cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catheter-Assisted Pulmonary Embolectomy

Case presentation : A 65-year-old man presented to the emergency department after a fall and was diagnosed with a fracture of the right femoral neck. He was scheduled for surgical repair the following day. During positioning for arthroplasty, he developed hypotension, tachycardia, and hypoxia, followed by pulseless electric activity. He was resuscitated and maintained on epinephrine and norepinephrine infusions. A transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a dilated and hypokinetic right ventricle with preserved apical contractility (Figure 1). Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) was suspected. What are the therapeutic options for this critically ill patient? Figure 1. A , A dilated and hypokinetic right ventricle (arrow) is seen on a transesophageal echocardiogram. B , The interatrial septum (arrow) is bulging into the left atrium, suggesting increased right atrial pressure. C , A D-shaped interventricular septum (arrow) is caused by pressure and volume overload of the failing right ventricle. RV indicates right ventricle; LV, left ventricle. Patients afflicted with massive PE have 90-day mortality rates approaching 50%.1 Massive PE is defined by sustained hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg for a minimum of 15 minutes, or requirement for inotropic support), pulselessness, or bradycardia with signs of shock.2 As many as 10% of patients with submassive PE can develop hemodynamically significant and life-threatening right ventricular failure.3 In such cases, supportive care and anticoagulation must be accompanied by rapid reduction of right ventricular (RV) afterload and restoration of adequate cardiac output. Many patients with submassive PE and stable blood pressure develop residual RV dysfunction and experience a decline in functional status at 6-month follow-up. Acute relief of RV strain and reduction of thrombotic burden in the pulmonary arteries could yield long-term benefit in this group.4 Pharmacological and invasive strategies for reduction of thrombotic burden in the pulmonary arteries have been used for many decades …
Image metric-based correction (autofocusing) of motion artifacts in high-resolution trabecular bone imaging.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of the autofocusing(AF) motion correction technique in high-resolution trabec-ular bone imaging where image signal-to noise ratio (SNR)is limited.Materials and Methods: Raw data from 26 clinical three-dimensional (3D) wrist exams were motion corrected usingAF for both in-plane rotation and translation. Changes inimage metrics (a measurement of image sharpness) andstructural parameters subsequently computed, were usedto gauge the performance of the AF algorithm, and compar-isons were made with translation-only navigator-correctedresults.Results: On average, AF generated images with higher im-age sharpness compared to the navigator echo technique.The average normalized gradient squared (NGS) metric im-proved by 0.40%, 0.73%, and 0.84%, respectively, followingtranslation-only navigator, translation-only AF and com-bined rotation/translation AF. For all structural parame-ters, the rotation/translation AF resulted in an approxi-mately two-fold greater change compared to the navigatortechnique.Conclusion: The data provide evidence that errors fromsubtle translational and rotational motion in the structuralparameters in high-resolution trabecular bone images arealleviated by AF and that the resulting improvements aresuperior to translation-only 2D navigator correction.Key Words: autofocusing; trabecular bone; motion correc-tion; rotation; navigatorJ. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;26:191–197.© 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dislocation creep of polycrystalline dolomite

The field of dislocation creep and rheological parameters for coarse-grained (d = 240 μm) natural dolomite has been determined through experiments performed at temperatures of 700–1000 °C, effective pressures of 300–900 MPa and strain rates of 10− 4/s to 10− 7/s. At low strain (< 7%), dolomite aggregates deform homogeneously and define a power law between strain rate and differential stress with a stress exponent of 3.0 +/− 0.1, but at higher strains, through-going, fine-grained (< 10 μm) shear zones develop in the dolomite aggregates concomitant with strain weakening. Recrystallization is limited at low strain and microstructures observed in the low strain samples include undulatory extinction, twins, grain boundary bulging, limited recrystallization along twins and fluid inclusion trails. These same microstructures are present outside of the narrow, through-going shear zones in high strain samples; however, within the shear zones the grain size is small (< 10 μm) with some larger porphyroclasts (20–50 μm). Shear zones nucleate at fine-grained zones formed at twin boundaries, twin–twin intersections and fluid inclusion trails and is likely due to a switch in deformation mechanism due to the large strength contrast between the fine-grained zones deforming by diffusion creep and the coarse-grained protolith. The activation energy (Q) for creep of coarse-grained dolomite at low strain is 145 kJ/mol. In contrast to other activation energies for dislocation and diffusion creep of minerals, Q for dislocation creep of dolomite is considerably less than that for diffusion creep (248 kJ/mol). The results of this study indicate that coarse-grained dolomite will initially deform by dislocation creep at natural strain rates and temperatures between 200 and 550 °C, but due to limited recovery mechanisms, fine-grained shear zones will nucleate and diffusion creep may control the rheology of these fine-grained shear zones in nature at temperatures above ~ 300 °C.
Paternal aging and associated intraindividual alterations of global sperm 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels.

