cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endocardial atrial ablation using the edwards optimaze laser probe to treat atrial fibrillation

u e l e a d l d c e c u urgical treatment of atrial fibrillation during open heart surgery using alternative energy sources to crete lesions has become the standard of care at many nstitutions, including ours. This is particularly common n mitral valve patients because they have a very high reoperative incidence of atrial fibrillation and the necssary exposure required to perform an ablation is gained y accessing the left atrium for the valve surgery. Using nergy sources to create lesions in lieu of standard “cut nd sew” techniques may offer advantages in that they an be performed more rapidly and are not associated ith the same risk for bleeding. Laser energy is one of everal available energy sources that recently has been a
A phase I study of oxaliplatin in combination with gemcitabine: correlation of clinical outcome with gene expression

Oxaliplatin has in vitro activity similar to or higher than other platinum agents. Preclinically, gemcitabine has demonstrated synergy when combined with platinum compounds. These facts formed the rationale for determining the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine in combination with oxaliplatin. Eligible patients with advanced incurable solid tumors were given oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 as a 2-h infusion on day 1 followed by escalating doses of gemcitabine given over 30 min on day 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. A total of 43 patients were enrolled, including 30 patients at the MTD in an expanded cohort. At a gemcitabine dose of 800 mg/m2, 1/6 patients had a dose limiting toxicity (DLT) (grade 3 blurred vision and memory loss). At 1,000 mg/m2, 1/6 patients had a DLT (grade 3 increase in AST). At 1,200 mg/m2, 2/3 patients had a DLT (grade 4 thrombocytopenia and grade 3 confusion). The MTD of gemcitabine with 130 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin was therefore 1,000 mg/m2. The clearances of gemcitabine and ultrafilterable platinum are within the ranges previously reported for single agents. A patient with colon cancer had a partial response, and 21 patients had a best response of stable disease. In patients with tumor biopsies treated at the MTD, decreased ribonucleotide reductase M2 expression correlated with response. Treatment with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin was well tolerated with primarily hematologic toxicity at the MTD. Study of biochemical correlates of response remain of interest althought current results remain exploratory.
Distance Education: a Bibliographic Review for Educational Planners and Policymakers 1992-2002:

Distance education is a growing area of interest in the academic literature. An explosion of articles has appeared in recent years documenting this trend at postsecondary institutions. The topics a...
Democratization of the State: A Global Perspective and South African Case Study

ABSTRACT This essay provides a global perspective on the democratic transformation of the state in societies undergoing democratization. Comparative research indicates that the development and effective performance of democratic political systems require the establishment of honest and competent public bureaucracies that avoid political partisanship and demonstrate respect for the diverse values and interests of the populations they serve. Especially important in democratizing the state is the development and practice of the norms of secondary democracy. The practice of these norms of mutual respect, fairness, and collaboration create the essential culture or modus vivendi of democracy. The Republic of South Africa is analyzed as an important case study of a contemporary state that is attempting to create a democratic and corruption-free public service in a country with an extremely racist, authoritarian, and corruption-ridden past. This case study reveals that the democratization of the state in South Af...
Language, narrative, and autobiography.

L'A. souleve la question du role du langage dans la constitution des memoires autobiographiques en particulier, et dans la comprehension du systeme memoriel humain en general. L'A. insiste sur le caractere explicatif du contexte narratif dans lequel nous donnons sens a nos experiences
Infection of mice with the helminth Strongyloides stercoralis suppresses pulmonary allergic responses to ovalbumin

Background Asthma and helminth infections induce similar immune responses characterized by the presence of peripheral blood eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE levels. Epidemiological surveys have reported either increases or decreases in the development of atopic diseases and asthma based on the prevalence of helminth infections in the population. Objective The aim of this study was to determine if a pre-existing helminth infection would increase or decrease subsequent allergic responses to an unrelated allergen in the lungs. Methods BALB/cByJ mice were infected with the nematode parasite Strongyloides stercoralis prior to ovalbumin (OVA) immunization and intratracheal challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and fluid (BALF) were collected 3 days post-challenge and cellular and humoral immune responses were measured. Results Intracellular cytokine staining revealed increased IL-4 and IL-5 producing cells in BAL from mice infected with S. stercoralis before OVA sensitization. Increased IL-5 protein levels and decreased IFN-γ protein levels were also observed in the BALF. There was, however, no increase in airway eosinophil accumulation in mice infectd with parasites before sensitization with OVA as compared to mice exposed to OVA alone. Furthermore, eotaxin levels in the lungs induced by OVA was suppressed in mice infected with the parasite before OVA sensitization. The development of OVA specific IgE responses in BALF was also impaired in mice infected with the parasite before sensitization with OVA. Conclusion These results suggest that a pre-existing helminth infection may potentiate a systemic Type 2-type response yet simultaneously suppress in the lungs allergen-specific IgE responses and eotaxin levels in response to subsequent exposure to allergens.
A Novel Apolipoprotein C-II Mimetic Peptide That Activates Lipoprotein Lipase and Decreases Serum Triglycerides in Apolipoprotein E–Knockout Mice

