cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Larval Distribution and Behavior of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Relative to Other Species on Florida Black Bear (Carnivora: Ursidae) Decomposing Carcasses

Larval interactions of dipteran species, blow flies in particular, were observed and documented daily over time and location on five black bear carcasses in Gainesville, FL, USA, from June 2002 - September 2004. Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) or Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) larvae were collected first, after which Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) oviposited on the carcasses in multiple locations (i.e., neck, anus, and exposed flesh) not inhabited already by the other blow fly larvae. Within the first week of decomposition, C. rufifacies larvae grew to ≥12 mm, filling the carcasses with thousands of larvae and replacing the other calliphorid larvae either through successful food source competition or by predation. As a result, C. macellaria and C. megacephala were not collected past their third instar feeding stage. The blow fly species, C. megacephala, C. macellaria, Lucilia caeruleiviridis (Macquart), Phormia regina (Meigen), Lucilia sericata (Meigen), and C. rufifacies, completed two developmental cycles in the 88.5-kg carcass. This phenomenon might serve to complicate or prevent the calculation of an accurate postmortem interval.
Polyaniline: Dependency of selected properties on molecular weight

Abstract The conductivity and tensile strength of stretch-oriented, doped, crosslinked films of polyaniline are found to be considerably greater than those prepared from non-crosslinked films of the polymer. The conductivity of the former films show little dependence on molecular weight or degree of crosslinking whereas their tensile strength shows significant dependence on these variables.
Retrospective analysis of urologic complications in male patients with spinal cord injury managed with and without indwelling urinary catheters.

Abstract Objectives To compare, in a retrospective fashion, the long-term urologic complications in male patients with spinal cord injury managed with and without indwelling urinary catheters. Methods The records of 142 consecutive male patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries sustained between 1975 and 1985 (inclusive) were reviewed. Fifty-six patients were managed with indwelling urinary catheters, and 86 were managed without an indwelling catheter. Urinary complications were recorded for each patient under the following general subheadings: renal, urinary tract infection, stones, urethral, and other. Results In all, there were 95 complications in the noncatheterized group versus 202 in the catheterized group ( P = 0.007). The catheterized group experienced significantly more problems with renal damage, recurrent urinary tract infection, stones, and urethral complications. Conclusions Our study shows that elimination of indwelling urinary catheters in patients with spinal cord injury will significantly reduce the incidence of urinary tract complications and lead to better preservation of renal function.
Portable Raman device for detection of chemical and biological warfare agents

This paper describes a compact, self-contained, cost effective, and portable Raman Integrated Tunable Sensor (RAMiTs) for screening a wide variety of chemical and biological agents for homeland defense applications. The instrument is a fully-integrated, tunable, "point-and-shoot" Raman monitor based on solid-state acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) technology. It can provide direct identification and quantitative analysis of chemical and biological samples in a few seconds under field conditions. It also consists of a 830-nm diode laser for excitation, and an avalanche photodiode for detection. Evaluation of this instrument has been performed by analyzing several standard samples and comparing the results those obtained using a conventional Raman system. In addition to system evaluation, this paper will also discuss potential applications of the RAMiTs for detection of chemical and biological warfare agents.
The Immune Environment in Human Endometrium during the Window of Implantation

Problem: Changes in the immune environment in the endometrium are believed to be important for successful implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. We have previously investigated global gene profiling in human endometrium during the window of implantation by oligonucleotide microarray technology, and analysis of these data underscore the regulation of a group of immune-related genes. The present study was therefore conducted to examine the pattern of expression and regulation of these genes including decay accelerating factor (DAF), indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO), interleukin-15 (IL-15), IL-15 receptor alpha subunit (IL-15Rα), interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1), lymphotactin (Lpn), natural killer-associated transcript 2 (NKAT2) and NKG5 in secretory and proliferative human endometrium. Method of Study: Endometrial biopsies were obtained from normally cycling women in the late proliferative and mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern blot analysis were used to determine the expression and regulation of these genes in secretory and proliferative human endometrium. Cellular localization of NKG5, Lpn and IDO by in situ hybridization in secretory-phase endometrium was also examined. Results: Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blot results demonstrate that there is a coordinated upregulation of this group of genes during the window of implantation. Conclusions: We demonstrate the upregulation of immune-related genes IL-15Rα, Lpn and NKG5 in secretory versus proliferative human endometrium. We also demonstrate a similar upregulation in secretory endometrium of other immune-related genes, viz, DAF, IDO, IL-15, IRF-1 and NKAT2. The functions of these genes include stimulation of proliferation of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, inhibition of cytolytic activity of uNK cells, inhibition of cell growth of T cells and other pathogens and inhibition of the classical complement pathway. Upregulation of these immune-related genes in the window of implantation suggests their role during the process of implantation and in immune tolerance of the implanting conceptus.
Weight-bearing hindlimb stepping in treadmill-exercised adult spinal cats.

