cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in the pharmacodynamics of barbiturates in rats.

There is considerable evidence of gender differences in the pharmacokinetics of numerous drugs, particularly in rodents, but very limited information concerning the effect of gender on pharmacodynamic characteristics (concentration-activity relationships). In this study, heptabarbital or phenobarbital was administered to male and female rats and the concentrations of these drugs in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and serum at onset or offset of loss of righting reflex were determined. For heptabarbital, offset concentrations were determined in Lewis rats and onset concentrations in Wistar rats. Onset concentrations of phenobarbital were determined in Wistar rats. In all cases, the barbiturate concentrations in males were significantly lower than those in females at the pharmacologic endpoint. The biologic (serum) half-life of heptabarbital is much shorter in males (∼10 min) than in females (∼90 min) and this pharmacokinetic difference is reflected by the considerably longer duration of effect of the drug in females.
Measuring the congestion responsiveness of internet traffic

A TCP flow is congestion responsive because it reduces its send window upon the appearance of congestion. An aggregate of nonpersistent TCP flows, however, may not be congestion responsive, depending on whether the flow (or session) arrival process reacts to congestion or not. In this paper, we describe a methodology for the passive estimation of traffic congestion responsiveness. The methodology aims to classify every TCP session as either "open-loop" or "closed-loop". In the closed-loop model, the arrival of a session depends on the completion of the previous session from the same user. When the network is congested, the arrival of a new session from that user is delayed. On the other hand, in the openloop model, TCP sessions arrive independently of previous sessions from the same user. The aggregate traffic that the open-loop model generates is not congestion responsive, despite the fact that each individual flow in the aggregate is congestion responsive. Our measurements at a dozen of access and core links show that more than 60-80% of the traffic that we could analyze (mostly HTTP traffic) follows the closed-loop model.
Falsification, Anomalies and the Naturalistic Approach to Cognitive Change

It is generally assumed that the extraordinary impact of Thomas Kuhn's essay about scientific revolutions was due to the novelty of his concept of anomaly-driven paradigm shifts. However, this concept is similar to Karl Popper's idea of falsification, proposed three decades earlier. If so, why the impact? Kuhn's most significant contribution, and perhaps only novelty, was his naturalism. Kuhn conceptualized theory change, not in terms of logical relations between theory and data, but as a temporal process that happens to scientists as a consequence of the activities they engage in. This approach broke with the idealistic tradition in philosophy but harmonized with the emerging cognitive sciences. However, idealistic concepts still linger. To complete Kuhn's revolution, we should learn to conceptualize all types of cognitive change, including science learning, as a side effect of activity.
Optimal Structure of the Consideration in Mergers and Acquisitions

We analyze acquirers' wealth maximizing acquisition strategy when competing for a target. We allow acquirers to make either one-tier or two-tier offers. We show that a two-tier offer strategy will be used when target shareholders have sufficiently large differences in their valuations of the considerations offered, for example due to taxes. However, when shareholder heterogeneity is small, one-tier offers always defeat two-tier offers. Our model also explains the stylized fact that successful two-tier offers are over-subscribed (i.e., structured such that the number of shares tendered exceeds the number sought). Finally, for intermediate levels of valuation heterogeneity neither one- nor two-tier offers are uniquely optimal and acquirers will randomize their offer strategies or resort to preemptive offers, that is, offers that exceed the reservation value of their opponent. The latter is more likely to occur when the difference between the two acquirers' reservation values is high.
Why are there eggs

A description and update of the "egg-as-novelty" hypothesis is presented. It is proposed that the major animal phylum-characteristic suites of morphological motifs first emerged more than a half-billion years ago in multicellular aggregates and clusters that did not exhibit an egg-soma divergence. These pre-metazoan bodies were organized by "dynamical patterning modules" (DPMs), physical processes and effects mobilized on the new multicellular scale by ancient conserved genes that came to mediate cell-cell interactions in these clusters. "Proto-eggs" were enlarged cells that through cleavage, or physical confinement by a secreted matrix, served to enforce genomic and genetic homogeneity in the cell clusters arising from them. Enlargement of the founder cell was the occasion for spontaneous intra-egg spatiotemporal organization based on single-cell physiological functions - calcium transients and oscillations, cytoplasmic flows - operating on the larger scale. Ooplasmic segregation by egg-patterning processes, while therefore not due to adaptive responses to external challenges, served as evolutionarily fertile "pre-adaptations" by making the implementation of the later-acting (at the multicellular "morphogenetic stage" of embryogenesis) DPMs more reliable, robust, and defining of sub-phylum morphotypes. This perspective is seen to account for a number of otherwise difficult to understand features of the evolution of development, such as the rapid diversification of biological forms with a conserved genetic toolkit at the dawn of animal evolution, the capability of even obligatory sexual reproducers to propagate vegetatively, and the "embryonic hourglass" of comparative developmental biology.
Experimental and theoretical cross sections for electron-impact excitation of the 2 s → 2 p transition in O 5 +

Experimental and R-matrix calculated cross sections are reported for the resonance $2\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{s}2p$ transition in ${\mathrm{O}}^{5+}.$ Use is made in the measurements of the electron-energy-loss technique, with center-of-mass interaction energies in the range 10.5 (below threshold) through 12.0 (threshold) to 17.0 eV. The present results are in good agreement with calculations using the R matrix with pseudostates theory, which includes nine physical states and 18 pseudostates. They are also in good agreement with near-threshold data of Bell et al. [Phys. Rev. A 49, 4585 (1994)], and with a 41-state calculation of Griffin et al. [J. Phys. B 33, 1013 (2000)].
Long-term prognosis of interferon nonresponder children with hepatitis B.

