cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An assessment of the lean flammability limits of CH4/air and C3H8/air mixtures at engine-like conditions

Abstract The lean flammability limits of CH 4 /air and C 3 H 8 /air mixtures were numerically determined for a wide range of pressures and unburned mixture temperatures in order to assess the near-limit flame behavior under conditions of relevance to internal combustion engines. The study included the simulation of freely propagating flames with the inclusion of detailed descriptions of chemical kinetics and molecular transport, radiative loss, and a one-point continuation method to solve around singular points as the flammability limit is approached. Results revealed that both pressure and unburned mixture temperature have significant effects on the lean flammability limit as well as the attendant limit flame temperature. Specifically, the lean limit was found to first increase and then decrease with pressure, while the limit temperature decreases with pressure in general, and can be reduced to values as low as 900 K under engine-like conditions. Through sensitivity and species consumption path analyses it was further shown that the chain mechanisms that control the near-limit flame response critically depend on the thermodynamic state of the mixture. Thus, mechanisms that are identified as important at near-atmospheric conditions may not be relevant at higher pressures and unburned mixture temperatures. In particular, the response of near-limit flames was found to resemble the homogeneous explosion limits of hydrogen/oxygen mixtures in that while at low pressures the main branching and termination reactions are respectively H + O 2 → OH + O and H + O 2 + M → HO 2 + M, at the elevated pressures relevant to internal combustion engines the system branching is controlled by the HO 2 –H 2 O 2 kinetics. Potential avenues for extending the lean operation limits of internal combustion engines are suggested based on the understanding gained herein.
Anion Binding Induces Helicity in a Hydrogen-Bonding Receptor: Crystal Structure of a 2,6-Bis(anilinoethynyl)pyridinium Chloride

The synthesis and solid-state of 2,6-bis(anilinoethynyl)pyridine amide 1 is presented. Neutral receptor 1 forms a polymeric chain through hydrogen bonds and π stacking in the solid state. Upon protonation, receptor 1 undergoes significant conformational rearrangement to hydrogen bond to Cl−, forming a helix (H1+Cl−). This rare example of anion-induced helicity is detailed in the solid state and initial solution studies are presented.
A Reduction Technique for Obtaining a Simplified Reliability Expression

A reduction technique is described for obtaining a simplified reliability expression (probability of success) when applied to the canonical form of minterms (having independent variables) such as those generated from a truth table format. The resulting terms are always mutually exclusive, which allows simple, direct transformation to a probability expression.
Is There a Role for Platelet Function Testing for Patients on Chronic Dual Antiplatelet Therapy

Antiplatelet therapy is one on the cornerstones in managing patients with coronary artery disease who have undergone percutaneous interventions. Aspirin plus a thienopyridine (ticlopidine, clopidogrel, prasugrel) are the components of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Clopidogrel remains the primary thienopyridine in use. There is a significant amount of heterogeneity in patients’ response to the drug, both pharmacologically and clinically. It is apparent that those with high residual platelet reactivity on therapy are at an increased risk for future cardiovascular events. Therefore, platelet function testing makes sense and should be done routinely in patients on DAPT. These data provide physicians with an ability to adjust or change the antiplatelet therapy in response to the residual platelet reactivity. Options include increasing the dose of the present drug or changing to an alternative. The recent evidence regarding these data is reviewed in this article.
Evolution of periodic states and chaos in two types of neuronal models

Studies on how chaos theory may be applied to neural disorders is a very challenging theoretical problem. But, to determine the applications of chaos theory cellular functions, it is best to study the genesis of chaos and its characteristics using a minimal model of cellular excitability. In this paper we present two neuronal models which gives rise to interesting types of bursting and chaos. The first model is based on the model of Chay, in which the bursting of neuronal cells is caused by voltage- and time-dependent inactivation of calcium channels. The second model is based on Chay's work in which the bursting is caused by the conformational transformation of the calcium channels that is induced by binding of Ca2+ ion to the receptor site. With these two models, we elucidate how the periodic states and chaos can be evolved when the properties of two types of inward current change. Our bifurcation diagram reveals new types of bifurcations and chaos which were not seen in the other non-linear dynamic models. The predicted chaos from the models closely resembles that observed experimentally in neuronal cells. An implication of our finding is that chaos theory may be used to understand and improve the treatment of certain irregular activities in the brain.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Expression of lynx1 in developing lung and its modulation by prenatal nicotine exposure

The expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in fetal lung suggests maternal smoking during pregnancy effects newborn lung structure and function by the direct interaction of nicotine with nAChR in the developing lung. The recent identification of the lynx1 nAChR modulator protein in nicotinic neurons in the brain suggests that lynx1 may be similarly expressed in the lung. To study this, cDNAs encoding lynx1 were cloned from rhesus monkey lung. The temporal expression of lynx1 was studied in pre- and postnatal monkey lungs by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Lynx1 mRNA signal and lynx1 immunohistochemical staining were localized predominantly in airway epithelial cells, submucous glands, and smooth muscle cells, in endothelial and smooth muscle cells in vessel walls, and in alveolar type II cells. The distribution of lynx1 was similar to that of α4, β2, and β4 nAChR expression as determined by immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical staining also co-localized choline acetyltransferase, the enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine, with lynx1 expression. Lynx1 expression was first observed in 71-day fetal lungs and increased with age. Immunohistochemistry, Western analysis, and realtime PCR analysis showed increased lynx1 expression in lungs following prenatal nicotine exposure. Thus, lynx1 is co-expressed with nAChR in the lung. Alteration of lynx1 levels is a potential new mechanism by which nicotine affects lung development.
Recording of Single Unit Activity in Isolated Central Nervous Tissue

The retina and attached segment of optic nerve isolated from the rabbit were maintained in a functioning state in vitro. Microelectrodes, introduced into the nerve, recorded unit discharges in response to light stimuli. The characteristics of these evoked discharges are described.
Bismaleimide-bisvinylether copolymers: A new class of thermosetting resins

The free radical network copolymerization of bismaleimides with bisvinylethers containing aromatic groups gives rise to a new class of thermally stable imide-containing thermosets. The chief assets of these thermosetting materials are their ability to cure rapidly at low temperatures without the evolution of volatile byproducts.
On the Development of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-Accelerated Stokes Flow Solver for Drag Computation on MEMS Devices

In this paper we report the development of a technique of computing the fluid drag forces on single and multiple micro-machined devices using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-accelerated solver for the integral form of the incompressible Stokes flow equations. The boundary element formulation necessitates the discretization of the surface of the device using a large number of “panels” whose interactions are coupled by multidimensional Stokes kernels. The resulting “n-body” problem generates dense matrices that can be solved in O(n log n) complexity using a pre-corrected FFT approach, where ‘n’ is the number of panels used in discretizing the surface of the device. However, for single and multi-body problems, steps must be taken to eliminate the null space of the Stokes kernel to obtain a unique solution. Also discussed are techniques of improving the numerical efficiency of the multiresolution computational scheme.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Effect of Motivating Instructions on Verbal Learning According to Age and Race

Young and old white (n = 48) and black (n = 48) women were compared on a paired-associate learning task. The groups were divided as to a motivational instructional condition of support, challenge, or neutral. Both the younger and the white groups had more correct responses and learned in fewer trials. A three-way interaction suggests that old blacks make more errors of omission and commission under supportive instructions, whereas young whites do best under challenge. Various trends and implications for these findings were discussed.
Vaginal revision of intravesical tension-free vaginal tape 44 h after initial placement: a case report

