cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
France and the American Market in Naval Timber and Masts, 1776–1786

The poor quality of western European forests as sources of masts and the depletion of oak forests in Britain and France during the eighteenth century forced the two principal maritime powers to import naval timber and to seek far afield for naval masts. Both Britain and France gradually were forced to increase their imports of timber from neighboring states and the Baltic market. The acquisition of masts for naval vessels involved even greater dependence on markets overseas. Masting trees were sparsely scattered in western Europe; the British Isles produced none. France took some masts from forests in the Pyrenees, Auvergne, Alsace, and Dauphine, but they were limited in quantity, lacking in flexibility, and were often condemned for their propensity to early brittleness and rot. Masts imported from French colonies in North America proved unsatisfactory in both cost and quality. Until the last quarter of the eighteenth century Britain enjoyed an advantage over France in the acquisition of colonial North American mast supplies, since die forests of New England produced excellent masts of extraordinary size. Britain's imports from New England, under a Royal Navy monopoly, satisfied a sizable part of her needs and reduced the British navy's importation of Baltic mast supplies by perhaps one third in the early 1770's. The American Revolution, however, abruptly ended Britain's monopoly of American masts. The rebellious colonists halted British imports and opened the splendid pine forests of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine to French naval exploitation.
INDEPENDENT COMPONENT ANALYSIS FOR CLASSIFYING MULTISPECTRAL IMAGES WITH DIMENSIONALITY LIMITATION

Airborne and spaceborne remote sensors can acquire invaluable information about earth surface, which have many important applications. The acquired information usually is represented as two-dimensional grids, i.e. images. One of techniques to processing such images is Independent Component Analysis (ICA), which is particularly useful for classifying objects with unknown spectral signatures in an unknown image scene, i.e. unsupervised classification. Since the weight matrix in ICA is a square matrix for the purpose of mathematical tractability, the number of objects that can be classified is equal to the data dimensionality, i.e. the number of spectral bands. When the number of sensors (or spectral channels) is very small (e.g. a 3-band CIR photograph and 6-band Landsat image with the thermal band being removed), it is impossible to classify all the different objects present in an image scene using the original data. In order to solve this problem, we present a data dimensionality expansion technique to generate artificial bands. Its basic idea is to use nonlinear functions to capture and highlight the similarity/dissimilarity between original spectral measurements, which can provide more data with additional information for detecting and classifying more objects. The results from such a nonlinear band generation approach are compared with a linear band generation method using cubic spline interpolation of pixel spectral signatures. The experiments demonstrate that nonlinear band generation approach can significantly improve unsupervised classification accuracy, while linear band generation method cannot since no new information can be provided. It is also demonstrated that ICA is more powerful than other frequently used unsupervised classification algorithms such as ISODATA.
Photoinitiated crosslinked degradable copolymer networks for tissue engineering applications.

Abstract Diethylene glycol was used to initiate the ring opening polymerization of d , l -lactide and e-caprolactone, as well as combinations of the two monomers. Esterification of the oligomer end groups with methacryloyl chloride led to divinyl terminated macromers that were reacted via photoinitiated polymerizations to produce crosslinked networks. The lactic and/or caproic acid repeat units can be hydrolyzed under physiological conditions, leading to degradable networks that may be useful for tissue engineering applications. Specifically, methacryloyl terminated poly(lactic acid-co-caproic acid) diethylene glycol based oligomers were prepared and characterized by 1 H NMR. The number of ester linkages was kept constant while the ratio of lactic:caproic acid segments was varied. These macromers were then photopolymerized at 450 nm using a visible light initiating system to produce crosslinked degradable networks. The kinetics of the polymerizations were followed by DSC, and the dynamic mechanical behavior was monitored as a function of temperature to obtain the Tg for each network composition. 1 mm thick disks were subjected to hydrolytic degradation in an aqueous phosphate buffer solution at a pH=7.4 and 37°C. The changes in the compressive modulus, as well as the % mass loss as a function of time, were recorded. Cellular compatibility was determined by seeding primary rat calverial osteoblast cells onto the disks and characterizing the cell morphology using scanning electron microscopy.
Phenotypic characterization of soybean bradyrhizobia in two soils of North Carolina

