cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subcutaneous sumatriptan pharmacokinetics: delimiting the monoamine oxidase inhibitor effect.

(Headache 2010;50:249-255) Background.— The absolute bioavailability of subcutaneous (s.c.) sumatriptan is 96-100%. The decay curve for plasma concentration after 6 mg s.c. sumatriptan (ie, after Tmax = about 0.2 hours) includes a large distribution component. Metabolism by monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) leads to about 40% of the s.c. dose appearing in the urine as the inactive indole acetic acid. Product labeling states that co-administration of an inhibitor of MAO-A (a MAOI-A) causes a 2-fold increase in sumatriptan plasma concentrations, and a 40% increase in elimination half-life. Objective.— The objective of this study is to determine whether MAOI-A therapy should deter the use of 6 mg s.c. sumatriptan on pharmacokinetic grounds. Methods.— Summary pharmacokinetic data were taken from the literature and from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) study C92-050. Half-times were converted into rate constants, which were then used in a parsimonious compartmental model (needing only 3 simultaneous differential equations). Acceptance criteria for the model included observed plasma sumatriptan concentrations at Tmax, 1, 2, and 10 hours post-dose. A set of 1000 concentration measurements at a resolution of 36 seconds was generated. The model was then perturbed with elimination constants observed during concomitant moclobemide administration, creating a second set of concentration measurements. The 2 sets were then plotted, examined for their differences, and integrated for a second time to obtain and compare areas under the curve (AUCs). Results.— The greatest absolute difference between the 2 sets of measurements was 2.85 ng/mL at t = 2.95 hours. A 2-fold difference between the 2 sets occurred only after t = 5.96 hours, when the concentration in the presence of the MAOI-A was 3.72 ng/mL (or <4% of Cmax). At t = 10 hours, the concentrations in both sets were <1 ng/mL (ie, below the lower limit of assay quantitation), and AUC0-10h was 97.4 and 117 ng.hour/mL in the absence and presence of the MAOI-A. Conclusions.— There are no pharmacokinetic grounds to deter co-administration of an MAOI-A and subcutaneous sumatriptan. The dominance of the distribution phase and completeness of absorption of a 6 mg dose of s.c. sumatriptan explains the trivial effect size of the MAOI-A on plasma sumatriptan concentrations. Importantly, these findings should not be extrapolated to other routes of administration for sumatriptan.
Combined Procedure of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Valve Repair

The safety of combined operative procedures for valvular and coronary artery disease was reviewed in 27 patients. Twelve patients had aortic valve disease and 15 had mitral valve disease. Forty-seven coronary artery reconstructions were performed, and average of 1.7 per patient. Twenty-two patients underwent valve replacement and 5 had valvuloplasty. Congestive heart failure was the major symptom in 20 patients, and angina was the major symptom in 7. Eight of the patients with congestive heart failure had no angina, but significant coronary stenoses were demonstrated at routine coronary angiography. Coronary reconstruction was performed before valve repair. Two patients died postoperatively (a hospital mortality of 7.4%), and there were 4 late deaths from 2 to 28 months postoperatively. There were no postoperative myocardial infarctions. Contrary to previous reports, coronary artery reconstruction and valve repair need not be associated with an increased risk. Protection of the myocardium by coronary perfusion through reconstructed coronary arteries enables valve repair to be done without greater risk than valve repair alone. All patients considered for valve repair should have coronary angiography.
Proteolytic processing of TGFα redirects its mitogenic activity: The membrane-anchored form is autocrine, the secreted form is paracrine

Abstract Wild-type transforming growth factor α (TGFα) expression in lactotrope cells in the pituitary gland led to lactotrope-specific pituitary hyperplasia and adenomata. To indicate whether the EGF receptor is involved in this TGFα-mediated phenotype, we bred TGFα mice with mice expressing the cytoplasmic truncated-EGF receptor (EGFR-tr), which is dominant-negative in other models. These bitransgenic mice developed pituitary pathology despite expression of the dominant-negative receptor. To further characterize this observation, we generated two lineages of transgenic mice that overexpress mutant forms of TGFα: a processed soluble form (s TGFα) and a cytoplasmic-deleted form (TGFαΔC). While sTGFα expression in lactotrope cells failed to induce autocrine lactotrope hyperplasia, the pituitary became very enlarged due to proliferation of neighboring interstitial cells. In contrast, the TGFαΔC mice did not develop a phenotype, although the mRNA and protein were present in the pituitary and this form of TGFα was confirmed to be biologically active and targeted properly to the plasma membrane of cultured CHO cells. The results suggest that the cytoplasmic domain of TGFα is required for autocrine parenchymal tumor formation in the pituitary gland. This signal cannot be inhibited by the EGFR-tr. Conversely, the released form of TGFα appears to have primarily paracrine activity.
THE NPMLE of the joint distribution function with right-censored and masked competing risks data

