cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Patient-Reported and Caregiver-Reported Swallowing-Related Quality of Life in Parkinson’s Disease

This pilot study explored agreement on swallowing-related quality-of-life scores reported by individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their caregivers. Thirty-six patient–caregiver pairs completed the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) using an online survey format. Additional background and clinical information was ascertained. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was completed to compare the means of scores between individuals with PD and caregivers. Factors potentially influencing SWAL-QOL scores (age, employment status, sex, ethnicity, race, previous history of swallowing evaluation or treatment, caregiver concern about patient cognition, caregiver burden, and time since onset of disease) were explored using Spearman Coefficient Correlation tests. The Holm–Bonferroni method was used to adjust for multiple comparisons. Results did not reveal significant differences in SWAL-QOL scores between individuals with PD and caregiver pairs. There was a moderate degree of reliability and agreement between paired patient and caregiver scores, with the average ICC measures being 0.598 (95% CI [358, 0.748]) (F(71, 72) = 2.451, p < 0.0001). After adjusting for multiple comparisons, caregiver burden was found to be the only significant factor associated with caregivers’ reported scores. No significant influential factor on reported scores by individuals with PD was found. These pilot results suggest individuals with PD and their caregivers may report similar swallowing-related quality-of-life scores. Further, caregiver burden appears to be an influential factor for caregiver-reported scores. Future studies should investigate the clinical benefits of including caregiver SWAL-QOL ratings in assessments, either as a supplement to patient scores to identify discrepancies across the dyad or in place of patient scores if needed. Further, caregiver burden and its influence on dysphagia identification and management should be explored, with targeted interventions to manage caregiver burden.
Septic Shock and Spontaneous Gangrenous Gas Necrosis of the Spleen Secondary to Clostridium perfringens: The Importance of Source Control

Clostridium perfringens is a rare cause of septic shock, occurring most frequently in immunocompromised patients. An uncommon cause of Clostridium perfringen septicemia is spontaneous gangrenous gas necrosis of the spleen, where the primary treatment is splenectomy. We present a case of septic shock caused by spontaneous gangrenous gas necrosis of the spleen secondary to Clostridium perfringens in a patient whose profound pancytopenia made obtaining definitive source control extremely difficult.
How Do Enzymes Work

X-Ray diffraction studies of enzymes and of their complexes with substrates, inhibitors and products have not uncovered a previously unsuspected source of the rate enhancement factors of 108 to 1014 sometimes observed. However, these studies have shown that enzymes have a surprisingly reproducible structure over the many unit cells of a crystal, although the intrinsic disorder of some side chains and polypeptide backbone leave clear indications of flexibility. This structure helps to account for both the geometrical aspects of specificity and the large size of enzymes. Most important for theories of catalytic activity have been (a) the rather precise fit of the extended binding region of the enzyme to substrate and (b) the potential or actual proximity of putative catalytic or polarizing groups of the enzyme to the region of the substrate where catalysis occurs, and (c) a tendency to limit the access of water.
Parent-rated behavior problems associated with overweight before and after controlling for sleep disordered breathing.

Background Researchers and clinicians are seeking to develop efficacious behavioral interventions to treat overweight children; however, few studies have documented the behavioral correlates of overweight children in community samples. The goal of this study was to determine the nature and prevalence of behavior problems for overweight school-aged children versus normal weight peers before and after controlling for the effect of sleep disordered breathing.
Rheological studies on sterically stabilized model dispersions of uniform colloidal spheres: II. Steady-shear viscosity

Abstract Model sterically stabilized poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) particles were dispersed in silicone fluids of different viscosities, at concentrations up to 45% by volume. The particles were uniform in size, with core diameters ranging from 170 to 620 nm. Silicone viscosities ranged from 8 to 450 cP. Thickness of the steric stabilizing layer was estimated to be 7 nm. Rheological behavior of the different dispersions fell into two distinct categories, referred to here as “gelled” and “fluid.” Gelled dispersions exhibited time-dependent thixotropy, yield stresses, and high-shear Newtonian viscosities. They were obtained when the molecules of the dispersing medium were comparable in length to average spacings between particle surfaces. Gelation is attributed to elastic-steric interactions between the stabilizing fragments and the molecules of the stabilizing medium. The fluid dispersions, obtained with larger particles dispersed in silicone fluids of lower molecular weight, showed moderate low-shear viscosities even at temperatures so low that the media are highly viscous. When the thickness of the stabilizing layer was included in calculating volume fractions, the fluid dispersions obeyed a principle of corresponding rheological states which had previously been demonstrated for dispersions of noninteracting spheres.
Video-augmented feedback for procedural performance

