cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ovulation in the Absence of the Ovarian Surface Epithelium in the Primate

The ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) has a prominent role in ovarian cancer in women, but no studies have been conducted to evaluate its role in normal ovarian function. Data from other species suggest the OSE is needed for ovulation. We have tested whether the OSE is needed for follicle rupture, a necessary step in ovulation, using the nonhuman primate, rhesus macaque. The OSE was removed in two different short-term protocols spanning a single periovulatory interval—one protocol used a cytology brush to remove the OSE only from the follicle apex, and one used mild detergent to remove the entire OSE—and in one long-term protocol spanning 6 wk (two periovulatory intervals) that removed the entire OSE with detergent. Serum levels of estrogen and progesterone (E and P) were monitored, and sectioned ovaries were examined for evidence of successful OSE removal and follicle rupture. In the short-term protocols, removal of the OSE over the follicle apex did not prevent follicle rupture (n = 4 ovaries), but removal of the entire OSE using detergent did in four of six cases. In the long-term protocol, when ovaries were collected after the second periovulatory interval, all the ovaries (n = 5) showed evidence of follicle rupture. In all the protocols, E and P production appeared unaffected. Detergent penetrated up to 40 μm into the ovary. This may have transiently disrupted the stroma and caused follicle rupture failure. We conclude that the primate OSE is not essential for ovulation and perhaps can be removed without lasting consequence.
MSU rurality index: Development and evaluation

The construction and validation of a residence-based index of the degree of rurality are reported. The MSU Rurality Index is a locally normal index and assigns a quantitative measure of rurality to each participant in a study. Data required to compute the index are minimal; only two variables need be measured. Statistical analysis effort required to compute the index is somewhat more intensive than usual, but this tradeoff between data collection and data analysis seems sensible. Data collection is generally more expensive than data analysis. The two required variables, county population and distance to emergency care, are optimally transformed to achieve normality and weighted to achieve validity. A measure of departure from normality is automatically obtained while constructing the index. A positive score reflects a rural residence and a negative score reflects an urban residence relative to the group under study. A score of zero reflects average rurality. Reliability and construct validity were examined using two data sets. The MSU Rurality Index has high test-retest reliability, is appropriately related to a set of ordered categories concerning place of residence, and is as or more strongly related to these categories than alternative indices computed from distance or population alone. The validity of the MSU Rurality Index does not appear to be compromised by its parsimony. Even though the MSU Rurality Index is based on only two variables, it was found to be associated with various health care variables as strongly or more strongly than an 11 variable county-based index developed in Texas.
MR imaging of metallic implants and materials: a compilation of the literature.

Ferromagnetic metallic implants and materials are regarded as contraindications for MR imaging because of the potential risks associated with their movement or displacement. To date, 14 published articles have evaluated the ferromagnetic qualities of 127 different metallic implants and other materials, including aneurysm and hemostatic clips (32); dental implants and materials (five); intravascular coils, filters, and stents (13); ear implants (14); prosthetic heart valves (29); orthopedic implants and materials (eight); penile implants (nine); and miscellaneous metallic implants and materials (17). All of these materials were evaluated by measuring the deflection forces induced by static magnetic fields at strengths ranging from 0.147 to 4.7 T. This article is a compilation of the results of these studies; it lists all 127 of the materials tested, indicates whether they were found to be deflected by the static magnetic fields, and gives the highest static magnetic field strength at which they were evaluated. Of the metallic implants tested, 66 were nonferromagnetic, and 29 exhibited only minimal deflection relative to their in vivo applications (i.e., the deflection forces were thought to be insufficient to move or dislodge the implant or material in situ). The authors of these studies concluded that patients with these particular metallic implants or materials (95/127, 75%) can be examined safely by MR imaging with scanners having static magnetic field strengths up to and including those used for the specific evaluations. Patients with other ferromagnetic materials or implants may also undergo MR imaging safely; however, both careful consideration of the factors that influence the deflection of metallic implants and prudent clinical judgment are required before patients who have these objects are examined via MR imaging.
The investment timing game in petroleum production: An econometric model

Abstract This paper uses a structural econometric model to analyze an investment timing game that takes place during petroleum production. The model I develop enables one to estimate the structural parameters governing petroleum-producing firms’ investment timing decisions and therefore to assess the net effect of the information and extraction externalities they face. The econometric methodology presented in this paper can be employed to analyze any problem of dynamic multi-stage strategic decision-making in the presence of externalities.
Differences in prostate and adipose tissue basic fibroblast growth factor: ANalysis of preliminary results

