cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electron beam generation in high voltage glow discharges

The generation of intense CW and pulsed electron beams in glow discharges is reviewed. Glow-discharge electron guns operate at a pressure of the order of 1 torr and often have an advantage in applications that require a broad-area electron beam in a gaseous atmosphere. Abnormal glow discharges can be designed to sustain multikilovolt voltage drops in the cathode sheath. Electron emission from the cathode surface is produced following the bombardment of ions accelerated in the sheath and of fast neutral atoms created by charge-transfer collisions in that region. By selecting high-electron-yield cathode materials, multikilowatt CW (continuous-wave) electron beams have been operated with efficiencies up to 80% and current in excess of 1 A. Pulsed currents approaching 1000 A with electron beam current densities >10 A/cm/sup 2/ have been obtained for 50-100-kV discharges. Broad-area electron beams have also been created by accelerating thermal electrons from glow-discharge plasmas in the plasma between two grids. >
Somaclonal Variation for Disease Resistance in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Variation in resistance to rice blast and sheath blight was observed in somaclones regenerated from U. S. long-grain cultivars. Among 2,100 R2 somaclonal lines inoculated and screened for sheath blight resistance, three lines regenerated from the susceptible cultivar Labelle showed a high level of resistance. The sheath blight resistant somaclone SC 86-20001 has good agronomic characteristics when compared to the previously available resistant cultivars. The resistance of the three somaclonal lines to sheath blight was stable after 4 years of testing in the greenhouse and in the field. The inheritance of sheath blight resistance in SC 86-20001-5 was controlled by a single recessive gene. Sheath blight resistance of 86-20001-33 was controlled by two independently inherited recessive genes. Selection among F3 lines from crosses of the above lines with cultivar Lemont gave lines with resistance, good plant type, and high yield potential.
Glucocorticoid Control of the Liver Glycogen Synthetase-activating System

The activity of the enzyme system which converts hepatic glycogen synthetase to the active form disappears from the livers of fasted, adrenalectomized rats. The level of active synthetase in such preparations is nil. After the administration of glucocorticoid there is a return of activating enzyme activity and gradual increases in the level of active glycogen synthetase, the rate of glycogen synthesis, and the glycogen content of the liver. We propose that the changes in activating enzyme activity are the proximate cause of the changes in the level of active synthetase and the consequent alterations in hepatic glycogen content in response to the glucocorticoid state of the animal.
Ethanol Induces CYP2E1 by Protein Stabilization ROLE OF UBIQUITIN CONJUGATION IN THE RAPID DEGRADATION OF CYP2E1

In the present study, we demonstrate that ethanol induces CYP2E1 by protein stabilization in vivo. The control half-life of CYP2E1 was determined to be 6-7 h followed by a slower secondary phase. The half-life of ethanol-stabilized CYP2E1 was calculated to be 38 h. The mechanism underlying the rapid degradation of CYP2E1 was also investigated and appears to involve the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway. An in vitro assay using the cytosolic fraction was developed to further characterize CYP2E1 degradation. Using this assay, 40-50% loss of CYP2E1 was observed in 1 h, coincident with the formation of high M(r) ubiquitin-CYP2E1 conjugates. At concentrations approximating those found in vivo, ethanol protects CYP2E1 from cytosolic degradation. No loss of CYP2B1/2 was observed under identical conditions, suggesting that this reaction is specific for certain P-450s which are rapidly turned over.
Parallel Algorithms for the Subgraph Homeomorphism Problem

The subgraph homeomorphism problem for a fixed graph $H$ is stated as follows: given a graph $G$, determine whether $G$ has a subgraph homeomorphic to $H$, and obtain it. We study the parallel complexity of this problem for various pattern graphs $H$ and present fast $NC$ algorithms for versions of this problem. We also present an efficient $NC$ algorithm to check if a given graph is outer-planar and to obtain its forbidden homeomorphs $K_{4}$ or $K_{2,3}$ if it is not.
Regulation of deactivation by an amino terminal domain in human ether-a-go-go-related gene potassium channels.

Abnormalities in repolarization of the cardiac ventricular action potential can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias associated with long QT syndrome. The repolarization process depends upon the gating properties of potassium channels encoded by the human ether-a-go-go–related gene (HERG), especially those governing the rate of recovery from inactivation and the rate of deactivation. Previous studies have demonstrated that deletion of the NH2 terminus increases the deactivation rate, but the mechanism by which the NH2 terminus regulates deactivation in wild-type channels has not been elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that the HERG NH2 terminus slows deactivation by a mechanism similar to N-type inactivation in Shaker channels, where it binds to the internal mouth of the pore and prevents channel closure. We found that the regulation of deactivation by the HERG NH2 terminus bears similarity to Shaker N-type inactivation in three respects: (a) deletion of the NH2 terminus slows C-type inactivation; (b) the action of the NH2 terminus is sensitive to elevated concentrations of external K+, as if its binding along the permeation pathway is disrupted by K+ influx; and (c) N-ethylmaleimide, covalently linked to an aphenotypic cysteine introduced within the S4–S5 linker, mimics the N deletion phenotype, as if the binding of the NH2 terminus to its receptor site were hindered. In contrast to N-type inactivation in Shaker, however, there was no indication that the NH2 terminus blocks the HERG pore. In addition, we discovered that separate domains within the NH2 terminus mediate the slowing of deactivation and the promotion of C-type inactivation. These results suggest that the NH2 terminus stabilizes the open state and, by a separate mechanism, promotes C-type inactivation.
Influence of Residual and Fresh Subsurface Phosphorus Fertilizer Bands on Soil Phosphorus Profile Distribution and Maize Growth and Shoot Phosphorus Uptake