TO THE EDITOR: We read with interest the article by Mazzella et al. (1) reporting long-term results in 64 adult patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Patients were randomized into two groups; 33 of them received lymphoblastoid -interferon (IFN, 5 MU/m2 of body surface area t.i.w. for 6 months) and 31 were not treated. The two groups were prospectively followed for a mean of 86.4 6.9 and 79.7 6.8 months, respectively. IFN- was found to accelerate hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, HBeAg, and HBsAg clearance rates (78.9%vs 58.1%, 90.9%vs 61.2%, and 36.4%vs 9.8%, respectively) in treated patients versus controls. Four treated patients (three of them nonresponders) and six controls developed cirrhosis at the end of follow-up. Among these patients with cirrhosis, one responder and two controls also developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after 60, 48, and 98 months of follow-up, respectively.
Diabetes insipidus in a quadriplegic patient

An incomplete quadriplegic patient underwent investigation for production of copious amounts of dilute urine. Serum osmolality, electrolytes, BUN, glucose, and serum antidiuretic hormone (ADH) were recorded, as well as urinary osmolality, electrolytes, glucose, and pH. In response to subcutaneous vasopressin during the dehydration test, the patient's urinary osmolality increased by 12%, from 620 mOsm/l to 695 mOsm/l. A definitive diagnosis of partial central diabetes insipidus was made. Physicians involved in the care of patients with spinal cord injuries should be aware of the method of evaluating polyuric conditions, particularly while the patient is undergoing catheterization.
Selenoprotein P Expression, Purification, and Immunochemical Characterization

Most selenoproteins contain a single selenocysteine residue per polypeptide chain, encoded by an in-frame UGA codon. Selenoprotein P is unique in that its mRNA encodes 10–12 selenocysteine residues, depending on species. In addition to the high number of selenocysteines, the protein is cysteine- and histidine-rich. The function of selenoprotein P has remained elusive, in part due to the inability to express the recombinant protein. This has been attributed to presumed inefficient translation through the selenocysteine/stop codons. Herein, we report for the first time the expression of recombinant rat selenoprotein P in a transiently transfected human epithelial kidney cell line, as well as the endogenously expressed protein from HepG2 and Chinese hamster ovary cells. The majority of the expressed protein migrates with the predicted 57-kDa size of full-length glycosylated selenoprotein P. Based on the histidine-rich nature of selenoprotein P, we have purified the recombinant and endogenously expressed proteins using nickel-agarose affinity chromatography. We show that the recombinant rat and endogenous human proteins react in Western blotting and immunoprecipitation assays with commercial anti-histidine antibodies. The ability to express, purify, and immunochemically detect the recombinant protein provides a foundation for investigating the functions and efficiency of expression of this intriguing protein.
Lack of humoral immune response to the tetracycline (Tet) activator in rats injected intracranially with Tet-off rAAV vectors

The ability to safely control transgene expression from viral vectors is a long-term goal in the gene therapy field. We have previously reported tight regulation of GFP expression in rat brain using a self-regulating tet-off rAAV vector. The immune responses against tet regulatory elements observed by other groups in nonhuman primates after intramuscular injection of tet-on encoding vectors raise concerns about the clinical value of tet-regulated vectors. However, previous studies have not examined immune responses following injection of AAV vectors into brain. Therefore, rat striatum was injected with tet-off rAAV harboring a therapeutic gene for Parkinson's disease, either hAADC or hGDNF. The expression of each gene was tightly controlled by the tet-off regulatory system. Using an ELISA developed with purified GST-tTA protein, no detectable immunogenicity against tTA was observed in sera of rats that received an intrastriatal injection of either vector. In contrast, sera from rats intradermally injected with an adenovirus containing either tTA or rtTA, as positive controls, had readily detectable antibodies. These observations suggest that tet-off rAAV vectors do not elicit an immune response when injected into rat brain and that these may offer safer vectors for Parkinson's disease than vectors with constitutive expression.
Brain stimulation reward: Evidence for an adrenergic contribution in the rat

Two centrally active inhibitors of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT: E.C. 2.1.1.28), the terminal enzyme for epinephrine biosynthesis in the brain, and a centrally active blocker of adrenergic synapses produced dose-related decreases in responding for intracranial reward. These decreases occurred at dosage levels which were free from measurable neurologic impairment. The present findings may indicate a possible role for epinephrine-containing neurons in the control of central reward processes.
Preoperative predictors of positive margins after loop electrosurgical excisional procedure-Cone.

