cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Viability loss of Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes in complex foods heated by microwave energy

The chemical composition of five foods (UHT milk, beef broth, pudding, cream sauce, and liquid whole egg) was examined to determine factors important in achieving uniform temperatures within foods heated in a 700 W microwave oven. Proximate analyses were performed on all food systems to relate their chemical composition to temperatures and to destruction of microwave-heated Salmonella species, Listeria monocytogenes Scott A and V7 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Microwave heating times were chosen such that the final mixed mean temperature achieved by systems was 60°C for Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes , and 65°C for S. aureus . The amount of destruction of Salmonella spp. varied from 3.17 log CFU/ml in UHT milk to 0.44 log CFU/ml in beef broth. L. monocytogenes strains incurred the greatest amount of destruction in pudding (2.39 log CFU/g), while the least amount of destruction was observed in cream sauce (1.63 log CFU/ml). There were no significant differences in the amount of destruction of S. aureus heated in the five foods. The pH and aw of these foods did not affect survival of thermally stressed Salmonella , L. monocytogenes , or S. aureus cells. Of the food components examined, sodium content was the primary influence on the uniformity of temperatures achieved within foods, and, in turn, on the survival of bacteria.
International Law, Public Health and Addiction

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the relationship between international law, public health, and addiction. The interface between addiction and international law embraces a range of different substances, which include drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The health component of the short-lived League of Nations began addressing alcoholism as a medical problem as early as 1928. In contrast, despite its addictive characteristics and now obvious adverse health effects, tobacco was not a historic target of international control. Indeed, rather than restrictions, international law in the free trade regimes of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been used to force open tobacco markets, especially in the developing countries. The dominant focus of international law and addiction has been, and continues to be, drugs and other controlled substances. The United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988) commits signatories to fight money laundering, confiscate illegally produced drugs, and cooperate in the prosecution and extradition of criminal suspects. Treaties are hard law, and create binding legal obligations on the part of nation states and when a country ratifies a treaty, it has the force of law. Both the hard and soft law dimensions of international law provide resources to help frame legal and policy questions, and to help shape normative criteria for legal action. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2003) is an interesting model of how the instrumentality of international law can be brought to bear as a vehicle for advocacy and activism to combat an addictive substance. The framework was designed to require adoption without reservations, meaning that the countries must accept it as a take-it-or-leave-it deal.
Prediction of a new phase transition in Al2O3 at high pressures

[1] We use density functional theory to investigate several high-pressure polymorphs of Al 2 O 3 and predict a new stable polymorph at high pressures with post-perovskite structure. The ambient pressure R3c corundum phase transforms to the Pbcn Rh 2 O 3 (II) structure at about 104 GPa. At about 156 GPa, the Rh 2 O 3 (II) structure transforms further to the Cmcm post-perovskite structure. The Al 2 O 3 Pbnm perovskite structure is metastable at all pressures with respect to corundum, Rh 2 O 3 (II) and post-perovskite. The metastable perovskite to post-perovskite transition takes place at about 120 GPa, which is above the same transition in MgSiO 3 . Thus the presence of Al 2 O 3 in the lower mantle, dissolved in MgSiO 3 perovskite, will increase the transition pressure to post-perovskite. Our calculations also show that Al 2 O 3 is most likely dissolved in the post-perovskite phase of MgSiO 3 , increasing its stability at high pressures.
Directional Variations in Fabric Properties and Seam Quality

Examines the effects of directional variations in woven fabric properties on the behaviour of fabrics as they are plied and sewn together to form a seam. This is an important practical consideration, since garment manufacturing frequently involves the sewing of two fabric plies of completely different and constantly changing bias angles — none of which is along the grain line. Examines the variations in the properties of five woven materials, all lightweight and commonly used in women's summer apparel. The Kawabata Evaluation System (KES) was used to measure the mechanical and surface properties of strips, cut at different angles, from the test materials. To investigate the effect of orientation on seam quality, two plies cut from the same fabric but at different angles were sewn together under selected conditions. The resulting seams were characterized for seam quality using AATCC standards.
Semantic Characteristics of the Conservation Transformation

The thesis is advanced that transformations which lead to nonconservation (as opposed to those that do not) are related connotatively to the concept to be conserved. Evidence was found in significant positive correlations between degree of non-conservation of weight under various transformations and the magnitude of the semantic differential factor loadings of the adjectives which describe the various transformations on the potency factor on which the weight adjectives, heavy and light, are also loaded.
ACETATE GROUPS AS PROBES OF THE STEREOCHEMISTRY OF CARBOHYDRATES: A VIBRATIONAL CIRCULAR DICHROISM STUDY

Abstract Vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra of five different monosaccharide pentaacetates were measured. These spectra were found to be dominated by the contributions from the acetate groups. In the carbonyl region, α- and β- d -glucose pentaacetates do not show measurable vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), but α- and β- d -galactose pentaacetates and α- d -mannose pentaacetate show significant VCD, with mannose pentaacetate giving opposite signs to those of α- and β- d -galactose pentaacetates. These observed features are interpreted to reflect the orientation of carbonyl groups around the carbohydrate ring.
Do oxidatively modified proteins cause ALS