Objective To evaluate the relative intraindividual changes in sperm 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) levels associated with age and to compare the levels of 5-hmC in mature human sperm to blood DNA. Design Prospective research study. Setting University-based andrology and in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory. Patient(s) Fifteen known fertile sperm donors, 22 other known fertile controls, and 41 male blood donors from a general population tissue bank. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Measurements of global 5-mC and 5-hmC levels via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based assay. Result(s) Global sperm 5-mC levels exhibit a statistically significant increase with age, and a similar trend was seen in 5-hmC levels. On average, in the age ranges we analyzed, 5-mC increased by 1.76% per year, and 5-hmC, though more variable, increased by approximately 5% per year. Additionally, we found that 5-hmC levels in sperm are 32.59% of that found in blood DNA. Conclusion(s) Global sperm DNA methylation patterns are stable over short periods of time but increase with age, which raises important questions regarding the risks of advanced paternal age. Additionally, as we would predict for a transcriptionally quiescent cell type, 5-hmC levels are statistically significantly lower in human sperm than in blood DNA.
Power and robustness of sib-pair linkage tests and extension to larger sibships

We investigate the power and robustness of Haseman and Elstonfs sib-pair test for genetic linkage between a marker locus and a locus affecting a quantitative trait, and compare the test to that of Penrose. The Haseman-Elston test is more powerful than Penrrose's test; its power is acceptable for cases of tight linkage and high heritability due to the hypothesized quantitative trait locus, but is quite low in other situations. Computer simulations indicate that both tests are valid for normally distributed trait values, and that the Haseman-Elston test is robust for a variety of continuous distributions of the trait values. Several linkage tests are developed for sib trios that are much more powerful , for the same total number of sibs, than the test on independent sib pairs. The Haseman-Elston test on all possible sib pairs is suggested for sibships of size larger than three and for samples including sibships of various sizes.
Oxidation of dimethylselenide to dimethylselenoxide by microsomes from rat liver and lung and by flavin-containing monooxygenase from pig liver.

Abstract Oxidation of [75Se]dimethylselenide by rat liver and lung microsomes and by purified flavin-containing monooxygenase from pig liver was demonstrated. Quantitation of the nonvolatile product showed a 1:1 stoichiometry with NADPH oxidation, consistent with selenoxide formation. The apparent Km for dimethylselenide was 0.7 μM with rat liver microsomes and 0.3 μM with purified pig liver enzyme. Facile reversal of dimethylselenide oxidation by reducing agents present in microsomes, and by glutathione, indicates that redox cycling can occur. Unlabeled dimethylselenoxide carrier circumvented reduction of the labeled product, permitting quantitation. This is the first demonstration of a naturally occurring selenium substrate for the microsomal flavin-containing monooxygenase.
MAMMALIAN CELL‐CULTURE METHODS IN INVESTIGATING MODIFICATION OF THE RADIATION RESPONSE *

Single-cell techniques are of great value in studying radiation sterilization. Examples of the use of these techniques in the study of modification of the radiation response are given.
Experimental application of Nosema locustae for control of grasshoppers

Abstract In a study of microbial control of grasshoppers, the microsporidan Nosema locustae was experimentally applied in 4 replicates of treatments of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 spores in2 on wheat bran (2 lb/acre) to 24 plots, each of which was 10 acres. Based on the incidence of infection among live grasshoppers collected on the plots at 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks after application, the treatments of 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 spores in2 were not significantly different from each other, but all were significantly different from the control plots (0 spore treatment).
Brain Dysfunction in COPD

NOTT is a multicenter clinical trial designed to assess the comparative effectiveness of noctural (12 hour) and continu- ous (20 hour or more) oxygen treatment in patients with hypoxic COPD. Before entering treatment, all patients re- ceived baseline medical, neuropsychologic, and psychosocial evaluations. This report presents baseline neuropsychologic findings prior to an extended oxygen therapy program.
Physicians in nursing homes: effectiveness of physician accountability and communication.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to develop a measure of the perceptions of nursing home (NH) directors of nursing (DONs) on the adequacy of physician care and to examine its variation as well as its construct validity. Design A nationwide cross-sectional study with primary data collection. Setting A total of 2043 NHs surveyed between August 2009 and April 2011. Participants DONs and NH administrators responded to questions pertaining to their perceptions of the care provided by physicians in their NH. Measurements Ten items were used to create 3 domains: medical staff attentiveness, physician communication, and staff concerns about physician practice. These were combined into an overall summary score measure called “Effectiveness of Physician Accountability and Communication” (EPAC). EPAC construct validity was ascertained from other DON questions and from a complementary survey of NH administrators. Results The established EPAC score is the first measure to capture specific components of the adequacy of physician care in NHs. EPAC exhibited good construct validity: more effective practices were correlated with greater physician involvement in discussions of do-not-resuscitate orders, the frequency with which the medical director checked on the medical care delivered by the attending physician, the tightness of the NH's control of its physician resources, and the DON's perception of whether or not avoidable hospitalizations and emergency room visits could be reduced with greater physician attention to resident needs. Conclusion As increased attention is given to the quality of care provided to vulnerable elders, effective measures of processes of care are essential. The EPAC measure provides an important new metric that can be used in these efforts. The goal is that future studies could use EPAC and its individual domains to shed light on the manner through which physician presence is related to resident outcomes in the NH setting.
Evaluation of randomized controlled trials.

