cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism for suppression of cellular biosynthesis of prostaglandins

BIOSYNTHESIS of prostaglandins (PGs) from unsaturated fatty acid precursors involves a complex sequence of reactions that seem to proceed rapidly in response to physiological stimuli. Studies in vitro have revealed a capacity for biosynthesis greater than would be expected from measures of tissue content1,2 or daily prostaglandin (PG) production3. Biosynthesis requires release of esterified precursor from tissue lipids4,5, and control of the hydrolytic event may be a major means of controlling PG biosynthesis (for example, in brain6 or spleen7). Another possible type of regulation is control of cyclo-oxygenase activity. Many chemical agents have been examined as modifiers of the PG-forming oxygenase (for example, reviews in refs 8 and 9). The enzyme can be inhibited by fatty acids10 although they appear only in limited amounts in the cytosol. In addition, inhibition of the oxygenation reaction has been observed in vitro with added glutathione peroxidase (GSP) and reduced glutathione (GSH)11–14. We have further investigated this form of enzymatic regulation, and propose that it inhibits by destroying an essential activator of the oxygenase which forms the PGs and thromboxanes.
Brain dopamine is associated with eating behaviors in humans

Objective Eating behavior in humans is influenced by variables other than just hunger-satiety including cognitive restraint, emotional distress, and sensitivity to food stimuli. We investigate the role of dopamine (DA), a neurotransmitter involved with food motivation, in these variables. Methods We used the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) to measure Restraint, Emotionality, and Externality in 10 subjects. We correlated DEBQ scores with brain DA levels. Positron emission tomography and {11C}raclopride uptake were used to measure baseline D2 receptors (neutral stimulation) and to assess changes in extracellular DA to food stimulation (display of food). Results Restraint was correlated with DA changes with food stimulation (higher restraint, greater responsivity), emotionality was negatively correlated with baseline D2 receptors (higher emotionality, lower D2 receptors), whereas externality was not. These correlations were significant in the dorsal but not in the ventral striatum. Discussion These results provide evidence that DA in the dorsal striatum is involved with the restraint and emotionality components regulating eating behavior and that these two dimensions reflect different neurobiologic processes. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Int J Eat Disord 33: 136–142, 2003.
A Comparative Study of the Structure and Properties of Sn-Modified Lead Zirconate Titanate Ferroelectric and Antiferroelectric Ceramics

Comparative studies of the structure and property of a ferroelectric Pb 0.99 Nb 0.02 [(Zr 0.57 Sn 0.43 ) 0.88 Ti 0.12 ] 0.98 O 3 and an antiferroelectric Pb 0.99 Nb 0.02 [(Zro.s7Sno.43) 0.94 Ti 0.06 ] 0.98 O 3 ceramic were conducted. In addition to their different crystal structures, domain morphologies, Raman modes, and dielectric/ferroelectric properties, distinct fracture behaviors under Vickers indentation are also clearly seen. We propose that the antiferroelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transformation may have been triggered during the fracture process. Supporting evidence for localized phase transformation was provided by an in situ Raman spectroscopic experiment.
The Western Ledge Reef wreck: a preliminary report on investigation of the remains of a 16th‐century shipwreck in Bermuda

In September 1988 archaeologists and students from the Program in Maritime History and Underwater Research atEast Carolina University (PMHUR) identified the remains of an early shipwreck during a survey of the Western Ledge Reefs carried out for the Bermuda Maritime Museum (BMM). Structural material exposed at the wreck site proved to be a section of lower hull containing the keel, hull planking, frames, and a portion of the keelson that included a mast-step. In order to recover the archaeological record preserved at the site, the BMM applied for, and received, a licence from the Receiver of Wreck. As work at the site intensified, a prior claim to the wreck was discovered. Discovery of that claim ultimately led to a co-operative agreement between Brian Malpas, Donald Canton and the BMM that permitted on-site investigation to continue. During 1989 and 1990, the site was excavated by the Museum's underwater archaeological staff, the staff and students of the PMHUR and volunteers. In 1990, a comprehensive in situ map of the hull remains was completed and in accordance with the terms of an agreement between Malpas and Canton and the BMM, a team of archaeologists, students and volunteers raised the remains of the Western Ledge shipwreck in August 1991. Each recovered element of the wreck was transported to storage facilities at the museum and catalogued, cleaned, recorded and documented using techniques developed to record the Red Bay galleon. That work was completed in the autumn of 1991 and on 31st October 1991 the wreck structure was donated to the museum for study and possible display.
Photo-Cross-Linked Decyl Methacrylate Films for Electrochemical and Optical Polyion Probes

Potentiometric and optical polyion probes based on photo-cross-linked thin films of decyl methacrylate (DMA) are described, and the effects of film composition on the response toward heparin are examined in detail. In accordance with existing theory governing potentiometric polyion response, lowering the amounts of plasticizer and tridodecylmethylammonium chloride ion exchanger within the film enhances its sensitivity toward heparin. Varying the cross-linker content of a DMA-based film, however, provides an additional mechanism to regulate its physical structure and, hence, the observed potentiometric polyion response. Films with low hexanedioldimethacrylate cross-linker content yield optimal potentiometric heparin detection limits (0.04 μM), suggesting a lower diffusion coefficient within such films, apparently due to interactions between adjacent pendant decyl groups. Increasing cross-linker content interrupts these interactions and facilitates diffusion. This knowledge is applied to optimize optical he...
Necrotizing enterocolitis in a neonatal piglet model