Abstract Objective. A LEEP–Cone may not be necessary for all patients with traditional cone indications. This study defines populations where a single pass technique with the LEEP is appropriate. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing LEEP–Cone procedures performed at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center from February of 1994 to July of 2002. Patients include those for LEEP–Cone with traditional excisional indications and those who underwent LEEP–Cone at the operating physician's discretion. Statistical analysis was used to compare preoperative factors with the resultant pathologic results. Results. A total of 248 women underwent LEEP–Cone. 50.0% (33/66) of the patients with positive margins on the first pass had dysplasia or worse (CIN I–III or CA) in the second pass (top hat), compared to 6.6% (12/182) of the patients with a negative first pass ( P 35 was the greatest percentile predictor of dysplasia in the top hat, and 91.5% of women Conclusion. The retrospective data reported regarding LEEP–Cones reveal increased parity to predict dysplasia in the top hat and two-step discrepancy as a poor predictor of dysplasia in the top hat. Women under 21 years of age should have a single pass LEEP technique. The "top hat" is more appropriate as parity and age increase.
Time-domain measurements of quasiparticle tunneling rates in a single-Cooper-pair transistor

We have measured, in real time, individual quasiparticle tunneling in a single-Cooper-pair transistor, using rf reflectometry on the supercurrent branch. We have extracted the even-to-odd and odd-to-even transition rates directly by analyzing the distributions of dwell times in the even and odd states of the transistor. We discuss both the measurement and analysis techniques and report on the temperature and gate dependence of the quasiparticle tunneling rates.
1-Alkyl-2-aryl-4-(1-naphthoyl)pyrroles: new high affinity ligands for the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Abstract Two series of 1-alkyl-2-aryl-4-(1-naphthoyl)pyrroles were synthesized and their affinities for the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors were determined. In the 2-phenyl series (5) the N-alkyl group was varied from n-propyl to n-heptyl. A second series of 23 1-pentyl-2-aryl-4-(1-naphthoyl)-pyrroles (6) was also prepared. Several compounds in both series have CB1 receptor affinities in the 6–30 nM range. The high affinities of these pyrrole derivatives relative to JWH-030 (1, R = C5H11) support the hypothesis that these pyrroles interact with the CB1 receptor primarily by aromatic stacking.
The physiological response of the heart to segmental myocardial resection.

Abstract In 28 dogs the right and left ventricular stroke work, dp/dt and ventricular function curves (VFC) were obtained before and after resection of a segment of the anterior wall of the left ventricle. In 9 experiments, acute ischemia of the segment was produced by ligating the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. In all dogs cervical vagotomy was done before or after ischemia or resection. In normal hearts, after resection, marked depression in VFC were noted. After vagotomy the VFC showed a shift to the left. After ischemia, there was a significant decrease in stroke work but with a nonsignificant shift to the left of the VFC after vagotomy. In the majority of dogs, upon increasing the ventricular end-diastolic pressure, heart rate deceleration and peripheral vasodilation occurred. After ischemia, the magnitude of this response showed a greater decline with an occasional change in the pattern of these parameters which was not altered by vagotomy. After resection of the ischemic area in two thirds of the dogs the VFC showed improvement with a shift to the left. These experiments indicate that in spite of the operative trauma the immediate performance of the post-ischemic heart in the absence of the ischemic segment is somewhat improved. The results also suggest that the cardiac and extra-cardiac reactions, due to the stimulation of induced ventricular ischemia receptors, are not totally mediated via the vagus nerve and they remain active after removal of the ischemic segment.
Differential recognition of target genes by nuclear receptor monomers, dimers, and heterodimers.

NUCLEAR receptors regulate the transcription of complex networks of genes and thereby control diverse aspects of growth, development, and homeostasis. The nuclear receptor superfamily includes intracellular receptors for steroid hormones, thyroid hormones, and retinoids, as well as a large number of related proteins for which regulatory ligands have not been identified. Regardless of whether transcriptional activity is controlled by the binding of a ligand, each of these proteins must be capable of binding to specific DNA sequences that identify particular genes as targets for regulation. Elucidation of the mechanisms that underlie gene-specific recognition therefore forms a central problem in understanding how various members of the nuclear receptor superfamily function to differentially regulate gene expression. The sequence-specific DNA binding properties of nuclear receptors are determined by two conserved domains that function in an interdependent manner to mediate protein-DNA and protein-protein int...
Seasonal variation in heart rate response to core temperature changes.

