cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intersex difference in striatal amphetamine concentration is independent of age

Amphetamine sulfate (1.0 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to two groups of male and female rats, 5 and 15 weeks of age. After 30 minutes, striata were removed and analyzed for amphetamine concentrations using gas-liquid chromatography. Females were found to have significantly higher levels of amphetamine regardless of age. These results indicate that mechanisms other than drug disposition are responsible for the previously reported behavioral sex differences that occur after administration of amphetamine.
Status of advanced electrolytic hydrogen production in the United States and abroad

Abstract For the past five years the Department of Energy has sponsored a program aimed at the development of advanced technology for the electrolytic production of hydrogen. The original goal was to create a large-scale hydrogen production capability in the United States which would be based upon non-fossil energy resources and would be suitable for commercialization by industry as markets would be realized. Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has been assigned technical responsibility for a program which addresses hardware development at three industrial contractors as well as supporting fundamental research at BNL and several university laboratories. Recently, revised federal guidelines and budgetary reductions have resulted in a reversal of priorities which favor longer-range research activities and which virtually eliminate the support of large-scale development engineering and test projects. Programs at BNL have been redirected reflecting these revised guidelines and emphasizing longer-term research activities. In view of the change in programmatic direction it is appropriate to provide an overview of the current status of electrolytic hydrogen production. A survey of international pursuits in advanced water electrolysis technology is provided based upon progress reported via International Energy Agency Agreements.
Animal Models of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)

Animal models of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are highly desired to enable detailed investigation of the pathogenesis of these diseases. Multiple rats and mice have been generated in which a mutation similar to that occurring in TSC patients is present in an allele of Tsc1 or Tsc2. Unfortunately, these mice do not develop pathologic lesions that match those seen in LAM or TSC. However, these Tsc rodent models have been useful in confirming the two-hit model of tumor development in TSC, and in providing systems in which therapeutic trials (e.g., rapamycin) can be performed. In addition, conditional alleles of both Tsc1 and Tsc2 have provided the opportunity to target loss of these genes to specific tissues and organs, to probe the in vivo function of these genes, and attempt to generate better models. Efforts to generate an authentic LAM model are impeded by a lack of understanding of the cell of origin of this process. However, ongoing studies provide hope that such a model will be generated in the coming years.
THE MAGIC OF THE PENTANGLE: DYNAMIC SYMMETRY FROM MERLIN TO PENROSE

Abstract Merlin the Magician instructs his charges Arthur and Kay in the secrets of dynamic symmetry, the logarithmic spiral, the golden fraction, -rectangle, and -triangle, Fibonacci numbers and the pentangle. The pentangle is central to the late fourteenth-century “Sur Gawain and the Green Knight”, to medieval sign theory as well as to recent research in quasi-periodic alloy crystals.
Effects of Vitamin E on Susceptibility of Low-Density Lipoprotein and Low-Density Lipoprotein Subfractions to Oxidation and on Protein Glycation in NIDDM

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and LDL subfractions to oxidation and on protein glycation in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Twenty-one men with NIDDM (HbA1c = 6-10%), ages 50–70, were randomly assigned to either 1,600 IU/day of vitamin E or placebo for 10 weeks after a 4-week placebo period. LDL and LDL subfractions were isolated after 4 weeks of placebo and after 6 and 10 weeks of therapy. Susceptibility of LDL to copper-mediated oxidation was measured by conjugated diene formation (lag time) and formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Fasting serum glucose, mean weekly blood glucose, HbA1c, and glycated plasma protein concentrations were also determined at these time points. RESULTS Vitamin E content in plasma and LDL increased 4.0- and 3.7-fold, respectively, in the vitamin E-treated group. Vitamin E decreased the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in comparison with placebo (lag time, 243 ± 46 vs. 151 ± 22 min, P < 0.01; 3 h TBARS, 24 ± 12 vs. 66 ± 18 nmol malondialdehyde/mg LDL, P < 0.05). Vitamin E content also increased significantly in both buoyant and dense LDL subfractions, and their oxidation was dramatically reduced. The lag time of LDL oxidation correlated well with the content of vitamin E in both LDL and its subfractions ( r = 0.69–0.92). Glycemic indexes did not change significantly in either group during the study. Protein glycation, including glycated hemoglobin, glycated albumin, glycated total plasma proteins, and glycated LDL were unchanged in the vitamin E group. CONCLUSIONS Supplementation of vitamin E in NIDDM leads to enrichment of LDL and LDL subfractions and reduced susceptibility to oxidation. Despite a greater percentage increase in vitamin E content in small dense LDL, it remained substantially more susceptible to oxidation than was buoyant LDL. This suggests that dense, LDL may gain less protection against oxidation from antioxidant supplementation than does larger, more buoyant LDL. In contrast to previous reports, vitamin E supplementation did not reduce glycation of intracellular or plasma proteins.
Amitriptyline, desipramine, cyproheptadine and carbamazepine, in concentrations used therapeutically, reduce kainate- and N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced intracellular Ca2+ levels in neuronal culture.