Abstract Hindlimb locomotion on a motor-driven treadmill was studied in 5 cats spinalized at a low thoracic level as adults. Six months after surgery, the cats were anesthetized and implanted for electromyographic (EMG) and force recordings in hindlimb muscles. For the last 5 months of the spinalization period, the hindlimbs of each cat were exercised daily for 30 minutes on a treadmill. Data were collected during hindlimb locomotion on a treadmill across the entire range of speeds each cat could accommodate. All trials were filmed (100 frames/s) for kinematic analysis. EMG data were recorded from the soleus (Sol), medial gastrocnemius (MG), tibialis anterior (TA) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL). Forces were recorded in vivo from the Sol and MG tendons. All cats could sustain full weight-bearing stepping without the need for mechanical stimulation of the tail. Although the general stepping pattern of the spinal cats was remarkably similar to that of normal cats, several key differences were identified. Compared to normal cats, the adult spinal cats walked at a lower range of speeds and exhibited a longer swing phase duration. The Sol produced forces and displayed activation periods comparable to those observed in normal cats. The MG of adult spinal cats, however, produced lower forces and had a later onset of activation in comparison to normal cats. Each of the muscles in all spinal cats exhibited tremor during stepping. These results suggest that there were limitations in the activation levels of some hindlimb flexor and extensor muscles during treadmill locomotion. These data further suggest that, in normal cats, accommodation to treadmill speed is accomplished by modulating supraspinal input to the lumbar spinal cord while leaving many of the timing details to be regulated by lumbar spinal networks.
The Cramér-Rao bound and robust M-estimates for autoregressions

SUMMARY A Cramer-Rao lower bound is computed for estimates of the location, innovations scale and autoregressive parameters for a finite-variance pth-order autoregression. The implication of the bound is that the usual least-squares estimates of all of these parameters have asymptotically the same lack of efficiency robustness toward heavytailed innovations distributions as does the sample mean for estimating location. On the other hand, autoregression analogues of Huber's regression M-estimates, with the location estimate obtained from the intercept and autoregressive parameter estimates, are shown to be efficiency robust. The location estimate is also shown to be minimax robust.
Resonant Scattering of Photons from an Atom-Lattice System

We investigate the resonant scattering of photons from an atom in the thermal equilibrium with a phonon bath. A two-level model of the atom is discussed in detail. In the model problem, the atom is coupled directly to the lattice through a diagonal interaction which is bilinear in the lattice quanta. Relaxation effects are introduced indirectly via correlation functions. In the limit in which the relaxation time is much shorter than the radiative lifetime, the frequency spectrum of the scattered radiation consists of three parts: (1) a coherent, elastic term weighted by the factor ${tanh}^{2}(\frac{\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}}{2KT})$, (2) an incoherent quasielastic term weighted by the factor [$1\ensuremath{-}{tanh}^{2}(\frac{\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}}{2KT})$], (3) a fluorescent term characterizing emission at the natural frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$, which arises from an effective two-photon-two-phonon interaction. The extension of the analysis to the problem of resonant scattering from paramagnetic ions in crystals is outlined with particular emphasis on the influence of neighboring ionic levels and the relative importance of the one- and two-phonon processes.
Effects of Antiprogesterone Antiserum on Serum and Ovarian Progesterone, Gonadotropin Secretion, and Pregnancy in the Rat*

A high affinity antiprogesterone antibody (APA) was tested in both pseudopregnant and pregnant rats for its ability to alter serum and ovarian concentrations of total and free progesterone and serum gonadotropins and for contragestational effects. APA injected ip on the sixth day of pseudopregnancy resulted in rapidly increased levels of total progesterone in serum, but no detectable change in free progesterone as measured by equilibrium dialysis. Serum gonadotropins similarly increased after APA injection. Progesterone concentrations in various body tissues indicated an initial increase in progesterone production followed by a marked decrease apparently in response to induced luteolysis. Similar levels of hormones were obtained in pregnant rats after ip administration of APA on day 10 of gestation. Fetal resorption followed in all animals and was complete within 96 h. The effect of APA on fetal loss appears to be a combination of a direct reduction of uteroovarian progesterone concentration and a negativ...
Thermal Management in Laser Assisted Machining: A Preliminary Study

