cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new method for quantitative evaluation of activity of antihistaminic substances and its application to the study of beta-dimethylaminoethyl benzhydryl ether hydrochloride (benadryl)

Abstract 1.1. A method is described which enables a quantitative appraisal of antihistaminic activity from the suppression of the action of histamine on skin capillaries in the rabbit. 2.2. Benadryl in an intravenous dose of 7.5 mg./kg. of body weight was found to suppress the action of histamine (1:10,000) on skin capillaries of a rabbit from 75 to 100 per cent. 3.3. The usefulness of this method for the testing of histamine antagonists is discussed.
Scenarios on the future of biotechnology

Abstract The major areas of research and development in biotechnology are maturing at a rapid rate, and may soon converge with one another. These emerging biotechnology areas range from the development of new medicines and drugs, genetically engineered foods, biologically controlled industrial manufacturing processes, and biologically based computing devices to the creation of new industrial materials and devices based upon biological structures and the use of biotechnology in food production. Each of these research areas carries the potential for strong societal reaction. To explore the potential impact of biotechnology on society, two fundamental drivers that influence societal acceptance of biotechnology are described. First, the extent to which technological integration proceeds may strongly impact the way society uses and perceives biotechnology. Second, the degree to which the public eventually accepts biotechnologically derived products and processes as legitimate and reliable alternatives to current products may shape both market demand and public policy. Taken together, these drivers suggest four discrete alternative scenarios for the future of biotechnology. Implications of these scenarios are discussed.
Nicastrin controls aspects of photoreceptor neuron specification and differentiation in the Drosophila eye

Nicastrin is a component of the Notch signaling pathway involved in proteolytic release of the Notch receptor intracellular domain. It has been postulated that intracellular Notch is required within the nucleus of fly eye progenitor cells to enhance (pro-neural enhancement) and then repress (lateral inhibition) transcription of pro-neural genes. We present here an analysis of Nicastrin function during eye development and find that Nicastrin is essential to early photoreceptor neuron development. Nicastrin mutant tissue displays neuronal loss or hyperplasia; these phenotypes can be rescued by targeted expression of an intracellular form of Notch. Thus, nuclear translocation of Notch and its direct regulation of gene expression appear to be critical to pro-neural enhancement as well as lateral inhibition. In addition, we show that Nicastrin as well as Notch are required to maintain normal R-cell morphology, because the nuclei of mutant photoreceptor neurons cannot maintain their proper position. Thus, Notch signaling plays a role, not only in cell fate specification, but also in differentiation of photoreceptor neurons.
Quantum crystallography and the use of kernel projector matrices

Quantum crystallography is a developing technique for extracting quantum mechanically valid properties from X-ray diffraction experiments. Quantum mechanics and crystallography are joined through the fact that the electron distributions around atoms are the source of X-ray diffraction and electron density distributions are observables that lend themselves readily to quantum mechanical description. Direct contact with the X-ray diffraction data is made by equating the structure factor magnitudes, which are readily obtained from the measured X-ray diffraction intensities, with the magnitudes of certain Fourier transforms of the quantum mechanical description of the electron distribution. The quantum mechanical description of the electron density involves molecular orbitals and an associated matrix. By requiring that the associated matrix be a projector with a normalized trace, while optimizing the fit to the experimental structure factor magnitudes, strong constraints are imposed on the relationship between the X-ray data and the quantum mechanical description of the electron density distribution. The final result should be a wave function that is in good agreement with the X-ray diffraction information and from which a variety of properties, e.g., electron densities and electrostatic potentials, could be extracted. The method for making the fit to the X-ray data involves the use of least-squares calculations in which the defining equations are the structure factor equations and equations that arise from the conditions defining a projector matrix with a normalized trace. The variables are the elements of the projector. It is also possible to refine such parameters as atomic coordinates. The calculations are facilitated by use of good initial projector matrices. For this purpose, a method has been developed for generating projector matrices for large molecules from the sum of kernel matrices. Kernel matrices are obtained from the use of fragments of the known atomic coordinates of the substance of interest and the application of molecular orbital methods in quantum mechanics. The use of fragments is justified by the fact that overlap integrals rapidly approach zero as the distances between atoms increase. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
STUDIES ON VIGOR. EFFECT OF FRACTIONAL CASTRATION ON THE VOLUNTARY ACTIVITY OF MALE ALBINO RATS

The effect of complete castration on the voluntary activity of the white rat depends upon the period of life at which the animal is castrated. If castration takes place after puberty, the castrated animal begins to lag behind the control. This occurs at about the twelfth day after castration. If the animal is castrated during the first two weeks of life there is apparently no effect on the voluntary activity of the animal. In this work an attempt was made to study the effect of fractional castration on the voluntary activity. After typing the animals, unilateral castration was performed. The effects were observed for a period of twenty days. Then approximately one-half of the other testis was removed. The remaining part was removed in two steps at intervals of 20 days each.
Applications of ethylammonium and propylammonium nitrate solvents in liquid-liquid extraction and chromatography