Abstract Objectives Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2) is mitogenic to human prostate epithelial and stromal cells, and it is reported to be elevated in the serum and urine of patients with various cancers, including prostate cancer. Obesity, with increased body fat, is a risk factor for prostate cancer through unknown mechanisms. Because adipose tissue is a source of FGF-2, we determined the quantity and quality of activity of FGF-2 in omental adipose tissue and compared it with normal and cancerous prostate tissues. Methods Using heparin-Sepharose chromatography, we extracted proteins from human omental adipose tissue, adenocarcinoma of the prostate, and benign prostatic hypertrophic (BPH) tissues. Each of the mitogenic proteins eluted with NaCl concentrations between 1.4 M and 1.8 M, similar to control FGF-2. Using FGF-2 antisera (which inhibited the mitogenic activity of the proteins), we performed Western blot analysis to confirm their homology to FGF-2. We also assessed recovery, mitogenicity, and angiogenicity of each of the proteins using thymidine incorporation into human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the chorioallantoic membrane assay. Results There was greater recovery of FGF-2 from omental adipose tissue compared with cancerous or BPH homogenates (40 μg [2.0 μg/g] versus 25 μg [1.25 μg/g] and 20 μg [1.0 μg/g], respectively). Moreover, FGF2 from adipose tissue had greater mitogenic activity (96.2% versus 74.8% and 54%; P P Conclusions We suggest that human omental adipose tissue FGF-2 may demonstrate greater mitogenic and angiogenic activity than either BPH or prostate cancer tissue FGF-2. It is not known whether FGF-2 from adipose tissue qualitatively or quantitatively may underlie the relationship between obesity and prostate cancer.
Esophageal Cancer: Early Efforts and Proposals of the LCSG

The Lung Cancer Study Group, just prior to its demise, initiated efforts to develop clinical trials comparing primary resection for esophageal cancer with multimodality therapy. In initiating these proposals, a new staging system and map were developed that conformed to the staging system available for pulmonary malignancies. This staging system and map are currently being used by the ongoing intergroup trial in North America (INT-113).
Multimodality neuroimaging evaluation improves the detection of subtle cortical dysplasia in seizure patients

The purpose of this study is to investigate if multimodality neuroimaging evaluation increases the detection of subtle focal cortical dysplasia as part of an epilepsy surgery evaluation. Three patients with normal magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological findings of focal cortical dysplasia were reviewed. Their magnetoencephalography recordings were performed on whole-head magnetoencephalography system. Magnetic resonance images were re-evaluated with special inspection in limited regions guided by magnetoencephalography spike localization. Two patients had ictal and interictal single photon emission computed tomography study after administration of Tc99m ECD. In two patients we found tiny focal abnormalities including slightly increased cortical thickness and blurred gray-white matter junction at the locations of interictal events after re-evaluation of the MR images indicating focal cortical dysplasia. The third patient showed focal atrophic change. All patients are seizure free after surgery. Both ictal and interictal single photon emission computed tomography showed hyperperfusion in the dysplastic cortex regions. Multimodality neuroimaging study can improve the detection of focal cortical dysplasia. Normal magnetic resonance images should be re-evaluated for subtle signs of focal cortical dysplasia especially when magnetoencephalography recording demonstrate focal epileptic discharges.
Layer-by-layer of liposomes and membrane protein as a recognition element of biosensor

Abstract Layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly composed of liposome and membrane protein, bacteriorhodopsin (bR) was fabricated on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) as a sensor element for bio-recognition. The LBL assembly was prepared by stacking of liposome/bR solutions alternately with a flowing system. By atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the QCM monitoring the bR and the liposome were found to be stacked regularly until the 8th layer of the liposome. The fabricated LBL assembly on the QCM was engaged to detect nonylphenol in solution, which is one of the endocrine disrupting chemicals. It was confirmed that the existence of nonylphenol in solution can be detected by a mass decrease of the LBL assembly on the QCM, which is caused by the disruption of the liposome through nonylphenol, in the low concentration range of 0.1–10 ppm.
Outcome of septal myectomy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in children and young adults.

Background Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an important cause of heart failure in children, but there are limited data addressing outcome of myectomy in children. Our objective was to evaluate the early and late results of septal myectomy in pediatric HCM. Methods We reviewed 127 consecutive patients (62% male) who underwent transaortic septal myectomy for obstructive HCM from January 1975 to December 2010 at 21 or less years of age. Mean age at operation was 12.9 ± 5.5 years. Preoperatively, mean maximum instantaneous gradient was 89 mm Hg and 95% had significant systolic anterior motion (SAM) with mitral regurgitation (MR). Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and permanent pacemaker prior to surgery was present in 21 patients (17%) and 15 (11.7%), respectively. Results Transaortic extended left ventricular septal myectomy was performed in all patients with no early deaths. Iatrogenic morbidity included new aortic valve regurgitation requiring repair in 7 (5.5%), mitral regurgitation needing repair in 2 (1.5%), ventricular septal defect in 1 (1%), and heart block requiring permanent pacemaker in 1 (1%). An ICD was implanted postoperatively in 8 during the same hospital admission. Mean MIG decreased from 89 to 6 mm Hg (p Conclusions Septal myectomy is safe and effective in children with obstructive HCM, but limited exposure may increase risk of aortic or mitral valve injury. Late survival is better than the previously published untreated natural history of HCM. Patient selection and surgical expertise remain critical components of septal myectomy, especially before considering a prophylactic myectomy in a seemingly asymptomatic patient.
Impact of implementing mental health screening by mail with a primary care management model.