Unintentional cystotomy is a known complication of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure and is commonly diagnosed intraoperatively. Delayed diagnosis does occur and various reparative techniques have been described, some requiring laparotomy with intentional cystotomy and repair. We report a case where a 46-year-old woman underwent vaginal reconstructive surgery including placement of a tension-free vaginal tape, which was complicated by unilateral cystotomy. A delayed diagnosis of intravesical tape placement was made requiring reoperation. The patient underwent a minimally invasive transvaginal procedure for removal and immediate replacement of the malpositioned arm of the tape. We conclude that a transvaginal approach may be an acceptable technique for revision and replacement of the tension-free vaginal tape where cystotomy is identified within 44 h after the initial procedure. With this technique, a more invasive surgery including laparotomy with cystotomy might successfully be avoided.
Enhancement of the burned nasal tip with the use of upper lip scar flaps

Maximal aesthetic improvement for the patient with burns deserves the same considerations as does functional restoration. The use of burn scars as vascularized flaps is a prime example in which these goals may be simultaneously achieved with an added bonus of salvaging tissues that would otherwise be discarded. Several cases involving revision of commonly encountered perioral scars demonstrate the effectiveness of burn scar flaps in the correction of concomitant nasal deformities, and thus reemphasize this useful principle.
Nonspecific excitatory effects of morphine: Reverse-order precipitated withdrawal and dose-dose interactions

We recently reported that, in naive mice pretreated with naloxone, morphine can cause withdrawal-like signs that seemingly are not mediated by “opiate” receptors. Such results were confirmed and extended here with another mouse strain. Repetitive vertical jumping could occur irrespective of injection sequence and depended on dose and dose ratio of the two drugs.
Effect of Predrying Time on the Strength of Solvent-Welded Polyamide-11 Joints

Abstract The failure in tension of polyamide-11 solvent-welded joints has been studied, with a special emphasis on the effect of predrying the adhesive at 40°C before mating. During the initial 30 minutes of predrying the fracture strength increased to a maximum value. Thereafter, the fracture stress decreased toward an equilibrium value. This general behavior occurred with notched and unnotched tensile specimens. The initial increase in strength is associated with the increase in concentration of polymer at the mating interface. The subsequent decrease in strength is associated with a decrease in the mobility of the polymer molecules at the mating interface as the concentration of solvent at the mating interface decreases by evaporation. It was found that the small amount of polymer that is initially dissolved in the adhesive has no effect on the fracture stress or its relationship to predrying time. It is concluded that polymer is dissolved in the adhesive in order to adjust its viscosity so that it can...
Some effects of memory limitation upon sentence comprehension and recall

The relationship between available short-term storage, sentence comprehension and recall was investigated in a study in which S s were presented with word lists of varying lengths (0, 2, or 4 words) and then a sentence. Two types of sentences (high or low in complexity) were used. The S s first recalled the word list and then, if correct, the sentence. Sentence recall varied inversely with list length and recall of complex sentences was degraded relatively more than recall of simple sentences as list length increased. In another condition, S s simply had to interrupt sentence rehearsal by saying two words before sentence recall. Those results paralleled the results of the two-word condition, thus showing that interruption was the important variable. Various explanations of this finding were discussed.
Index measures for assessing the mode of inheritance of continuously distributed traits: I, theory and justifications.

Abstract A class of indices that may be applied to quantitative data on nuclear families and that can help to assess degrees of mode of inheritance is developed. Given phenotype values of spouses x(1) and x(2) and offspring y, the deviation of an offspring value from the midparent is ¦y − 1 2 (x (1) + x (2) )¦ , and those from the separate parents are ¦y − x (1) ¦ and ¦y − x (2) ¦ . The indices called major-gene indices (MGI) investigated are functions of the deviations from midparental values compared to corresponding symmetric functions of the deviations from separate parents. Major-gene indices exceeding 1 may indicate some extent of major-gene inheritance, whereas an MGI less than 1 is suggestive of relatively more polygenic inheritance. Superposition of assortative mating and environmental effects will tend not to shift the MGI greater than 1 for polygenic inheritance, nor will they shift the MGI less than 1 for major-gene factors. The reliance on the proposed indices is reinforced on the basis of a hierarchy of representative models of monogenic and multifactorial inheritance. Extensions of the method to deal with multigenerational pedigrees are briefly discussed.
Simple and complex spike activities of the cerebellar Purkinje cell in relation to selective alternate movement in intact monkey.