Abstract 1. 1. The heart rate of normal, intact, unrestrained, unanesthetized, adult male Rana pipiens was studied over a range of core temperatures (16–32°C) throughout a 12-month period. 2. 2. During the summer heart rate response to increasing temperature was linear with a slope of 4·5. 3. 3. During the winter the heart rate response was linear with a slope of 2·9 up to a core temperature of 26°C. At temperatures above this point the response was not as large with a calculated slope of 1·61. Also the linearity above 26°C was not as marked. 4. 4. During intermediate months the response was intermediate with no predictable patterns.
Prognostic significance of mean cell volume in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Cell volumes of neoplastic lymphocytes collected from lymph nodes of 53 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were compared to lymphocytes from 18 patients with reactive hyperplasia. The mean cell volume (MCV) and the modal volume (MV) of neoplastic lymphocytes were larger than the MCV and MV of lymphocytes from reactive hyperplasia. The cell volumes of neoplastic lymphocytes from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were more heterogeneous within and among cases than observed in volumes from lymphocytes of patients with reactive hyperplasia. The cell volumes of neoplastic lymphocytes corresponded to subgroups within the Rappaport Classification and the Working Formulation. Cell volumes of neoplastic cells from low-grade lymphomas were smaller than intermediate grade lymphomas which in turn were smaller than high-grade lymphomas. When cases of NHL were placed into three subtypes based on the MCV, large cell lymphomas had a significantly shorter survival then small and intermediate cell lymphomas at 12 months. However, a stepwise multiple regression analysis failed to demonstrate any independent value of cell volume in the prediction of survival.
Condylar position and extraction treatment

By means of corrected tomography, the positions of the condyles in patients who had undergone four-premolar extraction treatment (20 edgewise and 7 Begg) were compared with the condylar positions of patients who had not yet received orthodontic treatment. No significant between-group differences in condylar position were noted. In addition, the relationship between bite depth and condylar position was examined and no significant correlation was found. Thus, as performed in this study, condylar position was unrelated to extraction treatment and to bite depth.
Influence of silicone surface roughness and hydrophobicity on adhesion and colonization of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Bacterial adhesion and colonization are complicated processes that depend on many factors, including surface chemistry, hydrophobicity, and surface roughness. The contribution of each of these factors has not been fully elucidated because most previous studies used different polymeric surfaces to achieve differences in properties. The objective of this study was to modify hydrophobicity and roughness on one polymeric surface, eliminating the confounding contribution of surface chemistry. Mechanically assembled monolayer (MAM) preparation methods (both one- and two-dimensional) were used to impart different degrees of hydrophobicity on fluoroalkylsilane (FAS)-coated silicone. Surface roughness was varied by casting the silicone to templates prepared with different abrasives. Surface hydrophobicity was determined by contact angle measurement, whereas surface roughness was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Bacterial adhesion and colonization were analyzed using a direct colony-counting method and SEM images. Hydrophobicity increased as a function of stretched length or width (Δx or Δy); it reached a maximum at Δx = 60% with one-dimensional MAM and decreased as Δx further increased to 80 and 100%. The same trend was observed for the two-dimensional MAM. After 12-h incubation, all the FAS/silicone surfaces had significantly reduced adherence of Staphylococcus epidermidis by 42–89%, compared to untreated silicone, and the degree of which is inversely related to surface hydrophobicity. On the other hand, surface roughness had a significant effect on bacterial adhesion and colonization only when the root-mean-square roughness was higher than 200 nm. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2009
Investment retreat from Ireland: Anomaly or trend?

The Republic of Ireland, through its Industrial Development Authority (IDA), has been successfully involved in the process of industrialisation for more than a quarter of a century. A general measure of IDA's performance can be established in terms of the number of direct investment decisions made by foreign firms and the number of jobs created at home. The purpose of this article is to report the findings of a research project which asked the foreign investors about their motives for investing as well as their reasons to divest. This paper deals with the second theme. One general conclusion that can be drawn from survey results and personal interviews held in Ireland during 19841985 is that whereas some foreign firms still see the Irish industrial environment as attractive the same proportion sees it as no longer profitable. This conclusion suggests that it would be useful for Ireland to give urgent and serious attention to this emerging problem.
Denitrification Potential in Stormwater Control Structures and Natural Riparian Zones in an Urban Landscape

Humans have significantly altered urban landscapes, creating impervious surfaces, and changing drainage patterns that increase volume and velocity as well as frequency and timing of runoff following precipitation events. These changes in runoff have impaired streams and riparian areas that previously reduced watershed nitrogen (N) flux through uptake and denitrification. Stormwater control measures (SCM) are used most frequently to mitigate these hydrologic impacts. While SCM control runoff, their ability to remove N compared to natural riparian areas is not well-known. In this study we compared potential denitrification [as denitrification enzyme activity (DEA)] in five types of SCM (wet ponds, dry detention ponds, dry extended detention, infiltration basin, and filtering practices) and forested and herbaceous riparian areas in Baltimore, MD. DEA was higher in SCM (1.2 mg N kg(-1) hr(-1)) than in riparian areas (0.4 mg N kg(-1) hr(-1)). While DEA was highly correlated with soil moisture, organic matter, microbial biomass, and soil respiration areas across sites, it was always higher in SCM at equivalent levels of these variables. SCM appear to function as denitrification hotspots and, despite having similar microbial biomass, have higher potential denitrification than natural riparian areas.
Covalent DNA Damage in Tissues of Cigarette Smokers as Determined by 32P-Postlabeling Assay

