cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Valsalva Maneuver on Oxygen Saturation in Patients with Intracardiac Shunts

Oxygen saturation of arterial and central venous blood was measured continuously during the Valsalva maneuver in patients with and without intracardiac defects. The majority of patients with atrial septal defects and patients with ventricular septal defects and high right ventricular pressure showed a sharp decrease in saturation of radial artery blood shortly after the maneuver. These changes were not recorded accurately by ear oximetry. The patients with shunts uniformly showed a rapid increase in saturation of pulmonary artery blood during the initial period of increased airway pressure. This effect was not observed in patients without shunts. These reactions may be of special diagnostic value under certain circumstances.
Evidence for interaction between smooth muscle tropomyosin and caldesmon

The viscosity of chicken gizzard smooth muscle tropomyosin is enhanced 4.7-fold in the absence of salt and 1.43-fold in 0.1 M salt by the presence of stoichiometric amounts of gizzard caldesmon, indicating that the two proteins interact under these conditions. Since the thin filament regulation of smooth muscle contraction by caldesmon requires the presence of tropomyosin, these results suggest that the direct interaction between tropomyosin and caldesmon on the thin filament plays a role in this regulation.
Bladder augmentation using allogenic bladder submucosa seeded with cells

Abstract Objectives. The search for a suitable material to reconstruct the genitourinary tract has been a challenging task. Bowel has been widely used for urinary tract reconstruction, despite its subsequent complications. We investigated the possibility of using allogenic bladder submucosa, a tissue consisting of nonimmunogenic acellular collagen, either with or without cells, as a material for bladder augmentation. Methods. Partial cystectomies were performed in 10 beagle dogs. Both urothelial and smooth muscle cells were harvested and expanded separately in 5 animals. The allogenic bladder submucosa obtained from sacrificed dogs was seeded with muscle cells on one side and urothelial cells on the opposite side. All beagles underwent cruciate cystotomies on the bladder dome. Augmentation cystoplasty was performed with the allogenic bladder submucosa seeded with cells in 5 animals and with the allogenic bladder submucosa without cells in 5. The augmented bladders were retrieved 2 and 3 months after augmentation. Results. Bladders augmented with the allogenic bladder submucosa seeded with cells showed a 99% increase in capacity compared with bladders augmented with the cell-free allogenic bladder submucosa, which showed only a 30% increase in capacity. All dogs showed a normal bladder compliance, as evidenced by urodynamic studies. Histologically, all retrieved bladders contained a normal cellular organization consisting of a urothelial lined lumen surrounded by submucosal tissue and smooth muscle. Immunocytochemical analyses confirmed the urothelial and muscle cell phenotype and showed the presence of nerve fibers. Conclusions. These results show that allogenic bladder submucosa seeded with cells appears to be an excellent option as a biomaterial for bladder augmentation.
How do developers use parallel libraries

Parallel programming is hard. The industry leaders hope to convert the hard problem of using parallelism into the easier problem of using a parallel library. Yet, we know little about how programmers adopt these libraries in practice. Without such knowledge, other programmers cannot educate themselves about the state of the practice, library designers are unaware of API misusage, researchers make wrong assumptions, and tool vendors do not support common usage of library constructs.We present the first study that analyzes the usage of parallel libraries in a large scale experiment. We analyzed 655 open-source applications that adopted Microsoft's new parallel libraries -- Task Parallel Library (TPL) and Parallel Language Integrated Query (PLINQ) -- comprising 17.6M lines of code written in C#. These applications are developed by 1609 programmers. Using this data, we answer 8 research question and we uncover some interesting facts. For example, (i) for two of the fundamental parallel constructs, in at least 10% of the cases developers misuse them so that the code runs sequentially instead of concurrently, (ii) developers make their parallel code unnecessarily complex, (iii) applications of different size have different adoption trends. The library designers confirmed that our finding are useful and will influence the future development of the libraries.
William R. Davidson, PhD: the right man for the times in retailing

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to review the historical development of William Davidson's Retailing Management book that spanned six editions and 35 years and to evaluate its impact on retailing practice and education during that time period. Design/methodology/approach – A participation-observation approach is used by the author whose personal involvement as a co-author of Davidson's book and as a professional colleague of Davidson provided him with unique insights into the development of retailing management and its impact on the profession of retailing. A critical review of Davidson's book is informed by personal reflections of the author. Findings – The 50 years during which Davidson was an active scholar, consultant and businessman were very dynamic in terms of the changes that took place in the environment of retailing, the practice of retailing and the study of retailing. Throughout this period, the academic discipline of retailing changed a great deal, moving through eight very significa...
Understanding Friction Factor Behavior in Liquid Annular Seals With Deliberately Roughened Surfaces: Roughness Geometric Characteristics Defining Flow Resistance