Even though the right-censored competing risks data with masked failure cause have been studied for 30 years, the asymptotic properties of the nonparametric maximum-likelihood estimator (NPMLE) of the joint distribution function with such data have never been studied. We show that the solution to the NPMLE is not unique, and the NPMLE proposed in the current literature is inconsistent. Moreover, we construct a consistent NPMLE and establish its asymptotic normality. It is a non-trivial example in the survival analysis context that there exist an inconsistent NPMLE as well as another consistent NPMLE with the same data and under the same model. Our proofs do not need the symmetry assumption made by almost all researchers on such data. We present simulation results on the consistent NPMLE and apply the NPMLE to a data set in medical research.
Redesign of an Exhaust Gas Economiser Using Software

Approaches to heat exchanger designs are numerous. Marine heat exchangers are usually single and they do not form part of a large network. Selections are generally based on the duties, area and the heat quantum. Over capacities and un-optimised designs could result. As an exercise to verify the choice, an existing heat exchanger on board of an operational ship was redesigned using computer software with thermodynamic data and standard geometric values. The formulae employed in the software were extracted and verified. The geometric data was used to develop the design drawings using SolidWorks®. Visualising the designs, the physical arrangement was improved. Comparisons and design improvements were made keeping the standard values in view. With the exercises, a method of developing an optimised physical design reducing the number of rating runs has been demonstrated.
School-located immunization programs: Do parental preferences predict behavior?☆

Abstract Background Little is known about parental attitudes regarding school-located immunization programs and their effect on program participation behaviors. Objective To determine the relationship between attitudes of middle school parents regarding school-located immunization programs and subsequent consent behaviors when such a program becomes available. Methods Primarily Hispanic, middle school parents completed questionnaires about school-located immunization programs. After questionnaire collection, immunization consent/refusal packets (English/Spanish) for a program providing Tdap and MCV4 vaccines were distributed at five Houston middle schools in low-income, urban areas. Responses regarding demographics, enrollment in a medical home, immunization location preferences, and knowledge of immunization recommendations were analyzed from questionnaires returned by those who later returned consent or refusal forms for school-located program participation. Frequency and chi square statistics were calculated using SPSS 18.0. Results Of 475 parents who completed the questionnaire and later sent a consent or refusal form, 289 (61%) consented to ≥1 vaccines for their child. Among those who consented: 71% were enrolled in a medical home; 42% had previously indicated that they did NOT prefer school as an immunization location; 32% had stated that they wanted to be present for their child's shots. Of those who sent refusal forms indicating they would access the vaccines from their own providers, 70% stated they wanted to be present for their child's vaccination. Conclusions A significant proportion of Hispanic, low-income middle school parents participating in a school-located immunization program had previously indicated that schools were not a preferred immunization site. Despite the availability of a medical home, a lack of preference for schools as a site, and the desire to be present during their child's injections when asked prior to program availability, these parents participated in the program when it was made available. Preferences noted in pre-program questionnaires may not predict parental consent behaviors for school-located immunizations.
A histochemical study of chondroid tissue in Limulus and Octopus.

In a comparative histochemical study of Octopus and Limulus chondroid tissues and mouse tracheal cartilage, it was demonstrated that both invertebrate chondroids behave as less acid mucopolysaccharides than those in mouse cartilage. Octopus chondroid was less reactive than Limulus chondroid. Cetyl pyridinium chloride blockage of toluidin blue metachramasia could be unblocked in mouse cartilage by an hour's treatment in 0.5 M KCl, but even extended periods in 2.0 M KCl failed to accomplish this in the invertebrate chondroids. With a number of methods for demonstrating proteins, Octopus chondroid was less reactive than Limulus chondroid. Limulus chondroid matrix was intensely stained by methods for demonstrating protein thiol groups, but essentially no staining was observed in Octopus chondroid matrix. These studies indicated that the composition and/or structure of matrix material in the invertebrate chondroids differ from one another, and in turn differ from conditions in vertebrate hyaline cartilage.
Preliminary screening of Bifidobacteria spp. and Pediococcus acidilactici in a Swiss cheese curd slurry model system: Impact on microbial viability and flavor characteristics

Abstract A Swiss cheese curd slurry model system was used as a preliminary screening method to determine the feasibility of the incorporation of probiotic bacteria ( Bifidobacterium breve R0070, Bifidobacterium infantis R0033, Bifidobacterium longum R0175, and Pediococcus acidilactici R1001) into Swiss cheese. The cheese curd was inoculated with probiotic bacteria (8.0 log 10 cfu g −1 ) and ripened anaerobically for 0, 7, and 10 days at 37 °C. Following ripening, counts of the probiotic bacteria increased to 9–10 log 10 cfu g −1 , with no significant difference in the viability of the four probiotic bacteria. Viable populations of Swiss cheese background microflora in the presence of each probiotic culture were comparable with the control. Ripening time, and to a lesser extent probiotic treatment had a significant effect on the content of several volatile flavor compounds. Similarly, ripening time contributed to a significant increase in the content of a majority of the free amino acids. The study demonstrated the feasibility of the incorporation of probiotic bacteria into Swiss cheese to produce a functional food.
The influence of air mass source on the seasonal isotopic composition of precipitation, eastern USA

