cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extracellular matrix from embryonic myocardium elicits an early morphogenetic event in cardiac endothelial differentiation

A critical step in early cardiac morphogenesis can be faithfully duplicated in culture using a hydrated collagen substratum, and thereby serves as a useful model system for studying the molecular mechanisms of cell differentiation. Results from previous work suggested that the myocardium in the atrioventricular canal (AV) region of the developing chick heart secretes extracellular proteins into its associated basement membrane, which may function to promote an epithelial-mesenchymal transition of endothelium to form prevalvular fibroblasts (E. L. Krug, R. B. Runyan, and R. R. Markwald, 1985, Dev. Biol. 112, 414-426; C. H. Mjaatvedt, R. C. Lepera, and R. R. Markwald, 1987, Dev. Biol., in press). In the present study we show that an EDTA-soluble extract of embryonic chick hearts can substitute for the presence of myocardium, the presumptive stimulator tissue, in initiating mesenchyme formation from AV endothelium in culture. Ventricular endothelium was unresponsive to this material in keeping with observed in situ behavior. AV endothelial cells did not survive beyond 4-5 days when cultured in the absence of either the EDTA-soluble heart extract, myocardial conditioned medium, or the myocardium itself. Antibody prepared against a particulate fraction of the EDTA-solubilized heart extract immunohistochemically localized this material to the myocardial basement membrane. In addition, conditioned medium from embryonic myocardial cultures effectively induced mesenchyme formation. Neither a variety of growth factors nor a sarcoma basement membrane preparation were effective in promoting mesenchyme formation indicating a selectivity of the responding embryonic AV endothelial cells to myocardial basement membrane. These observations reflect a truly inductive phenomenon as there was an absolute dependence on the presence of the stimulating substance/tissue and retention, in culture, of both the temporal and regional characteristics observed in situ. This is in contrast to the results of others investigating the cytodifferentiation of committed cells whose phenotypic expression can be either accelerated or diminished but not obligatorily regulated by a specific agent, thus making the interpretation of data difficult, if not irrelevant, to the study of differentiation. The results of this study provide direct experimental support for the hypothesis that extracellular matrix can indeed serve as a direct stimulator or "secondary inducer" of cytodifferentiation.
Acoustic ontogeny of a teleost

The influence of growth on the intensity and variability of acoustic echoes from individuals and groups of a teleosts was quantified using Donaldson trout (rainbow–steelhead hybrid) Oncorhynchus mykiss. Fish growth was linear in total length (LT) and quadratic in mass. Dorsal swimbladder area increased exponentially with LT. Allometric growth ratio (i.e. k) values of swimbladder length linearly increased with LT. Average swimbladder volumes occupied 3–6% of fish body volume and increased exponentially with LT. The aspect angle that resulted in the maximum average acoustic intensity from the group shifted from 80 to 86° through the experimental period. Mean echo intensities increased at both 38 and 120 kHz as mean LT increased. Predicted echo intensities at 38 kHz exceeded that at 120 kHz at LT 280 mm. Generalized additive mixed models using LT, swimbladder angles and lateral elongation ratios of fish bodies were better predictors of echo intensities than LT alone.
Meningioma following irradiation

The case of a young woman who developed initial symptoms of an intracranial mass lesion 17 years after undergoing irradiation for a port-wine stain of the right fronto-temporal and periorbital scalp and face is reported. A right sphenoid wing meningioma was removed 6 years later. The possible relationship betweenthe development of the meningioma and the previous radiotherapy is discussed.
Comparison of blood volume characteristics in anemic patients with low versus preserved left ventricular ejection fractions.

Anemia is a significant co-morbidity in patients with heart failure (HF) irrespective of the ejection fraction and is routinely quantified by hemoglobin concentration. Hemodilution as a cause of anemia has been described in systolic HF. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effects of plasma volume in patients with HF by (1) assessing the prevalence of dilutional anemia in patients with anemia and preserved ejection fractions and (2) exploring the relation between hemoglobin and red cell volume in these patients. Forty-six patients with anemia (as determined by standard hemoglobin measurement), 22 with HF and low ejection fractions (HFLEF) and 24 with HF and preserved ejection fractions (HFPEF), all underwent plasma volume measurement with iodine-131-labeled albumin. Hemoglobin values did not differ between subjects with HFLEF and those with HFPEF (10.8 ± 1.0 vs 11.0 ± 1.0 g/dl, p = 0.55), but a red cell deficit was found in 88% of patients with HFPEF compared with 59% of those with HFLEF (p = 0.04). This was the result of a higher prevalence of an expansion of plasma volume in patients with HFLEF (100%) compared with those with HFPEF (71%). Among all patients, no correlation was found between hemoglobin and red cell volume (r = 0.09, p = 0.54), but a correlation did exist in patients with normal blood volumes (r = 0.55, p = 0.02). In conclusion, dilutional anemia caused by an expansion in plasma volume without a red cell deficit occurs more commonly in patients with HFLEF than those with HFPEF, and hemoglobin does not correlate with red cell volume in patients with anemia and HF.
Molybdenum complexes with sterically-hindered thiolate ligands. The synthesis and stmcture of [MoO(NNMePh)(2-SC5H3N-3-SiMe3)2]