Abstract Ethyl- and propylammonium nitrate are novel ionic solvents, liquid at room temperature, suitable for use as selective solvents for the isolation of analytes containing proton donor functional groups (alcohols, amines, phenols, carboxylic acids, etc.) by liquid-liquid distribution. These solvents form immiscible solvent pairs with non-polar aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers and alkyl halide solvents (e.g., methylene chloride, chloroform). Analytes can be recovered from the ionic solvents by back-extraction into ah organic solvent after dilution with water or pH buffer or, preferably, by extractive derivatization when gas chromatography is used for the analyses, avoiding the accumulation of salt on the column that results in poor baseline stability. Alkylation, acylation and particularly silylation are suitable methods for extractive derivatization using standard reaction conditions. Applications are presented for the isolation of polar analytes from an urban dust, shale oil and urine samples and for the determination of low-molecular-weight alcohols in gasahol and glycerol in soap. Liquid-liquid chromatographic systems with the liquid organic salt as stationary phase can be used to predict distribution constants for a particular separation and for the separation of polar solutes, particularly isomeric compounds possessing a proton donor functional group.
An evaluation of some simple sulfonic acids as nonaqueous titrants

Abstract The simple aliphatic and aromatic sulfonic acids show evidence of possibilities as new titrants in a glacial acetic acid medium. Excellent precision is obtained in potentiometric titrations with both ethane- and methane sulfonic acids with a standard deviation of 0.2%. Benzenemonosulfonic and naphthalenesulfonic acids both give an average precision of 0.4%. In visual titrations with with crystal violet indicator, the color changes at the end-point are very sharp. The chief advantage of these acids as titrants lies in the fact that they dissolve readily in glacial acetic acid and can be titrated to give reproducible results with the glass-calomel electrode system. None of the sulfonic acids tested was as strong a titrant as perchloric acid, but, unlike perchloric acid, they did not form precipitates or gels in the titration with potassium acid phthalate.
Statistical model of nearly complete elastic rough surface contact

Abstract In the area of homogeneous, isotropic, linear elastic rough surface normal contact, many classic statistical models have been developed which are only valid in the early contact when real area of contact is infinitesimally small, e.g., the Greenwood–Williamson (GW) model. In this article, newly developed statistical models, built under the framework of the (i) GW, (ii) Nayak–Bush and (iii) Greenwood’s simplified elliptic models, extend the range of application of the classic statistical models to the case of nearly complete contact . Nearly complete contact is the stage when the ratio of the real area of contact to the nominal contact area approaches unity. At nearly complete contact, the non-contact area consists of a finite number of the non-contact regions (over a finite nominal contact area). Each non-contact region is treated as a mode-I “crack”. The area of each non-contact region and the corresponding trapped volume within each non-contact region are determined by the analytical solutions in the linear elastic fracture mechanics, respectively. For a certain average contact pressure, not only can the real area of contact be determined by the newly developed statistical models, but also the average interfacial gap. Rough surface is restricted to the geometrically-isotropic surface, i.e., the corresponding statistical parameters are independent of the direction of measurement. Relations between the average contact pressure, non-contact area and average interfacial gap for different combinations of statistical parameters are compared between newly developed statistical models. The relations between non-contact area and average contact pressure predicted by the current models are also compared with that by Persson’s theory of contact. The analogies between the classic statistical models and the newly developed models are also explored.
Non-Intrusive mach number measurement in a supersonic hydrogen fluoride laser

An experimental technique has been developed to directly measure flow velocity and Mach number in a supersonic hydrogen fluoride laser. The technique uses a tunable diode laser source to probe the laser cavity at an angle to the flow creating a Doppler shifted lineshape. The amount of Doppler shift can be related to the flow velocity. The diode laser was traversed in the vertical direction to produce velocity and Mach number profiles.
Visual recognition memory and auditory brainstem response in infant rhesus monkeys exposed perinatally to environmental tobacco smoke

The impact of perinatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on cognitive development is controversial. We exposed rhesus monkeys to ETS or filtered air (5 animals per group) beginning in utero on day 50 of pregnancy and continuing throughout postnatal testing. In infancy, we evaluated both groups for visual recognition memory and auditory function (auditory brainstem response). The ETS group showed significantly less novelty preference in the visual recognition task whereas no effects on auditory function were detected. These preliminary results support the view that perinatal ETS exposure has adverse effects on cognitive function and indicate further that rhesus monkeys may provide a valuable nonhuman primate model for investigating this link.
Snatch Pickup of Gliders from Naval Vessels

