cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Blockade of Dopamine Receptors on the Inhibition of Episodic Luteinizing Hormone Release during Electrical Stimulation of the Arcuate Nucleus in Ovairiectomized Rats

This study examined the possible involvement of dopamine (DA) in mediating the inhibition of episodic LH release that occurs during electrical stimulation of the arcuate nucleus (ARH) in ovariectomized rats. Animals were treated before stimulation with pimozide (1.26–2.0 mg/kg) or d-butaclamol (1 mg/kg), blockers of DA receptors, or l-butaclamol. Apomorphine, which inhibits episodic LH release by activating DA receptors, was given near the end of the experiment to determine if these receptors were blocked. ARH stimulation suppressed pulsatile LH release in six rats when DA receptors were not blocked by pimozide (as well as two in which blockade was not tested). A transient increase occurred in one other animal. When DA receptors were blocked by pimozide, stimulation of the ARH inhibited episodic LH release in nine rats, suggesting that DA may have no role in mediating this inhibition. However, because increased LH release occurred in five additional animals, as well as in one with partial receptor blockad...
The oxidative and nitrosative chemistry of the nitric oxide/superoxide reaction in the presence of bicarbonate.

The primary product of the interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide ([figure]) is peroxynitrite (ONOO−), which is capable of either oxidizing or nitrating various biological substrates. However, it has been shown that excess NO or[figure]can further react with ONOO−to form species which mediate nitrosation. Subsequently, the controlled equilibrium between nitrosative and oxidative chemistry is critically dependent on the flux of NO and[figure]. Since ONOO−reacts not only with NO and[figure]but also with CO2, the effects of bicarbonate ([figure]) on the biphasic oxidation profile of dihydrorhodamine-123 (DHR) and on the nitrosation of both 2,3-diaminonaphthalene and reduced glutathione were examined. Nitric oxide and [figure] were formed with DEA/NO [NaEt2NN(O)NO] and xanthine oxidase, respectively. The presence of [figure] did not alter either the oxidation profile of DHR with varying radical concentrations or the affinity of DHR for the oxidative species. This suggests that the presence of CO2does not affect the scavenging of ONOO−by either NO or[figure]. However, an increase in the rate of DHR oxidation by ONOO−in the presence of [figure] suggests that a CO2-ONOO−adduct does play a role in the interaction of NO or[figure]with a product derived from ONOO−. Further examination of the chemistry revealed that the intermediate that reacts with NO is neither ONOO−norcis-HOONO. It was concluded that NO reacts with bothtrans-HOONO and a CO2adduct of ONOO−to form nitrosating species which have similar oxidation chemistry and reactivity with[figure]and NO.
Predicting binary Fickian diffusivities from pure-component Fickian diffusivities for surface diffusion

Abstract A kinetic theory is derived for predicting binary Fickian diffusivities from pure-component Fickian diffusivities for surface diffusion. The theory is simple to use, but requires data on concentration- dependent pure-component diffusivities and heats of adsorption. The theory also illustrates the origin of the concentration dependence of surface diffusion. The theory has been compared with the experimental data available from the literature on diffusion in zeolites, and the comparison is suprisingly good in view of the simplicity of the theory. It is shown that the cross-term fluxes in the binary diffusion formulation make significant contributions to the total flux, and that the use of single-component diffusion formulation can cause large errors for binary diffusion.
Stabilization of Silty Sand with Nontraditional Additives

A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the stabilization of a silty- sand (SM) material with nontraditional chemical or liquid stabilizers. SM soil specimens were mixed with various stabilization products and compacted using a gyratory compaction machine to approximate ASTM D1557 moisture—density compaction. Each specimen was subjected to wet and dry testing following the designated cure period. Twelve nontraditional stabilizers were evaluated in this experiment, including acids, enzymes, lignosulfonates, petroleum emulsions, polymers, and tree resins. Additional specimens were stabilized with an asphalt emulsion, cement, and lime to provide a comparison with traditional stabilizers under the same mixing, compaction, and curing conditions. The analysis of the test data consisted of determining the average strength, in terms of sustained load, of three replicate specimens of each mixture. The average strength of the three replicates of each additive was compared with the average strength results...
Exploring new compounds for functional imaging using a crayfish (Procambarus clarkia) aggression paradigm.

Covalently bonding multiple fluorine atom tags to the precursors of monoamines could provide compounds for functional imaging. Theoretically, the fluorine atoms can produce detectible signal if concentrated in vesicles inside neurons. Prior to committing more costly resources to the project, evidence was sought for uptake of the molecules into neurons in living organisms. Two 19F tag configurations of seven or nine atoms were investigated. Crayfish aggression provided a paradigm for obtaining preliminary data on the scarce new molecules. After establishing that 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) elicited serotonin-like effects, the fluorine tagged versions (PF-5-HTP) were investigated; then, the elevated aggression produced by these precursors to serotonin was blocked by coadministering fluoxetine. Treatment order effects and interrater reliability of the behavioral inventory were evaluated. Preliminary evidence that these imaging compounds are taken up into neurons obtained by studying crayfish behavior later f...
A prospective evaluation of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of penetrating torso injury.