Summary-Serotypic composition of nodules (480 per soil type) from five soybean cultivars grown on two (Dothan and Cape Fear) soils of the Atlantic Coastal Plain of North Carolina was characterized. Symbiotic N;?-fixation efficiency, capacity for induction of foliar chlorosis symptomatic of rhizobitoxine production and antibiotic resistances of isolates purified from these nodules were also determined. While host plant cultivar had no significant effect on the serotype distribution, soil type had a large effect on the distribution and diversity of serotypes. Forty-six serotypes were identified among nodules from the Cape Fear soil, but only serotype 46/76 (8%), 76 (1 l%), 94 (9%) and 122/124 (12%) occurred in more than 5% of the nodules. Thirty percent of nodule occupants were not identified with the eleven antisera used. Twenty-four serotypes were identified among nodules from the Dothan soil. Of these serotypes 31/94 (32%), 46/76 (16%), and 76 (23%) occurred in more than 15% of the nodules. Five percent of the nodule occupants were not identified. Major serotypes did not change, but their frequency changed when fields were sampled at different growth stages in the same season and at the same growth stage in different seasons. Isolates serotyped as 31/94, 46/76, and most of the isolates serotyped as 76 generally exhibited higher levels of resistance to streptomycin and erythromycin than isolates serotyped as 24, 94 and 122/124. Five percent of the isolates from the Cape Fear soil (all serotyped as 31/94) and 18% of the isolates from the Dothan soil (serotyped as 31/94 or 76) induced foliar chlorosis when cultivar Brim was the host. Only 12-14% of the isolates from the two populations had Nz-fixation capacity equal to or greater than that of the efficient reference strain MN1 10. However, four improved soybean cultivars grown in the same fields and year that isolates were obtained did not exhibit a significant seed yield response to application of 150 kg N ha-’ when yields in the minus N treatment ranged from 3.2 to 3.7 Mg ha-‘. A significant seed yield response by a non-nodulated cultivar indicated that these soils were N limited. Therefore, the symbiotic Nz-fixation capacity of these bradyrhizobial populations did not limit soybean seed yields despite the low percentage of isolates with high Nz-fixation efficiency and the presence of isolates with the capacity to induce leaf chlorosis symptomatic of rhizobitoxine production. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd
Titanocene imido complexes: Generation as reactive intermediates, isolation, and structural characterization

Abstract Nitriles react with 2,3-dimethyl-1,1-bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanacyclobut-2-ene to afford either azatitanacyclohexadienes or diazatitanacyclooctatrienes. The latter appear to be formed via the intermediacy of butadienylimido complexes, which can be intercepted by the addition of trimethylphosphine. Bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium bis(trimethylphosphine) undergoes ligand substitution reactions with nitriles. Loss of trimethylphosphine from the 2,4,6-trimethylbenzonitrile complex appears to lead to reductive coupling of the nitrile, affording a dimeric imido complex.
Cytogenetic effects in mice of divinylbenzene-55 inhalation.

Abstract Male B6C3F1 mice (8 weeks of age) were exposed by inhalation to divinylbenzene-55 (DVB-55), at target concentrations of 0, 25, 50 and 75 ppm for 6 h per day for 3 days. Following exposure the animals were killed, blood smears were prepared for micronucleus (MN) analysis, and the spleens were removed and cultured for sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and chromosome aberration (CA) analyses. DVB-55 induced a dose-dependent increase in SCE with the two highest doses reaching statistical significance. Similarly, there was a statistically significant although less pronounced increase in the frequency of CAs in splenocytes and MN in polychromatic erythrocytes. There was no indication of toxicity as measured by cell cycle kinetics in the splenocytes or the percentage of polychromatic erythrocytes in the peripheral blood smears. Thus, DVB-55 appears to be a weak genotoxicant in vivo.
Visual search in multicharacter arrays with and without gaps

Subjects searched through briefly presented arrays of letters in a controlled order, indicating quickly which of two possible targets had occurred. Some arrays contained gaps—three missing letters. Reaction time (RT) and accuracy were both improved by a gap after the target; improvement was less when the gap preceded the target. To account for these results, a new model is proposed, one which calls for overlapping processing of successive array items. This is not a “hybrid” model, but a third alternative between the two extremes of serial (zero overlap) and parallel (complete overlap). Quantified, the overlapping model generates U-shaped serial-position curves and produces RT predictions in good accord with our data from arrays with and without gaps. The predicted functions for RT vs. array size are concave upward; however, for arrays of five or less they are virtually linear and not very different in slope for positive and negative trials. Although this model is primarily designed for RT, with some additional assumptions it can be extended to accuracy results.
Arterial puncture phlebotomy in whole-blood donors

BACKGROUND: An arterial puncture during whole-blood phlebotomy is a rare event. A series of arterial punctures was evaluated to determine the clinical findings and the incidence of complications. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Arterial punctures reported by staff between January 1, 1999, and February 28, 2001, were evaluated. Follow-up interviews were done with the phlebotomy nurses to determine what the clinical findings were and what the incidence of complications was. RESULTS: Twelve cases of arterial punctures were identified from 410,000 blood donations (0.0029%; 1/34,000). Eleven cases had a fast blood-flow rate of <4 minutes; 9 units (75%) were bright red; and in 4 cases (33%), the needle was pulsating. One case was diagnosed because the donor developed a brachial artery pseudoaneurysm 3 days after donation. Four hematomas occurred, for an occurence rate of 33 percent (0.35% in the general donor population). There was also an association with newly trained staff. CONCLUSION: Fast blood-flow rate is the most common clinical feature after an arterial puncture. Bright red blood is usually, but not always, present, and a pulsating needle is sometimes present. Hematoma is a relatively common complication, and brachial artery pseudoaneurysms are rare, although one case was seen in this study.
Intravenous calcium chloride in the conversion of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia to normal sinus rhythm