Abstract The oxo-hydrazido (2−) molybdenum(VI) complex [MoO(NNMePh)(2-SC3H3N-3-SiMe3)2] was prepared either by the reaction of [Mo2O3(2-SC3H3N-3-SiMe3)4] with 1,1-methylphenylhydrazine or by the reaction of [MoCl2(NNMePh)(2-SC5H3N-3-SiMe3)e] with atmospheric oxygen. The complex exhibits the cis oxo-hydrazido geometry, with the hydrazido (2−) ligand in the linear η1/x coordination mode. Ctystal data: C23H32NnOSi2S2Mo, triclinic space group P 1 , a=11.640(2), b=17.206(3), c=7.930(2) \ rA, αa= 102.92(1), β= 99.46(1), γ=93.41(1)°, V= 1519.3(9) A3, Z= 2, Dcale= 1.30 g cm−1; structure solution and refinement based on 4746 refiections (Mo Kα, λ = 0.71073 A; Io ≥ 3 σ (Io)) converged at a conventional discrepancy value of 0.043.
Formation of Pyromorphite in Anglesite-Hydroxyapatite Suspensions Under Varying pH Conditions

Addition of phosphate to lead [Pb(ll)l-cOntarninated soil to immobilize soil Pb by formation of pyromorphite has been proposed as an alternative remediation technique. Lead sulfate (PbS04, anglesite), a Pb-bearing form found in contaminated soils and wastes, was reacted with a synthetic phosphate mineral, hydroxyapa$te [Ca5(PO& OH], under constant pH (PH 2-7) and simulated gastric pH conditions (PH varied from 2 to 7 within 30 rein) to assess the effects of reaction kinetics on the formation rate of chloropyromorphite and the volubility of Pb. Under constant pH condition, complete transformation of anglesite to chloropyromorphite, [Pb5(PO&Cl], was obtained at pH 4 and pH 5. At pH 6 and pH 7, the newly formed chloropyromorphite precipitated on the surface of undissolved apatite, The coverage of the apatite surface may reduce apatite dissolution fate and the transformation rate of Pb from anglesite to"chloropyromorphite. Increasing the P/Pb ratio increased the transformation rate, but anglesite was still present after a' 120-min reaction time. in the dynamic pH system, the added apatite was rapidly dissolved at the initial low pH, and complete transformation of anglesite to chloropyromorphite was obtained within 25 min., The soluble Pb level was controlled by the volubility of chloropyromorphite during the entire reaction process. These results demonstrate the effect of reaction kinetics on the formation rate of chloropyromorphite and the mechanisms controlling the solubilization of Pb in the anglesite-apatite system. Furthermore, they illustrate that a complete transformation of ingested anglesite to chloropyromorphite can be achieved. under gastrointestinal tract pH conditions if sufficient phosphate is provided.
Vehicle speeds for pedestrian pre-crash system test scenarios based on US data

As traffic and road safety have increased over time, the incidents of collisions with pedestrians have increased. Pre-Collision Systems (PCS) have been developed to mitigate the inherent risks pedestrians face when traveling near vehicular traffic. However, the dynamics of these crashes are complex, with many compounding factors making them difficult to model. The most dominant element across these collisions is vehicle speed, a strong determinant of time to collision. However, the dynamics of these crashes are complex, with many compounding factors making them difficult to model. The most dominant element across these collisions is vehicle speed, a strong determinant of time to collision and the severity of injury. A set of vehicles speeds at impact is developed based on the Pedestrian Crash Data Study (PCDS). These speeds are then associated with different types of crash geometries. Finally, an algorithm is developed to simplify the speed distribution into a small set of testable speed scenarios. The authors’ results suggest that for many scenarios, particularly those involving turns, the speed distribution can be reasonably represented by one or two important speeds. This greatly simplifies construction of pedestrian precrash scenarios.
Low cost scientific video movie making

Abstract A low cost video movie making system is described. The system consists of a PC microcomputer based animation controller, video frame buffer, and 1 2″ editing video tape recorder. The graphic data typically generated on mainframe computers is transferred over a local area network to the PC, there to be recorded, one frame at a time, to produce a video tape movie. The characteristics and limitations of the system are discussed, together with implications of encoding graphic primitives in an NTSC video signal. The use of the system for scientific movie making is described.
Experimental investigation of hydrogen release and ignition from fuel cell powered forklifts in enclosed spaces