The use of laser in manufacturing has gained considerable attention recently. In non-reactive processes, the laser beam is used either to machine, to weld, or to modify the target material structure by local heating. In addition to elevating the surface temperature of the target, this local heating may significantly alter the material crystalline structure; change its phase, and thus the electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. For reliability and consistency, it is necessary to control effectively the laser-based manufacturing processes. Specifically, the induced micro-structural changes due to the heat transfer mechanisms have to be analyzed. Most importantly, the thermal effect on the sub-surface microstructures and the generated thermal stress distribution need to be well quantified. The application of lasers in manufacturing has distinctive advange when dealing with ceramic material. The use of advanced ceramics has doubled in the past ten years, and is expected to grow at an even faster pace in the new millennium. The superior properties, such as low weight, high temperature strength and wear/corrosion resistance, of these structural ceramics make them the preferred materials in various applications including bearings, rollers/followers, valves, engines, cutting tools and even artificial joints in the human body. The major goal of this study is to develop an innovative laser-assisted drilling process through innovative tool design and cooling method. A preliminary investigation of the effect of donut-shaped laser heat input on the temperature distribution in the workpiece is studied numerically and experimentally.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Future Forms of Immunotherapy and Immunomodulators in Allergic Disease

Future forms of immunotherapy, particularly toll-like receptor agonists, have shown promising results in animal models of allergic disease although most have failed to translate into successful human clinical trials. These results have helped to elucidate the pleotropic roles of cytokines as well as the diverse phenotypes of allergic diseases, particularly asthma. The goals of these therapies are to improve patient symptoms and quality of life, to prevent and favorably alter disease course, and to maintain a good risk/benefit ratio along with a cost-effective profile.
COOPERATIVE RADIATIVE DECAY OF DISORDERED MOLECULAR MONOLAYERS

The time-resolved spontaneous emission from a disordered molecular monolayer is calculated using Green-function techniques. In addition to a fast-decaying transmitted and reflected coherent component in the forward direction, and a slowly decaying, incoherent, spatially homogeneous background, we predict a backscattering peak related to weak localization of excitons. Analytical and numerical calculations of the energy- and disorder-dependent cooperative radiative decay rate, the quantum yield of the coherent and incoherent components, and the exciton diffusion coefficient are presented.
A broadening view of recombinational DNA repair in bacteria

Recombinational DNA repair is both the most complex and least understood of DNA repair pathways. In bacterial cells grown under normal laboratory conditions (without a DNA damaging treatment other than an aerobic environment), a substantial number (10-50%) of the replication forks originating at oriC encounter a DNA lesion or strand break. When this occurs, repair is mediated by an elaborate set of recombinational DNA repair pathways which encompass most of the enzymes involved in DNA metabolism. Four steps are discussed: (i) The replication fork stalls and/or collapses. (ii) Recombination enzymes are recruited to the location of the lesion, and function with nearly perfect efficiency and fidelity. (iii) Additional enzymatic systems, including the phiX174-type primosome (or repair primosome), then function in the origin-independent reassembly of the replication fork. (iv) Frequent recombination associated with recombinational DNA repair leads to the formation of dimeric chromosomes, which are monomerized by the XerCD site-specific recombination system.
Application of human error theory in case analysis of wrong procedures.

Objectives The goal of this study was to contribute to the emerging body of literature about the role of human behaviors and cognitive processes in the commission of wrong procedures. Methods Case analysis of 5 wrong procedures in operative and nonoperative settings using James Reason's human error theory was performed. Results The case analysis showed that cognitive underspecification, cognitive flips, automode processing, and skill-based errors were contributory to wrong procedures. Wrong-site procedures accounted for the preponderance of the cases. Front-line supervisory staff used corrective actions that focused on the performance of the individual without taking into account cognitive factors. Conclusions System fixes using human cognition concepts have a greater chance of achieving sustainable safety outcomes than those that are based on the traditional approach of counseling, education, and disciplinary action for staff.
A procedure for midline correction.

D uring orthodontic treatment, teeth are repositioned according to the dictates of both skeletal and dental harmony. The dental component indicates that the final arrangement of the teeth should conform to a Class I dental pattern with perfect alignment, proximal contact, proper axial inclination, and maximum intercuspation. These occlusal relationships will exist only under certain conditions which coordinate the dentition and the dental arches. For example, the sizes of the maxillary and mandibular teeth must be a perfect match for each other. Similarly, the maxillary and mandibular midlines must be coincident. In this instance there will be equal amounts of tooth substance on either side of the midline. Accordingly, cusp position should be suitable for maximum interdigitation. If the midlines are not coincident, maximum intercuspation is improbable because the cusp position on the side of the midline “shift” will be more posterior to its “normal” location ; on the side away from the shift, the cusps will be situated somewhat anterior to the proper position. Midline coincidence, therefore, is an essential factor in dental harmony. For this reason, the position of the midlines receives a considerable degree of attention during therapy. With this in mind, the following report will describe a procedure which may be useful to correct a midline imbalance which may be present in the final stages of treatment after alignment, space closure, etc. AS an example, let us assume that the maxillary midline is “correctly” situated and the mandibular midline is deviated to the right. As indicated, the right mandibular segment is posterior to its “correct” position and the left buccal segment is anterior. Therefore, a force system capable of applying a mesially directed component of force on the right side and a distally directed force on the left should aid in midline correction. If these movements are coordinated in a continuous arch, the incisors should move to the left, correcting the midline problem. One such system is illustrated in Fig. 1. A round wire was inserted in the mandibular arch with the following configuration: A second-order bend was formed and inserted into the right canine bracket to drive the crown of the
Intra-abdominal vascular injury during trocar-assisted ventriculoperitoneal shunting: case report.