ABSTRACT A field study was conducted at Beresford, SD, to examine how residual fertilizer phosphorus (P) bands influenced the distribution of Bray-1 extractable P in the soil profile and maize (Zea mays L.) shoot growth and P uptake in a ridge-till system. Liquid ammonium polyphosphate (10-34-0) was injected each fall for three consecutive years in either one or two concentrated subsurface bands in a 5 × 5 cm configuration with respect to the planted seed at rates to provide either 0, 10, 20, or 40 kg P/ha. Soil samples were removed once in the spring before planting with a rectangular block sampler along a 30 cm transect perpendicular to the ridge row to a depth of 15 cm after the third year of the P application. The large sample was separated into eight 7.5 × 7.5 cm × 7.5 cm block sections. Soil was analyzed for Bray-1-extractable orthophosphate-P in each of the sample blocks, composited for increasingly greater soil volumes, and compared with shoot growth and P uptake at the sixth and twelfth leaf and ...
Whole-cell analysis of cardiomyocytes with combined quantitative phase and two-channel fluorescence microscopy

We have developed a novel microscope combining quantitative phase and fluorescence microscopy to perform quantitative analysis of dynamic cardiomyocyte contraction. Phase-based parameters are informed by molecular specificity of fluorescence images.
Mechanics of the Dynamic Flex Test

Abstract The dynamic flex test is a comparative test used for screening synthetic cords. The test objective is to subject the cord through accelerated test conditions as observed in an underinflate...
Total Subcutaneous Defibrillators: The Current Status and Future Prospect of a New Technology

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is defined as an unexpected death from a cardiac cause generally within 1 hour of onset of symptoms. The event is referred to as sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) if an intervention such as defibrillation restores circulation. SCD remains a major public health concern, affecting annually more than 3 million people worldwide and accounting for up to 450,000 deaths in the United States, which represents 15% of all deaths. 1 About half of all SCDs occur out of the hospital setting, and, of those, about 40% are unwitnessed. Most victims of SCD have coronary artery disease (80%), whereas the rest of them have other forms of acquired or inherited cardiomyopathies (15%) or intrinsic cardiac conduction system abnormalities. 2 Clinical factors used to predict sudden death include a prior history of aborted sudden death, left ventricular dysfunction, and the diagnosis of inherited syndromes associated with arrhythmias such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, the Brugada syndrome, and others. 3 Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) constitute an effective therapy for protection against death in survivors of SCA and in those at risk for SCD based on poor left ventricular function. 4–10 The use of conventional ICDs is, however, associated with complications at the time of device and transvenous lead insertions as well as during follow-up. These complications, which include device and lead failures, vascular occlusions, inappropriate shocks, and others, contribute to increased patient morbidity, worsened quality of life, and increased cost to the health care system. 11,12 In this article, the authors discuss the totally subcutaneous ICD (SC-ICD) system that was designed to provide an alternative to transvenous electrodes in patients who do not require cardiac pacing. The authors also discuss the promises and shortcomings of this new device technology compared with the conventional transvenous implantable defibrillator system and review the experience up-to-date with the SC-ICD.
Flow injection and solvent extraction with intelligent segment separation. Determination of quaternary ammonium ions by ion-pairing.

Abstract Organic solvent segments are introduced into a premixed stream of the sample and an ion-pairing dye by a 3-way valve at regular intervals. The major mechanism of “extraction” in such a system appears to be the adsorption of the ion-pair on conduit walls and subsequent elution by the organic solvent. Following passage through the conduit, the immiscible organic segment is isolated in the loop of a 6-port valve; loop filling is sensed by a pair of conductivity sensors located respectively at the fill and drain ports of the loop and appropriate logic circuitry. The isolated segment is then injected into a purely organic carrier and detected by a suitable optical detector. Results are reported for a number of parametric studies that characterize this system. With immobilized adsorbents on conduit walls for preconcentration, a limit of detection of
Uncoupling of oxygen activation from hydroxylation in a bacterial salicylate hydroxylase.