Background: Ultrasound (US) is commonly used for the diagnosis of hemo-peritoneum after blunt abdominal trauma, but the value of US as an aid for identification of operative lesions after penetrating trauma is not well documented. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the accuracy of US for the evaluation of penetrating torso trauma and to assess the impact of this information on patient management. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort observational study of consecutive penetrating torso patients at a Level I trauma center. Results: During the 6-month trial period, 177 victims of penetrating torso trauma were assessed by our trauma teams. Ninety-two patients had stab wounds, 84 patients had gunshot wounds, and 1 patient had a puncture wound. All 28 patients with positive US examination had an exploratory laparotomy or thoracotomy (one patient had more than one procedure), resulting in 26 therapeutic operations. There were 149 negative US examinations, but in this group, 36 patients underwent laparotomy or thoracotomy, and 28 had therapeutic operations. The overall accuracy of the US examination was therefore 85%, the sensitivity was 48%, and the specificity was 98%. There were only three patients who had their initial management altered by a positive US examination. Conclusion: The US examination lacks sensitivity to be used alone in determining operative intervention after gunshot or stab wounds. Rarely does US information contribute to the management of patients with penetrating abdominal injuries.
Conversion of L -Galactono-γ-lactone into L -Ascorbic Acid by Plants

IT has been inferred from feeding-experiments that cress seedlings1, and also pea and mung bean mitochondria2, are capable of converting L-galactono-γ-lactone into L-ascorbic acid. Similar results were obtained with mitochondria from cabbage leaves and cauliflower florets, and a relatively specific L-galactono-γ-lactone dehydrogenase was isolated from the latter3. The results (Table 1) confirm that this system may not be uncommon in the higher plants ; Sphagnum, Spirogyra and Psalliota‡ gave inconclusive results. The figures in Table 1 are either the mean of duplicate estimations, or are taken from single, extended experiments which show how the concentration of ascorbic acid in the tissue varies during the period of feeding. Fig. 1 shows the results of one such extended experiment with parsley, in which the concentration of ascorbic acid in the laminae fed with the lactone rose, during a period of 190 hr., from 1,582 to 12,010 mgm./100 gm. dry-weight, that is, to approximately 12 per cent of the dry weight. During the same period, the value for the controls in de-ionized water fell gradually to 1,120 mgm./100 gm. dry weight, and at this time the experimental laminae possessed more than ten times the concentration of ascorbic acid in the controls.
Particle and Heat Transport in a Dense Wall-Confined MTF Plasma (Theory and Simulations)

Plasma beta in magnetized target fusion systems is sometimes much greater than 1, and the plasma may be in direct contact with the imploding liner. Plasma processes are strongly dominated by inter-particle collisions. Under such conditions, the plasma microturbulence, behaviour of α-particles, and plasma equilibria are very different from conventional fusion systems. This paper contains the most comprehensive analysis of the corresponding phenomena to date. Two-dimensional numerical simulations of plasma convection in the targets of a diffuse pinch type demonstrate an onset of convection in this configuration.
Internet Pornography Exposure and Women's Attitude Towards Extramarital Sex: An Exploratory Study

Pornography research has primarily focused on male sexuality. This exploratory study assessed the association between adult U.S. women's exposure to Internet pornography and attitude towards extramarital sex using data provided by the General Social Survey (GSS). The glamorization of uncommitted, recreational sex in general and extramarital sex in particular is common in pornography. A positive association between Internet pornography viewing and more positive extramarital sex attitudes was found. In alignment with Wright's (2011a) 3AM model of media sexual socialization, this association was moderated by women's media confidence, religiosity, and educational attainment. Specifically, Internet pornography exposure was associated with more positive attitudes toward extramarital sex only for women who had more media confidence, were less religious and were less educated.
DISPERSION MODELING AND SIMULATION IN SUBSURFACE CONTAMINANT TRANSPORT

In this paper, we examine three separate approaches to analyze the spatial dispersion of a subsurface contaminant. These methods are contrasted against traditional models to demonstrate their feasibility and usefulness. Lastly, numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of these approaches.
Measuring Social Reactions to Female Survivors of Alcohol-Involved Sexual Assault The Social Reactions Questionnaire–Alcohol

For women who disclose sexual assault, social reactions can affect post-assault adjustment. Approximately half of the sexual assaults of adult women involve alcohol use. Experimental studies indicate that people put more blame on women who were drinking before the assault, yet no studies have assessed how often actual survivors receive social reactions specific to their alcohol use. This study presents a new measure to assess alcohol-specific social reactions for survivors of sexual assault (The Social Reactions Questionnaire–Alcohol, SRQ-A). Factor analyses of a large community sample indicated that women often receive both positive and negative alcohol-specific reactions when disclosing assault. Discriminant validity confirmed that such reactions are distinct from other types of assault-related social reactions. Against predictions, alcohol-specific reactions were not associated with depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, binge drinking, or intoxication. However, in support of the hypotheses, alcoho...
Solved and unsolved problems of nearthreshold spectroscopy of N2 and CO