Multistage centrifugal pumps and compressors are among the most widely used pieces of rotating machinery in industry. A typical application demands the arrangement of several impellers mounted on a shaft that spin within a stationary case. Annular seals are the most common sealing devices used in this type of machinery. The annular seal design affects both (i) machinery performance in terms of energy conversion efficiency, and (ii) stability due to the interaction within the rotor and the stator through the fluid flow within the seals. Extensive numerical research of several liquid annular seal experiments is in progress, focusing on the patterns that experimentally and numerically provide larger resistance to flow, hexagonal cells (honeycomb) and equilateral triangular cells (isogrid), both constant depths. In the present paper, the geometric characteristics that define the leakage resistance of roughened seals are explored. First, the results of a parametric analysis are discussed, which include previous 2-D predictions and new simulations of multiple rectangular grooved seal geometries. The analysis is limited to the original clearance in the experiments, 0.175 mm. The results indicate that roughened surface to total area ratio, and the depth-to-length ratio are the primary parameters defining the leakage characteristics of these surfaces. Secondly, the effect of the roughness orientation on the friction factor characteristics of these surfaces is addressed. Previous numerical tests have shown that solving the flow up to the laminar sub-layer better captures the behavior of the friction-factor-to-clearance proportionality. Resolving this layer is demanding. Recent numerical studies show promise in reducing computational efforts by employing a simplified empirical model with extended wall functions, indeed avoiding including each roughness in the numerical domain. These studies evaluated the flow behavior in round-hole seals, a perfectly symmetric pattern. Contrary to round holes, nonsymmetric patterns; knurls, honeycombs, or isogrids, consistently provide larger friction factor values. The numerical evaluation of the leakage characteristics in the last two patterns indicates a non-negligible sensitivity to the pattern orientation in one of them.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Temporal relationships between HIV-1 Tat-induced neuronal degeneration, OX-42 immunoreactivity, reactive astrocytosis, and protein oxidation in the rat striatum

HIV-1 transactivating protein Tat is neurotoxic and is believed to play a role in the development of AIDS-associated dementia complex. Neurotoxicity of Tat may be associated with oxidative stress. In this study we examined temporal progression of histopathological changes induced by a single microinjection of Tat 1-72 into the rat striatum. Degenerating neural cells, detected by Fluoro-Jade B staining and increased protein oxidation, determined by protein carbonyl immunostaining, were observed in the striatum as soon as 2 h following the microinjection. Further progression of neuronal degeneration was associated with pronounced infiltration of the area surrounding Tat 1-72 injection site by OX-42 positive macrophages/microglia, which was evident at the 24 h time point. Signs of reactive astrocytosis were found in the striatum of Tat 1-72 injected animals as late as 7 days following the single microinjection. Increased GFAP immunoreactivity and changes in the morphology of astrocytes coincided with a second phase of increased protein carbonyl formation, but not with neuronal degeneration. Control polypeptide, nontoxic Tat delta 31-61, did not cause any cell death, inflammatory reaction or oxidative damage. Results of our study support the hypothesis that oxidative stress may be an early step in the mechanism of Tat neurotoxicity.
Correlation of Ovutron readings and the basal body temperature (BBT) with serum sex-hormone and luteinizing hormone levels.

Abstract Prior studies have produced conflicting results about whether a change in electric potential occurs at the time of ovulation. This study was undertaken to determine whether the Ovutron R , a digital voltmeter which displays the sign and magnitude of voltage measured when the index fingers are applied to the electrodes, would produce a mix in polarity, some positive and some negative voltages, with 5 consecutive measurements preceding ovulation. This device was used daily in 10 normally ovulating women to determine whether such a mix in polarity occurred during the menstrual cycle and its relationship to the corresponding daily measurements of luteinizing hormone, total immunoreactive estrogen (IRE) and progesterone heralding and confirming ovulation. In addition, the Ovutron readings were compared to the basal body temperature (BBT) measurements. In 8 of 10 women studied with the Ovutron device, a mix in polarity was observed in 2 of 3 consecutive days preceding ovulation and was associated in all but 2 subjects with a 50 pg/ml/day incremental increase in IRE. By comparison, only 4 of the 10 subjects had a "classic" biphasic BBT curve. This novel device should be evaluated in a larger group of women employing these and other additional parameters (e.g., ultrasonography) in order to determine its efficacy and whether it has a role in the treatment of infertility as well as contraception.
LINGUISTIC NONIMMEDIACY AND ATTRIBUTION OF COMMUNICATOR'S ATTITUDES

Linguistic nonimmediacy refers to the degree of verbal indirectness with which a person refers to himself or to that about which he communicates. Mehrabian's (1966b, 1967a) research indicates that the greater this indirectness of verbal reference in a message, the greater the negative attitude attributed by a reader to the communicator of the message toward his referent. The purpose of this investigation was to test the reliability of this finding using samples of extended discourse collected in a naturalistic setting. The results of the previous research were replicated. Implications of the findings were discussed.
Mineral Fluids and America's Future: ABSTRACT