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) mimetic peptides are currently being developed as possible new agents for the treatment of cardiovascular disease based on their ability to promote cholesterol efflux and their other beneficial antiatherogenic properties. Many of these peptides, however, have been reported to cause transient hypertriglyceridemia due to inhibition of lipolysis by lipoprotein lipase (LPL). We describe a novel bihelical amphipathic peptide (C-II-a) that contains an amphipathic helix (18A) for binding to lipoproteins and stimulating cholesterol efflux as well as a motif based on the last helix of apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II) that activates lipolysis by LPL. The C-II-a peptide promoted cholesterol efflux from ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA1-transfected BHK cells similar to apoA-I mimetic peptides. Furthermore, it was shown in vitro to be comparable to the full-length apoC-II protein in activating lipolysis by LPL. When added to serum from a patient with apoC-II deficiency, it restored normal levels of LPL-induced lipolysis and also enhanced lipolysis in serum from patients with type IV and V hypertriglyceridemia. Intravenous injection of C-II-a (30 mg/kg) in apolipoprotein E–knockout mice resulted in a significant reduction of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides of 38 ± 6% and 85 ± 7%, respectively, at 4 hours. When coinjected with the 5A peptide (60 mg/kg), the C-II-a (30 mg/kg) peptide was found to completely block the hypertriglyceridemic effect of the 5A peptide in C57Bl/6 mice. In summary, C-II-a is a novel peptide based on apoC-II, which promotes cholesterol efflux and lipolysis and may therefore be useful for the treatment of apoC-II deficiency and other forms of hypertriglyceridemia.
UV observations of transition-region plasmas in solar flares: Plasma diagnostics and relationships between UV and hard X-ray bursts

The impulsive and gradual phases of solar flares are investigated, comparing simultaneous SMM UVSP and HXRBS observations. Data for several 1980 flares are presented graphically and characterized in detail, with reference to the results of numerical simulations based on theoretical models. Consideration is given to the density and mass velocity in the transition region, the temporal and spatial relationships between the impulsive UV and X-ray bursts, and the relationships between the impulsive and gradual phases.
Reversible Inactivation of α-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase in Response to Alterations in the Mitochondrial Glutathione Status†

In a previous study, we found that treatment of rat heart mitochondria with H2O2 resulted in a decline and subsequent recovery in the rate of state 3 NADH-linked respiration. These effects were shown to be mediated by reversible alterations in NAD(P)H utilization and in the activities of specific Krebs cycle enzymes α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH) and succinate dehydrogenase. The purpose of the current study was to examine potential mechanism(s) by which H2O2 reversibly alters KGDH activity. We report here that inactivation is not simply due to direct interaction of H2O2 with KGDH. In addition, incubation of mitochondria with deferroxamine, an iron chelator, or 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea, an oxygen radical scavenger, prior to addition of H2O2 did not alter the rate or extent of inactivation. Thus, inactivation does not appear to involve a more potent oxygen radical formed upon metal-catalyzed oxidation. Inactive KGDH from H2O2-treated mitochondria was reactivated with dithiothreitol, implicating oxidati...
Emil Post and His Anticipation of Gödel and Turing

(2004). Emil Post and His Anticipation of Godel and Turing. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 77, No. 1, pp. 3-14.
Nonequilibrium phase transition for a heavy particle in a granular fluid.

It is shown that the homogeneous cooling state (HCS) for a heavy impurity particle in a granular fluid supports two distinct phases. The order parameter ${\overline{\ensuremath{\varphi}}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ is the mean square velocity of the impurity particle relative to that of a fluid particle, and the control parameter ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{*}$ is the fluid cooling rate relative to the impurity collision rate. For ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{*}l1$ there is a ``normal'' phase for which ${\overline{\ensuremath{\varphi}}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ scales as the fluid/impurity mass ratio, just as for a system with elastic collisions. For ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{*}g1$ an ``ordered'' phase occurs in which ${\overline{\ensuremath{\varphi}}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ is finite even for vanishingly small mass ratio, representing an extreme violation of energy equipartition. The phenomenon can be described in terms of a Landau-like free energy for a second order phase transition. The dynamics leading to the HCS is studied in detail using an asymptotic analysis of the Enskog-Lorentz kinetic equation near each phase and the critical domain. Critical slowing is observed with a divergent relaxation time at the critical point. The stationary velocity distributions are determined in each case, showing a crossover from Maxwellian in the normal phase to an exponential quartic function of the velocity that is sharply peaked about the nonzero ${\overline{\ensuremath{\varphi}}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ for the ordered phase. It is shown that the diffusion coefficient in the normal phase diverges at the critical point and remains so in the ordered phase. This is interpreted as a transition from diffusive to ballistic dynamics between the normal and ordered phases.
Using Multiple Measures to Make Math Placement Decisions: Implications for Access and Success in Community Colleges