Rotationally resolved jet absorption studies of N 2 at 800–850 A have led to detailed identifications of the electronic structures associated with low– J rovibrational thresholds of ground–state N 2 . Of particular interest is a series of perturbed f complexes that interact with core–excited Rydberg levels and, possibly, with the b′ valence state. The latter assumes the role of a core–excited Rydberg state at high energies and small internuclear distances. A similarly complete picture of the Rydberg structure of CO is still lacking. The interpretation of l–uncoupling effects and, thus, the identification of Rydberg complexes is difficult owing to widespread perturbations by non–Rydberg levels. Significant advances have been made in the understanding of the ∑–∑ Rydberg–valence interactions, but few hard facts have emerged concerning the ∏–∏ interactions where the analysis proceeds in the near–total absence of guidance by theoretical calculations.
The food environment and dietary intake: demonstrating a method for GIS-mapping and policy-relevant research

Aims The aims of this paper are (1) to assess if perceptions of the food environment are associated with select dietary intake by neighborhood, and (2) to map neighborhood-specific findings, demonstrating a method for policy-relevant research.
Cell differentiation lineage in the prostate

Abstract Prostatic epithelium consists mainly of luminal and basal cells, which are presumed to differentiate from common progenitor/stem cells. We hypothesize that progenitor/stem cells are highly concentrated in the embryonic urogenital sinus epithelium from which prostatic epithelial buds develop. We further hypothesize that these epithelial progenitor/stem cells are also present within the basal compartment of adult prostatic epithelium and that the spectrum of differentiation markers of embryonic and adult progenitor/stem cells will be similar. The present study demonstrates that the majority of cells in embryonic urogenital sinus epithelium and developing prostatic epithelium (rat, mouse, and human) co-expressed luminal cytokeratins 8 and 18 (CK8, CK18), the basal cell cytokeratins (CK14, CK5), p63, and the so-called transitional or intermediate cell markers, cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and glutathione-S-transferase-pi (GSTpi). The majority of luminal cells in adult rodent and human prostates only expressed luminal markers (CK8, CK18), while the basal epithelial cell compartment contained several distinct subpopulations. In the adult prostate, the predominant basal epithelial subpopulation expressed the classical basal cell markers (CK5, CK14, p63) as well as CK19 and GSTpi. However, a small fraction of adult prostatic basal epithelial cells co-expressed the full spectrum of basal and luminal epithelial cell markers (CK5, CK14, CK8, CK18, CK19, p63, GSTpi). This adult prostatic basal epithelial cell subpopulation, thus, exhibited a cell differentiation marker profile similar to that expressed in embryonic urogenital sinus epithelium. These rare adult prostatic basal epithelial cells are proposed to be the progenitor/stem cell population. Thus, we propose that at all stages (embryonic to adult) prostatic epithelial progenitor/stem cells maintain a differentiation marker profile similar to that of the original embryonic progenitor of the prostate, namely urogenital sinus epithelium. Adult progenitor/stem cells co-express both luminal cell, basal cell, and intermediate cell markers. These progenitor/stem cells differentiate into mature luminal cells by maintaining CK8 and CK18, and losing all other makers. Progenitor/stem cells also give rise to mature basal cells by maintaining CK5, CK14, p63, CK19, and GSTpi and losing K8 and K18. Thus, adult prostate basal and luminal cells are proposed to be derived from a common pleuripotent progenitor/stem cell in the basal compartment that maintains its embryonic profile of differentiation markers from embryonic to adult stages.
Completeness of rewrite rules and rewrite strategies for FP

This paper treats languages whose operational semantics is given by a set of rewrite rules. For such languages, it is important to be able to determine that there are enough rules to be able to compute the correct meaning of all expressions, but not so many that the system of rules is inconsistent. A formal framework is developed in which to give a precise treatment of these completeness and soundness issues, which are then investigated in the context of an extended version of the functional programming language FP. The rewrite rules of FP are shown to be sound and complete with respect to three different notions of completeness. The latter half of the paper considers rewrite strategies. In order to implement a language based on rewrite rules, it does not suffice to know that there are “enough” rules in the language; a good strategy for determining the order in which to apply them is also needed. But what is “good”? Corresponding to each notion of completeness, there is a notion of a good rewrite strategy. These notions of goodness are examined and characterized, and examples of a number of natural good strategies are given. Although these results are presented in the context of FP, the techniques (some of which are nontrivial extensions of techniques first used in the context of l-calculus) should apply well beyond the realm of FP rewriting systems.
BDNF and trkB mRNA expression in the hippocampus and temporal cortex during the human lifespan.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tyrosine kinase B (trkB) influence neuronal survival, differentiation, synaptogenesis, and maintenance. Using in situ hybridization we examined the spatial and temporal expression of mRNAs encoding these proteins during diverse stages of life in the human hippocampus and inferior temporal cortex. We examined six postnatal time points: neonatal (1–3 months), infant (4–12 months), adolescent (14–18 years), young adult (20–24 years), adult (34–43 years), and aged (68–86 years). Within the hippocampus, levels of BDNF mRNA did not change significantly with age. However, levels of both the full-length form of trkB (trkB TK+ ) mRNA and the truncated form of trkB (trkB TK� ) decreased over the life span (p < 0.05). In the temporal cortex, BDNF and trkB TK+ mRNA levels were highest in neonates and decreased with age (r = � 0.4 and r = � 0.7, respectively, both p < 0.05).
Combination of fludarabine and arabinosylcytosine for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: clinical efficacy and modulation of arabinosylcytosine pharmacology