Objective Laparoscopic trocar injury is a relatively well-described complication of cholecystectomies and gynecological procedures. However, this type of injury has not been reported in association with adult neurological surgery. To increase awareness of this very serious risk, we report a case of intra-abdominal vascular injury during a shunt procedure involved with a common neurosurgical procedure. Clinical presentation A 76-year-old man with no previous abdominal surgical history presented with probable normal pressure hydrocephalus. Intervention After an appropriate preoperative workup confirming probable normal pressure hydrocephalus, the patient consented to placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt with a programmable valve. During placement of the distal catheter using an abdominal trocar, the aorta was punctured inadvertently, necessitating emergency laparotomy for vascular repair. Conclusion An abdominal trocar should be used with caution in ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery. Even with meticulous technique, vascular injury can occur with any trocar-based abdominal procedure. The neurosurgeon who uses this technique must be prepared to initiate emergent vascular access and repair, with a vascular surgery team available should such an injury occur. Alternatively, open placement of peritoneal catheters avoids blind peritoneal instrumentation and is an effective method for minimizing potentially catastrophic vascular injuries.
Formation of photochemical air pollution in central California 1. Development of a revised motor vehicle emission inventory

[1] Photochemical air pollution problems have proved difficult to understand and control in central California. A major source of uncertainty is the rate of precursor volatile organic compounds and NOx emissions, especially from motor vehicles. We develop alternative emissions estimates for on-road motor vehicles in 1990, using fuel sales data, emission factors measured in on-road studies, and ambient pollutant ratios, for a region that includes the San Francisco Bay and San Joaquin Valley air basins and Sacramento County. Fuel-based emissions estimates are compared with predictions of California's most recent motor vehicle emission factor model (EMFAC) and with an inventory that has been used in previous regional-scale photochemical modeling studies. The fuel-based inventory contains 10–50% less CO, 40–100% more nonmethane organic compounds, and 10–20% less NOx than estimated both by EMFAC and the photochemical modeling inventory. We also describe new temporal distributions of vehicle emissions by hour and day of week. Diesel trucks, a major source of NOx, have a broad midday peak in emissions on weekdays, in contrast to passenger vehicles, which show morning and afternoon commuter peaks. While passenger vehicle travel is similar on weekdays and weekends, diesel truck activity and emissions decrease by 70–80% on weekends. Vehicle emission rates and their temporal patterns are linked to a regional photochemical air pollution episode that spans a weekend in August 1990.
Exploring damage sensitivity of state-space based prediction error methods for structural health monitoring

ABSTRACT One paradigm within the structural health monitoring field involves analyzing the vibration response ofstructures as a method of detecting damage. Recent work has focused on extracting damage-sensitive features from thestate-space representation of the structural response. Some of these features involve constructing a baseline attractor andan attractor at some later time and using the baseline to predict the evolution of the future attractor. An inability toaccurately predict said evolution can be construed as possible damage to the structure. Such attractor-based methods aresensitive to a number of parameters related to reconstruction of the attractor, prediction techniques, and statisticalaccuracy. This work couples various input excitations with experimental data in an attempt to optimize these parametersfor maximum sensitivity to damage.Keywords: structural health monitoring, damage detection, attractor 1. INTRODUCTION There has been a recent movement toward research aimed at providing real-time assessment of a structurescondition. This movement has been impelled by economic and safety issues inherent in long-term operation ofstructures. Maintenance and operation costs are consistently among the highest economic impact throughout thestructural life cycle. Traditionally, time-based maintenance approaches and human inspections have been used toaccommodate this need. New research seeking a condition-based maintenance philosophy has piloted the field ofstructural health monitoring (SHM). SHM incorporates the integration of a sensing system with a damage assessmentalgorithm to determine the integrity, or health, of a given structure. This method can then be used to perform a rapid,dependable, and accurate evaluation of the overall condition of a structure.Much of the research in SHM has been directed toward vibration-based approach, in which ambient or appliedexcitations create a dynamic response, and some characteristic feature can be extracted for use as a damage estimator
Identification of a murine Peyer's patch—specific lymphocyte homing receptor as an integrin molecule with an α chain homologous to human VLA-4α

Lymphocyte homing is controlled by organ-specific interactions of lymphocytes and high endothelial venules (HEV). Adhesion of lymphocytes to Peyer's patch HEV, but not to peripheral node HEV, is inhibited by an antibody recognizing the murine lymphocyte antigen LPAM-1. Lymphoma cell variants were selected on the FACS for differences in LPAM-1 expression: the binding capacity of these variants to Peyer's patch HEV directly correlates with the level of LPAM-1 expression. The anti-LPAM-1 antibody recognizes the alpha subunit of an Mr 160,000/130,000 cell surface alpha beta heterodimer. The association of LPAM-1 alpha and beta chains requires the presence of Ca2+ ions. Proteins of Mr 84,000 and Mr 62,000 present in LPAM-1 immunoprecipitates appear to be products of the proteolytic processing of alpha chains. The structure of LPAM-1 is virtually identical to that of the human integrin receptor VLA-4. The cross-reactivity of a monospecific rabbit antiserum demonstrated the similarity between the human VLA-4 alpha chain and the alpha subunit of LPAM-1.
The Controversy over the Democratic Peace: Rearguard Action or Cracks in the Wall?

I The democratic peace proposition has emerged as the conventional wisdom of the 1990s in international political research. This result states that (1) democracies are as war and conflict prone as nondemocratic states, and (2) democracies almost never engage each other in full-scale war, and rarely clash with each other in militarized interstate disputes short of war. The evidence is seemingly overwhelming, making this the most replicated research program in the modern study of international politics.’ Yet many critics question both the empirical validity of the democratic peace and-perhaps more significantly-the underlying causality attributed to regime structure in the prevention of war. In this article I distinguish between two types of critique: realist and cultural. Realist critiques reflect a basic reasoning that internal processes and structures play a negligible role in shaping a nation’s security policy. The notion that democracies do not fight each other is backed by overwhelming evidence and poses a seemingly fundamental challenge to this realist conception. Even more problematic to adherents of the realist paradigm is the fact that explanations of the democratic peace proposition emphasize the effects of democratic norms on the strategic behavior of nations. These explanations are also supported by empirical evidence. Thus the realist critique’s first line of defense is to question the basic result. The second line of defense, given the collapse of the first, is to challenge the various explanations of the democratic peace result,
A model for random degradation of two-stranded polymers and its application to deoxyribonucleic acid.

Abstract The molecular weight distribution and weight-average molecular weight are derived from statistical theory for an idealized two-stranded polymer undergoing random bond scission. For a first-order scission process it is predicted that a plot of the reciprocal square root of the molecular weight versus time should be linear over a wide range of degradation, thus providing a new criterion for the two-stranded structure. It is also shown that a single strand may give this form of molecular weight decay when bond scission results from two rate-determining steps. Hence independent data on the kinetics of bond scission are needed to distinguish between one- and two-stranded structures on the basis of kinetics alone. The predictions are borne out by existing data on the degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) under various conditions involving widely different extents of damage to the hydrogenbonded structure. The slope of the proposed kinetic plot depends on the molecular weight of the starting material and the rate constant for bond scission and is found to agree precisely with independent measures of these quantities for the case of enzymic degradation. A fit of the data for acidic degradation to the theory demonstrates its validity where only a small fraction of the hydrogen bonds are intact. The case of thermal degradation studied by Doty et al . is of particular interest in that the data follow the predicted two-strand kinetics under conditions where the strands had been thought to be separated. A possible two-step mechanism for a single strand appears unlikely on the basis of existing kinetic data; however, such data are at present insufficient to rule out the latter structure, and it is concluded that further data on the kinetics of bond scission are needed to establish the structure of DNA under the conditions of these experiments.
Montesquieu's comparative politics and the spirit of American constitutionalism

(1990). Montesquieu's comparative politics and the spirit of American constitutionalism. History of European Ideas: Vol. 12, No. 5, pp. 687-690.
Psychopathology in Children with Intellectual Disability: Risk Markers and Correlates

The purpose of this literature review was to summarize studies examining risk factors, markers, and correlates of psychopathology in youngsters with intellectual disability. A total of 26 studies met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Due to the limitations of research methods (i.e., not establishing precedence), no risk factors were identified. The majority of variables examined were risk markers (i.e., age, sex, level of functioning). The most consistent age finding was that hyperactivity and/or conduct disorder symptoms were negatively associated with age. Sex effects were equivocal but suggested that boys had more disruptive behavior problems than girls. Specific patterns emerged in regard to level of functioning. Those with milder delays were more likely to have disruptive and emotional disorders. Conversely, those with more severe delay had higher rates of stereotypy, self-injury, and social isolation and were less likely to show symptom improvement over time. This review also identified correlat...
The risk of congestive heart failure: sobering lessons from the framingham heart study

This review highlights recent contributions of the Framingham Heart Study to our understanding of the epidemiology of congestive heart failure (CHF). Given its uniform criteria for the diagnosis of CHF and its long duration of follow-up, the Framingham study has had a unique perspective on the short- and long-term risk of developing CHF, its predisposing risk factors, and its prognosis in a general, community-based population. Some recent studies from Framingham have provided important insights on CHF: the lifetime risk is estimated to be 20% for men and women; hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor, with a population-attributable risk of CHF of 59% for women and 39% for men; a clinical prediction rule for development of CHF has recently been published; and the prognosis after development of CHF is grim, with a median survival of 1.7 years in men and 3.2 years in women.
Tracking of elevated blood pressure values in adolescent athletes at 1-year follow-up.