Over 90 individual mutations in SOD1 are known to cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). It is widely accepted that these mutations exert their toxic effects by a gain of function mechanism, but the nature of these toxic effects is as yet unknown. It has been proposed by several laboratories that reactions of FALS-mutant CuZnSOD are the source of elevated oxidative stress in CuZnSOD-linked FALS. It has also been proposed that aggregates of CuZnSOD are somehow involved in the disease. The hypothesis that aggregates of CuZnSOD cause ALS is particularly attractive because protein aggregates are frequently associated with other neurodegenerative diseases. Recent evidence increasingly suggests that protein aggregates containing CuZnSOD protein play a role in CuZnSOD-linked ALS, but it is not yet know why the aggregates form nor if the CuZnSOD proteins in the aggregates are cleaved, oxidized, demetallated, or otherwise covalently modified.
Determination of solute partition behavior with room-temperature ionic liquid based micellar gas–liquid chromatography stationary phases using the pseudophase model

Abstract The use of micelles in ionic liquid based gas-chromatography stationary phases was evaluated using equations derived for a “three-phase” model. This model allows the determination of all three partition coefficients involved in the system, and elucidates the micellar contribution to retention and selectivity. Four types of micellar-ionic liquid columns were examined in this study: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride with sodium dodecylsulfate or dioctyl sulfosuccinate, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate with polyoxyethylene-100-stearyl ether or polyoxyethylene-23-lauryl ether. The partition coefficients were measured for a wide range of probe molecules capable of a variety of types and magnitudes of interactions. In general, most probe molecules preferentially partitioned to the micellar pseudophase over the bulk ionic liquid component of the stationary phase. Therefore, addition of surfactant to the stationary phase usually resulted in greater solute retention. It is also shown that the selectivity of the stationary phase is significantly altered by the presence of micelles, either by enhancing or lessening the separation. The effects of surfactant on the interaction parameters of the stationary phase are determined using the Abraham solvation parameter model. The addition of sodium dodecylsulfate and dioctyl sulfosuccinate to 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride stationary phases generally increased the phase's hydrogen bond basicity and increased the level of dispersion interaction. Polyoxyethylene-100-stearyl ether and polyoxyethylene-23-lauryl ether surfactants, however, enhanced the π–π/n–π, polarizability/dipolarity, and hydrogen bond basicity interactions of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate to a greater degree than the ionic surfactants with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride. However, these nonionic surfactants appeared to hinder the ability of the stationary phase to interact with solutes via dispersion forces. Therefore, it is possible to effectively predict which analytes will be most highly retained by these micellar-ionic liquid stationary phases.
Actualities of Regulating Pornography

As I think over this rather broad subject, there comes to mind a series of statements, many attribute to Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra. They appear quite simple on first hearing, but the more they are examined, the more complex and multilayered they become. A classic example is “it's not over until it's over.”
WIEMAN'S MISUNDERSTANDING OF DEWEY: THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY DISCUSSION

. An important issue in the development of the American school of philosophy known as critical naturalism was whether the naturalistic vision implied a humanistic or a theistic interpretation of religion. Is the divine a creativity within nature but more than human effort, or is it the human vision of ideal possibilities and the effort to realize them? This issue is clarified through a study of the concept of the divine developed by the leading naturalist John Dewey in A Common Faith, the misunderstanding of this book by Henry Nelson Wieman, and the discussion of this misunderstanding in the pages of Christian Century. The essay concludes that Wieman's misunderstanding of Dewey is instructive in that it reveals unintended possibilities in Dewey's thought.
Effect of Wheel Live Load on Shear Behavior of Precast Reinforced Concrete Box Culverts

This study reports on a part of a comprehensive study to evaluate the shear capacity of the precast reinforced concrete box culverts. Six full-scale 2.4 m (8 ft) span box culverts were tested to failure by subjecting each culvert to the AASHTO HS-20 wheel load. The location of the wheel load was varied from the tip of the haunch as a function of the top slab effective depth in order to identify the critical shear location. Each test specimen was loaded incrementally up to failure in which crack initiation and propagation were identified and recorded in each load step. In some specimens the top slab compression distribution steel was precluded during specimen fabrication the effect of which was shown to be insignificant in culvert’s performance experimentally. Even though the test specimens were loaded to introduce shear behavior, it was shown that all the test specimens behaved in flexural mode up to and beyond standard factored live load. The test specimens only experienced shear cracks at loads equivale...
Description of an embryonic lethal gene, l(5)-1, linked to Wsh

A recessive lethal mutant linked to Wsh causes the death of homozygous embryos between 4.5 and 5.5 days postcoitum (pc). Histological examination of implantation sites from intercross and backcross matings indicates that homozygotes are not all evident at 4.5 days pc, when embryos have begun to form trophectoderm giant cells and primitive endoderm, but are degenerating by 5.5 days pc, with only a few primary giant cells remaining after this time. The mutants thus form blastocysts that initiate the implantation process but the inner cell mass and polar trophectoderm fail to develop further. In vitro examination and culture of blastocysts indicated that the mutant homozygotes hatch from the zona pellucida and outgrow, although they do so somewhat more slowly than normal embryos. After 3 days of culture, the inner cell masses of mutant outgrowths may be smaller than normal. Since the gene has no known heterozygous effect and the primary gene function remains unknown, the mutant has been given the provisional symbol l(5)-1 for the first lethal on chromosome 5.
Students evaluating faculty: a subjective process

A common practice in colleges and universities across the US is to have students evaluate their faculty members. These evaluations, in most cases, are used for reappointments, promotions, and salary rises. For a longtime, I have believed that this system is subjective to many factors that have nothing to do with the quality and effectiveness of the faculty member. Other research has demonstrated that these evaluations depend of gender, course difficulty, grade expectancy, and other well know factors. This paper is the result of conducting student evaluations every 3 weeks during my last semester of teaching. The data will show that my evaluations fluctuate depending of many factors like weather, difficulty of assignments, mid-semester break, and students' mood.
Three Distinct Isoforms of ATP Synthase Subunit c Are Expressed in T. brucei and Assembled into the Mitochondrial ATP Synthase Complex

One striking feature of the biology of trypanosomes is the changes in mitochondrial structure and function that occur as these parasites transition from one life cycle stage to another. Our laboratory has been interested in the role the mitochondrial ATP synthase plays in mitochondrial changes through the life cycle. Analysis of the recently completed T. brucei genome suggested that there may be multiple putative genes encoding ATP synthase subunit c. While homologous in their 3' ends, these genes differ in their 5' ends and, if expressed, would result in three distinct proteins. Our analysis showed that all three of the possible transcripts were detected in both procyclic and bloodstream stages, although the c-3 transcript was less abundant than that for c-1 or c-2. The three isoforms of subunit c are produced in both the bloodstream and procyclic stages and their mature protein products possess distinct N-terminal regions of the protein as found within mitochondria. All three isoforms are also incorporated into the assembled ATP synthase complex from procyclic cells. Although multiple subunit c genes have been found in other organisms, they produce identical polypeptides and the finding of significant differences in the mature proteins is unique to T. brucei.
Development of Diagnostic Algorithms for an Air Brake System: Theory and Implementation

In this paper, we consider the problem of designing an algorithm for estimating the stroke of a pushrod of the air brake system. The stroke of pushrod directly relates to the braking force available at the wheels and also affects the response time. The longer the stroke, the volume available for expansion is larger and correspondingly, the response is slower. The stroke depends on the clearance between the brake pad and the drum, which can vary due to variety of factors such as thermal expansion of drum and mechanical wear. Typical safety inspections of air brakes include the measurement of the stroke of the pushrod of each brake chamber. Regulations on trucks such Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 121 require the inspection to be carried out at 90 psi supply pressure and at full brake application. The evolution of the brake pressure depends on the stroke of the pushrod and the area of the treadle valve, which is controlled by the driver. The treadle valve meters compressed air from the supply reservoir to the brake chamber. The proposed scheme requires the measurement of pressure and a model for predicting the evolution of brake chamber pressure in response to full application of the brake (brake pedal is fully depressed). We experimentally corroborate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
New inequalities for finite and infinite group problems from approximate lifting

In this paper, we derive new families of facet-defining inequalities for the finite group problem and extreme inequalities for the infinite group problem using approximate lifting. The new valid inequalities for the finite group problem include two- and three-slope facet-defining inequalities as well as the first family of four-slope facet-defining inequalities. The new valid inequalities for the infinite group problem include families of two- and three-slope extreme inequalities. These new inequalities not only illustrate the diversity of strong inequalities for the finite and infinite group problems, but also provide a large variety of new cutting planes for solving integer and mixed-integer programming problems. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2008
Biotherapy for lymphoma.

The unconjugated anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab, has quickly become an accepted treatment approach for a variety of B-cell malignancies. New directions for rituximab include its use in innovative doses and schedules, and in combination with either cytokines or chemotherapy. Other unconjugated antibodies (eg, CAMPATH-1H and anti-CD22) are available or in development. Radioimmunotherapy is another rapidly evolving field. In addition to therapy with monoclonal antibodies, other biotherapy approaches are being explored. The most widely utilized cytokine is still interferon-a. In general, other cytokines (eg, interleukin-2 or interleukin-12) may ultimately be best utilized as regulators of the immune response in the context of an overall immunotherapeutic approach. Exciting research is ongoing that exploits the host T-cell response, especially the development of vaccine strategies, and innovations in allogeneic stem cell transplant. The role of antigen-presenting cells (viz, dendritic cells) is also discussed in this review. A broad ability to exploit the immune system will hopefully soon be in our grasp.
AMBIENT CONCENTRATIONS, SOURCES, EMISSION RATES, AND PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIVITY OF C2-C10 HYDROCARBONS IN PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL

The combination of vehicle fuels used in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is unique in the world (17%, 9%, and 74% of the vehicles run on ethanol, diesel, and a mixture of 85% gasoline and 15% MTBE, respectively). As a result, air pollution control strategies for Porto Alegre, where vehicles account for ca. 99% and ca. 86% of total city wide CO and hydrocarbons emissions, respectively, must make use of air quality data specific to the Porto Alegre area. In this study, ambient concentrations of 66 C2−C10 hydrocarbons have been measured for ca. 1 year (March 1996−April 1997) at downtown Porto Alegre locations. On the average, the 10 most abundant hydrocarbons on a mass concentra tion basis were, in decreasing order, as follows: acetylene, ethylene, propane, toluene, isopentane, (m+p)-xylene, propene, n-butane, benzene, and n-pentane. Scatterplots of ambient concentrations showed a high degree of correlation among hydrocarbon classes (e.g., alkenes, isobutene vs 1-pentene), between hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, and ...
Changes in reference vessel diameter in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention: Implications for appropriate stent sizing

Background Stents may be undersized during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), leading to higher rates of stent thrombosis. We sought to compare the reference vessel diameter (RVD) of the infarct-related artery before, immediately after, and at late follow-up after PCI for STEMI. We further investigated whether vessels treated with paclitaxel-eluting (PES) or bare-metal stents (BMS) behave differently with respect to RVD at follow-up. Methods From the HORIZONS-AMI trial, we identified 2,974 patients (3,589 lesions) with complete quantitative angiographic data for stent implantation (2,233 treated with PES and 741 treated with BMS). Results Considering all lesions, the median RVD was 2.87 mm (25th-75th percentile 2.54-3.22 mm) at baseline, 2.92 mm (2.58-3.28 mm) immediately post-PCI, and 2.88 mm (2.55-3.22 mm) after 13 months (1,197 patients; P = .001 pre vs post, P = .06 post vs follow-up, and P = .21 pre vs follow-up). There were no significant differences between the RVD for PES versus BMS at any period. The maximal stent or balloon size was 3.00 mm (3.00-3.50 mm) for both groups. There were no differences in RVD at baseline or post-PCI between patients with and without stent thrombosis. Conclusions Reference vessel diameter does not change substantially from baseline to follow-up, irrespective of stent type. Stent diameter was appropriate for vessel size. The RVD of patients with and without stent thrombosis was similar at baseline and post-PCI. Thus, the high rates of stent thrombosis after primary PCI for STEMI cannot be attributed to stent undersizing.
Reactions of the dinuclear ruthenium complex {(η5-C5H3)2(SiMe2) 2}Ru2(CO)4, featuring a doubly linked dicyclopentadienyl ligand

The complex {(η5-C5H3)2(SiMe2)2}Ru2(CO)4 (1), which features the doubly linked dicyclopentadienyl ligand (η5-C5H3)2(SiMe2)2, reacts with phosphines (PMe3, PCy3, PPh3) to give {(η5-C5H3)2(SiMe2)2}Ru...
Direct Cord Reading Agar in Routine Mycobacteriology

Abstract A group of 2,081 sputum specimens were planted on Direct Cord Reading Agar. A total of 330 (16%) of these specimens produced positive cultures, 312 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 18 strains of atypical mycobacteria. The strains of M. tuberculosis showed visible cords on plates in 283 (90.8%) of the isolates and no atypical mycobacteria showed cording. The specimens from the newly admitted patients yielded, in 12 days, 59% of their total positives; 97.6% of these strains, identified as M. tuberculosis with the standard methods recommended by the National Communicable Diseases Center, exhibited cording visible directly on the agar. It is suggested that, for practical purposes, a colony exhibiting cording could be tentatively reported as “M. tuberculosis to be confirmed.”
Changes in Arctic clouds during intervals of rapid sea ice loss

We investigate the behavior of clouds during rapid sea ice loss events (RILEs) in the Arctic, as simulated by multiple ensemble projections of the 21st century in the Community Climate System Model (CCSM3). Trends in cloud properties and sea ice coverage during RILEs are compared with their secular trends between 2000 and 2049 during summer, autumn, and winter. The results suggest that clouds promote abrupt Arctic climate change during RILEs through increased (decreased) cloudiness in autumn (summer) relative to the changes over the first half of the 21st century. The trends in cloud characteristics (cloud amount, water content, and radiative forcing) during RILEs are most strongly and consistently an amplifying effect during autumn, the season in which RILEs account for the majority of the secular trends. The total cloud trends in every season are primarily due to low clouds, which show a more robust response than middle and high clouds across RILEs. Lead-lag correlations of monthly sea ice concentration and cloud cover during autumn reveal that the relationship between less ice and more clouds is enhanced during RILEs, but there is no evidence that either variable is leading the other. Given that Arctic cloud projections in CCSM3 are similar to those from other state-of-the-art GCMs and that observations show increased autumn cloudiness associated with the extreme 2007 and 2008 sea ice minima, this study suggests that the rapidly declining Arctic sea ice will be accentuated by changes in polar clouds.
Implantation of Deep Brain Stimulator Electrodes Using Interventional MRI

The authors describe a method for placement of deep brain stimulator electrodes using interventional MRI in conjunction with a skull-mounted aiming device (Medtronic Nexframe). This approach adapts the procedure to a standard-configuration 1.5-T diagnostic MRI scanner in a radiology suite. Preoperative imaging, device implantation, and postimplantation MRI are integrated into a single procedure performed under general anesthesia, providing real-time, high-resolution magnetic resonance confirmation of electrode position. The method is conceptually simpler than the current standard technique for deep brain stimulator placement, as it eliminates the stereotactic frame, the subsequent requirement for registration of the brain in stereotactic space, physiologic testing, and the need for patient cooperation. With further technical refinement, the interventional MRI method should improve the accuracy, safety, and speed of deep brain stimulator electrode placement.
Apoptotic-regulatory and complement-protecting protein expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: relationship to in vivo rituximab resistance.

Purpose: Rituximab has clinical activity in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and has a variety of proposed mechanisms, including apoptosis, complement-dependent cell lysis (CDC), and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Here we examine pretreatment biologic features that promote resistance to apoptosis and CDC in CLL patients and correlate it with clinical outcome to rituximab-based therapy. Patients and Methods: Pretreatment samples from 21 CLL patients treated on a prospective, single-agent rituximab trial were examined for quantitative expression of apoptotic and CDC regulatory proteins, and the level of expression of these proteins was correlated with clinical outcome. Results: Of the 21 patents for whom samples were available, 10 attained a partial response and 11 failed to respond to rituximab therapy. The mean pretreatment expression of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, XIAP, and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax were higher but not statistically increased in nonresponding patients versus those respon...
Fessing up in theory: On professing and confessing in the religious studies classroom

The essay focusses on pedagogical method in the undergraduate study of religion. It proposes that the very nature of religious studies as an interpretive program requires that theoretical issues be explicitly foregrounded as the principal route into the discussion of particulars and general cases. The bulk of the essay exemplifies this proposal by reporting on the author's own attempt to bring under theoretical control one of the most contentious issues of pedagogy in the study of religion: the question of the teacher's personal commitments for or against "religion" or specific religious traditions.
Informed Consent and the Limits of Confidentiality

Investigators encounter many legal and ethical issues when they conduct research on partner abuse. Balancing abused women's rights to privacy with legally mandated reporting requirements involves considerable thought and planning. Failure to protect participants may result in escalation of abuse as well as loss of children to protective services. Various perspectives on maintaining participant privacy while conforming to legal mandates to report child abuse, homicidality, and suicidality are discussed. The role of confidentiality certificates in providing legal immunity for researchers and the method of obtaining the certificates are presented. In addition, the authors describe the strategies for participant protection that are implemented in a federally funded study of abuse, women's self-care, and pregnancy outcomes. The decision to clearly and specifically inform abused women of the limits of confidentiality allows participants to make informed decisions about disclosures, but may result in diminished recruitment.
Distribution of QRST deflection areas in relation to repolarization and arrhythmias

QRST area maps were calculated from a computer model of propagated excitation with nonuniform cycle length-dependent recovery. Vulnerability was independently assessed as fibrillation threshold (FT). Separate effects of varied range and mean recovery durations on FT and QRST maps were determined. FT was inversely related to the range of recovery durations and that range was related to QRST area map features including magnitude, nonuniformity, and gradients. Mean recovery duration was directly related to FT but did not alter QRST maps unless changes of recovery duration were localized. Locally decreased mean duration resulted in decreased FT and increased magnitude and nonuniformity and gradients in QRST maps. Locally increased mean duration had similar effects on QRST maps, but FT was increased. Results support the validity of QRST map features as markers of vulnerability due to disparity of recovery duration or locally decreased mean recovery duration but not due to widespread changes of mean duration or locally increased duration.
Role of glutathione in acute N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl) succinimide-induced nephrotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley and Fischer 344 rats

N-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS), an experimental agricultural fungicide, has been shown to be a selective nephrotoxin in Sprague-Dawley and Fischer 344 rats. Previous studies have demonstrated that a toxic metabolite contributes to or is responsible for acute NDPS-induced nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of glutathione in NDPS-induced renal effects. In 1 set of experiments, male Sprague-Dawley or Fischer 344 rats received a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of NDPS (0.4 or 1.0 mmol/kg) or sesame oil (2.5 ml/kg). Rats were killed at 1, 3, 6 or 24 h, and reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione concentrations determined in liver and renal cortex. In both rat strains NDPS (0.4 or 1.0 mmol/kg) administration produced small decreases in GSH concentrations (1 and 3 h) but moderate increases in GSSG concentrations (1 and 3 h) in liver and kidney. At 24 h both GSH and GSSG concentrations were increased, particularly in kidney. In a second set of experiments, rats were pretreated with the glutathione depletor diethyl maleate (DEM) (0.4 ml/kg, i.p.) 1 h prior to NDPS (0.2, 0.4 or 1.0 mmol/kg, i.p.) or sesame oil (2.5 ml/kg, i.p.) administration, and renal function monitored at 24 and 48 h. DEM pretreatment attenuated the increase in urine volume (24 and 48 h), proteinuria, glucosuria, hematuria and elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration produced by NDPS (0.4 or 1.0 mmol/kg) in both Sprague-Dawley and Fischer 344 rats. NDPS-induced increases in kidney weight also were generally prevented by DEM pretreatment. Proximal tubular necrosis produced by NDPS administration was reduced by DEM but not prevented. Pretreatment with the cysteine conjugate beta-lyase inhibitor amino-oxyacetic acid (0.5 mmol/kg, i.p.) 1 h prior to NDPS (0.4 or 1.0 mmol/kg) markedly attenuated all NDPS-induced effects on renal function and morphology. These results suggest that glutathione does not play a protective role against NDPS-induced renal effects and that a glutathione or cysteine conjugate of NDPS might contribute to NDPS-induced nephrotoxicity.
Isolation and characterization of conditional adherent and non-type 1 fimbriated Salmonella typhimurium mutants.

Summary Mutations in the genes encoding the type 1 fimbriae of Salmonella typhimurium were isolated by selecting for the deletion of Tn10 inserted adjacent to the chromosomal fim+ genes and screening for the loss of mannose-sensitive haemagglutination (HA) activity. S. typhimurium strains with Tn10 insertions in ahp were hypersensitive to peroxides, and tetracycline-sensitive derivatives of ahp::Tn10 mutants displayed two fim mutant phenotypes. The predominant class of fim mutants did not synthesize type 1 fimbriae. A second type of fim mutant synthesized type 1 fimbriae and exhibited a conditional lipoic acid requirement for HA. A fim–lip conditional mutant synthesized type 1 fimbriae when grown in Mueller-Hinton broth but the haemagglutinating activity of the fimbriae was dependent upon the addition of lipoic acid to the growth medium. Independentiy isolated lip mutations did not demonstrate a similar pleiotropic effect on HA. Western blots of fimbriae extracted from a fim–lip conditional mutant that was grown under permissive and restrictive conditions indicated the presence of 33 and 36.6 kDa proteins in HA+ fimbriae that were absent in HA- fimbriae. The HA+ phenotype of both conditional and non-fimbriafed mutants was restored by transformation with cloned genes encoding S. typhimurium type 1 fimbriae.
Pitch control of a flexible launch vehicle

A computationally efficient method of incorporating nonzero mean disturbances in linear discrete optimal regulator problems is combined with a least-squares method of parameter estimation to obtain an adaptive controller technique. This technique is successfully applied to the design of a pitch control system of a large flexible launch vehicle of the Saturn class.
Decidual macrophages and their roles at the maternal-fetal interface

The semi-allogeneic fetus, whose genome consists of maternally and paternally inherited alleles, must coexist with an active maternal immune system during its 9 months in utero. Macrophages are the second most abundant immune cell at the maternal-fetal interface, although populations and functions for these populations remain ill defined. We have previously reported two distinct subsets of CD14(+) decidual macrophages found to be present in first trimester decidual tissue, 20 percent CD11c(HI) and 68 percent CD11c(LO). Interestingly, CD11c(HI) decidual macrophages express genes associated with lipid metabolism, inflammation, and antigen presentation function and specifically upregulate CD1 molecules. Conversely, CD11c(LO) decidual macrophages express genes associated with extracellular matrix formation, muscle regulation, and tissue growth. The large abundance of CD11c(HI) decidual macrophages and their ability to process antigens more efficiently than CD11c(LO) macrophages suggests that CD11c(HI) macrophages may be important antigen processing and presenting cells at the maternal-fetal interface, while CD11c(LO) macrophages may perform necessary homeostatic functions during placental construction. Thus, macrophage heterogeneity may be an important and necessary division of labor that leads to both an induction of maternal immune cell tolerance to fetal antigens as well as basic homeostatic functions in human pregnancy.
The effect of dispersant on defects in length-separated single-wall carbon nanotubes measured by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract The fluorescence quantum yield of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in solution depends dramatically on dispersant. To evaluate the role of defects in this dependence, we compare Raman spectra from aqueous suspensions of SWCNTs dispersed using either ss-DNA adsorption or deoxycholate-surfactant encapsulation. For each dispersion method we examine length-separated fractions ranging from approximately (50 to 1000) nm. The intensity ratio of the disorder-induced Raman D-band to the G′-band scales inversely with length, consistent with predominately end cap defect sites. The comparable length-dependent D/G′ for each dispersion scheme excludes defects as a possible explanation for the lower fluorescence in DNA versus deoxycholate dispersions.
Magnetic Dipole Radiation from Pulsars

RADIO astronomers1–3 have recently discovered pulsars in Vela and near the Crab nebula which seem to be associated with supernova remnants and have repetition periods (0.0892 s and 0.0331 s) considerably shorter than those previously found. The very wide range (60-fold) of periods at present observed is difficult to understand if pulsars are in fact pulsating objects of a single class, because in general (period) ∝ (density)−1/2 and an extremely wide range of density would be required. Of the remaining clock mechanisms proposed, rotation4,5 seems most consistent with the observations. The extremely short periods exclude white dwarfs and make the suggestion of neutron stars more likely.
Polypharmacy and the lack of oculo-visual complaints from those with mental illness and dual diagnosis.

Abstract Background Individuals with mental illness (MI) and intellectual disability (ID) are characterized as dually diagnosed (DD). These individuals are known to have numerous systemic and oculo-visual anomalies. This comorbidity of conditions should elicit frequent oculo-visual complaints from these patients during the initial review of systems. A search of MedLine yielded one article that was published on oculo-visual symptomology/pain associated with MI and DD. This report appears to be the first to assess the frequency of these symptoms within these 2 unique populations. Methods A retrospective analysis of all medical records for patients (N = 202) evaluated at the Neumann Association (NA) Developmental Disabilities Service of the Illinois Eye Institute was completed. Only the records of patients who had either MI or DD and who were prescribed antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or tranquilizers/anxiolytics were used for our analysis. Upon record review, 89.9% of MI and 59.4% of DD individuals met the above subject criteria. We determined the frequency of ocular anomalies, drugs taken, and complaints reported by patients during the initial review of systems. Results The most common documented side effects for the targeted drug types were decreased or blurred vision (near or far), visual hallucinations, decreased accommodation, and eyelid/conjunctiva irregularities. In our sample, the most frequent ocular anomalies encountered were astigmatism (50% MI and 37.84% DD), myopia (60.71% MI and 62.16% DD), presbyopia (35.71% MI and 37.84%DD), and blepharitis (32.14% MI and 32.43%DD). Additionally, the most frequently encountered complaints were no complaints (45.16% MI and 46.84% DD), blurry vision (17.74% MI and 17.72% DD), and need new glasses (11.29% MI and 17.72% DD). Conclusions It has been established that MI and DD populations exhibit a higher incidence of oculo-visual anomalies (uncorrected refractive error, binocular vision anomalies, ocular pathology) than noted in the general population. They are also typically taking 1 or more neuropsychotropic medications that are frequently associated with undesirable visual side effects. Individuals with MI and DD should report numerous complaints associated with the medications they take and the oculo-visual anomalies they exhibit during the initial case history and the review of systems. The data from this study suggest that this is not the case and that only about 50% of those who should have complaints actually report them.
SORIS—A standoff radiation imaging system

Abstract The detection of radiological and special nuclear material within the country's borders is a crucial component of the national security network. Being able to detect small amounts of radiological material at large distances is especially important for search applications. To provide this capability General Electric's Research Center has developed, as a part of DNDO's standoff radiation detection system advanced technology demonstration (SORDS-ATD) program, a standoff radiation imaging system (SORIS). This vehicle-based system is capable of detecting weak sources at large distances in relatively short times. To accomplish this, GE has developed a novel coded aperture detector based on commercial components from GE Healthcare. An array of commercial gamma cameras modified to increase the system efficiency and energy range are used as position sensitive detectors. Unlike typical coded aperture systems, however, SORIS employs a non-planar mask and thus does not suffer the typical limitations of partially encoded regions giving it a wide field of view. Source identification is done using both low-statistics anomaly indicators and conventional high-statistics algorithms being developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The results of scanned areas and threats identified are displayed to the user and overlaid on satellite imagery.
Delivery of the macrosomic infant: Cesarean section versus vaginal delivery

The macrosomic fetus of a diabetic woman faces increased risk for injury at the time of birth. Cesarean section offers the potential for avoiding trauma to the fetus, but can result in increased morbidity in the mother as compared to vaginal delivery. In this article, the advantages and disadvantages of the 2 routes of delivery for the overgrown fetus of a diabetic mother are discussed. In addition, methods for diagnosing macrosomia by ultrasound are examined, along with the benefits and pitfalls of ultrasonic fetal weight estimation in the setting of diabetes. Finally, management approaches for selecting route of delivery for the macrosomic fetus are described and analyzed.
g factors in heavy nuclei and the proton-neutron interaction

Abstract It is shown that the experimental values of g (2 1 + ) for nuclei in the mass range A =70−200 are well described within IBA-2 using a simple linear relationship. Values of g Π , g v , the effective proton, neutron boson g factors, were extracted for six groups of nuclei in this mass range. The results indicate that g π tends to increase, and g v to decrease with A . No obvious distinction is observe d between spherical and deformed nuclei. A large deviation in the systematics is observed for Er, Yb isotopes. This anomaly is explained in terms of a change in the effective number of valence particles, due to the K dependence of the p-n interaction in the deformed field.
Onychomycosis is more than a cosmetic problem

The nails serve several important functions and, when they are infected by fungal organisms, these functions are severely impaired. In addition, the quality of life, in terms of self-esteem and social interaction, is adversely affected when fungal nail infections are present. Finally, when finger and/or toenails are abnormal this may interfere with patients' occupations.
Polyetherurethaneureas containing diacetylene in the hard segments

Les polymeres prepares a partir du 1,6-diisocyanatohexane, du 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol et d'α,ω-diamino-oligoethers sont caracterises par IR RMN et DSC. Les resultats montrent que l'augmentation de la proportion des segments durs entraine une augmentation de la regularite structurale dans le domaine des segments durs et du melangeage des phases. Ces variations morphologiques influent sur la reactivite dans la reticulation photochimique
Chronic ethanol exposure enhances [3H]GABA release and does not affect GABAA receptor mediated 36Cl uptake.

Chronic ethanol treatment (CET) produces a permanent reduction in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). The CET produced reduction of LTP can be eliminated acutely by Pharmacological blockade of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergicA synaptic transmission with the specific antagonist, bicuculline methiodide. Since LTP induction is normally modulated by activation of GABAergic synaptic transmission, we hypothesized that CET reduced LTP by enhancing either postsynaptic GABAA channel function or GABA release from presynaptic terminals. In the present study, we examined the long term effects of CET on GABAA channel function by measuring the efficacy of GABA to stimulate and bicuculline to antagonize GABA-stimulated 36Cl− uptake in hippocampal and cortical membrane preparations. CET did not affect basal uptake of chloride or the efficacy or either GABA or bicuculline at the GABAA channel. We next measured the long term effects of CET on basal and stimulated GABA release. When basal and electrically-stimulated [3H]GABA release were measured in superfused hippocampal slices, stimulated release was increased by 30% in CET rats. Basal release was unaffected. Thus it appears that CET may be reducing LTP by enhancing plasticityrelated GABA release from presynaptic terminals. © 1994 Wiley-Lisa, Inc.
Telephone prescreening enhancing a model for proactive healthcare practice.

PURPOSE: This article explicates the process of developing and implementing a contemporary, innovative program using the telephone as a tool for prescreening newly diagnosed cancer patients before their arrival at the cancer center. As another element of existing models of psychosocial care, this service lays the foundation for the efficient delivery of clinical social work services. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: In the Surgical Oncology Clinic of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Tex, 28 patients were contacted as part of a telephone prescreening model of a practice program from February 1, 1995 through March 31, 1995. Using a structured telephone interview format, two clinic social workers contacted patients and provided information on social work services. Patients needing resource assistance were provided with community referrals. Using the information from the telephone call, a brief outpatient assessment was completed for each patient before his or her arrival at the clinic. During the initial clinic visit, each new patient was met by the social worker to conduct a qualitative interview and address specific treatment-related concerns. OUTCOME OF PROGRAM: The patients expressed their appreciation of the interest of the social work staff and their satisfaction with the information provided. In addition, obtaining patient information and identifying patient needs before the initial visit allowed social workers to use clinic time more efficiently. Because of restructuring, the Surgical Oncology Clinic was eliminated and use of the intervention suspended. Based on the encouraging results of the telephone prescreening model of care program, reinstating the program in the future would include expanding its hours of operation to reach individuals who are not at home during the hours of 8:00 am 25:00 pm and including language assistance to address the needs of the increasingly multicultural population. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Telephone prescreening is one strategy for personalizing psychosocial assessment. In this era of outpatient day surgery and cost-controlled managed healthcare, the benefits of prescreening are empowerment for both patients and multidisciplinary team members. The future holds promise for telephone prescreening to become part of the collaborative clinical pathways model of the disease-site centers concept.
Description and characteristics of a wide-band linear circuit for pulse amplification.

A wide‐band, linear, pulse amplifier stage was designed and tested. The closed‐loop gain is ∼10, the gain‐bandwidth product is 350 MHz, and the integral nonlinearity is <0.05%.
Terbium chelate membrane label for time-resolved, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy of substrate-adherent cells.

A chelating agent conjugated to a lipid was synthesized by reacting the dianhydride form of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid sequentially with 4-aminosalicylate and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine. The product, DOPE−YAS−Tb, exhibits photophysical properties characteristic of a chelated Tb3+ ion bound to an organic triplet donor: an excitation maximum at 310 nm, narrow emission bands at 490, 545, 590, and 625 nm, and a lifetime of 1.57 ms. The suitability of DOPE−YAS−Tb as a membrane-staining agent for morphological studies of cultured cells using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) was investigated. Swiss albino mouse 3T3 cells were cultured on silica and polystyrene substrates. Time-resolved detection was employed to reject short-lived background emission (autoemission from the cells and/or the polymer substrate), which allowed the long-lived Tb3+ emission to be selectively imaged. The results show that time-resolved TIRFM of cells stained with DOPE−YAS−Tb is an effective method...