Previous studies have demonstrated that treatment with fludarabine 4 h prior to arabinosylcytosine (ara-C) potentiates the accumulation of the active triphosphate of ara-C (ara-CTP) in leukemic lymphocytes. The clinical efficacy of this combination was evaluated in 15 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that was advanced in their disease (median Rai stage, IV) and refractory to treatment with fludarabine. Patients received 0.5 g/m2 ara-C infused i.v. over 2 h followed at 20 h by a 30-min infusion of 30 mg/m2 fludarabine. At 24 h, an identical dose of ara-C was infused. To intensify the therapy and to determine the duration of fludarabine potentiation of ara-CTP accumulation, six additional patients with Rai stage III or IV CLL were treated with an amended 2-week protocol. On week 1, 30 mg/m2 fludarabine was infused over 30 min, followed 4 h later by a 2-h infusion of 0.5 g/m2 ara-C; on week 2, the fludarabine dose was followed 4 h later by a 4-h infusion of ara-C (1.0 g/m2). In all, 1 partial remission and 7 minor responses in 1 or more disease sites were observed in the 21 patients. The major treatment-related toxic effects were myelosuppression and infection. Comparison of the ara-CTP accumulation area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) in circulating CLL cells of patients on the amended protocol demonstrated a significant (P=0.001) 1.6-fold (range, 1.4-to 2.0-fold) increase after fludarabine administration. Although the initial rates of ara-CTP accumulation were similar for the 2-h and 4-h infusions, ara-CTP accumulation continued for up to 4 h in four of five patients who received the longer infusion. The activity of the fludarabine and ara-C combination is being evaluated in in vitro model systems and in phase II clinical trials in combination with other drugs.
Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of the partially purified N5-methyltetrahydromethanopterin:coenzyme M methyltransferase from Methanosarcina mazei Gö1.

The N5-methyltetrahydromethanopterin:coenzyme M methyltransferase is a membrane-bound cobalamin-containing protein of Methanosarcina mazei Go1 that couples the methylation of coenzyme M by methyltetra-hydrosarcinopterin to the translocation of Na+ across the cell membrane (B. Becher, V. Muller, and G. Gottschalk, J. Bacteriol. 174:7656-7660, 1992). We have partially purified this enzyme and shown that, in addition to the cobamide, at least one iron-sulfur cluster is essential for the transmethylation reaction. The membrane fraction or the partly purified protein contains a "base-on" cobamide with a standard reduction potential (Eo') for the Co2+/1+ couple of -426 mV. The iron-sulfur cluster appears to be a [4Fe-4S]2+/1+ type with an Eo' value of -215 mV. We have determined the methyltransferase activity at various controlled redox potentials and demonstrated that the enzyme activity is activated by a one-electron reduction with half-maximum activity occurring at -235 mV in the presence of ATP and -450 mV in its absence. No activation was observed when ATP was replaced by other nucleoside triphosphates or nonhydrolyzable ATP analogs.
Response to Comment on: Stefanovski et al. Estimating Hepatic Glucokinase Activity Using a Simple Model of Lactate Kinetics. Diabetes Care 2012;35:1015–1020

We are pleased to respond to the comment by Loranne Agius (1) relating to our recent article in Diabetes Care (2). Overall, we are in agreement with Agius that further well-designed studies are needed to validate the underlying assumptions of the model. For that purpose, we are already performing studies that will help clarify these questions. Nevertheless, a point was raised in Agius’s letter that we wanted to comment on further. As stated by Agius, one possible explanation for the 50% difference in our estimates of glucokinase activity and that of Iozzo et al. (3) may be …
Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Epoxy Nanocomposites from Aminophenylsilsesquioxanes

Selected epoxy-functionalized cube nanocomposites were prepared from octa(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane (OAPS), poly(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane (PAPS), octa(dimethylsiloxypropylglycidyl ether) silsesquioxane (OG), diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). A systematic comparison of properties was conducted using GPC, FTIR, 29Si NMR, TGA, and DMA. In these studies, we find that (1) tethers with aromatic components increase char yields and decomposition temperatures, (2) cube loadings are important in thermal stabilities, (3) aromatic tether structure, short lengths and high cross-link densities reduce tether segmental relaxation motions which in turn stiffen the network and minimize macroscopic glass transitions. Finally, nanocomposites prepared from OAPS and PAPS exhibit nearly identical thermomechanical properties with PAPS offering a low cost alternative to OAPS.
Development and Testing of the MIT Acoustic Levitation Test Facilities

