cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neonatal repair of truncus arteriosus: continuing improvement in outcomes.

Abstract Background . Repair of truncus arteriosus in the neonatal and early infant periods has become standard practice at many centers. We reviewed our recent experience with repair of truncus arteriosus in neonates, with a focus on early and intermediate outcomes. Methods . From July 1992 to December 1999, 65 patients 1 month of age or less underwent primary complete repair of truncus arteriosus. Median age was 10 days, and median weight was 3.2 kg. Major associated anomalies included moderate or severe truncal valve regurgitation in 15 patients (23%), interrupted aortic arch in 8 (12%), coronary artery abnormalities in 12 (18%), and nonconfluence of the pulmonary arteries in 3 (5%). Median durations of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest were 172 minutes and 90 minutes, respectively. Circulatory arrest was employed only in 7 patients undergoing concomitant repair of interrupted arch. Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract was achieved with an aortic (n = 39) or pulmonary (n = 26) allograft valved conduit (median diameter, 12 mm). Replacement (n = 6) or repair (n = 5) of a regurgitant truncal valve was performed in 11 patients, and interrupted arch was repaired in 8. Results . There were three early deaths (5%). Early reoperations included reexploration for bleeding in 3 patients, emergent replacement of a pulmonary outflow conduit that failed acutely in 1 patient, and placement of a permanent pacemaker in 1. Mechanical circulatory support was required in 1 patient. During the median follow-up of 32 months, there were two deaths. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival was 92% at 1 year and beyond. The only demographic, diagnostic, or operative factors significantly associated with poorer survival over time were operative weight of 2.5 kg or less ( p = 0.01) and truncal valve replacement ( p = 0.009). Actuarial freedom from conduit replacement among early survivors was 57% at 3 years. Conclusions . Repair of truncus arteriosus in the neonatal period can be performed routinely with excellent survival, even in patients with major associated abnormalities.
Determination of the Change of Optical Constants by Modulation Techniques

Optical constants changes in germanium determined by modulation method of measuring light reflected at different angles
A two-year follow-up of infants in community-based day care.

SUMMARY Matched groups of day care and home-reared infants were assessed at 31/2 years of age for aspects of emotional and language development. Measures were Obtained in Structured situations, through formal language teats, and via maternal interviews. Day care children were significantly more non-compliant to their mothers than were home-reared children and had significantly more fears and temper tantrums. The two groups of children were Comparable in their greeting behavior upon reunion with their mothers after an hour's separation, in the degree of anxiety manifested during testing; and in the Overall level of behavior problems Day care children had significantly more complex speech and day care mothers used more complex speech to their children. The data suggest that attendance in infant day care did tint adversely affect the children's overall emotional or language development.
Certain Uncorrelated and Independent Rank Statistics

Abstract Some interesting examples of uncorrelated simple linear rank statistics are listed. Consideration is then given to conditions under which general rank statistics are uncorrelated or have joint distributions which enjoy certain symmetric properties. Two simple linear rank statistics that are uncorrelated are found, under suitable restrictions, to be asymptotically independent. This is followed by some illustrations in which two rank statistics are exactly independent. The importance of these results about independence in actual testing is then noted.
On a lottery pricing anomaly: Time tells the tale

This article identifies a lottery pricing anomaly, which I call the “r=x anomaly,” that is present in past pricing experiments—namely, a tendency for subjects to announce that their minimum selling price for some binary lottery is the greater of the two lottery prizes. The study shows that the anomaly is inconsistent with two theoretical explanations for another well-known pricing anomaly (preference reversal) and experimentally replicates these inconsistencies. The new experiment also measures the time subjects spend making their pricing decisions. These decision-time measurements suggest that ther=x anomaly may be a decision-cost effect.
Glandular‐Haired Cultivars Reduce Potato Leafhopper Damage in Alfalfa

Glandular-haired alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars developed for resistance to potato leafhopper [Empoasca fabae Harris] (PLH) have not been evaluated across a wide geographic area. Our objective was to evaluate forage growth, yield, insect damage, and stand density of glandular-haired and standard alfalfa cultivars with and without insecticide control of naturally occurring PLH infestations across the Midwest USA. Nine glandular-haired and five standard cultivars were evaluated from 1996 to 1998 in field experiments in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Scheduled insecticide applications increased total yield of all cultivars, the response declining with increasing latitude (yield advantage = 32.7 - 0.72 x latitude; r 2 = 0.86, P = 0.05). Depending on location, total yield loss due to PLH damage ranged from 5 to 23% for the standard cultivars and 1 to 10% for the glandular-haired, commercially released cultivars (GR). Yield loss from PLH feeding in the GR cultivars was less than half of that observed in standard cultivars in environments where PLH stress was high. The GR cultivars yielded 1.1 Mg ha -1 more per year on average than the standard cultivars without insecticide under high PLH stress in Ohio and Indiana. Potato leafhopper nymph densities were lower in glandular-haired cultivars than in standard cultivars. Cultivars had similar yield when treated with insecticide or when PLH populations were low. Glandular-haired alfalfa cultivars were not immune to PLH damage; however, they can substantially reduce yield losses caused by this pest and provide a useful new tool for integrated pest management strategies.
The dexamethasone suppression test and thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test in posttraumatic stress disorder