This brief report describes several cases of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia that converted promptly to normal sinus rhythm within 1 to 2 minutes of receiving intravenous calcium salts as pretreatment in anticipation of verapamil therapy. A review of calcium's hemodynamic and dromotropic effects suggests that this probably was due to electrophysiological effects rather than mere coincidence. Calcium raises blood pressure, which may reflexively increase cardiac parasympathetic tone, and also has a direct slowing effect on atrioventricular conduction. Adenosine remains the drug of choice in the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. However, in addition to preventing hypotension when used as pretreatment to verapamil, intravenous calcium itself may terminate supraventricular tachycardia.
Properties of industrial dense gas plumes

Abstract Hazardous gases and vapors are often discharged into the atmosphere from industrial plants during catastrophic events (e.g. Union Carbide incident in Bhopal, India). In many cases the discharged components are more dense than air and settle to the ground surface downstream from the stack exit. In the present paper, the buoyant plume model of Hoult, Fay and Forney (1969, J. Air Pollut. Control Ass . 19 , 585–590.) has been altered to predict the properties of hazardous discharges. In particular, the plume impingement point, radius and concentration are predicted for typical stack exit conditions, wind speeds and temperature profiles. Asymptotic expressions for plume properties at the impingement point are also derived for a constant crosswind and neutral temperature profile. These formulae are shown to be useful for all conditions.
Origins of Originality: Innovation Motivation and Intelligence in Poetry and Comics:

Fifty undergraduates wrote associative poems, produced Draw-A-Story (DAS) comics using stimulus drawings, and completed self-report measures of the need to be different and innovation expectancies as well as the 16PF. The originality of the poems was scored based on variables such as use of unusual words. The originality of the DAS protocols was scored using variables such as unusual picture choices. Both creative works also were rated for creative merit by independent judges. The need to be different correlated with both approaches to evaluating both creative works. Innovation expectancies and certain 16PF scales, notably Factor I (“Sensitivity”) and Factor M (“Abstractedness” or “Imagination”) displayed similar, but weaker, patterns of correlation. Intelligence (16PF factor B) was also a noteworthy correlate of some aspects of creativity.
A Prospective Study Evaluating the Effects of Depo Proveba® on Bone Mineral Density in Adolescent Females: A Preliminary Report

Background Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo Provera ® ) is a popular contraceptive method among adolescents. Little is known, however, about the long term effects of Depo Provera ® on bone mineral density in adolescent females. This ongoing study prospectively evaluates the effects of Depo Provera ® and oral contraceptive pills on bone mineral density, compared to normally menstruating adolescents receiving no hormonal contraception. Methods From March 1, 1995 to December 31, 1997, 55 patients aged 12 to 17 presenting for new start hormonal contraception (Depo Provera ® : n = 30, oral contraceptive pills: n = 25) received baseline lumbar vertebral bone mineral density evaluation by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Patients continuing with their original contraceptive method received bone mineral density evaluation every six months. Patients who subsequently discontinued hormonal contraception, became, pregnant or switched to an alternative contraceptive method were removed from the study. Exclusion criteria included prior use of hormonal contraception, previous pregnancy, and pre-existing risk factors for osteoporosis. Results Baseline DEXA scans revealed no significant difference in bone mineral density between the three groups. After 1 year, bone mineral density decreased from baseline by 0.017 gm/cm 2 or 1.8% in the Depo Provera ® group (n = 15), and increased by 0.030 gm/cm 2 or 3.0% in the oral contraceptive group (n = 8), p = 0.013. Bone mineral density increased by 0.0093 gm/cm 2 or 1.2% in the normally menstruating group over 1 year. After 18 months, bone mineral density decreased from baseline by 0.036 gm/cm 2 or 3.8% in the Depo Provera ® group (n = 10), and increased by 0.062 gm/cm 2 or 6.1% in the oral contraceptive group (n = 4), p 2 (2.0%) in the same time period. A subset of patients receiving Depo Provera ® over 24 months (n = 5) experienced a decrease of 0.222 gm/cm 2 or 4.8% in bone mineral density from baseline. There were no significant differences between the Depo Provera ® and oral contraceptive groups with respect to body mass index, race, smoking, alcohol consumption, or osteoporosis risk factors. Conclusions Depo Provera ® administration in adolescent females appears to be associated with a decrease in bone mineral density which becomes more pronounced with long term use. This is particularly significant as peak bone mineral density is accrued during the adolescent years. Further research is needed to determine whether decreased skeletal bone mineralization induced by Depo Provera ® is reversible on discontinuation of Depo Provera ® , or may be prevented by the concurrent administration of anti resorptive/bone forming agents.
1265 Use of Steroids in Inotrope Resistant Sepsis and at Extubation in Uk Paediatric Intensive Care Units - Telephone Audit