Community college students are often placed in developmental math courses based on the results of a single placement test. However, concerns about accurate placement have recently led states and colleges across the country to consider using other measures to inform placement decisions. While the relationships between college outcomes and such measures as high school GPA, prior math achievement, and noncognitive measures are well-known, there is little research that examines whether using these measures for course placement improves placement decisions. We provide evidence from California, where community colleges are required to use multiple measures, and examine whether this practice increases access and success in college-level courses. Using data from the Los Angeles Community College District, we find that students who were placed into higher-level math due to multiple measures (e.g., GPA and prior math background) performed no differently from their higher scoring peers in terms of passing rates and long-term credit completion. The findings suggest that community colleges can improve placement accuracy in developmental math and increase access to higher-level courses by considering multiple measures of student preparedness in their placement rules.
Cramer-Rao bound for multiple-target tracking

This paper describes a new theoretical bound on performance for tracking in a dense multiple target environment with clutter, false alarms, missed detections, target maneuvers, etc. It is a Cramer-Rao bound on the estimation error covariance matrix. In contrast to the recent bound reported elsewhere, the bound described in this paper requires no Monte Carlo simulation. The new bound is based on Kamen's formulation of the multiple target tracking (MTT) problem as a nonlinear estimation problem. Kamen's model of MTT eliminates the combinatorial aspect of the problem, and replaces it with an analytical problem, which allows the use of the Cramer-Rao bound.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Global increases in seizure susceptibility in mice lacking 5-HT2C receptors: a behavioral analysis.

Previous studies have shown that mice bearing a targeted disruption of the 5-HT2C receptor gene exhibit an epilepsy syndrome associated with sporadic spontaneous seizures that occasionally result in death. In this study, we have defined the seizure susceptibility profiles of these 5-HT2C receptor mutant mice backcrossed onto a C57BL/6 background. Wild-type and mutant animals were either electrically kindled from the olfactory bulb, exposed to corneal electroshock, or tested with the chemoconvulsant, flurothyl. In all paradigms, mice lacking the 5-HT2C receptor were significantly more seizure susceptible than wild-type controls. Results indicate that mutants have lower focal seizure thresholds, increased focal seizure excitability, and facilitated propagation within the forebrain seizure system. Mutants also exhibit lower generalized seizure thresholds for the expression of both generalized clonic and generalized tonic seizures. Importantly, the 5-HT receptor antagonist, mesulergine (2 or 4 mg/kg), administered prior to electroshock testing, recapitulated the mutant phenotype in wild-type mice. Together, these data strongly implicate a role for serotonin and 5-HT2C receptors in the modulation of neuronal network excitability and seizure propagation globally, throughout the CNS.
Edge-guided resolution enhancement in projectors via optical pixel sharing

Digital projection technology has improved significantly in recent years. But, the relationship of cost with respect to available resolution in projectors is still super-linear. In this paper, we present a method that uses projector light modulator panels (e.g. LCD or DMD panels) of resolution n X n to create a perceptually close match to a target higher resolution cn X cn image, where c is a small integer greater than 1. This is achieved by enhancing the resolution using smaller pixels at specific regions of interest like edges.A target high resolution image (cn X cn) is first decomposed into (a) a high resolution (cn X cn) but sparse edge image, and (b) a complementary lower resolution (n X n) non-edge image. These images are then projected in a time sequential manner at a high frame rate to create an edge-enhanced image -- an image where the pixel density is not uniform but changes spatially. In 3D ready projectors with readily available refresh rate of 120Hz, such a temporal multiplexing is imperceptible to the user and the edge-enhanced image is perceptually almost identical to the target high resolution image.To create the higher resolution edge image, we introduce the concept of optical pixel sharing. This reduces the projected pixel size by a factor of 1/c2 while increasing the pixel density by c2 at the edges enabling true higher resolution edges. Due to the sparsity of the edge pixels in an image we are able to choose a sufficiently large subset of these to be displayed at the higher resolution using perceptual parameters. We present a statistical analysis quantifying the expected number of pixels that will be reproduced at the higher resolution and verify it for different types of images.
Writing my life: a narrative and poetic-based autoethnography