Although randomized controlled trials (RCTs) play a key role in modern medicine, considerable variability exists in their quality and in the reliability (reproducibility) of their results. The present article discusses features that characterize high-quality trials, such as intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, the avoidance of patient exclusions, and a procedure for evaluating the reliability of study results. A single serious problem can sometimes invalidate a study. However, most often one must weigh the impact of various strengths and weaknesses of aspects of study design, conduct, and analysis. A companion article1 on the design of RCTs appeared in a previous issue of this journal. ### Exclusion of Cases A major source of weakness in the reliability of results of a published RCT is the extent to which patients have been excluded from the analysis. Many reasons have been cited by clinicians for their exclusion of cases from analysis, but perhaps the most common reason is a desire to ensure that each patient is “adequately treated.” Many investigators find it awkward to retain in an analysis patients who have died within the first few weeks or who were unable or unwilling to adhere to the treatment specified by the protocol document. The general design of many RCTs is given in Figure 1. Figure 1. Effect of exclusion of major protocol violations. R indicates randomization. During the analysis phase of these studies, some investigators adhere to the concept that patients should be adequately treated; this is sometimes alternatively stated as the exclusion of cases with major protocol violations. The problem with such exclusions is that they are more likely to happen on the more aggressive therapy arm, and they are more likely to happen to patients in a higher-risk group. After such patients are excluded from the analysis, the average result for the remaining patients is thus …
Shrinkage as a measure of the deformation efficiency of ultra-oriented high density polyethylene

A simple test is described that allows the evaluation of the molecular extension in solid state extruded high density polyethylene at maximum extrusion draw ratio 36. The samples, which were prepared by shaving the extrudates to films of average thickness 0.4 mm, were melted very rapidly and shrunk at 160° C. Experimental evidence shows that at high heating rates (800° C min−1) all the molecular extension is recovered elastically. The variation of shrinkage with molecular weight indicates a difference in the molecular extension produced during the extrusion, and a simple relationship between molecular draw ratio and modulus is considered.
Transient mass flow rate of a residential air-to-air heat pump

Abstract A system has been designed and built that will accurately measure the change in mass of each component of a residential heat pump or air conditioner operating in a transient mode. The mass rate of flow leaving the compressor is also measured as a function of time. Using this mass rate of refrigerant flow and the change in mass of each component as a function of time, the mass flow rate entering and leaving each component of the system as a function of time can be calculated. Unlike other literature cited that gives change in mass as a function of time for a heat pump operation in the transient mode, the work reported in this Paper continually measures this change in mass while the system is in continual operation. The results look very promising for a method to obtain much needed experimental data on transient mass flow behaviour.
Mechanism of thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Enzymatic oxidative coupling of 3,5-diiodo-l-tyrosine derivatives

Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidative coupling of 3,5-diiodo-l-tyrosine derivatives afforded a T4 derivative and a C3 fragment. The C3 fragment is not dehydroalanine as was claimed by previous workers but rather it was identified as aminomalonic semialdehyde, which decomposed to hydroxypyruvate, 3, in the acidic work-up. The latter was isolated as its osazone derivative, 6.
Design of a thrust stand for high power electric propulsion devices

A thrust stand for use with high power electric propulsion devices was designed and tested. The thrust stand was specifically tailored to the needs of a 100 to 250 kW magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster program currently in progress at the NASA Lewis Research Center. The thrust stand structure was built as an inverted pendulum arrangement, supported at the base by water-cooled electrical power flexures. Thrust stand tares due to thruster discharge current were demonstrated to be negligible. Tares due to an applied field magnet current, after considerable effort, were reduced to less than 3.0 percent of measured thrust. These tares, however, could be determined independently and subtracted from the indicated thrust measurement. A detailed description is given for the thrust stand design and operation with a 100 kW class MPD device. Other thrust stand tares due to vibration and thermal effects are discussed, along with issues of accuracy and repeatability.
Variation in anticipatory coarticulation with changes in clarity and rate.