Abstract The glutamate receptor agonists, kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) result in the elevation of intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) in primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons. Several tricylcic antidepressants (TCAs), amitriptyline (0.5–1 μM), desipramine (1 μM) and doxepine (1 μM) partially prevent this elevation induced by both of these excitatory amino acids (EAAs), but not elevations of [Ca2+]i induced by another EAA, quisqualate. Evidence suggests that this EAA-tricyclic interaction may involve voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels since amitriptyline also partially blocks the elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by membrane depolarization with 40 mM KCl. However, the blockade is not reversed in high concentrations of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]0) as would be predicted by a direct interaction with Ca2+ channels. Cyproheptadine (0.5–1 μM), a serotonin antagonist that is structurally similar to amitriptyline, causes similar effects as reported above for the TCAs; however, ketanserine(10 μM), also a serotonin antagonist but without the tricyclic nucleus, is less effective in this regard. Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant with a tricyclic nucleus, produces similar effects as theabove three compounds only in higher, yet therapeutic, concentrations (50 μM). Neither 5-hydroxytryptamine nor norepinephrine (100 μM, each) had effects on the EAA-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i. This is the first report to show an interaction of tricyclic antidepressants with the function of glutamate receptors in concentrations which are consistent with therapeutic dosages.
Serum iron, zinc, folacin and vitamin B-12 in pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents

Abstract Iron status, blood folacin, vitamin B-12 and zinc were compared for 32 pregnant adolescents and 19 agematched non-pregnant controls. Blood samples were collected during the second and third trimesters (approximately 22 and 34 weeks gestation) and 6 to 8 weeks post-partum from the pregnant subjects and once from the controls. Second trimester pregnant subjects had significantly lower erythrocyte counts (p
Frequency‐dependent modeling of multiple cascaded step discontinuities on a shielded multilayer asymmetric coplanar waveguide

Full-wave analysis of multiple-step discontinuities on a shielded asymmetric multilayer coplanar waveguide (CPW) is reported for the first time, based on the mode-matching technique. Both π- and parallel-plate modes are included to achieve accurate results. The properties of the eigenmodes are determined by the spectral domain approach. Scattering (S) parameters of various step discontinuities, including single, double, and triple steps, are presented. Effects of the modal orthogonality on the numerical results are investigated. Numerical convergence of the S-parameter data is also discussed. Good agreement between the calculated S-parameters of a symmetric CPW step discontinuity using the developed analysis and those published previously is found, which validates the developed analysis. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 16: 375–382, 1997.
Multiblock Copolymers: PEO Stuck in the Middle

Anionic polymerization has proven especially useful for the precise construction of multiblock copolymers with controlled compositions and narrow molecular weight distributions. The block copolymer sequences which can be easily prepared are however largely restricted by the relative nucleophilicities of the anionic species involved. This highlight discusses a recent article by Wiesner and co-workers (Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2004, 25, 1889) in which the effective preparation of ABC triblock copolymers, with poly(ethylene oxide) as the central block, through the combination of living anionic polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization, and polymer modification techniques is described. This method will prove to have a great deal of versatility in allowing the incorporation of PEO blocks in interior positions of block copolymers.
Transcranial near-infrared laser therapy applied to promote clinical recovery in acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases

One of the most promising methods to treat neurodegeneration is noninvasive transcranial near-infrared laser therapy (NILT), which appears to promote acute neuroprotection by stimulating mitochondrial function, thereby increasing cellular energy production. NILT may also promote chronic neuronal function restoration via trophic factor-mediated plasticity changes or possibly neurogenesis. Clearly, NILT is a treatment that confers neuroprotection or neurorestoration using pleiotropic mechanisms. The most advanced application of NILT is for acute ischemic stroke based upon extensive preclinical and clinical studies. In laboratory settings, NILT is also being developed to treat traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. There is some intriguing data in the literature that suggests that NILT may be a method to promote clinical improvement in neurodegenerative diseases where there is a common mechanistic component, mitochondrial dysfunction and energy impairment. This article will anal...
PHOSPHATE UPTAKE KINETICS IN EUGLENA GRACILIS (Z) (EUGLENOPHYCEAE) GROWN ON LIGHT/DARK CYCLES.' I. SYNCHRONIZED BATCH CULTURES1