This essay is an autoethnographic account of my life as a writer writing my life. I employ narrative and poetic inquiry as a way to learn, know, and become more aware of my journey with writing as a healing modality. The overall purpose of this essay is to offer a personal account of my writing experience as a means to contribute to the ongoing exploration of writing as a communicative practice and method of inquiry; with the hope that by sharing my story, my words will resonate with readers/writers/poets.
Fall-related injuries in elderly cancer patients treated with neurotoxic chemotherapy: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Fall-related injuries are a well-described cause of morbidity and mortality in the community-dwelling elderly population, but have not been well described in patients with cancer. Cancer treatment with chemotherapy can result in many unwanted side effects, including peripheral neuropathy if the drugs are potentially neurotoxic. Peripheral neuropathy and other side effects of chemotherapy may lead to an increased risk of fall-related injuries. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using the records of 65,311 patients with breast, colon, lung, or prostate cancer treated with chemotherapy in the SEER-Medicare database from 1994 to 2007. The primary outcome was any fall-related injury defined as a traumatic fracture, dislocation, or head injury within 12 months of the first dose of chemotherapy. The sample population was divided into 3 cohorts based on whether they most frequently received a neurotoxic doublet, single agent, or a non-neurotoxic chemotherapy. Cox proportional-hazards analyses were adjusted for baseline characteristics to determine the risk of fall-related injuries among the 3 cohorts. Results The rate of fall-related injuries for patients receiving a doublet of neurotoxic chemotherapy (9.15 per 1000 person-months) was significantly higher than for those receiving a single neurotoxic agent (7.76 per 1000 person-months) or a non-neurotoxic agent (5.19 per 1000 person-months). Based on the Cox proportional-hazards model risk of fall-related injuries was highest for the cohort receiving a neurotoxic doublet after the model was adjusted for baseline characteristics. Conclusions Among elderly patients with cancer, use of neurotoxic chemotherapy is associated with an increased risk of fall-related injuries.
Frequency domain state feedback and estimation

The primary purpose of this paper is to present a frequency domain compensation scheme which is completely analogous to the time domain (state-space) employment of a Luenberger state estimator for approximating a linear state variable feedback (l.s.v.f.) design. To accomplish this objective we (i) employ a ‘ factorization ’ of the rational transfer matrix, T(s), of a given system as the product R(s)P(s)−1, where R(s) and R(s) are ‘ relatively right prime ’ polynomial matrices, (ii) present a frequency domain characterization of l.s.v.f. in terms of its effect on T(s) (actually on R(s) and P(s)), and (iii) extend the notion of the classical ‘ eliminant matrix ’ of two polynomials and its determinant, the ‘ resultant ’, to the matrix case. An example is employed to illustrate the various steps involved and some comparisons are then made to other related investigations.
Are image quality metrics adequate to evaluate the quality of geometric objects

Geometric objects are often represented by many millions of triangles or polygons, which limits the ease with which they can be transmitted and displayed electronically. This has lead to the development of many algorithms for simplifying geometric models, and to the recognition that metrics are required to evaluate their success. The goal is to create computer graphic renderings of the object that do not appear to be degraded to a human observer. The perceptual evaluation of simplified objects is a new topic. One approach has been to sue image-based metrics to predict the perceived degradation of simplified 3D models. Since that 2D images of 3D objects can have significantly different perceived quality, depending on the direction of the illumination, 2D measures of image quality may not adequately capture the perceived quality of 3D objects. To address this question, we conducted experiments in which we explicitly compared the perceived quality of animated 3D objects and their corresponding 2D still image projections. Our results suggest that 2D judgements do not provide a good predictor of 3D image quality, and identify a need to develop 'object quality metrics.'
Monolayers of polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymers

The surface properties of graft copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate were investigated. The vinyl acetate grafts anchor the copolymer to the surface. Compression forces the vinylpyrrolidone residues beneath the surface, imparting considerable flexibility and accounting for the high compressibility and low cohesion observed.
Acetone condensation over molybdenum nitride and carbide catalysts

Abstract Acetone condensation was carried out over high surface area molybdenum nitride and carbide catalysts. Rates and selectivities for these materials were compared to those for MgO (a solid base catalyst), USY (a solid acid catalyst) and 1% Pt/SiO2 (a supported noble metal catalyst). The Mo2N catalyst as well as MgO and USY catalyzed the condensation of acetone to products including mesityl oxide (MO), mesitylene and isophorone. Areal rates for the Mo2C and Mo2N catalysts were higher than those for the MgO and USY catalysts. The Mo2N catalyst was most active for mesityl oxide production. The formation of mesitylene and isophorone over this catalyst indicated that Mo2N possessed strong acid and base sites, respectively. Results from the thermal desorption of CO2 and NH3 confirmed the presence of these sites. The hydrogenation of acetone to isopropanol (IPA) and its subsequent dehydration to propylene were predominant reactions for the Mo2C and 1% Pt/SiO2 catalysts. Differences between the Mo2N and Mo2C catalysts are explained based on their base, acid and metallic properties.
SU‐C‐220‐04: Electrostatic Focal Spot Correction for X‐Ray Tubes Operating in Strong Magnetic Fields