Subsurface mineral fluids and the substances recovered from them constitute a major part of the value of all minerals produced in this country, increasing from about 48 per cent in 1946 to 58 per cent in 1961, not including ground water. Each mineral fluid has its own preferred habitats, and finding new sources will require ever-increasing knowledge of geologic principles and processes. The predicted annual demand for petroleum and natural gas by the year 2000 is three to four times present domestic production. This increased demand must be balanced by increased rate of production from known fields, by new discoveries, by increased imports, or by synthetic products extractable from coal and oil-shale deposits, or by utilization of other energy sources. Other natural gases that come from subsurface reservoirs include helium, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide. Helium is in particular demand because of its unique physical and chemical properties; its geologic habitat is becoming better known. About one-sixth of the country's present water supply comes from ground water. In some areas withdrawal exceeds recharge, but in other areas withdrawal can be increased greatly without exceeding potential recharge. Currently about one-third of the ground water withdrawn is not being replaced. The behavior, quality, and quantity of both surface and ground water are geologically closely interrelated. Increasing water usage will require improved scientific and legal coordination. Subsurface saline waters pose a threat to some fresh-water supplies; but with improved conversion techniques saline water can provide additional fresh water. Some fossil brines are now rich sources of valuable chemicals and other brines are potential sources. Development of geothermal energy from subsurface thermal water and steam has begun, and further exploration will increase the power output. Recovery of valuable chemicals dissolved in some geothermal fluids is being considered. New uses for low-value fluids include "fluidizing" solids for easier transport and handling, and "solution mining" of low-grade ores. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2075------------
Magnetic field dependence of Am243 α-γ angular correlations

The anisotropy of the Am/sup 243/ alpha - gamma angular correlation with alpha decay recoils traveling into vacuum or into Ag was investigated as a function of applied magnetic field. Experimental and theoretical values of the angular correlation and attenuation factors are compared for a vacuum environment. (H.D.R.)
Percutaneous plate fixation of two- and three-part proximal humerus fractures.

If proper meticulous technique is used, optimal fracture fixation with avoidance of extensive soft tissue disruption, large incision sizes, and neurovascular injury can be attained.
Immigrants’ ages and the structure of stationary populations with below-replacement fertility

A sustained regime of low fertility plus immigration yields an unusual kind of stationary population. The author demonstrates that all stationary populations have a common structure, and that the familiar replacement-level fertility population is the youngest among the many stationary populations corresponding to a particular life table. This finding has important consequences for policy because although fertility increase and immigration are equally effective at halting population decline, immigration is inferior as a means of rejuvenating low-fertility populations. In fact, an immigration-based policy could make a low-fertility population older rather than younger. The paper includes examples using U.S. and West German vital rates.
An investigation of graphite PEEK composite under compression with a centrally located circular discontinuity

Abstract The failure characteristic of graphite polyetheretherketone (Gr/PEEK) under compression with a centrally located circular discontinuity was investigated through experimentation and a nonlinear ply-by-ply finite element technique. The stacking sequence of the laminates investigated were: [0 °16], [90 °16], [±45 °]4S [0 °/90 °]4S, and [0 °/ ± 45 0°/90 °]2S. In the experimentation, [90 °]16, [0 °/90 °]4S, and [0 °/ ±45 °/90 °]2S laminates, as well as three of the [0 °]16, failed due to a crack that was normal to the loading direction and initiated from the edge of the hole progressing to the outer edges of the specimen. The [±45 °]4S specimens failed to support the load due to an internal crack that originated from the hole's edge and then traveled at an angle of about 42% to the direction of loading. The finite element method used to analytically model the failure of Gr/PEEK accurately modeled the response of the specimens tested experimentally.
Physical processes and hypoxia in the central basin of Lake Erie

The circulation and exchange processes during summer stratification were examined using time-series data of horizontal velocity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen profiles during 2004 and 2005 in the mid-central basin of Lake Erie. The current and temperature spectra showed a prominent peak at around 18 h, indicating the presence of clockwise rotating inertial waves. The mean bottom currents were strong (>0.1 m s-1) and flowed in opposite direction to winds because of the surface pressure gradient due to wind set-up. The general range of horizontal exchange coefficients in the central basin is 0.2-1.2 m2 s-1. Vertical exchange coefficients varied from 1 × 10-5 to 1 × 10-4 m2 s-1. The high values usually occurred in the surface layer because of surface winds. The source of turbulent energy is current shear due to near-inertial oscillations in and above the thermocline and shearing stress due to the effect of mean currents and wave-induced motions during energetic wind events at the lake bottom. During strong wind episodes significant wave-induced currents were observed close to the bottom. The short-term oxygen depletion rates varied considerably between +0.87 mg L-1 d-1 and -1.16 mg L-1 d-1 in 2004 mainly because of physical processes in the central basin. When the hypolimnion depth is sufficiently thick (4 m), shortterm changes in dissolved oxygen concentrations were partly due to vertical mixing and partly due to horizontal transport and mixing.
Cocaine-induced expression of striatal c-fos in the rat is inhibited by NMDA receptor antagonists