Abstract Two acoustic levitation test facilities have been developed for cloud physics experimentation. These facilities utilize acoustic standing wave energy to suspend both solid and liquid objects in a contact-free environment. In the still-air facility, the air in the test section is essentially motionless, whereas in the ventilated facility, a small vertical wind tunnel creates a steady flow through the test section. Temperature control is available in both facilities, and relative humidity can be adjusted in the still-air facility. It was observed that liquid samples deform, to first order, into shapes characteristic of freely failing raindrops when subjected to the acoustic standing wave. It was also determined that the presence of an acoustic field in the test section does not significantly affect molecular diffusion processes. Water-droplet freezing experiments were conducted in both facilities to demonstrate the capability to support samples during a change of phase.
Human telomere sequence DNA in water-free and high-viscosity solvents: G-quadruplex folding governed by Kramers rate theory.

Structures formed by human telomere sequence (HTS) DNA are of interest due to the implication of telomeres in the aging process and cancer. We present studies of HTS DNA folding in an anhydrous, hi...
Receptor capping in mouse T-lymphoma cells: a Ca2+ and calmodulin-stimulated ATP-dependent process.

The roles that Ca2+, calmodulin, and ATP play in the redistribution of conconavalin A (Con A) binding sites on the surface of mouse T-lymphoma cells were examined. Membranes of cells labeled with fluorescein-conjugated Con A (Fl-Con A) were made permeable (“skinned”) to ions and proteins by incubation in a solution containing no added Ca2+, 7mm EGTA, and ATP. The intracellular ionic and protein concentrations could then be varied, and the degree of Con A receptor capping monitored simultaneously. A graded increase (9.0 to 30%) was found in the number of capped cells with increasing Ca2+ concentration from 10−6–10−4.9m. Increasing concentrations of trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, and promethazine (1.5×10−6 to 1.0×10−4m) in cell suspensions containing 10−4m Ca2+ produced graded inhibition of capping in the same order that the drugs bind to calmodulin. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ dissociated (reversed) some of the caps into patches, thus reducing their number (12%). ATP was required for either capping or cap dissociation to occur. Addition of calmodulin (3.9×10−8–6.3×10−7m) to the cell suspension increased the Ca2+ sensitivity. These results provide direct evidence that capping of Con A receptors is a reversible process (i) regulated by intracellular Ca2+ concentration, (ii) requiring ATP as an energy source, and (iii) susceptible to the influence of calmodulin. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the collection of surface receptor patches into cap structures is controlled by the interaction of actomyosin filaments, which in turn is regulated by a Ca2+-calmodulin-activated control system.
Insight into G -- T Mismatch Recognition Using Molecular Dynamics with Time-Averaged Restraints Derived from NMR Spectroscopy

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted for a G−T mismatch-containing DNA decamer, d(CCATGCGTGG)2, and its Watson−Crick parent sequence, d(CCACGCGTGG)2. Dynamics in unrestrained MD trajectories were in poor agreement with prior 13C NMR studies. However, the accuracy of the trajectories was improved by the use of time-averaged interatomic distance restraints derived from 1H NMR. Postprocess smoothing of the trajectories further improved accuracy. Comparison of restrained and smoothed trajectories of the two DNA molecules revealed distinct differences in dynamics. The major groove width of the mismatched oligomer was more variable over the course of the simulation compared to its parent sequence. Greater variability in helical parameters stretch and opening for the mismatches indicated less kinetically stable base pairing. Interbase helical parameters rise, roll, and tilt were also more variable in certain base steps involving mismatched bases. These dynamic differences between normal and G−T mis...
Dynamic HVEM Observations of Metals and Alloys during in-Situ Helium Ion Irradiations

A 200 kV ion accelerator, with a PIG source for accelerating ionized gases, was coupled to a 500 kV transmission electron microscope in order to investigate the effects of helium irradiation on the development of microstructure in candidate fusion reactor first wall material. The microstructural evolution in nickel and in type 316 stainless steel bombarded by 80 keV helium ions was monitored via video recordings. The effect of specimen thickness and temperature and the effect of plastic deformation during irradiation was considered. In order to conduct these experiments a quantitative load-elongation hot tensile stage was constructed with a capability for monitoring specimen current continuously during the experiment. It was found that surface exfoliation and blistering may occur in specimens thinner than the mean projected range of helium ions. However, in the thinnest specimen regions, surface layer removal is replaced by the bending of individual grains. Blistering apparently can occur when underpressurization of bubbles exists. Plastic deformation during helium ion irradiation can lead to denuded layers adjacent to some grain boundaries and can produce removed surface layers whose thickness is several times greater than the project mean range of the incident helium ions.
A selection criterion for choosing between functional forms of income distribution