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of electrostatic mechanisms for controlling the focal spot position in X‐ray tubes operating in the fringe field of an MR bore, and to determine a cathode design to implement the correction mechanism while not compromising normal X‐ray tube operation.Methods: Using a combination of theoretical calculations and high voltage vacuum standoff constraints, a cathode design was derived that is practical for standard X‐ray tube geometry. The crucial part of the design consists of two voltage‐biased deflection electrodes placed adjacent to the cathode. Space charge beam simulations were performed for the design to determine current density changes and beam deflection in the presence of a magnetic field. Phase space information from the beam simulation was input into a Monte Carlo engine to determine the effect of the cathode design on the X‐ray photon energy spectrum.Results: For a 0.07T magnetic field, a 120 kV cathode‐anode potential, a 14.4 mm cathode‐anode separation distance, and a 35 kV electrode potential, the deflection of the X‐ray tube focal spot is within 2 mm of the original position with slight distortions to focal spot shape. However, the curvature of the electron trajectories is altered resulting in a significant velocity component tangential to the anode that is on average 10 times larger than in the control case. The electron velocity changes coupled with slightly lower current density on the anode reduces the total number of photons generated by 7.5% without significantly altering the energy spectrum of the X‐ray photons Conclusions: The beam simulations demonstrate that focal spot deflection can be controlled to within reasonable values. The generated spectrum is not significantly different from that of a standard X‐ray tube, with only a moderate decrease in overall photon fluence. Work is underway to evaluate the cathode design in an experimental setting. Funding Sources: NIHR01 EB007626, Stanford Bio‐X Fellowship, and the Lucas Foundation
Relation between Na+‐K+ pump, Na+ activity and force in strophanthidin inotropy in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres.

1. The effects of different concentrations of strophanthidin on intracellular sodium activity (aiNa), membrane potential and contractile force have been studied in cardiac sheep Purkinje fibres under conditions (overdrive) that stimulate Na+-K+ pump activity. 2. In fibres driven at 1 Hz, a 5 min overdrive at 2 Hz in the steady state increased force by +74.2%, aiNa by +10.9% and the maximum diastolic potential (Emax) by 3.32 +/- 0.52 mV. 3. During the recovery from overdrive (the fibres being driven again at 1 Hz), both contractile force and aiNa transiently undershot the control value by -10.5 and -3.7%, respectively. When the fibres were quiescent during the recovery from overdrive, no aiNa undershoot was present. 4. During overdrive, force and aiNa were closely correlated when plotted either on linear (correlation coefficient, R = 0.98) or logarithmic (R = 0.98) co-ordinates. 5. A low concentration of strophanthidin (0.01 microM) decreased force (-31.7%) and aiNa (-7.2%): overdrive increased force and Emax more and aiNa less than in the absence of strophanthidin. During the recovery, the undershoot in force (-12.9%) and aiNa (-5.4%) was larger and longer than in the absence of strophanthidin. 6. An intermediate concentration of strophanthidin (0.05 microM) increased force (+43.5%) and aiNa (+6.4%): overdrive increased force and aiNa as usual, but during the recovery the force remained above the value prior to overdrive and there was no aiNa undershoot. 7. A high concentration of strophanthidin (0.1 microM) increased force (+91.4%) and aiNa (+11.7%): overdrive further increased force and aiNa more than in control but there was no increase in Emax. During the recovery, both force and aiNa remained well above the values prior to overdrive. 8. Force and aiNa were closely correlated whether aiNa decreased in 0.01 microM-strophanthidin (R = 0.99 both on linear and logarithmic co-ordinates) or increased in 0.05-microM- (R = 1.00 on both co-ordinates) and in 0.1 microM- (R = 0.98 and 0.99, respectively) strophanthidin. The two parameters were well correlated also during overdrive in the three strophanthidin solutions. However, the slope of the relation was less steep in the low- than in the higher-strophanthidin solutions. 9. For a 1 mM change in aiNa, force decreased less in the low- than it increased in the intermediate-strophanthidin solution. Also, in low-strophanthidin solution, at the end of overdrive the aNao/aNai ratio was similar to that in Tyrode solution but force was well above control (+73.2%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Is the Ventersdorp Rift System of Southern Africa related to a continental collision between the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwe Cratons at 2.64 Ga ago

Rocks of the Ventersdorp Supergroup were deposited in a system of northeast trending grabens on the Kaapvaal Craton approximately 2.64 Ga ago contemporary with a continental collision between the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwe Cratons. It is suggested that it was this collision that initiated the Ventersdorp rifting. Individual grabens strike at high angles toward the continental collision zone now exposed in the Limpopo Province where late orogenic left-lateral strike-slip faulting and anatectic granites are recognized. The Ventersdorp rift province is related to extension in the Kaapvaal Craton associated with the collision, and some analogy is seen with such rifts as the Shansi and Baikal Systems associated with the current India-Asia continental collision.
TSH, theophylline and cyclic amp: In vitro thyroid activity in aging rats

Abstract In vitro thyroid accumulation of cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and release of triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and thyroxine (T 4 ) in response to TSH, theophylline or cyclic AMP treatment was assessed in 60- and 340-day-old male rats. Plasma levels of T 3 and T 4 at the time of sacrifice were determined. Mature animals exhibited significantly lower plasma T 3 and T 4 levels but slightly elevated in vitro secretory rates of T 3 and T 4 . TSH stimulation elicited little effect in the mature gland in terms of cyclic AMP accumulation or thyroid hormone release. Conversely, cyclic AMP enhanced in vitro thyroid hormone release in both age groups. The data suggest an age-related alteration in thyroid responsiveness to TSH which in turn may be a function of changes in the thyroidal adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase system. Evidence is also presented which suggests either cyclic AMP-mediated T 4 to T 3 conversion or a differential action of the nucleotide upon T 3 as compared to T 4 synthesis.
Alcohol intake and cigarette smoking: impact of two major lifestyle factors on male fertility