Background: Early recognition and treatment of social and emotional disorders in children is significant for school preparation. These disorders are frequently underdetected without the use of stan...
Gaps in the Preparation of Foreign Language Teachers

Thirty-nine foreign language teaching authorities responded to an invitation to indicate the ‘gaps’ they felt existed in the training of foreign language teachers. This article summarizes their responses. In the main, the gaps in foreign language education are found where they have always been–on the college and university levels. Secondary schools are innovating to such an extent that methods teachers are hard pressed to prepare their students for all the new trends. Although the language proficiency of graduates is improving, many critics feel that a year of study and travel in the target culture is the only way for them to gain real mastery of the four skills. Moreover, residence abroad would put them in a better position to interpret the deep culture of the country to their future students. Films and tapes of excellent teaching should be readily available so that cadet teachers may analyze them and learn why they are models. Haphazard student field experiences must be more tightly organized. It would be well for the profession to form a consensus on optimum practices in teacher training institutions and publicize the statement. With the knowledge explosion that is taking place, teachers probably need five years to acquire all the necessary competencies.
Clinical features of superficial fungal infections caused by Hendersonula toruloidea and Scytalidium hyalinum.

SUMMARY The clinical appearances of infections in 128 patients caused by the mould fungi Hendersonula toruloidea (102) and Scytalidium hyalinum (37) are described. All the patients originated from the tropics or subtropics but those infected with S. hyalinum came from either the Caribbean or West Africa. Forty-one per cent of those studied had a concurrent dermatophyte infection. While the clinical features of Hendersonula and Scytalidium infections resembled those seen in ‘dry type’Trichophyton rubrum infections, there were a number of distinctive features. These included the absence of dorsal infection on the feet, lateral and distal onychomycosis with extensive onycholysis and the development of paronychia on the fingers. The majority of affected patients showed no serious underlying abnormality or predisposing skin disease which could facilitate invasion. The routine incorporation of cycloheximide, which inhibits the growth of these organisms, in mycological media may explain why they are infrequently diagnosed.
Protein phosphorylation in human peripheral lymphocytes - stimulation by phytohemagglutinin and N6 monobutyryl cyclic AMP.

Protein phosphorylation was studied in human peripheral lymphocytes. The cells were preincubated with , exposed to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), N6 monobutyryl cAMP (MBcAMP) or 8 bromo cGMP (BcGMP), homogenized and analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both PHA and MBcAMP produced early increases in the [32P]content of multiple proteins in the 30,000–100,000 molecular weight range. After further incubation with PHA there was a shift in the phosphorylation response to smaller molecular weight proteins. BcGMP (1 mM-10 pM) had no effect on protein phosphorylation. These results suggest a role for cAMP in the early action of PHA on human peripheral lymphocytes.
Osteosarcoma: improvement in survival limited to high-grade patients only.

We sought to identify the significant prognostic parameters of patients with osteosarcoma over the past three decades using a population-based registry. A total of 3765 patients with osteosarcoma were identified in the SEER database. Information regarding patient demographics, clinical and treatment characteristics, cause of death and survival were extracted. Kaplan–Meier, Log-Rank, and Cox regression were used for analysis. On multivariate analysis only age group ‘<25 years’, ‘local’ stage and ‘low’ grade, ‘appendicular skeleton’ and employment of ‘surgical resection’ showed a disease-specific survival benefit with a P value < 0.001. The long-term survival improved in the interval from 1973 to 1985 from approximately 55 to 65% but subsequent improvement has been limited only to patients with high-grade disease. When comparing survival rates by decade of diagnosis, it appears that improvement in survival since 1985 is limited to patients with high-grade disease only. The level of evidence for this article is 2.
Breaks in the cycle: dissolved organic nitrogen in terrestrial ecosystems

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) is present in soils and streams around the world. We are only now beginning to explore the important roles this chemically heterogeneous mixture of compounds plays in terrestrial nitrogen (N) cycling. Over centuries, DON leaching may represent a significant “leak” of N, which occurs because plants and microbes cannot prevent DON losses, even in times of high N demand. However, in many ecosystems, plants may “short-circuit” the terrestrial N cycle by direct uptake of amino acid DON without microbial mineralization of organic N to ammonium (NH4+). These apparently contradictory roles for DON in N cycling are due to the biological and physical factors that regulate DON loss, and the fact that there are many biochemical forms of organic N in solution. Recognition of these processes complicates the standard conceptual view of terrestrial N cycling. Here we focus on the dual roles of DON as a nutrient-loss pathway and as an N source for plants.
Is a Duplication of 14q32 a New Recurrent Chromosomal Alteration in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Identification of clonal chromosomal abnormalities involving 14q32 and its association with specific histological subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has provided substantial insight to the genetic events leading to the disease. However, in some cases with inferior morphology of tumor cell chromosomes, the additional segment on chromosome 14 remains unidentified by cytogenetic banding techniques alone. To elucidate the origin of the additional chromosomal segment and to correlate the newly determined alterations with histology, metaphases from 15 NHL patients with add(14)(q32) were examined using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques after cytogenetic analysis had been performed. We found the duplication of 14q involving the q32 region in 6 cases with a dup(14) (q32) in 4 cases and a dup(14)(q24q32) in 2 cases. In 8 cases, FISH unveiled known NHL associated translocations; a t(14;18)(q32;q21) in 4 cases, a t(11;14)(q13;q32) in 2 cases, a t(8;14)(q24;q32) and a t(9;14)(p13;q32) in 1 case each. We also noted a t(14;17)(q32;q21) in 1 case. The use of FISH was a valuable asset in determining the origin of the additional material on chromosome 14q32, and helped resolve a group of B-cell NHLs with involvement of a duplicated 14q32 region.
Management for premalignant lesions of the oral cavity

Premalignant lesions of the oral cavity present as visibly abnormal areas of mucosa and may be a source of significant anxiety for the patient and the clinician. Suspicious lesions should be biopsied to evaluate for dysplasia. The risk of malignant transformation may relate to patient characteristics, environmental risk factors and genetic alterations. Management of such lesions hinges on risk modification, surveillance, symptom management and directed biopsies. Excision or ablation of dysplastic lesions is indicated. We review the current evidence relating to management of premalignant lesions of the oral mucosa and make recommendations for practice patterns.
Application of analytical microbial ecology to the anaerobic conversion of biomass to methane.

Abstract Lipid biomarker and radiotracer analysis, microcosms, and the inhibitors oxygen and chloroform were used to monitor the operation of a unique design of high-solids high-productivity methanogenic reactor. The 2 reactors examined gave an example of a microbial community adapted to the batch feeding schedule and very high methane production. The second reactor had been damaged by overfeeding. It had adapted to high acetate and ammonia concentrations, low pH and productivity. Under oxygen inhibition, methanogens were out-competed by facultative anaerobes, rather than killed. While chloroform inhibition abolished radiolabeled acetate incorporation into methane, label was incorporated into archaeal ether lipids, possibly indicating an unknown methanogen adaptation to toxic stress. The utility of analytical microbial ecology to practical problems is discussed.
Passive participle marking by African American English-speaking children reared in poverty.

Purpose In this study, the authors examined the linguistic profile of African American English (AAE)-speaking children reared in poverty by focusing on their marking of passive participles and by c...
Non-intrusive load identification for smart outlets

An increasing interest in energy-efficiency combined with the decreasing cost of embedded networked sensors is lowering the cost of outlet-level metering. If these trends continue, new buildings in the near future will be able to install “smart” outlets, which monitor and transmit an outlets power usage in real time, for nearly the same cost as conventional outlets. One problem with the pervasive deployment of smart outlets is that users must currently identify the specific device plugged into each meter, and then manually update the outlets meta-data in software whenever a new device is plugged into the outlet. Correct meta-data is important in both interpreting historical outlet energy data and using the data for building management. To address this problem, we propose Non-Intrusive Load Identification (NILI), which automatically identifies the device attached to a smart outlet without any human intervention. In particular, in our approach to NILI, we identify an intuitive and simple-to-compute set of features from time-series energy data and then employ well-known classifiers. Our results achieve accuracy of over 90% across 15 device types on outlet-level energy traces collected from multiple real homes.
Sex differences and estrous cycle dependent variation in rotational behavior elicited by electrical stimulation of the mesostriatal dopamine system

SUMMARY In this study electrical stimulation-induced rotational behavior was used as a behavioral index of mesostriatal dopamine (DA) activity to investigate gender and hormonal influences on the DA system. In female rats we found estrous cycle related variations in electrical stimulation-induced rotational behavior. A constant electrical stimulus produced significantly more turning on the day of estrus, than it did 24 h later, on diestrus 1. Gonadectomy attenuated contraversive rotational behavior in female, but not male rats. In contrast, ovariectomy had no effect on the ipsiversive rotational behavior produced by stimulation of the reticular formation. This evidence supports the idea that endogenous changes in gonadal hormone levels influence the functional activity of the mesostriatal DA system in a sexually dimorphic manner
An enduring need: multilateralism in the twenty-first century

That the global economy has been hugely successful over the past 50 years is unquestionable. A major underpinning of that success has been the open multilateral system, which has enabled the emergence of a truly international financial system, reciprocal reduction of trade barriers, and the emergence of many previously poor countries into the status of ‘emerging markets’ or even ‘developed’. The open multilateral system, however, is increasingly under-appreciated and taken for granted. Preferential trading arrangements have proliferated, and with them the possibility of discriminatory arrangements for capital flows. The absence of an international regime for capital flows permits this development and poses a threat to the system, as do all of the issues on which countries' governments assert ‘their’ interests, and ignore their interests in the overall health of the system. It is to be hoped that the benefits of multilateralism are more greatly appreciated, and that the current trend toward increasing regionalism and departures from the post-war system is reversed.
Residual stresses and stress partitioning measurements by neutron diffraction in Al/Al–Cu–Fe composites

Abstract An unalloyed Al matrix was reinforced by spherical Al–Cu–Fe alloy particles, using either commercial purity (99.7%) or high purity (99.99%) powders (diameter
Experimental tests of the hypothesis of stimulus interaction

Abstract This paper presents the results of 4 experiments designed to test logical implications of the hypothesis of stimulus interaction. The hypothesis is concerned with the summation of generalized and directly conditioned habits and inhibitions of components in stimulus compounds. Experiment I compared the performance of preschool children on Problem Types A and B, the 2 problems differing only with respect to the manner in which the positive and negative stimulus compounds were paired. In Experiment II, several versions of Problem Type A were compared, the versions differing with respect to the degree of similarity of the primary and secondary cues. Experiment III compared Problem Types A and B in each of the several versions investigated in Experiment II. Experiment IV was a replication of Experiment III except that the lateral reversals of the 2 settings in each problem were included. The results of each experiment were compared with predictions from the interaction hypothesis. It was concluded that the results of the first 3 experiments were reasonably well accounted for by the hypothesis, but that the results of Experiment IV suggest that some modification of the hypothesis may be required.
A Dynamic Test of a Collision Post of a State-of-the-Art End Frame Design

In support of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Equipment Safety Program, a full-scale dynamic test of a collision post of a state-of-the-art (SOA) end frame was conducted on April 16, 2008. The purpose of the test was to evaluate the dynamic method for demonstrating energy absorption and graceful deformation of a collision post. The post aims to protect the operators and passengers in the event of a collision where only the superstructure, not the underframe, is loaded. Methods for improving the performance of collision and corner posts were prompted by accidents such as the fatal collision in Portage, Indiana in 1998, where a coil of steel sheet metal penetrated the cab car through the collision post. The improvements made for the SOA end frame structure include more substantial corner and collision posts, robust post connections to the buffer beam and anti-telescoping (AT) beam, and corner and collision posts integrated with a shelf and bulkhead sheet. Full length side sills improved support for the end frame. This test focused on one collision post because of its critical position in protecting the operator and passengers in an impact with an object at a grade-crossing. For the test, a 14,000-lb cart impacted a standing cab car at a speed of 18.7 mph. The cart had a rigid coil shape mounted on the leading end that concentrated the impact load on the collision post. The requirements for protecting the operator’s space state that there will be no more than 10 inches of longitudinal crush and none of the attachments of any of the structural members separate. During the test, the collision post deformed approximately 7.4 inches and absorbed approximately 138,000 ft-lb of energy. The attachment between the post and the AT beam remained intact. The connection between the post and the buffer beam did not completely separate, however the forward flange and both side webs fractured. The post itself did not completely fail. There was material failure in the back and the sides of the post at the impact location. Overall, the end frame was successful in absorbing energy and preserving space for the operators and the passengers.© 2008 ASME
Heat flow on the western flank of the East Pacific Rise at 21°N

We report 48 new heat flow measurements on the western flank of the East Pacific Rise at 21°N. The stations were taken in 1 to 30 m of sediment on 0.4 to 1.4 m.y. old crust. The low average measured value of ≥173 mW/2 (including 12 tilted minimum values) is about 1/3 the mean heat flow predicted for crust of this age range by cooling plate theory. This may be partly due to a bias of measurement locations in sediment ponds. Nevertheless, 4-km running averages of measured heat flows, projected normally to the axis, display an oscillatory trend suggestive of cellular hydrothermal circulation in the basement. We sampled no more than one cycle of the apparent heat flow modulation, which is of ≈ 15-km wavelength and ≈ 200-mW/m2 amplitude. This variation appears to be uncorrelated with the topographic variation of ≈ 10-km wavelength, Assuming that the porosity sensitive electromagnetic results of Young and Cox (1981) reflect a permeability distribution that restricts the depth of circulation to ≈ 1.4 km, average temperatures of circulation may be ≈ 50–60°C. Deeper, higher-temperature circulation is allowable if a more uniform permeability-depth distribution holds.
Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease: New Insights into Risk Factors for Susceptibility, Epidemiology, and Approaches to Management in Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Patients

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in the environment and cause a wide range of diseases in humans. Pulmonary involvement, the most common disease manifestation of NTM infection, is being increasingly encountered in clinical settings. In addition, specific phenotypic and genetic characteristics of persons predisposed to contract pulmonary NTM disease are now beginning to be recognized. Prior to treatment, patients should meet clinical and microbiologic criteria for NTM disease. Treatment involves prolonged courses of antibiotics in various combination regimens that are often discontinued because of serious side effects. In some cases, complete cure of pulmonary disease is difficult to achieve. Rather, clinical improvement may be a more feasible goal. Surgical treatment is warranted for select patients.
Scaled Born cross sections for excitations of H2 by electron impact.

This article describes the scaling of plane-wave Born cross sections for the excitation of the H2 molecule to four low-lying electronic states (BΣu+1, CΠu1, B′Σu+1, and DΠu1) by electron impact. The same BE and BEf scaling methods used on atoms were found to be equally effective for H2 in converting Born cross sections into cross sections in good agreement with available experiments. These scaling methods are applicable only to dipole-allowed excitations. The possibility of using these scaling methods, as was done in atoms, to estimate the contribution of inner-shell excitations to the total ionization cross section via the excitation-autoionization mechanism is discussed, though this type of indirect ionization in molecules is not as common as in atoms.
The representation of rules in the ER model

Abstract Production rules are the most commercially popular and successful structure for representing knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how such rules may be represented in a simple entity-relationship structure. Using this structure, we implement an example inference engine in a procedural language and a knowledge base in an RDBMS. The inference engine accesses the knowledge via SQL.
Energy technology expert elicitations: An application to natural gas turbine efficiencies

Expert elicitations are critical tools for characterizing technological uncertainty, since historical data on technical progress may not provide a sufficient basis for forecasting future advances. The objectives of this paper are to describe the protocol and results for an expert elicitation on the future performance of gas-turbine-based technologies in the electric power sector and to discuss how these insights relate to the current elicitation literature in energy modeling. Elicitation results suggest that prospective efficiency gains are likely to be slower than historical trends; however, the assessed values are still appreciably higher than the efficiencies used in many energy models. The results also indicate that conducting face-to-face elicitations may be important for minimizing overconfidence and for critically examining reported values, especially when assessing non-central probabilities in the tails of a distribution.
Physiological and chemical studies on Gymnodinium breve Davis toxin.

The marine dinoflagellate Gymnodinium breve was cultured under defined conditions and provided toxic material for chemical and physiological studies. Bioassay on mice and fish of ether extracts from cultures, confirmed that potency was related to numbers of cells extracted. A toxic component was isolated from these extracts and partially characterized by chromatographic and spectral methods. A molecular weight of 279 was determined by both osmometry and mass spectrometric analysis. The active material blocks neuromuscular transmission in frog sartorius preparations before rendering the nerve and then the muscle inexcitable to stimuli, but does not alter the transmembrane potential. Synaptic effects are blocked by curare. The primary site of action appears to be at the end plate although the specific mode of action is not clear. Physiological and pharmacological studies using mammalian intestine, vertebrate and invertebrate heart preparations and human serum, indicate anticholinesterase-like activity.
Comparative evaluation of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) on glutamate and lead-induced toxicity in CD-1 mice

Abstract Recent studies indicate that there is interaction between the glutamatergic neurotransmitters system and lead neurotoxicity. Previously, we have demonstrated the potential effects of glutamate in lead-induced cell death in PC12 cells and the protective role of the novel thiol antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA). The current study (1) investigated the potential effects of glutamate on lead exposed CD-1 mice, (2) evaluated the protective effects of NACA against glutamate and lead toxicity in CD-1 mice, and (3) compared the results with N-aceytylcysteine (a well-known thiol antioxidant). Oxidative stress parameters, including glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, were evaluated. Blood and tissue lead levels, glutamate/glutamine (Glu/Gln) ratios, GS activity, and phospholipase-A2 (PLA2) were also analyzed. Results indicated that lead and glutamate decreased GSH levels in the red blood cells, brains, livers, and kidneys. Exposure to glutamate and lead elevated the MDA levels and PLA2 activity. NACA and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) provided protection against the detrimental effects of lead by decreasing the blood and tissue lead levels, restoring intracellular GSH levels, and decreasing the MDA levels. NACA and NAC also increased the GS activity thereby decreasing Glu/Gln levels. However, NACA appeared to have better chelating and antioxidant properties than NAC, due to its higher liphophilicity and its ability to cross the blood–brain barrier.
Osteoarthritis in cynomolgus macaques. III: Effects of age, gender, and subchondral bone thickness on the severity of disease.

Knee joints from cynomolgus monkeys of both genders and a wide range of ages were examined to characterize further the natural history of osteoarthritis (OA) in these animals. The objectives of this study were to characterize better the subchondral bone changes previously noted in this disease, to determine whether the severity of OA in these animals is affected by age or weight, and to determine whether males and females are affected similarly. As had been seen in previous studies, the medial tibial plateau was the most severely affected site. The thickness of the subchondral plate in the medial tibial plateau increased with increasing severity of articular cartilage lesions in both males and females; however, in monkeys with subchondral plate thicknesses less than 400 μm, articular cartilage lesions were essentially absent. Subchondral plate thickness increased with increasing weight in both genders, but females had a higher subchondral plate thickness than males for a given body weight. There was no correlation between bone volume in the proximal tibial epiphysis and articular cartilage lesions of OA. The prevalence and severity of OA in the medial tibial plateau increased with increasing age, but were not affected by gender or weight. Although there was no correlation between articular cartilage lesions and body mass index or weight, the waist/hip circumference ratio and severity of articular cartilage lesions were correlated in the female monkeys. This work provides evidence that thickening of the subchondral bone plate may be more important than the volume of epiphyseal/metaphyseal cancellous bone in determining the biomechanical stresses in the joint and in influencing the development of articular cartilage lesions.
Ferromagnetic-resonance investigation of the nickel/graphite-hydrogen system

Abstract Catalytic channels created by nickel particles during the hydrogenation of graphite cease at around 1250 K as the metal spreads and wets the sides of the channels with a resultant loss in activity. Particles are reformed along the edges of the channels by subsequent reaction in steam at 1125 K. In an attempt to learn more about this extraordinary behavior of nickel, both in the wetted and redispersed states we investigated the ferromagnetic properties of the nickel-graphite system treated under various conditions. Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) provides both qualitative and quantitative information on particle size and shape, degree of reduction, surface anisotropy, and metal-support constraints for the dispersed ferromagnetic metal. In addition to confirming many of the previous conclusions on this system, the FMR data point to the existence of a strong nickel-graphite interaction which is broken by treatment in steam.
Posttransfusion purpura associated with alloantibody specific for the platelet antigen, Pena

Posttransfusion purpura (PTP) and severe thrombocytopenia occurred 9 days after transfusion of red blood cells to a 48-year-old, multiparous Navajo woman. The platelet count rose to hemostatic levels after treatment with prednisone and three plasma exchange transfusions. Serologic studies showed that the patient's serum contained the potent antibody reactive with platelets from nearly all normal subjects, but nonreactive with autologous platelets obtained after recovery. This antibody was found to be specific for a high-frequency, platelet-specific antigen, designated Pen(a),implicated previously as an immunogen in neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura. An exchange of serum showed that Pena is identical with an alloantigen designated Yuk(b) by Japanese workers. We conclude that PTP can occur in association with alloimmunization against Pen(a) (Yuk(b).
Some results for probability measures on linear topological vector spaces with an application to Strassen's log log law

We prove some results regarding tight probability measures on real Frechet spaces and countable strict inductive limits of these spaces. These results are applied to Gaussian measures and to construct a Brownian motion on such spaces. We then prove the log log law of Strassen for this Brownian motion.
A Study on the Effects of Covered Stents on Tissue Prolapse

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cryogel covered stents may reduce complications from thrombosis and restenosis by decreasing tissue prolapse. Finite element analysis was employed to evaluate the effects of PVA cryogel layers of varying thickness on tissue prolapse and artery wall stress for two common stent geometries and two vessel diameters. Additionally, several PVA cryogel covered stents were fabricated and imaged with an environmental scanning electron microscope. Finite element results showed that covered stents reduced tissue prolapse up to 13% and artery wall stress up to 29% with the size of the reduction depending on the stent geometry, vessel diameter, and PVA cryogel layer thickness. Environmental scanning electron microscope images of expanded covered stents showed the PVA cryogel to completely cover the area between struts without gaps or tears. Overall, this work provides both computational and experimental evidence for the use of PVA cryogels in covered stents.
Role of transforming growth factor-β superfamily signaling pathways in human disease

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling pathways are ubiquitous and essential regulators of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival, as well as physiological processes, including embryonic development, angiogenesis, and wound healing. Alterations in these pathways, including either germ-line or somatic mutations or alterations in the expression of members of these signaling pathways often result in human disease. Appropriate regulation of these pathways is required at all levels, particularly at the ligand level, with either a deficiency or an excess of specific TGF-beta superfamily ligands resulting in human disease. TGF-beta superfamily ligands and members of these TGF-beta superfamily signaling pathways also have emerging roles as diagnostic, prognostic or predictive markers for human disease. Ongoing studies will enable targeting of TGF-beta superfamily signaling pathways for the chemoprevention and treatment of human disease.
CT scan and MRI findings in a child with schizophrenia

Morphologic brain changes have long been recognized in some adult schizophrenic patients. The ready availability of computed tomographic (CT) scans and the recent advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) now permit noninvasive neuroimaging of schizophrenic patients. We describe a prepubertal schizophrenic child with neuroradiographic findings similar to those found in adult schizophrenic patients: ex vacuo enlargement of the lateral ventricles, dilatation of the third ventricle, and cerebellar abnormalities. This patient appears to be the first schizophrenic child documented to have these morphologic changes of the brain and suggests the need for further neuroradiographic studies to define the frequency and significance of structural changes that may occur in childhood schizophrenia.
The secular acceleratons in Gylden's problem

In a two body-problem, any type of variation in time of the Keplerian parameter μ (product of the constant of gravitationG by the reduced massm) causes a mean secular acceleration in the mean anomaly, but leaves the mean argument of perigee stationary. All asymptotic estimates for mean marginal rates of variation in the osculating elements, that Vinti established in the case whenG is inversely proportional to the time, are now extended to the most general kind of Gylden systems, and made into exact relations. The role of a Gylden system in explaining the marginal acceleration in the moon's mean motion is clarified. In addition, separable Gylden systems are classified from a physical standpoint by the integrals that they admit.
Oral and hypothalamic injections of barbiturates, benzodiazepines and cannabinoids and food intake in rats

To evaluate and compare CNS sites of action of chemicals which stimulate feeding, intakes were measured after ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) and lateral hypothalamic (LH) administration of pentobarbital sodium (PBS), diazepam (D) and the d- and l-isomers of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); and intragastric administration of D and d- and 1-THC. In rats fed ad lib PBS (8 and 16 μg) increased intake tenfold (p<0.05) 0.5 hr after injection in the VMH, but not the LH. Intragastric administration of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg D increased intake twofold (p<0.01) at 0.5 and 2 hr but did not affect 24 hr intake. VMH injections of D (10 and 20 μg) caused a 15-fold increase (p<0.05) at 0.5 but not 24 hr, but LH injection of D did not affect 0.5 or 24 hr intake. Intragastric administration of 4 mg/kg 1-THC increased (p<0.01) food intake at 1 and 2 hr, but 24 hr intake was not affected; d-THC had no effect. VMH, but not LH, injection of 1-THC (0.25 μg) caused a 24-hr increase in intake. d-THC (0.25 μg) caused a decrease (p<0.05) in feeding at 0.5 hr, but not 24 hr when administered in the VMH, and increased (p<0.05) feeding at 24 hr when injected in the LH. The VMH appears to mediate the action of both PBS and D, but the increased feeding caused by systemic 1-THC is not duplicated by VMH administration, thereby suggesting an alternate site of action.
MIM and nonlinear least‐squares inversions of AEM data in Barataria basin, Louisiana

An airborne electromagnetic survey was performed over the marsh and estuarine waters of the Barataria basin of Louisiana. Two inversion methods were applied to the measured data to calculate layer thicknesses and conductivities: the modified image method (MIM) and a nonlinear least‐squares method of inversion using two two‐layer forward models and one three‐layer forward model, with results generally in good agreement. Uniform horizontal water layers in the near‐shore Gulf of Mexico with the fresher (less saline, less conductive) water above the saltier (more saline, more conductive) water can be seen clearly. More complex near‐surface layering showing decreasing salinity/conductivity with depth can be seen in the marshes and inland areas. The first‐layer water depth is calculated to be 1–2 m, with the second‐layer water depth around 4 m. The first‐layer marsh and beach depths are computed to be 0–3 m, and the second‐layer marsh and beach depths vary from 2 to 9 m. The first‐layer water conductivity is ca...
Myeloid Differentiation Factor-2 Interacts with Lyn Kinase and Is Tyrosine Phosphorylated Following Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Activation of the TLR4 Signaling Pathway

Stimulation with LPS induces tyrosine phosphorylation of numerous proteins involved in the TLR signaling pathway. In this study, we demonstrated that myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2) is also tyrosine phosphorylated following LPS stimulation. LPS-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of MD-2 is specific; it is blocked by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin A, as well as by an inhibitor of endocytosis, cytochalasin D, suggesting that MD-2 phosphorylation occurs during trafficking of MD-2 and not on the cell surface. Furthermore, we identified two possible phospho-accepting tyrosine residues at positions 22 and 131. Mutant proteins in which these tyrosines were changed to phenylalanine had reduced phosphorylation and significantly diminished ability to activate NF-κB in response to LPS. In addition, MD-2 coprecipitated and colocalized with Lyn kinase, most likely in the endoplasmic reticulum. A Lyn-binding peptide inhibitor abolished MD-2 tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that Lyn is a likely candidate to be the kinase required for MD-2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Our study demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of MD-2 is important for signaling following exposure to LPS and underscores the importance of this event in mediating an efficient and prompt immune response.