This study tests the hypothesis that the relative timing, or coarticulation, of articulatory movements at VC and CV boundaries is influenced by both the listener's requirement for clarity and the s...
Lingually induced inhibition of masseteric motoneurones

Elektrische Reizung afferenter Fasern niedriger Reizschwelle im Nervus lingualis induzierte in den motorischen Neuronen des Nervus massetericus: (1) IPSPs von kurzer Latenz mittels einer bisynaptischen Bahn, deren Zwischenneurone im Gebiet der supratrigeminalen Nuclei liegen; (2) eine Erregungsphase, die teilweise von einer fruh auftretenden Hemmung verdeckt ist; (3) eine Hemmung von langer Latenz mittels einer polysynaptischen Bahn, die sich kaudalwarts vom motorischen Ursprungskern des Nervus trigeminus erstreckt.
Sociospatial inequality: combining multilevel and spatial analysis

The idea that statistical relationships can change over time and space has been around for many centuries. Social scientists began investigating how statistical relationships shift over time, with techniques such as time series analysis, long ago and have only recently begun to explore shifts over geographical space. A map of the USA. mainland that makes use of recent population data to regress a geographically weighted regression is presented to show the reader an instance when a statistical relationship varies as a function of geographical space.
Pharmacist's perspective on providing care when patients engage in unhealthy behaviors

Abstract Objective To assess the association between unhealthy lifestyle-related behaviors in patients and the pharmacist's professional obligation for providing care. Design Repeated measures ANOVA was used to examine the effect of severity of lifestyle disease on professional obligation. Setting Four live continuing education programs on law and management conducted in the state of Florida. Participants 488 Florida pharmacists were surveyed with 65% completing the survey. Main outcome measures Pharmacists’ opinions based on lifestyle-related diseases classified as follows: low lifestyle-related disease (low LD): nonsmoker with asthma who is adherent with asthma medications; moderate (mod) LD: nonsmoker with asthma who is nonadherent with asthma medications; high LD: smoker with asthma who is adherent with asthma medications. Results The difference between the scales for measuring professional obligation for low and mod LD was significant, with pharmacists reporting greater professional obligation for low versus mod LD. The difference between professional obligation for low and high LD was significant, with pharmacists reporting greater professional obligation for low than high LD. The difference between professional obligation for mod and high LD was significant, with pharmacists reporting a higher professional obligation for mod than high LD. Conclusion The differences in professional obligation between the three patient scenarios were small but statistically significant. The findings suggest that certain patient behaviors, such as smoking or medication nonadherence, can have a negative effect on pharmacists’ sense of professional obligation to the patient.
Spinal cord and intradural-extraparenchymal spinal tumors: current best care practices and strategies

The management of patients with intradural spinal tumors differs in many respects from approaches taken for patients with intracranial tumors. Intramedullary lesions are often completely surrounded by normal spinal cord, displacing vital functional tracts eccentrically. Extramedullary lesions can drastically compress the spinal cord and nerve roots, reducing normal tissue to a ribbon-like consistency. The small amount of normal tissue relative to tumor has implications for surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy. In addition, operative intervention must take spinal stability into consideration. In this report, we describe the current best care practices and strategies for patients with a diagnosis of spinal astrocytoma, ependymoma, hemangioblastoma, schwannoma, and meningioma. Treatment of patients with intradural tumors of the spinal cord and adjoining structures has changed over the past 20 years. Advances in many disciplines including neuroradiology, neurosurgery, neurooncology, and neuropathology have contributed to expediting diagnosis and improving outcomes.
Hydrophobic Effect, Water Structure, and Heat Capacity Changes

The hydration heat capacity (Δ ) of nine solutes of varying hydrophobicity was studied using a combination of a random network model equation of water and Monte Carlo simulations. Nonpolar solutes cause a concerted decrease in the average length and angle of the water−water hydrogen bonds in the first hydration shell, while polar and ionic solutes have the opposite effect. This is due to changes in the amounts, relative to bulk water, of two populations of hydrogen bonds: one with shorter and more linear bonds and the other with longer and more bent bonds. Heat capacity changes were calculated from these changes in water structure using a random network model equation of state. The calculated changes account for observed differences in Δ for the various solutes. The simulations provide a unified picture of hydrophobic and polar hydration, and both a structural and thermodynamic explanation of the opposite signs of Δ observed for polar and nonpolar solutes.
Nocturnal Accumulation of Malic Acid Occurs in Mesophyll Tissue without Proton Transport to Epidermal Tissue in the Inducible Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum: EVIDENCE AGAINST A PREVIOUS HYPOTHESIS.

The inducible Crassulacean acid metabolism plant, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, accumulates malic acid, i.e. equivalent amounts of malate anions and protons in the mesophyll cells at night. Levels of malate and titratable acidity are low in the epidermal tissue and do not change significantly during the day/night cycle. This result is in contrast to a recent report (Bloom 1979 Plant Physiol 64: 919-923) that the synthesis of malic acid during dark CO2 fixation is associated with an equivalent exchange of inorganic cations from epidermal tissue with protons in the mesophyll cells.
Flamenco image browser: using metadata to improve image search during architectural design

Current user interfaces for image search are not successful at supporting architects' information access needs because they 1) do not recognize the context of architectural design, and 2) require complex textual queries that often result in either too many or too few images. This paper describes a new approach: using metadata about the images to aid search by generating dynamic query previews. Previews will help users visualize the contents of the collection, aid in making queries both more general and more specific, and help them to follow an information scent through a collection by giving them hints about where to go next. This paper describes a prototype system and plans for evaluation.
Role for astrocytosis in HIV-associated dementia