Context: Lifestyle factors, like alcohol intake and cigarette smoking, have been reported to affect male fertility. Aims: To find out the specific impact of alcohol and smoking on semen quality of male partners of couples seeking treatment for primary infertility. Materials and Methods: From the semen samples analyzed in our andrology laboratory, results of 100 alcoholics and 100 cigarette smoker males were studied following WHO guidelines and compared with 100 strict nonalcoholic and nonsmoker males for presence of asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia. Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed by F- test using Microsoft Office Excel 2003. Results: Only 12% alcoholics and six per cent smokers showed normozoospermia compared to 37 % nonalcoholic nonsmoker males. Teratozoospermia, followed by oligozoospermia dominated alcoholics. Overall impact of asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia, but not of oligozoospermia, was observed in smokers. Light smokers predominantly showed asthenozoospermia. Heavy alcoholics and smokers showed asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia as well as oligozoospermia. Conclusions: Asthenozoospermia, the most common semen variable in our study, can be an early indicator of reduction in quality of semen. Alcohol abuse apparently targets sperm morphology and sperm production. Smoke-induced toxins primarily hamper sperm motility and seminal fluid quality. Progressive deterioration in semen quality is related to increasing quantity of alcohol intake and cigarettes smoked.
Hydration of obsidian

The hydration of obsidian is studied by measuring hydrogen concentration profiles of natural samples hydrated at 90°C, using the 15N resonance nuclear reaction method. The results of this study are well reproduced by the interdiffusion model of Doremus. The importance of the non-amorphous phase of obsidian is discussed. It is pointed out that the precision methods of measuring hydration profiles now available make it practical to measure hydration rates at room temperature experimentally.
Ten-year experience with the porcine bioprosthetic valve: interrelationship of valve survival and patient survival in 1,050 valve replacements.

Abstract The porcine bioprosthetic valve was used in 440 patients having isolated mitral valve replacement (MVR), 522 patients having isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR), and 88 patients having MVR + AVR between 1974 and 1981. Patients with associated surgical procedures were excluded. Mean follow-up was 8.3 year. At 10 years, there was no difference in patient survival between those having AVR and these having MVR. Reoperations were performed on 192 patients. Endocarditis was the reason for operation in 3.7% of patients who had MVR and 10.6% of those who had AVR. Structural valve degeneration was the reason for reoperation in 89.7% of MVR patients and 78.8% of AVR patients ( p = 0.04). Hospital mortality among patients having valve reoperations was 4.7%. At 10 years, the freedom from valve reoperation for all causes and from structural valve degeneration was significantly better for the AVR group than the MVR group (74% ± 3% versus 61% ± 4%, p = 0.004; and 79% ± 3% versus 63% ± 4%, p = 0.0006, respectively). For patients in their 60s, the 10-year freedom from reoperation was 92% ± 2% for AVR and 80% ± 6% for MVR ( p = not significant). At 10 year, freedom from cardiac-related death and valve reoperation was best for both MVR and AVR patients in their 60s. Patients 70 years old or older rarely had reoperation but died before valve failure occurred. The 10-year freedom from all major valve-related events (cardiac-related death, reoperation, thromboembolism, endocarditis, and anticoagulant-related bleeding) was practically the same for both MVR and AVR patients (48% ± 3% versus 49% ± 3%, respectively). The porcine bioprosthetic valve is the valve of choice only for patients 60 year old or older. Patients in their 70s have an extremely low rate of reoperation but a high rate of cardiac-related death and do not outlive the prostheses.
Structure-property relationships in thermoplastic particulate- and ceramic whisker-modified epoxy resins

The mechanical behavior of several filler-modified epoxy resins was inves tigated. Modifications of matrix resin with thermoplastic particulates or ceramic whiskers were proposed as an alternative to rubber-toughening for improving the impact resistance of epoxy resins. Addition of 10 % by weight of untreated thermoplastic powders in an epoxy resin only slightly increased the impact energy of the epoxy resin. A reduction in flexural strength of this thermoplastic particulate-filled resin was observed. This is most likely due to poor particulate-matrix bonding. Dispersion of 10 % of ceramic whiskers in an epoxy resin improved appreciably the impact energy, flexural strength and modulus of the epoxy. The impact energy absorbed by a resin was enhanced by the approach of partic ulate/ whisker hybridization. A uniform dispersion of either particulates or whiskers in the epoxy matrix is essential to the achievement of balanced mechanical properties. Deforma tion and failure mechanisms in these composites were a...
Structure of the Human Fetal Hair Canal and Initial Hair Eruption