Aims: Steroids are used in the treatment of severe (inotrope resistant) septic shock and for some paediatric intensive care (PICU) patients at extubation. The aim of this audit is to establish the prescribing practice and protocols used with respect to corticosteroids for paediatric patients at time of extubation or during episodes of severe sepsis in paediatric intensive care units from the UK and Ireland. Methods: Telephone audit of UK and Irish PICUs undertaken from Mar-Sept 2009 (n=20). Results: In severe (inotrope resistant) septic shock, 90% (n=18) of units use steroids, all 18 use hydrocortisone, but only 33% (n=6) have a protocol. Dose ranges varied from 1mg/kg 8 hourly to 4mg/kg 6 hourly. Assessment of cortisol (either cortisol level or short synacthen test) is attempted by 67% (n=12) units prior to steroids. Onset and duration of therapy is determined by pragmatic clinical criteria in most units. For extubation, 100% (n=20) use steroids in some circumstances (Dexamethasone 90% [n=18], Dex and Prednisolone & Dex or Prednisolone both 5% [n=1]), with protocols in 30% (n=6) units. First dose varied from 24h pre-extubation to post extubation, dose range (dexamethsone) was 0.1mg/ kg 8 hourly to 0.6mg/kg 6 hourly. Conclusion: Corticosteroids are used in PICUs in the UK and Ireland for steroid resistant septic shock and extubation. Daily dose can vary by 800% (sepsis) and 533% (extubation), and numerous differing indications for commencing and discontinuing therapy. This data will aid in the design of studies to determine the optimal use of steroids in these conditions.
The growth of the normal aorta and of the anastomotic site in infants following surgical resection of coarctation of the aorta.

Observations were made on the growth of the anastomotic site 2 to 4 years after surgical resection of coaretation of the aorta in 5 infants who were less than 2 years of age at the time of surgery. Aortic measurements were made from biplane angiocardiograms. The physiologic adequacy of the anastomotic site was demonstrated by absence of a gradient in direct pressure measurements between the upper and lower extremities. Additional observations on the normal growth of the descending thoracic aorta were made from studies in 154 subjects with other forms of heart disease. They ranged in age from 2 days to 74 years.
Cardiac Ultrasound Imaging in Heart Failure: Recent Advances

Several new imaging modalities are being utilized in the management of heart failure. Echocardiography and speckle tracking imaging offer clinician the benefits of easy accessibility, real time data interpretation and objective quantification of heart function. Accordingly, this article reviews the current evidence base related to the use of echocardiography and other advanced ultrasonography techniques in heart failure, and discusses applications as well as limitations of these emerging technologies. The role of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and implications of the PROSPECT (Predictors of Response to CRT) trial in management of heart failure are also reviewed. The article concludes with a discussion about the evolving role of echocardiography in diagnosis and management of subclinical heart disease, so that preventive strategies may be devised.
Regularization and stability of the constraints in the dynamics of multibody systems

In the analysis of multibody dynamics, we are often required to deal with singularity problems where the constraint Jacobian matrix may become less than full rank at some instantancous configurations. This creates numerical instability which will affect the performance of the mechanical system. A modification procedure of the constraints when they vanish or become linearly dependent is proposed to regularize the dynamics of the system. A distinction between the asymptotic stability due to the representation of the constraints (at the velocity and acceleration level), and the one due to the singularity is discussed in full in this paper. It is shown that Baumgarte technique could be extended to accommodate the representation of the constraints in the neighborhood of singularity. A two link planar manipulator undergoing large motion and passing through a singular configuration is used to illustrate the proposed stability technique.
Apparent digestibility of selected ingredients in diets for white shrimp Penaeus setiferus L.

A study was conducted to determine apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter (ADMD), crude protein (ACPD) and gross energy (AED) of selected ingredients in diets for juvenile Penaeus setiferus. Ingredients tested were corn grain, cottonseed meal, crab meal, grain sorghum, meat and bone meal, menhaden fish meal, rice bran, rice grain, shrimp meal, soybean meal, squid liver powder, wheat flour, wheat gluten, wheat middlings and wheat shorts. ADMD coefficients of test ingredients ranged from 22% to 100% and appeared to be related to the fibre, ash and starch content of the ingredient. ACPD coefficients ranged from 58% to 100%. Plant protein supplements (soybean meal and cottonseed meal) were utilized as efficiently as, or better than, animal protein supplements (squid liver powder, menhaden fish meal, meat and bone meal, shrimp meal and crab meal). ACPD coefficients for meat and bone meal, shrimp meal and crab meal (58–59%) were significantly lower than those for menhaden fish meal (76%) and squid liver powder (82%). AED coefficients (44–100%) varied significantly among plant products of similar proximate composition. Corn grain and wheat flour were better utilized by P. setiferus than other high-starch energy supplements. Wheat gluten exhibited the highest ADMD, ACPD and AED coefficients of all ingredients tested.
Pigments, light penetration, and photosynthetic activity in the multi‐layered microbial mats of Great Sippewissett Salt Marsh, Massachusetts

The multi-layered microbial mats in the sand flats of Great Sippewissett Salt Marsh were found to have five distinct layers of phototrophic organisms. The top 1–3 mm contained oxygenic phototrophs. The lower 3–4 mm contained anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria. The uppermost gold layer contained diatoms and cyanobacteria, and chlorophyll a was the major chlorophyll. The next layer down was green and was composed of primarily filamentous cyanobacteria containing chlorophyll a. This was followed by a bright pink layer of bacteriochlorophyll b-containing purple sulfur bacteria. The lowest layer was a thin dull green layer of green sulfur bacteria containing bacteriochlorophyll c. The distribution of the chlorophylls with depth revealed that two-thirds of the total chlorophyll in the mat was composed of bacteriochlorophylls present in the anoxygenic phototrophys. The cyanobacterial layers and both purple sulfur bacterial layers had photoautotrophic activity. Light was attenuated in the uppermost layers so that less than 5% of the total radiation at the surface penetrated to the layers of anoxygenic phototrophys.
Universal and targeted pre-kindergarten programmes: a comparison of classroom characteristics and child outcomes