Abstract Due to rapid growth in the use of hydrogen powered fuel cell forklifts within warehouse enclosures, Sandia National Laboratories has worked to develop scientific methods that support the creation of new hydrogen safety codes and standards for indoor refueling operations. Based on industry stakeholder input, conducted experiments were devised to assess the utility of modeling approaches used to analyze potential consequences from ignited hydrogen leaks in facilities certified according to existing code language. Release dispersion and combustion characteristics were measured within a scaled test facility located at SRI International's Corral Hollow Test Site. Moreover, the impact of mitigation measures such as active/passive ventilation and pressure relief panels was investigated. Since it is impractical to experimentally evaluate all possible facility configurations and accident scenarios, careful characterization of the experimental boundary conditions has been performed so that collected datasets can be used to validate computational modeling approaches.
Regionalization and foot-and-mouth disease control in South America: Lessons from spatial models of coordination and interactions

Abstract Regulatory interventions to control animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD), can yield substantial economic benefits to regions with large livestock sectors. However, because disease vectors span national borders, the full benefits of regulation can only be achieved through international coordination. Divergent incentives between large-scale operations producing for export and smallholders producing for subsistence or local markets may mitigate coordination of control efforts. A series of spatial games are used to characterize these types of regional externalities. Results suggest that promoting investments in market development in lagging regions may have the greatest potential for eradicating the disease.
Theoretical analysis of extraction using chemically mediated electrochemically modulated complexation in ion exchange beads

Abstract A cyclical electrochemical process for extraction using an ion exchange polymer is analyzed. In this analysis, there are three main steps. In the first
Comparative kinetics of cesium from whole-lake, limnocorrals, and laboratory-scale experiments

Understanding the processes governing a contaminant's transport is difficult in uncontrolled field experiments; however, controlled laboratory experiments are often contrived and may quickly loose realism. Knowing how well small-scaled, laboratory experiments mimic those from full-scale field manipulations is of fundamental importance. We compared the loss of cesium from a lake's water column at four different scales: 1) an 11 ha lake; 2) five, 1.2-m diameter limnocorrals; 3) four, 30-cm diameter limnocorrals; and 4) four, 30-cm diameter laboratory mesocolumns. Limnocorrals were installed in 1 to 2 m of water and at two different areas within an 11 ha lake. All limnocorrals were sealed to the lake sediments, allowed free exchange with the air, but isolated a column of the lake's water. Laboratory mesocolumns were plastic cylinders, closed on one end, and had 15 cm of sediments placed in them, topped with 90 cm of lake water. The monomictic lake had a mean and maximum depth of 1.6 and 4 m, respectively. Stable Cs was added to the epilimnion of the whole lake, and to the limnocorrals and mesocolumns. The loss rate of cesium from the water column of each system was compared over time. The data are useful for determining how well small-scaled experiments simulate water/sediment exchange processes occurring in wholelakes.
The Clinical Spectrum of Infant Botulism

Infant botulism is the systemic illness that results when spores of Clostridium botulinum germinate in the infant's intestine and then produce botulinal toxin in vivo. As with other infectious diseases, infant botulism has a spectrum of clinical severity that ranges from a mild, outpatient illness to fulminant, sudden death. Most cases reported to date have been recognized in infants so weak and hypotonic that their need for hospital care was unquestioned; yet even this group of patients displayed a wide range in severity of illness. The outpatients were initially considered to be cases of "failure to thrive," while the fulminant cases were indistinguishable at autopsy from typical instances of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, crib death). This article discusses the observed spectrum of clinical severity, the management of the hospitalized patient, and the manner in which sudden death might result from production of butulinal toxin in the intestine.
Effects of channel potential modulation in narrow channel CCD shift registers

Channel potential modulation due to narrow width effects is shown to create undesired voltage barriers at the corner turn of CCD Serial Parallel Serial Shift Registers. A scheme is shown to measure this barrier accurately and estimate the trapped charge. Experimentally measured trapped charge agrees with the estimated trapped charge within 65%. The accuracy is being limited by the accuracy to which the trapping area can be estimated.
Bond Performance between Ultrahigh-Performance Concrete and Normal-Strength Concrete

AbstractUltrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) exhibits several properties that make it appropriate for the rehabilitation of concrete structures. In this investigation, the application is focused on bridge deck overlays, but the study is equally applicable to other rehabilitation applications. Its negligible permeability makes this material suitable as a protective barrier that prevents any water or chemical penetration into the substrate. In addition, its ultra-high compressive strength and post-cracking tensile capacity could provide an improvement to the bearing capacity. However, for extensive acceptance, it has to be demonstrated that the bond between UHPC and normal strength concrete (NSC) offers a good long-term performance under a variety of operating conditions. The UHPC-NSC interface can experience high tensile, shear, and compressive stresses at both early and later life stages and the environmental conditions inherent to the operating environment. The success of the rehabilitation will depend ...
Routine prophylactic vena cava filtration is not indicated after acute spinal cord injury.