The aim of this study was to develop an animal model for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Twenty-five neonatal Hanford minipigs had carotid artery and external jugular vein catheters and rectal Clinical Tonomitors placed under anesthesia. Experimental animals were subjected to a hypoxic insult (50% reduction in baseline PaO2 for 30 minutes) and hypothermic stress (core temperature reduced to 35 degrees C for 30 minutes). Regular oral diet was resumed and the survivors were euthanized 3 to 4 days later. All animals underwent necropsy with gross and histopathological evaluation of the entire bowel. Of 22 experimental animals, 14 survived (64%) and 8 (36%) died of pulmonary hemorrhage. Of the 14 survivors, 8 (57%) had gross and microscopic evidence of NEC. Six of the total 25 animals (24%) sustained rectal perforations from the tonometer. Of 3 control animals, one died of pulmonary hemorrhage and the two survivors had normal intestine. This model successfully produced gross and histological evidence of NEC. The tonometer shows promise as a predictor of NEC provided technical modifications can reduce the complication rate.
Anatase assemblies from algae: coupling biological self-assembly of 3-D nanoparticle structures with synthetic reaction chemistry

The shape-preserving conversion of biologically self-assembled 3-D nanoparticle structures (SiO2-based diatom frustules) into a new nanocrystalline material (anatase TiO2) via a halide gas/solid displacement reaction route is demonstrated.
Volatility in Exchange Rate Components and the Volume of International Trade

By decomposing the changes in the real exchange rate series into fundamental and transitory components (market microstructure and stochastic element) and modeling the volatility in each via a GARCH process, this paper examines how volatility in exchange rate affects the volume of aggregate and disaggregate US trade with Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong during the 1989–2002 period. The results indicate significantly different impacts of volatility due to the fundamental and transitory components of the exchange rate series on US bilateral trade. While the findings suggest heterogeneous responses of traders to volatilities arising from different components of the real exchange rate, the impact of the volatility due to the fundamental component is also found to vary across commodities, implying disparities in the inter- and intra-trading arrangements made by traders of different goods in counteracting foreign exchange risk arising from changes in the economic fundamentals.
Cooperation within and among species.

Cooperation models are often idiosyncratic, and a recent objective has been to connect these models into a framework in which different forms of cooperation can be compared (Queller, 1985; Connor, 1995; Dugatkin, 1997; Frank, 2003; Sachs et al., 2004). Lehmann & Keller (2006) (hereafter ‘LK Brown, 1983; Connor, 1995; Sachs et al., 2004) and reciprocity (Trivers, 1971; Axelrod & Hamilton, 1981; Bull & Rice, 1991; Sachs et al., 2004) that parallel mutualism theory. By-products and reciprocity can explain both intra-specific cooperation and mutualism, and I suggest how predictions differ in these two arenas. (iii) LK Simms & Taylor, 2002; Sachs et al., 2004). I compare these approaches and review empirical studies that show how information about potential partners can allow conspecifics to select cooperative individuals. The problem of cooperation
Effects of two self-management approaches on cigarette smoking

Abstract This study compared two self-management approaches to reduce cigarette smoking. The first was Azrin and Nunn's habit reversal . The second (which contained elements of the first) was based on suggestions of Mahoney et al . for treating obesity. Unlike the habit reversal group, clients in this group were instructed to use self-instructional and self-reinforcement techniques. A third group was also used, one that was modeled after conventional patient education approaches. Each of the groups showed a reduction from baseline smoking during the four month study. However there were no differences between the groups during or at the end of the study. Although the results did not favor any one of the three groups in particular, they suggest that fairly rapid, and in some cases permanent reductions in steady-state smoking are possible without resorting to aversive (and potentially harmful) methods such as rapid smoking.
Velocity Occupancy Space for Unmanned Ground Vehicles With Actuation Error

The velocity occupancy space (VOS) algorithm was developed to allow an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to avoid moving and stationary obstacles and navigate efficiently to a goal using only uncertain sensor data. The original VOS concept was designed for an ideal, holonomic UGV that was capable of perfect, repeatable and instantaneous velocity changes. The method presented here adapts VOS through the use of extended velocity obstacles (EVOs) so that VOS can operate on experimental UGVs that suffer from actuation error. For this research, the EVOs have been designed based on the performance of a SuperDroid ATR, but they can be easily calibrated for other velocity controlled UGVs. The proposed method is validated through numerous simulations.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Determination of surface area and particle size of synthetic latex by adsorption VI. Critical micelle concentrations of various emulsifiers in latex