Concerns about school readiness especially among children from low-income families have resulted in massive funding of state pre-kindergarten (pre-K) programmes. Pre-K programmes differ in whether they are universal (i.e. available to all children) or targeted (i.e. offered only to children with specific risk factors). Due to the lack of empirical evidence on differences in programme types, we conducted comparisons using data from an 11-state pre-K evaluation study. Universal and targeted programmes were compared on classroom characteristics and gains in achievement for low-income children. Findings indicated that while two aspects of classroom structural quality (hours per day and teacher education) were higher for universal programmes, classroom process quality was higher for targeted programmes. Gains over time in children's achievement outcomes were not reliably different across universal and targeted programmes.
Structural Basis for the Selectivity of the RGS Protein, GAIP, for Gαi Family Members IDENTIFICATION OF A SINGLE AMINO ACID DETERMINANT FOR SELECTIVE INTERACTION OF Gαi SUBUNITS WITH GAIP

GAIP is a regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) that accelerates the rate of GTP hydrolysis by some G protein α subunits. In the present studies, we have examined the structural basis for the ability of GAIP to discriminate among members of the Gαi family. Gαi1, Gαi3, and Gαo interacted strongly with GAIP, whereas Gαi2 interacted weakly and Gαs did not interact at all. A chimeric G protein composed of a Gαi2N terminus and a Gαi1 C terminus interacted as strongly with GAIP as native Gαi1, whereas a chimeric N-terminal Gαi1 with a Gαi2 C terminus did not interact. These results suggest that the determinants responsible for GAIP selectivity between these two Gαis reside within the C-terminal GTPase domain of the G protein. To further localize residues contributing to G protein-GAIP selectivity, a panel of 15 site-directed Gαi1 and Gαi2 mutants were assayed. Of the Gαi1 mutants tested, only that containing a mutation at aspartate 229 located at the N terminus of Switch 3 did not interact with GAIP. Furthermore, the only Gαi2 variant that interacted strongly with GAIP contained a replacement of the corresponding Gαi2 Switch 3 residue (Ala230) with aspartate. To determine whether GAIP showed functional preferences for Gα subunits that correlate with the binding data, the ability of GAIP to enhance the GTPase activity of purified α subunits was tested. GAIP catalyzed a 3–5-fold increase in the rate of GTP hydrolysis by Gαi1 and Gαi2(A230D) but no increase in the rate of Gαi2 and less than a 2-fold increase in the rate of Gαi1(D229A) under the same conditions. Thus, GAIP was able to discriminate between Gαi1 and Gαi2 in both binding and functional assays, and in both cases residue 229/230 played a critical role in selective recognition.
THE ESTIMATION OF LINEAR PRODUCTION FUNCTIONS HAVING MULTICOLLINEAR INPUTS

In this paper linear production functions with highly correlated independent variables are estimated. Because many production processes require the use of inputs in fixed proportions, multicolinearity is usually a serious problem. This is usually the case when one attempts to estimate a linear or Cobb-Douglass (in log linear form) production function. Estimates of the marginal products of a linear production function are obtained by employing the first order conditions of the output maximizing solution given a cost constraint. Parameter estimates are determined for the case where the input costs are constants. The general case, where the input prices are functions of utilization levels, is delineated.
Resilience in the context of a stormwater infrastructure report card

This article is a product of an independent study effort accomplished over the span of two semesters at the US Air Force Academy. The authors set out with the intent of investigating the state of current thought regarding resiliency as it applies to domestic public infrastructure systems. In order to bridge the gap between theory and practice, an American Society of Civil Engineers local infrastructure report card is used as a case study vehicle, with a specific focus on stormwater infrastructure resiliency. The objective of the study on which this article is based was to provide a tangible community service while at the same time to gain a better understanding of how infrastructure resiliency principals are applied at a practical, local level.
Evolved ethics re-examined: The theory of Robert J. Richards

Richards's theory, then, fails on three counts. By illegitimately importing a premise from outside of the theory of evolution in order to construct a valid argument, Richards has failed to achieve his objective of deriving a moral theory exclusively from biological facts. By sliding from a causal use of “ought” to a moral one, Richards commits the fallacy of ambiguity. And by insisting that action from the motive of altruism is moral while claiming that an ethical theory which justifies Hitler's camps must be judged false, Richards has falsified his own ethical theory.
Successful Desensitization of Two Patients with ALK-Positive Lung Cancer and Hypersensitivity to Crizotinib

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor crizotinib is an effective therapy for patients with cancers harboring rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. Here, we describe two patients with advanced ALK-positive lung cancer who developed hypersensitivity to crizotinib, requiring temporary discontinuation of the drug. Both patients were treated with a rapid oral desensitization protocol allowing them to resume crizotinib without further signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity.
The Relationship Between Early Age of Onset of Initial Substance Use and the Clustering of Health Risk Behaviors Among Young Adolescents • 5