To assess the possible involvement of NMDA receptors in mediating the expression of striatal c-fos by cocaine injection, we investigated the effects of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists, ketamine and (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate (MK-801), as well as the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP), in the perikarya of cocaine-treated rat brains. As previously shown by our group, administration of 20 mg/kg cocaine (IP) resulted in the immunocytochemical expression of the protooncogene in numerous cells of the caudate putamen (dorsal/sensorimotor striatum). A ketamine mixture anesthetic (2 mg/kg), however, administered 30 min prior to cocaine exposure completely blocked such genomic expression. Pretreatment with MK-801 (1 mg/kg) or CPP (5 mg/kg) also interfered, albeit to a lesser extent, with the expression of c-fos by cocaine in awake animals. These results indicate that cocaine induction of cellular c-fos in the caudate putamen is mediated at least in part by NMDA-sensitive receptors.
Relative importance of mental dysfunction to chronic alcoholics.

Summary.-Self-perception of chronic alcoholics as determined by the Mental Dullness Scale was not significantly changed by poor performance on the Halstead Categories Tesc and feedback to that effect. When asked to rank order several detrimental consequences of alcoholism, mental deterioration was near the bottom (significantly less consequential than financial problems). Although mental deterioration and concomitant impaired cognitive functioning is a realicy for chronic alcoholics, it is apparently not a salient enough fearure of alcoholism to be used as a deterrent with persons of lower socioeconomic status. There is little or no doubt that alcoholism leads to mental deterioration (8, 17, 18), but there are indications that some if not all of the lost functioning returns following periods of abstinence (1, 3, 10, 11, 14, 15). One of the many psychological measures of diminished functioning of alcoholics is the Halstead Categories Test of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (4, 7, 15). The Categories Test assesses abstracting ability (6, 7) and immediate adaptive ability (5, 12); two aspects of a person's functioning which must be considered crucial to their ability to cope with the demands of stressful as well as routine situations. Smith, Burt, and Chapman (15) citing those cognitive losses pointed out that the loss of functioning suffered by the alcoholic may directly affect his ability to benefit from psychotherapy. Lemere, Smith, and Jackson (9) suggested that the Categories Test be administered to chronic alcoholics during treatment as a means of demonstrating diminished mental functioning to them. That the alcoholic's awareness of mental functioning will affect his course of drinking or even his attitude about alcohol presupposes that diminished mental functioning is perceived as a serious negative consequence of alcoholism. Indeed, if diminished mental functioning is to influence an alcoholic, it would have to be wen more salient than less subtle consequences of alcoholism such as economic consequences and family disharmony, which the alcoholic faces routinely. The present study used the Harris and Lingoes Mental Dullness Scale, a subtest of the MMPI (2), as a measurement of the impact poor performance on Categories Tesc and feedback to that effect have on chronic alcoholics. A separate and equally important part of the srudy called for the subjects to rank order several detrimental consequences of alcoholism to assess the relative importance of mental dysfunction.
Membrane lysis during biological membrane fusion: collateral damage by misregulated fusion machines.

In the canonical model of membrane fusion, the integrity of the fusing membranes is never compromised, preserving the identity of fusing compartments. However, recent molecular simulations provided evidence for a pathway to fusion in which holes in the membrane evolve into a fusion pore. Additionally, two biological membrane fusion models—yeast cell mating and in vitro vacuole fusion—have shown that modifying the composition or altering the relative expression levels of membrane fusion complexes can result in membrane lysis. The convergence of these findings showing membrane integrity loss during biological membrane fusion suggests new mechanistic models for membrane fusion and the role of membrane fusion complexes.
Hypothermia for acute ischaemic stroke

Summary Ischaemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and intravenous alteplase is the only proven effective treatment in the acute setting. Hypothermia has been shown to improve neurological outcomes after global ischaemia–hypoxia in comatose patients who have had cardiac arrest, and is one of the most extensively studied and powerful therapeutic strategies in acute ischaemic stroke. The protective mechanisms of therapeutic hypothermia affect the ischaemic cascade across several parallel pathways and, when coupled with reperfusion strategies, might yield synergistic benefits for patients who have had a stroke. Technological advances have allowed hypothermia to be induced rapidly, and the treatment has been used safely in acute stroke patients. Conclusive efficacy trials assessing therapeutic hypothermia combined with reperfusion therapies in acute ischaemic stroke are ongoing.
Cultural comparisons and their consequences for nationhood in Ukraine