Abstract In the determination of surface area and particle size of synthetic latex by adsorption of emulsifiers, one of the quantities deduced is the cmc of the emulsifier in the latex Cf. This paper presents a summary of the values of Cf thus observed for 19 emulsifiers of various types, and compares some of these with the cmc values found for the emulsifiers in water. In general the averages of the Cf values are in good agreement with the cmc values found in aqueous solution. However, some latices may show considerable deviations of Cf from the average, and hence it is not advisable to assume the cmc of an emulsifier in water to be identical with Cf of the emulsifier in a latex.
Completely regular codes and completely transitive codes

Abstract A binary code C is said to be completely regular if the weight distribution of any translate x + C depends only on the distance of x to C . Such codes are related to designs and distance regular graphs. Their covering radius is equal to their external distance. All perfect and uniformly packed codes are known to be completely regular. We construct new examples of a different kind, including the nonlinear extended Preparata and Goethals codes. Three constructions are given: direct sum, extension, and action of the automorphism group of the code. We introduce the class of completely transitive codes which seems to be strictly contained in the class of completely regular codes. A sufficient condition for complete transitivity is given.
Transcription of late phage RNA by T7 RNA polymerase.

The RNA polymerase coded by phage T7 specifically transcribes the late regions of T7 DNA in vitro.
Retinal receptive fields: Correlations between psychophysics and electrophysiology

Abstract Gouras has reported two types of ganglion cell receptive fields which have the properties required by the conventional achromatic and chromatic visual channels of psychophysics. These receptive fields are treated as spread functions, and, in a manner analogous to that used for predicting brightness contrast phenomena by convoluting targets with a spread function, Gouras's receptive fields are used to predict responses to hue and brightness edges. These predictions are correlated with the results of psychophysical experiments on heterochromatic brightness matches, minimum border matches, chromatic gratings of uniform luminance and chromatic gratings with high achromatic contrast.
In Quest of the Middle Sectors

T HIS study by John J. Johnson is an interpretative review of the recent political histories of Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil. One chapter is devoted to each of these countries, and the central method of the study is the presidential synthesis, with political developments organized on the basis of the terms of office of the recent chief executives of the countries discussed. Like Harry Bernstein's Modern and Contemporary Latin America,1 Johnson's work is, happily, free of the area specialist's compulsion to write about the area as a whole or geographically defined segments of it. Johnson is interested in events in only five of the Latin American countries, and his book discusses them only. Moreover, this is a curiously urban-oriented study, heavily concerned with recent politics as reflected in the big-city life of the five countries involved. On the one hand, the bulk of Political Change in Latin America is given over to a review of recent political developments. On the other, what endows the book with more than routine interest is a potentially significant idea advanced in the early general chapters. This idea, unfortunately not completely developed in the volume, suggests both a formulation of the process of political change and a concept-the "middle sectors"-for the analysis of that process. Thus, Johnson's work merits a place in the currently expanding literature on social change in the underdeveloped areas. That literature, as it takes form, exhibits two chief characteristics. One of these is a geographic emphasis upon non-European, "nonWestern," or underdeveloped areas, and the other is a sharp focus upon the processes of change there. The new geographic interests-particularly on the part of American social scientists-appear to respond to a number of fairly obvious forces. One, no doubt, arises from the circumstance that an impressive number of new states with strangesounding names have been erected in a wide range of faraway places
Temperature effects on tubificid worms and their relation to sediment oxygen demand.

Sediment samples were collected from the Dead River in New Jersey and tested in the laboratory under two temperature conditions, 4°C and 20°C. The study was conducted to determine the effect of worm density on the sediment oxygen demand (SOD) rate and if temperature affects the ability for tubificid worms to deplete dissolved oxygen (DO) from the overlying stream water. The study showed that the DO concentration was affected by tubificid worm density and that higher temperature increased the metabolic activity of the worms.
Hybrid Parallelism for Volume Rendering on Large-, Multi-, and Many-Core Systems

With the computing industry trending toward multi- and many-core processors, we study how a standard visualization algorithm, raycasting volume rendering, can benefit from a hybrid parallelism approach. Hybrid parallelism provides the best of both worlds: using distributed-memory parallelism across a large numbers of nodes increases available FLOPs and memory, while exploiting shared-memory parallelism among the cores within each node ensures that each node performs its portion of the larger calculation as efficiently as possible. We demonstrate results from weak and strong scaling studies, at levels of concurrency ranging up to 216,000, and with data sets as large as 12.2 trillion cells. The greatest benefit from hybrid parallelism lies in the communication portion of the algorithm, the dominant cost at higher levels of concurrency. We show that reducing the number of participants with a hybrid approach significantly improves performance.
COMBINATORIAL OPTIMIZATION OF THE DNA CLEAVING NI(II).XAA-XAA-HIS METALLOTRIPEPTIDE DOMAIN

A positional-scanning combinatorial protocol was employed to optimize the deoxyribose-based cleavage of B-form DNA by Ni(II)·Xaa-Xaa-His metallopeptides. This procedure employed 18 naturally occurr...
Characterization of Cardiolipin from Escherichia coli by Electrospray Ionization with Multiple Stage Quadrupole Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometric Analysis of [M − 2H + Na]− ions

We report a multiple-stage ion-trap (IT) mass spectrometric approach with electrospray ionization (ESI) for structural characterization of the [M - 2H + Na]- ion of cardiolipin (CL), a 1,3-bisphosphatidyl-sn-glycerol that consists of four fatty acyl chains and three glycerol backbones designated as A, B, and central glycerol, respectively (see Scheme 1). Following collisionally activated dissociation (CAD), the [M - 2H + Na]- ions of CL yield two prominent fragment ions that arise from the differential losses of the diacylglycerol moieties containing A or B glycerol, respectively. The tentative assignment of the two phosphatidyl moieties attached to the 1'- or 3'-position of the central glycerol is based on the observation that the ions arising from loss of the diacylglycerol moiety containing glycerol B is more abundant than that containing glycerol A. The structures of the above two ions, including the identities of the fatty acyl substituents and the position of fatty acyl substituents on the glycerol backbones (glycerol A and B) are determined by MS3 experiments that give spectra comprising several sets of prominent ions informative for the structural assignment of the fatty acyl substituents on the glycerol A and glycerol B. This method permits the structures of CL in a mixture isolated from Escherichia coli, including species that consist of various isomers, to be unveiled in detail.
Postmolt mineralization of the exoskeleton of juvenile california brown shrimp, Penaeus californiensis (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

Abstract 1. 1. Rostrum, carapace and abdominal regions of the exoskeletons of juvenile Penaeus californiensis (3–4 g) were analyzed for calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels at 0. 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr postmolt. 2. 2. Calcium and magnesium reached relatively constant levels within 24 hr postmolt. Rostrum and carapace calcium values (maxium) were higher, 12–14% than those of the abdomen, 8%. Likewise, rostrum and carapace magnesium values (maxium) were higher, 0.9–1.2%. than those of the abdomen, 0.6%. There was no consistent pattern in changes in phosphorus with regard to body parts and time. Phosphorus values (maxium) varied from 0.5 to 1.2%. 3. 3. Dry weight of all body parts increased rapidly between 0 and 24 hr postmolt. Gradual increases from 24 to 96 hr suggested that there was continuous, but reduced, synthesis of matrix during that period.
Nanostructure fabrication on germanium and silicon by nanocoining imprint technique

Abstract Germanium (Ge) and silicon (Si) material response to indentation with a nanostructured die is investigated. A diamond die attached to a high speed actuator previously used to create large arrays of nanofeatures on metallic surfaces was used to create nanofeatures on Ge and Si samples. The pressure induced transformation of Ge and Si from a diamond cubic brittle phase to a more ductile beta-tin metallic phase due to the nanofeatures on the die was investigated. Results using the dynamic nanocoining method showed chip-like deformation around the individual nanofeatures indicative of the beta-tin phase transformation at the nanofeature level. Micro-Raman measurements confirmed the metallic transition from evidence including metastable and amorphous phases after indentation. Indents created using a common linear indentation method exhibited similar behavior. The Si nanofeature deformation was compared to electroless (EL) nickel and the deformation differed as dictated by the mechanism of material flow. Although not observed in Si, fracture occurred in some Ge indents at higher loads as a result of the lower fracture toughness compared to Si.
The effects of human activities on exposure to particulate matter and bioaerosols in residential homes.

Indoor and outdoor airborne particle mass, protein, endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan in three size fractions (PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) were measured in ten single-family homes, along with quantifying household activities in the sampling room. Correlations between human activity levels and elevations in the indoor concentrations of particles and biomarkers were evaluated using four approaches for distinguishing activity levels: diurnal differences, the number of occupants, self-estimated occupancy, and activity strength. The concentrations of particles, protein, endotoxin and (1→3)-β-d-glucan in all three size fractions (PM 10 μm) were found, in most cases, to be significantly elevated during the day, and with higher activity levels in the room. The coarser fractions of particle mass and bioaerosols were more strongly correlated with human activity levels. Activity strength was the most statistically robust measure for relating human activities to indoor bioaerosol levels. While self-...
Psychotria kosraensis (Rubiaceae), a New Species from Kosrae, Caroline Islands, Micronesia

Psychotria kosraensis Lorence & K. R. Wood (Rubiaceae, Rubioideae), a narrow endemic from Kosrae, Caroline Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), is described and illustrated. The new species differs from other known species of Psychotria L. in Micronesia by its combination of narrowly obovate-elliptic or narrowly elliptic leaves with long-acuminate apex and abaxially barbate leaf axils, pseudoaxillary fasciculate inflorescences with very short peduncles ca. 1 mm, flowers with a long calyx tube with narrowly triangular lobes, and villosulous fruits crowned with the persistent well-developed calyx tube and lobes. Known from a single population of five individuals, P. kosraensis easily falls into the IUCN Red List category of Critically Endangered (CR).
Stimulus and Response Expectancies Influence the Cognitive Effects of Cigarettes

The pharmacological, stimulus expectancy, and response expectancy effects of light cigarettes (0.60 mg yield of nicotine) compared with virtually nicotine-free cigarettes (less than 0.05 mg yield of nicotine) were examined using a between-subjects design. A total of 103 college-student smokers completed tests of cognition before and after smoking one type of cigarette, which was evaluated on a number of dimensions. Cigarettes with nicotine were preferred on most dimensions, and stimulus expectancy partially mediated the relationship between nicotine and subjective effects of the cigarettes. Stimulus expectancy also mediated the effect of nicotine on tension reduction immediately after smoking, but not near the end of the experiment. Response expectancy effects of nicotine were related to predicted and actual recall performance, such that participants who performed well tended to attribute the effect to the cigarette they smoked. Implications for smoking cessation and research studies using non-nicotine cigarettes are discussed.
A study of the human heart as a multiple dipole electrical source. I. Normal adult male subjects.

A model for the electrical activity of the heart during depolarization, in which the ventricles were represented by 12 dipoles and the thorax by an inhomogeneous conductor, was evaluated. Potentials measured at 126 locations on the thoracic surface were used to determine the dipole strengths as a function of time for 58 normal sedentary subjects. Most of the dipole strengths had the form of a single pulse in time, the dipole onset sequence being consistent with the depolarization sequence found by others. Dipole activities (DA), obtained for each dipole by time integration of its strength, varied considerably between subjects. However, much of this variation arose from a systematic decrease of DAs with age. The separate DAs were summed to obtain the DAs of the septum and left and right ventricular free walls. The proportions of the summed DAs agreed with the cardiac component weights found by others. When the variation with the subject9s age was removed, the total DA fluctuated by ±13% (standard deviation of the mean) in this series.
Helena Radlinska Expanding conceptualizations of social work practice from Poland’s past

This article presents the work of Helena Radlinska, one of the founders of social work in Poland. Her work is discussed within the context of Polish history as the early development of social work in Poland is closely allied to the creation of a national identity. Implications for current social work practice, education and research are explored. It is proposed that Radlinska’s model expands current conceptualizations of social work practice and moves the profession towards an empowerment-based model, more effective in serving oppressed and socially underdeveloped populations.
Effect of chlorate, nitrogen source, and light on chlorate toxicity and nitrate reductase activity in soybean leaves

Growth chamber studies were conducted to assess the relationship between nitrate reductase (NR) activity and development of chlorate (KClO3) toxicity symptoms in leaflets of soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Fourteen day-old soybean seedlings, grown in NO3 - or urea-nutrient solutions, were exposed to various KClO3 concentrations (0 to 2.0 mM) and light levels (100, 67, 33 and 0% of full light which was 750 μE m−2s−1) for 24 h. Visual KClO3 toxicity symptoms were noted and NR activity was measured. Toxicity symptoms (interveinal chlorosis) were evident within 24 h following addition of 0.5 mM KClO3 to the nutrient solution, regardless of N nutrition, and symptom severity increased with increased KClO3 concentration (up to 2.0 mM). Leaflet NR activity was lower following 24 h KClO3 treatments at concentrations of 0.5 mM and higher, indicating that ClO3 - or some reduction product of ClO3 - likely ClO2 - was detrimental to enzyme functionality. The light study supported involvement of NR activity in KClO3 toxicity in that comparison of control and KClO3 treated plants exposed to decreased light levels revealed a decrease in NR activity of control plants parallel to a decrease in severity of KClO3 toxicity symptoms of treated plants. Urea-grown plants, which have an apparent constitutive NR enzyme, were used to verify that the KClO3 toxicity symptoms were not simply N starvation symptoms due to competition of ClO3 - and NO3 - for uptake and reduction. In vivo NR assays also ruled out that ClO3 - was decreasing NR activity through competition with NO3 - for reduction sites. The close relationship between KClO3 toxicity symptoms and NR activity, in response to light treatments, suggested that KClO3 toxicity symptoms were associated with reduction of ClO3 - to ClO2 - by the NR enzyme. However, the possibility that a more direct photochemical reaction occurred in the presence of KClO3 to produce the toxicity symptoms could not be ruled out.
Are all asymptotic standard errors awful

Abstract Skepticism concerning reliability of asymptotic standard errors in system-wide estimation led us to look at the non-linear single-equation model.
A theoretical study of the production and decay of localized electron density enhancements in the polar ionosphere

Uniform convection patterns were introduced into a high latitude time-dependent F region model (HLTD) to study if soft auroral particle precipitation is a necessary precondition to blob formation in the ionosphere. Attention was limited to the conditions leading to the formation of parent blobs (dimensions of at least 10 km) due to plasma instabilities. Consideration was given to the effects of discrete auroral structures and to different O(+) precipitation ionization rate profiles during solar maximum conditions in the thermosphere. Blobs were assumed to be produced on the dayside due to ionization caused by sun-aligned arcs. The simulations indicated that parent blobs would form whenever plasma flux tubes in the ionosphere were exposed to soft particle precipitation lasting more than 10 min. The blobs cease to exist when convected to a region with a high particle production rate where the background particle density exceeds that of the blobs. Conditions wherein either hard or soft particle production can produce blobs are outlined.
Novel cutaneous uses for botulinum toxin type A

Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum which causes a flaccid muscle paralysis. It has been used extensively in the field of dermatology for the treatment of dynamic rhytides and in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Botulinum toxin has an excellent safety profile and few side effects when used for these purposes. Recently, botulinum toxin has also been used experimentally in a number of other dermatologic conditions with good results. These conditions include: persistent facial flushing, gustatory sweating and epiphora, anal fissures, familial benign pemphigus (Hailey-Hailey disease), dyshidrotic eczema, and following surgical wound closures. While randomized, controlled prospective trials are still needed to further understand the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in these conditions, anecdotal and case report data suggest that botulinum toxin is both safe and efficacious in these and many other procedures.
Metastatic hemangiopericytoma with prolonged survival

A case of a hemangiopericytoma tumor metastatic to the lung from a central nervous system primary tumor in the posterior fossa is reported. The tumor was not responsive to treatment with cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin (doxorubicin), vincristine, DTIC (CYVADIC), high-dose methotrexate with citrovorum factor rescue, aziridinobenzoquinone (AZQ), or dibromodulcitol. However, the patient has had a prolonged survival, lasting for more than 26 years from original diagnosis, despite extensive recurrent primary disease and massive pulmonary metastases. Clinical and pathologic characteristics of these tumors are reviewed, with emphasis on the potential for long-term survival. Cancer 60:916-920, 1987. H MORS, accounting for no more than 1 % of vascular tumors overall. They are thought to arise from the pericytes of Zimmerman, which are pericapillary mesenchyma1 cells that have contractile ability.' These neoplasms may be either benign or malignant. They are noted for slow growth and may be compatible with prolonged patient survival, even in the presence of metastatic disease. Management decisions must therefore include recognition of the fact that, although a particular patient may have a bulky tumor which is poorly responsive or nonresponsive to various therapeutic modalities, he may have several or, indeed, many years of life remaining. We present a case of a patient with hemangiopericytoma metastatic from a central nervous system primary site which was diagnosed in 1959. He has had lung metastases, which responded poorly to chemotherapy, since 1968.
The ontogeny of seizures in a rat model of limbic epilepsy: evidence for a kindling process in the development of chronic spontaneous seizures.

Abstract Kindling is an experimental model for epilepsy in which repeated stimuli induce longer electrographic seizures and eventually cause behavioral convulsions. Although kindling has some features that are similar to chronic human epilepsy, it is not known whether this process plays a role in the development of chronic seizure disorders. We have recently described a rat model of chronic spontaneous limbic seizures that has a number of similarities to human limbic epilepsy. To determine whether a kindling process is involved in the ontogeny of the seizures in this animal model, we continuously monitored 16 rats with EEG and closed circuit television until they had experienced a minimum of 5 and as many as 10 seizures following the first motor seizure. All animals had at least one non-motor seizure before the first motor event (mean 5.1 ± 0.9 S.E.M. initial non-motor seizures, range 1–12). In addition the seizures significantly lengthened in duration with succeeding events (mean 90 s for the first motor seizure to mean 110 s for the tenth subsequent seizure). These data demonstrate that there is a kindling process involved in the early development of chronic limbic seizures.
A Low-Power Surfatron Source for the Atomic-Emission-Spectrometric Detection of Nonmetals in Aqueous Solution

Emission spectra in the UV-visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral regions are presented for several nonmetals introduced as aqueous solutions by a glass-frit nebulizer. Detectability improves dramatically for some nonmetals with the use of a desolvation system to reduce the amount of water vapor entering the plasma. Detection limits for P, I, S, Cl, Br, and C are in the low- to sub-ppm range. Good precision (RSD <5%) and a dynamic range of 2-3 decades were observed for I and P. Easily ionizable elements such as K, Na, and Li can enhance nonmetal emission by as much as 30%.
Distribution of differentiated tholeiitic basalts on the lower east rift zone of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii: A possible guide to geothermal exploration

Geologic mapping of the lower east rift zone of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, indicates that more than 100 eruptions have extruded an estimated 10 km 3 of basalt during the past 2,000 yr. Six eruptions in the past 200 yr have extruded about 1 km 3 . The eruptive recurrence interval has ranged from 1 to 115 yr since the middle 18th century and has averaged 20 yr or less over the past 2,000 yr. One hundred new chemical analyses indicate that the erupted tholeiites commonly are differentiated beyond olivine control or are hybrid mixtures of differentiates with more mafic (olivine-controlled) summit magmas. The distribution of vents for differentiated lavas indicates that several large magma chambers underlie the lower east rift zone. Several workers have recognized that a chamber underlies the area near a producing well, HGP-A; petrologic and 14 C data indicate that it has existed for at least 1,300 yr. Stratigraphy, petrology, and surface deformation patterns suggest that two other areas, Heiheiahulu and Kaliu, also overlie large magma chambers and appear to be favorable geothermal prospects.
“English Them in the Easiest Manner You Can”: Margaret Cavendish on the Discourse and Practice of Natural Philosophy

Margaret Cavendish took an active part in the Royal Society's discussions about plain style. Her contributions to the Royal Society's plain style discussions were closely connected to her scientific practices, both of which explicitly and implicitly challenged the practices of the Royal Society. In her own rhetorical practices, Cavendish modeled herself as a reader and writer of scientific texts, and her challenges to the discursive and experimental practice of seventeenth-century science make her a compelling figure in the rhetoric of science.
Cloning and Characterization of the Arginine-Specific Carbamoyl-Phosphate Synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus

Bacillus stearothermophilus contains two carbamoyl-phosphate synthetases (CPS), one specific for pyrimidine biosynthesis and the other for arginine biosynthesis. The pyrimidine-specific CPS is repressed by exogenous pyrimidines, and its activity is inhibited by UMP and activated by 5-phospho-a-D-ribosyl diphosphate. The arginine-specific CPS is similarly repressed by exogenous arginine but its activity is not sensitive to these or other potential effectors. Each of the two enzymes consist of two unequal subunits, as is the case for other microbial CPS; however, the large subunit for the arginine-specific CPS is smaller than that for the pyrimidine-specific enzyme. Comparison of the derived amino acid sequence for the cloned large subunit of the arginine-specific CPS with those for subunits from pyrimidine-sensitive CPS showed significant similarity throughout the polypeptides except at the carboxy terminus, which was identified by other laboratories to contain the binding site for the pyrimidine effector. Unlike the results previously reported for CPS from an enteric mesophile, the kinetic properties of the arginine-specific CPS were not affected by growth of B. stearothermophilus at temperatures near the minimal growth temperature. Furthermore, calorimetric studies showed that the thermal stability of cloned CPS was identical regardless of the growth temperature of B. stearothermophilus between 42°C and 63°C. The thermal stability of cloned CPS was not affected by expression at 37°C in Bacillus subtilis or Escherichia coli. In contrast, the thermal stabilities for CPS and other proteins were higher in extracts of cells grown at higher temperatures. These results indicate that cellular factors, probably chaperonins, are necessary for thermal stability of proteins at and below the optimal temperature for this thermophile.
A theme analysis of experiences reported by adult children of alcoholics in online support forums

AbstractGrowing up with an alcoholic parent can have a lasting effect on children and contribute to a variety of challenging outcomes in adulthood. This study identified the various experiences that adult children of alcoholics (ACoA) discuss with their peers in online support groups. Trained coders conducted a thematic analysis of 504 message board posts collected over a period of 60 days from three different online support groups to identify issues that children of alcoholics face in adulthood. Seven themes emerged from the analysis: (a) empowerment through support, (b) interference of parent in adulthood, (c) connection to inner child and need to re-parent, (d) low self-esteem and insecurity, (e) anger and resentment, (f) romantic relationship problems, and (g) problems communicating. The results of this study provide insight into the issues that ACoA need to address as part of their own recovery and suggest avenues of exploration for practitioners who work with high-risk families.
Electrogravitational induction and rotation

The Faradayan hypothesis of inductive coupling of the electromagnetic and gravitational fields is briefly discussed. An experiment designed to test the hypothesis wherein samples are spun to see if any electrogravitational charge is induced is described. Results of the experiment are reported. They imply the induction of a charge density ρ* for spinning samples that behaves as ρ*=βρma, where ρm is the mass density of an element of matter experiencing an acceleration a, and β is the coupling coefficient for the hypothetical electrogravitational induction effect. In this experiment, β is found to have the value(9.6±3.3)×10−13 statcoulombs/dyne. Tests that seem to rule out explanations of the observed charges in terms of conventional charging mechanisms are considered.
Computation of magnetic coordinates and action-angle variables

Abstract We have developed a new algorithm for calculating magnetic surfaces and coordinates for a given three-dimensional magnetic field. The algorithm serves also to solve the equivalent problem of computing invariant tori and action-angle variables for a one-dimensional time-dependent numerically specified Hamiltonian (or a two-dimensional time-independent Hamiltonian). Our approach combines features of both iterative and trajectory following methods. This allows us to overcome the inefficiency of trajectory following methods near low order rational surfaces, while retaining some of the robustness of these methods.
Relative bioavailability of different buprenorphine formulations under chronic dosing conditions.

Abstract Background: Buprenorphine is an approved medication for the treatment of opioid dependence. Three sublingual formulations have been used at various times during its development—a solution containing alcohol, tablets containing buprenorphine alone, and tablets containing buprenorphine plus naloxone. This study compared the relative buprenorphine bioavailability of these different formulations. Methods: Outpatient volunteers (N=10) were maintained for 14 days of daily administration on each formulation; the dose of buprenorphine (8 mg) was constant across formulations. Blood samples were collected and tested for buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine concentrations after 7 and 14 days maintenance on each formulation. Serial samples were collected before and for 6 h after a daily dose of each formulation. Results: Peak buprenorphine concentrations (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) for the 6 h interval (AUC0–6) were highest for the solution and lowest for buprenorphine alone tablets; values for combination tablets were more similar to those for solution. Differences between formulations were less pronounced at day 14 than day 7. There was considerable between-subject variability in concentrations produced. Conclusions: These results suggest there may be greater bioavailability of buprenorphine/naloxone versus buprenorphine alone tablets, and that the bioavailability of buprenorphine from the former is very similar to that seen with solution after 2 weeks of stabilization on each formulation.
Attitude toward Equal Rights Amendment Scale: An Objective Measurement Tool of Attitudes toward Equal Rights Legislation

Sltmmasy.--One of the most recent controversial topics concerns the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). There is, however, no objective instrument currently available to measure directly attitudes toward such legislation. This study developed such an instrument. The newly developed instrument was administered to 282 men and women who ranged i n age from 15 to 76 yr. and were from rural, suburban, and urban environments. Women were significantly more favorable in attirudes toward the ERA than men. Age was a reliable predictor of attitude toward the ERA for women, older women being less favorable.
Sequential disinfection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated alfalfa seeds before and during sprouting using aqueous chlorine dioxide, ozonated water, and thyme essential oil

Abstract Several outbreaks of human illness have been documented in the United States associated with alfalfa sprouts. This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) (10, 25, and 50 mg/L), ozonated water (4.60, 9.27, and 14.3 mg/L) and thyme oil (1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mL/L), for 3, 5, and 10 min, respectively, alone or their sequential washing (thyme oil followed by ozonated water and aqueous ClO2) for eliminating Escherichia coli O157:H7 from alfalfa seeds prior and during sprouting. Alfalfa seeds were inoculated with a three-strain E. coli O157:H7 mixture and dried to attain approximately 106 cfu/g of seed. No single washing treatment was able to ensure complete elimination of E. coli O157:H7 from alfalfa seeds. Germination of seeds was not adversely affected by any of the treatments. A membrane-transferring surface-plating method was evaluated to recover uninjured and injured E. coli O157:H7. Direct surface-plating on selective media, Sorbitol MacConkey-cefixime-tellurite (SMac-CT) showed significantly (P⩽0.05) low populations recovered, thus indicating a large population of injured cells for each washing treatments in comparison to membrane-transferring surface-plating method tryptic soy agar/membrane/Sorbitol-MacConkey agar-cefixime-tellurite (TSA/M/SMac-CT). Regardless of different washing treatments, populations of E. coli O157:H7 increased to 7.8–8.2log10 cfu/g after sprouting (72 h). Results of this study also showed that sequential washing treatments (as irrigation water) during sprouting process have greater lethality than other sanitizer treatments alone.
Efficient surrogate models for reliability analysis of systems with multiple failure modes

Abstract Despite many advances in the field of computational reliability analysis, the efficient estimation of the reliability of a system with multiple failure modes remains a persistent challenge. Various sampling and analytical methods are available, but they typically require accepting a tradeoff between accuracy and computational efficiency. In this work, a surrogate-based approach is presented that simultaneously addresses the issues of accuracy, efficiency, and unimportant failure modes. The method is based on the creation of Gaussian process surrogate models that are required to be locally accurate only in the regions of the component limit states that contribute to system failure. This approach to constructing surrogate models is demonstrated to be both an efficient and accurate method for system-level reliability analysis.
The determination of polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners by gas chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are flame retardant chemicals used in everyday household items such as computer casings and household textiles. Leaching and migration of these chemicals from products has been reported as the cause for the widespread presence of these compounds in our environment. While PBDEs are predominantly analyzed by GC-NCI-MS, GC-HRMS or GC-ECD, this paper investigates the potential of GC-ICP-MS for the determination of PBDEs. The application of this methodology for the analysis of PBDEs in NIST SRM 2977 Mussel Tissue and NIST 1941b Marine Sediment is also presented. The extreme sensitivity of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for atomic information makes GC-ICP-MS a promising alternative for analyzing PBDEs at low concentrations or in small sample sizes. In this work, the instrumental detection limits of a GC-NCI-MS were directly compared to those of a GC-ICP-MS for a mixture of 28 PBDE congeners including the decabrominated PBDE-209 congener. The GC-ICP-MS instrumental method demonstrated superior sensitivity over the GC-NCI-MS for all of the PBDE congeners with absolute detection limits ranging from 0.2 pg to 0.3 pg as compared to 1.5 pg to 24.3 pg for GC-NCI-MS. The GC-ICP-MS method was then used to quantify PBDE congeners in Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1941b Organics in Marine Sediment and SRM 2977 Freeze-Dried Mussel Tissue (Organic Contaminants and Trace Elements). The mass fraction of PBDE congeners in these SRMs determined by GC-ICP-MS were within 13% (8.5%) and 7% (2.5%) (mean difference (1 SD)) of previously determined values for SRMs 1941b and 2977, respectively. The PBDE 209 value in SRM 1941b determined by GC-ICP-MS compared favorably to the consensus value from a recent interlaboratory comparison using this material (28.7 ng g−1 ± 2.9 ng g−1versus 24.4 ng g−1 ± 14.1 ng g−1).