AbstractBackground: Resident programs must assess residents’ achievement of core competencies for clinical and procedural skills.Aims: Video-augmented feedback may facilitate procedural skill acquisition and promote more accurate self-assessment.Methods: A randomized controlled study to investigate whether video-augmented verbal feedback leads to increased procedural skill and improved accuracy of self-assessment compared to verbal only feedback. Participants were evaluated during procedural training for ultrasound guided internal jugular central venous catheter (US IJ CVC) placement. All participants received feedback based on a validated 30-point checklist for US IJ CVC placement and validated 6-point procedural global rating scale.Results: Scores in both groups improved by a mean of 9.6 points (95% CI: 7.8–11.4) on the 30-point checklist, with no difference between groups in mean score improvement on the global rating scale. In regards to self-assessment, participant self-rating diverged from faculty s...
Women’s Perceived Control of Their Birth Outcomes in the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Health Study: Implications for the Use of Preconception Care

Purpose This study examines nonpregnant women’s beliefs about whether or not they can influence their future birth outcomes with respect to the baby’s health and factors associated with internal locus of control for birth outcomes. Perceived internal control of birth outcomes could be a predisposing factor for use of preconception care, which is recommended for all women of childbearing age by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The overall hypothesis is that internal control of birth outcomes is a function of prior pregnancy experiences, current health status and stress levels, access to health care, and sociodemographics. Methods Data are from the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Health Study random digit dial telephone survey of 2,002 women ages 18–45; the analytic sample is 614 nonpregnant women with current reproductive capacity who reported that they are considering a future pregnancy. Internal control of birth outcomes is measured using 1) a 4-item Internal Control of Birth Outcomes Scale, 2) a single-item measure of Preconceptional Control, and 3) a score reflecting high internal control on both of these measures. Findings In multiple logistic regression analyses, internal control of birth outcomes is positively associated with older age (35–45 vs. 18–34 years), higher education (some college or more), marital status (currently married or living with a partner), and higher self-rated physical health status on the SF-12v2 (but not mental health status or psychosocial stress). Previous adverse pregnancy outcomes and current access to health care have no association with internal control for birth outcomes. Conclusion Variables associated with internal control of birth outcomes among women contemplating a future pregnancy are primarily sociodemographic and physical health related. Educational and social marketing efforts to increase women’s use of preconception care may be particularly important for women who are likely to have lower internal control, including younger, less educated, unmarried, and less healthy women.
Wreck on the highway: the Supreme Court, search incident to arrest, the good faith exception, and Davis v. United States

In 1981, the Supreme Court held that when a police officer arrests the occupant of an automobile, the officer may search the automobile’s passenger compartment incident to the arrest, and this search may take place even after the suspect has been handcuffed and secured in a police vehicle. This decision created a bright-line rule for searches incident to arrest in automobiles and was easy to apply; it lacked, however, any logical connection to the rationale for the original search incident exception, since it was clearly impossible for an arrested suspect to gain access to the vehicle compartment once he was secured in a police vehicle. In 2009, the Supreme Court held that the so-called Belton rule did not apply when the person arrested has been removed from the vehicle and secured. In 2011, the Supreme Court applied the good faith exception to the exclusionary rule to a search incident of an automobile that took place prior to Gant. Davis is the latest in a series of decisions weakening the protections o...
Epidemiology of Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis in Pug Dogs

Background: Although the histopathologic features of necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) have been described previously, little information is available concerning the signalment, geographic distribution, seasonal onset, treatment, and survival of affected dogs. Animals: Sixty Pugs with NME and 14 contemporaneous control Pugs with other intracranial diseases (non-NME group). Methods: Pugs that were euthanized or died because of intracranial disease were prospectively obtained. All dogs had necropsy, histopathology, and testing for various infectious diseases and were subsequently divided into NME and non-NME groups. Signalment, geographic distribution, seasonal onset, treatment, and survival were compared between groups. Results: In Pugs with NME, median age at onset of clinical signs was 18 months (range, 4–113 months). A greater proportion of female dogs were present in the NME group (40/60) compared with the control group (6/14). Pugs with NME had a significantly lower mean weight (7.81 kg) than control Pugs (9.79 kg) (P= .012). Mean survival in Pugs with NME was 93 days (range, 1–680 days), with dogs receiving any form of treatment living significantly longer than those that were not treated (P= .003). Anticonvulsive drugs were the only treatment significantly associated with longer survival (P= .003). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: NME appears to be a common cause of intracranial signs in Pugs, based on the high proportion of NME dogs reported in this population. Pugs with NME are most commonly young adult female dogs. Although further investigation is needed to determine the optimal treatment of NME, anticonvulsive drugs appear to beneficially affect duration of survival.
Dance and peer support to improve diabetes outcomes in African American women.