Background: Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating problem, with over 10,000 new cases annually. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a well-recognized risk in SCI patients, although no clear recommendations for prophylaxis exist. We therefore evaluated whether routine placement of prophylactic inferior vena cava filters is indicated in SCI patients. Methods: The trauma registry of a regional trauma center was used to identify patients sustaining acute SCI resulting in tetraplegia or paraplegia after blunt or penetrating trauma for a 5-year period beginning in January 1995. Patients were analyzed for demographics, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score, associated long bone or pelvic fracture, severe closed-head injury, type of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, level of SCI, and incidence of DVT and PE. DVT prophylaxis was performed in all patients with sequential compression devices (SCDs) when extremity fracture status permitted. Data are expressed as mean ± SD and analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Results: There were 8,269 admissions during the study period, with an overall incidence of DVT and PE of 11.8 % and 0.9 %, respectively. There were 111 (1.3%) patients who sustained SCI, with an incidence of DVT and PE of 9.0 % and 1.8%, respectively, and no deaths. Of these 111 patients, 41.4% were paraplegics and 58.6% were tetraplegics, and 17.1 % of patients had severe closed-head injury. Mean hospital length of stay was 23 ± 20 days for SCI patients. Surveillance duplex ultrasound was performed an average of 2.3 ± 2.1 times during each hospitalization. Mean Injury Severity Score was 30.0 ± 12.2. The incidence of DVT and PE in those patients with SCDs alone was 7.1 % and 2.3%; for SCDs plus subcutaneous heparin, the incidence was 11.1 % and 2.8%; and for SCDs plus low-molecular-weight heparin, the incidence was 7.4% and 0%, respectively, with no statistical difference between groups. The incidence of DVT in SCI patients with long bone fractures was 37.5 %, which was significantly greater than the total SCI population (p < 0.02). Conclusion: The incidence of DVT and PE in SCI patients was similar to that of the overall trauma population when appropriate DVT prophylaxis was used. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that SCI associated with long bone fracture significantly increases the incidence of DVT. On the basis of the low incidence of PE in the present study, routine placement of prophylactic caval filters does not appear warranted in all SCI patients. However, SCI patients with long bone fractures, patients with DVT formation despite prophylactic anticoagulation, or patients with contraindications to anticoagulation may be appropriate candidates for prophylactic caval filtration.
On almost Lyapunov functions

We study asymptotic stability properties of nonlinear systems in the presence of “almost Lyapunov” functions which decrease along solutions in a given region not everywhere but rather on the complement of a set of small volume. Nothing specific about the structure of this set is assumed besides an upper bound on its volume. We show that solutions starting inside the region approach a small set around the origin whose volume depends on the volume of the set where the Lyapunov function does not decrease, as well as on other system parameters. The result is established by a perturbation argument which compares a given system trajectory with nearby trajectories that lie entirely in the set where the Lyapunov function is known to decrease, and trades off convergence speed of these trajectories against the expansion rate of the distance to them from the given trajectory.
Inhibition and the Facilitating Effect of Noise on Interference Tasks

3 groups of 14 college students performed the Digit Symbol Test (DST) and Embedded-figures Test (EFT) under one of 3 conditions: varied noises to be ignored, varied noises requiring attention for a...
Development of a locomotor rating scale for testing motor function in sheep.

article i nfo Background/Purpose: Research to cure paralysis associated with myelomeningocele (MMC) is ongoing using the fetal sheep model of MMC. Despite decades of research using this model, no standardized motor function assessment exists. The purpose of this study is to develop a sensitive and reliable locomotor scale for assessing the functional status of sheep. Methods: Twenty lambs were used to develop and validate the locomotor scale. Lambs (n = 15) underwent a surgically created MMC defect at gestational age (GA) 75 days, followed by repair with various methods at GA 100. One lamb underwent a sham operation (n = 1). Normal lambs (n = 4) served as controls. All lambs were born via spontaneous vaginal delivery, and motor function was assessed for 24 hours. A locomotor rating scale was developed based on behavioral observations of lambs. Inter-rater reliability testing was performed to determine if the scale could be reliably applied by different raters. Results: Observations led to the definition of 7 categories of locomotor recovery. A scoring system was developed to rank thesecategories. The scale captured a wide variety ofneurologic outcomes.Inter-raterreliability revealed minimal variability between examiners (average standard deviation ±0.431). The average score for all raters was within 1 point of the consensus score 100% of the time. Conclusions: The sheep locomotor rating scale is capable of capturing subtle differences in neurologic function with minimalinter-ratervariability. We propose a standardized rating scale for neurologic outcomes and believe this is a critical component for assessing the validity of experimental treatments to cure paralysis in MMC.
Characterization of a Major Nucleoplasmin-like Germinal Vesicle Protein Which Is Rapidly Phosphorylated before Germinal Vesicle Breakdown in Spisula solidissima

Oocytes of the surf clam, Spisula solidissima, are arrested at the G2/M boundary of meiotic prophase I. At this stage, they possess a prominent germinal vesicle (GV), comprising about 25% of the total oocyte volume, in which pools of mRNAs and proteins that facilitate the rapid rounds of cell division which occur early in development are stored. We have isolated and characterized an abundant 49-kDa phosphoprotein, localized exclusively to the GV, which shares properties with nucleoplasmin. Like nucleoplasmin, this 49-kDa protein is a heat-stable, highly acidic phosphoprotein [containing over 32% (Glx + Asx) with an isoelectric point of about 4.0] and is soluble in 80% ammonium sulfate. In contrast to the pentameric nucleoplasmin, much of this protein is isolated as a disulfide-linked multimer which migrates at 120 kDa. In addition, a fraction of the 49-kDa protein is associated via disulfide bonds to a doublet of 42-kDa proteins. In vivo, this 49-kDa protein is phosphorylated prior to germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and at 5 min after oocyte activation rapidly incorporates 32P to 60% of maximal level, suggesting that this protein plays a major role in the cascade of events which lead to oocyte activation and GVBD.
Idiosyncratic trait definitions: Implications for self-description and social judgment.