Covalent DNA addition products (adducts) formed by the reaction of chemical carcinogens or their metabolites with DNA are critically involved in the initiation of chemical carcinogenesis and may serve as molecular markers and dosimeters for environmental carcinogen exposures. Using a highly sensitive 32P-postlabeling assay for DNA adduct analysis, we studied DNA damage elicited by cigarette smoke in tissues of smokers. A multitude of characteristic smoking-induced, presumably aromatic DNA adducts were found to occur in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the lung, bronchus, and larynx of smokers with cancer of these organs and to decline only slowly after cessation of smoking. Low levels of adducts appeared to persist for up to 14 years in the lungs of exsmokers with high previous exposures. These results corroborate data of epidemiological studies showing that the lung cancer risk and mortality of smokers increase with the intensity and duration of smoking and decline only slowly after cessation of smoking. Tissue distribution studies in autopsy samples revealed the presence of smoking-associated DNA lesions also in the kidney, bladder, esophagus, heart, ascending aorta, and liver. The most extensive DNA damage was found in lung and heart, i.e., 1 aromatic adduct in about 10(7) DNA nucleotides. Our results suggest that cigarette smoking-induced DNA adduct formation is causally related to cancer in the target organs.
On robust stability of interval control systems

The authors develop results on the robust stability of a nonlinear control system containing both parametric as well as unstructured uncertainty. The basic system considered is that of the classical Lur'e problem of nonlinear control theory. A robust version of the Lur'e problem consisting of a family of linear time-invariant systems subjected simultaneously to bounded parameter variations and feedback perturbations from a family of sector-bounded nonlinear gains is presently treated. By using the Kharitonov theorem to develop some extremal results on positive realness of interval transfer functions (i.e. a family of rational transfer functions with bounded independent coefficient perturbations), the authors determine the size of a sector of nonlinear feedback gains for which absolute stability can be guaranteed. These calculations amount to the determination of the stability margin of the system under joint parametric and nonlinear feedback perturbations. >
Introducing the Asian Pacific Island Nursing Journal (APINJ)

As the Dean of the Schools of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (since 2004) and the Editor of Biological Research for Nursing (since 2002), I was both honored and delighted when Dr. Inouye shared with me that the Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA) was interested in developing a journal and asked me to serve as consulting editor. I immediately arranged a phone call with Daniel Ruth, Senior Acquisitions Editor with Sage Publications, a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic media for academic, educational, and professional markets since 1965. After many discussions and a few revisions of the journal proposal, Sage agreed to publish the Asian Pacific Island Nursing Journal (APINJ) as an online open-access journal. This is wonderful because it means that the work of AAPINA members and those of others doing work on the Asian American/Pacific Islander population will have a venue for rapid dissemination of their work. The content is available to readers anywhere and anytime at no cost and may easily incorporate multiple media sources such as links, images and sound. This will improve the research in this area and ultimately improve the healthcare of this population. The business advantage of this model is that this can be done cost-effectively without a guarantee of subscriptions. Online open-access journals have been the subject of debate around recent publishing models. Many professionals have resisted this model and categorized all open-access journals as second rate. Some of these have been referred to as “Predatory” journals by Jeffrey Beall, an academic librarian, because of the high author charges and poor or nonexistent review. This has led to confusion for authors and editors in the nursing profession. Therefore, it is appropriate to distinguish between these predatory journals and APINJ, published by a reputable publisher. The table below provides guidelines for evaluating the integrity of a journal. It has been adapted from “Predatory Publishing: What Editors Need to Know” written by the INANE Predatory Publishing Collaborative and published in the September 2014 issue of Nurse Author & Editor. Please keep these issues in mind when submitting manuscripts to any journals, especially those that you have not heard of or seen. Also, you can rest assured that APINJ will develop and evolve into a substantial journal with integrity. Your submissions to APINJ will assure the success and continuance of this journal. Please keep these issues in mind when submitting manuscripts to any journals, especially those that you have not heard of or seen. Also, you can rest assured that APINJ will develop and evolve into a substantial journal with integrity. Your submissions to APINJ will assure the success and continuance of this journal.
The plutonium isotopic composition of marine biota on Enewetak Atoll: a preliminary assessment

We have determined the level and distribution of gamma-emitting radionuclides, plutonium activity concentrations, and 240Pu/239Pu atom ratios in tissue samples of giant clam (Tridacna gigas and Hippopus hippopus), a top snail (Trochus nilaticas) and sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) collected from different locations around Enewetak Atoll. The plutonium isotopic measurements were performed using ultra-high sensitivity accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Elevated levels of plutonium were observed in the stomachs (includes the stomach lining) of Tridacna clam (0.62 to 2.98 Bq kg−1, wet wt.), in the soft parts (edible portion) of top snails (0.25 to 1.7 Bq kg−1, wet wt.) and, to a lesser extent, in sea cucumber (0.015 to 0.22 Bq kg−1, wet wt.) relative to muscle tissue concentrations in clam (0.006 to 0.021 Bq kg−1, wet wt.) and in comparison with previous measurements of plutonium in fish. These data and information provide a basis for re-evaluating the relative significance of dietary intakes of plutonium from marine foods on Enewetak Atoll and, perhaps most importantly, demonstrate that discrete 240Pu/239Pu isotope signatures might well provide a useful investigative tool to monitor source-term attribution and consequences on Enewetak Atoll. One potential application of immediate interest is to monitor and assess the health and ecological impacts of leakage of plutonium (as well as other radionuclides) from a low-level radioactive waste repository on Runit Island relative to background levels of fallout contamination in Enewetak Atoll lagoon.
Myocardial infarction and stroke