Male veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (n = 11), including 6 with concurrent major depressive disorder (MDD), were compared to veterans with MDD alone (n = 18) and to 28 controls in their response to the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation tests. We found higher levels of 4 PM serum cortisol and lower peak thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) response to TRH in the MDD patients than in either the PTSD patients or controls, in spite of equivalent levels of depression for MDD and PTSD. DST suppression (cortisol less than 5 mg/dl) occurred in 90% of control, 90% of PTSD, and 78% of MDD subjects, whereas TRH blunting (dTSHmax less than 7 microU/ml) occurred in 28% of control, 27% of PTSD, and 67% of MDD subjects. Rather than blunting, four PTSD patients (36%) and only 10% of the control and MDD subjects had high TSH responses (13-24 microU/ml), which may be linked to high noradrenergic activity, since subclinical hypothyroidism seemed unlikely.
An analysis tool for piezoelectric gages

The Piezo-electric Gage Analysis System U.S. (pegasus) couples a two-dimensional dynamic structural finite element code to a two-dimensional electrostatics code for analysis of piezoelectric gages. The method has a sound theoretical basis and is built around two powerful finite element anlysis codes. The analysis codes provide the solution of the time dependent stress state in the gage and the solution of the electrostatic equation for each time step. pegasus provides the link between the two codes and the steps required to carry the analysis through to prediction of gage currents. Post-processing of the results allows visual interpretation of the the electric fields within the gage. Here we briefly describe the code and show that it can be a valuable tool for understanding the nature of piezoelectric gages.
Characterization of UBO-QIC as a Gαq inhibitor in platelets

Gαq plays an important role in platelet activation by agonists such as thrombin, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thromboxane. The significance of Gαq signaling in platelets was established using YM254890, a Gαq/11-specific inhibitor and Gαq knockout murine platelets. However, YM-254890 is no longer available for investigators and there is a need to characterize other Gαq inhibitors. The aim of this study is to characterize the specificity of a compound, {L-threonine,(3R)-N-acetyl-3-hydroxy-L-leucyl-(aR)-a-hydroxybenzenepropanoyl-2,3-idehydro-N-methylalanyl-L-alanyl-N-methyl-L-alanyl-(3R)-3-[[(2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-oxo-2-[(1-oxopropyl)amino]pentyl]oxy]-L-leucyl-N,O-dimethyl-,(7 → 1)-lactone (9CI)} (UBO-QIC), as a Gαq inhibitor in platelets. Human platelets treated with UBO-QIC showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation and secretion by protease-activated receptors (PAR) agonists, U46619 and ADP. UBO-QIC also abolished Gαq pathway signaling events such as calcium mobilization and pleckstrin phosphorylation. UBO-QIC had no nonspecific effects on the Gα12/13 pathway since platelet shape change was intact in Gαq knockout murine platelets stimulated with PAR agonists in the presence of the inhibitor. In addition, UBO-QIC-treated platelets did not affect collagen-related peptide-induced platelet activation suggesting that this inhibitor had no non-specific effects on the GPVI pathway. Furthermore, Akt phosphorylation downstream of the Gαi and Gαz pathways, and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation downstream of the Gαs pathway were not inhibited in UBO-QIC-treated platelets. UBO-QIC is a specific inhibitor for Gαq, which can be a useful tool for investigating Gαq-coupled receptor signaling pathways in platelets.
Hold on a Minute Here: What Happened to Critical Thinking in the Information Age?

Information technology has come to occupy a central place in higher education. Claims for increased faculty productivity and improved teaching and learning through information technology can be widely found. However, too often these claims contain faulty assumptions or are not backed with sound empirical evidence. While it is evident that there are reasons to be optimistic that increased use of educational technology may bring about gains in productivity and improvements in pedagogy, there are also grounds for concern. So with the emergence of this technology comes the need to reexamine our traditional conception of computer literacy as well as to extend our approaches to critical thinking instruction so that questions about technology are included. This article will consider a theoretical framework for understanding the impact of the computer, and as such recognize the computer as cultural artifact: a tool that both amplifies and reduces aspects of human experience. Using this framework, two cases will b...
High-voltage power distribution

General acceptance of load center power distribution for 480-volt and 600-volt loads, and the trend toward higher voltages for large motors have increased greatly the importance of high-voltage distribution systems. Paper mills frequently have a large portion of the total load in large motors operating at the high-voltage level, and therefore the fundamental considerations of the high-voltage systems are more complex than in many industrial establishments where all loads are at the 600-volt level.
Volatile behaviors of polonium and protactinium in the heating experiments on pitchblende

Large enrichments of 231Pa as well as 210Po were observed in the high-temperature extracts from a pitchblende. These results indicate that an excess of 231Pa, like 210Po, may also be released into the earth's atmosphere during volcanic eruptions.
Epicardial adipose tissue is increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective Morbidity and mortality secondary to premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remain significant issues. The pathogenesis of CVD in SLE patients has not been fully explored. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is believed to contribute to atherosclerosis development, through a paracrine and systemic inflammatory effect. We measured EAT volume in 162 SLE patients and 86 matched controls to assess the association of EAT with markers of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk and immunoactivation.
Ethiopia and ethnic politics: The case of Oromo nationalism

Les Oromo d'Ethiopie creerent l'association Macha-Tuullama Self-Help qui rejoignit le Mouvement des fermiers oromo de Bale afin d'obtenir l'independance de leur region, car depuis la colonisation la culture et la langue oromo etaient deconsiderees par les Ethiopiens. En 1974, l'OLF (Front de Liberation Oromo) est cree optant pour la revolte armee. Bien qu'ayant libere certaines zones, l'OLF doit faire desormais face au Front de Liberation du Peuple de Tragray (TPLF) et au Front Democratique Revolutionnaire du Peuple Ethiopien (EPRDF) qui s'opposent, comme l'ancien regime militaire, a l'unite et a l'organisation des Oromo.
State of sulfhydryl in selenite cataract

Abstract A dose of 20 μmol selenite/kg body weight is a potent and a very rapid inducer of cataracts in young rats. We investigated the rate at which physiological concentrations of selenite would catalyze the oxidation of glutathione in vitro and found that selenite was a strong sulfhydryl oxidant. To test if selenite had the same effect in vivo, the oxidation state of five kinds of lenticular sulfur were measured in suckling rats following a cataractous dose of selenite. The measurements included reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), protein-bound glutathione (PSSG), reduced protein sulfhydryl (PSH), and oxidized protein sulfhydryl (PSSP). While selenite caused a 44% decrease in lens GSH by 6 days postinjection, there was no concurrent increase in either GSSG or PSSG. Likewise, there was no evidence for increased oxidation of PSH to PSSP. To determine if GSH loss were the cause of the selenite cataracts, we injected normal rats with the glutathione synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). Lens GSH dropped more than 96% by 4 days post-BSO injection; however, no cataracts formed. Thus, selenite cataract does not appear to be caused by extensive sulfhydryl oxidation and cannot be attributed exclusively to GSH loss.
Comparative analysis of Napsin A, alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase (AMACR, P504S), and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 beta as diagnostic markers of ovarian clear cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study of 279 ovarian tumours.

Summary Napsin A and α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase (AMACR, P504S) have recently been described as being frequently expressed in clear cell carcinomas (CCC) of the gynecological tract. The present study was conducted to assess the test performance of these newer markers relative to the more traditional marker, hepatocyte nuclear factor 1β (HNF1β), in a large and histotypically diverse dataset. A total of 279 ovarian tumours in tissue microarrays were immunohisto-chemically assessed for the expression of Napsin A, AMACR and HNF1β. HNF1β, Napsin A and AMACR were expressed in 92%, 82% and 63% of 65 CCC, 7%, 1% and 1% of 101 serous carcinomas, 37%, 5.3% and 0% of 19 endometrioid carcinomas, 60%, 0% and 0% of 45 mucinous tumours, 100%, 0% and 0% of seven yolk sac tumours, and 0%, 16.7% and 16.7% of six steroid cell tumours NOS, respectively. All other tumours, including 18 adult-type granulosa cell tumours, eight dysgerminomas and nine other miscellaneous tumour types were negative for all three markers. Using a benchmark of ≥1% of tumour cells for positivity and CCC as the diagnostic end-point, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value of Napsin A expression were 0.82, 0.99, 0.94, and 0.98, respectively (odds ratio 439, p p p
Spectrum analysis system for Dynamic Spectrum Access policy generation

The spectrum analysis module (SAM) described in this paper is an integral component of a comprehensive DSA policy generation system that, in addition to spectrum sharing, also needs to address compliance with national spectrum use regulations and operational requirements. SAM will have access to a database of spectrum characteristics of incumbent systems and will allow the user to specify allowable probabilities of interference. However, there are a number of open issues that still need to be addressed: • The data about incumbent systems collected through the current equipment certification and type-approval process is not sufficient to take full advantage of DSA capabilities. For example, there is no data on the IPC and effects of interference. • The effect of variation of the local noise level on DSs. Man-made noise and interference from a variety of systems can degrade the spectrum sensing ability of certain DSs. CERDEC is addressing these issues in addition developing SAM as part of its efforts to address issues spectrum management complexities for the Warfighter.
Kinetic Limits for Interacting Particle Systems

In this expository article, we discuss four conjectures concerning the kinetic behavior of the hard sphere models. We then formulate four stochastic variations of the hard sphere model. The known results for these stochastic models are reviewed and some proofs are sketched.
Role of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase in adrenal aldosterone production

There is considerable evidence supporting the role of calcium signaling in adrenal regulation of both aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) and aldosterone production. However, there have been no studies that investigated the role played by the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) in adrenal cells. In this study we investigated the role of CaMKK in adrenal cell aldosterone production. To determine the role of CaMKK, we used a selective CaMKK inhibitor (STO-609) in the HAC15 human adrenal cell line. Cells were treated with angiotensin II (Ang II) or K+ and evaluated for the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and CYP11B2 (mRNA/protein) as well as aldosterone production. We also transduced HAC15 cells with lentiviral short hairpin RNAs of CaMKK1 and CaMKK2 to determine which CaMKK plays a more important role in adrenal cell regulation of the calcium signaling cascade. The CaMKK inhibitor, STO-609, decreased aldosterone production in cells treated with Ang II or K+ in a dose-dependent manner. STO-609 (20 μM) also inhibited steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and CYP11B2 mRNA/protein induction. CaMKK2 knockdown cells showed significant reduction of CYP11B2 mRNA induction and aldosterone production in cells treated with Ang II, although there was no obvious effect in CaMKK1 knockdown cells. In immunohistochemical analysis, CaMKK2 protein was highly expressed in human adrenal zona glomerulosa with lower expression in the zona fasciculata. In conclusion, the present study suggests that CaMKK2 plays a pivotal role in the calcium signaling cascade regulating adrenal aldosterone production.
Studies on a host range variant from different isolates of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV)

. Eight isolates of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) propagated solely in RTG-2 cells (RTG-IPNV) were examined for ability to replicate in FHM cells. Seven isolates replicated in FHM cells; however, the plaque titres were 10- to greater than 100 000-fold less than titres in RTG-2 cells. The ability of IPNV to replicate in FHM cells was shown to result from the presence of a host range variant (FHM-IPNV) that produced plaques in both cell types. Variant-free preparations of two isolates differed in ability to generate FHM-IPNV during a single replication cycle in RTG-2 cells. One isolate did not generate the variant and failed to replicate in FHM cells even upon blind passage. IPNV propagated in AS cells (AS-IPNV) was similar to RTG-IPNV, producing equal numbers of plaques in RTG-2 and AS cells but failing to form plaques in FHM cells. However, IPNV propagated in BF-2 cells (BF-IPNV) was similar to FHM-IPNV in producing equal numbers of plaques in all three cell lines. RTG-IPNV and FHM-IPNV were identical in size, morphology and density in CsCl but differed in plaque size distribution and neutralization by specific antiserum. Restriction of the replication of RTG-IPNV in FHM cells was partially explained by a reduction of 75% in adsorption to FHM cells. However, the synthesis of RTG-IPNV antigens was reduced 90 to >99% in FHM cells.
Technical Aspects of Adrenal Vein Sampling

The most common cause of secondary hypertension is primary aldosteronism, with a prevalence of approximately 30% when screened by specialized hypertension clinics. Adrenal venous sampling is considered the standard for reliably distinguishing between unilateral and bilateral hormone secretion, with unilateral secretion being surgically curable. Success of adrenal vein sampling relies on appropriate patient selection, patient preparation, and recognition and catheterization of both adrenal veins. However, this procedure may prove technically challenging, particularly for inexperienced operators. This video (see Fig; available online at www.jvir.org) is designed to provide the viewer with details on the technical aspects of adrenal vein sampling by using the sequential technique in an immersive format with real-time table-top teaching. Indications, patient preparation, equipment selection, technique, and quality assurance are reviewed in detail, with the goal of providing practitioners an opportunity to successfully incorporate this procedure into their practice.
Effects of substrate temperature on the optical and electrical properties of Al:ZnO films

Al-doped ZnO films were grown on glass substrates by the pulsed-laser deposition technique with varying substrate temperatures. The optical band gap decreases from 3.64 to 3.46 eV as the substrate temperature increases from 350 to 450 °C, illustrating the increase in Al content in the context of a degenerate semiconductor, and can be explained in the framework of the Burstein–Moss effect. All films show optical transparency greater than 85%. Al:ZnO films show a metal–semiconductor transition to metal-like behavior as the substrate temperature increases from 350 to 450 °C. The observed metal-like and metal–semiconductor transitions are explained by taking into account the Mott phase transition and localization effects due to defects. The resistivity decreases from 896 to 470 µΩ cm as the substrate temperature increases from 350 to 450 °C. In addition, the competition between the thermally activated carriers and scattering effects of free carriers in a degenerate semiconductor can also explain the metal–semiconductor transition.
Treatment of Malignant Mesothelioma: Extrapleural Pneumonectomy with Intraoperative Chemotherapy

Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is a radical en bloc resection of the lung, pleura, diaphragm, and pericardium. The inability to separate the fused pleural envelope from the central tendon of the diaphragm and the lateral portion of the pericardium also mandates resection of these structures to preserve the intact pleural envelope. EPP was originally developed to treat tuberculous empyema and now it has become the cornerstone of treatment for select patients undergoing multimodality therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). MPM is an uncommon disease with only 3000 cases in the US each year. 1 Esophageal and lung cancer are, respectively, at least 4 and 50 times more common. Few surgeons will treat more than a handful of cases over their careers. The Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston, Massachusetts have gained a large amount of experience in the treatment of this malignancy. Early application of EPP to the treatment of MPM was disappointing. Worn 2 reported an early series in 1974, but with median survival of only 19 months and 5-year survival of 10%. In 1976, Butchart and coworkers 3 reported a series with a perioperative mortality rate of 31%, median survival of 10 months, and 5-year survival of 3.5%. Operative mortality after EPP at BWH declined with increasing experience, from an initial perioperative mortality of 6% after the first 18 patients in 1991 4 to 3.4% after 328 patients reported in 2004. 5 Despite advances in surgical technique, the unfortunate fact remains that nearly all patients eventually die of recurrent disease within 10 years, although more than 50% of patients with favorable prognostic variables live at least 5 years. Analysis of our late results reveals that most recurrences occur in either the abdomen or the ipsilateral hemithorax. 6 The dose limitation of most adjuvant therapies is systemic toxicity to the patient. Intraoperative intracavitary heated cisplatin chemotherapeutic lavage (IOHC) has the advantage of permitting higher chemotherapy doses than are possible by systemic administration. Studies of IOHC in abdominal malignancies, including peritoneal mesothelioma, have been effective. 7,8 Ongoing phase I and II studies of IOHC in combination with EPP at our institution have shown encouraging
Application of HREEL spectroscopy to characterize adsorbates on insulating metal oxide surfaces: carboxylates on MgO(100)

Abstract High resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) was used to characterize formate and acetate species adsorbed on the (100) surface of insulating MgO. Sample charging was eliminated using a low intensity, high energy electron beam and Fourier spectral deconvolution was used to remove phonon-phonon and phonon-adsorbate combination modes from the HREEL spectra. The results of this study demonstrate the applicability of HREELS in characterizing the vibrational properties of adsorbates on insulating metal oxide surfaces.
Dental Caries in the Cotton Rat. IV. Inhibitory Effect of Fluorine Additions to the Ration.

SummarySome inhibition of caries resulted when 45, 90, or 135 p.p.m. of fluorine were ingested as supplements to a sucrose basal ration. Depigmentation of the incisors appeared when 45 or more p.p.m. of fluorine were incorporated in the diet while mottling of the third molars occurred when 225 or more p.p.m. were fed. The ingestion of 225 or 450 p.p.m. of fluorine caused a 90%. decrease in caries incidence. Thus the amount of fluorine necessary to inhibit caries to this degree was sufficiently high to cause mottling of the developing teeth.The inhibitory effect of dextrin upon caries development could not be explained on the basis of its fluorine content.
An evaluation of enzyme histochemistry in the diagnosis of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma

Six rhabdomyosarcomas were assessed by means of a battery of enzyme histochemical methods. The reactions were compared with those of a small number of other tumours belonging to the small-cell tumour category. Four of the rhabdomyosarcomas were positive for myophosphorylase and acetylcholinesterase. Myoblasts were strongly reactive for adenosine triphosphatase at alkaline pH and after acid pre-incubation, whereas the small undifferentiated neoplastic cell of the four alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas showed also discernible cytoplasmic reaction, but only after acid pre-incubation. Other tumour categories revealed positive staining for adenosine triphosphatase with acid pre-incubation but the degree of reaction was minimal by comparison. Other enzyme reactions were variable and, generally, did not distinguish between different tumour categories. It is concluded that enzyme histochemistry has a potential role in the diagnostic evaluation of the small cell tumour and should be included in the growing list of special techniques that may assist the pathologist confronted with this problem.
Inhibitory role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in rat and human pulmonary arteries

Abstract 1. The inhibitory role of endothelium-derived relaxing factor was studied in both rat and human pulmonary arteries in vitro by inhibiting its synthesis with the L-arginine analogue NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). 2. In rat pulmonary arteries, L-NMMA pretreatment (10-300 microM) dose-dependently inhibited acetylcholine-induced relaxation (which is endothelium-dependent). NG-monomethyl-D-arginine (D-NMMA, 100 microM) was without effect. L-Arginine, but not D-arginine, dose-dependently reversed this inhibition. L-NMMA had no effect on relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside. 3. In human small pulmonary arteries L-NMMA (100 microM) pretreatment similarly inhibited the acetylcholine-induced relaxation but had no effect on the sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation. 4. In both rat and human pulmonary arteries, L-NMMA, but not D-NMMA, always caused contraction of preconstricted tissues whereas it had no effect on baseline tone. In the rat this contraction was completely prevented by prior treatment with L-arginine. 5. L-NMMA (100 microM) pretreatment mimicked the effect of endothelium removal on phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction, both resulting in an increase in tension development at each concentration of phenylephrine. This enhancement was greatest at low concentrations of phenylephrine but was still present even at the highest concentrations. Pretreatment with L-NMMA (100 microM) also significantly increased the responses to single doses of phenylephrine. 6. These results suggest that endothelium-derived relaxing factor from endothelial cells both mediates the relaxation response to acetylcholine and also acts as a physiological brake against vasoconstriction in pulmonary vessels.
Female Suicide: The Trend toward Increased Lethality in Method of Choice and Its Implications.

Results of recent analyses of statistics on suicide in the United States have documented a trend toward increased lethality in the method of choice in female suicides. A brief review of this research is presented, and its implications for female suicidal risk assessment are discussed.
Codeposition of Al and Si onto a low carbon steel using silicon dioxide and aluminum and its hot temperature oxidation properties

Abstract Al and Si were simultaneously deposited onto a low carbon steel by pack cementation process using elemental Al and SiO2 powders as Al and Si sources. A series of silicon-containing aluminide coatings have been produced by varying the content of SiO2 (with the fixed Al content) in the pack at an elevated temperature. When processed in a pack using a dual activator of NaCl+KBF4 at 1000 °C, the content of Al reached approximately 45 wt.% at the surface of pure aluminide coatings, but decreased monotonically with an increase in the content of SiO2 in the pack. The maximum content of Si at the surface was measured to be approximately 4.5 wt.% for the pack composition of 8.3Al–7.5SiO2 in wt.%. The decrease in the Al content was attributed to the activated conversion of SiO2 to Si by elemental Al during the process. These aluminized low carbon steels were undergone cyclic oxidation tests at 900 °C in air, and showed good oxidation-resistant properties within approximately 30 h of testing period when the aluminide coatings were modified by Si approximately 3 wt.% at the surface.
Chemical studies on Descemet's membrane of the bovine cornea

Abstract Chemical analyses of bovine Descemet's membrane indicate that the bulk of the organic material is collagen. However, the morphological appearance and the solubility of this tissue is different from that of any other known mammalian collagenous tissue. The carbohydrates differ both qualitatively and quantitatively from those in the corneal stroma.
Combined distributed loads on rigid-plastic circular plates with large deflections

Abstract A theoretical investigation into the influence of geometry changes on the behavior of a simply supported circular rigid, perfectly plastic plate subjected to two independent distributed pressures is presented herein. The results indicate, as might be anticipated, that when finite deflections are considered such plates could support loads greater than the corresponding collapse pressures obtained recently by Flugge and Gerdeen [4] and Hodge and Sun [6]. The general procedure reported could be used to study the reserve strength of circular plates having different boundary conditions and other kinds of external loads, and could be developed further in order to examine the influence of geometry changes on other rigid-plastic structures subjected to time-dependent or time-independent loads.
A histological description of shortspine thornyhead, Sebastolobus alascanus , ovaries: structures associated with the production of gelatinous egg masses

The ovarian structure of the shortspine thornyhead,Sebastolobus alascanus (Scorpaeniformes), which is similar to the ovarian structure previously described only for the pigmy lion fish,Dendrochirus brachypterus (Scorpaeniformes), is specialized for the production and expulsion of pelagic gelatinous egg masses. The germinative tissue and oocytes ofS. alascanus encircle a mass of spongy stroma that is located within the center of the ovary. The stroma is attached to the ovary wall only at the anterior end of each ovarian lobe; hence, the ovarian lumen surrounds the stroma, germinative tissue, and oocytes. Secondary oocyte development takes place on the ends of vascularized peduncles that are protrusions of the ovarian stroma. A gelatinous material is simultaneously secreted into the ovarian lumen by a single row of specialized cells that line the ovary wall. Eggs detach from peduncles and ovulate into the gelatinous material.
The Metabolism of the Herbicide Diphenamid (N-N-dimethyl-2,2-diphenyl-acetamide) in Cell Suspensions of Soybean (Glycine max)

The fate of the herbicide diphenamid was determined in cell suspensions of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ‘Wilkin’] at different stages of cell growth: early log phase (3 to 7 d), log phase (7 to 14 d), and stationary phase (14 to 18 d). [Carbonyl-14C]-diphenamid was added to the suspensions as an acetone solution. Neither diphenamid (2 to 3 μM) nor acetone (0.5% v/v) was phytotoxic. The 14C-labeled products were identified tentatively by thin layer chromatographic comparison with reference compounds. The major metabolic products formed were N-hydroxymethyl-N-methyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide, N-methyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide, 2,2-diphenylacetamide, and two polar metabolites (0.9 to 25% of the applied 14C activity) that appeared to be glucose conjugates; one an acidic glucoside. All metabolites were found in both the cell extract and the culture medium, except for the acidic glucoside, which was recovered in small amounts only from the cell extracts. These products were the same as those recovered from intact plants. Similar results were obtained from cell suspensions of different ages. The rate of metabolism by log phase cells was slightly less than the rate for either young or old cells. The results indicated that soybean cell suspensions can be used to obtain reliable information on the fate of agricultural chemicals in soybeans.
EXACT SOLUTIONS FOR A COMPLETE SET OF LC TRANSFORMER-LIKE BANDPASS MATCHING CIRCUITS

The task of matching real and complex loads, for applications in the RF, microwave, and optoelectronic areas, is addressed here. Four three-element true-bandpass LC networks, forming a family capable of matching any kind of real and first-order reactively constrained loads, are presented and discussed. A set of Q-based conjugate-matched design equations is derived, yielding respective exact solutions to these circuits. A comparison with a partial previously described approximate solution is carried out. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 22: 331–335, 1999.
Two Binding Sites for Estradiol in Rat Uterine Nuclei: Relationship to Uterotropic Response

Estradiol administration causes an increase in two specific binding components in uterine nuclei of mature ovariectomized rats. One of these sites (type I) represents the estrogen receptor which binds estradiol with high affinity (dissociation constant, 1 nM) and low capacity (1 pmol/uterus) and is translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The second component (type II) binds estradiol with a higher capacity than type I sites and displays a saturation curve which is sigmoidal. Hence, no accurate estimation of the dissociation constant can be made. The differential stimulation of type II sites by estradiol and estriol suggests that this is a specific estrogenic response and is highly correlated with uterine growth. A single injection of estradiol results in long term retention of type I sites (>6 h), rapid and sustained elevations of type II sites (1-72 h), and true uterine growth. In contrast, estriol injection caused a rapid increase in type I sites which was not accompanied by an increase in typ e...
Novel push-pull integrated antenna transmitter front-end

A new integrated antenna power amplifier architecture is investigated. In this topology, a multifeed patch antenna is used as the tuned load of a class-B push-pull amplifier in such a manner that the fundamental radiates efficiently and higher harmonics are suppressed. This eliminates the necessity of using a second hybrid at the output of the amplifier and results in an extremely compact class of push-pull front end with lower associated circuit losses. Measured data shows that the power-added efficiency of the amplifier is greater than 55%, indicating that this new approach works as expected.
Neural Networks in Civil Engineering: 1989–2000

The first journal article on neural network application in civil/structural engineering was published by in this journal in 1989. This article reviews neural network articles published in archival research journals since then. The emphasis of the review is on the two fields of structural engineering and construction engineering and management. Neural networks articles published in other civil engineering areas are also reviewed, including environmental and water resources engineering, traffic engineering, highway engineering, and geotechnical engineering. The great majority of civil engineering applications of neural networks are based on the simple backpropagation algorithm. Applications of other recent, more powerful and efficient neural networks models are also reviewed. Recent works on integration of neural networks with other computing paradigms such as genetic algorithm, fuzzy logic, and wavelet to enhance the performance of neural network models are presented.
Influence of α-adrenergic vasoconstriction on the blunted skeletal muscle contraction-induced rapid vasodilation with aging

We tested the hypothesis that elevated sympathetic tone is responsible for lower peak vasodilation after single muscle contractions in older adults. Young (n = 13, 7 men and 6 women, age: 27 ± 1 yr) and older (n = 13, 7 men and 6 women, age: 69 ± 2 yr) adults performed single forearm contractions at 10%, 20%, and 40% of maximum during 1) control, 2) sympathetic activation via lower body negative pressure (LBNP; −20 mmHg), and 3) intra-arterial infusion of phentolamine (α-adrenergic antagonist). Brachial artery diameter and velocities were measured via Doppler ultrasound, and forearm vascular conductance (FVC; in ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1) was calculated from blood flow (in ml/min) and blood pressure (in mmHg). Peak vasodilator responses [change in (Δ) FVC from baseline] were attenuated in older adults at 20% and 40% of maximum (P < 0.05). LBNP reduced peak ΔFVC at 10% (98 ± 17 vs. 70 ± 12 ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1), 20% (144 ± 12 vs. 98 ± 3 ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1), and 40% (209 ± 20 vs. 161 ± 21 ml·min−1·100 mmHg−1, P <...
A study of neural network control of robot manipulators

The basic robot control technique is the model based computer-torque control which is known to suffer performance degradation due to model uncertainties. Adding a neural network (NN) controller in the control system is one effective way to compensate for the ill effects of these uncertainties. In this paper a systematic study of NN controller for a robot manipulator under a unified computed-torque control framework is presented. Both feedforward and feedback NN control schemes are studied and compared using a common back-propagation training algorithm. Effects on system performance for different choices of NN input types, hidden neurons, weight update rates, and initial weight values are also investigated. Extensive simulation studies for trajectory tracking are carried out and compared with other established robot control schemes.
Mentoring and Other Communication Support in the Academic Setting

The purpose of this study was to determine the dimensional structure of mentoring and other communication support behaviors in an academic environment. Professors (N = 224) at two universities were surveyed. A communication support questionnaire was developed, and three separate factors emerged as elements of perceived communication support: the Mentor/Protege Dimension, the Collegial Social Dimension, and the Col legial Task Dimension. The Mentor/Protege Dimension appears to represent the tradition al concept of mentoring. The Collegial Social Dimension is more reciprocal and friendship oriented. The Collegial Task Dimension reflects reciprocal support that is work related. The study supported the idea of multidimensional support within an academic organization.
Key technologies for high-speed digital coherent optical communications

Digital coherent optical communication technologies have shown superior performance in supporting high-bit-rate optical communications, including high fiber chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD) tolerance, and high spectral efficiency. We review the typical system design and principles of dual-polarization digital coherent optical communications, and further show a new dual-stage cascaded frequency offset estimator in achieving very high performance.
Distinguishing Tropical Cyclone-Related Flooding in U.S. Presidential Disaster Declarations: 1965–1997

A problem exists in that the classifications used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for weather-related disasters do not always allow analysts to clearly link declared disasters to their ultimate meteorological cause. This research focuses on those disasters related to flooding resulting from tropical cyclones. Neither FEMA nor the states that request federal disaster aid distinguish flood disasters by their meteorological origin, making it difficult to assess the contributions of various meteorological phenomena to the incidence and severity of Presidential Disaster Declarations (PDD). The data presented in this initial analysis indicate that the flood-related impacts of tropical systems are considerably broader and undoubtedly larger in economic magnitude than documented in the official records kept by FEMA.
Patuxent landscape model: 2. Model development — nutrients, plants, and detritus

We developed a spatially explicit, process-based model of the Patuxent river watershed in Maryland, and its subwatersheds to integrate data and knowledge over several spatial, temporal and complexity scales, and to serve as an aid to regional management. The model was developed using the Library of Hydro-Ecological Modules (LHEM, http://giee.uvm.edu/LHEM). In this paper we continue the description of the LHEM modules focusing on nutrient cycling, vegetation growth, decomposition, and other processes, both locally and spatially. The modular approach takes advantage of the Spatial Modeling Environment [1] that allows integration of various Stella models and C++ user code, and embeds local simulation models into a spatial context. Local ecosystem dynamics are replicated across a grid of cells that compose the rasterized landscape.
Greater Effect of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Survival in People Aged ⩾50 Years Compared with Younger People in an Urban Observational Cohort

Although human immunodeficiency virus-infected people aged > or =50 years have a blunted CD4 cell recovery when receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), there are few data on mortality. Mortality rates were studied for 253 individuals aged > or =50 years and a younger group of 535 people in a retrospective cohort; for untreated persons in each age group, the proportions surviving at 3 years were 83% and 70% (P<.01), respectively. No significant difference in the survival rate was found between the older (83%) and younger (89%) patients who received HAART (P=.29). The hazard ratio for death in the older untreated group was 2.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-3.9) when exposed to HAART. However, compared with older untreated patients, the hazard ratio for death decreased to 0.28 (95% CI, 0.15-0.52) for treated older adults. The effect of HAART substantially improves the survival rate for older individuals and supports the importance of treatment in this group.
"What First?" Addressing the Critical Initial Weeks of CS-1

This paper identities reasons why the initial experiences in an "Introduction to Computer Science" ("CS Intro") course have critical impact on students and, as a consequence, recommends alternatives to traditional pedagogy. The beginning of a CS Intro course has profound influence on the success of students, both in that course and in future CS courses. The field of cognitive science provides insight into the underlying mechanisms responsible for the disproportionate consequences of the initial learning experiences and explanations why educators cannot rely on introspection to discover appropriate and effective pedagogy. This paper includes observations from a cognitive science perspective and recommendations - based on cognitive science principles, current pedagogical practices, and direct experience -for modifications to the pedagogy typically used during the critical first few weeks of a CS Intro course
Minimum-weight design of elastic sandwich beams with deflection constraints

In this paper, minimum-weight design of an elastic sandwich beam with a prescribed deflection constraint at a given point is investigated. The analysis is based on geometrical considerations using then-dimensional space of discretized specific bending stiffness. Since the present method of analysis is different from the method based on the calculus of variations, the conditions of piecewise continuity and differentiability on specific bending stiffness can be relaxed. Necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality are derived for both statically determinate and statically indeterminate beams. Beams subject to a single loading and beams subject to multiple loadings are analyzed. The degree to which the optimality condition renders the solution unique is discussed. To illustrate the method of solution, two examples are presented for minimum-weight designs under dual loading of a simply supported beam and a beam built in at both ends. The present analysis is also extended to the following problems: (a) optimal design of a beam built in at both ends with piecewise specific stiffness and a prescribed deflection constraint and (b) minimum-cost design of a sandwich beam with prescribed deflection constraints.