The value of Elderton's k - criterion can be bounded for a given pdf. This paper presents these bounds for the most widely used distribution functions for income and computes the value of K for household incomes as reported in the Consumer Population Survey. The variance for theK are also estimated using the bootstrap, jackknife and delta methods. We find that the K can be used to narrow the field of potential pdfs for income and that all three methods for estimating the variance coincide in flagging low precision in the estimated K.
Modulation of interleukin-1 secretion by immunosuppressive drugs, alone and in combination

Abstract This study evaluates the ability of the immunosupressive drugs dexamethasone, cyclosporine, FK506 and rapamycin, alone and in combination to suppress interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion in vivo by THP-1 cells when stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. All four drugs, when added to cell culture medium at therapeutic concentrations, significantly decrease secretion of the monokine to well below control levels. However, only dexamethasone completely suppresses IL-1β secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. Cyclosporine, FK506 and rapamycin only partially suppress secretion of IL-1β at concentrations within their therapeutic ranges and increasing concentrations of the drugs do not result in further suppression of secretion. Likewise, the combination of any two of these three drugs does not provide any additional suppressive effect. Dexamethasone, however, when added in increasing concentrations in combination with any of the other drugs, results in further suppression of IL-1 secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. These data suggest that cyclosporine, FK506 and rapamycin all share a common effect on the production of IL-1β, different from that of dexamethasone.
Parallel mining of association rules from text databases

In this paper, we propose a new algorithm named Parallel Multipass with Inverted Hashing and Pruning (PMIHP) for mining association rules between words in text databases. The characteristics of text databases are quite different from those of retail transaction databases, and existing mining algorithms cannot handle text databases efficiently because of the large number of itemsets (i.e., sets of words) that need to be counted. The new PMIHP algorithm is a parallel version of our Multipass with Inverted Hashing and Pruning (MIHP) algorithm (Holt, Chung in: Proc of the 14th IEEE int'l conf on tools with artificial intelligence, 2002, pp 49---56), which was shown to be quite efficient than other existing algorithms in the context of mining text databases. The PMIHP algorithm reduces the overhead of communication between miners running on different processors because they are mining local databases asynchronously and prune the global candidates by using the Inverted Hashing and Pruning technique. Compared with the well-known Count Distribution algorithm (Agrawal, Shafer in: (1996) IEEE Trans Knowl Data Eng 8(6):962---969), PMIHP demonstrates superior performance characteristics for mining association rules in large text databases, and when the minimum support level is low, its speedup is superlinear as the number of processors increases. These experiments were performed on a cluster of Linux workstations using a collection of Wall Street Journal articles.
The Repertoire of T Cell Antigen Receptor β-Chain Variable Regions Associated with Psoriasis Vulgaris

We investigated whether the pattern of T-cell receptors expressed by T-cells in inflamed psoriatic skin differed substantially from the pattern seen in T-cells from the peripheral blood. A bias or restriction in the repertorie of T-cell receptors found in the lesional skin of different patients might imply that specific subsets of T cells were causally associated with initiating or maintaining the lesions. By using a polymerase chain reaction–based assay of T-cell receptor β -chain variable region mRNA, we found that the patterns of β -chain mRNAs, displayed in 14 samples of lesional skin or six samples of noninvolved skin were not significantly less diverse than the patterns found in matched peripheral blood samples. There was no evidence that the active lesions of multiple patients showed overexpression of T-cells expressing one or a few T-cell receptor forms. The pattern of T-cell receptors displayed in clinically normal skin from normal control individuals showed about the same diversity as normal blood. While these results may not exclude either classical antigen or superantigen-based T-cell activation mechanisms in active plaques, the absence of a simple pattern of V β usage in different patients suggests than other aspects of T-cell biology including trafficking, proliferation, co-stimulation, or responses to cytokines must also be considered.
Effect of sodium transport and vasopressin on the respiratory quotient of the toad bladder.

IT has been inferred1 that the respiratory quotient of metabolism associated with sodium transport in the toad bladder may be greater than 1.0. We have therefore directly examined the respiratory quotient of this tissue.
Intransitive or Object Deleting? Classifying English Verbs Used without an Object

Many English transitive verbs, such as deliver, eat, know, read, and understand, can function without an object. The classification of these verbs has long been a challenge. An examination of both grammar reference books and textbooks finds both inconsistency and inaccuracy in the current treatment of these verbs, showing a need for a more accurate and consistent description of these verbs. Using an approach that combines syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic analysis, the author proposes a classification framework that provides a more accurate and systematic description of these verbs. It classifies English verbs used without an object into four categories: 1) pure intransitive verbs, such as arrive, rise, and sleep; 2) ergative intransitive verbs, such as break, increase, and open; 3) transitive-converted intransitive verbs of activity, such as eat, hunt, and read; 4) objectdeleting verbs, warranted by discourse or situational context, such as know, notice, and promise. The object-deleting verbs are in turn divided into five sub-types according to their semantic features. The article ends with a discussion of the implications of this framework for writers of grammar reference books and textbooks and for English language learners in dealing with these verbs.
Pentoxifylline stimulates various sperm motion parameters and cervical mucus penetrability in patients with asthenozoospermia