During World War II, US cargo gliders were retrieved with surprising regularity using an unusual technique. A passing airplane would physically "snatch" the stationary glider into towed flight. Snatch pickup's modern reapplication would revolutionize expeditionary resupply by releasing the beachhead from resupply lines and turning supply ships into open ammunition boxes. Snatch pickup enables faster sea-based resupply and indefinite sustainment to warfighters ashore. Physics models of the snatch pickup technique, if they ever existed, are lost to history along with its wood and canvas icons. This paper develops physics models of the culmination of the operationally approved technique. A Newtonian modeling approach approximates a modern marinized capability toward estimating supply chain performance. It shows that snatch pickup's modern reapplication, without exceeding historical achievenzent, is both viable and highly desirable in the supply chain. Then a continuous physics approach uses Hook's Law to characterize the culminating technique toward future systems design. Using differential equations, this second modeling approach succeeds in matching a one-dimensional nonlinear continuous simulation with historical measurements. Because the exploratory models successfully indicate system viability, this paper recommends further developing these concepts of operations. Three-dimensional visualizations using the continuous physics model can demonstrate to the expeditionary maneuver community the value in developing marinized snatch pickup.
Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and clinical outcomes in patients with acute lung injury

Objective To determine if levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), a marker of alveolar epithelial and endothelial injury, differ in patients with hydrostatic pulmonary edema and acute lung injury (ALI) and are associated with clinical outcomes in patients with ALI.
Resistance to Extinction and Number of Weak-Light Reinforcements

(1961). Resistance to Extinction and Number of Weak-Light Reinforcements. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 51, No. 2, pp. 361-364.
Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) gp120 superantigen-binding serum antibodies: A host factor in homosexual HIV-1 transmission

HIV-1 gp120 is an immunoglobulin superantigen which can bind to preimmune serum Ig. We hypothesize that levels of such preimmune antibodies vary in the population and might affect host resistance or susceptibility to viral transmission. This study tests two predictions: (a) levels of preimmune anti-gpl20 Igs are a polymorphic trait; and, (b) these levels are correlated with resistance or susceptibility to HIV-1 transmission. The first prediction was confirmed in a longitudinal study of a low-risk seronegative population. In this group, levels of both endogenous anti-gpl20 IgM and IgG varied widely, but were characteristic and stable for each individual. The second prediction was addressed in a study of participants of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, in which men "susceptible" and "resistant" to HIV infection were identified based on numbers of sexual partners and eventual seroconversion. Specimens consisted of archival sera obtained > 2 yr before seroconversion. Men in the susceptible population (low-risk seroconverters) were distinguished by low levels of anti-gpl20 IgG. We conclude that the level of preimmune anti-gpl20 IgG is a polymorphic population trait, and low levels are a potentially specific and significant factor in homosexual transmission of HIV infection.
Preclinical pharmacologic studies of the new antitumor agent carmethizole (NSC-602668) in the mouse and beagle dog.

The chemical breakdown of carmethizole [1-methyl-2-methylthio-4,5-bis-(hydroxymethyl)imidazole-4′,5′-bis(N-methylcarbamate)hydrochloride] and its pharmacokinetics in the mouse and beagle dog were studied. Carmethizole was relatively unstable in aqueous media, having a half-life of ≤1 h in 0.9% sodium chloride, human whole blood, human plasma, and dog urine at 37°C. Its major breakdown product in 0.9% sodium chloride and pH 5.0 sodium phosphate buffer was carmethizole diol. When carmethizole was added to pH 7.0 or pH 9.0 sodium phosphate buffer, the major breakdown product was carmethizole diol-4′-monophosphate. Carmethizole reacted directly with glutathione at pH 8.0, forming a glutathione adduct of carmethizole monocarbamate. Elimination of the drug from the plasma of the beagle dog following i.v. bolus doses of 22.4 and 4.3 mg/kg was biphasic. At these doses the terminal half-life was 39 and 46 min, respectively, and the respective total body clearance was 4.6 and 7.7 ml/min per kg. The 22.4 mg/kg dose was lethal to the beagle dog by day 4. Elimination of carmethizole from the plasma of mice following an i. v. bolus dose of 115 mg/kg was monoexponential, with a half-life of 11.6 min and a total body plasma clearance of 43.6 ml/min per kg. When the drug was infused at 230 mg/kg over 8 h into mice, the total body clearance was 40.8 ml/min per kg. Following the i.v. bolus administration of carmethizole to mice, 30% of the total dose was excreted in urine over 3 h as carmethizole diol, 10%, as carmethizole diol-sulfate, 3.4%, as carmethizole 4′-monocarbamate, and 2.4%, as unchanged drug.
Optical microscope angular illumination analysis.

For high precision applications of optical microscopes, it is critical to achieve symmetrical angular illumination intensity at the sample plane, in addition to uniform spatial irradiance achieved by Kohler illumination. A correlation between the angular illumination asymmetry and the contrast in the image of a line grating target was demonstrated as the target is scanned through focus. Using this correlation, we present a novel, yet simple method of experimentally evaluating the angular illumination asymmetry (ANILAS) at the sample plane of an optical microscope across the field of view. This ANILAS map is expected to be a useful method for assessing the illumination condition of optical systems.
Transitional Regimes and the Rule of Law

. This paper seeks to establish a connection between the existence of a legal system and the ideal of the rule of law. Its point of departure is the phenomenon of a transitional regime that is attempting to restore or institute the rule of law. Lon Fuller's formulation of the canons of the rule of law as an internal morality of law is expounded as well as his notion of legal pathology as symptomatic of departure from the canons' requirements. The existence of a legal system, it is argued, is a matter of degree, covariant with the degree to which the rule of law is realized. Problems inherent to the implementation of the rule of law are examined, such as the effect of the passage of time on reasonable expectations. While legal pathology is always a matter of degree, police states are shown to suffer seriously from it. Among the examples discussed are Nazi Germany and Communist East Germany, though it is granted that there are moral differences between them. Finally, a response is made to some contemporary critiques of the rule of law.
ISOLATION OF SAPONINS WITH VIRAL ENTRY INHIBITORY ACTIVITY BY COMBINED CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHODS

ABSTRACT High-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) is a support-free liquid–liquid partition chromatography (Ito, Y. Crit. Rev. Anal. Chem. 1986, 17 (1), 65–143[1]). As an important separation technique, it eliminates complications between solutes and solid supports and has been used for preparative separation and purification for natural products in recent years. Using a series of chromatographic procedures, four triterpenoid saponins, arganine A, arganine C (Rev. 1), arganine D, and tieghemelin (Gen. 1) were isolated from the seed of the fruit of the rain forest tree, Tieghemella heckelli. In an initial pilot study, a HSCCC and preparative thin layer chromatography were used to isolate the herpesvirus entry inhibitors, Rev.1 and Gen.1, two compounds that are structurally identical except at position C-3 of the aglycone where in Rev.1 the sugar moiety is glucose and in Gen.1, it is glucuronic acid. Utilizing the charge difference between Rev.1 and Gen.1 at elevated pH, we were able to develop a si...
The continuing challenge of intra-abdominal infection

Intra-abdominal infection is common and frequently seen by the surgeon. Mortality is related to disease acuity and organ failure. This report, based on medical literature and personal experience, is a brief review of this subject, highlighting important historical milestones and recent advances in surgical and antibiotic therapy. Peritonitis remains a clinical challenge. Aggressive resuscitation, diagnostic imaging, and surgical treatment are the mainstays of appropriate therapy. Percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal collections has increased over time and is particularly helpful in certain postoperative patients. Adjunctive antibiotic therapy against gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes should be limited to a 7- to 10-day course, except in selected patients, such as those with inadequate source controls.
CLOUD PATTERNS IN HURRICANE DAISY, 1958

Maps of clouds in Hurricane Daisy, 1958, have been constructed from aerial cine photographs made by the aircraft of the National Hurricane Research Project of the U.S. Weather Bureau. Films suitable for quantitative analysis were available for four flights on three separate days during the formation, deepening, and maturity of this small but intense Atlantic hurricane which moved slowly over the ocean in the vicinity of 30° N, 76° W. Clouds were located within 5–10 nautical miles relative to the known aircraft path (in coordinates with origin at hurricane center) by a modified method of aerial photogrammetry using the accurately known times for the image to cross a frame. Horizontal and vertical dimensions of important clouds and cloud forms have been measured to within about 10%. The photographic maps are compared to radar analyses made from the same and also different aircraft (U.S. Navy WV-4). The most significant results are first the remarkable persistence of recognizable cloud patterns throughout the three days studied, during which the storm deepened and moved about 200 nautical miles and second, the concentration of convective activity into a few lines of cumulonimbus towers which even on the mature day occupied only about 4% of the rain area (radius within about 200 nautical miles). DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1961.tb00062.x
The case of Deborah Rice: who is the Environmental Protection Agency protecting?

Why did the EPA dismiss a highly respected neurotoxicologist as chair of its external review panel on the fire retardant deca? Pioneering lead researcher Herbert Needleman, MD, argues that the answer has little to do with science.
The Impact of a Culturally Appropriate STD/AIDS Education Intervention on Black Male Adolescents’ Sexual and Condom Use Behavior

A culturally appropriate, theoretically based videotape was developed to promote condom use among African American males, ages 15 to 19, attending a municipal sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic. The videotape's impacts were compared to those achieved by an African American health educator who delivered the same messages during a face-to-face session and by standard care. Data were obtained on participants' (N = 562) condom use knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions; sexual and condom use behaviors; and perceived risk of infection. At posttest, "videotape" and "health educator" participants demonstrated greater condom use knowledge; "health educator" participants indicated greater self-efficacy and stronger condom use intentions with steady partners. At 6 months, participants in all conditions reported more partners and acts of vaginal intercourse (past month); however, they were more likely to report consistent condom use with steady partners (18% vs. 53%) and casual partners (26% vs. 50%). Perceived risk of infection was lower at the posttest and declined during the study period.
Performance of a Single Ultrafine Particle Mass Spectrometer

We report on the performance of a rapid single particle mass spectrometer (RSMS-II), designed to obtain the size and composition of individual ultrafine particles. Particles are sized aerodynamically at the inlet using a dynamic focusing mechanism to transmit particles to the source region of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Since the target particles are too small to be detected optically, an excimer laser is pulsed at high frequency so that data are acquired only when a particle coincides with a laser pulse within the source region. The instrument is tested with sodium chloride and oleic acid particle standards of various sizes and the hit rate efficiency is monitored as the normalized number of particle hits per unit time. The hit rate efficiency depends on the particle flux through the active region of the laser beam, in addition to the particle size and composition, and may thus be used to determine the relative transmission efficiency and size selectivity of the inlet.
188 From the very small to the very large: challenges in conducting epidemiologic studies of US workers exposed to carbon nanotubes

Presentation Time: 11:00 - 11:30 Objectives Carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon nanofibers (CNF) are among the first nanomaterials to reach commercial use in the US and are also showing evidence of serious health effects at occupationally relevant levels in toxicology studies. The objective of our work was to design an epidemiologic study of early possible health effects among US workers exposed to CNT and CNF, taking into account small workforce sizes, a global manufacturing and distribution system, uncertainty about which exposure metrics may best correlate with health effects, and short available latency. Methods Initial exposure characterisation was conducted at 15 US manufacturers and users of CNT and CNF to determine the most specific and useful exposure metrics. Possible markers of early pulmonary, cardiovascular, and malignant health effects were identified from animal toxicology studies and epidemiologic research among populations exposed to ambient ultrafine particles. Power analyses were conducted to determine appropriate sample sizes. Results A cross-sectional exposure assessment and epidemiology study was designed; it will include 100 workers from at least 10 US facilities making or using CNT or CNF. This study, now in progress, evaluates elemental mass and electron microscopy-based exposure metrics for each worker, along with early health outcomes including spirometry measures, blood pressure, and approximately 40 biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, pulmonary fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The study will account for ambient ultrafine exposure using a combination of background sampling and non-specific direct-reading instruments that operate in the nanoscale range. Conclusions Cross-sectional epidemiologic designs for nanomaterial exposures are feasible, but small workforce sizes and generally short latency limit power; cohort studies for outcomes such as malignant and nonmalignant respiratory and other disease may require international pooling. Researchers should collaborate to identify the most suitable exposure metrics and early health outcomes.
Editorial message: special track on applications of evolutionary computation

The mechanisms that drive biological evolution are reproduction with variation, reproductive success proportional to fitness, and repetition. In any system where these mechanisms are active, populations of objects-biological or artificial-will evolve. Among such systems are evolutionary algorithms, which apply techniques inspired by biological evolution to search for good solutions to computationally difficult problems.
An evaluation of backpack harness systems in non-neutral torso postures.

Abstract Much of the research on backpack design has been focused on spinal loading/biomechanics while the wearer is in a neutral/upright trunk posture, such as those employed by outdoor enthusiasts and schoolchildren. This research has led to some important harness design improvements that reduce trunk muscle exertions, fatigue and improve overall comfort. There are number of occupations, however, wherein workers wear back-mounted packs/devices (e.g. air tanks) while working in non-neutral trunk postures. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of these non-neutral postures on biomechanical loading and then reconsider the backpack system design recommendations. Fifteen participants were asked to support a 18.2 kg load on their back while assuming static forward flexed postures of the torso (15°, 30°, 45°, and 60° of sagittal bend). The mass on the back was attached to the participant through two different harness mechanisms: a basic harness design (as seen on college student backpacks) and a more advanced design containing lateral stiffness rods and a weight-bearing hip belt (as seen on backpacks for hikers). While performing these static, posture maintenance tasks, the activation levels of the bilateral trapezius, erector spinae, and rectus abdominis were collected. Participants also provided subjective ratings of comfort. The results showed that there was a significant interaction between harness type and forward flexion angle for the trapezius and the erector spinae muscles. The normalized EMG for the trapezius muscles showed a 14% and 11% reduction in muscle activity at 15° and 30°, respectively, with the advanced design but these positive effects of the advanced design were not found at the greater flexion angles. Likewise the erector spinae muscles showed a 24% and 14% reduction in muscle activity at 15° and 30°, respectively, with the advanced design harness but these effects of the advanced design were not found at the greater forward flexion angles. The level of forward flexion angle affected the rectus abdominis muscle activity, but neither the harness type main effect nor the interaction of harness type and forward flexion angle was significant. The subjective survey results agreed with the EMG results and showed the advanced design harness was generally more comfortable with respect to the shoulder and low back areas. Collectively, the subjective and objective results show a significant improvement with the advanced harness system but also note an interesting interaction with degree of sagittal flexion, indicating a diminished effectiveness of the design improvements at forward flexed postures. Design criteria for harness systems in these forward flexed postures are discussed.
317 PHENYTOIN KINETICS IN NEWBORNS

To determine the relative contribution of age and absorption on phenytoin (PHT) kinetics in full-term newborns, we measured PHT apparent half-life (t50%) 15 times in 9 infants aged 2 to 36 days. PHT was given i.v. 9 times and p.o. 6 times. The PHT t50% ranged from 140 hours In a 2 day old to 3.78 hours in a 36 day old. Whereas the t50% correlated directly with initial concentration (Ci) in the 8 patients ≥9 days old (r=0.755, p<.05), there was no correlation in 7 younger patients. T50% varied inversely with age, averaging 84.7 hr (SD 42.6) in patients less than 8 days old and 14.7 hr (SD 7.74) in older patients (t=4.59, p<.01). Controlling for the effect of Ci, the average t50% was still reduced by more than 3 times in the older group (84.7 vs 25.5 hr, p<0.02). Preliminary study of PHT absorption suggests that the reduction of PHT levels seen in infants more than 1 week old is even greater than predicted by this 3-fold increase in PHT eliminatory capacity and supports the notion that PHT bioavailability is significantly reduced in infants. Thus, the relation between Ci and t50% of PHT changes rapidly during the first month of life, a change which must be considered when studying PHT administration and absorption in newborns. For an individual newborn these kinetic changes are unpredictable and repeated PHT measurements are essential.
Evolutionary scenarios in the Pachydactylus Group geckos of southern Africa: new hypotheses

Abstract Gekkonid lizards constitute one of the most diverse and highly endemic components of the southern African herpetofauna. Although higher order relationships among African geckos remain obscure, the Pachydactylus Group has been widely accepted as monophyletic. Within this clade many taxa are restricted to particular substrate types. The historical subdivision of these substrates may have promoted cladogenesis, and thus high levels of both endemism and diversity within this lineage. Evolutionary scenarios serving as hypotheses for the relationship between earth history and gekkonid phylogeny are proposed for the P. namaquensis complex, P. punctatus complex, and the P. serval complex, as well as the genera Palmatogecko and Rhoptropus.
Occurrence of the Cys311 DRD2 variant in a pedigree multiply affected with panic disorder

Following the detection of the rare DRD2 codon 311 variant (Ser{yields}Cys) in an affected member from a large, multiply affected panic disorder family, we investigated the occurrence of this variant in other family members. The variant occurred in both affected and unaffected individuals. Further screening in panic disorder sib pairs unrelated to this family failed to detect the Cys311 variant. Our data suggests that this variant has no pathogenic role in panic disorder. 18 refs., 1 fig.
Analysis of contact through finite element gaps

Abstract A numerical technique is described for analyzing contact of disconnected structures through the use of finite element gaps. A special gap element is used, together with a stress invariance principle, to model the contact process. The solution is achieved through an iterative procedure which adjusts the modulus of the gap elements. The numerical procedure is described and results are given for two problems of differing complexity. The first is a classical Hertz problem involving contact between a sphere and a rigid plane. The second problem is concerned with the thermostructural analysis of the beat shield for a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator design.
Gene Transcription Changes in Asthmatic Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps and Comparison to Those in Atopic Dermatitis

Background: Asthmatic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (aCRSwNP) is a common disruptive eosinophilic disease without effective medical treatment. Therefore, we sought to identify gene expression changes, particularly those occurring early, in aCRSwNP. To highlight expression changes associated with eosinophilic epithelial inflammation, we further compared the changes in aCRSwNP with those in a second eosinophilic epithelial disease, atopic dermatitis (AD), which is also closely related to asthma. Methods/Principal Findings: Genome-wide mRNA levels measured by exon array in both nasosinus inflamed mucosa and adjacent polyp from 11 aCRSwNP patients were compared to those in nasosinus tissue from 17 normal or rhinitis subjects without polyps. Differential expression of selected genes was confirmed by qRT-PCR or immunoassay, and transcription changes common to AD were identified. Comparison of aCRSwNP inflamed mucosa and polyp to normal/rhinitis tissue identified 447 differentially transcribed genes at $2 fold-change and adjusted p-value,0.05. These included increased transcription of chemokines localized to chromosome 17q11.2 (CCL13, CCL2, CCL8, and CCL11) that favor eosinophil and monocyte chemotaxis and chemokines (CCL18, CCL22, and CXCL13) that alternatively-activated monocyte-derived cells have been shown to produce. Additional transcription changes likely associated with Th2-like eosinophilic inflammation were prominent and included increased IL1RL1 (IL33 receptor) and EMR1&3 and decreased CRISP2&3. A down-regulated PDGFB-centric network involving several smooth muscle-associated genes was also implicated. Genes at 17q11.2, genes associated with alternative activation or smooth muscle, and the IL1RL1 gene were also differentially transcribed in AD. Conclusions/Significance: Our data implicate several genes or gene sets in aCRSwNP and eosinophilic epithelial inflammation, some that likely act in the earlier stages of inflammation. The identified gene expression changes provide additional diagnostic and therapeutic targets for aCRSwNP and other eosinophilic epithelial diseases.
Big data: Astronomical or genomical?