Abstract Several theories of nationalism argue that ethnic and regional cultural heterogeneity are a source of conflict and alienation in a state, and therefore impede nation-building. This article tests this assertion with respect to ethnic and regional differences in Ukraine. Using a 2001 mass public opinion survey developed by the author, the article engages in bi-variate and multivariate statistical analysis of the relationship between perceived ethnic and ethno-regional diversity in Ukraine and various measures of national identity and national unity. The results of this analysis suggest that subjective cultural differences in Ukraine do not substantially undermine national identity, but they do weaken national unity.
Bioconjugates of luminescent CdSe-ZnS quantum dots with an engineered two-domain protein G for use in fluoroimmunoassays

Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) seem suitable for labeling certain biomolecules for use in fluorescent tagging applications, such as fluoro-immunoassays. Compared to organic dye labels, Qds are resistant to photo-degradation, and these luminescent nanoparticles have size-dependent emission spectra spanning a wide range of wavelengths in the visible and near IR. We previously described an electrostatic self-assembly approach for conjugating highly luminescent colloidal CdSe-ZnS core-shell Qds with engineered two-domain recombinant proteins. Here we describe the application of this approach to prepare QD conjugates with the (Beta) 2 immunoglobin G (IgG) binding domain of streptococcal protein G (PG) appended with a basic lucine zipper attachment domain (PG-zb). We also demonstrate that the QD/PG conjugates retain their ability to bind IgG antibodies, and that a specific antibody coupled to QD via the PG functional domain efficiently binds its antigen. These preliminary results indicate that electrostatically self-assembled QD/PG-zb/IgG bioconjugates can be used in fluoro-immunoassays.
Bibliographical essay / legal positivism, natural law, and the Hart/Dworkin debate

(1984). Bibliographical essay / legal positivism, natural law, and the Hart/Dworkin debate. Criminal Justice Ethics: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 68-85.
Influence of dietary electrolytes on lysine and arginine absorption in chick intestine.

Abstract The intestinal absorption of lysine and arginine in the chick was characterized using an in situ- ligated intestinal segment technique, and the influence of dietary electrolytes on their absorption was examined. Each amino acid, labeled with 14 C and provided at a concentration of .5 mM, was introduced into the lumen of the small intestine of young chicks. Absorption was defined as disappearance of label from the lumen after 4 min. Lysine absorption was greater than arginine absorption in the duodenum and in the middle and distal small intestine. The Jmax values for absorption of lysine and arginine were 315.0 nmol/min and 112.0 nmol/min, whereas the respective Kt values were 2.3 mM and 2.0 mM. Maximal transport of lysine and arginine occurred at pH 6.0. Lysine absorption was depressed (P .05) of dietary electrolytes on arginine absorption was detected. These results indicate that the dietary balance of monovalent electrolytes, and, hence, acid-base balance, may influence the intestinal absorption of lysine.
Computer modeling of trace metal speciation in soil solutions: Correlation with trace metal uptake by higher plants

Abstract The study of trace metal chemistry in soils which support crop plants is made complicated by the large number of reactions possible between trace metals and soil constituents and by the web of interrelations among trace metals and the macrocomponents of soil solutions which is created by these reactions. In a typical soil solution, there may be 10–20 different metal cations present (including trace metals) which can react with as many different inorganic and organic ligands to form 300–400 soluble complexes and up to 80 solid phases. In addition, redox, ion exchange, and specific adsorption reactions occur. GEOCHEM is a multipurpose computer program that calculates the chemical equilibrium in a soil solution where all of the reactions mentioned above can take place. The chemical principles and computational scheme on which this program is based are described. One important application of the program is to calculate the speciation of trace metals in the aqueous solution phase of an agricultural so...
Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Clopidogrel

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remain life-threatening disorders, which are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with ACS. However, there is substantial inter-individual variability in the response to clopidogrel treatment, in addition to prolonged recovery of platelet reactivity as a result of irreversible binding to P2Y12 receptors. This high inter-individual variability in treatment response has primarily been associated with genetic polymorphisms in the genes encoding for cytochrome (CYP) 2C19, which affect the pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel. While the US Food and Drug Administration has issued a boxed warning for CYP2C19 poor metabolizers because of potentially reduced efficacy in these patients, results from multivariate analyses suggest that additional factors, including age, sex, obesity, concurrent diseases and drug–drug interactions, may all contribute to the overall between-subject variability in treatment response. However, the extent to which each of these factors contributes to the overall variability, and how they are interrelated, is currently unclear. The objective of this review article is to provide a comprehensive update on the different factors that influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of clopidogrel and how they mechanistically contribute to inter-individual differences in the response to clopidogrel treatment.
The analysis of ligand-binding data with experimental uncertainties in the independent variables

The method of experimental data analysis known as least-squares requires several inherent assumptions to be met in order for the analysis to be statistically correct. In particular, it must be assumed that the experimental uncertainties exist only on the dependent variables. Least-squares is often used for applications where this assumption is not satisfied. An alternative method of data analysis circumvents the assumption that no experimental uncertainty exists in the independent variables. This method, known as maximum likelihood, will produce statistically correct results in cases where experimental uncertainty exists on both the dependent and independent variables. The method can easily be generalized to include cases where the dependent and independent variables are cross-correlated. The method can also be generalized to include non-Gaussian distributions of experimental uncertainties. The examples presented are simulated applications to ligand-binding problems. The general method is, however, applicable to a wide range of problems in biochemistry.
Parental representations, cognitive distortions, and mild depression

Past research has identified several possible diatheses to depression, including dysfunctional attitudes, depressotypic attributional style, and poor parental rearing. The present study examined the relations among these proposed vulnerability factors and their ability to uniquely explain the occurrence of mild depression. Results from 150 undergraduates indicate that lower parental care during childhood was associated with higher current depressive symptoms, and that this relation was mediated by depressotypic attitudes and attributions. Parental overprotection was also associated with greater depressive symptoms, but there was no evidence of cognitive mediation. Implications for the findings and directions for future study are discussed.
Executive's Knowledge of Organizational Problem Types: Applying a Contingency Perspective

Substantial evidence exists to support the contention that executives interpret organizational events as problems. Little is known, however, about the way executives conceptualize organizational problem types, even though the contingency approach to management has suggested for years that managers interpret and respond to common types of problems. This study investigates executives' descriptions offour types of organizational problems that correspond to two dimensions (strategic versus operating, and human versus technical) commonly used by executives to interpret problems and repeatedly noted in organizational literature. It is hypothesized that executives represent the problem types inherent within each dimension differently. Responses were obtainedfrom 59 executives on 14 descriptors associated with the organizational problem formulation process. A repeated measures design was used to compare the two sets of problem types across the 14 process descriptors. Significant differences were found to exist be...
Measurement of D0 lifetime in e+e- annihilation at high energy.

A measurement of the D/sup 0/ lifetime using the impact-parameter method is presented. The D/sup 0/ sample is obtained from identified D/sup asteriskplus-or-minus/ decays in e/sup +/e/sup -/ annihilations into hadrons at center-of-mass energy of 29 GeV. The maximum-likelihood method used is found to be insensitive to the specific choice of cuts and uncertainties in backgrounds, giving the D/sup 0/ lifetime of (4.6 +- 1.5 (statistical)/sub -0.5//sup +0.6/(systematic)) x 10/sup -13/ sec. The consistency and bias of the method are checked. Combining the measurement with the semileptonic branching ratio of D/sup 0/, we estimate the semileptonic decay rate of D/sup 0/ to be (1.6 +- 0.6) x 10/sup 11/ sec/sup -1/. The corresponding value of the effective charm-quark mass is found to be consistent with the typical constituent mass of charm quark.
Infant feeding practices of Anglo American and Asian Indian American mothers.

Objective: To compare infant feeding practices of Anglo-American (AA) (n=25) and Asian-Indian American (AIA) mothers (n=25) residing in the southeastern United States.Methods: Feeding practices (breast-feeding, formula-feeding, introduction of solid foods) were assessed at infant ages one, three, six, nine and twelve months for a total of 250 interviews conducted in the home. Mothers’ sources of information about infant feeding practices and dietary intakes of their infants were collected (24-hour recalls).Results: Compared to their AIA counterparts, AA mothers breast-fed for significantly longer durations and introduced formula and solid foods into the infants’ diet at a later age (p<0.05). Throughout the first year, AA mothers relied primarily upon health professionals for infant feeding information compared to AIA mothers, who sought information primarily from the family network during the first six months and relied more on health professionals during the second six months of the infant’s life. Throug...
Inversion of the nonlinear equations of reflection ellipsometry on film-substrate systems☆

Abstract We discuss an inversion procedure to determine the optical properties and film thickness of a transparent film on an absorbing substrate system. The determination of optical properties of the film and substrate are separated from that of the film thickness. An error analysis is presented for the special case of multiple-angle-of-incidence ellipsometry for the SiO2-Si system at λ = 6328 A.
A convenient heuristic model for understanding assistive technology adoption

This short paper presents a generalized heuristic model for understanding various factors that influence the adoption and usage of an assistive technology.
Reply to Whittemore and Shih