SUMMARY The characteristics of phosphate uptake in synchronized populations of Euglena gracilis Klebs (Z) were studied. The cells were grown autotrophically in batch culture and synchronized with a cycle of 14:10 LD. Incorporation of P was nonlinear with time for the first 2 h of incubation over a wide range of P concentrations and completely inhibited by darkness. The kinetics of P uptake as a function of P concentration were triphasic between 0 and 100 μM PO4, obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics over the 0–3 μM PO4 range-only. Uptake velocity increased linearly with, concentration above 3 μM PO4. The kinetics of P uptake varied with stage in the cell cycle. The half-saturation constant for uptake at the lower concentrations oscillated between 0.7 and 2.8 μM PO4, reaching a peak immediately before the onset of cell division (beginning of the dark period). Vmax was largest in the middle of the light period, as was the slope of the linear portion of the kinetic pattern. Further analysis of the kinetics suggests that changes in this slope are responsible for the oscillation in Ks values calculated for the lower concentrations. This analysis assumes 2 uptake mechanisms, one which saturates at low concentrations of phosphate, and one which is nonsaturable over the entire concentration range examined.
2009 Special Issue: Facilitating neural dynamics for delay compensation: A road to predictive neural dynamics?

Goal-directed behavior is a hallmark of cognition. An important prerequisite to goal-directed behavior is that of prediction. In order to establish a goal and devise a plan, one needs to see into the future and predict possible future events. Our earlier work has suggested that compensation mechanisms for neuronal transmission delay may have led to a preliminary form of prediction. In that work, facilitating neuronal dynamics was found to be effective in overcoming delay (the Facilitating Activation Network model, or FAN). The extrapolative property of the delay compensation mechanism can be considered as prediction for incoming signals (predicting the present based on the past). The previous FAN model turns out to have a limitation especially when longer delay needs to be compensated, which requires higher facilitation rates than FAN's normal range. We derived an improved facilitating dynamics at the neuronal level to overcome this limitation. In this paper, we tested our proposed approach in controllers for 2D pole balancing, where the new approach was shown to perform better than the previous FAN model. Next, we investigated the differential utilization of facilitating dynamics in sensory vs. motor neurons and found that motor neurons utilize the facilitating dynamics more than the sensory neurons. These findings are expected to help us better understand the role of facilitating dynamics in delay compensation, and its potential development into prediction, a necessary condition for goal-directed behavior.
Sampling methods for quantitative analysis of coal-ball plants

Abstract Three methods were used to collect data from the same coal-ball peels and were compared for data comparability and for relative time efficiency. Although the data produced by the standardly used cm2 grid method and by the newly devised random mm2 method were of equivalent accuracy, the newly devised method is estimated to be much more time efficient for abundant samples of coal balls containing numerous small plants. In contrast, the accuracy of the subdivided cm2 method is equivocal, and the time efficiency of this method is minimal.
A Complete Capital Model Involving Heterogeneous Capital Goods

I. Introduction and review, 537. — II. Many-goods model, 539. — III. Euler necessary conditions, 541. — IV. Case of satiated production, 544. — V. Physical analogy of small vibrations, 547. — VI. Case of utility satiation, 549. — VII. Practical computation, 553. — VIII. Hamiltonian formulation, 554. — IX. Pay-off in terms of initial state, 559. — X. Conclusion, 561.
Analysis of parametrically excited systems

Abstract This paper gives the analysis of parametrically excited systems in two parts. Part 1 considers parametric excitation with time-varying elements. The Hill-Meissner equation is solved by matrix method. Stability is studied by means of eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Part 2 considers parametric excitation with nonlinear elements. The nonlinear system is analyzed by two different methods: (1) the acceleration-plane method; and (2) the perturbation method of Lindstedt and Poincare. Stability in the sense of Poincare and Liapunov is studied. An explicit Liapunov function is obtained. Two numerical examples are given and analog computer results are included for comparison.
Effect of evaluator and resident gender on the American Board of Internal Medicine evaluation scores

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of resident and attending physician gender on the evaluation of residents in an internal medicine training program.
Polymorphisms in the 5' flanking region of the HFE gene: linkage disequilibrium and relationship to iron homeostasis.

Abstract ABSTRACT We have discovered two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 5′ flanking region of the HFE gene. These mutations are −970 T→G and −467 C→G, numbering from the ATG start codon. When a T was present at −970, a C was always found at −467. The C allele was the less common at nt −467 with a gene frequency of 0.31 in white subjects with wild-type HFE. Slightly lower gene frequencies were observed in a small number of Hispanic and African–American subjects and a slightly higher frequency in a few Asian subjects. The less common −467 mutation was found in almost 12 chromosomes that bore the 845G→A (C282Y) mutation and was significantly more prevalent in chromosomes containing the 187C→G (H63D) mutation. Although this mutation is near an HNF3B/HFH2 site, its presence did not seem to affect iron metabolism as judged by the serum ferritin or transferrin saturation levels. The tighter association of the −467 polymorphism with the C282Y mutation is consistent with other data that suggest that the C282Y mutation has occurred relatively recently and that the H63D mutation is considerably older.
Conversion of glycosyl fluorides into C-glycosides using organoaluminum reagents. Stereospecific alkylation at C-6 of a pyranose sugar