Summary Two adult monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were trained to perform a selective alternate movement (SAM) by a hand in either side of the body. To obtain a reward, a monkey had to select one of 4 kinds of the movement. After 16 trials of this correct movement, one of the remaining 3 was chosen to be a next correct one which the monkey should find out. This procedure was repeated in a pseudorandom fashion from one movement to another. Discharges of single cerebellar Purkinje cells (P-cells) were recorded during hand still and during the performance by a hand ipsi-lateral (I. SAM) or contra-lateral (C. SAM) to the recording side. Fifty-seven P-cells were found in the lateral hemisphere of the lobulus simplex and the crus I as well as in the intermediate zone of the culmen, and were judged to be specifically related to the ipsi-lateral hand movement. Firing patterns of the simple spike (SS) and the complex spike (CS) were analyzed quantitatively in 21 of these P-cells by the modal interval, mean interval, standard deviation and the coefficient of variation. These parameters for the SS changed during I. SAM compared to those during the hand still and C. SAM. The values for the CS in most P-cells were identical in these 3 states, but in 4 P-cells only a tonic change of the CS activities was observed during I. SAM. None of P-cells showed phase-locked change of the CS activities in relation with the SAM, regardless of recorded location of a P-cell.
An analysis of pH tolerance and substrate preference of isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria from Bufo marinus and Rana catesbeiana

1. 1. The effects of varying pH and substrate on isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria from Bufo marinus and Rana catesbeiana were investigated. 2. 2. For both species, VO2 max significantly decreased at all pH < 7.3 (P < 0.05), while maximum values were observed at a pH range of 7.3–7.6 with B. marinus maintaining a greater VO2 max than R. catesbeiana. 3. 3. Respiratory control values (RCR) decreased significantly at all pH < 6.9 for both species (P < 0.05). 4. 4. Isolated mitochondria from both species were maintained at pH = 7.2 and O2 consumption measured under five separate substrate conditions. 5. 5. A rank preference was established based upon state 3 and RCR values. 6. 6. Substrate preference was identical for both species and interspecific comparisons revealed differences in state 3 respiration and coupling.
Magnetic Field on the Baseball Coil

An expression is developed in spherical harmonics for the magnetic field of a baseball coil. A simple dipole-layer model for the coil, and the computer program, MAFCO, yield comparable expansion coefficients, and give practically identical fields near the center of the baseball.
Signal-to-noise enhancement using carbon fiber electrodes in the photoelectroanalytical detection of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II)

Abstract Photoelectroanalytical chemistry (PEAC) is a sensitive and selective technique for the detection and quantitation of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II). Currently, the detection limit of this method is restricted by background photocurrent due to photochemical processes which occur on the electrode surface. Since these processes increase as the illuminated electrode area increases, experiments were carried out using a cylindrical carbon fiber as the working electrode in a non-flowing system. Results were compared to both a glassy carbon and a platinum macroelectrode. Determination of the signal photocurrent density for the fiber electrode showed it to be of the same order of magnitude as the larger electrodes, while the background photocurrent density was more than two orders of magnitude lower than at the larger electrodes. The signal-to-noise ratio for the microelectrode was also much higher than for either macroelectrode. On the basis of these results, a theoretical detection limit of approximately 10−9M is possible using a carbon fiber electrode in an ordinary (static) electrochemical cell.
Efficient query processing in the semantic model approach to information integration

Information integration has been a subject of research for several decades, and despite significant progress, in particular in recent years, it still remains a very active research area. The volume of data available online and in electronic form has grown exponentially over the recent decade, increasing the significance of information integration. Many important applications, such as large-scale research in life sciences, cooperation and coordination among government agencies, and business intelligence require or benefit from information integration. In this paper we focus on the issue of query processing efficiency in the Semantic Model approach to information integration. The Semantic Model approach was proposed recently and encompasses a number of advantages over other techniques including reduced effort and time for schema mediation, ability to incorporate various types of sources including relational and XML, supporting gradual integration, and opportunity for additional query optimization. We report our implementation of the Local-as-View mappings in the Semantic Model approach, and present query processing and optimization algorithms. Experimental studies of the performance of the algorithms are also presented.
Creoles at the intersection of variable processes: - t,d deletion and past-marking in the Jamaican mesolect

