cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of poly(2‐amino‐2‐methylpropyl)acrylamide, poly(2‐amino‐2‐methylbutyl)acrylamide, and copolymers of polyacrylamide

Polyacrylamides possessing an amino group at the terminus of the branch chain as the potential site for amino acid and/or nucleic acid base grafting have been prepared. This type of polyacrylamide would provide a substantial spacing distance between the polymer main chain and pendant groups. Poly(2-amino-2-methylpropyl)acrylamide (PDMPA) and optically active poly(2-amino-2-methylbutyl)acrylamide (PDMBA) were characterized using vapor phase osmometry (VPO), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and dilute solution viscometry. In addition, copolymers of poly(2-amino-2-methylpropyl)acrylamide with N-vinylpyrrolidinone, N-vinylimidazole, and H(5)-vinylimidazole, were prepared.
The effects of cell-released protease nexin on the measurement of thrombin binding to mouse cells.

Abstract We previously showed that fibroblast-like cells release protease nexin into their growth medium. Protease nexin links to thrombin and mediates the cellular binding of thrombin via the protease nexin part of the complex to a site different from that for unlinked thrombin (1,2). To determine the effect that cell-released protease nexin had on the measurement of total cell-bound thrombin, we separately measured the cellular binding of both 125 I-thrombin and 125 I-thrombin-protease nexin complexes. Scatchard analysis of our binding data indicates that the cellular binding affinity of linked 125 I-thrombin is about 19-fold higher than that of unlinked 125 I-thrombin. We show that protease nexin acts to increase the apparent affinity of 125 I-thrombin for cellular binding sites.
Biomineralization of arsenate to arsenic sulfides is greatly enhanced at mildly acidic conditions

Arsenic (As) is an important water contaminant due to its high toxicity and widespread occurrence. Arsenic-sulfide minerals (ASM) are formed during microbial reduction of arsenate (AsV) and sulfate (SO42−). The objective of this research is to study the effect of the pH on the removal of As due to the formation of ASM in an iron-poor system. A series of batch experiments was used to study the reduction of SO42− and AsV by an anaerobic biofilm mixed culture in a range of pH conditions (6.1–7.2), using ethanol as the electron donor. Total soluble concentrations and speciation of S and As were monitored. Solid phase speciation of arsenic was characterized by x-ray adsorption spectroscopy (XAS). A marked decrease of the total aqueous concentrations of As and S was observed in the inoculated treatments amended with ethanol, but not in the non-inoculated controls, indicating that the As-removal was biologically mediated. The pH dramatically affected the extent and rate of As removal, as well as the stoichiometric composition of the precipitate. The amount of As removed was 2-fold higher and the rate of the As removal was up to 17-fold greater at pH 6.1 than at pH 7.2. Stoichiometric analysis and XAS results confirmed the precipitate was composed of a mixture of orpiment and realgar, and the proportion of orpiment in the sample increased with increasing pH. The results taken as a whole suggest that ASM formation is greatly enhanced at mildly acidic pH conditions.
HIV-1 Tat and morphine have interactive effects on oligodendrocyte survival and morphology

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals who abuse opiates show faster progression to AIDS, and enhanced incidence of HIV-1 encephalitis. Most opiates with abuse liability are preferential agonists for mu-opioid receptors (MORs), and MORs are expressed on both neurons and glia, including oligodendrocytes (OLs). Tat, gp120, and other viral toxins, cause neurotoxicity in vitro and/or when injected into brain, and co-exposure to opiates can augment HIV-1 protein-induced insults to both glial and neuronal populations. We examined the effects of HIV-1 Tat +/- opiate exposure on OL survival and differentiation. In vivo studies utilized transgenic mice expressing Tat(1-86) regulated by an inducible glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter. Although MBP levels were unchanged on immunoblots, certain structural and apoptotic indices were abnormal. After only 2 days of Tat induction, OLs showed an upregulation of active caspase-3 that was enhanced by morphine exposure. Tat also upregulated TUNEL staining, but only in the presence of morphine. Tat significantly reduced the length of processes in Golgi-Kopsch impregnated OLs. A greater proportion of cells exhibited diminished or aberrant cytoplasmic processes, especially when mice expressing Tat were co-exposed to morphine. Collectively, our data show that OLs in situ are extremely sensitive to effects of Tat +/- morphine, although it is not clear if immature OLs as well as differentiated OLs are targeted equally. Significant elevations in caspase-3 activity and TUNEL labeling, and evidence of increased degeneration/regeneration of OLs exposed to Tat +/- morphine suggest that toxicity toward OLs may be accompanied by heightened OL turnover.
First Report of Petunia Blight Caused by Choanephora cucurbitarum in the United States.

A blight (wet rot) of petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr.) was observed in a wholesale propagation nursery in Baton Rouge, LA in September 2002. The grower reported that plants wilted and then completely rotted. The disease occurred during a period of hot, humid, and cloudy weather. Approximately 100 flats of flowering-age plants of cvs. Rose and White Madness were destroyed. No fungal sporulation was noticed on dead plants, but occasional strands of white mycelium were observed. The grower's use of azoxystrobin, iprodione, and thiophanate methyl plus mancozeb fungicides during current and past outbreaks of this disease did not prevent disease spread, but disease activity stopped after temperature and humidity dropped in early October. A fungus that produced white aerial mycelia that later developed light yellow areas and also black aerial spore masses was consistently isolated from diseased tissue placed on acidified potato dextrose agar (APDA). The fungus was identified as Choanephora cucurbitar...
Effect of a multi-dimensional flux function on the monotonicity of Euler and Navier-Stokes computations

A limiting method has been devised for a grid-independent flux function for use with the two-dimensional Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. This limiting is derived from a monotonicity analysis of the model and allows for solutions with reduced oscillatory behavior while still maintaining sharper resolution than a grid-aligned method. In addition to capturing oblique waves sharply, the grid-independent flux function also reduces the entropy generated over an airfoil in an Euler computation and reduces pressure distortions in the separated boundary layer of a viscous-flow airfoil computation. The model has also been extended to three dimensions, although no angle-limiting procedure for improving monotonicity characteristics has been incorporated.
SU-E-T-139: Dynamic Conformal Arcs Vs. VMAT for Stereotactic Lung Target Treatment Planning

Purpose: To investigate if Dynamic Conformal Arcs (DCA) can be used to achieve similar target coverage and conformality as that of using VMAT for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Lung cases. Methods: We retrospectively re-planned 11 patients that were treated with SBRT for lung tumors using only a single conformal arc, broken into three or four arc segments and weighted differentially in order to achieve the dosimetric constraints as outlined in RTOG 0915 protocol. These re-plans of using DCA were compared with those of using VMAT in terms of the Planning Tumor Volume (PTV) coverage goals, Maximum Dose 2 cm away (D 2cm), High Dose Spillage, Intermediate Dose Spillage, Lung volume getting 5 Gy (V5), and number of monitor units (MU). Results: Of the 11 cases, only three DCA plans failed the D2cm parameter, and one VMAT plan failed. None of the 11 patients failed the High Dose Spillage in either technique. For Intermediate Dose Spillage, one DCA plan failed and none failed for VMAT plans. The average V5 for DCA was 10.5 percent, with VMAT reporting 11.7 percent. The average number of MU for DCA and VMAT were 2605 and 3451, respectively. Conclusion: DCA is able to achieve very similar treatment planning goals as that of using VMAT in treating SBRT Lung tumors in most cases with simplicity. In addition, the DCA technique produces an acceptable plan with lower V5 in less MU when dose to OAR concerns are at minimum. However, DCA has shown its limitations when the target is close to multiple OAR.
Reduced trigonelline accumulation due to rhizobial activity improves grain yield in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Crop improvement for drought tolerance is critical for the future of crop production. The objectives were to examine the relationship between trigonelline (TRG) accumulation and yield traits in 10 ...
Contrast-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography of the mesenteric vasculature.

The diagnosis and treatment of mesenteric occlusive disease is important due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with ischemia of the bowel. This article describes the application of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) as a minimally invasive tool for diagnosing mesenteric and portal vascular disease. The techniques for three-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced MRA and flow measurement of the mesenteric circulation are described. Excellent image quality is obtained using sagittal contrast-enhanced 3D MRA of the aorta and proximal mesenteric vessels. Delineation of the small distal mesenteric branch vessels is still limited due to the finite spatial resolution of MRA. The application of MRA techniques to the diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia, revascularization, transplantation, and portal hypertension are demonstrated. Finally, the merits of various acquisition techniques and future contrast agents are discussed. MR angiography using intravenously administered contrast agents provides the clinician with a powerful, minimally invasive method for diagnosing mesenteric vascular disease. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;10:369–375. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Quantum mechanics for scientists and engineers

If you need a book that relates the core principles of quantum mechanics to modern applications in engineering, physics, and nanotechnology, this is it. Students will appreciate the book's applied emphasis, which illustrates theoretical concepts with examples of nanostructured materials, optics, and semiconductor devices. The many worked examples and more than 160 homework problems help students to problem solve and to practice applications of theory. Without assuming a prior knowledge of high-level physics or classical mechanics, the text introduces Schrodinger's equation, operators, and approximation methods. Systems, including the hydrogen atom and crystalline materials, are analyzed in detail. More advanced subjects, such as density matrices, quantum optics, and quantum information, are also covered. Practical applications and algorithms for the computational analysis of simple structures make this an ideal introduction to quantum mechanics for students of engineering, physics, nanotechnology, and other disciplines. Additional resources available from www.cambridge.org/9780521897839.
Specification of concurrent objects using auxiliary variables

Abstract The role of auxiliary variables in the specification of concurrent objects with multiple inputs and outputs is examined. Auxiliary variables needed in a specification are defined through logical assertions on the interface variables. Necessary conditions and generic rules for the definition of such auxiliary variables are presented. The method is illustrated by specifying a concurrent buffer. Based on this specification, a number of useful properties of concurrent buffers and systems composed of them are derived through formal manipulation.
Spectral analysis of the phrenic neurogram during eupnea and gasping

In this study, the frequency characteristics of the phrenic neurograms of seven cats were determined during normal respiration (eupnea) and hypoxic gasping using the Modified Yule-Walker (MYW) Autoregressive (AR) technique. The power spectral density function of the eupneic phrenic neurogram resulting from this analysis was arbitrarily divided into three frequency bandwidths: 1. 10–30 Hz; 2. 30–60 Hz; 3. 60–120 Hz. The eupneic phrenic neurogram was characterized by frequency peaks in the two higher bandwidth bins (38.7∓2.2 and 94.9∓1.9Hz, respectively; x∓SD). During gasping, however, a significant power peak in the lowest frequency bandwidth (24.7∓1.1Hz) was noted and the peak seen in the midfrequency range during eupnea was lost suggesting a shift of signal from the mid-to the low frequency range. The high frequency power peak seen during eupnea was also present during gasping. These observations suggest that hypoxic gasping is characterized by synchronous discharge of respiratory neurons at 20–25 Hz.
Magnetic resonance imaging of myxoid containing tumors

Myxoid tissue forms part of many benign and malignant soft-tissue tumors. The advent of percutaneous needle biopsy has made it important to be aware of the diagnostic implications of biopsy samples containing myxoid tissue. To determine whether the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics could help establish the diagnosis, we compared the MR images of 11 tumors containing myxoid tissue with the resected tumor tissue. In our small series of these rare tumors, the MRI characteristics allowed differentiation of intramuscular myxomas from malignant neoplasms containing myxoid tissue. Intramuscular myxomas meet the following conditions: (a) they are well circumscribed; (b) they arise within muscle; (c) T1-weighted images demonstrate uniform, decreased signal intensity; (d) T2-weighted images demonstrate uniform increased signal intensity; (e) contrast-enhanced images exhibit an inhomogeneous increase in signal intensity. If any of these conditions is not met, then a malignancy containing myxoid tissue should be suspected.
Mechanism of human S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase proenzyme processing as revealed by the structure of the S68A mutant.

S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) is a pyruvoyl-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the formation of the aminopropyl group donor in the biosynthesis of the polyamines spermidine and spermin...
Electronic Publishing at the American Astronomical Society

Abstract Electronic communication is changing the way astronomers work and how they communicate. By forming teams of people with a wide variety of expertise, taking small steps, being flexible and soliciting the opinion of users, the American Astronomical Society has been successful in several electronic publishing projects. Experience has shown that electronic publishing entails as much effort as the paper counterpart, but that many benefits accrue to the user. Only by remaining open to new ideas and incorporating new tools as they become available will the true benefits of the connectivity provided by the World Wide Web be brought to the community.
Consumer electronics: Video disks: Three choices: Three incompatible approaches to video recording for playback are compared

Compares three commercial video disc systems, two of which are available and one of which is still under development. The three systems are incompatible. They are: an optical pick-up system (Laser Vision), a capacitance electronic disc (CED), and a video high-density disc system (VHD) to be introduced later in 1982.
Available resources for investigating substance use among homeless, immigrant, and refugee populations.

In addition to the literature reviewed in the eight papers included in this special issue, this section provides a listing of agencies and organizations that may provide information useful in researching questions related to substance use and misuse among displaced persons. Many of these organizations maintain internet web sites that can provide immediate access to a variety of materials and, in many cases, linkage to other relevant organizations and resources. A web site has also been initiated as a resource dedicated specifically to addressing addiction issues among displaced peoples (available at the following address: http://www.srl.uic.edu/Rsuadp).
The spontaneous amorphous black pigment gallstone of the domestic dog.

Pigmented concretions (>1 mm) occurred in 5 per cent and smaller ones (<1 mm) in 8 per cent of 180 randomly selected pound dogs. This is an overall prevalence of 13 per cent. Their consistency and size and the lack of clinical complications have probably led to under-reporting in the past and the mistaken conclusion that gallstones are rare in the dog.
56 Gb/s transmission over 100m OM3 using 25G-class VCSEL and discrete multi-tone modulation

We report experimental data demonstrating 56 Gb/s VCSEL transmission over 100m OM3, and 40 Gb/s transmission over 200m OM3 using discrete multi-tone modulation. This result is achieved with a conventional 850nm 25G-class VCSEL.
Eating Your Own Dog Food

Back in the 1980s when actor Lorne Greene served as the pitchman for Alpo dog food, the TV commercials were careful to point out that he indeed fed Alpo to his dogs. So, the idea that someone would use the products they were making became known as "eating your own dog food." An alternative explanation for the term I've heard is that each year the president of Kal Kan Pet Food would eat a can of the company's dog food at the annual shareholders' meeting.Regardless of its genesis, the software industry has adopted the phrase to mean that a company uses its own products. Somewhere along the line, the noun "dog food" appears to have morphed into a verb. It's said that Microsoft has aggressively adopted the concept of dogfooding, at least within its development groups. Likewise, the Eclipse development group will tell you that they all use Eclipse as a development platform and therefore "eat their own dogfood." There are many markets and applications where dogfooding might indeed be possible. The question is, should we care?
Microanalysis of colloids and suspended particles from nuclear waste glass alteration

Fully radioactive and non-radioactive Savannah River Laboratory (SRL) borosilicate glasses were reacted with water under static conditions at glass surface area to leachant volume (S/V) ratios of 340 m−1, 2000 m−1, and 20 000 m−1 for times varying from several days to several years at 90°C. A radioactive SRL 200 glass was also reacted under intermittent flow conditions at 90°C. Colloidal and suspended glass alteration particles present in the leachates of these tests were examined with analytical transmission electron microscopy (AEM). The major colloidal phase identified in all tests was partially crystalline dioctahedral smectite clay. At 20 000 m−1, the clay colloids flocculate and sediment, becoming attached to available surfaces when the ionic strength reached a value of about 0.3–0.5 mol·kg−1. Clay colloids remained stable in the solution for the duration of the experiment in tests conducted at S/V values of 2000 m−1 and 340 m−1. Calcite, dolomite, and transition metal oxide particles were more common in the intermittent flow tests but were also found in the static tests. Layered, Mn-bearing minerals, birnessite and asbolane, were found exclusively in the intermittent flow tests. Weeksite and a U-Ti phase were found exclusively in the static tests. Partially crystalline rare earth-bearing calcium phosphate colloids, structurally related to rhabdophane, were found in both types of tests. These particles exhibited a negative Ce anomaly. The affinity of phosphate for Pu was investigated through geochemical modeling. The results from this study and others were used to form a picture of colloidal development in the leachate from waste glass testing.
A crucial role for Ras suppressor-1 (RSU-1) revealed when PINCH and ILK binding is disrupted.

PINCH, integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and Ras suppressor-1 (RSU-1) are molecular scaffolding proteins that form a physical complex downstream of integrins, and have overlapping roles in cellular adhesion. In Drosophila, PINCH and ILK colocalize in cells and have indistinguishable functions in maintaining wing adhesion and integrin to actin linkage in the muscle. We sought to determine whether the direct physical interaction between PINCH and ILK was essential for their functions using transgenic flies expressing a version of PINCH with a point mutation that disrupts ILK binding (PINCHQ38A). We demonstrate that the PINCH-ILK interaction is not required for viability, for integrin-mediated adhesion of the wing or muscle, or for maintaining appropriate localization or levels of either PINCH or ILK. These results suggest alternative modes for PINCH localization, stabilization and linkage to the actin cytoskeleton that are independent of a direct interaction with ILK. Furthermore, we identified a synthetic lethality in flies carrying both the PINCHQ38A mutation and a null mutation in the gene encoding RSU-1. This lethality does not result from PINCH mislocalization or destabilization, and illustrates a novel compensatory role for RSU-1 in maintaining viability in flies with compromised PINCH-ILK binding. Taken together, this work highlights the existence of redundant mechanisms in adhesion complex assembly that support integrin function in vivo.
[3H]thymidine incorporation in bovine lymphocytes treated with the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorobol-13-acetate

Abstract Treatment of bovine lymph node lymphocytes with the tumor promoter, 12- O -tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) leads to depressed [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Radioautographic and morphological analyses showed that depression was at the level of blast-cell formation. Isotope-dilution experiments, and the use of [ 3 H]deoxycytidine to label DNA indicated that the inhibition was not due to a block in thymidine transport in the treated cells. These experiments, as well as a bioassay designed to measure thymidine in the culture medium, showed that the apparent inhibition of [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation and DNA synthesis was not the result of production of cold thymidine in the cultures. The results taken together support the idea that most TPA-treated cells are inhibited from responding to the mitogenic lectins. Those cells which do respond appear to form blast cells and synthesize DNA at the same rate as do untreated cells.
Alteration of opioid peptide concentrations in the rat pituitary following survivable closed head injury

Concentration changes of methionine enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ME-li) and beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (BE-li) in the rat pituitary following diffuse brain injury were studied. Closed head injury was induced by a weight-drop trauma device (450 g x 2 m). The level of closed head injury used in this study altered the pituitary opioid peptide concentrations. The level of ME-li did not change in the experimental groups 3 hours, 10 hours, 24 hours, and 3 days after the trauma, but significantly increased by 34% 10 days after the trauma. BE-li remained constant 3 hours and 10 hours following the injury, increased by 48% at 24 hours, and remained at this level for 10 days after the trauma (44% at 3 days, and 40% at 10 days). The levels of ME-li and BE-li in the control sham-operated rats did not change during these times. The present measurements of BE-li and ME-li in the pituitary indicate that the opioid peptides that derive from two different neuropeptidergic systems, proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and preproenkephalin A, respectively, may participate in the pathophysiology of a closed head injury.
A quantitative assay for a subviral infective agent related to polyoma virus.

Abstract The isolation of a DNAase-sensitive subviral infective agent related to polyoma virus ( DiMayorca et al., 1959 ) by phenol extraction has been confirmed. Some chemical and physical factors influencing the development of plaques on mouse embryo cell monolayers are described. Efficiency of plating (ratio of number of plaques produced by a phenol extract to the number of plaques formed by the virus source extracted) of phenol extracts prepared in the presence of sodium phosphate buffer alone is about 5 × 10−6. The addition of sodium Versenate increases the efficiency of plating to 1 to 3 ×; 10−5 and stabilizes the infectivity of the extracts. Replacement of the phosphate buffer by potassium trichloroacetate solution (Versene added) yields an efficiency of plating of approximately 10−4.
Heavy metals in fish from the Aleutians: interspecific and locational differences.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to examine levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and selenium in edible tissue of seven species of marine fish collected from several Aleutian islands (in 2004) to determine: (1) interspecific differences, (2) locational differences (among Aleutian Islands), (3) size-related differences in any metal levels within a species, and (4) potential risk to the fish or to predators on the fish, including humans. We also compared metals levels to those of three other fish species previously examined in detail, as well as examining metals in the edible tissue of octopus (Octopus dofleini). Octopus did not have the highest levels of any metal. There were significant interspecific differences in all metal levels among the fish species, although the differences were less than an order of magnitude, except for arsenic (mean of 19,500 ppb in Flathead sole, Hippoglossoides elassodon). Significant intraisland variation occurred among the four sites on Amchitka, but there was not a consistent pattern. There were significant interisland differences for some metals and species. Mercury levels increased significantly with size for several species; lead increased significantly for only one fish species; and cadmium and selenium decreased significantly with size for halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis). The Alaskan Department of Health and Social Services supports unrestricted consumption of most Alaskan fish species for all people, including pregnant women. Most mean metal concentrations were well below the levels known to adversely affect the fish themselves, or predators that consume them (including humans), except for mercury in three fish species (mean levels just below 0.3 ppm), and arsenic in two fish species. However, even at low mercury levels, people who consume fish almost daily will exceed guideline values from the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Long-term results with operated sinus tympani retraction cholesteatoma

Objectives Utilizing an endaural approach, we described the surgical treatment of 29 cases of sinus tympani retraction cholesteatoma in 1996. The purpose of this paper is to provide long-term results in this group of patients. Study design and setting A retrospective chart analysis of 29 previously reported patients was undertaken in an effort to identify hearing results and the risk of cholesteatoma recurrence following sinus tympani retraction surgery. Results The follow-up period ranged from 9 to 16 years (mean of 13.2 years). Speech discrimination (SD) and conductive hearing (CH) decline occurred in 23 of 28 patients, but only on the average of 5.6% and 9 dB throughout the speech frequencies, respectively. Speech discrimination and conductive hearing improved in 5 of 28 patients; one patient was lost to follow-up. One patient developed a recurrent cholesteatoma requiring a canal wall–down mastoidectomy. Conclusions The endaural approach for sinus tympani cholesteatoma provided stable hearing in most of the patients in this series. One cholesteatoma recurrence required conversion to a canal wall–down mastoidectomy. This developed in a noncompliant patient, whose pars tensa retraction deepened as a result of failure to have his ventilation tube replaced. Semiannual office visits are recommended in patients who undergo this otologic approach for sinus tympani cholesteatoma.
An effective-diffusivity model of pulmonary capillary exchange: General theory, limiting cases, and sensitivity analysis

Abstract A family of possible models of capillary-tissue exchange useful for interpreting multiple-tracer data from the pulmonary circulation was derived from the convective-diffusion equation. The models are simplifications of a uniform-transit-time model with two serial diffusion layers outside of the capillary. Modifications of this four-parameter model were derived, and the importance of simplifying assumptions were compared using moment analysis and transform-domain equivalence. A permeability-diffusion model was derived by assuming that the layer nearer the capillary contributed a constant resistance to tracer movement. Using sensitivity analysis, we found that the three parameters of this permeability-diffusion model could not be determined independently, and that further model simplification was highly desirable. Two distinct paths of further simplification were explored.The Sangren-Sheppard model was considered as one path. An alternative path of simplification led to a new model of tracer behavior which we have called an effective-diffusivity model. Moment matching was used to determine the relationships among these models. Sensitivity analysis of the Sangren-Sheppard and effective-diffusivity models showed that the parameters of both of these models were more easily identified. However, the sensitivity analysis also showed that these two models had quite different sensitivities to their respective volume parameters. The Sangren-Sheppard model prediction was affected at all times by a change in the extravascular volume parameter, while the effective-diffusivity model prediction was affected only at the longest times. We concluded that the effective-diffusivity model may be a better alternative to the Sangren-Sheppard model under some conditions. The parameters of the effective-diffusivity model provide a more reliable index of the physiology of capillary-tissue exchange as small molecules as measured by the multiple tracer method in the pulmonary circulation.
Quality of Life and Continence Assessment of the Artificial Urinary Sphincter in Men With Minimum 3.5 Years of Followup

AbstractPurpose: We determined the long-term efficacy and quality of life impact of the artificial urinary sphincter.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 68 men who underwent artificial urinary sphincter placement for post-prostatectomy incontinence (64) or neurogenic disease (4) between March 1980 and March 1992 (mean followup 7.2 years). Quality of life was assessed in 52 patients who completed the incontinence impact questionnaire and the urogenital distress inventory.Results: At followup 54 men were socially continent (0 or 1 pad per day). Overall, pad score decreased significantly from 2.75 before to 0.97 after artificial urinary sphincter implantation (p <0.001). The artificial urinary sphincter was permanently removed in 4 patients. Revisions for mechanical failure or urethral atrophy were required in 25% of the patients (mean 1.35 procedures per patient). The mechanical failure rate decreased significantly after 1987 due to device improvements (12.4 versus 44.4%, p <0.01). Sub...
Some properties of classes of life distributions with unknown age

Some properties of the used better than aged (UBA) and the used better than aged in expectation (UBAE) classes of life distributions are given. These properties include moment inequalities and moment generating functions behavior. In addition, nonparametric estimation and testing of the survival functions of these classes are discussed.
Bio-inspired flow field designs for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Abstract The branching structures found in biological systems have evolved to an optimum arrangement that distributes nutrients efficiently in the system. Since the flow fields of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells serve similar functions to the nutrient transport systems in plants and animals, it is expected that flow fields with a similar hierarchical structure could optimize the transport efficiency of reactants and improve the performance of fuel cells. In this paper, a series of bio-inspired flow field designs inspired by the venation structure of a tree leaf is developed. Two different configurations, interdigitated and non-interdigitated, are considered in implementing the hierarchical structures. Murray's law, which describes the optimum configuration found in biological circulatory systems, is used to determine the flow channel widths of different generations. The bio-inspired design using Murray's law is compared to a design with constant channel width. Both numerical and experimental studies are carried out to investigate these bio-inspired designs. The mass, velocity, and pressure distributions within the channels and the gas diffusion layers, as well as the fuel cell performance, are studied for different flow field designs. The results show that the bio-inspired interdigitated designs substantially improve the fuel cell performance by 20–25% compared to the conventional designs.
Safer choices 2: rationale, design issues, and baseline results in evaluating school-based health promotion for alternative school students.

Background Students attending ‘alternative’ high schools form relatively small, highly mobile high-risk populations, presenting challenges for the design and implementation of HIV-, other STI-, and pregnancy-prevention interventions. This paper describes the rationale, study design, and baseline results for the Safer Choices 2 program.
Toward Lower Cesarean Birth Rates and Effective Care: Five Years' Outcomes of Joint Private Obstetric Practice

Background Many ways to improve perinatal outcomes, deliver cost-effective care, and increase client and caregiver satisfaction have been suggested. This article adds to the body of such literature by describing a joint practice in California and reporting five years of its outcomes. Method: Frequency data were recorded prospectively for all pregnant women seen between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1995. Overall statistics and variable-specific frequencies were then analyzed for the 1303 consecutive singleton births that occurred during this period. Results: The primary cesarean birth rate for the sample was 6.5 percent, the total rate was 9.1 percent, and the rate for women having their first full-term pregnancy was 11.3 percent. Of all women with a previous cesarean birth, 72.2 percent delivered vaginally. The success rate of attempted vaginal births after cesarean was 83.5 percent. Instrument deliveries were performed for 2.0 percent of births, and the frequency of third- or fourth-degree lacerations was 3.0 percent of all vaginal births. Transfers to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit were 1.3 percent, and the perinatal mortality rate was 5.4 per 1000 births (corrected for serious anomalies: 3/1000). The preterm birth rate (including maternal transfers) was 2.0 percent. Conclusion: An obstetric practice in a private community hospital setting that effectively used obstetricians, nurse-midwives, and nurse practitioners reported low rates of cesarean birth, preterm birth, severe lacerations, instrument deliveries, and legal incidents, and excellent cost-effective maternal and neonatal outcomes. (BIRTH 24:3, September 1997)
Milk yield and composition in the punare Thrichomys apereoides

1. Per cent fat composition of the milk was unusually high, ranging from 30.2 +/- 0.8% on day 2, to 21.0 +/- 1.0% on day 21. 2. Per cent protein changed significantly over time, ranging from 11.9 +/- 0.6% to 17.4 +/- 0.9%. 3. Lactose content was low, and decreased significantly over time, from 4.62 +/- 0.1% to 2.65 +/- 0.1%. 4. Milk production peaked at day 14 and ceased by day 35. 5. The unusual milk composition of this tropical rodent, is one of several adaptations correlated with reproduction in a xeric environment.
Microfluidic concentration-enhanced cellular kinase activity assay.

In this paper, we reported a simple, disposable PDMS micro/nanofluidic preconcentration chip for in vitro concentration-enhanced cell kinase assays. Utilizing the preconcentration (electrokinetic trapping) directly from cell lysate (1 mM ATP) samples, we could achieve at least a 25-fold increase in reaction velocity and 65-fold enhancement in sensitivity. In addition, we shorten the assay time down to less than 10 min, with the sample volume requirements of down to ∼5 cells. This device could be a generic and powerful tool for diagnostics and systems biology studies at the single-cell level, if properly optimized and integrated with the cell culture microdevices.
From “cyborg” lobsters to a pacemaker powered by implantable biofuel cells

Enzyme-based biofuel cells implanted into living lobsters or designed as fluidic systems mimicking human blood circulation were used for powering electronic devices. Two lobsters with implanted biofuel cells connected in series were able to generate open circuit voltage (Voc) up to 1.2 V and an electrical watch, selected as a model electronic device, was activated by the power extracted from the “living battery”. The fluidic system composed of five cells filled with human serum solution connected in series generated Voc of ca. 3 V and was able to power a pacemaker. Sustainable operation of the pacemaker was achieved with the system closely mimicking human physiological conditions characteristic of normal and pathophysiological glucose concentrations with the fluidic rate typical for a blood circulation upon resting or performing physical exercises. While the “cyborg” lobsters demonstrate a model system with future possible military, homeland security and environmental monitoring applications, the system activating a pacemaker presents practicality for biomedical applications. The first demonstration of the pacemaker activated by the physiologically produced electrical energy shows promise for future electronic implantable medical devices powered by electricity harvested from the human body.
Effects of Internal and External Pay Comparisons on Work Attitudes

The effects of internal and external pay comparisons on several work attitudes were assessed within an experimental design. Participants responded to hypothetical scenarios in which their pay was greater, less, or equal to an internal and external individual or group referent. As predicted, internal and external pay comparisons predicted pay satisfaction and perceived pay fairness. Also as expected, internal equity was the stronger predictor of work motivation and perceived organizational support, and external equity predicted turnover intention more strongly. Partial support was found for the hypothesis that work attitudes would be impacted more strongly when individuals made pay comparisons with a group referent than with an individual referent other. Implications for the design of compensation systems are discussed.
Chronic administration of ORG 2766 for 6 months produces a subtle impairment in strategic learning by rats

Abstract Rats were administered saline or 10 μg of the ACTH 4–9 analog ORG 2766 on alternate days for 160 days (i.e. 80 injections total). Behavioral assessments began 1 week later. Locomotor competence was assessed by examining the number of slips and falls made by the animals on a rotating rod. The rats were also trained on a position task and 10 subsequent position reversals in a ‘T' shaped water maze. Exposure to ORG 2766 failed to affect either locomotor competence or the overall number of errors committed while learning the original position habit and 10 reversals. However, the response accuracy of the ORG 2766-treated animals on trial 2 of the reversals was equivalent to that expected by chance (58% correct choices), whereas saline-treated animals effectively altered their behavior after experiencing nonreinforcement on the initial trial of a reversal (77% correct choices). This result is consistent with other observations revealing that ORG 2766 can influence attention and, therefore, some cognitive functions.
The efficiency of Escherichia coli selenocysteine insertion is influenced by the immediate downstream nucleotide

Selenocysteine (Sec) incorporation requires the TGA opal codon and a downstream Sec insertion sequence (SECIS), which can be partially randomized and cloned into M13 pIII fusion constructs for phage display. This combinatorial approach provides a convenient non-radioactive assay that couples phage production to opal suppression. Two SECIS libraries were prepared, with the immediate downstream nucleotide either randomized (TGAN) or fixed as thymidine (TGAT). The TGAN library resulted in a majority of clones with a downstream purine and selenium-independent phage production, implicating the endogenous tryptophan-inserting opal suppression pathway. Although the addition of sodium selenite to the growth medium did not affect phage production, it did increase the level of Sec insertion, as shown by the chemical reactivity of the resulting phage. The TGAT phage library yielded clones with strictly selenium-dependent phage production and reactivity consistent with the presence of Sec. These clones were prone to spontaneous mutation upon further propagation, however, resulting in loss of the selenium-dependent phenotype. We conclude that the immediate downstream nucleotide determines whether the endogenous opal suppression pathway competes with co-translational Sec insertion.
Some chemical aspects of neurotransmitter action

Abstract Work in numerous laboratories during the last two decades has led to a beginning of an understanding of the chemical basis of functioning in the nervous system. Hundreds of books and many thousands of articles have been published on this subject. In this article, I shall not attempt an overview of that vast endeavor, but rather confine my remarks to a brief discussion of current thinking concerning the possible role of cyclic nucleotides and phosphorylated proteins as mediators of the actions of neurotransmitters and psychoactive drugs.
Input-output pricing in a Keynesian model as applied to Portugal

Abstract This paper develops a Keynesian model of the Portuguese economy in which the prices of the sectors of final demand are derived from input-output relationships. This model is used for short-run simulation analysis of the Portuguese economy through 1977. It is seen that Portugal cannot simply rely on world demand for its exports to improve its balance of payments and to generate an export-led recovery. Simulation of a policy package which includes a devaluation and fiscal restraint indicates that this policy will improve the external current account and raise domestic savings.
Automotive head-up display using liquid-crystal-on-silicon displays

— We are constructing a head-up display for an automotive application based on a liquid-crystal-on-silicon microdisplay. We shall describe the application driving the device development, the display device, and the technology enhancements implemented for this application.
On-the-fly sharing for streamed aggregation

Data streaming systems are becoming essential for monitoring applications such as financial analysis and network intrusion detection. These systems often have to process many similar but different queries over common data. Since executing each query separately can lead to significant scalability and performance problems, it is vital to share resources by exploiting similarities in the queries. In this paper we present ways to efficiently share streaming aggregate queries with differing periodic windows and arbitrary selection predicates. A major contribution is our sharing technique that does not require any up-front multiple query optimization. This is a significant departure from existing techniques that rely on complex static analyses of fixed query workloads. Our approach is particularly vital in streaming systems where queries can join and leave the system at any point. We present a detailed performance study that evaluates our strategies with an implementation and real data. In these experiments, our approach gives us as much as an order of magnitude performance improvement over the state of the art.
The Nature of Normal Blinking Patterns

The blinking patterns of 20 normal subjects were examined under controlled experimental conditions. While the mean blink rate was 12.55 blinks/min, there were marked variations between individuals. As well, each subject displayed a characteristic pattern of blinking, mixing inter-blink periods of shorter and longer durations in a regular fashion.
Communicating program outcomes to encourage policymaker support for evidence-based state tobacco control.

Tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., can be reduced through state-level tobacco prevention and cessation programs. In the absence of research about how to communicate the need for these programs to policymakers, this qualitative study aimed to understand the motivations and priorities of policymakers in North Carolina, a state that enacted a strong tobacco control program from 2003–2011, but drastically reduced funding in recent years. Six former legislators (three Democrats, three Republicans) and three lobbyists for health organizations were interviewed about their attitudes towards tobacco use, support of state-funded programs, and reactions to two policy briefs. Five themes emerged: (1) high awareness of tobacco-related health concerns but limited awareness of program impacts and funding, (2) the primacy of economic concerns in making policy decisions, (3) ideological differences in views of the state’s role in tobacco control, (4) the impact of lobbyist and constituent in-person appeals, and (5) the utility of concise, contextualized data. These findings suggest that building relationships with policymakers to communicate ongoing program outcomes, emphasizing economic data, and developing a constituent advocacy group would be valuable to encourage continued support of state tobacco control programs.
Lesion Biomarkers of Aging in B6C3F1 Hybrid Mice

This study of B6C3F1 hybrid mice was designed to determine the effects of caloric restriction (CR) on age-related pathologic changes. These changes accompany and may, in part, account for the apparent effect of CR in slowing the rate of aging. The study also explored whether lesions observed in groups of animals killed at 6 month intervals can serve as biomarkers of aging. Approximately 30 mice of each sex and each of two diet groups--CR and ad libitum fed (AL)--and each of six age groups--6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months of age--from the Biomarkers of Aging Program of the National Institute on Aging were killed and all tissues from each were examined for the histological presence or absence of lesions. A total of 209 distinct lesions were observed, of which 51 occurred in at least 10% of the AL or CR mice. The average number of lesions per mouse increased linearly with age in all diet-sex groups except in male CR mice. This increase was significantly smaller in CR than in AL mice of both sexes. The number of distinct lesions also increased with age in both diet groups but much less rapidly in CR mice. Nearly all lesions, including neoplastic, and nonneoplastic proliferative and degenerative ones, occurred significantly less often in CR than in AL mice at all ages. Foci of leukocytes in the liver, however, occurred more frequently in CR mice. Lung adenomas in old female mice occurred with equal frequency in both diet groups. A parsimonious classification tree analysis showed that diet groups could have been distinguished at each age by an evaluation of relatively few lesions and tissues. Altogether, this study suggests strongly that the prevalence of many individual lesions, the total lesion burden, and the total types of lesions are good biomarkers of aging because they increase with age and reflect the effect of CR in slowing the aging process. The study also shows that lesions occur stochastically, randomly, and independently in genetically homogeneous mice raised in a nonvariable environment.