HIV-1-associated dementia occurs in approximately one third of individuals infected with HIV-1, sometimes as the only presenting symptom (McArthur et al. 1994; for refinement of this number see Grant et al., this volume). It involves deficits in cognitive and higher motor functions. The dementia is linked to structural changes in neurons observed post mortem. The changes vary from dendritic dearborization to neuronal drop out (Masliah et al. 1992). Large pyramidal neurons especially vulnerable to as yet unknown pathogenic stimuli are located in the cerebral cortex. The cortex is the brain region known to control cognitive and motor functions. These functions are altered or deficient in AIDS patients. Thus, neuronal dysfunction is a likely direct cause of HIV-1-associated dementia. The precise cause and nature of neuronal dysfunction in AIDS are unknown. HIV-1-associated neuronal damage may be mediated by activation of one family of glutamate receptors (Lipton 1992). Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Glutamate receptor-mediated neuronal death—excitotoxicity—is implicated in the pathogenesis of several disorders affecting mental health such as Alzheimer’s dementia (Choi 1994).
Molecular analysis of yeast and human type II topoisomerases. Enzyme-DNA and drug interactions.

The DNA sequence selectivity of topoisomerase II (top2)-DNA cleavage complexes was examined for the human (top2alpha), yeast, and Escherichia coli (i.e. gyrase) enzymes in the absence or presence of anticancer or antibacterial drugs. Species-specific differences were observed for calcium-promoted DNA cleavage. Similarities and differences in DNA cleavage patterns and nucleic acid sequence preferences were also observed between the human, yeast, and E. coli top2 enzymes in the presence of the non-intercalators fluoroquinolone CP-115,953, etoposide, and azatoxin and the intercalators amsacrine and mitoxantrone. Additional base preferences were generally observed for the yeast when compared with the human top2alpha enzyme. Preferences in the immediate flanks of the top2-mediated DNA cleavage sites are, however, consistent with the drug stacking model for both enzymes. We also analyzed and compared homologous mutations in yeast and human top2, i.e. Ser(740) --> Trp and Ser(763) --> Trp, respectively. Both mutations decreased the reversibility of the etoposide-stabilized cleavage sites and produced consistent base sequence preference changes. These data demonstrate similarities and differences between human and yeast top2 enzymes. They also indicate that the structure of the enzyme/DNA interface plays a key role in determining the specificity of top2 poisons and cleavage sites for both the intercalating and non-intercalating drugs.
Divalent metal ions and the internal equilibrium of the hammerhead ribozyme

Thermodynamics of RNA cleavage/ligation were measured for a self-cleaving hammerhead ribozyme in the presence of Ca2+, Co2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+. The internal equilibrium, the ratio of cleaved to ligated RNA, decreases with increasing concentrations of each of the four divalent metal ions in a hyperbolic dependence that shows saturation. The metal ion dependence is not due to changes in ionic strength, and the value of the equilibrium constant at saturation is different for each metal ion. The concentration required to achieve half-saturation of the equilibrium is also different for each metal ion, and the order of apparent metal ion dissociation constants correlates with those measured for dissociation of the same metal ions complexed with tRNA and nucleotides. We interpret the divalent metal ion dependence of the equilibrium in terms of a thermodynamic model invoking noncooperative metal ion dissociation from the cleaved RNA. Thus, at 10 mM Mg2+, a commonly employed condition for hammerhead kinetic studies, metal ion dissociation contributes substantially to the free energy of the equilibrium and drives the hammerhead reaction toward cleaved RNA. Temperature dependencies of the equilibrium reveal that while the entropy and enthalpy changes of the equilibrium depend on the identity of the divalent metal ion, in each case a large entropic driving force overcomes an unfavorable change in enthalpy. This agrees with thermodynamics previously measured for an intermolecular hammerhead in the presence of Mg2+ [Hertel, K. J., & Uhlenbeck, O. C. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 1744-1749].
The freezability of spermatozoa after minimal pre-freezing exposure to glycerol or lactose

Abstract Bull spermatozoa were frozen in egg yolk-sodium citrate and egg yolk-Tris media after different lengths of exposure to a range of glycerol levels at 5 °C by placing 0.1 ml of extended semen in small holes on a dry ice block. Post-thaw motility was significantly greater after glycerol exposure of 10 sec before freezing (shortest time studied) as compared with 2 min of exposure or longer ( P
Re-thinking the management of atrial fibrillation: a new approach

The management of atrial fibrillation has become too confusing. Do you cardiovert everyone? Do you anticoagulate everyone? Do you use diltiazem, a β-blocker or digoxin for rate control? Which is more important— rhythm or rate control? These are just a few of the questions that have vexed us. While the literature on these subjects is conflicting and still in evolution, I would like to take a snap-shot of a portion of the current literature that really promises to lean towards a much simpler approach.
Isolation and functional expression of a mammalian prohormone processing enzyme, murine prohormone convertase 1.