Abstract As part of the AIRMoN program, daily precipitation samples have been collected since the early 1990s throughout the eastern and central United States. Using precipitation stable isotope (δ18O and δD) and HYSPLIT back trajectory analysis of 591 samples collected by the AIRMoN program from Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, and West Virginia, amount weighted seasonal average isotopic compositions were calculated for precipitation from Continental, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, Arctic, North Atlantic, and Mid Atlantic sources. Our results suggest that these sources are isotopically distinct and variable at and among most sites during most seasons. However, in many instances, the isotopic differences of the sources require dramatic changes in precipitation amounts from these sources to modify the seasonal average isotopic composition at a particular site. The relative importance of each source type to the seasonal average isotopic composition is highly variable among and within sites. The largest differences in the isotopic compositions of different sources are in winter and spring precipitation from the high latitude sites. At the Vermont location, the seasonal average isotopic composition is potentially quite sensitive to the relative amounts of precipitation from Arctic and Gulf of Mexico sources.
Deoxyribozymes: New players in the ancient game of biocatalysis

The repetitive and extraordinarily stable polynucleotide chains of DNA serve as an ideal storage system for genetic information. Although it is best known for its helical structure and relatively inert character, in vitro selection can be used to compel DNA to perform a surprising variety of chemical reactions. These artificial DNA enzymes or ‘deoxyribozymess generate large chemical rate enhancements and demonstrate precise substrate recognition, much like their protein and RNA counterparts. Recent studies with these prototypic deoxyribozymes indicate that DNA has a substantial untapped potential for intricate structure formation that could be exploited in novel chemical and biological catalysis.
Niacin restriction upregulates NADPH oxidase and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human keratinocytes.

Abstract NAD+ is a substrate for many enzymes, including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases and sirtuins, which are involved in fundamental cellular processes including DNA repair, stress responses, signaling, transcription, apoptosis, metabolism, differentiation, chromatin structure, and life span. Because these molecular processes are important early in cancer development, we developed a model to identify critical NAD-dependent pathways potentially important in early skin carcinogenesis. Removal of niacin from the cell culture medium allowed control of intracellular NAD. Unlike many nonimmortalized human cells, HaCaT keratinocytes, which are immortalized and have a mutant p53 and aberrant NF-kB activity, become severely NAD depleted but divide indefinitely under these conditions. Niacin-deficient HaCaTs develop a decreased growth rate due to an increase in apoptotic cells and an arrest in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Long-term survival mechanisms in niacin-deficient HaCats involve accumulation of reactive oxygen species and increased DNA damage. These alterations result, at least in part, from increased expression and activity of NADPH oxidase, whose downstream effects can be reversed by nicotinamide or NADPH oxidase inhibitors. Our data support the hypothesis that glutamine is a likely alternative energy source during niacin deficiency and we suggest a model for NADPH generation important in ROS production.
Does hypothermic fibrillatory arrest improve myocardial protection during emergency revascularization

Hypothermic fibrillatory arrest (HFA) was compared with conventional hypothermic cardioplegic arrest (HCA) in a model of acute regional ischemia. In 20 pigs, the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 30 minutes before cardiopulmonary bypass. In the HCA group (n = 10), the heart was arrested with a hyperkalemic cold crystalloid solution, whereas in HFA animals (n = 10), the heart was vented and allowed to fibrillate spontaneously without cross-clamping. Miniature pH probes monitored intramyocardial pH during 45 minutes of arrest (HCA or HFA, both with systemic and topical myocardial cooling) and during two hours of coronary reperfusion. Hypothermic fibrillatory arrest did not ameliorate the acidosis in the ischemic (left anterior descending) region; indeed, after two hours of coronary reperfusion, there was a trend toward more acidosis in the postischemic left anterior descending territory in the HFA group. However, HFA did prevent acidosis in the nonischemic (left circumflex) territory. Infarct size expressed as percent of region at risk was 18.1% +/- 3.2% (mean +/- standard error of the mean) in the HCA animals and 18.8% +/- 4.4% in the HFA animals. These results demonstrate that HFA offers no advantage over HCA in protection of regionally ischemic myocardium in a model with minimal collateral circulation.
Military Nursing Competencies