Late stages of hair follicle development and the eruption of the first fetal hairs were studied from several body regions of 15-, 17-, and 21-week-old human fetuses by scanning electron microscopy. At 15-17 weeks of age epidermal and subepidermal portions of the follicles were seen from the epidermal basal layer surface as cellular cords that formed the hair tracts (intraepidermal) and hair pegs (dermal). At this stage keratinization was restricted to follicular structures of the scalp; the epidermal surface of the entire body was still covered with periderm. By 21 weeks fetal age, various stages in development of hair could be recognized in all areas of the body by observation of the epidermal surface. On the lower extremities and buttocks, regularly spaced, elongate ridges marked the position of intraepidermal hair canals which had been excavated within the hair tract. Over certain of these ridges the periderm was interrupted, and keratinized cells that lined the canal were exposed. Hair canals were even longer on the trunk and upper extremities and the epidermal surface at these sites had thinned to the extent that hairs contained within the canals were visible within cellular sheaths or were partially released. Long hairs projected from the surface of the face and scalp, and in these regions exclusively, the interfollicular epidermis also was keratinized. These studies by SEM showed that hairs developed within elongated hair canals which opened at the epidermal surface to release fully elongated hairs. Hair release occurred concomitant with epidermal keratinization and both events proceeded in a cephalocaudal direction. Studies by light and transmission electron microscopy were carried out to confirm the state of the follicle and hair development and to supply cytological detail of the developing hair canal.
Intelligent multi-shot 3D visualization interfaces

In next-generation virtual 3D simulation, training, and entertainment environments, intelligent visualization interfaces must respond to user-specified viewing requests so users can follow salient points of the action and monitor the relative locations of objects. Users should be able to indicate which object(s) to view, how each should be viewed, what cinematic style and pace to employ, and how to respond when a single satisfactory view is not possible. When constraints fail, weak constraints can be relaxed or multi-shot solutions can be displayed in sequence or as composite shots with simultaneous viewports. To address these issues, we have developed CONSTRAINTCAM, a real-time camera visualization interface for dynamic 3D worlds.
Floodplain conservation in the Mississippi River Valley: combining spatial analysis, landowner outreach, and market assessment to enhance land protection for the Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana, U.S.A.

Threats to riverine landscapes are often the result of system-wide river management policy, located far from where the threats appear, or both. As a result, the rationale for land protection to achieve floodplain conservation and restoration has shifted to require that lands must also have multiple and systemic threat abatement benefits. The Mississippi River Flood of 2011 highlighted the need for increased floodplain complexes along the Mississippi River to provide both systemic threat abatement and conservation benefits. We used spatial analysis, landowner outreach, and market assessment to examine ways to enhance land protection in the Atchafalaya River Basin Floodway, the largest river basin swamp North America and the site of two employed floodway locations during the 2011 flood. We identified six Priority Conservation Areas (77,084 ha) in the floodway that are largely privately owned (mean 78.2 ± 6.4%), with forest dominated by Taxodium distichum (baldcypress) and hydrologic and water quality characteristics considered most suitable for baldcypress regeneration (31.2 ± 2.4% and 10.2 ± 3.0% of area, respectively). Landowners expressed high (80%) interest in land protection programs and found the range of property values derived from market analyzes (minimal protection—$346 USD/ha; additional protections—up to $2,223 USD/ha) to be reasonable. We seek to: (1) enhance current land protection in the Atchafalaya River Basin and (2) provide a model for using land protection to increase the number of floodplains for both systemic threat abatement and conservation benefits.
The effect of force on thermodynamics and kinetics: unfolding single RNA molecules.

We have used laser tweezers to unfold single RNA molecules at room temperature and in physiological-type solvents. The forces necessary to unfold the RNAs are over the range 10–20 pN, forces that can be generated by cellular enzymes. The Gibbs free energy for the unfolding of TAR (transactivation-responsive) RNA from HIV was found to be increased after the addition of argininamide; the TAR hairpin was stabilized. The rate of unfolding was decreased and the rate of folding was increased by argininamide.
Rankine: A computer software package for the analysis and design of steam power generating units

A software package has been developed for the analysis of steam power systems. Twenty-eight configurations are considered, all based upon the simple Rankine cycle with various additional components such as feedwater heaters and reheat legs. The package is demonstrated by two examples. In the first, the optimum operating conditions for a simple reheat cycle are determined by using the program. The second example involves calculating the exergetic efficiency of an actual steam power system.
Active learning for directed exploration of complex systems

Physics-based simulation codes are widely used in science and engineering to model complex systems that would be infeasible to study otherwise. Such codes provide the highest-fidelity representation of system behavior, but are often so slow to run that insight into the system is limited. For example, conducting an exhaustive sweep over a d-dimensional input parameter space with k-steps along each dimension requires kd simulation trials (translating into kd CPU-days for one of our current simulations). An alternative is directed exploration in which the next simulation trials are cleverly chosen at each step. Given the results of previous trials, supervised learning techniques (SVM, KDE, GP) are applied to build up simplified predictive models of system behavior. These models are then used within an active learning framework to identify the most valuable trials to run next. Several active learning strategies are examined including a recently-proposed information-theoretic approach. Performance is evaluated on a set of thirteen synthetic oracles, which serve as surrogates for the more expensive simulations and enable the experiments to be replicated by other researchers.
The Judicial Response to the New Deal: The Us Supreme Court and Economic Regulation, 1934-1936