The Relationship Between Early Age of Onset of Initial Substance Use and the Clustering of Health Risk Behaviors Among Young Adolescents • 5
The labeling of lipoproteins for studies of cellular binding with a fluorescent lipophilic dye

Abstract N,N-dipentadecylaminostyrylpyridinium iodide is a dye that is approximately 100-fold more intensely fluorescent in a lipid than aqueous environment. This observation suggests its potential as a fluorescence stain for lipoproteins. This work reports the staining of LDL with this dye for use in studies of cellular binding. The staining procedure is simple, resulting in stable attachment of the dye as determined by transfer experiments, physical properties essentially identical to native LDL as demonstrated by virtually identical electrophoretic mobility, and consistent results in studies of cellular binding using flow cytometry. Increased signal to noise ratio over other dyes used for lipoprotein staining including the widely used Dil (3,3′-dioctadecylindocarbocyanine iodide) allows determinations of greater sensitivity and precision to be made. This is demonstrated by the flow cytometric determination of the 4°C binding curve of LDL with freshly isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (i.e., cells not LDL receptor upregulated). Mediation of binding by the LDL receptor is demonstrated by correspondence between the LDL receptor dissociation constant derived from this work and literature values; increased specific binding in lymphocytes cultured in lipoprotein-deficient media to up-regulate the LDL receptor; and decreased specific binding in lymphocytes cultured in the presence of 25-hydroxy cholesterol for 48 h to suppress the LDL receptor.
Risk factors for childhood overweight: A prospective study from birth to 9.5 years

Abstract Objectives To ascertain risk factors for the development of overweight in children at 9.5 years of age. Study design This was a prospective study of 150 children from birth to 9.5 years of age, with assessment of multiple hypothesized risk factors drawn from research reports. Results Five independent risk factors for childhood overweight were found. The strongest was parent overweight, which was mediated by child temperament. The remaining risk factors were low parent concerns about their child's thinness, persistent child tantrums over food, and less sleep time in childhood. Possible mechanisms by which each of these factors influence weight gain are outlined. Two different pathways to childhood overweight/obesity were found, depending on degree of parental overweight. Conclusions There is evidence of considerable interaction between parent and child characteristics in the development of overweight. Several of the identified risk factors are amenable to intervention possibly leading to the development of early prevention programs.
Pathophysiology of acute acid injury in rabbit esophageal epithelium.

Abstract To increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of reflux esophagitis, we sought the early sequence of changes in mucosal structure and function in acutely acid-damage rabbit esophagus. Using a perfused catheter technique esophageal potential difference (PD) profiles were obtained in anesthetized rabbits before, during, and after perfusion of the lower one-half of the esophagus with phosphate-buffered saline or 80 mM NaCl. When acid perfusion reduced the lower esophageal PD by 40-50% or 80-100% of the initial values, the esophagus was removed, sectioned, and the mucosa studied with light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Ussing chamber technique for evaluation of sodium and mannitol transport. The earlier stage of acid damage (PD 40-50%) was associated with reduced mucosal resistance fom 2,180 +/- 199 to 673 +/- 157 ohm cm2 and increased passive transport of sodium (0.10 +/- 0.06 to 1.82 +/- 0.48 microeq/h.cm2) and mannitol (0.008 +/- 0.003 to 0.051 +/- 0.012 microM/h.cm2) (p less than 0.05). There was no significant change in shirt circuit current (0.35 +/- 0.05 to 0.35 +/- 0.04) or net sodium transport (0.32 +/- 0.06 to 0.37 +/- 0.12) at this stage, and the only morphologic finding was dilated intercellular spaces on electron microscopy. The later stage of acid damage (PD 80-100%) exhibited a further reduction in resistance to 299 +/- 65 ohm.cm2 (p less than 0.05), a finding now accompanied by a reduction in short circuit current (0.35 +/- 0.05 to 0.21 +/- 0.04 microeq/h.cm2) and complete inhibition of net sodium transport (0.32 +/- 0.06 to 0.01 +/- 0.13) (p less than 0.05). Morphologic studies at this time revealed cellular necrosis, edema, and vesicle formation in the stratum spinosum. Both gross mucosal changes and transmural necrosis were notably absent. When esophageal perfusion was performed with a combination of acid (80 mM HCl-80 mM NaCl) and pepsin (100 microgram/ml), the morphologic and physiologic findings were essentially the same as with acid alone; however, the time of perfusion to reach either the 50 or 100% reduction in PD was shortened. The findings in this model can be explained on an initial increase in cellular and/or paracellular permeability followed by inhibition of active sodium transport. The resulting loss of osmolar regulation leads to cell necrosis in the stratum spinosum.
Iron chelators inhibit VCAM-1 expression in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression may be coupled to redox-sensitive regulatory pathways, and iron may play a role in generation of reactive oxygen species that participate in these signaling pathways. To investigate the role of iron in TNFα-induced VCAM-1 gene expression, human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) were stimulated with TNFα in the presence of iron chelators and examined for expression of VCAM-1. The iron chelators dipyridyl (DP) and desferoxamine (DFO) inhibited VCAM-1 protein and mRNA induction in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The induction of VCAM-1 was not inhibited by nonmetal binding reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, implying a direct effect of iron in the expression of these adhesion molecules. The effect of iron was mediated at the level of gene transcription since pretreatment with DP abrogated the TNFα-mediated up-regulation of VCAM-1 heterogeneous nuclear RNA. Pretreatment of HDMEC with DP prior to TNFα treatment had no effect on p65 nuclear localization, DNA binding, or serine phosphorylation. DP pretreatment inhibited TNFα- and IFNγ-mediated interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) protein expression, although restoration of IRF-1 expression failed to reconstitute VCAM-1 expression. DP treatment also blocked VCAM-1 induction in human umbilical vein endothelium and blocked induction of a host of NF-kB activated genes in HDMEC including ICAM-1, IL-8, and tissue factor. IkBα, an NF-kB inducible and constitutively accessible gene not requiring chromatin remodeling for transcription, was not affected by DP treatment. These data suggest that iron plays a critical role in TNFα mediated VCAM-1 induction in HDMEC, and the target for iron effects may be IRF-1, NF-kB, and potentially chromatin remodeling.
Structural basis for the in situ Ca2+ sensitization of cardiac troponin C by positive feedback from force-generating myosin cross-bridges