Descriptions of self (e.g., "I am dominant") may reflect not only a person's behavioral tendencies but also idiosyncratic definitions of the social concepts and categories being considered. Five studies revealed that participants who differed in their self-ratings along trait dimensions also tended to associate different behaviors and performances with those traits. For example, participants who described themselves as dominant tended to emphasize desirable over undesirable behaviors and characteristics in their definitions of the trait, whereas self-described nondominants highlighted the opposite. Participants' self-ratings on dominance were also influenced by making positive or negative examples of dominant behavior salient to them. Moreover, when participants were induced to shift self-descriptions in self-serving ways, they tended to do so by revising their prototype of the trait in question. Discussion centers on the implications of these findings for the prediction of behavior and the interpretation of some social science results.
Immobilization of glucose oxidase on montmorillonite clay: hydrophobic and ionic modes of binding

Abstract Neutral, cationic and anionic forms of glucose oxidase (pH 3.0–8.0) bind to the external surfaces of hexadecyltrimethylammonium montmoril-lonite by a hydrophobic mechanism. At pH 4.0 the adsorption limit is 4.7 g/ 100 g clay. The pH for optimum activity is similar for the immobilized and free forms of the enzyme, but the immobilized conjugate is more sensitive to changes in pH. In contrast, Na+-montmorillonite binds active forms of glucose oxidase by an ionic intercalation mechanism at pH values below the isoelectric point. Denaturation of the intercalated enzyme occurs by two pathways. The faster pathway is inhibited by high enzyme loadings and by co-adsorption of tetrabutylammonium ions, suggesting that the enzyme uncoils on the interlayer surfaces of the mineral. Lower than expected values for the adsorption limit ( $ 97 g/100 g clay) and for the 00l lattice expansion ( $ 35 A) also indicate uncoiling or flattening of the enzyme in the intercalated state. The slower denaturation pathway, which is less sensitive to surface coverage, may involve hydrolysis and loss of FAD cofactor.
Radiation Resistant Fiber Optic Materials and Waveguides

The ionizing radiation response of a variety of radiation resistant bulk glasses and optical fibers has been measured. The spectral character and time dependence of the radiation-induced optical losses in high purity silicas and silica-containing fibers has been determined for a range of doses and dose rates. Intrinsic optical loss and radiation response measurements on several types of cerium-protected silicate glasses and fibers have indicated that moderate loss (? 100 db/km), high numerical aperture, radiation resistant fiber waveguides are achievable by cerium doping of silicates provided that sufficiently pure materials are utilized. Total fiber loss data, that is, radiation-induced loss plus intrinsic loss, have been generated vs time following pulsed irradiation.
Relation of Visual-Motor Skills and Reading Achievement in Primary-Grade Pupils of Superior Ability

Second and third grade pupils (ns = 23, 27, 24, 26) of superior intelligence were dichotomized into subgroups on the basis of visual-motor development as measured by the Bender-Gestalt. Bender and WISC scores were significantly correlated with reading at the second grade level but not at the third grade. The relationship of reading to visual-motor development and the learning of other skills to read for this type of pupil is suggested.
Structural instability in single crystals of the high-Tc superconductor La2-x Srx CuO4.

Single crystals superconducting ${\mathrm{La}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{CuO}}_{4}$ (x\ensuremath{\sim}0.08) have been investigated in the temperature range 15\char21{}298 K and are found to undergo a structural phase transition below room temperature, but above 180 K. Detailed analysis of the diffraction-peak profiles obtained below the transition temperature indicates a breakup of the macroscopic crystals into multiple domains of different orientations. Several cooling and warming cycles always reverse the samples into one-domain single crystals at room temperature. Complicated peak profiles prevent the determination of the exact symmetry and structure below the phase transition.
Factors in American State government spending on research and development

This paper investigates factors that lead state governments in the United States to spend on research and development and research and development plant. Data come from a national survey of such spending. Regression analysis is used. Findings include the following: the relative wealth of a state, as measured by its tax capacity, predicts some of such spending; the level of a state's taxation, as measured by its tax effort, predicts some of such spending; and the political party composition of a state predicts some of such spending. By contrast, a state's economic difficulty, as measured by its unemployment rate, has almost no relationship to such spending.
Luminescence from optical elements commonly used in near-IR spectroscopic studies: the photosensitized formation of singlet molecular oxygen (1Δg) in solution