• Resting blood pressures were measured in 467 adolescents during preparticipation physical examinations for high school sports. Fifty-seven of the athletes (12.2%) had significantly elevated blood pressures. Forty-three (79.6%) of 54 subjects demonstrated significantly and persistently elevated blood pressures at 1-year follow-up. A family history of hypertension was positively associated with elevated blood pressures in 46 (80.7%) of 57 subjects compared with controls (23/410 [5.6%]). Consistent with previous studies, subjects with elevated blood pressures had a greater body weight (94.5 ±25.7 kg) compared with normotensive subjects (75.2 ±14.0 kg). Subjects with elevated blood pressures engaged in heavy resistance weight training (three times a week or more) more often (41/57 [71.9%]) than normotensive subjects (65/410 [15.8%]). These data support the idea that blood pressures measured during routine preparticipation physical examinations for high school sports are a useful tool in screening for elevated blood pressure in adolescents. ( AJDC . 1991;145:665-667)
Massive interleukin-12-induced interferon-γ production by interleukin-15-stimulated lamina propria lymphocytes followed by down-regulation of the interleukin-12 receptor

The intestinal mucosal immune response must differentiate between harmless foreign antigens and pathogens, a distinction that may depend upon changes in the cytokine milieu. A key cytokine in the adaptive immune response is interleukin-12 (IL-12), secreted by antigen-presenting cells (APC) immediately after encounter with a pathogen. IL-12 is important in the priming and polarization of naive T cells. Here, we show that IL-12 and IL-15 direct human intestinal lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) in the absence of T-cell receptor engagement to secrete extremely high amounts of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), greater than with any other stimulus. The functional synergy of IL-12 with IL-15 surprisingly operates independently of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT3, STAT4, or STAT5 phosphorylation and occurs during transcription. Four-colour immunofluorescence showed that IL-12 receptor beta1 is found on the CD4+ T cells expressing intracytoplasmic IFN-gamma. Importantly, IL-12 receptors beta1 and beta2 are not up-regulated by IL-12, unlike findings using antigen-specific T cells, and are lost over time. This study demonstrates the early and massive IFN-gamma response of LPL to IL-12 and IL-15, providing the tools to deal with a pathogen. The down-regulation of IL-12 receptors may curtail any excess damaging inflammation.
On automorphisms of fuzzy graphs

Abstract We introduce some definitions for fuzzy graphs and provide examples to explain various notions introduced. We show that every fuzzy group can be imbedded in a fuzzy group of the group of automorphisms of some fuzzy graph.
Interaction of calcium and local anesthetics with skeletal muscle microsomes.

The influence of Ca++, several drugs, and pH on the binding of Ca++ by skeletal muscle microsomes was studied in vitro. A mass-law graphic analysis revealed the presence of three distinct species of Ca++-binding sites in the microsomes, and the binding at only one of these sites was antagonized by local anesthetics and quinidine. These drugs also decreased the maximum Ca++-binding capacity of the microsomes. Caffeine and ouabain exerted no effect on the binding at any of the sites. Procaine was also bound by microsomes, and this binding was antagonized by Ca++, which also decreased the maximum procaine-binding capacity of microsomes. The sites that bind procaine and Ca++ are not identical because the maximum-binding capacities of the interacting sites are distinctly different. The influence of pH on the ability of drugs to antagonize Ca++ binding indicates that the displacing activity increases as the percentage of the drug in the nonionized form increases. All of the data obtained in the above studies are consistent with the interpretation that quinidine and local anesthetics of the procaine type noncompetitively antagonize the binding of Ca++ by microsomes. The pharmacological significance of a noncompetitive interaction may be related to the property of local anesthetics and quinidine to increase contractile tension in skeletal muscle rather than to their ability to stabilize the cell membrane.
Impediments to the implementation of environmental policy.

During the past two decades Congress has enacted numerous pieces of legislation for the prevention of environmentally-provoked disease and for reducing ecological risk. The transmutation of these policies into action has been plagued by problems of delay, interagency disagreement, and inadequate resources. As the executive and legislative branches of the federal government try within the next four years to settle and move beyond a number of large environmental health and ecological issues, they must be constantly alerted to the limitations inherent in the implementation phase of the policy process, and not raise public expectations beyond what is realistically achievable in terms of policy impact (i.e. changes in the environment that are associated with measures of government activities).
Expression of LKB1 tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung cancer determines sensitivity to 2-deoxyglucose.