To the Editor: We thank Whittemore and Shih for their thoughtful discussion of our paper and are indebted to them for detecting two errors in the estimate of the P value in gender skewing and the calculation of the component β. The former led us to underemphasize the significance of the gender skewing, whereas the latter approximation appears to have had little effect. We agree that both the LOD-score method and the β analysis have failings, as discussed in our paper. Whittemore and Shih appropriately point out additional limitations. Parametric linkage analysis conceivably allows for θ to be determined as a function of gender skewing. For Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD), where there is little evidence of genetic heterogeneity, the calculated relationship is likely to remain correct. The range of θ, however, is subject not only to errors from lack of appreciation of complexity, as Whittemore and Shih remind us, but also to genetic-model misspecification and, therefore, remains highly uncertain. It is worth noting that the largest sibships concordant for Hodgkin disease (HD) (i.e., those with four or five affected children, as shown in table 3 of our article) demonstrate the greatest sex concordance, supporting the assertion that, if there were to be an HD gene situated in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR), then it is rather more likely to be centromerically situated than what is suggested from the calculated θ of the complete data set (i.e., including table 2 of our article). The β analysis suffers from the inability to measure the genetic distance between the putative locus and the marker—here, phenotypic sex. Neither approach is ideal when the marker is nothing but the sex of the patient as reported in the literature. We wish to continue to emphasize the speculative nature of the hypothesis that an HD gene resides in the PAR. This conjecture can only be validated by studies utilizing a distribution of molecular genetic markers within the PAR. Because the PAR can easily be overlooked in genomewide screens for linkage and because two lines of evidence, gender concordance and the unique family segregating both HD and LWD, lead to the suggestion of a PAR locus, we ask that this hypothesis not be overlooked should sufficient clinical samples ultimately become available to put it to the test.
Neurodegeneration and peroxidases.

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are neurodegenerative diseases that affect different parts of the central nervous system. However, a review of the literature indicates that certain biochemical reactions involved in neurodegeneration in these three diseases are quite similar and could be partly identical. This article critically examines the similarities and, based on data from our own and other laboratories, proposes a novel explanation for neurodegeneration in these three diseases. We identified about 20 commonalities that exist in the neurodegenerative process of each disease. We hypothesize that there are two enzyme-catalyzed pathways that operate in affected neurons: an oxidative pathway leading to destruction of various neuronal proteins and lipids, and an apoptotic pathway which the body normally uses to remove unwanted and dysfunctional cells. Data from many laboratories indicate that oxidative reactions are primarily responsible for neurodegeneration, whereas apoptosis may well be a secondary response to the presence of neurons that have already been severely damaged by oxidative reactions. Attempts to inhibit apoptosis for the purpose of attenuating progression of these diseases may therefore be only of marginal benefit. Specific oxidative reactions within affected neurons led us to propose that one or more heme peroxidases may be the catalyst(s) involved in oxidation of proteins and lipids. Support for this proposal is provided by the recent finding that amyloi-β peptide may act as a peroxidase in AD. Possible participation of the peroxidase activity of cytochrome c, herein designated as cytochrome cpx to distinguish it from yeast cytochrome c peroxidase, is discussed. Of special interest is our recent finding that many compounds that cause attenuation of neurodegeneration are inhibitors of the peroxidase activity of cytochrome c. Several inhibitors were subsequently identified as suicide substrates. Such inhibitors could be ideally suited for targeted clinical approaches aimed at arresting progression of neurodegeneration. Finally, it is possible that immobilized yet still active peroxidase(s) may be present in protein aggregates in AD, PD, and ALS. This activity could be the catalyst for the slow, self-perpetuating and irreversible degeneration of affected neurons that occurs over long periods of time in these neurodegenerative diseases.
Ag vibrational levels of cyclobutadiene on a new potential energy surface

GVB/[5s3p1d/3s1p] energies were calculated for 31 geometries of cyclobutadiene in the D2h point group. These geometries differed in the values of the symmetrized internal coordinates for two CC stretching and one CCH bending modes. The data points were fitted to the expansions of in powers of . Variational calculations provided the following energies of the lowest Ag vibrational levels (with respect to the vibrational ground state): 4.4; 1161.2; 1162.3; 1304.0; 1322.8; 1920.3; and 1991.0 cm−1.
Binding of antimalarial aminoquinolines to chromatin, reconstituted deoxyribonucleohistone and ribosomes from mammalian tissues.

Abstract A study was conducted at low ionic strengths of the binding of three antimalarial aminoquinolines (primaquine, pentaquine and chloroquine) to DNA, to various DNA-protein complexes (chromatin isolated from calf thymus and reconstituted deoxyribonucleohistone preparations), and to ribosomes isolated from rat liver. The order of binding to any of the nucleoproteins was chloroquine > pentaquine > primaquine. The greatest level of binding of an aminoquinoline occurs to free DNA and to deoxyribonucleohistone containing 0·5 mg of histone/mg of DNA, an intermediate level of binding to deoxyribonucleohistone containing 1·0 or 1·2 mg of histone/mg of DNA, and the lowest level of binding to isolated chromatin. No binding of the aminoquinolines to free calf thymus histones was detected. The lower level of binding to nucleoproteins is attributable to a masking of some of the potential binding sites on the DNA by the protein (as measured by a decrease in the maximum number of binding sites per DNA-nucleotide); there is also a small decrease in the strength of binding (as measured by the association constants) to DNA and to DNA-protein complexes by an aminoquinoline.
Erythematous pedunculated papule on a 29-year-old man.