Abstract Upon excitation with visible light, optical elements made from silicon luminesce in the near-IR portion of the spectrum (1000 – 1300 nm). Excitation and emission spectra of optical grade silicon, recorded at 295 K, are presented in this report. The luminescence decay times depend both on the sample and on the experimental conditions. An emission spectrum of a Schott RG-850 filter is also reported. In most cases, interfering luminescence observed in time-resolved phosphorescence studies of singlet molecular oxygen (O2(1Δg)), created by pulsed excitation of a sensitizer, can be attributed to the presence of optical elements which absorb visible radiation and subsequently emit in the near IR: either a silicon window, an interference filter containing a silicon blocking filter, or a standard colored glass filter.
Effects of Alcohol on Psychomotor Performance and Perceived Impairment in Heavy Binge Social Drinkers

Alcohol intoxication often results in negative consequences; however, specific behavioral and subjective effects vary as a function of individual differences. The present study utilized an alcohol challenge paradigm to examine whether heavy binge social drinkers (HD; n = 77), compared to light social drinkers (LD; n = 55), exhibit: (1) greater tolerance in psychomotor task performance under the influence of alcohol, and (2) differential perceptions of the impairing effects of alcohol. The study included three test sessions in which participants consumed either a low (0.4 g/kg) or a high (0.8 g/kg) dose of ethanol or a placebo beverage administered in random order and counterbalanced within group. Participants completed the Digit-Symbol Substitution Task (DSST) and the Grooved Pegboard at pre-drink baseline and at multiple time points after beverage consumption. They also completed a scale of perceived impairment at several intervals after beverage consumption. Ethanol impaired performance at the high dose, but not at the low dose (ps < .001). The groups exhibited similar alcohol-induced impairment. However, HD reported lower self-perceived impairment compared to LD, particularly during the early portion of the blood alcohol curve when actual impairment was most pronounced (p < .001). Thus, this study extends prior research in that habitual binge social drinking does not appear to be associated with tolerance to alcohol’s impairing effects on select psychomotor skills. Further, results may have implications for alcohol-related harm as binge social drinkers regularly consume intoxicating doses of alcohol but may not be aware of the physical and cognitive impairments produced by alcohol. © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
HBsAg negative hepatitis in a hemodialysis unit. Relation to Epstein Barr virus

Eleven of 40 patients in a hemodialysis unit had clinical or biochemical evidence of hepatitis during a five-week period. The clinical disease was mild, being limited solely to dialysis patients. Epidemiologic investigation indicated that the incubation period was between 17 and 35 days and that 10 of 11 patients had been exposed to a single venous-pressure monitor before onset. Dried blood and evidence of blood reflux up the venous-pressure gauge suggested that cross-contamination of the blood of successive patients probably resulted in transmission of disease. No association with the hepatitis B surface antigen or anti-hepatitis B antibody was demonstrated, but 10 of the 11 patients with elevated transaminase levels had evidence of recent exposure, to Epstein-Barr virus as manifested either by Ox-cell hemolysin titers or rises in titers to viral capsid antigen.
Opportunistic service promotion for end-to-end delay minimization in IEEE 802.11p vehicular networks

IEEE 802.11p Wireless Access for Vehicular Environments (WAVE) is the envisioned communication protocol for Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications. WAVE offers service differentiation by prioritizing packets based on an application's QoS requirements. This is accomplished by a multi-channel approach where a channel consists of multiple priority queues. Currently, WAVE uses static packet priorities without accounting for network load. In this paper, we propose a novel opportunistic service promotion technique for IEEE 802.11p (WAVE) to dynamically route lower priority packets through higher priority queues while meeting the required QoS w.r.t delay for all queues and underlying network link layer bounds. This will increase the QoS w.r.t end-to-end delay of all ITS applications. To show correctness and feasibility, our methodology entails formulating the opportunistic service promotion technique as an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) problem. We solve it to guarantee minimum overall end-to-end delay. We show significant improvement averaging at 30% decrease in the end-to-end delay over classical WAVE implementations.
Treatment results of craniopharyngiomas

Treatment results on 109 patients with craniopharyngioma treated surgically or by combined surgery and radiation therapy are reported. The five- and ten-year survival rates were 62.9% and 48%, respectively, for 74 patients treated primarily with surgery. For 32 patients treated with combined surgery and radiation therapy, the survival rates were 82.2% and 71%. The 74 patients treated with surgery but no radiotherapy had five- and ten-year relapse-free survival rates of 31.5% and 17.4%, respectively, and for the 32 patients treated with combined surgery and radiation therapy, these relapse-free survival rates were 76.3% and 43.8%, respectively. The survival and relapse-free survival rates were better for children. Morbidity and mortality were higher in patients who were reoperated on for recurrent tumors. Our data indicate that radiation therapy should play a major role in the initial combined management of cranio-pharyngiomas especially when the lesion cannot be totally resected and when postoperative CT scan shows residual tumors. Cancer 47:847–852, 1981.
Electrodeposition of silicon from molten salts