Purpose The purpose of this pilot study was to test a dance intervention and explore the role of peer support to improve the diabetes outcomes of A1C, weight, body fat, and blood pressure in African American women with type 2 diabetes. Methods This study was conducted in a community-based outpatient clinic. A mixed methods design was used. A total of 46 women, 26 to 83 years of age, were randomized to either the 12-week dance group or usual care group. Both between group and intraindividual group differences were analyzed from baseline to 12 weeks. Focus group interviews explored the role of peer support through semistructured discussions for the women enrolled in the dance group. Results Results showed significant group mean differences in systolic blood pressure (BP) and body fat. Paired t tests showed significant reductions in all the diabetes outcomes for the dance group and significant increases in glycolated hemoglobin (A1C) and systolic BP for the usual care group. The emergent themes of the focus groups were that a diabetes diagnosis was devastating, and changing eating habits and taking medications was often difficult. Peer support in the dance group was expressed as camaraderie, enjoyment, and laughter, which fostered attendance. Conclusions Dancing 2 times per week for 12 weeks produced significant group differences in systolic BP and body fat and significant intraindividual changes. The implications are that dancing in a supportive environment with peers may be an effective strategy for diabetes educators to help those with diabetes to become more physically active and improve diabetes outcomes and overall health.
Compartmentalization and Transmission of Multiple Epstein-Barr Virus Strains in Asymptomatic Carriers

Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often subclinical in the presence of a healthy immune response; thus, asymptomatic infection is largely uncharacterized. This study analyzed the nature of EBV infection in 20 asymptomatic immunocompetent hosts over time through the identification of EBV strain variants in the peripheral blood and oral cavity. A heteroduplex tracking assay specific for the EBV gene LMP1 precisely identified the presence of multiple EBV strains in each subject. The strains present in the peripheral blood and oral cavity were often completely discordant, indicating the existence of distinct infections, and the strains present and their relative abundance changed considerably between time points. The possible transmission of strains between the oral cavity and peripheral blood compartments could be tracked within subjects, suggesting that reactivation in the oral cavity and subsequent reinfection of B lymphocytes that reenter the periphery contribute to the maintenance of persistence. In addition, distinct virus strains persisted in the oral cavity over many time points, suggesting an important role for epithelial cells in the maintenance of persistence. Asymptomatic individuals without tonsillar tissue, which is believed to be an important source of virus for the oral cavity, also exhibited multiple strains and a cyclic pattern of transmission between compartments. This study revealed that the majority of patients with infectious mononucleosis were infected with multiple strains of EBV that were also compartmentalized, suggesting that primary infection involves the transmission of multiple strains. Both the primary and carrier states of infection with EBV are more complex than previously thought.
MATRIX STUDIES OF THE PRODUCTS OF LASER VAPORIZATION OF GRAPHITE

Abstract Laser vaporization is shown to be an efficient source of ionic species for matrix studies. C2− and other ions are produced by vaporization of graphite. A new spectrum characterized by Te = 19732 cm−, ωe′ = 1507±2 cm−1 and ωe″ = 1360±5 cm−1 is detected and assigned to C2+ or, less probably, to C3−. An efficient vibrational energy transfer between C2 and C2− is observed.
Tangential discontinuities and the optical analogy for stationary fields. VII. Effects of resistivity

Abstract The relatively large resistivity in the solar photosphere and chromosphere softens the ideal tangential discontinuities of magnetostatic equilibrium into continuous transitions in field direction over scales of 0.1–10 km. This softening is communicated upward at the Alfven speed into the active solar corona. The degree of softening is a vital part of the theory of magnetic heat input to the active X-ray corona, because the very low resistivity of the coronal gas provides effective dissipation only if the current sheets are reduced to a thickness of 10−2km. A close examination of the problem shows that the Alfven transit time up into the corona is large compared to the characteristic time of 1 sec in which the coronal tangential discontinutities are formed. It also shows that the principal effect of the resistivity is to create a thin surface layer of fluid on adjacent flux bundles, which causes a general drift of the flux but does not directly broaden the current sheets higher up in the field. In...
The preparation and properties of TiUO5

Abstract A compound of tetravalent titanium and hexavalent uranium with the formula TiUO 5 has been synthesized. Two preparative methods are described. The compound is stable to 950°C; loss of oxygen and disproportionation to TiO 2 and U 3 O 8 occur above this temperature. X-ray and infra red data for TiUO 5 are given.
Heterobifunctional poly(ethylene oxide) oligomers containing carboxylic acids.