Pentoxifylline (PTX) was incubated in vitro with human spermatozoa to examine its effects on sperm motility characteristics and bovine cervical mucus penetrability (BCMP). Sperm motion parameters were assessed by computer-assisted motion analysis (CASA) using HTM-IVOS and BCMP was evaluated using the Penetrak kit. In vitro incubation with PTX (1 mg ml-1; 3.6 mM, 30 min) did not significantly change percentage motility, average path velocity (VAP), straight-line velocity (VSL) or beat cross frequency (BCF) of spermatozoa from normozoospermic or asthenozoospermic samples. However, it significantly increased curvilinear velocity (VCL), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and hyperactivated motility (HA), and significantly decreased linearity (LIN) of spermatozoa from both samples. Pentoxifylline was found to increase BCMP scores for spermatozoa from asthenozoospermic samples, but did not affect scores for spermatozoa from normozoospermic samples. Bovine cervical mucus penetrability (BCMP) was found to be positively and significantly correlated with the percentage motility of both non-PTX-treated and PTX-treated spermatozoa for asthenozoospermic samples. These results demonstrated that PTX enhanced several motion sperm parameters as well as BCMP in asthenozoospermic samples and suggest a potential use of the methylxanthine in infertile patients with motility defects undergoing artificial insemination.
Wear behavior of carbide-injected titanium and aluminum alloys

Abstract A study of the wear resisting behavior of aluminum- and titanium-base alloys containing particles of TiC or WC introduced by the laser meltparticle injection process suggests that these materials may have significant potential for use in light-weight machinery. The carbide particles were injected, by a stream of helium gas, into shallow melt pools produced on the alloy samples as they were traversed under a multikilowatt laser beam which was focused to a diameter of about 2 mm. Repeated overlapping melt passes produced surface layers approximately 1 mm deep containing 15–65 vol.% of carbide. Ground surfaces were subjected to abrasive and particulate erosion wear testing. Kinetic coefficient of friction measurements were made on ground and polished surfaces. Sliding contact wear testing and particulate erosion testing were carried out on an aluminum alloy impregnated with TiC. Test results are correlated with carbide type, size and volume fraction.
Sample size and statistical power in the small-animal analgesia literature.

Objective: To document the power and required sample sizes to achieve certain treatment objectives in the veterinary analgesia literature. Methods: Pubmed’s MEDLINE database and selected journals were searched. Only publications produced between 1994 and 2004 that reported ‘no difference’ between experimental groups in the abstract, results or conclusion sections and those that were randomised, prospective and blinded were reviewed. The data reported in the publications were then subjected to power analyses to determine the power and necessary sample size (to achieve a power of 0·8) to allow detection of 20 per cent, 50 per cent and 80 per cent treatment effects. Results: Twenty-two studies provided sufficient data for analysis. Five out of 22 (23 per cent) had sufficient power to detect a 20 per cent treatment effect, 12 of 22 (54 per cent) had sufficient power to detect a 50 per cent treatment effect and 18 of 22 (82 per cent) had sufficient power to detect an 80 per cent treatment effect. The mean number of animals required per group to document a 20 per cent, 50 per cent and 80 per cent treatment effect were 90, 15 and 7, respectively. Clinical Significance: Publications that report no significant difference between analgesic regimens may have committed a Type II error. The reader may inappropriately conclude that there is no difference between treatments when there may, in fact, be a superior analgesic regimen. Clinical practice based on the principles of evidence-based medicine could therefore result in suboptimal care for patients.
Effects of Radiomarking on Prairie Falcons: Attachment Failures Provide Insights About Survival

From 1999–2002, we attached satellite-received platform transmitter terminals (PTTs) to 40 adult female prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus) on their nesting grounds in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) in southwest Idaho. We used 3 variations of a backpack harness design that had been used previously on raptors. Each radiomarked falcon also received a color leg band with a unique alphanumeric code. We monitored survival of birds using radiotelemetry and searched for marked birds on their nesting grounds during breeding seasons after marking. Because 6 falcons removed their harnesses during the first year, we were able to compare survival rates of birds that shed PTTs with those that retained them. We describe a harness design that failed prematurely as well as designs that proved successful for long-term PTT attachment. We resighted 21 marked individuals on nesting areas 1–5 years after they were radiomarked and documented 13 mortalities of satellite-tracked falcons. We used a Cormack-Jolly-Seber model to estimate apparent survival probability based on band resighting and telemetry data. Platform transmitter terminals had no short-term effects on falcons or their nesting success during the nesting season they were marked, but birds that shed their transmitters increased their probability of survival. Estimated annual survival for birds that shed their transmitters was 87% compared to 49% for birds wearing transmitters. We discuss possible reasons for differences in apparent survival rates and offer recommendations for future marking of falcons.
Electron ionization of some low-Z ions in the plane-wave Born approximation