Abstract Silicon coatings were electrodeposited at 750 °C from alkali metal fluoride melts containing K2SiF6. The deposit grows three dimensionally from nuclei formed simultaneously. The surface structure of the coating is voltage dependent. On Inconel, extensive diffusion of the alloy constituents into the silicon takes place.
What controls variation in human skin color

There is a large range of human skin color, yet we know very little about the underlying genetic architecture. Is the number of skin color genes close to five, 50, or 500?
Preultimate 4th/5th instar Trichoplusia ni naturally-injected with venom/calyx fluid from Chelonus curvimaculatus precociously metamorphose, rather than obey the metamorphic size threshold that would normally compel molting to a 5th/6th instar.

Abstract In normally regulated larval metamorphosis of Trichoplusia ni , a 4th, 5th or other numbered instar is a 'preultimate' instar, and will normally continue larval molting, if the larva has not yet surpassed the critical (minimal) size threshold corresponding to attainment of the `ultimate' (metamorphic) instar. Natural injection of T. ni embryos with venom/calyx fluid of female Chelonus sp. near curvimaculatus caused `penultimate' 4th or 5th instar larvae that would normally molt at least once more, to a 5th/6th instar, to instead precociously metamorphose without another larval molt. These effects were observed in naturally-injected insects that never contained either a parasite larva, a viable parasite embryo, or a parasite egg. These data demonstrate that this effect of venom/calyx fluid of this wasp to induce precocious metamorphosis, at an instar earlier than would otherwise have typically occurred under normal growth conditions, does not require the presence of a parasite larva. Other data did indicate the parasite larva contributes an additional effect that causes a 4th instar host (that from its size would normally require not just one, but at least two more larval molts to reach the metamorphic instar) to not grow to the size metamorphic threshold, but to instead, precociously metamorphose at an even smaller size than occurs with the venom/calyx fluid alone. Additionally, arylphorin was precociously highly expressed in parasitized hosts in a manner independent of a decline in the host JH titer. Therefore, the main target of the venom/calyx fluid activity to induce precocious metamorphosis appears to be an event upstream of the decline in JH production by the corpora allata. Pseudoparasitized hosts become developmentally arrested as precocious prepupae and express a 2.7 kb polydnavirus transcript. The larger (but still subthreshold size) larvae showed less suppressed prepupal ecdysteroid titers, less developmental suppression, and a much weaker expression of that transcript. A general model for mechanisms of action of chelonine venom/calyx fluid, and larvae, to cause precocious host metamorphosis and suppressed prepupal development is presented that is based on the current `size threshold' model of normal lepidopteran development, rather than the older, displaced `instar count' model. By basing the model for chelonine regulation of host development on the current `size threshold' model for normal development, the proposed model for chelonine action both accounts for observations reported on various species of that subfamily and makes useful, testable predictions.
Pharmacologically-distinct subsets of astroglia can be identified by their calcium response to neuroligands

Type 1 astroglia have been reported to exhibit in excess of 20 different neuroligand receptors in vitro. The aim of this study was to determine if astroglia, like neurons, are heterogeneous with respect to their ability to respond to different neuroligand receptor agonists. Type 1 astroglia were loaded with the calcium indicator dye fura-2 and the influence of six different neuroligands on their intracellular calcium levels was examined using a video-based imaging system. Each of the six different neuroligands tested increased calcium levels in a subpopulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein immunopositive cells (astroglia). The percentage of cerebral cortical type 1 astroglia responding to a given neuroligand varied with the agonist and generally followed the order: 2-methylthio-ATP greater than phenylephrine greater than carbachol = serotonin greater than glutamate = histamine. The results also indicate that a single astroglial cell can respond to one agonist with a sustained rise in calcium levels and to an alternate agonist with oscillations in calcium levels. The pharmacological heterogeneity evident among astroglia does not appear to depend on cell proliferation or association with neurons. The results of our studies indicate that cultures of cerebral cortical type 1 astroglia are composed of distinct subsets of cells that can be distinguished by qualitative differences in their ability to respond to specific neuroligands with a rise in intracellular calcium.
Nitrosative stress: Metabolic pathway involving the flavohemoglobin

Nitric oxide (NO) biology has focused on the tightly regulated enzymatic mechanism that transforms l-arginine into a family of molecules, which serve both signaling and defense functions. However, very little is known of the pathways that metabolize these molecules or turn off the signals. The paradigm is well exemplified in bacteria where S-nitrosothiols (SNO)—compounds identified with antimicrobial activities of NO synthase—elicit responses that mediate bacterial resistance by unknown mechanisms. Here we show that Escherichia coli possess both constitutive and inducible elements for SNO metabolism. Constitutive enzyme(s) cleave SNO to NO whereas bacterial hemoglobin, a widely distributed flavohemoglobin of poorly understood function, is central to the inducible response. Remarkably, the protein has evolved a novel heme-detoxification mechanism for NO. Specifically, the heme serves a dioxygenase function that produces mainly nitrate. These studies thus provide new insights into SNO and NO metabolism and identify enzymes with reactions that were thought to occur only by chemical means. Our results also emphasize that the reactions of SNO and NO with hemoglobins are evolutionary conserved, but have been adapted for cell-specific function.
Role of obstructive sleep apnea in cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of reviewTo provide an update on the connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease.Recent findingsLarge prospective studies have established that OSA is associated with an increased incidence of hypertension and, in men, of coronary disease, stroke, and heart fa
Metal-Clad Unit-Type Switchgear for 33-Kv Service