Abstract We have combined gene cloning with an assay for prohormone biosynthesis and processing in Xenopus oocytes to identify the genes that encode mammalian prohormone processing enzymes. The coinjection of RNA encoding murine prohormone convertase 1 (mPC1), a mammalian endoprotease, along with proopiomelanocortin RNA into an oocyte results in the appropriate cleavage after paired basic residues in the proopiomelanocortin polyprotein necessary to generate corticotropin. The ability of mPC1 to generate corticotropin, along with the observation that mPC1 is specifically expressed in endocrine and neuronal cells, suggests that the mPC1 gene encodes the endopeptidase responsible for the pathway of proopiomelanocortin cleavage observed in the anterior pituitary.
A SECOND EXAMPLE OF "NATURALLY OCCURRING" ANTI-M ANTIBODIES IN A TWIN, WITH REMARKS ON ATYPICAL ANTIBODIES AS POSSIBLE AIDS IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF CHIMERAS.

“Naturally occurring” anti-M antibodies were found in the serum of a ten-month-old type N female Negro twin (designated twin A), as revealed upon blood testing by a discrepancy between the cell blood group and the reverse blood group. The other twin, a male (designated twin B) did not possess this antibody. No specific cause for its presence could be determined although it was of interest that both the mother and the other twin were type MN. The possibility is discussed that anti-M, although not indicative of chimerism in the corresponding twin, may have signalled the presence of chimerism in twin B. However, red blood cell chimerism was not established. A technic of karyotyping also failed to reveal cell mixtures upon difference in sex chromosome morphology.
Long-term efficacy of a behavior modification weight loss program: A comparison of two follow-up maintenance strategies

Eight extension home economists, trained in the use of a behavioral weight loss program which emphasized stimulus control, treated a total of 148 overweight women in groups of about 10 subjects each. One hundred eleven subjects completed 20 weeks of treatment, losing a mean of 7.85 kg. These subjects were then assigned to one of two posttreatment maintenance conditions differing in the amount and fading of group contact over an 18-month follow-up period. There were no differences in weight maintenance between follow-up strategies. Significant differences among therapists were found for overall weight loss and for loss of subjects from treatment groups.
Rephasing Invariants of Quark and Lepton Mixing Matrices

Abstract Rephasing invariants of quark and lepton mixing matrices are obtained in the Standard Model extended by the seesaw mechanism, and in its low-energy effective theory with the dimension-five Majorana mass operator. We classify the basic invariants, discuss non-trivial relations between them, and determine the independent invariants which characterize all the information in the mixing matrices in a basis-independent way. We also discuss the restrictions on the allowed ranges for the mixing phases, and on the rephasing invariants, which follow from a discrete invariance of the Majorana mass matrix.
The Formation of Acicular Ferrite and Mechanical Properties Behaviors in a Low Welding Crack Susceptibility Steel

The nucleation and crystallographic characteristics of acicular ferrite in the as-rolled and tempered steel were investigated by using an optical microscopy (OM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results showed that acicular ferrite forms at nucleation sites such as dislocations within austenite grains under the heavy reduction in the austensite non-recrystallization region and accelerated cooling conditions, and the inclusions such as Al2O3•MnS may have promotion effect for the formation of acicular ferrite. Acicular ferrite has high misorientation angle boundaries and a number of sub-boundaries or high density of dislocations inside, which contributes to an excellent combination of high strength and toughness. And the morphology of acicular ferrite does not show obvious change in tempering microstructure due to high temperature thermal stability, which plays an important part in keeping good mechanical properties for tempered specimens.
Developing a weighted measure of speech sound accuracy.

Purpose To develop a system for numerically quantifying a speaker’s phonetic accuracy through transcription-based measures. With a focus on normal and disordered speech in children, the authors describe a system for differentially weighting speech sound errors on the basis of various levels of phonetic accuracy using a Weighted Speech Sound Accuracy (WSSA) score. The authors then evaluate the reliability and validity of this measure. Method Phonetic transcriptions were analyzed from several samples of child speech, including preschoolers and young adolescents with and without speech sound disorders and typically developing toddlers. The new measure of phonetic accuracy was validated against existing measures, was used to discriminate typical and disordered speech production, and was evaluated to examine sensitivity to changes in phonetic accuracy over time. Reliability between transcribers and consistency of scores among different word sets and testing points are compared. Results Initial psychometric dat...
Excitation-transcription coupling mediated by zinc influx through voltage-dependent calcium channels

Electrical activity initiates a program of selective gene expression in excitable cells. Although such transcriptional activation is commonly attributed to depolarization-induced changes in intracellular Ca2+, zinc represents a viable alternative given its prominent role as a cofactor in DNA-binding proteins coupled with evidence that Zn2+ can enter excitable cells in a voltage-dependent manner. Here it is shown that Zn2+ entry into heart cells depends upon electrical stimulation and occurs via dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels. The addition of extracellular Zn2+ to spontaneously depolarizing GH3 pituitary tumor cells induced the expression of a reporter gene driven by the metallothionein promoter, an effect that was prevented by exposure to dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers. Thus, Zn2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels can mediate voltage-dependent gene expression.
Effect of paclobutrazol on the development of iron chlorosis in soybeans