The New Deal court the Supreme Court and economic regulation portents for the future - Home Building and Loan Association versus Blaisdel and Neebia versus New York the New Deal in Court 2 - "Black Monday" the New Deal in Court 3 - agriculture and coal.
On-line monitoring to assure structural integrity of nuclear reactor components

Abstract Pressure boundary components in operating nuclear power plants are subjected to a variety of loading and environmental conditions which could lead to fatigue and stress corrosion cracking. On-line monitoring provides the means of tracking these damage mechanisms and evaluating structural margins during plant operation. This, in turn, allows the plant operator to take immediate corrective actions and/or plan more effectively for improvements. Two types of monitoring schemes—material monitoring for cracks and fatigue monitoring—are described. A specific case history of plant application and the resulting benefits of on-line monitoring are also described.
A two-stage least-squares procedure for system identification

A new two-stage least-squares method is developed for system identification. This method is computationally simpler than earlier methods when the system order is high. The method is then experimentally compared with other methods. Moreover, recursive algorithms for on-line identification are presented along with computer simulation data.
Some dimensions of individual differences in word association

Evidence was reported regarding the existence of six dimensions of individual differences in binary-choice association. The dimensions measure associations concerning positive evaluation, negative evaluation, categorization, use of antonyms, use of synonyms, and use of spatial relations, respectively. Considerable research previously had been done with the first three scales. It was shown that scores on those scales were relatively stable over periods of six months and one year. The major purpose of the article was to report evidence for the existence of the three new scales—antonyms, synonyms, and spatial relations. Old scales and new scales were administered to 422 male college students. A factor analysis reaffirmed the existence of the three old scales and confirmed the existence of scales for antonyms, synonyms, and spatial relations. Efforts were not successful to develop scales for measuring associations concerning “active functions” and “passive functions,” respectively. Suggestions were made regarding future refinement of the scales and the use of the scales in studies of cognitive processes and personality.
Sedimentation profiles of rat parotid gland polysomes in sucrose gradients.

Abstract Fractionation of rat parotid gland in a sucrose -TKM medium, pH 7.6, leads to extensive disaggregation of polyribosomes by the high level of endogenous, free RNase present in the tissue. Previous studies have shown that prior administration of a potent sialogogue to the animals before sacrifice profoundly reduces the tissue RNase activity, thus permitting isolation of ribonucleoproteins which exhibit active protein synthesis in a cell-free system. This report indicates a similar reduction of active RNase in parotid tissue by the crude enzyme inhibitor present in rat liver postmicrosomal supernatant, and also shows that the size distribution of parotid ribosomal aggregates in sucrose gradients in the presence of this inhibitor parallels findings in animals treated with isoproterenol. This technique will be useful in studying shifts in parotid polysome profiles under conditions which affect protein synthesis in the organ and eliminates the need for the use of potent sialogogues whose effects on the parameters under investigation are not fully known.
Microwave assisted DIC-promoted intramolecular cyclization for solid phase synthesis of trisubstituted imidazolidinones and pyrimidinones

A convenient solid phase synthesis of trisubstituted imidazolidinones and pyrimidinones via microwave assisted DIC-promoted intramolecular cyclization is described. Intramolecular cyclization of a resin-bound thiourea prepared by acylation of a dipeptide with an aryl isothiocyanate was rapidly promoted with DIC under microwave to afford imidazolidinones and tetrahydropyrimidinones in good yield and purity.
Dynamic response of a viscoelastic Timoshenko beam

The analysis presented in this study deals with the vibratory response of viscoelastic Timoshenko (1955) beams under the assumption of small material loss tangents. The appropriate method of analysis employed here may be applied to more complex structures. This study compares the damping ratios obtained from the Timoshenko and Euler-Bernoulli theories for a given viscoelastic material system. From this study the effect of shear deformation and rotary inertia on damping ratios can be identified.
STUDYING CONTEXTUAL EFFECTS ON POLITICAL BEHAVIOR A Research Inventory and Agenda

The study of contextual effects on political behavior has expanded dramatically in the last two decades. In this article we review the recent progress of the field in an attempt to develop a cohere...
Division of Household Labor as a Source of Contention for Married and Cohabiting Couples in Metropolitan Moscow

Using data on Moscowcouples, this study investigates the division of household labor and its effects on marital conflict and thought of divorce. The hypotheses predict how spouses’economic resources, gender beliefs, and time constraints influence marital contention both directly and indirectly through wife’s perceived division of household labor and her satisfaction with it. Husband’s marital contention also is analyzed. Among the findings, the spouses’ relative characteristics have some influence on the division of household labor, and the relative characteristics condition the effects of household labor on wife’s perceived marital conflict and thoughts of divorce. Household labor is most important in predicting marital contention for wives, but it is only somewhat important for husbands. While demonstrating that the household division of labor should be given more attention in Russian family research, the study provides an important comparative analysis for American scholars on the role of domestic labo...