Objective Targeted therapy promises to improve patient outcome in non–small cell lung cancer. Biomarkers can direct targeted therapy toward patients who are most likely to respond, thus optimizing benefit. A novel agent with antineoplastic potential is the glucose analog, 2-deoxyglucose. 2-Deoxyglucose targets tumor cells, owing to their increased glucose uptake, inhibiting cellular metabolism and inducing energetic stress, resulting in decreased cellular viability. The tumor suppressor LKB1 is activated by energetic stress, and cells that lack LKB1 fail to respond and undergo cell death, suggesting that LKB1-null non–small cell lung cancer may have an increased susceptibility to 2-deoxyglucose. Inasmuch as somatic loss of LKB1 is a frequent event in non–small cell lung cancer, LKB1 expression could be used as a biomarker for directing 2-deoxyglucose therapy in patients with this type of cancer. Methods LKB1-positive and LKB1-negative non-small cell lung cancer cell lines were evaluated for cell viability, markers of apoptosis, and gene expression after 2-deoxyglucose treatment and compared with vehicle control. Results LKB1-negative cells treated with 2-deoxyglucose displayed a significant decrease in cell viability compared with LKB1-positive cells. Gene expression profiles of 2-deoxyglucose treated cells revealed changes in apoptotic markers in LKB1-negative cells, correlating with activation of apoptosis. Re-expression of LKB1 prevented 2-deoxyglucose mediated apoptosis, demonstrating the critical role of LKB1 in mediating 2-deoxyglucose toxicity. Conclusions LKB1 loss increases susceptibility to 2-deoxyglucose treatment in non-small cell lung cancer lines, even at low doses. Thus, determination of LKB1 status may help direct therapy to those patients most likely to benefit from this novel approach, making it useful in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
Upper airway irritation, odor perception and health risk due to airborne chemicals.

Chemosensory irritation associated with the manufacture and use of volatile materials has been a public and employee health concern for many years. Because odor properties can often be detected at much lower concentrations than those capable of eliciting upper respiratory tract irritation, confusion between odor and irritation coupled with variability in odor sensitivity and response can produce significant obstacles for evaluating the potential for adverse effects or annoyance from worker and community exposures. Although rigorous research methods have been developed to accurately quantify chemosensory irritation in human evaluations, several important considerations should be included in the design and interpretation of such studies. Specifically, research studies evaluating chemosensory irritation from volatile materials should be capable of (1) distinguishing between the annoyance or concern elicited by odor sensation and that elicited by true sensory irritation, (2) evaluating exposure-related factors that affect odor or irritancy responses, and (3) separating true adverse health effects from those mediated via psychosocial factors. Objective measures of upper respiratory tract irritation onset obtained in conjunction with subjective reports can lend valuable input to the decision process for determining occupational exposure limits. Subjective reports of irritation at low levels that cannot be reconciled with objective measures should prompt a careful investigation into the other factors (e.g. cognitive or emotional) that may be modulating the sensory response. Distinguishing between the exposure that elicits local effects of sensory irritation in the upper respiratory tract and the exposure that elicits self-reports of irritation is a key component in establishing occupational exposure limits that are protective of exposed workers.
Technological advances in cross-country ski equipment.

ABSTRACT STREET, G. M. Technological advances in cross-country ski equipment. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 24, No. 9, pp. 1048–1054, 1992. Nordic skiing has a long history dating back to at least 2500 B.C. It is not surprising then that skiing equipment has undergone many changes. Today's skis, poles, and boots use the latest in space-age synthetics including carbon and Kevlar fibers, which has resulted in an unprecedented advance in ski equipment technology, producing ultralight yet strong equipment. These changes have played an important role in bringing about an improvement in racing performance with today's skiers being able to ski a course in half the amount of time that it would have taken just 60 yr ago. Estimates indicate the change in mass of racing equipment accounts for a relatively small amount (12%) of the improvement in race performance with changes in the functional characteristics of equipment, track preparation, and training practices being responsible for the remaining 88%. In addition to improvements in ski equipment, advances are being made in developing laboratory equipment used to assess an athlete's upper body power and endurance capacities. Lab testing with an arm ergometer showed its utility when it exposed a glaring deficiency in upper body power among a group of U.S. developmental skiers. Further improvement in ski equipment and lab testing tools are expected in the future as the worldwide technological revolution continues and Olympic Teams and sports science groups continue to work cooperatively.
Endoscopic Photoacoustic Microscopy

ABSTRACT We present a concept and system implementation for endoscopic photoacoustic microscopy that enables minimally invasive diagnosis of internal organs. The system incorporates an in-house made single element ultrasonic transducer for photoacoustic signal detection and an optical fiber for light delivery into a tubular probe with a mechanical scanning unit. The implemented probe size for the distal end is 4.2 mm in diameter and 48 mm in length. We evaluated the systems performance by imaging a carbon fiber in clear and turbid media. We also demonstrated its ability to image actual biological tissues and its endoscopic applicability, by imaging abdominal surfaces and a large intestinal tract of a rat ex vivo. This study shows the systems potential for in vi vo optical biopsy of tissue abnormalities, such as tumors, developed in internal organs. Keyw ords : Endoscopic photoacoustic microscopy, minimally invasive, diagnosis, internal organs, tumors, optical biopsy, scanning mirror, micromotor.
Mycotic Aortic Aneurysms in Children

