cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of cyclic AMP levels in a clonal neural cell line by inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation

Abstract The convergence of tyrosine kinase and cyclic AMP (cAMP) signal transduction pathways was investigated in the HT4.7 neural cell line with inhibitors of tyrosine kinases and tyrosine phosphatases. The protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP production by 40–60% in whole cells, with no effect on basal cAMP levels. In both whole cells and membranes, genistein also inhibited cAMP produced in response to direct stimulation of adenylyl cyclase with forskolin. However, in the absence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, genistein presentation resulted in an increase in cAMP levels. Genistein inhibited phosphodiesterase activity by 80–85%, indicating that tyrosine phosphorylation stimulates both cAMP synthesis and degradation. The decrease in cAMP levels by genistein was not merely competitive inhibition of adenylyl cyclase with respect to ATP, since the K m of adenylyl cyclase for ATP remained essentially the same in either the presence or the absence of genistein. Another tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin A, which inhibits by a different mechanism than genistein, also decreased forskolin-stimulated cAMP in whole cells. As would be expected for the involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in the control of cAMP production, inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases by vandate increased forskolin-stimulated cAMP production. These results suggest that cAMP production can be regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation, and the simultaneous activation of both cAMP synthesis and degradation may serve to alter the duration of cAMP elevation.
Does transducer selection affect aortic arch velocities

Abstract The hypothesis tested was that transducers of different types and shapes would produce different peak and mean ascending aortic (AAo) velocities. Additionally, we sought to determine if mean and peak velocity recorded from the descending aorta (DAo) were similar to velocities in the AAo. Twenty-eight consecutive individuals who had normal hearts were studied. AAo velocities were measured with four traneducers including a nonimaging device that transmitted Doppler at right angies to the transducer handie, a 30-degree angled continuous wave transducer, an imaging transducer that transmitted Doppler in line with the transducer handle, and a second imaging transducer that sectored at 25 degrees to the transducer handle. DAo was studied with a standard in-line imaging transducer. Results showed that mean and peak AAo velocities recorded by transducers that transmitted off the axis of the transducer handle were similar, but the transducer that imaged along the transducer handle axis produced significantly lower peak and mean velocities. The problem that caused lower velocity for the on-axis transducer was inabillty to image the area immediately posterior to the sternum to permit alignment in the azimuthal dimension. The continuous wave transducer provided a wide spectral dispersion. Mean DAo velocity was simllar to mean AAo velocity, but variabillty was large.
Mapping dopaminergic deficiencies in the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area in schizophrenia

Previous work from our laboratory showed deficits in tyrosine hydroxylase protein expression within the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA) in schizophrenia. However, little is known about the nature and specific location of these deficits within the SN/VTA. The present study had two aims: (1) test if tyrosine hydroxylase deficits could be explained as the result of neuronal loss; (2) assess if deficits in tyrosine hydroxylase are sub-region specific within the SN/VTA, and thus, could affect specific dopaminergic pathways. To achieve these objectives: (1) we obtained estimates of the number of dopaminergic neurons, total number of neurons, and their ratio in matched SN/VTA schizophrenia and control samples; (2) we performed a qualitative assessment in SN/VTA schizophrenia and control matched samples that were processed simultaneously for tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. We did not find any significant differences in the total number of neurons, dopaminergic neurons, or their ratio. Our qualitative study of TH expression showed a conspicuous decrease in labeling of neuronal processes and cell bodies within the SN/VTA, which was sub-region specific. Dorsal diencephalic dopaminergic populations of the SN/VTA presented the most conspicuous decrease in TH labeling. These data support the existence of pathway-specific dopaminergic deficits that would affect the dopamine input to the cortex without significant neuronal loss. Interestingly, these findings support earlier reports of decreases in tyrosine hydroxylase labeling in the target areas for this dopaminergic input in the prefrontal and entorhinal cortex. Finally, our findings support that tyrosine hydroxylase deficits could contribute to the hypodopaminergic state observed in cortical areas in schizophrenia.
Serum acid phosphatases after rectal examination of prostate gland

Abstract It is commonly believed that the serum acid phosphatase is elevated after a routine rectal examination. In a study involving 75 patients, it was noted that rectal examination had no significant effect on the diagnostic accuracy of serum acid phosphatase in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy, carcinoma of the prostate, nor in the individual controls. There is, therefore, no justification for postponing estimation of serum acid phosphatases after rectal examination.
Role of PACAP1 Receptor in Regulation of ECL Cells and Gastric Acid Secretion by Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide

: We previously reported that PAC1 is expressed on ECL cells resulting in stimulation of [Ca2+]i, histamine and acid secretion. The study reported here characterized the signaling by PAC1m on ECL cells; determined the effects of PACAP on the gastric acid secretion in vivo, and determined the effects of chronic administration of PACAP-27 on ECL cell proliferation. PACAP-27 dose dependently stimulated ECL cell Ca2+ and AC with detectable stimulation at 1 nM and maximal stimulation at 100 nM (six-fold). In rats PACAP-27 administration (10 pmol/kg/h) increased the rate of gastric acid secretion when an antisomatostatin antibody was co-administered. Chronic administration of PACAP (10 pmol/h for seven days) via osmotic pump resulted in a more than twofold increase in BrdU incorporation into ECL cells. PACAP acting at the PAC1 results in dual signaling responses to both [Ca2+]i. AC in ECL cells stimulates gastric acid secretion via the actions of histamine acting at the parietal cell and in whole animals leads to proliferation of ECL cells when administered chronically.
America on Film: representing race, class, gender, and sexuality at the movies

America on Film: representing race, class, gender, and sexuality at the movies HARRY M. BENSHOFF and SEAN GRIFFIN West Sussex, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009 xvii + 453 pp., illus., glossary, index, $39.95 ...
Edge sensing as embodiment

Building on Gendlin’s understanding of the body as an extended system, this paper explores the process of becoming body, or embodying, and how embodying can be consciously accessed in edge sensing ...
alpha-Adrenoceptor-mediated secretion from the anterior nasal glands of the dog.

The secretion of fluid from the anterior nasal glands in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs was measured by absorption on filter papers that were weighed before and after insertion into the nose. The secretion was stimulated by the local effects of drugs present on the dried filter paper. Methacholine evoked a dose-related secretion that could be reduced by atropine. Phenylephrine caused a scanty but measurable secretion in a dose that is used in topical nasal decongestants. When this aL-adrenoceptor-stimulating drug was tested in combination with different doses of methacholine, a large increase in secretion was obtained over that with methacholine used alone. The increased secretion evoked by the combination was abolished by the aL-adrenoceptor blocking drug phentolamine.
Local times on rays for a class of planar Lévy processes

LetX, Y be independent Levy processes on the real line. AssumeX andY admit Lebesgue measure as a reference measure, thatP0(Xt>0)=c for allt>0 (or the weaker conditionP0(Xt>0)=c ast→∞) and thatYt has a local time at points. We investigate the distribution of the local timeLt of (X, Y) on the positivex-axis. It turns out that, under the first hypothesis (which is in particular satisfied by planar Brownian motion), ifT is an independent exponential time, then the ratio ofLT tolT, the local time on the entirex axis, is (generalized) arc-sine and independent oflT, andLT has a Gamma distribution. We obtain then expressions for the distribution ofLt. In the case of Brownian motion, the formula involves parabolic cylinder functions. Under the weaker condition mentioned above, together with mild secondary hypotheses, we obtain an expression for the asymptotic distribution ofLt for larget.
Progressive muscular dystrophy with 1:1 atrial flutter

This 39-year-old white man was admitted to the hospital in August, 1957, in a state of shock. The skin was clammy and covered with a profuse, cold perspiration. The blood pressure was unobtainable, and the radial pulses could not be felt. The lungs were clear to auscultation and percussion. Cardiac auscultation revealed tachycardia and very distant heart sounds. An electrocardiogram showed a ventricular rate of 280 and was interpreted as indicating atria1 flutter with 1:l A-V conduction (Fig. 1). The liver, spleen, and kidneys were not felt. The patient was immediately digitalized and given Levophed, with the resultant slowing of the ventricular rate to an average of 72 beats per minute. An electrocardiogram taken at this time showed an atria1 flutter, with mainly a 4:l block, occasionally a 2:l block (Fig. 2). The patient had been admitted many times to different hospitals, the first time being in 1947, when he was admitted because of pain in the chest, shortness of breath, and muscular weakness. Numerous electrocardiograms taken during the past 10 years showed 1:4, occasionally 1:2, atria1 flutter. He had taken digitalis at different times in the past, but had had none during recent months. In the past, several attempts had been made with quinidine to convert the atrial flutter to a regular sinus rhythm, but were unsuccessful. Approximately 20 years ago, when he was 20 years of age, he began to complain about weakness of the upper and lower extremities. He developed a foot drop about 10 years ago. He denied ever having had rheumatic fever. The patient completed the ninth grade, failed in the first, fourth, fifth, and seventh grades. The family history was noncontributory. There was no history of muscular dystrophy in his family. After the patient had recovered from his acute episode and returned to his usual status, the additional physical examination revealed a fairly well-nourished and well-developed, but mentally sluggish, white man of the stated age. The facies was rather dull and listless. The heart was enlarged to the left. There were no murmurs present. The blood pressure varied from 115/80 to 100/70 mm. Hg. The lungs were clear to auscultation and percussion. The abdomen was relaxed. The liver and the spleen were not felt.
Nuclear transport comes full circle.

Previous structural snapshots of snurportin have provided insights into its cargo recognition and nuclear import. The structure of snurportin bound to its export factor CRM1 now reveals the molecular basis of its recycling back into the cytoplasm, illuminating general principles of nuclear export sequence recognition.
The purification of enterogastrone from porcine gut

Abstract A method is described for the purification from porcine small intestine of enterogastrone, an inhibitor of gastric secretory and motor functions. The enterogastrone activity obtained from an acetic acid extract of the duodenum was further concentrated by differential adsorption on alginic acid, elution with 0.2 m HCl, precipitation with sodium chloride and reprecipitation from aqueous ethanol with 1-butanol. Further purification of the active material was done by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 and chromatography and rechromatography on TEAE cellulose. The enterogastrone concentrate obtained was found to be a potent inhibitor of gastric acid secretion and motility and it was not contaminated with other gastrointestinal hormones or toxic substances.
Is treatment-resistant depression a unique subtype of depression?

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) continues to represent a major challenge for treating clinicians. This report reviews the relevant literature to evaluate whether TRD can be considered a specific subtype of depression based on 1) clinical characteristics and course (behavioral phenotype), 2) neurobiological profile, and 3) context and environment in which TRD develops. Although patients with TRD share a number of clinical, neurobiological, and context and environment characteristics, the lack of available data and the clinical heterogeneity of this condition do not currently permit the classification of TRD as a unique subtype of depression; however, this topic is worthy of further evaluation and research. Performing genetics and neuroimaging studies on patients enrolled in large, prospective and controlled studies may provide enough data for classifying TRD (or at least a part of what is currently described as TRD) as a specific subtype of depression. This in turn may facilitate the identification of more effective treatment strategies.
Private benefits and public costs: Policies to address suburban sprawl

The uneven development and disparities that exist in most metropolitan regions are the consequence of a combination of private decisions and public policies. Public policy can also redress some of the inequities and redirect the pattern of growth. This article discusses individual policies, such as congestion pricing and regional governance, in some detail. Policies are assessed in terms of their contribution to slowing metropolitan deconcentration, feasibility of implementation and power to redress inequities. The most promising four policies discussed include: utilization of impact fees; reverse commuting programs; special taxing districts for regionwide amenities; and continued revitalization efforts in the central city.
Prevalence and predictors of dyslipidemia in Women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Purpose Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are hyperandrogenemic and insulin resistant, which are associated with alterations in circulating lipid and lipoprotein levels. We sought to determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, lipid abnormalities in these women. Subjects and methods Non-Hispanic white women with polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 195) and ethnically matched control women (n = 62) had fasting blood obtained for hormone and lipid levels. Subjects were categorized by body mass index (nonobese 2 , obese ≥27 kg/m 2 ), and analyses were adjusted for age. Results Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels increased significantly in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 153) compared with obese control women (n = 35; mean difference in total cholesterol level=29 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 14 to 45 mg/dL; P P = 0.006). Similarly, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels increased significantly in nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 42) compared with nonobese control women (n = 27; mean difference in total cholesterol=32 mg/dL; 95% CI: 13 to 52 mg/dL; P P P = 0.002; mean difference in triglyceride level=34 mg/dL; 95% CI: 1 to 77 mg/dL; P = 0.04). Differences in LDL-C and HDL-C levels, but not triglyceride levels, remained significant after adjusting for alcohol intake, smoking, and exercise. Although age, body mass index, and polycystic ovary syndrome status were significant predictors of lipid levels, these factors accounted for no more than 25% of the variance. Conclusions In this large study of non-Hispanic white women, elevations in LDL-C levels were the predominant lipid abnormality in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, independent of obesity. The characteristic dyslipidemia of insulin resistance was absent. Indeed, obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome had relatively elevated HDL-C levels, which may confer some protection against cardiovascular disease.
The SUN protein Mps3 controls Ndc1 distribution and function on the nuclear membrane

In closed mitotic systems such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and the spindle pole body (SPB) must assemble into an intact nuclear envelope (NE). Ndc1 is a highly conserved integral membrane protein involved in insertion of both complexes. In this study, we show that Ndc1 interacts with the SUN domain–containing protein Mps3 on the NE in live yeast cells using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy. Genetic and molecular analysis of a series of new ndc1 alleles allowed us to understand the role of Ndc1–Mps3 binding at the NE. We show that the ndc1-L562S allele is unable to associate specifically with Mps3 and find that this mutant is lethal due to a defect in SPB duplication. Unlike other ndc1 alleles, the growth and Mps3 binding defect of ndc1-L562S is fully suppressed by deletion of POM152, which encodes a NPC component. Based on our data we propose that the Ndc1–Mps3 interaction is important for controlling the distribution of Ndc1 between the NPC and SPB.
Thrombosis prophylaxis after treatment during pregnancy

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is not a rare occurrence during pregnancy and puerperium due to changes in the coagulation mechanism. Eighteen cases with DVT during pregnancy are presented here. All of them received subcutaneous heparin for two weeks at a dose adjusted so as to prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time, or plasma recalcification time, to twice that of normal controls. Treatment continued with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), once daily subcutaneously, for the duration of pregnancy and for one month postpartum. All women went into labor uneventfully, except for one who had a missed abortion during the 10th week. No side-effects were observed. LMWH has some advantages compared with standard heparin, which make it the treatment of choice for the prevention of thromboembolic events in pregnant women.
049 Lactate Controls Vascular Development in Wound Healing

INTRODUCTION: High concentrations of lactate approx. 10 mM are characteristic of wound healing. We have previously shown that lactate instigates release of VEGF from macrophages and endothelial cells. Our present study uses an in vivo murine Matrigel model to study how lactate enhances vascular development and repair. METHODS: Matrigel is a reconstituted basement membrane complex, a liquid at 4 degree C. When injected subcutaneously, it reconstitutes as a gel. 30 mgs of finely divided polylactate polymer (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) was mixed with 1cc of Matrigel, and 2 injections were made into the dorsum of each of 60 (average 7/group), 6-month-old Swiss Webster mice. The gel implants were harvested at 3, 6, 9, 11 and 16 days post injection, and were fixed in buffered formalin or frozen. Cell migration and vascular development were assessed using H&E, anti-CD31 and anti-MAC3 antibody stainings for leukocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages. Cells and vessels were quantified microscopically. RESULTS: Control implants (without polylactate) developed little or no inflammation or angiogenesis. Polylactated implants developed highly significant number of endothelial cells and recognizable vessels at 6 and 9 days. At 11 and 16 days, sizeable vessels with surrounding connective tissue were found. Though a moderate inflammation occurred in the lactate groups, no foreign body reaction was seen. Larger implants of high molecular weight instigated little inflammation and few vessels. CONCLUSION: Slowly released lactate leads to the formation of new vessels. Our results provide support for further clinical applications of lactate polymer in wounds. NIH/NIGMS Trauma Training Grant
Conceptual and Linguistic Biases in Children's Word Learning.

Four studies examined the influence of essentialist information and perceptual similarity on preschoolers' interpretations of labels. In Study 1, 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds were less likely to interpret 2 labels for animals as referring to mutually exclusive categories: when the animals were said to share internal, rather than superficial, properties and when the animals were perceptually similar rather than dissimilar. In Study 2, neither internal nor functional property information influenced 4-year-olds' interpretations of labels for artifacts. Studies 3 and 4 provide baseline data, demonstrating that the domain differences were not due to prior differences in children's lexical knowledge in the 2 domains. These results suggest that children have essentialist beliefs about animals, but not about artifacts, and that these beliefs interact with children's assumptions about word meaning in determining their interpretations of labels.
Ultrasensitive detection of mode splitting in active optical microcavities

Scattering-induced mode splitting in active microcavities is demonstrated. Below the lasing threshold, quality factor enhancement by optical gain allows resolving, in the wavelength-scanning transmission spectrum, of resonance dips of the split modes which otherwise would not be detected in a passive resonator. In the lasing regime, mode splitting manifests itself as two lasing modes with extremely narrow linewidths. Mixing these lasing modes in a detector leads to a heterodyne beat signal whose frequency corresponds to the mode-splitting amount. Lasing regime not only allows ultra-high sensitivity for mode-splitting measurements but also provides an easily accessible scheme by eliminating the need for wavelength scanning around resonant modes. Mode splitting in active microcavities has an immediate impact in enhancing the sensitivity of subwavelength scatterer detection and in studying light-matter interactions in a strong-coupling regime.
Mechanisms of deep brain stimulation for essential tremor.

Although essential tremor is often thought of as benign, it can be disabling to the point of justifying invasive deep brain stimulation (DBS). However, the mechanisms by which thalamic and subthalamic stimulation suppress tremor are poorly understood. In this issue of Brain , Groppa et al. (2014) quantified the performance of seven patients with essential tremor in a reaching task to determine the DBS target structures associated with therapeutic reduction in tremor and with the side effect of stimulation-induced ataxia. The optimum site of stimulation was usually in the posterior subthalamic area, beneath the inferior border of the thalamic nucleus ventralis intermedius. Probabilistic diffusion tractography identified the dentatothalamic tract as the key therapeutic DBS target structure. Supratherapeutic stimulation of this site produced upper limb ataxia, despite continued suppression of tremor. The authors systematically varied stimulation pulse strength and duration to find that stimulation chronaxies of 27 and 52 µs were associated with tremor suppression and the induction of ataxia, respectively. Chronaxie is loosely defined as the minimum duration at which a current twice threshold (minimum current with indefinitely long pulse duration) elicits a response and provides a clue as to the properties of the axons recruited. They reasoned that two different populations of large myelinated nerve fibres were affected: (i) dentatothalamic axons for the therapeutic effect; and (ii) afferent or efferent axons of the red nucleus for the stimulation-induced ataxia. However, the involvement of rubral pathways could not be confirmed with diffusion tractography. This work is an important contribution to a growing literature addressing the mechanisms of DBS and the preferred site of DBS stimulation for essential tremor. Ventralis intermedius has historically been the preferred stereotactic target for thalamotomy and DBS in the treatment of essential tremor and other tremor disorders (Miocinovic et al. , 2013), but recent postoperative correlations …
Racism and rationality: The need for a new critique

Two classes of argument, logical and moral, are usually offered for the general assumption that racism is inherently irrational. The logical arguments involve accusations concerning stereotyping (c...
Infectious Diseases in Persons of Leadership

A reference source listing the significant infectious diseases affecting over 500 persons of leadership is presented. The credibility of biographical diagnoses is discussed, and the historical perspective of these diseases is outlined. The impact of infectious diseases on the lives of individual leaders in many fields has modified history many times.
Photoinitiation of the O− + H2O→OH−+OH ion—molecule reaction within the O−2·H2O binary complex

Abstract We report the observation of the O−+H2O→OH−+OH ion—molecule reaction following photodissociation of O−2 within the O−2·H2O ion—dipole complex. Photoexcitation of the O−2 A 2Πu←X2Πg dissociative transition in the 200–300 nm region initiates the reaction. The O−·H2O reaction intermediate is the dominant photoproduct throughout the A–X band, while some geminate recombination (≈2%) is observed at 4.66 eV (266 nm), 0.57 eV above the O−2 dissociation threshold.
Adaptive FEM simulation for prediction of variable blank holder force in conical cup drawing

Abstract Fracture and wrinkling are two primary failure modes in deep drawing of sheet metal parts. Previous studies showed that properly selected variable blank holder force (BHF) profile, i.e. variation of BHF with punch stroke, can eliminate these failures to draw deeper parts. In this study, an adaptive simulation strategy was developed to adjust the magnitude of the BHF continuously during the simulation process. Thus, a BHF profile is predicted in a single process simulation run and the computation time is reduced. The proposed strategy has been applied successfully to two conical cup drawing operations. The predictions have been compared with experiments and the results indicate that the adaptive simulation strategy can also be used to improve the drawing process for forming non-symmetric parts.
Mechanisms of grass response in grasslands and shrublands during dry or wet periods.

Multi-year climatic periods are expected to increase with global change, yet long-term data are often insufficient to document factors leading to ecological responses. We used a suite of long-term datasets (1993–2010) to examine the processes underlying different relationships between aboveground net primary production (ANPP) and precipitation in wet and dry rainfall periods in shrublands and grasslands in the Chihuahuan Desert. We hypothesized that trends in ANPP can be explained by different processes associated with their dominant grasses [Bouteloua eriopoda (grasslands); Sporobolus flexuosus (shrublands)] and with ecosystem properties that influence soil water dynamics with feedbacks to ANPP. We compared datasets on recruitment and growth for 7 years with no trend in precipitation followed by a 4-year drought and 5 consecutive wet years. We integrated these data in a simulation model to examine the importance of positive feedbacks. In grasslands, ANPP was linearly related to precipitation regardless of rainfall period, primarily as a result of stolon recruitment by B. eriopoda. A lag in responses suggests the importance of legacies associated with stolon density. In shrublands, ANPP was only related to rainfall in the wet period when it increased nonlinearly as the number of wet years increased. Seed availability increased in the first wet year, and seedling establishment occurred 2–4 years later. Increases in biomass, litter and simulated transpiration beginning in the third year corresponded with increases in ANPP. Understanding the processes underlying ecosystem dynamics in multi-year dry or wet periods is expected to improve predictions under directional increases or decreases in rainfall.
Failure of rifampin to eradicate group B streptococcal colonization in infants.

Background Mucous membrane colonization with group B streptococci (GBS) frequently persists in infants after treatment of invasive infection and may be associated with recurrent disease. Objective To determine the frequency with which GBS colonization persists at mucous membrane sites after treatment of invasive early or late onset infection and to determine the efficacy of oral rifampin in eradicating colonization in these infants and their mothers. Methods Cultures for isolation of GBS were obtained from infants and their mothers after completion of the infant's parenteral therapy, 1 week later when rifampin therapy was initiated and at approximately 1 and 4 weeks after completion of rifampin therapy. Rifampin was administered (10-mg/kg dose; maximum, 600 mg) twice daily for 4 days. Results Ten of 21 infants (48%) and 13 (65%) of their 20 mothers were colonized with GBS at throat or rectal (infant) or vaginal, rectal or breast milk (mother) sites before rifampin was initiated. One week or less after rifampin treatment, 7 (70%) infants and 4 (31%) mothers remained colonized with GBS. At study completion 6 infants and 7 mothers had GBS colonization. Persistent colonization was not related to GBS serotype, to initial rifampin minimal inhibitory concentration or to the development of rifampin resistant strains. Conclusions Rifampin treatment for four days utilized as a single agent after completion of parenteral therapy failed to reliably eradicate GBS colonization in infants.
Ultrasonographic measurement of spleen volume in horses

Ante-mortem measurement of spleen size may be valuable to understand and study hemodynamic changes during exercise and in clinical determination of splenomegaly. The hypotheses were that spleen volume can be calculated from transcutaneous ultrasonographic measurements in live standing horses; and that the spleen volume is proportional to blood volume, maximal under the influence of detomidine and minimal under the influence of epinephrine. Eight donated horses free of splenic disease were studied. Ultrasonographic spleen volume and Evans blue dye-dilution blood volume were measured before (baseline) and after intravenous administration of detomidine and epinephrine (separately). Spleen volume was calculated using a standard ellipsoid formula (VOLstandard) and with the formula modified for the unique shape of the equine spleen (VOLmodified). Horses were euthanised using pentobarbital sodium, spleens removed immediately and measurements repeated on the removed spleen. Descriptive statistics, correlation and...
Smart Stick Controllers

In an effort to apply computers to aid the control of aircraft, a study is being conducted on the use of a computer to change the dynamics of a hand controller as a function of several variables. Such a stick could be termed a "Smart Stick" if its dynamic properties could change by computer control as a function of measured variables. The variables considered here are the G fields experienced and the pilot's biodynamic response characteristics. By varying the stick controller's dynamic properties, it is possible to obtain more than one definition of closed loop (man-machine) system optimality. Several designs are considered using analog representations of mechanical systems and the use of methods from circuit theory. The main purpose here is to obtain insight on how to dynamically change the controller's characteristics using computer control to improve the closed loop man-machine system response under acceleration field stress.
COMPTON RECOIL GAMMA-RAY SPECTROSCOPY.

Abstract A method of continuous gamma-ray spectroscopy based on Compton electron continuum measurements has been developed. Recoil electron energy spectra are observed in lithium-drifted silicon solid-state detectors. Iterative unfolding is used to determine the gamma-ray continuum from the observed electron recoil energy distribution. Limitations of the method are discussed. Absolute measurements in the energy region 0.2–2.2 MeV are possible with an accuracy of approximately 20%. In-core gamma continua observed in a depleted uranium Snell block, a graphite thermal column, and a fast reactor critical assembly are presented.
The nature of unusual γ′/γ′ interfaces formed upon quenching directionally solidifying Ni3Al alloys

Abstract Upon quenching directionally solidified Ni-Al alloys having compositions near the Ni 3 Al compound, two distinct and unusual interfaces (No. I and No. II) occur in the region of the solid-liquid growth front. The interfaces appear after etching in a variety of etchants or with an ion beam or after electro-polishing. Both interfaces are γ′/γ′ interfaces. Experiments are presented which show that during the quench a band of γ′ phase forms upon the solid growth front, and interface No. II marks the top of the band, while interface No. I marks the bottom of the band where it overgrows freezing γ′. It is also shown that both interfaces result from local planar shaped regions of composition change. Interface No. II is mainly an interesting experimental observation, but interface No. I should be very useful in experiments involving growth of γ′ because it marks the location of the solid-liquid growth front.
Comparison of experimental velocity measurements with theoretical results in a solid-solid composite material

Two-phase composite media were constructed of aluminum powder inclusions embedded randomly in a clear resin matrix. The shapes of the inclusions are elongate, with aspect ratios ranging from 0.1 to 1.0, averaging about 0.25. The effective velocities of ultrasonic elastic waves in the bulk media were measured for these composite materials, and the observed data were compared to the theoretical values calculated using five different numerical models. The observed velocities agree with the theoretical values calculated using a dynamic model under the assumption that the inclusions have an oblate spheroidal shape.
Disjoint bases in a polymatroid

Let f : 2N → $\cal {Z}$+ be a polymatroid (an integer-valued non-decreasing submodular set function with f(∅) = 0). We call S ⊆ N a base if f(S) = f(N). We consider the problem of finding a maximum number of disjoint bases; we denote by m* be this base packing number. A simple upper bound on m* is given by k* = maxlk : ΣieNfA(i) ≥ kfA(N),∀A ⊆ Nr where fA(S) = f(A ∪ S) - f(A). This upper bound is a natural generalization of the bound for matroids where it is known that m* = k*. For polymatroids, we prove that m* ≥ (1 - o(1))k*-lnf(N) and give a randomized polynomial time algorithm to find (1 - o(1))k*-lnf(N) disjoint bases, assuming an oracle for f. We also derandomize the algorithm using minwise independent permutations and give a deterministic algorithm that finds (1 - e)k*-lnf(N) disjoint bases. The bound we obtain is almost tight because it is known there are polymatroids for which m* 0, there is no polynomial time algorithm to obtain a (1 + e)-lnf(N)-approximation to m*. Our result generalizes and unifies two results in the literature. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2009
METHODS TO CORRECT FOR DENSITY INFLATION BIASES IN HAWAIIAN HAWK SURVEYS USING ATTRACTANT CALLS

ABSTRACT Point-count surveys with playback recordings have been used to estimate density and abundance for Hawaiian Hawks (‘Io; Buteo solitarius) on Hawaii. Playbacks are necessary for effective surveys, but attract hawks toward the observer prior to their detection. This attraction inflates estimates of density and abundance based on distance analytical techniques. We quantified movement of radio-tagged Hawaiian Hawks and evaluated six methods to adjust estimates to account for attraction. We evaluated methods by comparing density estimates determined by spot mapping to adjusted point counts at two study sites (Kona Forest, Puu Waawaa) during 1998 and 1999 on Hawaii. By spot mapping, we estimated densities of 0.59 and 0.76 hawks/km2 at the Puu Waawaa and Kona Refuge study sites, respectively. We adjusted for (1) lack of response, (2) attraction to calls, (3) attraction and lack of response, (4) view obstruction, (5) view obstruction and lack of response, and (6) movement prior to detection. All methods w...
Sex differences in causal attributions for success and failure in real and hypothetical sport settings

In Experiment 1, a 48-item attribution questionnaire was administered to 22 members of the men's and women's varsity basketball teams, respectively, after an intrasquad scrimmage. In Experiment 2, the same questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 54 undergraduates who were told to imagine a hypothetical scrimmage. Losing male athletes rated internal characteristics as less important in determining the outcome than did losing females. Winning females rated the opponent's characteristics as less important in determining the outcome than did winning males. Hypothetical female winners rated the opponent's characteristics as more important than did hypothetical male winners. The lack of correspondence in the outcomes of the two experiments and possible methodological shortcomings in the attribution literature are discussed.
Computing price trajectories in combinatorial auctions with proxy bidding

Abstract Proxy bidding has proven useful in a variety of real auction formats – most notably eBay – and has been proposed for the nascent field of combinatorial auctions. Previous work on proxy bidding in combinatorial auctions requires the auctioneer to run the auction with myopic bidders to determine the outcome. In this paper, we present a radically different approach that computes the bidders’ allocation of their attention across the bundles only at “inflection points”. Inflections are caused by the introduction of a new bundle into an agent’s demand set, a change in the set of currently competitive allocations, or the withdrawal of an agent from the set of active bidders. This approach has several advantages over alternatives, including that it computes exact solutions and is invariant to the magnitude of the bids.
Reclaiming the white spaces: spectrum efficient coexistence with primary users

TV white spaces offer an exciting opportunity for increasing spectrum availability, but white space devices (WSDs) cannot interfere with primary users, including TV channels and wireless microphones (mics). Mics are particularly challenging because their use is dynamic and it is hard to avoid interference since mic receivers are receive-only devices. For this reason the FCC and other regulatory agencies have made very conservatives rules that require WSDs to vacate any TV channel that is used by a mic. However, our measurements show that mics typically require only 5% of a channel, wasting as much as 95% of the spectrum.We present SEISMIC, a systems that enables WSDs and mics to operate on the same TV channel with zero audible mic interference. SEISMIC implements a MicProtector to measure the interference at the mic receiver and a signaling protocol to notify the WSD of impending interference. This allows the WSD to optimize its transmission (e.g. through subcarrier suppression) without impacting mics. We motivate and describe SEISMIC and present a detailed performance analysis that shows that SEISMIC can regain up to 95% of the spectrum in single mic scenarios, and up to 85% in many (10+) mic environments.
Effect of FS (α2γβs) hybrid hemoglobin on Hb S nucleation and aggregation

Asymmetrical cross-linked FS (alpha 2 gamma beta s) hybrid hemoglobin (Hb FS-fumarate) was prepared by reacting mixtures of hemoglobins F and S with double-headed aspirin, bis(3,5-dibromosalicyl) fumarate. When the molar ratio of hemoglobin to the cross-linking agent was 1 to 2 in a 1:1 FS mixture, the relative ratio of the products, cross-linked hemoglobins F (Hb F-fumarate), FS (HB FS-fumarate), and S (Hb S-fumarate), was 1.0:2.6:2.0, in contrast to a 1:2:1 ratio of cross-linked hemoglobins A, AS, and S in a 1:1 AS mixture. These results suggest that the fumaryl group reacts differently with Hb F, Hb FS and Hb S, and that the difference could be attributed to the difference in the structure in the vicinity of the EF6 Lys of non alpha-chains. The oxygen-binding properties of Hb F-fumarate, Hb FS-fumarate, and Hb S-fumarate were similar, except that the n-value of Hb F-fumarate was slightly lower than n-values of Hb S-fumarate and Hb FS-fumarate. Kinetic studies on aggregation showed that the addition of Hb FS-fumarate to unmodified Hb S did not affect the delay time prior to aggregation, but did increase the total turbidity. Electrophoretic and densitometric scanning analysis of the aggregate phase of this mixture showed the fraction of Hb FS-fumarate to be 19%. Hb F-fumarate's effect on the delay time is concentration-dependent; the greater the concentration of Hb F-fumarate, the longer the delay time. The turbidity after aggregation of the mixture of Hb S and Hb F-fumarate was much less than that of Hb S and Hb FS-fumarate. However, the fraction of Hb F-fumarate in the aggregate phase was 19%, which is similar to that of Hb FS-fumarate. These data suggest that Hb F and FS hybrid hemoglobin cannot participate in nuclei formation, but can participate in aggregation after sufficient amounts of nuclei are formed from Hb S, and that increased levels of Hb F do not have an inhibitory effect on the formation of nuclei but on the growth of aggregates.
Decreased methylation and transcription repressor Sp3 up-regulated human monoamine oxidase (MAO) B expression during Caco-2 differentiation.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B catalyze the oxidative deamination of neuroactive and dietary monoamines such as serotonin, tyramine, and phenylethylamine. Here we show that MAO B, but not MAO A, gene expression was induced during Caco-2 cell differentiation; thus this cell line was used as a model system to study the gene regulation unique for MAO B. Luciferase and gel shift assays showed that transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3 binding to -246 and -99 bp were responsible for the observed gene activation. Overexpression of Sp3 inhibited the induction of MAO B gene by Sp1, and the expression of Sp3 was decreased during Caco-2 cell differentiation. Computer analysis revealed a putative CpG island containing 22 potential CpG methylation sites between -261 and -58 bp. In vitro methylation of MAO B promoter with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, up-regulated MAO B gene expression in both HeLa and Caco-2 cells. Sodium bisulfite sequencing showed a gradually reduced methylation of the CpG sites during Caco-2 cell differentiation. These results suggested that MAO B gene expression is selectively induced by a decreased Sp3/Sp1 ratio and reduced DNA methylation. This new information may provide insights on the tissue-specific expression of these two isoenzymes.
Altered Effect of Potassium Ions on Cerebral Respiration in vitro Following Subcortical Lesions

The rate of glucose-supported respiration in cortical slices taken from control rats and rats with bilateral lesions in the caudate nucleus was increased by 92 to 95 percent after the addition of potassium chloride. In cortical slices taken from rats with bilateral lesions in the septal area the respiratory rate increased by only 40 percent.
Clinical Use of Aided Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials as a Measure of Physiological Detection or Physiological Discrimination

The clinical usefulness of aided cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) remains unclear despite several decades of research. One major contributor to this ambiguity is the wide range of variability across published studies and across individuals within a given study; some results demonstrate expected amplification effects, while others demonstrate limited or no amplification effects. Recent evidence indicates that some of the variability in amplification effects may be explained by distinguishing between experiments that focused on physiological detection of a stimulus versus those that differentiate responses to two audible signals, or physiological discrimination. Herein, we ask if either of these approaches is clinically feasible given the inherent challenges with aided CAEPs. N1 and P2 waves were elicited from 12 noise-masked normal-hearing individuals using hearing-aid-processed 1000-Hz pure tones. Stimulus levels were varied to study the effect of hearing-aid-signal/hearing-aid-noise audibility relative to the noise-masked thresholds. Results demonstrate that clinical use of aided CAEPs may be justified when determining whether audible stimuli are physiologically detectable relative to inaudible signals. However, differentiating aided CAEPs elicited from two suprathreshold stimuli (i.e., physiological discrimination) is problematic and should not be used for clinical decision making until a better understanding of the interaction between hearing-aid-processed stimuli and CAEPs can be established.
Glijmiddelen en spermamotiliteit

[1,0%] [2,5%] [5,0%] K-Y jelly ® n.v.t. 27% p > 0,05 8%p p < 0.05 2%** n.v.t. Replens ® 25% p < 0,01 n.v.t. 2%** n.v.t. Lubrin ® n.v.t. n.v.t. n.v.t. 35,9%
An innovation-diffusion view of implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and development of a research model

Firms around the world have been implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems since the 1990s to have an uniform information system in their respective organizations and to reengineer their business processes. Through a case type analysis conducted in six manufacturing firms that have one of the widely used ERP systems, various contextual factors that influenced these firms to implement this technology were understood using the six-stage model proposed by Kwon and Zmud. Three types of ERP systems, viz. SAP, Baan and Oracle ERP were studied in this research. Implementation of ERP systems was found to follow the stage model. The findings from the process model were used to develop the items for the causal model and in identifying appropriate constructs to group those items. In order to substantiate that the constructs developed to measure the causal model were congruent with the findings based on qualitative analysis, i.e. that the instrument appropriately reflects the understanding of the case interview; 'triangulation' technique was used. The findings from the qualitative study and the results from the quantitative study were found to be equivalent, thus, ensuring a fair assessment of the validity and reliability of the instrument developed to test the causal model. The quantitative measures done only at these six firms are not statistically significant but the samples were used as a part of the triangulation method to collect data from multiple sources, to verify the respondents' understanding of the scales and as an initial measure to see if my understanding from the qualitative studies were accurately reflected by the instrument. This instrument will be pilot tested first and administered to a large sample of firms.
Garnet Zoning: An Interpretation Based on the Rayleigh Fractionation Model

Manganese zoning in almandine garnet is interpreted by the use of calculations based on the Rayleigh fractionation model. A close similarity of a measured manganese zoning profile and a calculated profile indicates that the assumptions used in the calculations are good. These assumptions are: complete removal of garnet from a homogeneous reservoir as the garnet crystallizes, and a nearly constant manganese fractionation factor between garnet and reservoir.