Abstract The in situ structural coupling between the cardiac troponin (cTn) Ca 2+ -sensitive regulatory switch (CRS) and strong myosin cross-bridges was investigated using Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The double cysteine mutant cTnC(T13C/N51C) was fluorescently labeled with the FRET pair 5-(iodoacetamidoethyl)aminonaphthelene-1-sulfonic acid (IAEDENS) and N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)maleimide (DDPM) and then incorporated into detergent skinned left ventricular papillary fiber bundles. Ca 2+ titrations of cTnC(T13C/N51C) AEDENS/DDPM -reconstituted fibers showed that the Ca 2+ -dependence of the opening of the N-domain of cTnC (N-cTnC) statistically matched the force−Ca 2+ relationship. N-cTnC opening still occurred steeply during Ca 2+ titrations in the presence of 1 mM vanadate, but the maximal extent of ensemble-averaged N-cTnC opening and the Ca 2+ -sensitivity of the CRS were significantly reduced. At nanomolar, resting Ca 2+ levels, treatment with ADP·Mg in the absence of ATP caused a partial opening of N-cTnC. During subsequent Ca 2+ titrations in the presence of ADP·Mg and absence of ATP, further N-cTnC opening was stimulated as the CRS responded to Ca 2+ with increased Ca 2+ -sensitivity and reduced steepness. These findings supported our hypothesis here that strong cross-bridge interactions with the cardiac thin filament exert a Ca 2+ -sensitizing effect on the CRS by stabilizing the interaction between the exposed hydrophobic patch of N-cTnC and the switch region of cTnI.
Pion-Nucleon Scattering at High Energies

The pseudoscalar theory in the Tamm-Dancoff approximation is applied to high-energy pion-nucleon scattering with a view to explaining the observed maximum in ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering around 1 Bev as a resonant interaction. The integral equation is solved for the ${D}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ state of $T=\frac{1}{2}$ which is attractive. The various singularities in the kernel and the wave function are taken into account in a semianalytical fashion. A short derivation is given of the complex intefral equation which takes the effects of meson production into account, and it is solved in an approximate manner.It is found that, contrary to the original expectation of a resonant interaction, the increase of ${D}_{\frac{5}{2},\frac{1}{2}}$ phase shift over the Born approximation is not large. Also the effects of meson production are not found to be very significant over the energy range 1 Bev to 2 Bev. This last is contrary to the observations in this energy range.
Reusing objects for realistic 3D maps

In this paper, we describe a 3D modeling program called RMBL3D, Realistic Maps Built like Legos, which manipulates the architectural repetition in building structures to produce realistic 3D models. This paper details the features and aspects of the RMBL3D program and tests the viability of using 3D objects as building blocks to generate a virtual map. RMBL3D is designed to be the visualization program of an autonomous mapping robot. The program takes in a description of the map in the form of character symbols representing turns and objects in the environment and reproduces the 3D version of the map, one that can be explored and navigated by a user.
Quantification of non‐persistent pesticides in human samples by isotope dilution mass spectrometry

Pesticides are some of the most commonly used chemicals in the United States and therefore have become very common contaminants in the environment. The health effects of many non‐persistent pesticides in heavily exposed and general human populations are not yet known. The extensive use of these compounds has created a great interest in developing laboratory and epidemiology studies on possible health risks. We have recently developed methods for the exposure assessment pilot of the NCI/EPA/NIEHS Agricultural Health Study to analyze blood and urine samples collected from farmers and their families. These samples were collected before, during, and after pesticide application. A target group of non‐persistent insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides have been identified and isotope dilution mass spectrometric methods were used to measure these pesticides and their metabolites in the biological samples.
Bone density patterns after normal and premature menopause.