Explicit plane-wave Born-approximation (PWBA) calculations are presented for electron ionization of ions of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine. Calculations of inner-shell excitation followed by autoionization are included. For ions of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, agreement with Coulomb-Born calculations is better than 15% except near threshold; agreement with experiment is better that 25% except near threshold, and except for the Be-like ions N/sup 3 +/ and O/sup 4 +/. For fluorine ions, explicit PWBA calculations are presented. These cross sections are as much as 40% higher than results obtained via a scaling procedure. A reexamination of the scaling mechanics indicates an inherent 15% error at high incident electron energy. An attempt is made to correct the error near the cross-section maximum by using an integral over the optical limit of the generalized oscillator strength and its momentum-transfer derivative. The correction is only partially successful because of significant changes in the shape of the generalized oscillator strength with increasing degree of ionization, near squared momentum transfer equal to ionization energy, and second electron energy much less than ionization energy.
Pro Iter Agentibus: the ritual blessings of pilgrims and their insignia in a pontifical of southern Italy

This article examines one local liturgy for the blessing of pilgrims and their insignia during the high middle ages. The benediction and mass contained in MS Rome, Biblioteca Casanatense 614, a pontifical composed in southern Italy and most likely at Benevento in the early thirteenth century for crusaders, are examined and compared with Franco-Roman and Norman liturgical traditions of pilgrim blessing to determine their particular origins and influences. An inter-disciplinary methodology combining traditional textual analysis and anthropological theory of ritual is used to understand the piety of pilgrims and pilgrimage. The blessings of pilgrims and their insignia set these wayfarers apart from mundane society, contextualising their journey within a larger Christian history and cosmology through prayer, scriptural allusion, antiphonal song and psalmody. The prayers of the benediction and mass demonstrate the unique piety of their locality, illuminating the beliefs and concerns of the laity to which such blessings catered as their clerical author worked to transform the pilgrimage into a journey of moral reformation.
The effects of neurokinin A, neurokinin B, and eledoisin on substance P analysis.

Commercial sources for neuropeptide radioimmunoassays have made this sensitive tool available to clinical investigators for monitoring the potential involvement of neuropeptides in pain modulation. We measured substance P-like immunoreactivity in the plasma, saliva, and pericardial fluid of subjects with and without pain (chronic and acute) to determine if substance P levels are altered. Some recent studies have suggested that substance P in various body fluids may be a correlate of chronic pain. To test this correlation it is important to ensure that the assay is measuring what it was designed to measure. Therefore, the influence of three tachykinins on the analysis of substance P concentrations was assessed with a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit. A small (approximately 2 to 6%), apparently nonspecific elevation in measured substance P was found when alpha-neurokinin, beta-neurokinin, or eledoisin was incubated with substance P and its antibody. Our results also indicate an apparent specific affinity of the substance P antibody for alpha-neurokinin (above 1,000 pg/ml) and beta-neurokinin (above 5,000 pg/ml). Substance P levels in the body fluids we tested ranged from 0.47 to 62.88 pg/mg protein (47.4 to 230.8 pg/ml). Levels of the tested tachykinins have not been determined in body fluids. If alpha-neurokinin or beta-neurokinin is found to be present in high concentrations in these fluids, this commercially available substance P kit may overestimate substance P levels. The concentrations of tachykinins necessary to interfere specifically with the assay are 10- to 100-fold higher than substance P in body fluids. If the other tachykinins are present at concentrations similar to the substance P levels, we would not expect them to interfere substantially with the accuracy of our measurements of substance P using this assay.
Efficacy of medical therapy for the reduction of heart failure events in patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators.

Background: Prophylactic therapy with the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) reduces the mortality among patients with left ventricular dysfunction; however, life-prolonging device therapy has been shown to be associated with an increased risk for subsequent heart failure (HF) events. There are limited data on the effect of the primary types of HF medications, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I), and beta-blockers on HF progression in ICD-treated patients. Methods: Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the effect of time-dependent medical therapy with ACE-I and beta-blockers on the development of HF in patients with an ICD in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Trail (MADIT) II. Results: In multivariate analysis, ICD therapy was associated with a significant 39% increase in the risk of HF as compared with conventional medical therapy. ACE-I and beta-blockers exhibited a graded efficacy for the reduction in the risk of HF events in ICD-treated patients: the greatest risk reduction of HF was seen in patients taking combination therapy (HR = 0.36, P < 0.001), followed by patients using beta-blockers only (HR = 0.51, P = 0.017) and ACE-I only (HR = 0.64, P = 0.071). Beta-blocker subtypes (metoprolol [HR = 0.49, P = 0.001] and carvedilol [HR = 0.58, P = 0.004]) exhibited similar efficacy. Consistent results were demonstrated when the combined endpoint of HF or death was assessed. Conclusions: ICD-treated patients experience an increased risk for HF events that can be significantly attenuated by medical therapy with beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors.