cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selected polymorphisms of DNA repair genes and risk of pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background : Genetic variants of DNA repair genes may contribute to pancreatic carcinogenesis. O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is the major protein that removes alkylating DNA adducts, and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) play important roles in the base excision repair pathway. Methods : We investigated the association between polymorphisms of MGMT (Leu 84 Phe and Ile 143 Val), APE1 (Asp 148 Glu), and XRCC1 (Arg 194 Trp and Arg 399 Gln) and risk of pancreatic cancer in a case-control study. Exposure information from 384 patients with primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and 357 cancer-free healthy controls were collected and genomic DNAs were genotyped for five markers. Controls were frequency matched to patients by age at enrollment (±5 years), gender, and race. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by using unconditional logistic regression models. Results : There was no significant main effect or interaction with smoking of these genetic variants on the risk of pancreatic cancer. However, the XRCC1 194 polymorphism had a significant interaction with the APE1 148 ( p =0.005) or MGMT 84 polymorphism ( p =0.02) in modifying the risk of pancreatic cancer. Conclusions : This study suggests that polymorphisms of genes involved in the repair of alkylating DNA adduct and DNA base damage may play a role in modulating the risk of pancreatic cancer. Larger studies are required to validate these preliminary findings. The mechanism of the combined genotype effects remains to be elucidated.
Multinucleated giant cells from fibroblast cultures.

Abstract Many multinucleated giant cells are well-known to form from macrophage origin. Those formed from other cell types are less described, but may be as prevalent in pathological tissue. Giant multinucleated cells derived from secondary and primary fibroblast sources in various cultures with similar characteristics to foreign body giant cells are reported. Secondary-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts rapidly fuse within 24 h in contact co-cultures with RAW 264.7 immortalized macrophages, while 3T3 monocultures, non-contact (transwell) co-cultures, and macrophage-conditioned media-treated 3T3 monocultures all do not fuse. Primary-derived murine fibroblasts also form multinucleated cells, both in the presence or absence of co-cultured macrophages that increase during long-term culture (5–30 days). In contrast to 3T3 fusion, this primary cell phenomenon is not due to fibroblast fusion, but rather to nuclear division without cytokinesis. That these multinucleated fibroblasts can originate via different mechanisms may influence and distinguish their behaviors in conditions under which they may arise, including various in vitro culture assays, and in certain fibroblastic pathologies such as the foreign body response, fibrosis, cancer and aged tissue.
Imaging of flaws in composite honeycomb aircraft structures using instrumented tap test

This paper describes the development of an instrumented tap test and imaging system for the inspection of defects and damages in composite aircraft structures, especially honeycomb sandwich constructions. The resulting tap test images based on the impact duration and displayed in a C- scan format can readily reveal the shape and extent of honeycomb core damages. The images also reveal considerable detail of internal substructures such as core splices, ply build-up, and changes of foam core density. Based on a grounded-spring mechanical model, the tap scan images can be converted into images that show the quantitative changes of the local stiffness. A manual tap scan imaging system was assembled for laboratory experiments. Using actual composites parts for airplanes, impact damages and substructures were imaged. In addition, effects of the tapper mass, impactor radius, tap velocity and operator dependence were studied. A compact fieldable system is being built and an automated tapping and imaging system is also under development. The technique was compared to other similar devices currently available.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A comparison of optimum detector spatial resolution in nuclear imaging based on statistical theory and on observer performance

An expression for the expected image of a spherical tumour in a uniform background was derived in terms of background thickness and concentration of radioactivity, the tumour size, depth and uptake ratio, the gamma-ray energy and the detector response function. Three models of human observer performance for tumour detection were developed from different signal-to-noise ratio measures based on the statistical theory of detection. The optimum detector spatial resolution predicted by each model was then compared to that obtained from an observer performance study in which the subjects viewed computer-simulated scintigrams. The predictions from two of these models seem to be consistent with the results of the observer performance study. Model II involves a comparison of the counts integrated over the tumour region with the counts integrated over a background region of the same area. Model III compares the count density estimates of signal-plus-background and background obtained from application of non-uniform weighting functions to the image data.
Management of liver trauma in children

Abstract The charts of 203 consecutive children undergoing emergency laparotomy for management of an acute liver injury were reviewed. Although drainage was all that was required in the majority of cases, massive hemorrhage, usually arising from disrupted hepatic veins, appeared to demand liver resection (as performed in 17 children, with a mortality of 18%) during earlier years of the survey. Control of exsanguinating bleeding from such liver wounds by packing with viable autogenous tissue (pedicled omentum) subsequently eliminated almost entirely the need for resection. Fatalities resulting from either hemorrhagic shock or loss of liver substance then became relatively rare. Additional significant problems were associated organ injuries, postoperative wound and intra-abdominal sepsis, bleeding diatheses, and late instances of hemobilia. The overall mortality was 6%.
Exercise stress testing for exposure of cardiac arrhythmia.

W HEN A CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA is continuously present, the electrocardiogram is the principle technique for exposing and identifying the disorder. However, when the arrhythmia is only episodic in occurrence, neither patient nor physician may suspect its presence. The elusive arrhythmia can represent an innocuous derangement boding no hazard other than the risk of misinterpretation possibly leading to iatrogenicinduced symptoms and disability. Or, it may constitute the basis for complaints varying from trifling palpitations to disabling syncope. In the patient with coronary heart disease (CHD), certain types of ventricular ectopic activity, although rare and sporadic in occurrence, can be the sole harbingers of sudden and unexpected death. When a randomly recurring arrhythmia has been identified, it still poses a therapeutic problem, since there is no certainty as to efficacy of pharmacologic measures unless the arrhythmia is consistently detected. Neither the choice of specific antiarrhytbmic agent nor the precise dose schedule can be accurately determined. The problem of asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmia is especially relevant, since it may augur sudden death.’ Development of a method for reproducibly exposing the elusive arrhythmia is therefore high on the agenda of cardiovascular priorities. Electrocardiographic monitoring of the ambula-
Activity of tralomethrin to modify the nerve membrane sodium channel.

Abstract Deltamethrin is a potent type II pyrethroid insecticide which can modify sodium channel gating kinetics in nerve membranes. The actions of another type II pyrethroid tralomethrin to modify sodium channel kinetics have been ascribed to deltamethrin, to which tralomethrin is known to be converted under certain experimental conditions. The objective of this study was to determine if tralomethrin was intrinsically active in modifying the nerve membrane sodium channel, the major target site of pyrethroids. Experiments were performed using the squid giant axon under voltage-clamp conditions. In axons treated with either pyrethroid, a large sodium tail current was generated upon repolarization from a depolarized level and decayed slowly with a dual exponential time cuurse. The fast time constant for tralomethrin was 165 ± 110 msec and the slow time constant was 3793 ± 802 msec. For deltamethrin the time constants were significantly shorter, the fast time constant being 34 ± 6 msec and the slow time constant being 835 ± 282 msec. The cumulative dose-response relation of tralomethrin revealed two binding sites with apparent dissociation constants of 0.06 and 5 μ m . Deltamethrin appeared to bind to only one site with an apparent dissociation constant of 0.25 μ m . It is clear that there are large differences in the gating kinetics of the sodium channels modified by tralomethrin and deltamethrin which are incompatible with the idea that tralomethrin is active only after conversion to deltamethrin. The differences in sodium channel gating kinetics after modification by tralomethrin versus deltamethrin indicate that tralomethrin is intrinsically active in modifying the nerve membrane sodium channels.
Assessing Feedstocks and Catalysts for Production of Bio-Oils from Hydrothermal Liquefaction

A bench-scale hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process was utilized to convert several readily available biomass feedstocks into bio-oils that could potentially be converted to renewable liquid fuels. Bio-oils produced from dairy manure, poultry litter, pine sawdust, tallow seeds, switchgrass, peanuts, and vegetable oil were compared based on heating values and product yields. Catalysts tested in the HTL process were sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), potassium carbonate (K2CO3), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Operating parameters included 350 °C processing temperature with a corresponding pressure of ~20.5 MPa. Carbon monoxide was used as the process gas with an initial pressure of 2.1 MPa for all trials. Quantification of oils was achieved by using an acetone and ethyl ether extraction. Bio-oils from acetone soluble fractions (ASF) showed the highest heating values ranging from 31.1 to 35.4 MJ kg−1. The effect of the catalysts on ASF was not clearly evident from these studies, although sodium carbonate catalyst appeared to improve conversion efficiency, measured by overall energy value, at 1–2 g catalyst quantities. The feedstock study indicated that the highest energy recovery of 70.8 % was possible from dairy manure. GC–MS results indicated that oily feedstocks produced fewer compounds, while feedstocks that have high lingo-cellulosic contents produced significantly higher number of compounds at relatively lower concentrations. Results indicated that high oil content was not necessary for effective energy conversion in the HTL process; therefore, from an economic perspective, feedstocks with high lipid concentrations do not offer major advantages over low-value (economic) cellulosic or waste feedstocks.
Molecular Basis of a Yeast Prion Species Barrier

The yeast [PSI+] factor is inherited by a prion mechanism involving self-propagating Sup35p aggregates. We find that Sup35p prion function is conserved among distantly related yeasts. As with mammalian prions, a species barrier inhibits prion induction between Sup35p from different yeast species. This barrier is faithfully reproduced in vitro where, remarkably, ongoing polymerization of one Sup35p species does not affect conversion of another. Chimeric analysis identifies a short domain sufficient to allow foreign Sup35p to cross this barrier. These observations argue that the species barrier results from specificity in the growing aggregate, mediated by a well-defined epitope on the amyloid surface and, together with our identification of a novel yeast prion domain, show that multiple prion-based heritable states can propagate independently within one cell.
An aspect-oriented approach to mobile agent access control

This paper presents an aspect-oriented approach to access control in mobile agent systems, where a multipoint security check mechanism visualizes the services of a host as individual components and access of each will require authentication. Since the security check crosscuts various functional components of mobile agents and their platforms, it is naturally handled in the aspect-oriented paradigm. This approach is suitable not only for developing mobile agent systems from scratch, but also for enhancing legacy mobile agent systems. We demonstrate our approach through a case study.
Cognitive Changes at High Altitude

The effects of hypoxia on cognitive functions were investigated in two experiments. Two types of problem-solving and two immediate-memory tasks were used. The first experiment, carried out with five Ss for three days at 12,470 ft. after 15 days of practice at sea level, showed no changes in performance. In the second experiment, practice effects were counterbalanced with seven Ss for two days at sea level and two days at 14,250 ft. The results showed a significant impairment of performance in one kind of problem-solving, significant improvement in the other, and no significant change in immediate memory. In both experiments, Ss showed significant responses to hypoxia on the physiological measures taken. In Exp. II, the improved problem-solving was significantly correlated with changes in temperature and pulse rate, but the impaired problem performance did not achieve a significant correlation with these measures. The results suggest that performance under hypoxic conditions may depend upon an interaction ...
EXPRESSION PATTERN OF ACTIVATION AND ADHESION MOLECULES ON PERIPHERAL BLOOD CD4+ T-LYMPHOCYTES IN RELAPSING-REMITTING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS : A SERIAL ANALYSIS

We studied the expression of various cell surface molecules (CD25, CD28, CD29, CD45RO, CD56, LFA-1, VLA-4) on peripheral blood CD4+ T-cells in 6 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) patients. Furthermore, changes in the expression pattern of these surface markers during intervals of increased disease activity, which was measured by gadolinium (Gd-DTPA) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were examined. Although several patients showed signs of increased disease activity during the observation period, this was not paralleled by a relevant change in the expression of these activation and adhesion molecules.
Echocardiographic Markers for the Prediction of Nonclosure of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Premature Neonates

Four echocardiographic markers—left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the ratio of the left atrial diameter to the aortic root diameter (LA/Ao), the ratio of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) diameter to the left pulmonary arterial diameter (PDA/LPA), and the patent foramen ovale (PFO) diameter—were explored to predict a PDA in 221 premature neonates (53% male). There were 182 cases with PDA (mean diameter = 2.49 mm); 39 control subjects were observed with a closed ductus arteriosus. Although 104 of the cases (57.1 %) were diagnosed when 0 to 3 days old (median age = 1 day), 78 (42.9%) were diagnosed when 4 to 86 days old (median age = 13 days). Birth weights of the neonates ranged from 0.5 to 4.8 kg (mean = 1.68 kg). After controlling for age and birth weight, the mean LVEF (%) was not significantly different in the cases versus controls (P > .05); the mean LA/Ao and mean PFO diameter were significantly larger (P < .001) in the cases. The mean PDA/LPA was consistently ≥ .7 in the cases. The sensitiv...
Heat Transfer Enhancement Using Ferromagnetic Particle Laden Fluid and Oscillating Magnetic Fields

A convective heat transfer enhancement technique and the experimental method used to quantify the improvement in heat transfer are introduced. The enhancement technique employs time varying magnetic fields produced in a pipe to cause the ferromagnetic particles of a particle laden fluid (mineral oil and iron filings) to be attracted to and released from the pipe wall. The magnetic field remains energized long enough to attract particles to the wall and allow the heat to be quickly transferred to the highly thermally conductive particles. The released particles utilize their large surface area when dispersed to efficiently transfer heat to the bulk fluid. The ferromagnetic particles act not only to advect heat into the bulk fluid, but they also disrupt the boundary layer, allowing cooler fluid to reach the high temperature pipe wall, increase thermal energy transfer directly to the fluid and contribute to the overall improvement in heat transfer rate. The experimental method utilized to quantify increased effectiveness of convective heat transfer uses an experimental apparatus designed to replicate an internally cooled fin. The pipe test section acts as an internally cooled fin whose surface temperature is measured with an IR camera. These temperature measurements are then utilized to calculate the convective heat transfer coefficient (h) of the fluid within the pipe. The enhancement technique demonstrated a 250% increases in heat transfer coefficient for the experimental parameters tested.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Beyond Linguistic Knowledge: Individual Differences in Second Language Reading.

: Reading in a second language (L2) is a dynamic process that involves the interplay of complex factors. This study investigated the effects of readers' gender, topic familiarity, enjoyment, and interest on second language reading. During two different class periods, 86 learners of intermediate Spanish at the university level completed: (1) a reading passage (a different passage each day), (2) a written recall comprehension task, and (3) a questionnaire. The reading passages were taken from authentic short stories often used for this level of language instruction. The findings suggested that in addition to linguistic factors that impede successful reading comprehension, other variables such as gender, passage content, and topic familiarity may increase the L2 reader's burden. Enjoyment and interest mattered little at this level of instruction. The predicted variables did not completely explain the gender differences in reading comprehension of the intermediate-level passage topics; however, the study results indicated that when using authentic texts, instructors should incorporate prereading activities that activate learners' existing knowledge.
Pathogenesis and therapy of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: an update

Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is an important cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in adults and children. It is responsible for 5–20% of all cases of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the United States. The pathogenesis of FSGS has not been fully elucidated; however, data from molecular studies of familial cases in the last two decades suggest that FSGS is a defect of the podocyte. The therapeutic agents available for treatment of FSGS are not very effective and only a small percentage of affected individuals will achieve complete remission. Recent data from molecular biology and molecular genetics has provided insight into the mechanisms of action of old agents and also identification of other novel therapeutic targets. This review focuses on recent advances in the molecular pathogenesis of FSGS and currently available therapeutic agents as well as potential novel therapies.
Limited usefulness of observer-based cosmesis scales employed to evaluate patients treated conservatively for breast cancer.

We evaluated the relative usefulness of two observer-based scales commonly employed to assess the cosmetic outcome of patients treated by breast-preserving techniques for breast cancer. We asked 44 volunteer observers to employ one or the other scale to assess cosmetic outcome in a series of 14 projected color photographs of frontal views of treated patients. Our results demonstrate that observer concensus with either scale is rarely attained, particularly for patients with T1 or T2 tumors. Experienced observers could reach a concensus more often, although still infrequently. Moreover, the reliability of both scales is poor, since approximately one-third of observers evaluating one photograph twice during the same test session changed their answer. We conclude that while observer-based cosmesis scales demonstrate that current surgical and radiation therapy techniques can provide a “good” cosmetic result in 66–90% of patients with Stage I or II breast cancer, they lack the sensitivity and reliability to evaluate factors affecting cosmetic outcome since all forms of cosmetic change are lumped together into one assessment. Each type of cosmetic change should be evaluated separately by objective measures to determine factors related to its development.
Meat quality: Influence of fatness of pigs on the eating quality of pork

The eating qualities of pork from the longissimus dorsi muscles of pigs showing a wide variation in fatness (10-40 mm, back fat thickness) were assessed by taste panel after either the excised muscle had been grilled or a complete loin joint had been roasted. The average panel scores for texture and juiciness covered a wide range but were not consistently related to fatness. Although meat from fatter pigs tended to be judged more tender in direct comparisons, overall the results did not support the contention that fatness in the carcass is associated with tenderness in the lean meat.
Regional cerebral blood flow and plasma nicotine after smoking tobacco cigarettes

The hypothesis for this research is that only in some brain areas, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) after tobacco smoking is correlated with arterial plasma nicotine concentrations. Twenty-one healthy adult tobacco smokers of both genders were studied after overnight tobacco abstinence. H(2)15O water was used to measure rCBF. Six separate scans were taken about 12 min apart with the subjects' eyes closed and relaxed. Research tobacco cigarettes smoked were of average (1.0 mg) and low (0.08 mg) nicotine but similar tar yield (9.5 and 9.1 mg). Increases in normalized rCBF were obtained in the occipital cortex, cerebellum, and thalamus, and decreases in the anterior cingulate, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and hippocampus immediately after smoking the first average nicotine yield cigarette of the morning. After smoking the second average nicotine yield cigarette, the effects were less than smoking the first. Low-nicotine cigarettes produced fewer changes in rCBF than those after the first average cigarette. As expected, statistically significant correlations were found between increases in arterial plasma nicotine and HR. Correlations with arterial nicotine on rCBF were statistically significant in brain areas with the greatest changes in relative blood flow such as the cerebellum and occipital cortex. Nicotine delivery by tobacco smoking is only one of the factors, which contribute to changes in rCBF.
Considerations for stimulus-response curves in stroke: an investigation comparing collection and analysis methods.

ABSTRACTStimulus–response curves (SRCs) provide information about the neurophysiological strength of corticospinal connections. The method for measuring and/or drawing meaningful conclusions of SRCs has not been well established in the stroke population. This study sought to characterize the use of an abbreviated SRC in stroke by comparing two data collection and two analysis approaches. SRCs were obtained using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in 25 survivors of stroke. The SRC data were collected with TMS intensities referenced to either motor threshold (MT; 5% increments between 100% and 140% of MT) or stimulator output (5% increments between 30% and 100% output) with peak-to-peak motor evoked potential amplitudes determined and averaged for each intensity level. Data were modeled with a three-parameter sigmoid function and a linear regression and were analyzed with a mixed design analysis of variance. There was no difference in the accuracy of prediction (r2) between the different analyses. The...
Observation of atomic place exchange in submonolayer heteroepitaxial Fe/Au(001) films.

Submonolayer Fe films on a Au(001) surface were found to exhibit atomic place exchanges with Au atoms during room temperature growth by using the angular profile measurement of high-resolution low-energy electron diffraction. The place exchanged atoms result in 2D Au surface islands and Fe subsurface structures. These inverted 2D islands form a structure with a roughly equal island size and spacing in \ensuremath{\sim}0.5 monolayer FeAu(001) surfaces. The observed mechanism of the atomic place exchange is consistent with recent first-principles calculations for a heteroepitaxial system.
Commercialism in US elementary and secondary school nutrition environments: trends from 2007 to 2012.

Importance Schools present highly desirable marketing environments for food and beverage companies. However, most marketed items are nutritionally poor. Objective To examine national trends in student exposure to selected school-based commercialism measures from 2007 through 2012. Design, Setting, and Participants Annual nationally representative cross-sectional studies were evaluated in US public elementary, middle, and high schools with use of a survey of school administrators. Exposures School-based commercialism, including exclusive beverage contracts and associated incentives, profits, and advertising; corporate food vending and associated incentives and profits; posters/advertisements for soft drinks, fast food, or candy; use of food coupons as incentives; event sponsorships; and fast food available to students. Main Outcomes and Measures Changes over time in school-based commercialism as well as differences by student body racial/ethnic distribution and socioeconomic status. Results Although some commercialism measures—especially those related to beverage vending—have shown significant decreases over time, most students at all academic levels continued to attend schools with one or more types of school-based commercialism in 2012. Overall, exposure to school-based commercialism increased significantly with grade level. For 63.7% of elementary school students, the most frequent type of commercialism was food coupons used as incentives. For secondary students, the type of commercialism most prevalent in schools was exclusive beverage contracts, which were in place in schools attended by 49.5% of middle school students and 69.8% of high school students. Exposure to elementary school coupons, as well as middle and high school exclusive beverage contracts, was significantly more likely for students attending schools with mid or low (vs high) student body socioeconomic status. Conclusions and Relevance Most US elementary, middle, and high school students attend schools where they are exposed to commercial efforts aimed at obtaining food or beverage sales or developing brand recognition and loyalty for future sales. Although there have been significant decreases over time in many of the measures examined, the continuing high prevalence of school-based commercialism calls for, at minimum, clear and enforceable standards on the nutritional content of all foods and beverages marketed to youth in school settings.
Diversity and distribution of genus Jatropha in Mexico

In Mexico and all over the world, the number of studies on the species of the Jatropha genus has increased because of the use of its seed oil to produce biodiesel. However, the knowledge of the taxonomy, distribution, and ethnobotany of these and related species is incomplete. This article presents the distribution of the genus in Mexico according to its internationally accepted taxonomic identity. The distribution is linked to environmental variables such as elevation, climate type, soil, and soil moisture patterns. In addition to showing the current taxonomical knowledge in Mexico, this article discusses its biogeography, its traditional uses and the research lines to follow in further study of the genus. The distribution results show that some species are broadly adapted; as a consequence, they are present in many different environments. Species such as J. dioica, J. curcas, J. cordata, J. cinerea and J. gaumeri are distributed in areas with well defined environmental conditions. However, the distribution of species such as J. riojae has not yet been ascertained. Three areas with high species richness were identified, and they are very important for the study and conservation of the genus. Mexico is a global center of diversity for this genus. Food and medicinal uses have been reported for some species. This article concludes with recommendations for further study to improve the knowledge of this genus in Mexico.
Resolving IP aliases in building traceroute-based internet maps

Alias resolution, the task of identifying IP addresses belonging to the same router, is an important step in building traceroute-based Internet topology maps. Inaccuracies in alias resolution affect the representativeness of constructed topology maps. This in turn affects the conclusions derived from studies that use these maps. This paper presents two complementary studies on alias resolution. First, we present an experimental study to demonstrate the impact of alias resolution on topology measurement studies. Then, we introduce an alias resolution approach called analytic and probe-based alias resolver (APAR). APAR consists of an analytical component and a probe-based component. Given a set of path traces, the analytical component utilizes the common IP address assignment scheme to infer IP aliases. The probe-based component introduces a minimal probing overhead to improve the accuracy of APAR. Compared to the existing state-of-the-art tool ally, APAR uses an orthogonal approach to resolve a large number of IP aliases that ally fails to identify. Our extensive verification study on sample data sets shows that our approach is effective in resolving many aliases with good accuracy. Our evaluations also indicate that the two approaches (ally and APAR) should be used together to maximize the success of the alias resolution process.
An immunohistochemical study of enkephalins and other neuropeptides in the striatum of the cat with evidence that the opiate peptides are arranged to form mosaic patterns in register with the striosomal compartments visible by acetylcholinesterase staining.

Abstract This report presents immunohistochemical evidence for a modular arrangement of enkephalin and substance P in the striatum of cats and kittens. In cross-sections from the adults, met-enkephalin immunoreactivity in the caudate nucleus was concentrated in discrete, variably shaped macroscopic patches (0.2–0.5 mm wide) spaced at roughly 0.7–1.0 mm intervals. Patches appeared only occasionally in the putamen but there were larger districts of high immunoreactivity in the nucleus accumbens. In sections incubated with antiserum to substance P, both patches of dense immunoreactivity and zones of low immunoreactivity were present in the caudate nucleus. Staining in the putamen was fairly homogeneous, while in the nucleus accumbens it was patterned and especially intense dorsally. A detailed comparison was made between the distribution of the enkephalin-rich patches and the circumscript zones of low acetylcholinesterase activity (striosomes) visible in serially-adjoining sections by the thiocholine method. There was a striking registration of the two sets of figures, nearly every cholinesterase-poor patch corresponding to an enkephalin-positive zone. Correspondences were more complicated in the substance P stain but many pale zones and some dark zones were aligned with the enkephalin-rich cholinesterase-poor figures. No comparable clumping of reaction product was visible in sections processed for somatostatin immunoreactivity. In the caudate nucleus of young kittens, small dark patches of enkephalin and substance P immunoreactivity also appeared. In the cholinesterase stain there were both light and dark patches, and it was mainly with the dark zones that the enkephalin-positive patches (and some substance P patches) were in register. We conclude that the caudate nucleus is divided up into pharmacologically distinct compartments, and that although these are present at birth, their final histochemical composition is established postnatally.
Quantitative 3-dimensional CT analyses of fractures of the middle phalanx base

Background Quantitative 3-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) analyses can provide a more detailed understanding of fracture morphology. For fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint, the extent of fragmentation of the volar lip of the middle phalanx—a factor that might influence treatment—is not always apparent from radiographs. We hypothesized that there is no correlation between number of fracture fragments and the percentage of articular surface area involved in intra-articular fractures of the base of the middle phalanx using quantitative 3DCT analyses.
Association of Center Volume With Mortality and Complications in Pediatric Heart Surgery

OBJECTIVE: Previous analyses have suggested center volume is associated with outcome in children undergoing heart surgery. However, data are limited regarding potential mediating factors, including the relationship of center volume with postoperative complications and mortality in those who suffer a complication. We examined this association in a large multicenter cohort. METHODS: Children 0 to 18 years undergoing heart surgery at centers participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (2006–2009) were included. In multivariable analysis, we evaluated outcomes associated with annual center volume, adjusting for patient factors and surgical risk category. RESULTS: A total of 35 776 patients (68 centers) were included. Overall, 40.6% of patients had ≥1 complication, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 3.9%. The mortality rate in those patients with a complication was 9.0%. In multivariable analysis, lower center volume was significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality. There was no association of center volume with the rate of postoperative complications, but lower center volume was significantly associated with higher mortality in those with a complication ( P = .03 when volume examined as a continuous variable; odds ratio in centers with 350 cases per year = 1.59 [95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.18]). This association was most prominent in the higher surgical risk categories. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the higher mortality observed at lower volume centers in children undergoing heart surgery may be related to a higher rate of mortality in those with postoperative complications, rather than a higher rate of complications alone. * Abbreviations: STS — : Society of Thoracic Surgeons EACTS — : European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery
ADC Errors In Quantitative FT-IR Spectroscopy

Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are an indispensible component in the electronic processing chain of modern computer-ized instruments, such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometers. In an FT-IR spectrometer, the interferogram of a broadband source covers a wide dynamic range, on the order of 106:1. This is a very demanding application for a high-speed ADC. Since FT-IR spectroscopy carries the promise of achieving high accuracy, all possible sources of systematic errors must be examined in order to validate that promise'. We will show that linearity errors in the ADC can result in a distortion of the transformed spectrum. This distortion can lead to significant systematic inaccuracies in FT-IR spectrophotometry.
Direct determination of crystal surface periodicity from scattering and recoiling azimuthal anisotropy

Abstract The technique of time-of-flight scattering and recoiling spectrometry (TOF-SARS) enables the direct determination of crystal surface periodicity by revealing the main crystallographic axes of the surface. This is achieved by monitoring the azimuthal anisotropy of scattered or recoiled neutral plus ion intensity in the appropriate scattering geometry. Using scattering in two different modes, i.e. a shadowing mode and a blocking mode, for the (1 × 2) and (1 × 3) phases of a reconstructed Pt{110} surface and using scattering and recoiling in the shadowing mode for a (1 × 1)-Ni{110} surface, it is demonstrated that the main crystallographic axes can be exposed directly from plots of scattering or recoiling intensity versus crystal azimuthal angle. The shadowing and blocking effects that are responsible for this anisotropy and their extreme sensitivity to appropriate angular conditions are discussed. A method for obtaining the periodicity information without sample rotation using position-sensitive detection is proposed.
Pangaea to seven continents - A rational quantitative earthquake engineering approach

It is generally agreed that the seven continents were, approximately 100,000,000 years ago, all part of a single supercontinent which Wegener called Pangaea. The path from Pangaea to seven continents has never been clearly demonstrated. In this study, an analysis based upon a recently developed comprehensive quantitative rational earthquake engineering theory, is submitted as an engineering explanation for this fundamental geological problem. In a very general way, the proposed model accounts for various qualitative and some quantitative experimental (i.e., field) findings. Included in the break-up mechanism, which is a super-earthquake, is an estimate of the epicenter location, an explanation for the cause of the earthquake, for the current positions of the continents and the connection with continental drift. Some very approximate numerical calculations hint at the magnitude of the earthquake as well as the velocities of the land masses.
The Evolving Understanding of Recovery: What the Sociology of Mental Health has to Offer

The meaning of recovery from serious mental illness (SMI) has evolved over time. Whereas it was not even considered to be a primary goal of treatment thirty years ago, it is the main focus of mental health policy today. These changes are partially the result of the work of sociologists who were studying mental health during the time of institutional treatment and the early stages of community-based care. Despite these early influences, the sociology of mental health has largely overlooked the explicit study of recovery. This is because sociologists began shifting their focus from the study of SMI to the study of less severe mental health problems beginning in 1970s. In this paper I (a) discuss the evolving history of mental health recovery; (b) how recovery is defined today in policy, practice, and research; and (c) present an argument for why sociological perspectives and methods can help shed light on the tensions between the definitions while assisting to develop better understandings of the recovery process. In this argument I place particular attention on qualitative social psychological perspectives and methods because they hold the most potential for addressing some of the central concerns in the area of recovery research.
New estimation technique for a class of chaotic signals

We propose a new technique for the estimation of chaotic signals in the presence of additive noise. The new method uses statistical measures to restrict the space over which the signals are received. The proposed technique is applicable to a large variety of chaotic signals and has good performance indicated by the low estimation error bias and variance. The complexity of the algorithm is shown to be low.
Cleavage products of C4b produced by enzymes in human serum

Abstract When purified human C4 is reacted with purified C 1 s, two fragements called C4a and C4b are produced. On subsequent incubation with normal human serum or C4 deficient serum, C4b undergoes a further cleavage as indicated by a cathodal shift of its β arc on immunoelectrophoresis and generation of a new arc with α mobility. The results show that after C 1 s cleaves C4 to C4a and C4b, C4b is subsequently cleaved to C4c and C4d by other serum enzymes. The mol. wt of C4c (β mobility) and C4d (α mobility) as estimated by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration are approximately 140,000 and 50,000, respectively. When EAC4 cells are incubated in serum the hemolytic activity of C4 is destroyed. After whole serum is fractionated on G-150, the fraction which has the most destructive effect on EAC4 does not generate C4d from C4b until fractions from higher mo. wt regions are added. The partial purification of these enzymes indicated that fractions rich in the C3b inactivator bring about destruction of cell bound C4b but another enzyme is necessary for generation of the C4d fragment from C4b. Furthermore, C3b inactivator deficient serum will not generate the C4d fragment until partially purified C3b inactivator is restored.
Kelley receives 2011 Hisashi Kuno Award: Citation

Katherine Kelley received the Hisashi Kuno Award at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting, held 5–9 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “accomplishments of junior scientists who make outstanding contributions to the fields of volcanology, geochemistry, and petrology.”
The portly psychologist, or, on the perils of using a control group.

A questionnaire was sent to people who had requested reprints of an article on weight control as well as to a control group of people who requested reprints of articles on other topics. Although a majority of people who requested the weight-control paper reported that they had a weight problem, were overweight, had an overweight friend or relative, etc., the control group reported an equal preoccupation with obesity; in fact, the two groups did not differ on any measure except frequency of openended comments. The results imply that adequate control groups should be used whenever possible in generalizing about characteristics of groups.
CHOLESTEROL AND CHOLESTERYL ESTER CONTENT IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGIC SCALE

Using a sensitive new assay, we have measured the cholesteryl ester and cholesterol contents of stratum corneum from callus, normal skin, psoriatic lesions (plantar and nonplantar), and lamellar ichthyotic lesions (plantar and nonplantar). Cholesteryl ester content of normal stratum corneum was significantly higher than that of callus, suggesting that callus was not a suitable control tissue for further biochemical studies involving sterol content of stratum corneum. Both psoriatic and lamellar ichthyotic scale have increased levels of free cholesterol and decreased levels of esterified cholesterol when compared to appropriate controls.
Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase increases extracellular cerebral glutamate concentration after global ischemia

Abstract The effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on extracellular glutamate release were investigated in rats during global brain ischemia and reperfusion (IR) using cerebral microdialysis. A dialysis probe was inserted into the hippocampus of anesthetized rats. Forebrain ischemia was produced by hypotension and occlusion of both carotid arteries. After 15 min, brain flow was restored for 60 min. Time-dependent changes in the dialysate glutamate concentration were analyzed with HPLC in both control rats and those treated with N ω - nitro- l -arginine methyl ester 30 min prior to ischemia. The data show that the NOS inhibitor did not prevent glutamate release from hippocampus during ischemia. Inhibition of NOS also enhanced glutamate release during reperfusion resulting in dialysate concentrations up to 10 times higher than control values.
Novel high-performance liquid chromatographic method using solid-phase on-line elution for determination of metolazone in plasma and whole blood

Abstract A novel solid-phase on-line elution HPLC method employing fluorescence detection to measure metolazone in plasma and whole blood has been developed. The method is sensitive and selective for metolazone and linear over a dynamic range of 1–50 ng/ml with a sample requirement of 250 μl. The limit of quantitation for the method is 1 ng/ml and combined intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision had an error and coefficient of variation of 2.9 and 5.5%, respectively.
Motor learning deficits in aged rats are correlated with loss of cerebellar noradrenergic function

We have demonstrated that aged rats show impairments in learning patterned motor movements. Similar behavioral impairment is observed in rats with noradrenergic lesions. Norepinephrine is known to act as a neuromodulator in the cerebellar cortex because it can augment the action of GABA and other neurotransmitters. This effect of NE to augment the signal to noise ratio of GABAergic inputs to cerebellar Purkinje neurons is a possible substrate for NE's effect on motor learning. Aged rats demonstrate deficits in the modulatory actions of NE to augment GABAergic inhibitions when both substances are locally applied onto cerebellar Purkinje neurons. In this report, we examined how motor learning and cerebellar noradrenergic function varied in individual young and 20-month-old Fischer 344 rats. There was a significant correlation between the loss of the neuromodulatory actions of norepinephrine (NE) in the cerebellar cortex and the rate of learning a novel motor task in individual rats. This report thus demonstrates for the first time a correlation between age-related impairments in motor plasticity and specific neurophysiological deficits in cerebellar Purkinje neurons in individual animals.
Deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in vaccinia virus-infected HeLa cells.

Abstract The control of DNA synthesis by the addition of graded concentrations of thymidine to HeLa cell cultures inhibited by 5-fluorodeoxyuridine has been determined to be a regulation at the cellular level and not a population selection process. In infected cells the rate of of vaccinia virus DNA in the presence of FUDR is not a function of the thymidine concentration. Instead, suboptimal thymidine levels were utilized preferentially to support optimal viral DNA synthetic rates which ceased abruptly when depletion of thymidine occurred. When FUDR was added early in the infectious cycle, the reduced yield of infectious virus obtained was also formed at a maximal rate.
DiGeorge syndrome: an update.

Purpose of review This article is an update on DiGeorge syndrome research focusing on the synergy of human and model systems genetics toward the understanding of conotruncal and aortic arch defects. Recent findings The identification of mutations of the human T-Box1 (TBX1) gene and progress on research of Tbx1 function in mouse development demonstrate the pathogenetic role of this gene in DiGeorge syndrome and generate new hypotheses about its function in cardiovascular development. Summary The Tbx1 genetic pathway and the cell biology of tissues contributing to pharyngeal arch arteries and cardiac outflow tract are the foundation for understanding congenital heart disease in DiGeorge syndrome.
Prediction of Surface Segregation in Binary Alloys Using Bulk Alloy Variables

A simple graphical approach is proposed which correctly predicts the occurrence or absence of surface segregation for virtually all binary alloys that have been studied experimentally. The rule is based on elemental variables related to the work functions and electron densities of the elements. These variables have been proposed by Miedema and used by him to predict binary-alloy heats of solution and elemental surface energies. The graphical condition for segregation is derived analytically and is valid for both substitutional and interstitial alloys.