An otherwise healthy 29-year-old man presented to our dermatology clinic for evaluation of suspected tinea corporis involving the right wrist and antecubital fossa. During the visit, a solitary, 1.2-cm, erythematous pedunculated papule was discovered on the upper part of the back (Figure 1). The lesion was soft and somewhat vascular in appearance, with some scaling at the base. The patient reported that the lesion had been present for approximately 1 year and had been slowly growing. He denied pain or bleeding from the lesion. To complete the clinicopathologic correlation, a biopsy was performed (Figure 2 and Figure 3). What is your diagnosis?
Understanding effects on excitability of simulated I h modulation in simple neuronal models

The hyperpolarization-activated, inward, mixed cation current, I h, appears in a wide variety of cells in the nervous system, contributes to diverse neuronal properties, and is up-regulated by a number of important neurotransmitters. Up-regulation of I h is usually associated with an excitability-enhancing depolarization of resting membrane potential and an excitability-depressing shunting effect caused by a decrease in input resistance. In order to gain a better understanding of the interaction of these effects and their influence on excitability with I h modulation, we systematically analyze changes in neuronal properties associated with excitability during I h modulation in simplified, yet, biophysical neuron models based on a hippocampal pyramidal neuron. We simulate I h modulation by varying both its maximal conductance and its half-activation voltage, mimicking the effects of cAMP-linked neurotransmitters, through ranges of physiologically realistic parameter regimes. Of particular interest is the contribution of the different effects of I h up-regulation when membrane potentials are held at common levels and neuronal excitability is probed. Our modeling results suggest that, although holding potentials at common levels may compensate for changes in resting membrane potentials, this protocol may exaggerate the excitability-depressing influences of changes in input resistances with I h up-regulation.
The chair-side transitional denture.

M any different techniques are available for the fabrication of transitional dentures. .4lthough most are acceptable, some procedures need increased accuracy and some require too many dental materials. The following procedure is a one-visit technique that will greatly simplify the construction of a “personalized” transitional denture while reducing chair time. After the initial impression making, the dentist can begin to extract the teeth while the assistant busies herself with the fabrication of the chair-side transitional denture.
Completely continuous and related multilinear operators

Completely continuous multilinear operators are defined and their properties investigated. This class of operators is shown to form a closed multi-ideal. Unlike the linear case, compact multilinear operators need not be completely continuous. The completely continuous maps are shown to be the closure of a subspace of the finite rank operators. Hilbert-Schmidt operators are also considered. An application to finding error bounds for solutions of multipower equations is presented.
Three-Dimensional Hemodynamics in the Human Pulmonary Arteries Under Resting and Exercise Conditions

The biomechanical forces associated with blood flow have been shown to play a role in pulmonary vascular cell health and disease. Therefore, the quantification of human pulmonary artery hemodynamic conditions under resting and exercise states can be useful in investigating the physiology of disease development and treatment outcomes. In this study, a combined magnetic resonance imaging and computational fluid dynamics approach was used to quantify pulsatile flow fields, wall shear stress (WSS), oscillations in WSS (OSI), and energy efficiency in six subject-specific models of the human pulmonary vasculature with high spatial and temporal resolution. Averaging over all subjects, WSS was found to increase from 19.8 ± 4.0 to 51.8 ± 6.7 dynes/cm2, and OSI was found to decrease from 0.094 ± 0.016 to 0.081 ± 0.015 in the proximal pulmonary arteries between rest and exercise conditions (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate the localized, biomechanical effects of exercise. Furthermore, an average decrease of 10% in energy efficiency was noted between rest and exercise. These data indicate the amount of energy dissipation that typically occurs with exercise and may be useful in future surgical planning applications.
Measuring Robustness of the Postural Control System to a Mild Impulsive Perturbation

We propose a new metric to assess robustness of the human postural control system to an impulsive perturbation (in this case, a mild backward impulse force at the pelvis). By applying concepts from robust control theory, we use the inverse of the maximum value of the system's sensitivity function (1/MaxSens) as a measure for robustness of the human postural control system, e.g., a highly sensitive system has low robustness to perturbation. The sensitivity function, which in this case is the frequency response function, is obtained directly using spectral analysis of experimental measurements, without need to develop a model of the postural control system. Common measures of robustness, gain and phase margins, however require a model to assess system robustness. To examine the efficacy of this approach, we tested thirty healthy subjects across three age groups: young (YA: 20-30 years), middle-aged (MA: 42-53 years), and older adults (OA: 71-79 years). The OA group was found to have reduced postural stability during quiet stance as detected by center of pressure measures of postural sway. The proposed robustness measure of 1/MaxSens was also found to be significantly smaller for OA than YA or MA ( p=0.001), implying reduced robustness among the older subjects in response to the perturbation. Gain and phase margins failed to detect any age-related differences. In summary, the proposed robustness characterization method is easy to implement, does not require a model for the postural control system, and was better able to detect differences in system robustness than model-based robustness metrics.