Objectives: The investigation of the effect of time and type of menopause on bone mineral density (BMD) at different ages. Methods: Five hundred and fourteen women, who had never received any hormonal substitution were studied in a cross-sectional design: 177 with normal (NMP), 210 with surgical (SUMP) and 127 with premature natural (EMP) menopause. Age at menopause was 49.1±3.9, 38.3±4.7 and 38.1±4.2 years (mean±1 S.D.), respectively. BMD was measured at L2–L4 vertebrae and proximal femur by the DEXA method. Results: EMP women presented significantly lower vertebral BMD than NMP women in the 45–55-years segments (P<0.001), but did not differ from SUMP women. This group exhibited lower vertebral BMD than NMP between 45 and 50 years (P<0.001). Regarding femoral neck, EMP women exhibited lower values than SUMP in the 45–50 and 55–65 age segments (P<0.001) whereas SUMP women presented significantly higher BMD values than NMP women after 55 years of age (P<0.001). The percentages of women with vertebral BMD (T-score values) in the osteoporotic range were significantly greater in EMP compared with either NMP or SUMP groups (both P<0.001) whereas in femoral neck lower in SUMP than the other two categories. Conclusions: Women with either natural or surgical premature menopause exhibit lower BMD of trabecular bone compared with normal menopause women at the age segments 45–55 and 45–50, respectively. However, surgical menopause women exceed normal menopause women in their mixed bone BMD values after 60 years as well as premature natural menopause women at almost all age segments.
Analyses of Pliocene-Pleistocene Deformation and Stresses in Northern Santa Lucia Range, California

The Pliocene-Pleistocene orogeny that formed Santa Lucia Range folded its granitic and metamorphic basement as well as the overlying sedimentary rocks, which were 1−2½ miles thick in the area studied. The folds tend to flatten up-section from the basement and to become disharmonic high in the sedimentary sequence. Most are cut by reverse faults that also tend to die out up-section. Both folds and faults trend roughly parallel to basement foliations, which are older than latest Cretaceous. The folds are broad and open over granitic plutons and more closely spaced and tight (locally isoclinal) over metamorphic rocks. Within belts of metamorphic rocks lie the major reverse faults, which dip in the same direction as the metamorphic foliations. The deformation was thus directed appreciably by older rock units and structures. Basement folding involved some flexure of foliated rocks, but the principal mechanism was a gross flowage due to piecemeal slip on pre-existing fractures. In the more deformed sectors, minor faults lie about 1 foot apart and have an average displacement of 6 inches. Groove directions on 1500 minor faults measured in 43 subareas indicate systematic movement patterns. Analyzed on equal-area nets, the patterns are so like that predicted for ideal shear within a fractured-rock body that their σ 1 orientations can be approximated. These orientations are roughly accordant to petrofabric compression axes determined from calcite {0112} lamellae in 19 marbles and 26 sandstones. Most of the 81σ 1 orientations trend about normal to nearby fold axes and traces of reverse faults, while σ 2 orientations are parallel to these features and roughly horizontal. The vertical angles between σ 1 orientations and the reverse faults measure about 30 degrees. The average of all the σ 1 orientations in the basement is a line plunging 30° N. 30° E. The range trends N. 40° W. The basement rocks of the range were shortened about 12 per cent in a direction roughly normal to the range. Despite the pronounced ordering of folds along older structures, the range itself extends in nearly a straight line across major divisions of the California basement. These relationships indicate that the range was produced by deep-seated deformation, possibly a northeast-to-southwest flowage under the crust. The σ 1 orientations in the upper sandstones typically plunge parallel to bedding. This and the occurrence of disharmonic folds high in the section indicate that basement shortening caused the upper part of the sedimentary sequence to buckle more or less independently of the basement.
Effect of a 5HT3-antagonist (ondansetron) on rectal sensitivity and compliance in health and the irritable bowel syndrome

In some patients with the irritable bowel syndrome, rectal urgency and discomfort are major clinical problems and, under experimental conditions, these symptoms are perceived at lesser volumes of rectal distension than they are in asymptomatic controls. Further, a 5-hydroxytryptamine type-3 receptor antagonist increased the threshold for rectal discomfort in irritable bowel syndrome. Our aims were, (a) to measure rectal sensation during isobaric distensions of the rectum, and (b) to test the effect of another selective 5HT3-antagonist, ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg, on rectal sensitivity, colonic tone, rectal tone and manometric responses. Ten healthy volunteers and five patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome were studied. A multilumen barostat-manometric assembly was placed in the descending colon, and a second barostat balloon was positioned in the rectum. Tone in the wall of the colon and rectum was measured by the barostat balloon volume during a constant pressure clamp, while intraluminal pressures were recorded by manometry; perceived sensations were also recorded before and after the intravenous administration of ondansetron or placebo in blinded fashion. Rectal resistance to stretch was greater and rectal urgency was induced by lower distending pressures in irritable bowel syndrome, however, basal tone in the rectum was similar in health and irritable bowel syndrome. Ondansetron did not change rectal sensitivity (first sensation or urgency) or tone. Rectal distension did not alter tone in the descending colon or colonic manometry; ondansetron did not influence any index of colonic function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)