The experience of the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois with metal-clad switchgear has been outstanding, both from the standpoint of reliability of operation and safety to personnel, two of the principal objectives sought by the engineers of the company when they pioneered this type of equipment. This equipment has been applicable not only to the voltage classes up to and including 15,000 volts, but also in the 33,000-volt class, of which the company has seven major installations which have been in service from 13 to 16 years. This report of experience with 33-kv metal-clad switchgear is offered as proof that development and use should be resumed and continued in what is undoubtedly a fertile field for the application of principles which are now generally accepted. It is not a detailed discussion of the design and construction of metal-clad equipment, but rather a factual record of progress already made and proved by 13 years of operating experience. Conclusions drawn from this report are that the main objectives sought after in the development of metal-clad type of switchgear have been obtained satisfactorily. Experience has demonstrated clearly its outstanding operating reliability as compared with the conventional open type, and its perfect safety record for operating and maintenance personnel has been made possible by the inherent safety features which are practical only in metal-clad equipment. If these and other factors which cannot be evaluated precisely are taken into consideration and if the further exploitation in the post-war period of materials and methods developed during the war is kept in mind, it would appear that there is no question about the continued development of metal-clad type of switchgear in all voltage classes. Repetitive manufacturing, standardization, and prefabrication are some of the most potent means of combating the continually rising cost of electrical station and substation installations. The electrical equipment manufacturers are applying these principles to a growing extent and are promoting their use throughout the industry. The principles, of course, are not new, the present movement being directed mainly toward a more intensive and wide-spread application. Neither the manufacturer nor the utilities can afford to neglect any application of these principles that can be justified economically.
Abdominal emergencies in cattle.

Although abdominal emergencies may compose a large proportion of emergency situations for the rural practitioner or bovine specialist, these cases occur under widely different conditions and across a broad range of production settings. These unique conditions create a situation that is ripe for the attending veterinarian to forget to obtain important signalment, history, and physical examination data. Because many of these disorders can progress rapidly to an irreparable state, the attending veterinarian must methodically acquire this data if he or she is to formulate an accurate differential or definitive diagnosis, rational diagnostic plan, and effective therapeutic plan in a timely and orderly manner. In this article, the investigators review the salient signalment, historical data, physical examination findings, and important ancillary diagnostic tests for the most common abdominal emergencies of cattle.
Dopamine denervation does not alter in vivo 3H‐spiperone binding in rat striatum: Implications for external imaging of dopamine receptors in Parkinson's disease

Striatal particulate preparations, both from rats with lesion-induced striatal dopamine (DA) loss and from some striatal dopamine (DA) loss and from some patients with Parkinson's disease, exhibit increased /sup 3/H-neuroleptic binding, which is interpreted to be the mechanism of denervation-induced behavioral supersensitivity to dopaminergic compounds. After intravenous /sup 3/H-spiperone (/sup 3/H-SP) administration to rats with unilateral nigral lesions, we found no differences in accumulation of total or particulate-bound /sup 3/H-SP in dopamine-denervated compared with intact striata. /sup 3/H-SP in vivo binds to less than 10% of striatal sites labeled by /sup 3/H-SP incubated with striatal particulate preparations in vitro. Quantitative autoradiography of /sup 3/H-SP binding to striatal sections in vitro also failed to reveal any effects of dopamine denervation. /sup 3/H-SP bound to striatal sites in vivo dissociates more slowly than that bound to striatal particulate preparations labeled in vitro. Striatal binding properties of /sup 3/H-SP administered in vivo are quite different from the same kinetic binding parameters estimated in vitro using crude membrane preparations of striatum. In addition, striatal binding of in vivo-administered 3H-SP is not affected by prior lesion of the substantia nigra, which results in profound ipsilateral striatal dopamine depletion. Thus, behavioral supersensitivity to dopaminergic compounds maymore » not be associated with altered striatal binding properties for dopamine receptor ligands in vivo.« less
Knowing what we know and do not know: Educational and real world implications

Abstract In the present paper I examine the literature on individuals’ ability to accurately assess their level of understanding of texts (termed calibration of comprehension) and discuss research on the many factors that influence calibration accuracy. The calibration literature has largely revealed that individuals’ assessment skills are frequently inaccurate and inflated. These mismatches between assessments of performance and actual performance have important educational and real world implications.