Genomics is a Big Data science and is going to get much bigger, very soon, but it is not known whether the needs of genomics will exceed other Big Data domains. Projecting to the year 2025, we compared genomics with three other major generators of Big Data: astronomy, YouTube, and Twitter. Our estimates show that genomics is a “four-headed beast”—it is either on par with or the most demanding of the domains analyzed here in terms of data acquisition, storage, distribution, and analysis. We discuss aspects of new technologies that will need to be developed to rise up and meet the computational challenges that genomics poses for the near future. Now is the time for concerted, community-wide planning for the “genomical” challenges of the next decade.
Do Institutions Matter?: The Influence of Institutions of Direct Democracy on Local Government Spending

This article re-examines whether direct democracy mechanisms influence government fiscal behavior. The study builds on prior research by using a large sample of smaller U.S. cities, spending on specific policy areas, and an additional mechanism—the citizen advisory committee. These committees are included because they are prevalent in local government charters and are employed up front in the decision process. The results indicate that direct democracy mechanisms are either associated with higher spending levels or are not significant factors in spending decisions, indicating that local government fiscal behavior may be somewhat resistant to these types of institutional constraints.
Focused Process Improvement Events: Sustainability of Impact on Process and Performance in an Academic Radiology Department

Abstract Purpose To evaluate sustainability of impact of rapid, focused process improvement (PI) events on process and performance within an academic radiology department. Methods Our department conducted PI during 2011 and 2012 in CT, MRI, ultrasound, breast imaging, and research billing. PI entailed participation by all stakeholders, facilitation by the department chair, collection of baseline data, meetings during several weeks, definition of performance metrics, creation of an improvement plan, and prompt implementation. We explore common themes among PI events regarding initial impact and durability of changes. We also assess performance in each area pre-PI, immediately post-PI, and at the time of the current study. Results All PI events achieved an immediate improvement in performance metrics, often entailing both examination volumes and on-time performance. IT-based solutions, process standardization, and redefinition of staff responsibilities were often central in these changes, and participants consistently expressed improved internal leadership and problem-solving ability. Major environmental changes commonly occurred after PI, including a natural disaster with equipment loss, a change in location or services offered, and new enterprise-wide electronic medical record system incorporating new billing and radiology informatics systems, requiring flexibility in the PI implementation plan. Only one PI team conducted regular post-PI follow-up meetings. Sustained improvement was frequently, but not universally, observed: in the long-term following initial PI, measures of examination volume showed continued progressive improvements, whereas measures of operational efficiency remained stable or occasionally declined. Conclusions Focused PI is generally effective in achieving performance improvement, although a changing environment influences the sustainability of impact. Thus, continued process evaluation and ongoing workflow modifications are warranted.
High quality robust tests for path delay faults

Detailed circuit simulations have demonstrated that a classical two-pattern robust test for a path delay fault may not excite the worst case delay of the target path. We have developed a new definition of robust test that maintains the desirable properties of classical robust tests while incorporating two additional considerations, namely side-fan-in transitions and pre-initialization, which are shown to have a significant impact on the delay of the target path. The associated test generation problem was formulated as a constrained optimization problem, and an ATPG system developed to generate three-pattern robust tests that excite the worst case delay of the target path. The ATPG works on a gate level model that is augmented to capture the necessary switch level details. Experimental results show that the quality of robust delay tests varies dramatically and that the proposed high quality robust delay tests are needed for improving test quality.
Egg beater as centrifuge: isolating human blood plasma from whole blood in resource-poor settings

This paper demonstrates that a hand-powered egg beater can be modified to serve as a centrifuge for separating plasma from human whole blood. Immunoassays used to diagnose infectious diseases often require plasma from whole blood, and obtaining plasma typically requires electrically-powered centrifuges, which are not widely available in resource-limited settings. Human whole blood was loaded into polyethylene (PE) tubing, and the tubing was attached to the paddle of an egg beater. Spinning the paddle pelleted the blood cells to the distal end of the PE tubing; the plasma remained as the supernatant. A cholesterol assay (run on patterned paper) demonstrated the suitability of this plasma for use in diagnostic assays. The physics of the system was also analyzed as a guide for the selection of other rotating systems for use in centrifugation. Egg beaters, polyethylene tubing, and paper are readily available devices and supplies that can facilitate the use of point-of-care diagnostics at sites far from centralized laboratory facilities.
Performance of Ultra Hard Carbon Wear Coatings on Microgears Fabricated by Liga