Competencies for military nurses are much broader in scope than their civilian counterparts. Not only must they be proficient at basic nursing skills, but they must also quickly master such military skills as protecting themselves and others during attack or threat of attack, caring for major trauma victims under austere conditions, and preparing such patients for transport through the military system of evacuation. This requires consistent and specialized training. This article describes the competencies necessary for practice by military nurses.
Pacing in children: Indications and techniques

Abstract Major technological advances in pacing therapy have occurred over the last 5–10 years. Many of these innovative designs are ideal for the pediatric population and include significant diminution in size as well as physiological pacing techniques. Bradycardia remains the most frequent indication for implantation of a pacemaker, but antitachycardia pacing has gained increasing use as well. Surgical considerations as to the type of device to be implanted include the presence and type of underlying congenital heart disease, size and age of the patient, size of the subclavian vein, and presence of venous anomalies. Implantation of epicardial devices is usual in infants and small children, whereas transvenous devices are implanted in older, larger children. Choice of bipolar or unipolar lead configurations must take into account the type of device to be implanted (dual versus single chamber) as well as anatomic considerations. Dual versus single rate-responsive pacing can be considered on an individual basis. Mechanisms of lead fixation, i.e., active versus passive, are discussed, as well as newer transvenous lead removal techniques.
Multitrophic microbial interactions for eco- and agro-biotechnological processes: theory and practice

Multitrophic level microbial loop interactions mediated by protist predators, bacteria, and viruses drive eco- and agro-biotechnological processes such as bioremediation, wastewater treatment, plant growth promotion, and ecosystem functioning. To what extent these microbial interactions are context-dependent in performing biotechnological and ecosystem processes remains largely unstudied. Theory-driven research may advance the understanding of eco-evolutionary processes underlying the patterns and functioning of microbial interactions for successful development of microbe-based biotechnologies for real world applications. This could also be a great avenue to test the validity or limitations of ecology theory for managing diverse microbial resources in an era of altering microbial niches, multitrophic interactions, and microbial diversity loss caused by climate and land use changes.
Evidence for elevated levels of iodine-129 in the Deep Western Boundary Current in the Middle Atlantic Bight

Two 129I profiles from the Middle Atlantic Bight were measured. Near-surface values of 129I127I were as high as 100 × 10−12; subsurface values peaked at 1000–1500 m depth (reaching 55 × 10−12) and showed a steady increase below 2000 m (reaching 80 × 10−12 at 2600 m depth) coinciding with increasing F-1 l concentrations measured earlier at a similar depth (or σ-t) range at nearby stations. The subsurface 1291 increase below 2000 m water depth is attributed to the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC), and the minor maximum at 1000–1500 m is due to the Labrador Sea Water. However, while the F-11 maximum at the shallower depth was more pronounced than the deeper concentration increase, the opposite was true for 129I, in agreement with the expectation that the source region of the DWBC in the Greenland Sea is more directly connected to the 129I enriched North Sea water than is the Labrador Sea.
The effects of treatment with indomethacin on the cerebral vasculature of newborn piglets before and during hemorrhagic hypotension.

Substantial physiologic data point to a significant role for dilator prostanoids in the regulation of cerebral vascular tone in newborn pigs. This study begins to address the hypothesis that multiple dilator systems, including prostanoids, can provide for the initiation and maintenance of cerebral vasodilatation in response to hypotension. Piglets were anesthetized, and cranial windows were implanted. Hypotension was achieved by hemorrhage to 50% of the control arterial pressure and maintained for 10 min. Each piglet served as its own control by the induction of hypotension and return to normotension before treatment. Pial arterioles dilated (38 ± 5% increase in diameter) in response to hypotension. Pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) at 20 min and immediately before hypotension did not block this response (28 ± 7% and 23 ± 9% increase in diameter, respectively). In contrast, when indomethacin was administered 10 min into the hypotensive period, the dilated arterioles (106 ± 6 μm) constricted to the normotensive diameter (75 ± 5 μm) and remained constricted for the duration of the observation. These findings suggest that compensatory mechanisms provide for cerebral vasodilation when prostanoid synthesis and prostacyclin receptors are blocked before hemorrhagic hypotension. However, removal of prostanoids after vasodilation is established in response to hypotension causes constriction without compensation from alternative mechanisms. Awareness of these findings may be important when considering giving indomethacin to sick preterm infants during periods of cardiac instability.
Chemical and GC-MS characterization of marine particulate lipids

Abstract The lipid fraction of particulate organic matter in seawater was analyzed by gravimetry, liquid chromatography, gas chromatography (GS), and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GS—MS). Gravimetric concentrations in the Gulf of Mexico were in the range of 12–70 μg 1 −1 for near-surface samples and 9–52 μg 1 −1 for near-bottom samples. The lipids accounted for ∼20% of the particulate organic carbon. Particulate lipids were found to be a much more complex mixture of organic compounds than the dissolved lipids and their composition was much more variable. The majority of the extracted weight was recovered in the polar liquid chromatography fraction (49–85%). The major components of the analyzable particulate lipids were similar to those of the dissolved lipids, namely, n-alkanes, pristane, phytane, and methyl, ethyl and propyl fatty acid esters. Often olefins, alkylated benzenes, quinones, and the unresolved GC area contribute a substantial part to the total particulate lipids. Minor components included ketones, phenols, indanes, acids, benzoates, aromatics and possibly derivatives of inositol, dioxane, and pyran. The low concentrations observed confirm that the area is relatively pristine though some evidence for chronic low-level oil pollution was present. Seasonal, diurnal, vertical and areal variations were observed in the particulate lipids. Lipid concentrations not only decreased with depth but they were also a decreased percentage of the organic carbon present. This may indicate the loss of labile carbon with depth due to reworking in the euphotic zone. Anoxic conditions appeared to promote the preservation of lipid materials in the particulate phase, n-Alkanes and fatty acid esters were common to both the particulate and dissolved phases and had similar distributions.
Pathophysiologic responses to severe, chronic alloxan diabetes in arteriosclerotic and non-arteriosclerotic rats☆

Abstract Repeatedly bred rats develop arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and other degenerative changes, spontaneously. An injection of alloxan given to non-arteriosclerotic virgin and to arteriosclerotic and diabetic breeder rats caused severe ketosis, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, marked alterations in serum enzymes and alterations in adrenal secretory activity. After two months, half of all of the diabetic animals were obese with little or no arteriosclerosis, the remaining half were emaciated with severe arteriosclerosis. This condition of obesity or emaciation persisted throughout the course of the experiment. This dichotomous response was ascribed to differences in beta cell recovery from alloxan. Treatment was deliberately withheld and the diabetes allowed to run unchecked until the animals began to die in great numbers, i.e. , only 52 animals survived of a total of 2000. After 5 months of unrelenting diabetes, the severity of hyperglycemia lead become slightly reduced, adrenal function was definitely compromised, hyperlipidemia persisted except for cholesterol, serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT) were greatly elevated but LDH was surprisingly reduced, and all subjects were hypercalcemic. All of the animals were blind and most of the obese subjects expired but the emaciated and arteriosclerotic animals survived. The formerly healthy virgin subjects had also developed blindness and advanced arteriosclerosis during the 5 months of unrelenting diabetes.
Results from the PHENIX RPC R&D and long-term performance monitoring

Abstract A new Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) based fast muon trigger system has been developed and partially installed in the PHENIX experiment. This new trigger will allow the PHENIX data acquisition system to efficiently sample high p T ( > 20 GeV / c ) muons from W decays in polarized proton+proton collisions at s = 500 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This measurement will significantly improve our knowledge of flavor separated quark and anti-quark polarization in the proton. Since 2005, a multi-institutional effort within the PHENIX Forward Trigger group was devoted to study the properties and performance of bakelite RPCs. In this presentation, the results of the PHENIX RPC R&D will be reported.
THE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF RESERPINE ON ACTH SECRETION IN RESPONSE TO STRESSFUL STIMULI12

THE obligatory participation of the central nervous system, particularly the hypothalamus, in the mechanism through which secretion of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is stimulated, has been supported by numerous and varied experiments which have recently been reviewed (1, 2). Pharmacologic blockade in the central nervous system, as a means of further clarification of this mechanism, offers certain advantages over the placement of electrolytic lesions. Prior to the beginning of the present work, morphine (3) was the only substance, other than the cortical steroids and certain of their chemical congeners, which was known to inhibit ACTH secretion in response to a wide variety of stressful stimuli.
Characterization of a multifunctional methyltransferase from the orchid Vanilla planifolia

The final enzymatic step in the synthesis of the flavor compound vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is believed to be methylation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. We have isolated and functionally characterized a cDNA that encodes a multifunctional methyltransferase from Vanilla planifolia tissue cultures that can catalyze the conversion of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde to vanillin, although 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde is not the preferred substrate. The higher catalytic efficiency of the purified recombinant enzyme with the substrates caffeoyl aldehyde and 5-OH-coniferaldehyde, and its tissue distribution, suggest this methyltransferase may primarily function in lignin biosynthesis. However, since the enzyme characterized here does have 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde-O-methyltransferase activity, it may be useful in engineering strategies for the synthesis of natural vanillin from alternate sources.
Time‐dependent behaviour of a rigid foundation on a transversely isotropic soil layer

An analytical solution is presented in this paper to study the time-dependent settlement behaviour of a rigid foundation resting on a transversely isotropic saturated soil layer. The governing equations for a transversely isotropic saturated soil, within Biot's poroelasticity framework, are solved by means of Laplace and Hankel transforms. The problem is subsequently formulated in the Laplace transform domain in terms of a set of dual integral equations that are further reduced to a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind and solved numerically. The developed analytical solution is validated via comparison with the existing analytical solution for an isotropic saturated soil case, and adopted as a benchmark to examine the sensitivities of the mesh refinement and the locations of truncation boundaries in the finite element simulations using ABAQUS. Particular attention is paid to the influences of the degree of soil anisotropy, boundary drainage condition, and the soil layer thickness on the consolidation settlement and contact stress of the rigid foundation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Internal audit reporting lines, fraud risk decomposition, and assessments of fraud risk

Abstract The main purpose of this research is to examine the effects of internal audit reporting lines on fraud risk assessments made by internal auditors when the level of fraud risk varies. Significant emphasis has been placed on the importance of reporting lines in maintaining the autonomy of internal auditors, but the perceived benefits of requiring internal audit to report directly to the audit committee have not been validated or systematically investigated. Results of an experiment involving 172 experienced internal auditors and additional survey findings indicate that internal auditors perceive more personal threats when they report high levels of risk directly to the audit committee, relative to management. Perceived threats lead internal auditors to reduce assessed levels of fraud risk when reporting to the audit committee relative to when reporting to management. This finding runs counter to the anticipated benefits of requirements that the internal audit function report directly to the audit committee, and it reveals potential conflicts of interest and independence threats created by the audit committee itself. We also investigate the effects of fraud risk decomposition on risk assessments made by internal auditors. We find that fraud risk assessment decomposition does not have the same effects on internal auditors as it has on external auditors, and the effects of decomposition do not align with the expected benefits of decomposition.
Effects of response variability on the sensitivity of rule-governed behavior.

Two experiments examined the relation between response variability and sensitivity to changes in reinforcement contingencies. In Experiment 1, two groups of college students were provided complete instructions regarding a button-pressing task; the instructions stated “press the button 40 times for each point” (exchangeable for money). Two additional groups received incomplete instructions that omitted the pattern of responding required for reinforcement under the same schedule. Sensitivity was tested in one completely instructed and one incompletely instructed group after responding had met a stability criterion, and for the remaining two groups after a short exposure to the original schedule. The three groups of subjects whose responding was completely instructed or who had met the stability criterion showed little variability at the moment of change in the reinforcement schedule. The responding of these three groups also was insensitive to the contingency change. Incompletely instructed short-exposure responding was more variable at the moment of schedule change and was sensitive to the new contingency in four of six cases. In Experiment 2, completely and incompletely instructed responding first met a stability criterion. This was followed by a test that showed no sensitivity to a contingency change. A strategic instruction was then presented that stated variable responding would work best. Five of 6 subjects showed increased variability after this instruction, and all 6 showed sensitivity to contingency change. The findings are discussed from a selectionist perspective that describes response acquisition as a process of variation, selection, and maintenance. From this perspective, sensitivity to contingency changes is described as a function of variables that produce response variability.
Guanadrel. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use in hypertension.

Photosensitivity reactions induced by drugs may be phototoxic or photoallergic in nature. Acute phototoxic reactions are by far the more common, and are generally characterised by erythema and oedema followed by hyperpigmentation and desquamation. Chronic repeated injury of this type may result in fragility, blistering and milia formation or even actinic keratoses and skin cancers. The photochemical mechanisms involved differ with the chemical photosensitiser involved. They include photoaddition of the chemical to biological targets such as DNA, the formation of toxic products due to absorption of the action spectrum by the photosensitising molecule, or the activation of toxic oxygen species or free radicals. Subsequent activation of the complement pathways may participate in the photoresponse to certain agents. Photoallergic reactions are uncommon. They represent an acquired altered reactivity dependent on a circulating antibody or a cell-mediated hypersensitivity process. Clinically, they are characterised by an immediate wheal and flare or a delayed papular to eczematous process. Some of the same drugs which cause phototoxic responses occasionally produce photoallergic reactions.
Probes of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited states in ruthenium-Am(m)ine-bipyridine complexes: the effects of NH/ND and CH/CD isotopic substitution on the 77 K luminescence.

The effects of ligand perdeuteration on the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited-state emission properties at 77 K are described for several [Ru(L)4bpy]2+ complexes in which the emission process is nominally {RuIII,bpy−} → {RuII,bpy}. The perdeuteration of the 2,2‘-bipyridine (bpy) ligand is found to increase the zero-point energy differences between the ground states and MLCT excited states by amounts that vary from 0 ± 10 to 70 ± 10 cm-1 depending on the ligands L. This indicates that there are some vibrational modes with smaller force constants in the excited states than in the ground states for most of these complexes. These blue shifts increase approximately as the energy difference between the excited and ground states decreases, but they are otherwise not strongly correlated with the number of bipyridine ligands in the complex. Careful comparisons of the [Ru(L)4(d8-bpy)]2+ and [Ru(L)4(h8-bpy]2+ emission spectra are used to resolve the very weak vibronic contributions of the C−H stretching...
Chemical mixing model of streamflow generation at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Abstract La Selva Biological Station occupies an area of lowland tropical rainforest in central Costa Rica. Sodium and chloride data were used to quantify the mixing proportions of local runoff and geothermal groundwater at several sites throughout the stream channel system in late April, at the end of the dry season. The fraction of streamflow accounted for by geothermal groundwater varied spatially between 0 and 0.85, indicating a significant contribution to streamflow and to stream solute loads from geothermal groundwater at some sites. In general, higher inputs of geothermal groundwater were found at lower elevations. Over half the flow from one basin (the Salto) was due to geothermal groundwater, suggesting a minimum annual runoff of about 0.7 m of geothermal groundwater from this basin. A plot of Na Cl vs. fraction of geothermal groundwater revealed watershed-scale chemical differences between the two major drainage systems (the Sura and the Salto), differences that were not apparent from a traditional two-solute plot of Cl vs. Na concentration. A small (21 mm) storm produced relatively little change in mixing proportions, as most throughfall was apparently retained in the relatively dry soils.
On the optimum timing of observations for linear control systems with unknown initial state

A linear system with a cost function that is quadratic in the control and terminal position error is given. The initial state is unknown and noise-corrupted observations are taken. Due to the cost of taking the observations, they are limited to a given number. Using the tools of optimum stochastic control theory, the optimum timing of the available observations is determined (minimizing the expected value of the loss function). For the cases considered, the locations can be determined a priori, and do not depend on the values of previous observations. Graphs of the optimum observation locations for several scalar cases are given. Graphs of the true cost, as a function of the locations of the observations, are also given for several scalar cases. The change in cost for small variations from the optimum location is usually not significant.
Divergences in the force-balance theory of resistivity.

By resumming over two sets of divergent terms, we show that the impurity resistivity calculated with the force-balance method can be reconciled with the usual result of the Boltzmann equation. Since this calculation is performed in the presence of a heat bath of phonons, we find that to first order in the electric field the ''isothermal'' and ''adiabatic'' resistivities are the same. The presence of divergences severely limits the applications of the force-balance method.
Relative Commodity Prices and Cointegration

The Prebisch–Singer hypothesis of a secular decline in the relative price of primary commodities is reassessed, on the basis of recently available time series data, for 1900–1986. Special attention is given to adequate dynamic modeling of price fluctuations. Primary and manufactured-goods prices are found to be cointegrated. The hypothesis of stationarity for the long-run relative-price movements cannot be rejected. The empirical evidence does not support the Prebisch–Singer hypothesis.
Evaluation of respiratory artifact correction techniques in multishot spiral functional mri using receiver operator characteristic analyses

Navigator corrections and low-spatial frequency (LSF) oversampling are investigated as methods for reducing respiration-related effects in multishot functional MRI. Both techniques take advantage of the smoothly varying or nearly constant phase variations linked to the respiration cycle. These techniques were tested in functional MRI studies with spiral k-space acquisitions. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses and the temporal variance averaged across the brain were used to evaluate their effectiveness. Both methods were found to increase the area under the ROC curve and to reduce the standard deviation, with the LSF oversampling method being more effective.
Improved magneto-inductive waveguide as wireless sensor net for structural health monitoring

This paper summarizes ongoing work on applying passive magneto-inductive (MI) waveguides as wireless sensor arrays to monitor corrosion in infrastructure systems. The passive uniformly-spaced sensor array provides a low-cost and quick method to detect the onset of corrosion in concrete structures using a noninvasive approach. The embedded sensors communicate with neighboring sensors through inductive coupling. The corrosion information is interpreted based on both frequency and time domain characteristics. Bandpass characteristics in the frequency domain and received reflected time domain waves are investigated to locate the defects along the wireless sensor array. Using the relationship between the relative positions of defects and MI waveguide performances, a new combined technique to determine location of defects has been developed and proven to provide both improved sensitivity and defect location capability.
Entropic characterization of metal fatigue with stress concentration

Abstract The accumulation of thermodynamic entropy generation in a fatigue degradation process, beginning with a pristine specimen and ending at fracture, is referred to as the fatigue fracture entropy (FFE). In this paper, the concept of FFE is applied to study the effect of stress concentration on metal fatigue. Experiments involve uniaxial tension–compression fatigue tests carried out with solid cylindrical un-notched and V-notched specimens made of both medium-carbon steel 1045 and aluminum 6061. Finite element simulations are also performed with both types of specimens to study their thermal response under cyclic load and to predict the corresponding FFE. Experimental and theoretical results show that the FFE of these materials are nearly constant for each type of the specimens. Under the conditions tested the presence of stress concentration is shown to reduce the amount of hysteresis energy generation in the specimen gage section compared to the un-notched specimen under the identical loading conditions. Also shown is that the FFE decreases significantly due to the presence of stress concentration. An empirical correlation is proposed that can predict the fatigue life of a V-notched specimen based on the hysteresis energy per cycle and the FFE of an un-notched specimen. Predicted and experimental fatigue lives of V-notched specimens are found to be in good agreement.
N-Arylation of a hindered indoline as a route to 2-(2-methyl-1-(4-oxo-3,4-dihydrophthalazin-1-yl)-1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acid derivatives