Abstract Various furanosyl and pyranosyl fluorides react rapidly with alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl organoaluminum reagents at or below room temperature to form C -glycosides in 68–93% yields. Effective application of this procedure to a 6-fluoro 1,6-anhydroglucose derivative produced a chain-extended sugar stereospecifically.
Cathode strip chambers for the CMS endcap muon system

Abstract In the CMS detector, the endcap muon system covers a large rapidity interval and has capability to trigger on muons down to very low transverse momenta for B physics. Cathode Strip Chambers (CSCs) have been chosen as the active detectors for this system, due to high rate and precision capabilities. The CMS endcap muon system is by far the largest deployment of CSC chambers and electronics so far envisioned. We describe the LHC environment and requirements for this system, the status of the design and prototyping of the CSC muon detectors, and the electronics required for readout and triggering. Of particular relevance for B physics is the planned capability to trigger on muons down to the momentum limits imposed by their ranges in steel. In the endcap system this corresponds to a very low P T .
Fine-scale genetic mapping of two Pierce’s disease resistance loci and a major segregation distortion region on chromosome 14 of grape

A refined genetic map of chromosome 14, which contains the Pierce’s disease (PD) resistance locus, was created from three grape mapping populations. The source of PD resistance in these populations was b43-17, a male form of Vitis arizonica Engelm. that is homozygous resistant. The resistance locus segregated as a single dominant gene and mapped as PdR1a in the F1 selection F8909-17 (9621 population) and as PdR1b in a sibling F1 selection F8909-08 (04190 population). These two full sibs inherited either allele of the Pierce’s disease resistance locus from the b43-17 parent, which is homozygous at that locus. The 9621 population consisted of 425 progeny and PdR1a mapped between markers VvCh14-56/VvCh14-02 and UDV095 within a 0.6 cM genetic distance. The 04190 population consisted of 361 progeny and PdR1b mapped between markers VvCh14-02 and UDV095/VvCh14-10 within a 0.4 cM distance. Many of the markers present on chromosome 14 were distorted with an excess of female alleles in the 04190 and 04373 population (developed from a cross of V. vinifera L. F2-35 × b43-17) indicating that potential gametophytic factors are present in this region. Common markers from this region within the 9621 population were not distorted except Scu15. When these markers were compared to V. vinifera-based maps of chromosome 14 they were also distorted suggesting the involvement of gametophytic factors, and prompting the identification of this region as Vitis-segregation distortion region 1 (V-SDR1). The refined genetic maps developed from this study can be used to identify and clone genes that confer resistance to Pierce’s disease.
DOPA Potentiation by a hypothalamic factor, MSH release-inhibiting hormone (MIF)

Abstract The present study in mice has demonstrated that MIF greatly potentiates the behavioral effects of DOPA. The potentiation by MIF was found to be independent of MSH since MIF was found to potentiate DOPA effects in hypophysectomized mice.
a structural semantic analysis of Bear Lake Athapaskan kinship classification

Among the Bear Lake Athapaskan-speaking Indians of Canada's Northwest Territories, kinship principles were in the past, and continue to be, among the most important features of social organization. To understand these principles it is first necessary to analyze the Bear Lake system of kinship classification — the description of which requires use of structural semantic analysis. Such a description is productive and accounts for the ability of Bear Lakers to appropriately classify an indefinite number of individuals. [Athapaskan, kinship, structural semantics]
Secretion of apolipoprotein E by an astrocytoma cell line

Apolipoprotein (apo) E is a predominant protein in developing mammalian brain and in damaged peripheral nerve. Of particular interest is the observation that astrocytes in the central nervous system cease to produce apoE after nerve damage, whereas an increase in apoE production results after peripheral nerve injury. Differences in the response to injury with regard to the production of apoE may be related to dissimilarities in the abilities of the central and peripheral nervous systems to regenerate. As there are few data concerning the regulation of apoE gene expression in extrahepatic tissues, we employed a human astrocytoma cell line (CCF-STTG1) as a model to study apoE production in astrocytes. CCF-STTG1 cells secreted apoE constitutively in serum-free media. Cholesterol added to the media as cholesterol:phospholipid liposomes (2-100 micrograms/ml) or as human plasma LDL increased the amount of apoE secreted into the media, but had little or no effect on the relative abundance of apoE mRNA. By contrast, the commercially available triglyceride-phospholipid emulsion Intralipid added at dilutions of 1:50 to 1:500 caused a total inhibition of apoE secretion by the cells, but again, little change was noted in the relative abundance of apoE mRNA. Insulin (5 micrograms/ml) caused a 45-55% reduction in the amount of apoE secreted by the astrocytoma cells. Glucagon (5 micrograms/ml), on the other hand, did not increase apoE secretion, and apoE mRNA concentrations were not affected by either hormone treatment. ApoE was secreted from the astrocytoma cells associated with particles of plasma VLDL to IDL and HDL size. After feeding the cells with 20 micrograms/ml cholesterol as cholesterol:phospholipid liposomes, an increased proportion of apoE was secreted associated with the larger VLDL to IDL size particles, with a concomitant decrease in the proportion associated with the smaller HDL-size particles. When cells were incubated with 5 micrograms/ml insulin, most of the apoE was associated with the HDL-size particles. When cholesterol:phospholipid liposomes were added in the presence of insulin virtually all of the secreted apoE was found associated with the VLDL to IDL size particles. In summary, the regulation of apoE production in CCF-STTG1 cells in many respects resembles that of other cells, including hepatocytes. However, it is clear that there remain to be identified cell specific factors which regulate apoE production in astrocytes. The CCF-STTG1 cell line promises to provide a suitable model to investigate these questions.
Material specific serial memory deficit in adolescent dyslexics.

Summary The present experiment was concerned with an assessment of possible serial, as opposed to general, memory deficit in dyslexia. Previous studies had consistently confounded general and serial memory assessments. Fifteen specifically dyslexic adolescents and 15 normal-reading controls were administered four separate memory tasks. In the general memory for verbal material task they were shown 20 words, each for three seconds, and were then given a deck of 40 word cards and required to pick out the 20 words just seen. In the serial memory version of the verbal task they were again shown 20 words and subsequently required to reproduce the order in which they had been shown. Two comparable (general and serial) procedures were also administered using faces as the to-be-remembered materials. Results showed comparable performances of the dyslexics and controls on both versions of the face memory task and on the general memory version of the words task. On the serial reproduction version of the verbal task, however, dyslexics were found to be significantly impaired relative to controls. Thus, adolescent dyslexics appear to Have a memory impairment which is specific for both type of material (verbal) and type of memory (serial). The results are compatible with Orton's (1937) speculation regarding “sequencing” and “memory” in dyslexia and with the view that the defect resides within the neuropsychological processes of the language-dominant hemisphere.
Path analysis and sib-pair linkage

When the distance between linked loci is expressed in terms of the correlation between the identity-by-descent (idb) values of the loci, then a path model may be used to order loci with data on sib-pairs and their parents. The relationship between the recombination fraction and the correlation coefficient is developed and a method for fitting a covariance matrix predicted by a specific ordering of loci to an observed covariance matrix is proposed. © 1993 Wiley-Liss. Inc.
Ceiling effect for respiratory depression by nalbuphine

The respiratory depressant capacities of intravenous nalbuphine, a potent analgesic of the narcotic antagonist type, and of morphine were compared in 23 healthy subjects using displacement of CO2 response by a steady-state method as the index of respiratory depression. At equianalgesic doses of 10 mg/70 kg, respiratory depression by nalbuphine was equal to that by morphine. When increments of 10 mg/70 kg were given hourly the dose-effect curve for respiratory depression by nalbuphine was flatter than that of morphine, and maximum respiratory depression occurred after 30 mg/70 kg. In a separate study of 10 subjects nalbuphine was administered in 10 mg/70 kg increments to a total dose of 60 mg/70 kg; doses in excess of 30 mg/70 kg failed to increase respiratory depression beyond that induced by morphine 20 mg/70 kg. A ceiling effect for respiratory depression previously known to exist only for nalorphine was thereby demonstrated to apply to nalbuphine. The respiratory depression of nalbuphine was readily antagonized by naloxone 0.4 mg, nalorphine 10 mg, and levallorphan 1.0 mg. Subjective effects of nalbuphine were milder than those of morphine, and dysphoria suggestive of the psychotomimetic effects of narcotic antagonists was reported only 4 times in 24 subject exposures. The ceiling effect for respiratory depression by nalbuphine provides a unique safety factor among potent analgesics.
Assessment of cruise–ship activity influences on emissions, air quality, and visibility in Glacier Bay National Park

Abstract An activity–based emission model was developed to determine cruise–ship emissions. Calculated emissions depend on cruise–voyage data (position, cruise speed, operation mode) and the ships’ characteristics (engine power, size, fuel– type, maximum cruise–speed). Cruise–ship emissions of particulate matter (PM) and its precursors were determined for the 2008 cruise season and for two proposed management actions: a prescribed speed in Glacier Bay, and implementation of an Emission Control Area (ECA) in Alaska at–large. The Weather Research and Forecasting model inline coupled with chemistry served to assess the impact of these management actions on air quality and visibility. On season–average, ships emitted ~2.5 µg/m 2 /s PM in Glacier Bay. Cruising at constant 6.69 m/s anywhere in Glacier Bay decreased PM–emissions by 32% and marginally increased mean visibility. Altered cruise speeds strongly changed the spatial emission and concentration distributions of all species in and up to 30 km downwind of Glacier Bay. Changes differed among species. An ECA reduced PM–emissions from cruise ships by 74% and their impacts on visibility by 0.1, 0.2 and 0.1 deciview for the 10%, 50% and 90%–percentiles of best–visibility–days in Glacier Bay.
A spectrum of scaly rashes

Dermatophile has a new format. From now on, it will take the form of a short quiz to test and inform your knowledge of dermatology relevant to paediatrics. Any suggestions for improvement or topics you would like to be covered are welcome. Please email comments and feedback to p-lio@northwestern.edu. Theme: Scaly rashes Select the one best answer from the following: a.Tinea corporis (ringworm) b.Acanthosis nigricans c.Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CARP) d.Pityriasis (tinea) versicolor e.Drug hypersensitivity eruption f.Scabies infestation g.Terra firma-forme dermatosis Answers to the following quiz questions can be found on page 39.
Photosynthesis, Growth, and Ultraviolet Irradiance Absorbance of Cucurbita pepo L. Leaves Exposed to Ultraviolet-B Radiation (280-315 nm)

Net photosynthesis, growth, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation absorbance were determined for the first leaf of Cucurbita pepo L. exposed to two levels of UV-B irradiation and a UV-B radiation-free control treatment. Absorbance by extracted flavonoid pigments and other UV-B radiation-absorbing compounds from the first leaves increased with time and level of UV-B radiation impinging on leaf surfaces. Although absorbance of UV-B radiation by extracted pigments increased substantially, UV-B radiation attenuation apparently was insufficient to protect completely the photosynthetic apparatus or leaf growth processes. Leaf expansion was repressed by daily exposure to 1365 Joules per meter per day of biologically effective UV-B radiation but not by exposure to 660 Joules per meter per day. Photosynthesis measured through ontogenesis of the first leaf was depressed by both UV-B radiation treatments. Repression of photosynthesis by UV-B radiation was especially evident during the ontogenetic period of maximum photosynthetic activity.
Using cognitive task analysis to identify critical decisions in the laparoscopic environment.

Objective:The aim of this study was to identify the critical decisions surgeons need to make regarding laparoscopic surgery, the information these decisions are based on, the strategies employed by surgeons to reach their objectives, and the difficulties experienced by novices.Background:Laparoscopic training focuses on the development of technical skills. However, successful surgical outcomes are also dependent on appropriate decisions made during surgery, which are influenced by critical cues and the use of appropriate strategies. Novices might not be as adept at cue detection and strategy use.Method:Participants were eight attending surgeons. The authors employed task-analytic techniques to identify critical decisions inherent in laparoscopy and the cues, strategies, and novice traps associated with these decisions.Results:The authors used decision requirements tables to organize the data into the key decisions made during the preoperative, operative, and postoperative phases as well as the cues, strat...
Some Recent Developments in Digital Feedback Communication Systems

This paper summarizes the results of investigations into two methods for increasing the reliability of digital communication systems: 1) by improvements in the decision system of the receiver, and 2) by the introduction of a feedback link for error correction between the receiver and the transmitter. The improved decision system provides for the withholding of decision in doubtful cases which are marked by the received signals falling in an ambiguous region called the null zone. The use of a null-zone decision region in conjunction with feedback is called decision feedback. The characteristics and performance of this system are discussed. In addition, the results of combining integration and coding with decision feedback, called respectively, cumulative and coded decision feedback, are presented. Finally, the behavior of decision feedback under conditions of multipath reception is noted. The performance of decision feedback systems is compared with that of unidirectional systems.
Should Dentists be Allowed to Administer Botulinum Toxin

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate why dentists should be allowed to administer botulinum toxin (BoNTA). There are several common pathologies that occur in dentistry that BoNTA could be used to alleviate. Introduction: Pathology resulting from improper clenching and impact force by muscles of mastication are significant issues faced by dentists. Many techniques used for the treatment of these pathologies are expensive, invasive for the patient, and may be ineffective. BoNTA inhibits acetylcholine release, blocking or reducing the contraction of muscles which can have a positive outcome for patients with increased muscle spasm, temporomandibular joint pathologies, bruxism, trismus, tolerance of intra-oral prostheses and other oral conditions. Methods: A literature search of texts, journals and websites was conducted for BoNTA and its use in dentistry. We analyzed the basic science and clinical curriculum of 20 dental and medical healthcare training institutions. Results: Today’s dentists are prepared to administer BoNTA because of their extensive head and neck anatomical training, pharmacology and the experience acquired from thousands of clinical injections. Conclusion: Currently, the American Dental Association has not taken a position on the administration of BoNTA by dentists; however, several Dental State Boards have developed, or are developing a policy for its use. This study proposes that dentists should be allowed to inject BoNTA based on their didactic and clinical anatomy courses and clinical curriculum. BoNTA is an effective treatment for oral pathologies.
SMALL-ANGLE X-RAY SCATTERING STUDIES OF RABBIT RETICULOCYTE RIBOSOMES USING A BERREMAN-TYPE POINT-FOCUSING MONOCHROMATOR.

Small-angle X-ray scattering patterns were obtained from rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes using a Berreman-type point-focusing single quartz crystal monochromator. These patterns are interpreted to determine the radius of gyration of 105 A to about 2% and an estimate of the molecular weight. No evidence of secondary scattering maxima was observed. An investigation of approximate volume changes between two ionic strengths was made with negative results. The electron density of the sample is approximated by a Gaussian consistent with the data with a cutoff at 170 A, giving in connection with electron microscope data of C. Hall a hydration of 2.7 g water per gram ribosome.
Neo-Confucian Body Techniques: Women's Bodies in Korea's Consumer Society:

This article examines women's bodies in South Korea and the modes of Neo-Confucian governmentality at work within this consumer society. The concealed woman's body under Neo-Confucianism appears to...
Distinguishing cast shadow boundaries from abrupt object boundaries via edge detection

Distinguishing shadow boundaries from object boundaries is a difficult task for machine vision systems. A new edge detector is presented which produces qualitatively distinguishable edge signals at shadow penumbras and abrupt object edges. The detector requires the use of spatially extended light sources and sufficient video resolution to resolve the shadow penumbras of interest. A novel approach to high frequency noise suppression is employed which requires no image-dependent adjustment of signal thresholds. The ability of the operator to distinguish shadow penumbras from abrupt object boundaries while suppressing responses to high frequency noise and texture is illustrated with a number of video images. Similarities between this approach and the perception of shadow boundaries by the human visual system are discussed.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Modeling of symbolic systems: Part I - Vector space representation of probabilistic finite state automata

This paper, which is the first of two parts, brings in the notions of vector addition and the associated scalar multiplication operations on probabilistic finite state automata (PFSA). A class of PFSA is shown to constitute a vector space over the real field ℝ, where the zero element is semantically equivalent to a subclass of PFSA, referred to as symbolic white noise. A norm is introduced on the vector space of PFSA and it quantifies the non-probabilistic behavior of a PFSA. The second part constructs a family of inner products on this vector space and presents numerical examples and applications.
Does colon cancer ever metastasize to bone first? a temporal analysis of colorectal cancer progression

It is well recognized that colorectal cancer does not frequently metastasize to bone. The aim of this retrospective study was to establish whether colorectal cancer ever bypasses other organs and metastasizes directly to bone and whether the presence of lung lesions is superior to liver as a better predictor of the likelihood and timing of bone metastasis. We performed a retrospective analysis on patients with a clinical diagnosis of colon cancer referred for staging using whole-body 18F-FDG PET and CT or PET/CT. We combined PET and CT reports from 252 individuals with information concerning patient history, other imaging modalities, and treatments to analyze disease progression. No patient had isolated osseous metastasis at the time of diagnosis, and none developed isolated bone metastasis without other organ involvement during our survey period. It took significantly longer for colorectal cancer patients to develop metastasis to the lungs (23.3 months) or to bone (21.2 months) than to the liver (9.8 months). Conclusion: Metastasis only to bone without other organ involvement in colorectal cancer patients is extremely rare, perhaps more rare than we previously thought. Our findings suggest that resistant metastasis to the lungs predicts potential disease progression to bone in the colorectal cancer population better than liver metastasis does.
Spatial interference between four- and six-wave mixing signals

We experimentally demonstrate spatial interference between simultaneously generated four-wave mixing (FWM) and six-wave mixing (SWM) signals in a multilevel atomic system. By tuning the relative phase between the FWM and SWM processes the relative strengths between these two high-order nonlinear optical processes can be investigated.
Adverse Outcomes Associated With Media Exposure to Contradictory Nutrition Messages

There is increasing concern that the media present conflicting health information on topics including cancer screening and nutrition. Although scholars have speculated that exposure to this information leads to increased public confusion, less trust in health recommendations, and less engagement in health behaviors, there is a lack of empirical research that directly addresses the role of media exposure to conflicting information. Using data from the Annenberg National Health Communication Survey, this study finds that exposure to conflicting information on the health benefits and risks of, for example, wine, fish, and coffee consumption is associated with confusion about what foods are best to eat and the belief that nutrition scientists keep changing their minds. There is evidence that these beliefs, in turn, may lead people to doubt nutrition and health recommendations more generally-including those that are not rife with contradictory information (e.g., fruit/vegetable consumption, exercise). The implications of these findings for healthy eating campaigns and interventions are discussed.
The Rôle of the Reticulo-Endothelial System in Immunity. II. The Complement Titer after Blockade and the Physiological Regeneration of the Reticulo-Endothelial System as measured by Reduction Tests.

1. Intravenous injections of India ink into guinea pigs caused a decided drop in the complement titer which set in as early as 15 minutes after the injection, but did not reach its maximum for 3 hours. This drop was followed by a return to normal within the first 24 hours following the injection. 2. India ink mixed in vitro with guinea pig serum adsorbs the complement almost immediately to its full extent. 3. By means of reduction tests (methylene blue and nitroanthraquinone) it was shown that the respiration of the cells of the liver and spleen of guinea pigs was markedly impaired for the first 8 hours, following an intravenous injection of ink. Evidences of a return to normal functional vitality, however, became apparent by the end of the 1st day after the injection.
A novel method to investigate defect states in MBE grown highly resistive GaN doped with C and Si

A novel method to characterize deep levels in wide bandgap, semi-insulating materials is presented. This new method combines deep level optical spectroscopy with a lighted capacitance-voltage profiling method to study the defect spectra of n-type and semi-insulating GaN co-doped with C and Si. Two prominent deep acceptor levels at EC – 2.54 and 3.28 eV are found to depend strongly on C incorporation. The relationship between the concentration of these defects and C incorporation offers insight into the mechanism responsible for rendering GaN:C semi-insulating. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mechanism-Based Post-Translational Modification and Inactivation in Terpene Synthases.

Terpenes are ubiquitous natural chemicals with diverse biological functions spanning all three domains of life. In specialized metabolism, the active sites of terpene synthases (TPSs) evolve in shape and reactivity to direct the biosynthesis of a myriad of chemotypes for organismal fitness. As most terpene biosynthesis mechanistically involves highly reactive carbocationic intermediates, the protein surfaces catalyzing these cascade reactions possess reactive regions possibly prone to premature carbocation capture and potentially enzyme inactivation. Here, we show using proteomic and X-ray crystallographic analyses that cationic intermediates undergo capture by conserved active site residues leading to inhibitory self-alkylation. Moreover, the level of cation-mediated inactivation increases with mutation of the active site, upon changes in the size and structure of isoprenoid diphosphate substrates, and alongside increases in reaction temperatures. TPSs that individually synthesize multiple products are l...
Exploring Butane Hash Oil Use: A Research Note

ABSTRACTThe practice of “dabbing” has seen an apparent upswing in popularity in recent months within American drug subcultures. “Dabbing” refers to the use of butane-extracted marijuana products that offer users much higher tetrahydrocannabinol content than flower cannabis through a single dosage process. Though considerably more potent than most marijuana strains in their traditional form, these butane hash oil products and the practice of dabbing are underexplored in the empirical literature, especially in prohibition states. A mixed-methods evaluation of a federally funded treatment program for drug-involved offenders identified a small sample (n = 6) of butane hash oil users and generated focus group interview data on the nature of butane hash oil, the practice of dabbing, and its effects. Findings inform discussion of additional research needed on butane hash oil and its implications for the ongoing marijuana legalization debate, including the diversity of users, routes of administration, and differe...
An Introduction to the Internet, Part 4: Medical Resources

In this article, the last in a four-part series on the Internet, medical resources on the Internet and the means of locating them are described. In addition, a discussion is also provided on how clients and servers, primarily those on the World Wide Web 0NWW), interact to retrieve and display information. After reading this article, a technologist should be able to: understand why different programs for a given Internet service can produce different results; describe methods for locating information on the Internet; and name the most important nuclear medicine sites on the Internet.
Establishing Benchmarks For Minimum Competence With Dry Lab Robotic Surgery Drills

Abstract The Robotic Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (R-OSATS) is a previously validated assessment tool that is used to assess 5 standardized inanimate robotic surgery drills. R-OSATS is used to evaluate performance on surgical drills, with scores of 0 to 20 for each drill. Our objective was to establish the minimum threshold score that denotes competence on these drills. Thus, we performed a standard setting study using data from surgeons and trainees in 8 academic medical centers. Cutoff scores for the minimal level of competence using R-OSATS were established using 2 techniques: the modified Angoff and the contrasting groups methods. For the modified Angoff method, 8 content experts met and, in an iterative process, derived the scores that a minimally competent trainee should receive. After 2 iterative rounds of scoring and discussion with the modified Angoff method, we established a minimum competence score per drill with high agreement (r WG range, 0.92–0.98). There was unanimous consensus that a trainee needs to achieve competence on each independent drill. A second method, the contrasting groups method, was used to verify our results. In this method, we compared R-OSATS scores from “inexperienced” (34 postgraduate year 1 and 2 trainees) with “experienced” (22 faculty and fellow) robotic surgeons. The distributions of scores from both groups were plotted, and a cutoff score for each drill was determined from the intersection of the 2 curves. Using this method, the minimum score for competence would be 14 per drill, which is slightly more stringent but confirms the results obtained from the modified Angoff approach. In conclusion, using 2 well-described standard setting techniques, we have established minimum benchmarks designating trainee competence for 5 dry lab robotic surgery drills.
Septic shock in obstetrics and gynecology.

If a patient has high fever and lapses into shock, the physician must act quickly and vigorously. While getting chemical studies, blood counts and cultures, he must closely follow vital signs (including central venous pressure) and urinary output. Also, he has to give high doses of antibiotics and curet the uterine contents within hours. If she still does not respond, his next step is to remove the uterus.