Stiction and friction are of concern for the reliable, long-term application of Ni-alloy micromachines. We have found that the application of a 30-70 nm hard carbon coating produces a significant reduction in the friction coefficient and wear rate of electroformed Ni substrates in reciprocating sliding contact under simulated MEMS operating conditions. To evaluate the performance of coated components, a series of 70-pm-thick microgears ranging in diameter from 0.2 to 2.2 mm were fabricated from electroformed Ni via standard LIGA processes and fixtured on posts in preparation for the coating procedure. A pulsed vacuum- arc deposition process was used to deposit a carbon coating on the gears with the plasma incident at a shallow angle to the gears' top surface. A sample bias of -2 keV was used in order to produce a coating with relatively low stress and good adhesion while maintaining high hardness. This coating process is known to be somewhat comformal to the component surfaces. The coating uniformity, particularly in the high-aspect-ratio areas between the gear teeth, was evaluated with micro-Raman spectroscopy. It is shown that the coating can be applied uniformly on the top gear surface. Between the gear teeth the coating was the same thickness as on top of the gear down to a point 50 ~m below the top surface. Below that point (i.e. between 50 and 70 Lm), the coating thickness is somewhat thinner, but is still present. These results demonstrate that it is possible to a deposit hard carbon coating on microgears to reduce friction and wear in micromachines.
Modulo schedule buffers

As VLIW/EPIC processors are increasingly used in real-time, signal-processing, and embedded applications, the importance of minimizing code size and reducing power is growing. This paper describes a new architectural mechanism, called the Modulo Schedule Buffers, that provides an elegant interface for the execution of modulo scheduled loops. While the performance is similar to that of kernel-only modulo scheduling, this mechanism has a number of advantages, including minimal code expansion. Rather than generating fully-scheduled kernels, the compiler generates a sequential form of the modulo scheduled loop body. Using the sequential form, the hardware internally synthesizes the prologue, kernel, and epilogue. In addition, while loops can be scheduled with fewer constraints and fewer explicit prologues/epilogues than with existing mechanisms. Because the hardware controls loop execution, the burden of modulo schedule loop control is lifted from the predicate register file, allowing for a less rigorous predication implementation. Finally; hardware control limits the interrupt latency when using the EQ explicit latency model to the execution latency of one iteration, rather than the whole loop invocation.
Business Education University Supervisors’ Perspectives of Mentor Teachers’ Competencies

This study examined the perspectives of an expert panel of 31 business education university supervisors from the U.S. and Canada using a modified Delphi approach regarding the areas in which mentor teachers are typically most and least prepared. Findings indicated business education mentor teachers are most prepared in the areas of classroom management, teaching-related administrative duties, and establishing rapport. However, the expert panel did not reach consensus on the areas in which mentor teachers are oftentimes least prepared. The majority of the university supervisors believed business teacher preparation programs could provide mentor teachers with professional development on mentoring and expectations prior to the internship.
Historical perspective: Hormonal regulation of behaviors in amphibians

This review focuses on research into the hormonal control of behaviors in amphibians that was conducted prior to the 21st century. Most advances in this field come from studies of a limited number of species and investigations into the hormonal mechanisms that regulate reproductive behaviors in male frogs and salamanders. From this earlier research, we highlight five main generalizations or conclusions. (1) Based on studies of vocalization behaviors in anurans, testicular androgens induce developmental changes in cartilage and muscles fibers in the larynx and thereby masculinize peripheral structures that influence the properties of advertisement calls by males. (2) Gonadal steroid hormones act to enhance reproductive behaviors in adult amphibians, but causal relationships are not as well established in amphibians as in birds and mammals. Research into the relationships between testicular androgens and male behaviors, mainly using castration/steroid treatment studies, generally supports the conclusion that androgens are necessary but not sufficient to enhance male behaviors. (3) Prolactin acts synergistically with androgens and induces reproductive development, sexual behaviors, and pheromone production. This interaction between prolactin and gonadal steroids helps to explain why androgens alone sometimes fail to stimulate amphibian behaviors. (4) Vasotocin also plays an important role and enhances specific types of behaviors in amphibians (frog calling, receptivity in female frogs, amplectic clasping in newts, and non-clasping courtship behaviors). Gonadal steroids typically act to maintain behavioral responses to vasotocin. Vasotocin modulates behavioral responses, at least in part, by acting within the brain on sensory pathways that detect sexual stimuli and on motor pathways that control behavioral responses. (5) Corticosterone acts as a potent and rapid suppressor of reproductive behaviors during periods of acute stress. These rapid stress-induced changes in behaviors use non-genomic mechanisms and membrane-associated corticosterone receptors.