Syntheses of vinylsilyl alcohols having one to three vinyl moieties and their use as initiators for ethylene oxide polymerizations are discussed. Poly(ethylene oxide) oligomers with vinylsilanes at one end and a hydroxyl group at the other were prepared in base-catalyzed reactions. Molecular weights determined from 1H NMR and gel permeation chromatography were close to the targeted values. Carboxylic acid functional poly(ethylene oxide) oligomers were prepared from ene−thiol addition reactions of mercaptoacetic acid across the vinylsilane terminus. It is anticipated that these carboxylic acid functional oligomers will complex to magnetite nanoparticles to afford complexes that can be dispersed in aqueous media.
A Model-aided Study of the Origin and Evolution of the Anomalously High Potential vorticity in the Inner Region of a Rapidly Deepening Marine Cyclone

Abstract High spatial and temporal resolution fields generated by a mesoscale prediction model are used to study a case of rapid marine cyclogenesis (26 mb in 12 h) within the context of potential vorticity (PV) thinking. The case, which occurred on 23 February 1987 near the east coast of the United States, was well simulated by the model, as was verified by ship reports and satellite imagery. Three components of the cyclone were investigated: 1) a surface thermal anomaly (or surrogate PV anomaly), 2) a low-level, diabatically produced PV anomaly in and near the frontal cloud band, and 3) a dry PV anomaly of upper-tropospheric and lower-stratosphoric origin. Trajectory tracing revealed that the surface thermal anomaly was caused primarily by northward transport of warm air into the central region of the low. Although surface sensible heat flux also contributed to the warm anomaly, a sensitivity experiment, run with the flux withheld, showed that it had little impact on the depth of the storm. Furthermore,...
Constraints on Dark Energy from Supernovae, Gamma-Ray Bursts, Acoustic Oscillations, Nucleosynthesis, Large-Scale Structure, and the Hubble Constant

The luminosity distance versus redshift law is now measured using supernovae and γ-ray bursts, and the angular size distance is measured at the surface of last scattering by the CMB and at z = 0.35 by baryon acoustic oscillations. In this paper, this data is fit to models for the equation of state with w = -1, w = constant, and w(z) = w0 + wa(1 - a). The last model is poorly constrained by the distance data, leading to unphysical solutions where the dark energy dominates at early times unless the large-scale structure and acoustic scale constraints are modified to allow for early-time dark energy effects. A flat ΛCDM model is consistent with all the data.
Information consulting: The key to success in academic libraries

Information consulting is essential to the success, lasting impact, and viability of academic libraries. Traditional liaison programs, while helpful, are too passive and lack impact. Topics such as the driving forces behind the need for information consulting, the implications of implementing a consulting program, and the elements of successful consulting are explored.
The movement of materials into plants Part I. Osmosis and the movement of water into plants

The fundamental principles of osmosis are reviewed. A scheme is presented for mathematically dealing with the osmotic quantities, expressed as osmotic specific free energies, and graphically representing the same in a diagram with appropriate coordinates. Theoretical cases are introduced, utilizing various osmotic action capacities which possibly control water movement between the plant and its environment. Four typical sets of data are analysed by the present scheme and limitations discussed. A survey is made of methods currently employed in obtaining various osmotic quantities in plants. The controversy as to the reality or non-existence of metabolic specific free energies (variously termed active, vital or non-osmotic pressures) must await more critical experimentation.
On the tryptic peptides from hemoglobin chains of six carnivores.

The amino acid compositions of the tryptic peptides of the following carnivore hemoglobin chains have been determined: gray fox (Urocyon cineroargenteus); raccoon (Procyon lotor); polar bear (Thalarctos maritimus); coati mundi (Nasua nasua)β chain; coati mundi (Nasua narica) twoβ chains; cat (Felis catus)α chain; and lion (Panthera leo)β chain. These provide a basis for future sequencing of these hemoglobins and construction of an evolutionary tree. The specific results are summarized in the following article (Stenzel and Brimhall, 1977).
Mechanical harvesting of Melaleuca quinquenervia in Lake Okeechobee, Florida

Abstract A John Deere™ Tree Harvester with Rome™ cutting head was used to cut and pile stands of melaleuca ( Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) Blake) at Lake Okeechobee, FL, USA. The operator had no difficulty moving the machine over the sandy substrate, including areas with shallow (0.2 m) water. The width of the island (15 m) allowed removal of all trees without backtracking, and no difficulties were encountered in shearing the melaleuca. Mean time required for complete cutting and stacking of melaleuca was 53 s/tree, which yields a calculated mean of 14.3 h of actual harvesting time to clear each hectare of tree island (mean of 970 trees/ha; 44 cm mean diameter at cutting height). Time required to cut each tree was closely correlated with the number of cuts ( r =0.99) required and with diameter at cutting height ( r =0.97); however, diameter at cutting height can be estimated prior to treatment much more easily than number of cuts required. Operational cost for the machine and operator was approximately $125.00/h. Four months after the cutting, 66% of the cut stumps had resprouted. Correlation was high between number of resprouts and stump height ( r =0.90) and between the number of resprouts and diameter at cut height ( r =0.89), although peak percentage of stumps resprouting occurred with the shortest and tallest stumps.
Propranolol and morphine.