Mycotic aneurysms of the aorta are uncommon in babies and children. Prior to the development of antibiotics, most mycotic aneurysms were seen secondary to bacterial endocarditis, but this is now uncommon. Instead, more cases have been reported as complications of umbilical artery catheters in newborns. We have seen five cases of mycotic aneurysms in children, two of them secondary to umbilical artery catheters. One patient had coarctation of the aorta, and the other patients had different sources of infection. Three patients were treated surgically by us with good results after antibiotic therapy. One patient died of sepsis before the aneurysm was diagnosed. The fifth patient was treated elsewhere and now has a recurrent aneurysm. We think a combination of aggressive medical and early surgical therapy may save a high percentage of these patients.
Defining salinity limits on the survival and growth of benthic insects for the conservation management of saline Walker Lake, Nevada, USA

Walker Lake, Nevada, a saline desert lake, has been undergoing loss of stream inflows, lowering of lake level, and concentration of dissolved salts for over a century due to agricultural diversions of water. This lake is or has been inhabited by native fish and visited by many species of waterbirds that depend on productive invertebrate life for food resources. The extent to which salinity limits the present and future viability of resident invertebrate fauna was evaluated using salt-tolerance bioassays and studies of salinity effects on growth and behavior in larval stages of the midges Cricotopus ornatus and Tanypus grodhausi, and nymphs of the damselfly Enallagma clausum. We found that salinities into and above a range of 20–25 g/L present either lethal limits or sublethal inhibitions to survival and growth that will eliminate or substantially reduce the current community of common benthic invertebrates. All species survived best at salinities below the current ambient level, suggesting these populations are already under stress. The 72-h LC-50 for Cricotopus was 25 g/L, and while mature damselfly nymphs were somewhat more tolerant, early instars survived for only short times in increased salinity. Damselflies also grew more slowly and fed less when salinity increased from 20 to 30 g/L. A conservation level for the lake that incorporates survival of native fish and recovers diversity and viability of invertebrate life should be within the range of 10–15 g/L salinity of Walker Lake water.
Characterization of the Arabidopsis Adh G-Box binding factor.

Protein-DNA interaction at an inverted repeat of the sequence 5'-GTGG-3' (G-box) has been associated with the transcription of several plant genes [Giuliano, G., et al. (1988). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 7089-7093; Ferl, R.J., and Laughner, B.H. (1989). Plant Mol. Biol. 12, 357-366; Schulze-Lefert, P., et al. (1989). EMBO J. 8, 651-656]. We characterized the binding of the Arabidopsis G-box binding factor (GBF) from whole-cell extracts and fractionated extracts to the G-box of alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) using gel mobility shift assays. DNase I footprinting localized the region of GBF/G-box interaction to two sites, one apparent high-affinity binding site (-227 to -201) and a possible low-affinity binding site (-193 to -182). DNA-protein cross-linking demonstrated that the G-box is bound by proteins of two sizes, 31 kilodaltons and 18 kilodaltons. In addition, we found that in vitro the interaction of GBF from Arabidopsis suspension cultures or leaves with the Adh G-box is indistinguishable, and that there is evidence of multiple protein-protein interactions.
Electronic measurement of surge-crest voltages

QUICK determinations of crest surge potential values by a simple direct method are often desirable in the laboratory to supplement the cathode-ray oscillograph which records the entire surge phenomenon. The generally used sphere-gap method of potential measurement has, however, the disadvantages that a number of tests must be made in the process of adjusting for the breakdown distance, and sometimes the effect of time lag1,2 of breakdown must be considered. In particular, it has been found in routine laboratory surge testing in connection with insulation co-ordination that sphere-gap measurements are erroneous for short duration potentials even with irradiation3 of the gap when making tests of breakdown on the front of a sharply rising potential wave. Also on such chopped waves it is rather unlikely that the sphere-gap setting would be very close to the breakdown value and accordingly a large number of tests have to be made. It is at times essential that the actual breakdown voltage be recorded in a single test since some test objects can be broken down only once.
Winter sheep grazing in the irrigated Sonoran Desert. II, Soil properties and alfalfa regrowth

Irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) fields of the Sonoran Desert of the southwest USA produce high quality hay for 9 to 10 mo and also become winter pature for sheep (Ovis aries). Presently, the common practice is to have the sheep graze until only bare ground and grazed alfalfa crowns remain. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of sheep stocking rates on first-cutting alfalfa regrowth and soil physical properties. Water infiltration rate and soil penetration resistance were measured following 0, 200, 400, and 600 head d/acre (equivalent to 40 lambs grazing one acre for 0, 5, 10, and 15 d, respectively) of grazing in December and January. (...)