewise, earlier studies by Chimon have demonstrated increased toxicity during the peptide’s structural changes to beta-sheet intermediates, which we hope to confirm in both the WT and familial mutations. Further studies include Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Circular Dichroism (CD), which will provide the final confirmation of secondary structure aggregation at our determined critical hours, and toxicity studies that will determine the mutant’s intermediates’ crucial impact on neurodegeneration.
Steroidogenesis in Isolated Adrenal Cells of Rat. III. Morphological and Biochemical Correlation of Cholesterol and Cholesterol Ester Content in ACTH and N6-2′-0-Dibutyryl-Adenosine-3′,5′-Monophosphate Activated Adrenal Cells

Electron microscopic studies of isolated rat adrenal cells, prepared by trypsin digestion, showed that this preparation consisted of more than 90% of fasciculata cells and less than 10% reticularis, glomerulosa and medullary cells. Morphological studies of isolated adrenal cells after incubation with and without ACTH or dibutyryl cAMP (dcAMP) showed that: a) the cell membrane remained intact with minimal amount of mitochondrial swelling; b) ACTH or dcAMP caused few morphological changes discernible by the electron microscope; and c) no significant depletion of the lipid globules occurred in response to ACTH or dcAMP in spite of active time dependent corticosterone synthesis. Chemical analysis of endogenous cholesterol and cholesterol ester, as well as analysis of pulse labeled endogenous total cholesterol, revealed no significant decrease of cholesterol in response to ACTH or dcAMP. Studies on cholesterol synthesis from labeled mevalonic acid suggested that an additional action of ACTH may be the regulati...
Role of the ileocecal junction in the motor response to intestinal resection

Extensive resections of the distal small intestine are associated with motor disruption in the proximal remnant. Luminal contents such as bacteria and short-chain fatty acids may play a role. We evaluated the effect of bypass of the ileocecal junction (ICJ) on the motor response to a 50% distal resection. Thirty-five dogs were divided into three groups: transection control (TC, n = 11); 50% distal resection with intact ICJ (DR, n = 12), and 50% distal resection with jejunocolostomy to bypass the ICJ (DRBP, n = 12). Motor activity, intestinal transit, nutrition, absorption, and motor active hormones were studied over a 3-month period. Caloric intake was reduced and nutritional status similarly impaired in both resected groups. Steatorrhea, however, was significantly greater after DRBP. Intestinal structural adaptation was similar in both resected groups at 12 weeks. Animals in the bypass group demonstrated elevated intraluminal short-chain fatty acid and anaerobic bacterial counts. Migrating motor complex frequency was similar in the three groups; distal starts, however, were more frequent in both resected groups. Clustered contractile activity was prominent in the remnant after both DR and DRBP (50% and 32% recording time occupied by clusters, respectively [not significant]). Basal levels of peptide YY were increased following resection and this increase was unaffected by ICJ bypass. Postprandial neurotensin concentrations were transiently increased after distal bowel resection. In contrast, the postprandial neurotensin response was abolished following resection with bypass of the ICJ. Basal motilin levels were reduced following resection alone but not after resection with ICJ bypass. The motor response to resection does not appear to be related to alterations in circulating levels of hormones localized to the distal ileum; neither does it seem to be influenced by luminal bacteria and short-chain fatty acids or retention of a sphincteric mechanism at the ICJ. These findings also raise questions about the role of short-chain fatty acids and bacteria in the generation of the various distinctive motor patterns of the distal ileum. Resection of the distal ileum through loss of the receptor site for either retarding reflexes or bile salt absorption may be of greater importance in determining the motor response to resection.
The transcriptional response after oxidative stress is defective in Cockayne syndrome group B cells

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a human hereditary disease belonging to the group of segmental progerias, and the clinical phenotype is characterized by postnatal growth failure, neurological dysfunction, cachetic dwarfism, photosensitivity, sensorineural hearing loss, and retinal degradation. CS-B cells are defective in transcription-coupled DNA repair, base excision repair, transcription, and chromatin structural organization. Using array analysis, we have examined the expression profile in CS complementation group B (CS-B) fibroblasts after exposure to oxidative stress (H2O2) before and after complete complementation with the CSB gene. The following isogenic cell lines were compared: CS-B cells (CS-B null), CS-B cells complemented with wild-type CSB (CS-B wt), and a stably transformed cell line with a point mutation in the ATPase domain of CSB (CS-B ATPase mutant). In the wt rescued cells, we detected significant induction (two-fold) of 112 genes out of the 6912 analysed. The patterns suggested an induction or upregulation of genes involved in several DNA metabolic processes including DNA repair, transcription, and signal transduction. In both CS-B mutant cell lines, we found a general deficiency in transcription after oxidative stress, suggesting that the CSB protein influenced the regulation of transcription of certain genes. Of the 6912 genes, 122 were differentially regulated by more than two-fold. Evidently, the ATPase function of CSB is biologically important as the deficiencies seen in the ATPase mutant cells are very similar to those observed in the CS-B-null cells. Some major defects are in the transcription of genes involved in DNA repair, signal transduction, and ribosomal functions.
Action of phospholipase A2 on bilayers. Effect of inhibitors.

Abstract Action of several solutes on the kinetics of phospholipase-A2-catalyzed hydrolysis of the ternary codispersions containing dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine + 1-palmitoyllysophosphatidylcholine + palmitic acid is examined. The kinetics of hydrolysis is interpreted in terms of the ability of the enzyme to bind to the substrate interface. The inhibitory effect of these solutes is correlated with their ability to modify fluorescence intensity of the bound enzyme, to modify the phase-transition profile, and to inhibit aggregation / fusion of the ternary codispersions. Based on these observations, it is suggested that the solutes like n-alkanols, ketamine, alphadolone, alphaxalone, flufenamic acid, tobramycin, mepacrine, EMD 21657 and U-10029A modulate the phase equilibria in the codispersions and thus noncompetitively inhibit the phospholipase action. Inhibition by feverfew extract (Tanacetum parthemium) is also by a similar mechanism. Lipid-soluble drugs as indomethacin had little effect on the kinetics of hydrolysis. All these inhibitors decrease the total extent of hydrolysis of the available substrate. However, none of these inhibitors have any effect on the hydrolysis of monomeric substrate or on the inactivation of the phospholipase A2 by p-bromophenacylbromide. These observations suggest that all these inhibitors do not interact directly with the catalytic site of the free or the bound enzyme, and their effect is primarily on the enzyme-binding sites on the substrate vesicle, that is, by perturbation of lipid-protein interaction.
Three percent topical minoxidil therapy for female androgenetic alopecia.

Abstract Effective treatment of female androgenetic alopecia involves cessation of hair shedding and promotion of normal anagen hair growth. The topical use of hormones such as progesterone or an androgen receptor-binding drug such as spironolactone has not been associated with significant hair regrowth. 1 In contrast, the topical use of minoxidil has resulted in decreased hair shedding and hair growth promotion, particularly in men with androgenetic alopecia. 2 To investigate the usefulness of topical minoxidil therapy in female androgenetic alopecia, we studied the efficacy and safety of 3% topical minoxidil in 25 affected women. Results were correlated with disease extent and activity.
Photophysics of π-Conjugated Metal−Organic Oligomers: Aryleneethynylenes that Contain the (bpy)Re(CO)3Cl Chromophore

A comprehensive study of a series of four monodisperse, metal−organic π-conjugated oligomers of varying length is reported. The oligomers are based on the aryleneethynylene architecture, and they contain a 2,2‘-bipyridine-5,5‘-diyl (bpy) metal binding unit. The photophysical properties of the free oligomers and their complexes with the (L)ReI(CO)3X chromophore (where L = the bpy-oligomer and X = Cl or NCCH3) were explored by a variety of methods including electrochemistry, UV−visible absorption, variable temperature photoluminescence (PL), transient absorption (TA), and time-resolved electron paramagnetic spectroscopy (TREPR). The absorption of the free oligomers and the metal complexes is dominated by the π,π* transitions of the π-conjugated oligomers. The free oligomers feature a strong blue fluorescence that is quenched entirely in the (L)ReI(CO)3X complexes. The metal−oligomers feature a weak, relatively long-lived red photoluminescence that is assigned to emission from both the 3π,π* manifold of the ...
Expression of P‐Enolpyruvate Carboxylase and other Aspects of CAM during the Development of Peperomia camptotricha Leaves

During the development of Peperomia camptotricha leaves, metabolism changes from C3-photosynthesis to Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). The youngest leaves showed no diurnal fluctuation of organic acids or P-enolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPc) activity. There was little evidence for PEPc protein using PEPc antibodies prepared from the CAM form of PEPc, nor was there evidence for PEPc mRNA when tested using a cDNA probe made from CAM P. scandens. As leaves matured, there was a parallel increase in titratable acidity, PEPc activity, PEPc protein, and PEPc mRNA. In leaf whorls 1 through 6, there was a significant linear correlation between the diurnal fluctuation of organic acids and PEPc activity indicating a functional relationship. The specific activity of PEPc increased as leaves matured and the Km (PEP) decreased indicating that the enzyme was becoming more active. The ratio of PEPc protein to PEPc mRNA decreased as leaves matured. During the expression of CAM, the spongy mesophyll where most of the CAM activity occurs increased in thickness and per cent air space, whereas the palisade mesophyll where most of the C3 activity occurs did not increase in size dramatically. The diurnal fluctuation of organic acids and the expression of PEPc activity, protein, and mRNA increased as the thickness of the spongy mesophyll increased. During the expression of CAM in Peperomia camptotricha, there appears to be coordinated expression of PEPc mRNA, protein, and activity, the commencement of diurnal organic acid fluctuation, and the development of the CAM-like spongy mesophyll. Thus the evidence suggests that CAM in this species is expressed during normal development and not in response to environmental signals.