The morphine blocking and anticonvulsant effects of propranolol were investigated in mice. Three different convulsant procedures (electroshock, pentylenetetrazol and thebaine) were used. In addition, LD50's of morphine after different doses of propranolol were done. Sotalol was used as a control drug to check which of the effects of propranolol could be regarded as due to beta blockade.
The Promises and Perils of US African-American Hemispherism: Latin America in Martin Delany's Blake and Gayl Jones's Mosquito

We should be international. Not just provincial. We shouldn't just be a provincial people. That's what they want, just to keep us thinking we're a provincial people, and they're the universalists. That their perspective is the universal perspective. They claim for their provincial perspective universality. We're a universal people. We're more universal. "Cause we don't think everybody's supposed to be like us."
Acute ischemic stroke therapy: current status and future directions.

The only approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), with universally accepted benefit up to 3 h from stroke onset as demonstrated in both the NINDS tria...
Accuracy Requirements for Acceptance Testing of Complex Systems

Abstract A procedure for acceptance testing the constituent components of a complex system is considered. In this procedure, the quantity of interest is the total system performance, and the individual components are tested by a gauge which determines whether some pertinent characteristic lies within two limits. An imperfect gauge, in which the two limits are themselves random variables, is assumed. A relationship is determined between (1) the quality of the incoming components, (2) the characteristics of the gauge, as specified by the accuracy of, and the aperture between, the limits, and (3) the quality of the tested system. The results show that the outgoing quality is sensitive to the aperture of the gauge and insensitive to the accuracy of the limits. Numerical results are presented, and specific examples are discussed. * This paper presents the results of one phase of research carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under Contract No. DA-04-495-Ord 18. spons...
Absence of stretch reflex gain enhancement in voluntarily activated spastic muscle.

Abstract Static and dynamic stiffnesses of voluntarily activated elbow muscles were compared in spastic and contralateral arms of 15 subjects with spastic hemiparesis. Stiffnesses were estimated from the positional deflections induced by applying load perturbations to each forearm. In 11 15 subjects (73%), stiffnesses were comparable on the two sides. In the remaining 4 15 subjects (27%), stiffnesses were consistently greater on the spastic side, however, EMG recordings from these spastic muscles were of much smaller amplitude than those of the contralateral muscles, indicating that this increase was probably caused by changes in the mechanical properties of elbow muscles, rather than by stretch reflex enhancement. We conclude that for voluntarily activated muscles of spastic hemiparetic subjects, reflex stiffness (and presumably stretch reflex gain), of spastic and contralateral limbs is not significantly different. These findings impose important constraints upon theories attempting to explain spastic hypertonia, and they also provide guidelines for clinical quantification of spasticity.
THE PRAXEOLOGY OF HENRY FORD

No treatment of economics problems proper can avoid starting from acts of choice; economics becomes a part, although the hitherto best elaborated part, of a more universal science, praxeology.
Urinary Follicle-Stimulating Hormone during Pregnancy Relationship to Sex of Fetus*

Abstract FSH excretion was determined by RIA in 111 urine samples from 23 pregnant women. The use of acetone extraction allowed a 20-fold concentration of urine and the accurate quantitation of hormone levels. Between 10 weeks of gestation and term, FSH secretion was consistently low, with a mean excretion of 18 mlU/h; this amount compares to levels found in other states of marked hCG excess (e.g. choriocarcinoma) and is considerably less than the FSH excretion by prepubertal children. Maternal levels of urinary FSH did not differ with sex, suggesting a primary maternal pituitary origin for pregnancy FSH.
Stereospecificity of some invertebrate lactic dehydrogenases.

Abstract 1. 1. Representative organisms from eleven invertebrate phyla have been surveyed for lactic dehydrogenases. In a number of organisms the enzyme is not detectable and could be absent. 2. 2. Among the organisms tested, lactic dehydrogenase is specific for either the d (−) isomer or the l (+) isomer but no organism has both activities. 3. 3. d - and l -specific enzymes occur in related groups of invertebrates but the present survey does not indicate that there is a phylogenetic pattern in the distribution of d - and l -specific enzymes.
An analysis of market-index certificates of deposit

We analyze the new market-index certificates of deposit (MICDs), which pay variable interest pegged to the performance of the Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500 stock market index. The pricing formulas as well as the equilibrium relationship between the participation percentages for both the call-and put-type MICDs are derived and discussed. From the implicit value of the option component we compute implied standard deviations (ISDs) for the market index, and find inconsistencies in the pricing policies of the recent issuers of MICDs. The terms under which “bear” versions are being offered are particularly unattractive, and offering better terms would create new opportunities for the issuers of MICDs. We also analyze the issuer's risk exposure, and discuss the natural as well as the dynamic hedging strategies.
‘In carcere; ad dupplicium’: Jesuit encounters in prison and in places of execution. Reflections on the early-modern period