Benzoate stimulates DPNH oxidation in a bacterial flavoprotein, salicylate hydroxylase (salicylate, DPNH : oxygen oxidoreductase (1 - hydroxylating, 1-decarboxylating)) with a higher Km than that of salicylate. Whereas salicylate is hydroxylated to catechol, with formation of H2O, benzoate is unchanged and hydrogen peroxide is released during the course of DPNH oxidation. Vmax for salicylate hydroxylation and benzoate-stimulated DPNH oxidation are identical. The results suggest that benzoate binds to the salicylate site as a pseudosubstrate and “uncouples” oxygen activation from hydroxylation.
Gender ideology construction from adolescence to young adulthood

This paper updates and extends research examining the origins of adolescent beliefs about gender. Although previous research noted the importance of maternal attitudes on adolescent beliefs, more recent attempts to model adolescent and young adult gender ideology have been limited in the kinds of intergenerational models tested. Using latent curve modeling and recent survey data from children of a nationally representative sample of women in the United States, I demonstrate that current family context is the most crucial component of adolescent and young adult gender ideology. Egalitarian mothers are more likely to have egalitarian children, although maternal ideologies have little effect on ideology change over time. Young women are more egalitarian than are young men, and this difference diminishes over time. As adolescents age, current life experiences are better predictors of gender ideology than are characteristics of family of origin. There is little evidence that the recent historical trends toward more egalitarian gender ideologies have abated.
Comment on Sandra J. Newman and Ann B. Schnare's “'… And a suitable living environment’: The failure of housing programs to deliver on neighborhood quality”

Abstract Newman and Schnare provide a useful portrait of where housing assistance ends up geographically. The evidence that certificate and voucher holders are less likely than public housing residents to live in the poorest neighborhoods is encouraging, as well as important for policy decisions. Unresolved in the article, and unresolvable with the data, as the authors themselves note, is the matter of how neighborhood quality is affected by housing assistance. The least popular housing developments have long been relegated to neighborhoods of least political resistance, a fact that constrains most local efforts to deconcentrate poverty. Futhermore, through the tax code, America spends about three times as much on housing assistance for middle‐ and upper‐income households as it does on assistance to low‐ and moderate‐income households. Thus far, we have not applied “fair share” principles either to the location of housing assistance or to its allocation across the income spectrum.
Methylphenidate: mechanism of action and clinical update.

In a series of four articles, we consider psychopharmacological treatment of children with ADHD.
Effect of temperature on the structure and density of ammonium chloride particles

The structure and density of individual ammonium chloride particles formed at 0 and −20°C by homogeneous nucleation were studied using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The crystal size apparently increased at the lower temperature and many of the particles formed at −20°C were single crystals or had an oriented polycrystalline structure. These results differ from those reported previously for particles formed at room temperature (23–26°C), which showed an amorphous or randomly-oriented fine crystal structure. Coagulation was more frequently observed as the temperature decreased and the porosity present in the particles appeared to be much finer and more uniform. The density of these particles decreased from about 0.26 g cm−3 for particles of size 0.1–0.2 μm to approximately 0.1 g cm−3 for particles slightly smaller than 1 μ.
Synthesis of carbon-13 labeled 5-(diethylphosphono)-2-pentanone ethylene ketal, a reagent for synthesis of multi C-13 labeled steroids

Alkylation of ethyl acetoacetate-13C4 with ethylene oxide and ethylene oxide-13C2 afforded 2-acetylbutyrolactone-13C4 (4a) and the hexalabeled form (4b), respectively. Treatment of the lactone with an excess of 48% hydrobromic acid effected decarboxylation with bromide displacement to yield 5-bromo-2-pentanone labeled with 3 or 5 carbon-13 atoms (5). The bromo ketone was converted to the ethylene ketal with ethylene glycol and p-toluenesulfonic acid catalysis. Displacement of the bromide by sodio diethyl phosphite gave the required ethylene ketals of 5-(diethylphosphono)-2-pentanone (7). A convenient process for preparation of ethylene-13C2 oxide from acetic-13C2 acid is also described.
Signaling Quality with a Money-Back Guarantee: The Role of Transaction Costs

Direct marketing is witnessing explosive growth. As consumers increasingly purchase products from their homes, their ability to judge the quality of products they buy is significantly reduced. In this paper we study how money-back guarantees can signal product quality in such environments. We interpret product quality broadly to mean both the level of attributes promised as well as the firm's consistency in delivering on those promises. Key aspects of our formulation are the explicit consideration of transaction costs, and alternative signals of product quality. Transaction costs are the costs the seller or buyer faces when redeeming a money-back guarantee. We show that money-back guarantees signal quality by exploiting the higher probability of returns for a lower quality product, and the attendant higher transaction costs. However, if the seller's transaction costs are very large, then there are less costly ways to signal, namely charging a high price. We compare the signaling performance of 1 price, 2 price with uninformative advertising, and 3 price with a money-back guarantee. Whereas uninformative advertising does not work at all in our model, under certain conditions a money-back guarantee is necessary to signal, and under other conditions, a money-back guarantee is a useful supplement to price.
Polynomial function and derivative approximation of Sinc data

Sinc methods consist of a family of one dimensional approximation procedures for approximating nearly every operation of calculus. These approximation procedures are obtainable via operations on Sinc interpolation formulas. Nearly all of these approximations-except that of differentiation-yield exceptional accuracy. The exception: when differentiating a Sinc interpolation formula that gives an approximation over an interval with a finite end-point. In such cases, we obtain poor accuracy in the neighborhood of the finite end-point. In this paper we derive novel polynomial-like procedures for differentiating a function that is known at Sinc points, to obtain an approximation of the derivative of the function that is uniformly accurate on the whole interval, finite or infinite, in the case when the function itself has a derivative on the closed interval.
Second generation experimental hybridizations in theEchinocereus ×lloydii complex (Cactaceae), and further documentation of dioecy inE. coccineus

Artificial second generation and backcross hybrids involvingEchinocereus dasyacanthus (Texas rainbow cactus),E. coccineus (a species of claret-cup cactus), andE. ×lloydii (Lloyd's hedgehog cactus) were examined for morphological and reproductive characteristics. The hybrids grew from seed to flower in about four years, and they exhibited high fertility as measured by pollen stainability, crossability, and fruit-set. A rare breeding system inCactaceae, dioecy, was further examined inE. coccineus, using field and controlled pollination tests. Functional dioecy was documented forE. coccineus in Trans-Pecos Texas. All results suggested thatE. ×lloydii in eastern Pecos County, Texas, is a complex and dynamic population probably comprising first and later generation hybrids, including backcross hybrids. The experimental hybridizations also tended to support the occurrence of introgression into both putative parental species.
Parameter passing in nondeterministic recursive programs

Abstract Call by value and call by name have some subtleties when used in a nondeterministic programming language. A common formalism is used to establish the denotational semantics of recursive programs called by name and called by value. Ashcroft and Hennessy introduced the idea of differentiating between selecting arguments from a set of arguments at the point of invocation and selecting arguments during the run of the procedure. This distinction is shown to be independent of the evaluation according to value or name, giving rise to four possible parameter passing methods, all of which have a suitable least fixed point semantics.
The Influence of Freshwater on Nekton Community Structure in Hydrologically Distinct Basins in Northeastern Florida Bay, FL, USA

Natural patterns of freshwater delivery to the Florida Bay estuary have been disrupted by flood-control and water-supply projects. Restoration efforts are likely to alter salinity regimes and patterns of nekton distribution and abundance. Spatial and seasonal community structure differences were analyzed for small-bodied and large-bodied nekton collected by fisheries-independent monitoring from 2006 through 2009 in the northeastern basins of Florida Bay. The small-bodied nekton community was dominated by resident fish that may be indicators of ecosystem health because they spend their lives within the bay and are not directly influenced by human harvest; the large-bodied nekton community was dominated by transient and, in some cases, economically important species. Differences in community structure revealed a gradient in similarity that was associated with freshwater influence, as determined by salinity variability over the study period. These observed changes associated with salinity regimes within and between basins underscore the importance of monitoring communities before and after alterations in freshwater inflow.
Feature competition and feature extraction in a noniterative neural network pattern recognition scheme

As we published in the last few years, when the given input- output training vector pairs satisfy a PLI (positive-linear- independency) condition, the training and the application of a hard-limited neural network can be achieved non-iteratively with very short training time and very robust recognition when it is applied to recognize any untrained patterns. The key feature in this novel pattern recognition system is the use of slack constants in solving the connection matrix when the PLI condition is satisfied. Generally there are infinitely many ways of selecting the slack constants for meeting the training-recognition goal, but there is only one way to select them if an optimal robustness is sought in the recognition of the untrained patterns. This particular way of selecting the slack constants carries some special physical properties of the system -- the automatic feature extraction in the learning mode and the automatic feature competition in the recognition mode. Physical significance as well as mathematical analysis of these novel properties are to be explained in detail in this article. Real-time experiments are to be presented in an unedited movie. It is seen that in the system, the training of 4 hand-written characters is close to real time (less than 0.1 sec.) and the recognition of the untrained hand-written characters is greater than 90% accurate.
Surgical Training and Education in Promoting Professionalism: a comparative assessment of virtue-based leadership development in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residents

Introduction : Surgical Training and Education in Promoting Professionalism (STEPP) was developed in 2011 to train tomorrow's leaders during residency. It is based on virtue ethics and takes an approach similar to West Point military academy. The purpose of this research was: (i) to compare the virtue profiles of our residents with that of the military cohort using a standardized virtue assessment tool; and (ii) to assess the value of virtue education on residents. Methods : As part of STEPP, otolaryngology residents participated in a virtue-based validated assessment tool called Virtue in Action (VIA) Inventory. This was completed at the initiation of STEPP in July 2011 as well as 1 year later in June 2012. Comparison of the VIA to a military cohort was performed. Leadership ‘Basic Training’ is a series of forums focused on virtues of initiative, integrity, responsibility, self-discipline, and accountability. A pre- and post-test was administered assessing resident perceptions of the value of this ‘Basic Training’. Results : Virtues are shared between otolaryngology residents ( n =9) and military personnel ( n =2,433) as there were no significant differences in strength scores between two military comparison groups and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) residents. There was a significant improvement ( p <0.001) in the understanding of components of the leadership vision and a significant improvement in the understanding of key leadership concepts based on ‘Basic Training’. All residents responded in the post-test that the STEPP program was valuable, up from 56%. Conclusions : A virtue-based approach is valued by residents as a part of leadership training during residency. Keywords: professionalism; residency; virtues; ethics; character training (Published: 29 October 2013) Citation: Med Educ Online 2013, 18 : 22440 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v18i0.22440
A multimodal imaging framework for enhanced robot-assisted partial nephrectomy guidance

Robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomies (RALPN) are performed to treat patients with locally confined renal carcinoma. There are well-documented benefits to performing partial (opposed to radical) kidney resections and to using robot-assisted laparoscopic (opposed to open) approaches. However, there are challenges in identifying tumor margins and critical benign structures including blood vessels and collecting systems during current RALPN procedures. The primary objective of this effort is to couple multiple image and data streams together to augment visual information currently provided to surgeons performing RALPN and ultimately ensure complete tumor resection and minimal damage to functional structures (i.e. renal vasculature and collecting systems). To meet this challenge we have developed a framework and performed initial feasibility experiments to couple pre-operative high-resolution anatomic images with intraoperative MRI, ultrasound (US) and optical-based surface mapping and kidney tracking. With these registered images and data streams, we aim to overlay the high-resolution contrast-enhanced anatomic (CT or MR) images onto the surgeon’s view screen for enhanced guidance. To date we have integrated the following components of our framework: 1) a method for tracking an intraoperative US probe to extract the kidney surface and a set of embedded kidney markers, 2) a method for co-registering intraoperative US scans with pre-operative MR scans, and 3) a method for deforming pre-op scans to match intraoperative scans. These components have been evaluated through phantom studies to demonstrate protocol feasibility.
Prediction of chemical toxicity to aquatic organisms: ECOSAR vs. Microtox® Assay

This study was designed to compare the toxicities of various chemical explosives and related compounds to aquatic organisms as predicted by a luminescent bacterium assay (Microtox® assay) and by the computer program ECOSAR. Toxicities were rated “very toxic,” “toxic,” or “less toxic” using the same criteria as the published bacterium assay. The two methods agree for most of the 24 compounds studied, and the disagreements are about equally divided as to which method predicts the greater toxicity. Experimental toxicity data were available for 12 of the 24 compounds. With these data, ECOSAR made eight predictions that coincided with the experimental toxicity class, while the luminescent bacterium assay predicted seven. For 17 of 21 experimental LC50 values, ECOSAR predicted log LC50 within one log unit. Published 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol Water Qual 13: 211–216, 1998
Multidrug resistance in AIDS-related lymphoma.

Purpose of review AIDS-related lymphoma has a decreased response rate and poorer prognosis to standard chemotherapy when compared with lymphoma in the non-HIV population. In addition to the known HIV-related and lymphoma-related poor prognostic factors, this review discusses another factor, MDR-1 expression and its impact on response to therapy in patients with AIDS-related lymphoma. Recent findings There is an increased incidence of de-novo MDR-1 expression in AIDS-related lymphoma compared with lymphoma in the non-HIV settings. MDR-1 expression in AIDS-related lymphoma is associated with poor response to conventional combination chemotherapy. Liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin when substituted for doxorubicin in the CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) seems to overcome P-glycoprotein-mediated drug resistance in AIDS-related lymphoma. Summary The overexpression of MDR-1 gene product P-glycoprotein is an adverse prognostic factor in AIDS-related lymphoma. Treatment with liposomal encapsulated doxorubicin seems to overcome the P-glycoprotein-related drug resistance. This and other strategies to modulate MDR-1 should be further explored in order to improve success rates in the treatment of AIDS-related lymphoma.
An instructional-research laboratory in plasma phenomena and diagnostics

An instructional-research laboratory in plasma phenomena, diagnostics, and applications which offers facilities for research and experimental training of graduate students and instructional opportunities for undergraduate students is described.
Total intravenous anesthesia with a propofol-ketamine combination during coronary artery surgery

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of a propofol-ketamine combination in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. Design: Prospective, randomized study. Setting: Tertiary care teaching hospital, single center. Participants: Seventy-eight adult patients. Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated to receive propofol-ketamine for induction and maintenance of anesthesia (n = 36) or fentanyl-enflurane (controls, n = 42). Measurements and Main Results: Hemodynamics and other variables were recorded during and after surgery and for 24 hours in the intensive care unit. Before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), there was similar incidence of treatment for hypotension (42% of patients in both groups), tachycardia (propofol-ketamine, 6%; controls, 5%), and myocardial ischemia (propofol-ketamine, 3%; controls, 12%). In the propofol-ketamine group, there was a decreased requirement for inotropic agents after CPB (22% of patients) compared with controls (49% of patients; p = 0.02). There was a reduced incidence of myocardial infarctions (creatine kinase myocardial band > 133 U/L) in the propofol-ketamine group compared with the control group (0% v 14%; p = 0.02; Fisher's exact test). Patients in the propofol-ketamine group were more likely to have their tracheas extubated within 8 hours of arrival in the intensive care unit compared with controls (33% v 7%; p = 0.01; Cochran-Mantel-Haenzel test). Conclusions: The propofol-ketamine combination was associated with a similar incidence of pre-CPB hypotension and ischemia, a decreased need for inotropes after CPB, an earlier time to tracheal extubation, and a reduced incidence of myocardial infarctions compared with controls. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company
Solar-induced variation of proton precipitation near the equator

Abstract This paper reports the solar condition dependences of the quasi-trapped component (low energy) of the proton population of energy 0.65–35 MeV which peaks in the equatorial zone centered on the minimum magnetic field equator in the altitude range 170–850 km. The proton populations compared pertain to AZUR observation in 1969–1970, S81-1 mission observation in 1982 and EXOS-C observation during 1984–1986. In the equatorial zone, the dependence of the flux normalization constant, which represents the absolute proton population, upon factors like L (1.1–1.3), B (0.29–0.32 gauss ), latitude ( ± 20°), longitude (0–360°) and anisotropy index q (~6–12) of the pitch angle distribution function is not so significant in the given range of these factors as it is upon the solar epoch. It is found that the absolute proton flux in 1982 was, at least, forty times that in 1984–1986 and, almost, three times that in 1969–1970, possibly, due to, varying solar conditions in those epochs.
Efferent Nerve Fibers in the Anterior Visual Pathways in Bilateral Congenital Cystic Eyeballs

Although the nature of efferent (centrifu­ gal, antidromic) nerve fibers in the optic nerve is of considerable interest, Honrubia and Elliott have pointed out how little is known about the course of such fibers in pri­ mates. It is not currently possible to distin­ guish afferent from efferent fibers in the optic nerves on a purely histologie basis; Wolter circumvented this problem by study­ ing the anterior visual pathways of a patient who had had bilateral enucleations 50 years prior to death. He assumed that the only fibers which remained must have had their nerve-cell bodies somewhere other than in the eye and were therefore efferent fibers. The purpose of this paper is to describe the course of nerve fibers in the anterior vi­ sual pathways of a patient with bilateral con­ genital cystic eyeballs. Such a case provides a unique opportunity for the study of effer­ ent fibers. This ocular anomaly results from failure of the optic cup to invaginate, thus precluding the development of the sensory retina and its ganglion cells which form the afferent fibers of the optic nerve. All fibers which are present must therefore be efferent.
Quantum Register Based on Individual Electronic and Nuclear Spin Qubits in Diamond

The key challenge in experimental quantum information science is to identify isolated quantum mechanical systems with long coherence times that can be manipulated and coupled together in a scalable fashion. We describe the coherent manipulation of an individual electron spin and nearby individual nuclear spins to create a controllable quantum register. Using optical and microwave radiation to control an electron spin associated with the nitrogen vacancy (NV) color center in diamond, we demonstrated robust initialization of electron and nuclear spin quantum bits (qubits) and transfer of arbitrary quantum states between them at room temperature. Moreover, nuclear spin qubits could be well isolated from the electron spin, even during optical polarization and measurement of the electronic state. Finally, coherent interactions between individual nuclear spin qubits were observed and their excellent coherence properties were demonstrated. These registers can be used as a basis for scalable, optically coupled quantum information systems.
Radiotherapy for merkel cell carcinoma of the skin of the head and neck

Background. Merkel cell carcinoma is a relatively rare neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. It arises in the head and neck region in approximately 50% of cases. Its aggressive behavior predisposes patients to local-regional recurrence and distant metastases after surgical excision alone. In this article, we describe our experience with Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Methods. Of 18 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma treated in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Florida, 12 patients who had primary tumors in the head and neck region are reported. Eight patients were treated at initial diagnosis (group A), and four were treated at the time of local-regional recurrence (group B). Results. Local-regional control was achieved in seven of eight patients in group A and all four patients in group B. One patient in group A and all patients in group B developed distant metastases and eventually died of their disease. Bone exposure developed in one patient, requiring surgical debridement and hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Conclusion. Patients with Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck should be treated aggressively. Our data suggest that local-regional recurrence is a harbinger of distant metastases. We recommend that these patients receive treatment to both the primary site and draining lymphatics at initial presentation. The role of chemotherapy remains unclear.
Plasticization of amorphous perfluoropolymers

Poly(perfluoro-4-vinyloxy-1-butene), which is also known as Cytop, and poly[4,5-difluoro-2,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-dioxole]-co-poly(tetrafluoroethylene) copolymers with dioxole monomer contents of 65% or 87% (known as Teflon AF1600 and Teflon AF2400, respectively) were plasticized with four fluorous compounds. While plasticization of all polymers with perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene, perfluoro(1-methyldecalin), a perfluorotetraether with three trifluoromethyl side groups and one hydrogen atom, and a linear perfluorooligoether with an average of 14.3 ether groups per molecule was successful, these four plasticizers affected the 12 blends very differently. A threshold of plasticization beyond which further increases in the plasticizer volume fraction did not further affect the glass transition temperature, Tg, was observed for some blends. Also, the limit of miscibility ranged from as low as 20% plasticizer content to complete miscibility at all volume fractions. The blends of Teflon AF2400 or Teflon AF1600 with high contents of the oligoether provided Tg values as low as -114 °C, lower than for any other fully miscible blend. The occurrence of two glass transitions in an intermediate range of plasticizer volume ratios for these two types of blends can be explained by distinct local environments rather than macroscopic phase separation, as anticipated by the Lodge-McLeish model.
Efficient estimation in a semiparametric additive regression model with autoregressive errors

Abstract In this paper we characterize and construct efficient estimates of the regression parameter β in the semiparametric additive regression model Y j = β T U j +γ(V j ), j=1,2 …, where β is an unknown vector in R m , γ is an unknown Lipschitz-continuous function from [0, 1] to R, ( U 1 , V 1 ), ( U 2 , V 2 ), … are independent R m × [0, 1]-valued random vectors with common distribution G and are independent of X 1 , X 2 , …, and X 1 , X 2 , … is a stationary AR(1) process with parameter α belonging to the interval (− 1, 1) and innovation density f with mean 0 and finite variance.
Precursor ion exclusion for enhanced identification of plasma biomarkers.

Purpose Our study aims to establish a plasma biomarker analysis workflow, with fewer fractionation steps, for enhanced identification of plasma biomarkers by precursor ion exclusion (PIE). Experimental design Plasma samples were depleted for highly abundant proteins, then further fractionated by molecular weight (MW), before trypsinization for LTQ-Orbitrap mass analysis. Data-dependent acquisition (DDA) was used for baseline analysis. PIE involves the re-injection of samples with exclusion of the previously identified peptides. We compared analyses using multiple PIE iterations, compared to DDA, for plasma interrogation Results A higher percentage of unique plasma peptides was identified with PIE, compared to DDA. The first PIE iteration reveals an increase of 75–112% more peptides than the DDA method alone. PIE can interrogate complex plasma samples with the percentage of peptides identified successively increasing with even ≥4 iterations. The total number of peptides identified increases rapidly across the first three PIE iterations and then continues more slowly up to nine iterations. Conclusions and clinical relevance Iterative injections with PIE resulted in many more peptide identifications in plasma samples of varying degrees of complexity, compared to re-injections using similar DDA parameters. PIE methods may therefore expand our ability to recover plasma peptides for plasma biomarker discovery.
Induction of the Intermediate Lobe Pro-Opiomelanocortin System with Chronic Swim Stress and β-Adrenergic Modulation of this Induction

Swimming at 25–30 °C for 30 min stimulates release of β-endorphin from both the anterior and intermediate lobe of the pituitary in rats. Measurement of N-acetyl β-endorphin-immunoreactivity (IR), whic
Improved constraint-aggregation methods

Abstract Many constraints in design-optimization problems take the form of bounds on a physical quantity over a domain. These infinite-dimensional constraints are often addressed through aggregation methods that approximate the bound in a differentiable manner. However, the most common constraint-aggregation methods exhibit mesh dependence; as the mesh spacing decreases, the aggregation function diverges. In addition, there are no established methods to assess the impact of constraint aggregation on the optimized design. To address these deficiencies, we propose a new class of constraint-aggregation method that we call induced aggregates. We examine the properties of these aggregation methods, describe their numerical implementation, and test their numerical accuracy on a pressure-loaded circular cylinder test case. Furthermore, we propose a post-optimality estimation technique to assess the impact of the constraint-aggregation method on the design. We use this method to examine the optimized mass obtained from two stress-constrained mass minimization problems: a variable-thickness sheet problem and a wingbox design problem.
Charged micelles in salt-free dilute solutions

We study micelles in salt-free dilute aqueous solutions of diblock copolymers made of long charged A chains and short hydrophobic B chains. The number density of aggregates with p chains (np) and t...
Pituitary-Specific Chromatin Structure of the Rat Prolactin Distal Enhancer Element

The location of target DNA sequences within chromatin may affect the ability of trans-acting factors to bind cis-elements and regulate gene transcription. To examine the effect of chromatin structure on the ability of the estrogen-estrogen receptor complex (E2R) to bind its respective DNA binding element within the rat prolactin (rPRL) gene and modulate rPRL gene expression, we have developed cell lines derived from the rPRL-expressing (rPRL+) rat pituitary cell line GH3 and the rPRL-non- expressing (rPRL-) rat embryo fibroblast cell line Rat1. These cell lines contain mini-chromosomes composed of the 5' upstream regulatory region of the rPRL gene driving expression of a reporter gene, Tn5, within a bovine papillomavirus (BPV) vector. The rPRL-Tn5 gene retains the characteristics of cell-specific expression and estrogen inducibility of transcription displayed by the endogenous rPRL gene. The distal enhancer region, which contains an estrogen response element, was found to exist in a nucleosome-free region in pituitary-derived cells even in the absence of estrogen. In contrast, the rPRL distal enhancer in fibroblast cells was found to be randomly packaged into nucleosomes. These results indicate that DNA sequence is not sufficient to position nucleosomes in the rPRL gene. Rather, it suggests that cell-specific factors are present in pituitary cells that modify the chromatin structure of the distal enhancer which allow E2R to bind to its response element.
Expression and regulation of kainate and AMPA receptors in uncommitted and committed neural progenitors

Here we review experimental evidence of non-NMDA glutamate receptor expression in the embryonic central nervous system. AMPA-and kainate-preferring glutamate receptor subunit mRNA transcripts are detected in embryonic neurons, glia and neural progenitors. Functional assays demonstrate that in some cell subpopulations ionotropic glutamate receptors are expressed by progenitors before synapse formation and terminal differentiation, and may be present before lineage determination is specified. The activation of these receptors triggers induction of immediate early gene transcription in progenitor cells. The cloning and transcriptional analysis of upstream regulatory regions of glutamate receptor genes governing their temporal and tissue-specific expression are also discussed.
Requirements for maintaining the embryonic state of avian tendon cells in culture

Primary avian tendon cells (PAT) maintain their embryonic state when cultured in medium F-12 with very low serum (0.2%) and ascorbate (50 μg per ml); that is, they retain the potential for devoting 20–30% of their total protein synthesis to collagen. However, if the cells are left at a confluent cell density or are derived from confluent cultures, this potential is irreversibly decreased. This effect, along with poor medium formulations, probably accounts for the “dedifferentiation” process that occurs when fibroblasts are cultured. In contrast, PAT cells kept at subconfluent cell densities retain the ability to synthesize high levels of collagen. The one limitation in obtaining long-term cultures of high collagen-producing tendon cells in the inability of serum at low concentrations to remain a potent mitogen after a few subcultures.
DoubleChooz: Experiment Status

The Double Chooz experiment will use electron antineutrinos produced by the Chooz nuclear power station to search for a non‐vanishing value of the θ13 neutrino mixing angle. Double Chooz will be the first in a series of new generation reactor neutrino experiments using identical detectors at different distances from the neutrino source to reduce the systematic error due to uncertainties of the neutrino flux and the detector acceptance. The far detector is expected to be operative by the beginning of 2010. Installation of the near detector will follow and is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2011.
Who speaks for the helpless--the question of proxy consent.

Abstract When autonomous rights cannot be exercised by an individual because that person is comatose, mentally retarded or mentally ill, or a child, a surrogate exercises this power through proxy consent. The traditional choice of the family as proxy for children is under attack. The concept of relative competence is an alternative to determinations of competence or incompetence. Proxy consent involves not only deciding who speaks for the child but defining who needs proxies. Psychiatrists must familiarize themselves with the issues, in such concepts as autonomy, autonomous rights, consent, competence, surrogation of authority, representation, paternalism vs. individuality, and the hierarchy of values.
Iraqi and Syrian socialism: An economic appraisal

Abstract Defining socialist systems as those in which the State undertakes much of the nation's economic activity, administers such activity according to a predetermined plan, and professes to operate ‘on behalf of the people’, i.e. for the attainment of social justice, the author proceeds to consider whether the Ba'athist States of Syria and Iraq can be considered socialist in terms of their results as well as their self-imposed labels and intentions. He compares the performance of these two countries with the non-socialist States of Jordan and Morocco. After elaborating the Ba'athist principles, he considers the record in the following areas: income equality; price subsidies on essential commodities; workers' participation in economic decision-making; comprehensive planning; agrarian reforms; and nationalization of industry.
Alcohol Use Among Hispanic Early Adolescents in the United States: An Examination of Behavioral Risk and Protective Profiles

Few studies have examined the behavioral and protective correlates of alcohol use among young Hispanics. Using a national sample (N = 7,606), logistic regression and latent profile analysis (LPA) are employed to examine the relationships between alcohol use, psychosocial factors, and externalizing behavior among Hispanics during early adolescence. Early drinkers are more likely to report truancy, fighting, smoking, and drug use. LPA results revealed a three class solution. Classes identified included: psychosocial risk (41.11%), moderate protection (39.44%), and highly religious (19.44%). Alcohol use is clearly associated with externalizing behavior; however, an important degree of psychosocial and behavioral heterogeneity nevertheless exists.