Abstract Iron‐efficient (A7) and ‐inefficient (T203) soybean cultivars were grown in nutrient solution culture both with and without the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol at low levels of Fe. Paclobutrazol affected root morphology, greatly reduced shoot growth, and delayed the onset of chlorosis in the penultimate leaf of both cultivars by several days at all Fe levels as compared to untreated controls. The chemical delayed, but did not hinder, the iron stress response mechanism (proton and reductant extrusion). Paclobutrazol did not delay the onset of chlorosis by mobilizing Fe to the leaves because foliar Fe content in paclobutrazol treated plants was similar to that of untreated ones. These results suggest that paclobutrazol may be a useful tool in studying the interactions between growth, chlorophyll synthesis, the development of Fe chlorosis, and the Fe stress response mechanism.
Rate of intracranial self-stimulation as a function of stimulus waveform and intensity

Rats bar pressed for two classes of electrical brain stimulation (60 cps sine waves and 100 pps bidirectional rectangular pulses) of varied intensity, presented on VI 15 sec. and CRF schedules, under food deprivation and ad lib conditions. The shapes of the rate-intensity functions for the two waveforms appeared similar for individual animals when the stimulus-charge dimension was plotted in log scale. The charge per reinforcement needed with 60 cps was consistently greater than that needed to support equal response rates with 100 pps stimulation, and the range of microcoulombs over which intensities could be varied with 100 pps stimulation was consistently smaller and lower than with 60 cps stimulation.
A Technique for Perfusing Excised Bovine Mammary Glands

Summary An apparatus for the perfusion of the excised bovine mammary gland is described. Directions are given for excising and care of the excised mammary gland, taking of the blood, use of anticoagulants and care of the blood. The more important considerations in conducting a perfusion experiment are also treated.
Analytical Controlled Losses of Potassium from Straw Ashes

Accurate knowledge of the concentrations of potassium and other elements is critical for evaluating the effects of straw and other high-fouling biomass fuels in combustion boilers and other thermal systems. Development of accurate and precise analytical procedures is therefore essential for utilization of biomass fuels in energy production and high-temperature applications. By comparing the results of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses with similar analyses done using instrumental neutron activation (INA), it is observed that 20−25% of the original K2O content of straw ashes and slag can be lost during sample preparation for analyses. The loss occurs during heating of the ashes to determine loss on ignition probably as a result of the breakdown of sylvite (KCl). This loss can be significantly reduced, but not completely eliminated, if the analyses are performed on ashes that have not previously been heat-treated. The study poses the cautionary note that similar losses may occur during XRF analyses of other...
Efficacy of Labeling Wetlands with Enriched 15N to Determine Amphibian Dispersal

Stable isotope enrichment techniques can aid in understanding dispersal of animals. Pond-breeding amphibians often have spatially disjunct populations that depend on immigration for persistence, yet obtaining direct estimates of dispersal rates among wetlands is challenging. We enriched aquatic mesocosms with 15N to “mark” amphibian larvae and determine the feasibility of using enrichment techniques to study dispersal in pond-breeding amphibians. Because newly metamorphosed amphibians in mark-release-recapture studies may not be recaptured until adulthood, we estimated persistence of the 15N enrichment signature up to 3 years post-metamorphosis. We reared larval marbled salamanders (Ambystoma opacum) in artificial mesocosms dosed with 15NH4Cl, and maintained metamorphs on unlabeled prey for 7 months to estimate the biological half life (BHL) of 15N in tissue. Metamorphs in spiked treatments attained δ15N levels >1000 times higher than reference animals (5 ± 1‰), and levels remained ~225 times higher than controls after 7 months. The average 15N BHL was 2.49 ± 0.24 months, indicating that the elevated signature should be discernible for a minimum of 20–28 months after metamorphosis. Our results suggest that 15N enrichment is feasible for field studies of amphibian dispersal, as metamorphs will retain isotope-enriched tissues that persist until at least the second year of breeding.
Parents in the anaesthetic room—parents’and anaesthetists’views

In this study parents' and anaesthetists' views were compared, by means of questionnaire, to assess the benefit of parental presence at induction. One hundred and ninety four unpremedicated children aged 1-16 years underwent daycase surgery. One hundred and eighty four parents accompanied their child and felt that their child benefited from this. Anaesthetists rated only 72% of parents as being helpful. Parents who had undergone anaesthesia in the past were less likely, 60% compared with 79% (p < 0.01), to consider themselves as upset than parents who had not. Thirty one percent (44/140) of anaesthetists, compared with 43% (60/140) of parents, felt the child was upset at induction (p < 0.01). Parents judging themselves to be upset at induction were significantly more likely to consider their child as upset (p < 0.01). Most parents feel that they are of help in the anaesthetic room regardless of whether or not they find it an upsetting experience. Ninety eight per cent would want to accompany their child in the future and we believe this should be allowed unless there are overriding considerations.
THE ROLE OF EXTENDED KIN IN THE ADJUSTMENT TO MARITAL SEPARATION

A nonprobability purposive sample of 205 individuals separated 26 months or less was interviewed about their marital separation and its aftermath. Contrary to expectations based on earlier research and current theorizing, the findings indicate that support from and interaction with extended kin either are unrelated or negatively related to the adjustment to marital separation. The findings further suggest that the potential advantages of support and interaction offered by kin may be moderated by a variety of familial sanctions such as criticism and disapproval. These results, however, replicated Goode's (1956) finding from an earlier generation, which demonstrated that adjustment was enhanced when kin were indifferent to the divorce-neither offering approval nor disapproval. The results also suggest that in many cases it is likely that adjustment to separation begins before the time relatives first learn of the separation.
Exploring the Effects of Student Expectations about Financial Aid on Postsecondary Choice: A Focus on Income and Racial/Ethnic Differences

This study investigates how the expectations of different types of financial aid affect the student college choice process from application through enrollment. We find that students from different race and income groups respond differentially to aid packages in their application and enrollment decisions depending on their levels of aid expectations. In application behavior, Asians at all income levels increase their likelihood of application at a greater rate in response to an increase in their aid expectations than other racial groups. Simulations indicate that enrollment probabilities decline more for African American and Hispanic students than whites and Asians when they expect to receive financial aid but do not. The findings suggest the particular importance of financial aid packages in the college choice process for underrepresented minority students.
SOURCING THE PALYGORSKITE USED IN MAYA BLUE: A PILOT STUDY COMPARING THE RESULTS OF INAA AND LA-ICP-MS

Maya Blue is an unusual blue pigment consisting of a clay-organic complex of indigo and the unusual clay mineral palygorskite (also called attapulgite). Used on pottery, sculpture, and murals from the Preclassic to Late Colonial periods largely in Mesoamerica, blue was the color of sacrifice and ritual. Did the palygorskite used to make Maya Blue come from a restricted source in Yucatan like Shepard, Arnold, Arnold and Bohor believed, or from widespread sources like Littmann argued? This report presents the results of a pilot study comparing INAA and LA-ICP-MS analysis of 33 palygorskite samples collected from different parts of the Maya area. These data reveal that it is possible to discriminate mineral source locations, and that it should be possible to determine whether the palygorskite used to make Maya Blue came from widespread sources or was traded widely from one or a few sources. Consideration of contextual information such as agency, landscape and language suggest that the Shepard/Arnold/Bohor hypothesis is more plausible than that of Littmann. No matter which hypothesis is supported, however, each has significant implications for the relationship of the diffusion of Maya Blue (or the knowledge of its production) to Maya social organization.
Can the Color Force BE Used to Achieve Fusion

We explore the possibility that the color force can be used to overcome the Coulomb barrier in fusion, If there are small deviations from exact color neutrality, large separations of color may occur when two elements of opposite color defects are mixed non-uniformly. In order to restore color neutrality locally, the strong color force polarizes the nuclei and brings them close enough to fuse. If palladium and deuterium are such elements, it is possible that all the recent cold fusion results are but different manifestations of the above process.
High pressure liquid chromatography of fibrinopeptides derived from eight mammalian fibrinogens.

Abstract The separation of human fibrinopeptides A (FPA) and B (FPB), along with fibrinopeptides from seven other mammals, using reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography is reported. The limit of detection for the human peptides was found to be approximately 2 x 10 −11 mol per 50 μl of clot supernatant. The fibrinopeptides from the different animals were separated by isocratic elution with mobile phases containing aqueous ammonium phosphate and acetonitrile.
Congenital Abnormalities of the Optic Nerve: From Gene Mutation to Clinical Expression

Optic nerve malformations are common causes of congenital blindness and are recognized with increasing prevalence. The importance of identifying these malformations lies not only in determining the cause and level of visual impairment, but also in looking for associated treatable or life threatening systemic conditions. A number of genetic mutations have been identified in the development of optic disc anomalies, such as ones in PAX2 or PAX6. Recent advances in genetic testing like array comparative genomic hybridization allow the detection of microdeletions that were previously difficult or impossible to identify.
Serum triglyceride and cholesterol contents in male rats receiving diets containing plasticizers and analogues of the ester 2-ethylhexanol

Abstract Male rats were administered diets containing the plasticizers di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate and di-(ethyl)phthalate, 2-ethylhexanol, hexanol, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, hexanoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl aldehyde, and hexyl aldehyde for 3 weeks, and serum triglyceride and cholesterol values were determined. Only those compounds which had been found to produce a proliferation of hepatic peroxisomes produced a decrease in both serum lipids.