We used a computer data bank to evaluate 740 consecutive patients admitted to a cardiac care unit with myocardial infarction. Stroke occurred in 18 (2.4%) patients in the hospital; the anterior circulation was involved in 76% of strokes. Hospital mortality was 61% in patients with stroke and 13% in patients without stroke. Atrial arrhythmia was a significant (p less than or equal to 0.03) risk factor for stroke, but peak creatine kinase and ventricular arrhythmia were not. Cardiac pump failure, apical or anterior-lateral myocardial infarction, and history of previous stroke were associated with an increased risk of stroke. Clinical and pathologic data suggested an embolic etiology for most strokes that complicate acute myocardial infarction.
Maximum limits of efficiency for low-loss reciprocal adapters

Since the efficiency η αl of an adapter for connecting two different transmission lines is a function of the reflection coefficient of the adapter termination, it will be different for each new use of the adapter. This paper suggests two estimates of η αl for low-loss reciprocal adapters. Maximum limits of error are given in terms of the magnitude of the load reflection coefficient for one estimate η α0 , which is the efficiency of the adapter when terminated in a matched load. Similar error limits are given for the second, more precise estimate, which requires accurate knowledge of both η α0 and η α , the maximum efficiency of the adapter.
Dispersed laser fluorescence spectroscopy of the perturbation facilitated B1Π-b3Σ+(1, 1) band of CaO

The observation and analysis of the B1Π-b3Σ+(1, 1) band by dispersed laser-excited fluorescence spectroscopy are presented. A perturbation mechanism is suggested which explains the observation of singlet-triplet fluorescence, the observation of only one spin component of the b3Σ+ state, and detection of the f-symmetry levels of the a3Π0 (v=3) state. A spin-orbit matrix element between a3Π0 (v=3) and b3Σ+ (v=1) is derived here, based on the atomic-ion-in-molecule ligand field model for the electronic structure of CaO. This is the first reported direct experimental observation of the lowest 3Σ+ state of CaO. The molecular constants obtained from a least-squares fit of the term energies of the b3Σ0+ (v=1) state are (in cm−1): T1=10073.3(10)(relative to X1Σ+v=0, J=0) B1=0.4040(23) with 1 σ uncertainties in parentheses.
The martian hemispheric dichotomy may be due to a giant impact

Of the two approximately hemispherical, fundamentally different geological provinces into which Mars is divided, the more southerly province is heavily cratered, while the northern is lightly cratered and contains younger geological units. Lowlands occupy about one-third of Mars, and these are separated from the highlands by a distinct scarp or by a sloping transitional zone which is characterized by a variety of landforms that are unknown on other planets. It is presently proposed that the largest expanse of lowlands is substantially due to the formation of a large impact basin early in the planet's history, which has markedly influenced the character of the Martian surface.
IMF and Lower Thermospheric Currents and Motions: A Review

Effects of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), particularly its polarity, on the lower thermosphere are briefly reviewed. A fairly well-known indirect correlation is that both long-lasting southward IMF and the boundary between eastward and westward fields often cause magnetospheric disturbances which produce storm related thermospheric variations. A direct correlation is that the IMF westward (or eastward) component produces clockwise (or counterclockwise) circular electric currents in the lower thermosphere over the polar region. Computer simulation studies of a possible mechanism of this effect are presented. IMF effects on the change of the magnetospheric configurations without any appreciable thermospheric variation are also included, and suggestions for future investigations are provided.
An evaluation of the ability of RFID tags to withstand distribution of fresh produce in the RPC pooling system

This study focused on the ability of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags applied on reusable plastic containers (RPCs) to withstand repeated abuse due to physical distribution and storage environment related hazards. It also studied the effect of the chemical cleaning environments that RPCs are commonly exposed to in the pooling/rental systems commonly used to distribute fresh produce. RPCs are being successfully deployed in the US, Europe and Asia to ship fresh produce from growers to retailers. The increasing demand for traceability and tracking of fresh produce from ‘farm to fork’ requires these containers to be monitored and identified in the food supply chain, and RFID technology provides one of the solutions. This study compared eight commercially available RFID tags mounted on RPCs for use in fresh produce distribution and subjected them to repeated physical and climatic cycles representing the distribution and cleaning environments, and their effective ‘read’ capabilities were tested. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beyond biomarkers: Identifying cell state using unbiased nanosensor arrays

Traditional cell detection based on biomarkers relies on specific lock-and-key recognition. However, many diseases either do not have obvious biomarkers or these markers are currently unknown. Unbiased sensor arrays based on nanoparticles use selective interactions to generate bioprofiles capable of identifying cell type and state. As a result, these arrays can differentiate subtle variations on the cell surfaces, presenting a potential approach for personalized diagnostics.
Response to renin-angiotensin system antagonists in hypertensive black subjects.

We appreciate the questions raised by Humma and Adenekan regarding the potential impact of body mass index (BMI) on the blood pressure (BP)-lowering differences between eplerenone and losartan in our recently published study. Also, the relevance of the BP-lowering obtained in South African blacks to
The Role of Tropical Waves in Tropical Cyclogenesis

Abstract This paper analyzes relationships between tropical wave activity and tropical cyclogenesis in all of the earth’s major tropical cyclone basins. Twenty-nine years of outgoing longwave radiation data and global reanalysis winds are filtered and analyzed to determine statistical relationships between wave activity in each basin and the corresponding cyclogenesis. Composite analyses relative to the storm genesis locations show the structures of the waves and their preferred phase relationships with genesis. Five wave types are examined in this study, including mixed Rossby–gravity waves, tropical-depression-type or easterly waves, equatorial Rossby waves, Kelvin waves, and the Madden–Julian oscillation. The latter is not one of the classical tropical wave types, but is a wavelike phenomenon known to have a strong impact on tropical cyclogenesis. Tropical cyclone formation is strongly related to enhanced activity in all of the wave filter bands except for the Kelvin band. In each basin the structure o...
Primary care practice transformation is hard work: insights from a 15-year developmental program of research.

BackgroundSerious shortcomings remain in clinical care in the United States despite widespread use of improvement strategies for enhancing clinical performance based on knowledge transfer approaches. Recent calls to transform primary care practice to a patient-centered medical home present even grea
Measles-induced respiratory distress, air-leak and ARDS.

Young infants with measles requiring respiratory support have a significant risk for death and long-term complications. Even in developed countries, the occurrence of spontaneous air-leaks and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) still represent the most severe clinical presentation in early childhood, with a high fatality rate. A clinical series review from a tertiary university paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) was undertaken. During the 2006–2007 outbreak in Rome, Italy, a young infant presented with ARDS/spontaneous air-leak and needed aggressive ventilatory management and haemodynamic support. Both nebulised iloprost and intravenous pentoxifylline were administered during the acute hypoxaemic phase; the role of this pharmacologic approach in critically ill patients is still under debate. We observed four further cases of respiratory impairment requiring a non-invasive approach. Clinical-radiological findings ranged from interstitial pneumonia to bronchiolitis-like pictures. All patients were imported cases, representing an important epidemiological factor and future medical issue, though they were not malnourished nor affected by chronic diseases. We conclude that early respiratory assessment and timely PICU referral is of mainstem importance in the youngest infants with measles-induced respiratory failure. The protean nature of clinical presentation and the possibility of rapid respiratory deterioration should be highlighted, and infants from immigrant families may represent a susceptible high-risk group.
Synthesis of some 1,3,8-trisubstituted pyrimido[4,5-c][2,7]-naphthyridin-6-ones as potential antitumor agents

Condensation of three 2,4-disubstituted 6-aminopyrimidines with methyl 1-benzyl-4-oxo-3-piperidinecarboxylate afforded, in each case, new tricyclic, angular 1,3,8-trisubstituted pyrimido[4,5-c][2,7]naphthyridin-6-ones. 2,4,6-Triaminopyrimidine gave the 7,8,9,10-tetrahydrocyclo condensed product 5 as anticipated. However, the use of 2-amino-4-oxo- or 2,4-dioxo-6-aminopyrimidine afforded the dehydrogenated, 9,10-dihydrotricyclic products 11 and 12. The growth of leukemia L1210 cells in culture were inhibited 50% by the 1,3-diamino analog 5 at 2 × 10−6M and by the 1,3-dioxo analog 12 at 10−5M.
Nucleotide sequence of naturally occurring deletion mutants of cauliflower mosaic virus

The DNAs of two isolates of strain CM4-184 of cauliflower mosaic virus, reported by other investigators to have deletions in different locations of the region II-region III portion of the genome, were found to give identical fragments when cleaved with BglII, BamHI, and HindIII restriction endonucleases. When these isolates of CM4-184 were cloned into the single-stranded vector M13mp7 followed by nucleotide sequence analyses, they had identical sequences. Comparison of the sequences of such CM4-184 deletion mutants with an undeleted strain of similar origin (strain CM1841) revealed that the CM4-184 deletion consists of 421 base pairs from open coding region II of the genome. Therefore region II, comprised of about 500 base pairs, is not essential for infectivity. It may represent a site at which foreign DNA could be inserted into the genome.
Large-angle keV-energy He-He scattering measurements with use of a correlated two-particle coincidence detector.

Relative differential cross sections for He-He collisions in the keV-energy range are reported for laboratory scattering angles between 35/sup 0/ and 56/sup 0/. The experiment utilizes two position-sensitive detectors to detect both collision products in coincidence following the collision. A strong periodic variation in the differential cross section with scattering angle is present whenever the collision partners have identical nuclei and is ascribable to well-known interference effects resulting from the indistinguishability of the collision products. Calculations of these differential cross sections considering only the Coulomb interaction between nuclei of the colliding atoms agree well with the experimental data.
Valuation Consequences of Clawback Provisions

ABSTRACT: We investigate the degree to which including a clawback provision in executive compensation contracts is an effective governance mechanism by documenting the impact of clawback adoption on stock prices. We expect this ex post settling-up mechanism to be beneficial because it diminishes financial reporting risks. In support of our hypotheses, we find that the shareholders of adopting firms experience statistically significant positive stock-valuation consequences relative to propensity-score-matched control samples. Further, firms with previous financial restatements had the largest economic gains, suggesting that a clawback policy can be effective at curtailing incentives for earnings manipulation. Analysis of the bid-ask spread provides evidence that these provisions contribute to reducing financial reporting risk for restating firms, while non-restating firms experience no change in the spread. We find no evidence that clawback provisions entail costs in the form of higher CEO compensation fol...
Nonsurgical ovum transfer as a treatment for intractable infertility: What effectiveness can we realistically expect?

Using previously reported human, primate, and cattle reproductive performance data, we developed a mathematical model to predict the cumulative probability of pregnancy per woman per month theoretically obtainable by ovum transfer. We then conducted a preliminary ovum transfer clinical trial and compared the results of that trial to the results predicted by the model. Based on the nine spontaneously ovulating fertile donors and seven spontaneously ovulating infertile recipients available for the trial, the model predicted occurrence of between 0.63 and 8.65 pregnancies during the 6-month period of the study. We actually obtained two pregnancies. The model further predicted, with sufficient numbers of donors to produce one match per ovulation for each prospective patient, that the probability of that patient becoming pregnant from ovum transfer ranges from 0.05 to 0.35 per cycle.
992 REACTIONS, TOTAL AND IGM ANTIBODY RESPONSE FOLLOWING IMMUNIZATION WITH SPLIT (SV) AND WHOLE (WV) INACTIVATED INFLUENZA VACCINES IN 77 CHILDREN 6 TO 36 MONTHS OF AGE

Twenty-seven subjects in 1978-79 received monovalent (M) A/USSR/77 (H1N1) (3.5 ug HA) vaccine followed 1 month later by trivalent (T) A/USSR/77, A/Tex/77 and B/HK/72 (10.5 ug HA) vaccine. In 1979-80 50 subjects received similar immunization but the H1N1 component was A/Brazil/78. Forty-one subjects received WV and 36 SV vaccine. Reactions (expressed as reaction index) following M vaccine were WV 0.54, SV 0.38 and after T vaccines were WV 0.90, SV 0.33. No child had temperature >103°F. The percentages of HAI antibody titers ≥1:20 by antigen were as follows: H1N1 - 1 dose WV 35%, SV 30%; H1N1 2 doses WV 97%, SV 72%; A/Tex - WV 92%, SV 97%; B/HK - WV 62%, SV 53%. An IgM antibody response (as demonstrated by a ≥4-fold reduction in titer with 2-ME treatment) was noted more frequently following WV vaccine (38%) than following SV vaccine (13%). As employed in this study the monovalent WV vaccine was of equal reactogenicity to the SV vaccine and though the WV trivalent vaccine had a higher reaction index, it was still within acceptable limits. Since the immunologic response following WV vaccine more closely resembled a natural response (IgM antibody) and was more inmunogenic against the recently isolated H1N1 viruses, it may be a better vaccine for the initial immunization of unprimed children. As in previous studies with A/NJ/76 vaccine, two doses of either vaccine were necessary to produce an adequate response to the H1N1 virus.
Sexual Selection and Sensory Exploitation

Male tuingara frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus) vocalize to attract females, and enhance the attractiveness of their simple, whine-only call by adding chucks to produce complex calls. Complex calls contain more total energy and are of longer duration. By virtue of the greater frequency range of the chuck, complex calls also simultaneously stimulate both the amphibian papilla and the basilar papilla of the frog's inner ear. Female phonotaxis experiments using synthetic stimuli demonstrate that an increase in the call's acoustic energy is not sufficient to account for the enhanced attractiveness of the complex call. However, the stimulation of either or both of the female's sound-sensitive inner-ear organs is sufficient to elicit her preference. We suggest that the female's sensory system generates selection that equally favors at least three evolutionary alter- natives for enhancing call attractiveness and that historical constraints imposed by the male's morphology determined which of the alternatives was more likely to evolve. These data are consistent with our hypothesis of sensory exploitation, which states that selection favors those traits that elicit greater stimulation from the female's sensory system and which emphasizes the nonadaptive nature of female preference.
Reynolds number dependence of Apollo near-wake temperature.

Reynolds number dependence of near wake temperature of reentering probes and spacecraft determined using Apollo model temperature surveys for stagnation pressures