Abstract A convenient synthesis of 2-(2-methyl-1-(4-oxo-3,4-dihydrophthalazin-1-yl)-1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acid derivatives is described using a microwave-promoted multi-step SNAr reaction. The desired products were found to exhibit atropisomerism.
Aspergillus Meningitis and Discitis from Low-Back Procedures in an Immunocompetent Patient

We present a case of an immunocompetent patient who developed Aspergillus meningitis, subsequent to discitis, presumed to be from an epidural steroid injection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine confirmed the diagnosis of discitis. Fluoroscopic-guided aspiration of the disc showed growth of Aspergillus fumigatus. MRI of the brain revealed involvement of the right third cranial nerve. Repeat MRIs demonstrated multiple leptomeningeal masses consistent with granulomatous meningitis. Meningitis is a rare complication of discitis, discogram, or epidural steroid injection. Aspergillus usually only infects immunocompromised patients, but rarely can affect immunocompetent patients.
Intermittent transdermal nitroglycerin therapy in the treatment of chronic stable angina

The effectiveness of an intermittent regimen of transdermal nitroglycerin in chronic stable angina was evaluated in 206 patients using serial treadmill testing. After a placebo stabilization phase, patients were randomized to 4 weeks of double-blind treatment with transdermal nitroglycerin, 10 or 20 cm2 (equivalent to 5 or 10 mg/24 h) (Group A); transdermal nitroglycerin, 30 or 40 cm2 (equivalent to 15 or 20 mg/24 h) (Group B), or placebo. Patches were applied at 8:00 AM and removed at 8:00 PM each day throughout the study. Treadmill testing was performed 0, 4, 8 and 12 h after patch application at baseline (day 0) and on days 1, 15 and 29. After short-term application of the transdermal patches, treadmill walking time was greater for patients in both Group A and Group B than for the placebo group at all time points tested; differences from placebo were statistically significant at 12 h for Group A and at 4, 8 and 12 h for Group B. After 2 and 4 weeks of long-term therapy, treadmill walking time was again greater for Group B than for the placebo group at all postapplication time points; differences from placebo reached statistical significance at 4 h (2 weeks) and 8 h (2 and 4 weeks). The improvement in the treadmill walking time seen over the short-term in Group A was largely lost after 4 weeks of long-term therapy. Potentially important differences in the patient characteristics of the two active treatment groups, particularly the greater use of a beta-adrenergic blocker among patients in Group A, may have contributed to these observed differences in treatment effect. An unexpected finding was the ability of the placebo group to exercise longer than either active treatment group just before patch application during long-term therapy; nonetheless, absolute responsiveness to transdermal nitroglycerin after patch application remained virtually unchanged in both active treatment groups during the 4 week treatment period. Intermittent transdermal nitroglycerin therapy was well tolerated in the vast majority of patients; nine patients experienced an increase in nonexertional angina during the patch-off periods but completed the study uneventfully.
Significance of contrast extravasation in patients with pelvic fracture.

Background: Contained contrast extravasation (CE) in solid organ injury is not well correlated with the need for operative intervention, but the significance of CE in patients with pelvic fracture is unknown. Methods: The trauma registry at a Level I trauma center was queried for all patients with pelvic fracture from January 1, 1998 to May 31, 2005. All computed tomography (CT) scans used helical technology. Demographic and injury information were abstracted from the trauma registry and medical record. CT and angiography reports of all patients were reviewed. Angiograms and abdominal and pelvic CT studies (AP-CT) of patients with CE were then reviewed by a radiologist. Results: A total of 604 patients with a pelvic fracture and an AP-CT were identified. Of these, 42 patients had a pelvic CE on CT study. Patients with CE had a higher Injury Severity Score (24.5 vs. 18.3, p < 0.001) and higher mortality (24 vs. 6%,p < 0.001). Twenty-five patients with CE underwent angiography, with CE confirmed in 19 patients and embolization performed in 17. Six patients without CE underwent angiography. CE was confirmed in two patients and both were embolized. A significantly higher number of patients undergoing angiography required ongoing transfusion. Conclusions: CE is a marker of severe injury but does not mandate angiography. Associated injuries are common and other sources of blood loss must be excluded. CE is not reliable enough to exclude significant vascular injury, as the therapeutic embolization rate for CE-negative patients undergoing angiography is 33%.