Jesuits of the early-modern period had, as a major aspect of their missions and ministry, encounters with prisoners and with those condemned to execution. The Jesuit experience of these encounters was profoundly influenced by the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, undertaken by every Jesuit. In these exercises the retreatant is required to visualise the physical sufferings of Christ. During the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, Jesuits were closely connected, from several perspectives, with the imprisonment and execution of scores of individuals. While many of the leading Jesuit theoreticians of the time, such as Roberto Bellarmino, supported the right of the secular state to exercise capital punishment, a tension persisted between the idea of common humanity expounded in the Spiritual Exercises and the role of the Jesuits as supporters of the Habsburg dynasty that conducted these public executions. This essay explores the Jesuit encounter along the eastern and northern Habsburg per...
Imagery in sentence comprehension: an fMRI study

This study examined brain activation while participants read or listened to high-imagery sentences like The number eight when rotated 90 degrees looks like a pair of spectacles or low-imagery sentences, and judged them as true or false. The sentence imagery manipulation affected the activation in regions (particularly, the intraparietal sulcus) that activate in other mental imagery tasks, such as mental rotation. Both the auditory and visual presentation experiments indicated activation of the intraparietal sulcus area in the high-imagery condition, suggesting a common neural substrate for language-evoked imagery that is independent of the input modality. In addition to exhibiting greater activation levels during the processing of high-imagery sentences, the left intraparietal sulcus also showed greater functional connectivity in this condition with other cortical regions, particularly language processing regions, regardless of the input modality. The comprehension of abstract, nonimaginal information in low-imagery sentences was accompanied by additional activation in regions in the left superior and middle temporal areas associated with the retrieval and processing of semantic and world knowledge. In addition to exhibiting greater activation levels during the processing of low-imagery sentences, this left temporal region also revealed greater functional connectivity in this condition with other left hemisphere language processing regions and with prefrontal regions, regardless of the input modality. The findings indicate that sentence comprehension can activate additional cortical regions that process information that is not specifically linguistic but varies with the information content of the sentence (such as visual or abstract information). In particular, the left intraparietal sulcus area appears to be centrally involved in processing the visual imagery that a sentence can evoke, while activating in synchrony with some core language processing regions.
Laser-Chemical Deposition and Etching on the Metallization Level of Integrated Circuits

Laser-controlled chemical deposition and etching techniques were used to modify integrated circuits. This work used a pulsed laser to initiate and control the etching, by chlorine gas, of aluminum conductors. New conducting paths were then formed by laser-chemical vapor deposition of highly-doped silicon from silane and diborane. Improved conductivity of laser-deposited connectors was achieved by the selective deposition of tungsten on the silicon. These techniques were used to “rewire” an integrated circuit allowing the full evaluation of the corrected circuit design.
A fluent backward talker.

This report documents the ability of a man to reverse the order of segments within words, so quickly that the simultaneous translation of forward speech into reversed speech was possible. Transcrip...
Natural Osmolyte Trimethylamine N-Oxide Corrects Assembly Defects of Mutant Branched-chain α-Ketoacid Decarboxylase in Maple Syrup Urine Disease *

Maple syrup urine disease is caused by deficiency in the mitochondrial branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKD) complex. The clinical phenotype includes often fatal ketoacidosis, neurological derangement, and mental retardation. The type IA mutations Y393N-alpha, Y368C-alpha, and F364C-alpha, which occur in the E1alpha subunit of the decarboxylase (E1) component of the BCKD complex, impede the conversion of an alphabeta heterodimeric intermediate to a native alpha(2)beta(2) heterotetramer in the E1 assembly pathway. In the present study, we show that a natural osmolyte trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) at the optimal 1 m concentration restores E1 activity, up to 50% of the wild type, in the mutant E1 carrying the above missense mutations. TMAO promotes the conversion of otherwise trapped mutant heterodimers to active heterotetramers. This slow step does not involve dissociation/reassociation of the mutant heterodimers, which are preformed in the presence of chaperonins GroEL/GroES and Mg-ATP. The TMAO-stimulated mutant E1 activity is remarkably stable upon removal of the osmolyte, when cofactor thiamine pyrophosphate and the transacylase component of the BCKD complex are present. The above in vitro results offer the use of chemical chaperones such as TMAO as an approach to mitigate assembly defects caused by maple syrup urine disease mutations.
The Effects of Pulmonary Valve Replacement for Severe Pulmonary Regurgitation on Exercise Capacity and Cardiac Function

Patients may develop hemodynamic abnormalities after right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) repair. Re-intervention timing remains a dilemma. This study evaluates exercise capacity and RV function before and after intervention using age-related comparisons. Twenty-six patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation (PR) after initial repair scheduled for pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) were enrolled. Metabolic treadmill testing (EST) and MRI were obtained before and after surgery. EST results were compared with matched controls. Preoperative exercise time and peak oxygen consumption (VO2 max) were significantly diminished compared with controls but were not significantly different postoperatively. The patients were then split into age-related cohorts. When comparing pre-PVR and post-PVR exercise time and VO2 max among themselves, neither cohort showed significant differences. However, patients younger than 25 years had better postoperative results, an age-related difference not seen in the controls. Preoperative MRI showed significantly dilated RV, PR, and low normal function. After PVR, the right to left ventricular end-diastolic volume ratio (RVEDV:LVEDV) and pulmonary artery regurgitant fraction (RF) significantly decreased. There was no change in ventricular ejection fractions (EF). Severe PR, decreased RVEF, and RV dilation can significantly diminish exercise capacity. PVR improves RVEDV:LVEDV and RF, but not EF. Younger patients had better exercise capacity that was maintained postoperatively. This age-related difference was not seen in the controls, indicating that earlier intervention may preserve exercise capacity. Serial ESTs in patients with severe PR following RVOT repair may identify deteriorating exercise capacity as an early indicator for the need for PVR.
Microstructural Modification of A206 Aluminium via Friction Stir Processing

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a post-processing method that locally manipulates microstructure by imparting a high level of energy in the solid state giving rise to improved mechanical properties. FSP was applied to 25.4 mm thick, sand casting A206 aluminum workpiece under different parameters. Effects of FSP on microstructure evolution will be described and discussed. Specifically, through optical microscopy and SEM measurements the attained refinement in the stirred zone will be reviewed; porosity is significantly reduced and second phase particles are fragmented. Thermal conditions of the FSP zone have been measured as well as studying the effect of the temperature gradients on the resultant structure.
Excess enthalpies and heat capacities for 2,5,8-trioxanonane + n-heptane mixtures

Abstract Flow calorimetric techniques were used to determine excess enthalpies and volumetric heat capacities of 2,5,8-trioxanonane + n -heptane mixtures at 25°C. The molar excess enthalpies are positive over the entire mole fraction range. The molar excess isobaric heat capacities are negative and exhibit a maximum and two minima.
Stress-induced amnesia and potentiation by ether

Mice were given a sham operation (skin incision plus wound clip) under ether, a sham operation without ether, or ether alone after training in a passive-avoidance task and were tested for retention 24 h later. When administered 1 h after training, sham-ether and sham treatments, but not ether treatments, induced amnesia. Amnesia due to the sham-ether treatment was greater than that due to the sham-no ether treatment. When given 6 h after training, only the sham-ether treatment induced significant amnesia.
Hyperhomocysteinemia: the protein C pathway to thrombosis

Comment on Dayal et al, page [2237][1] Dayal and colleagues demonstrate enhanced susceptibility to arterial occlusion in a murine model of hyperhomocysteinemia in the absence of evidence of altered platelet function. These investigators provide evidence that ROS generation and/or a decrease in
Interaction of iodinated enkephalin analogues with opiate receptors.

Abstract Radioiodinated derivatives of the metabolically stable enkephalin analogues, [DAla2,Leu5]- and [DAla2,DLeu5]-enkephalin, have been prepared. Such derivatives show sterospecific binding to receptors in brain homogenates and some neuroblastoma cell lines such as NG108-15 and N4TG1. The relative effects of levorphanol and dextrorphan and Na+ and Mn++ ions on enkephalin binding in brain and cells indicate that the iodinated derivatives are interacting with opiate receptors. Levorphanol is considerably more potent in displacing specifically bound enkephalin than dextrorphan. Sodium ions at physiological concentrations decrease enkephalin binding whereas manganese ions enhance it. Unlabelled monoiodo derivatives retain high potency in the guinea-pig ileum, mouse vas deferens and receptor binding assays. Unlabelled diiodo derivatives show far lower potency in these assays. It is concluded that radio-iodinated derivatives containing one iodine per molecule retain high affinity for the opiate receptor but diiodo derivatives do not.
Factors Affecting Quality and Tenderness in Turkey Steaks

Abstract INTRODUCTION TURKEY production in the United States has increased from 35 million in 1939 to over 80 million in 1963, with an annual per capita consumption exceeding 7 lbs. More efficient management practices and more efficient turkeys have made the increase possible. The size of the birds is considered a deterrent to further marketing increases. Small families prefer smaller portions for economical storage and use. Institutions, although serving roast turkey a large part of the year, need greater variety in serving methods. Large scale processing of these birds into boneless turkey rolls, turkey parts, and turkey steaks that could retail at competitive prices should provide a welcome service to homemaker and institutional users alike. The preparation of turkey steaks has been described by Beanblossom (1948), Smith (1948), Klose et al. (1950), and other workers interested in turkey marketing. The sale of turkey steaks has been widely advocated, especially in the…
GeoRGE-3D: A Minicomputer-Based System For Interactive 3-D Rendering Of Digital Environmental Data Sets

The visualization of environmental data in 4-dimensions has come to the forefront of research activities in the computer imaging component of the meteorological community. Because of the perishable nature of many of the atmospheric data sets real time 3-D displays have not been practical in the operational arena. We have been limited to the generation of 2-dimensional image displays or time consuming 3-dimensional renderings, used primarily for post-analysis and research.
Relative frequency and survival results of cancer seen at a county hospital

The relative frequency of cancer cases (percentage of total malignancies) admitted to Los Angeles County-University of Southern California (LAC-USC) Medical Center from 1942 to 1974 was studied (basal cell and epidermoid carcinoma of the skin were excluded). Among cancers of the digestive system, the relative frequency of cancer of the stomach has definitely declined from a high of 9.5% before 1946 to a low of 2% in 1972. Carcinoma of the colorectum has shown a downward trend in the last decade. Among cancers of the respiratory system, cancer of the lung continues its steady increase from a relative frequency of 7% before 1946 to a high of 20% in 1974. The percentages of malignant lesions of the female organs (breast, uterine body, ovaries) have stayed relatively constant. Cancers of the central nervous system and malignancy of unknown primary site showed an increasing trend over the last 15 years. The 8 most common cancers according to their relative frequency at Los Angeles County Hospital in 1974 are: colon (10%), rectum (5%), breast (15%), lung (13%), prostate (7%), cervix uteri (6%), stomach (3%), and pancreas (3%). In general, survival results of patients in the California Tumor Registry are comparable with those reported in the national study, and survival rates of patients seen at the Los Angeles County Hospital are lower. But 5 year survival rates have improved by more than 3 percentage points for patients with all stages of cancer of the colon, breast, prostate, and cervix uteri diagnosed at the Los Angeles County Hospital in recent years.
Green Approach for Coping with the High Cost of Infrastructure Services in U.S. Colonias

Colonias are unincorporated settlements along the U.S.-Mexican border. The lack of access to infrastructure systems combined with poor housing conditions has resulted in excessively high cost of electricity and heating and cooking gas for colonia residents. The efficacy of a passive solar (PS) housing system in reducing home energy consumption and expenses in colonias has been evaluated using empirical data. The system is implemented in the Tierra Madre colonia in southern New Mexico and consists of PS housing design (orientation and windows), PS water heater, straw bale exterior walls, foundation insulation, and careful construction inspection for energy efficiency. Statistical and economic analyses of two years worth of monthly electricity and liquid propane gas bills (January 2005 to February 2007) from Tierra Madre and a directly adjacent conventional colonia (Sunland Park) showed that this system can be effective in reducing home energy consumption and cost. On average, a Tierra Madre house saves 5.868 million Btus every year compared to a Sunland Park house (representing 25% reduction in home energy consumption and a saving of $194.28 per house per year). The payback period for the Tierra Madre PS system (which is estimated to cost an extra $1,730 per house) is 10.5 years.
Beyond law and ethics: an interdisciplinary course in family law and family therapy.

The professions of family therapy and law share many clients and areas of overlap. Law-related coursework in family therapy programs in typically limited to legal, ethical, and professional issues. However, students can also benefit from understanding other areas of overlap, such as divorce, child custody, and mediation. This article discusses the curriculum for an interdisciplinary course that educates both family therapy and law students. The course provides: (1) a substantive education about similarities and differences between the profession, how they operate as systems, and specific areas of overlap, (2) opportunities to learn clinical skills, and (3) opportunities for personal insight about skills, personality tyes, and negotiations, styles, and how these may differ between the professions.
Interaction of carbamylated LDL with LOX-1 in the induction of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

This editorial refers to ‘Carbamylated low-density lipoprotein induces endothelial dysfunction’[†][1], by T. Speer et al ., on page 3021. Urea is a normal component of human blood plasma, but it is not inert. Urea-derived cyanate modification of LDL-cholesterol, known as LDL carbamylation, has been discussed for more than a decade.1 Recent studies have linked LDL carbamylation to atherosclerosis in uraemic patients and animals with chronic kidney disease (CKD).2–4 More broadly, protein carbamylation has been linked with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) in CKD.5 Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction induced by carbamylated LDL (cLDL) seems to be a plausible explanation for the high frequency of CVD in CKD.6 However, despite considerable efforts in determining the mechanistic basis of atherosclerosis induced by cLDL, the link remains blurry since it is hard to relate the complex events based on in vitro , in vivo , and clinical studies done independently. An important contribution by Speer and associates7 is that they were able to combine all these approaches into a unified concept. As opposed to many previous studies which used LDL artificially carbamylated by potassium cyanate, or measured protein carbamylation, or measured plasma cLDL by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), … [1]: #fn-2
Microstructure Property Relationships and Hydrogen Effects in a Particulate-Reinforced Aluminum Composite

The relationship between the composite microstructure and tensile behavior of a 2124-SiCP powder-formed composite was the subject of the present investigation. In particular, emphasis was placed on the role of the composite microstructure in determining the operative fracture processes. The susceptibility of the composite to hydrogen embrittlement was examined using straining electrode tests which involved simultaneous specimen straining and cathodic hydrogen charging. The behavior of the composite was compared to that reported for an unreinforced 2124 alloy.