-t,d deletion is a well-known variable phonological process subject to the influence of both external social factors and internal structural constraints, including phonetic environmental and morphosyntactic effects. Its profile of variation has been widely investigated in American English dialects. However, it interacts with another grammatical process – the regular affixation of final /-t, -d/ as a past-tense marker – that strongly distinguishes these dialects from English-related creoles, where past-marking by this mechanism is infrequent or non-occurrent. Investigation of -t,d deletion in mesolectal Jamaican Creole (JC) thus raises important questions about the intersection of variable processes, the generality of phonetic environmental constraints, and the degree of difference between English-related creoles and metropolitan standard and non-standard Englishes.
Does Laparoscopic Appendectomy Impart an Advantage over Open Appendectomy in Elderly Patients

Background The use of laparoscopy in the elderly has been increasing in recent years. The data comparing laparoscopic (LA) with open appendectomy (OA) in elderly patients are minimal. We evaluated outcomes of LA versus OA in perforated and nonperforated appendicitis in elderly patients (aged ≥65 years).
Consumer animosity in the global value chain: The effect of international production shifts on willingness to purchase hybrid products

The escalation of international offshoring and outsourcing in recent years has resulted in a proliferation of “hybrid products” for the typical multinational enterprise, with multiple country affiliations for branding, design, manufacture, assembly and parts sourcing. However, little has been written regarding the impact of consumer animosity on such hybrid activities, or the role of universal values in a hybrid production animosity model. In this paper we extend the consumer animosity literature to a firm's global integration activities for hybrid products. We posit that consumers’ willingness to purchase (WTP) a complex hybrid product is negatively affected by partial production shifts to an animosity-evoking country, and that self-reported animosity toward the country predicts lower WTP above and beyond consumer ethnocentrism and perceived product quality. In addition, we hypothesize a negative relationship between conservation values and WTP hybrid foreign products, and a positive relationship between openness values and WTP hybrid foreign products. A study of 319 US consumers revealed consistent support for these hypotheses, with the exception of the conservation values – WTP relationship. Practical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Meat consumption is associated with obesity and central obesity among US adults

Meats are high in energy and fat content, and thus may be associated with higher risk of obesity. Many controversies remain regarding the association between meat consumption (MC) and obesity. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between MC and obesity assessed using body mass index (BMI⩾30) and waist circumference (⩾102 cm in men and ⩾88 cm in women) among US adults. Nationally representative data collected in the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used. Linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the associations between MC and adiposity measures controlling for potential confounders. Considerable differences existed in MC across sociodemographic groups among US adults. Those who consumed more meat had a much higher daily total energy intake, for example, those in the upper vs bottom quintiles consumed around 700 more kcal day−1 (P<0.05). Regression models showed consistent positive associations between MC and BMI, waist circumference, obesity and central obesity, respectively. Using quintile 1 (low MC) as the reference, the association (odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI)) between total MC quintiles and obesity were 1.03 (0.88; 1.21; 2nd quintile), 1.17 (1.00; 1.38), 1.27 (1.08; 1.51) and 1.27 (1.08; 1.49;upper quintile), respectively; whereas that with central obesity was 1.13 (0.96–1.33), 1.31 (1.10; 1.54), 1.36 (1.17–1.60) and 1.33 (1.13; 1.55), respectively. These US national cross-sectional data show positive associations between MC and risk for obesity and central obesity.
PEV charging control for a parking lot based on queuing theory

PEV (Plug-in Electric Vehicle) charging control is important due to the fact that the unregulated charging can have a great impact on current power grid system. This paper concerns the PEV charging control for a case study of a shopping center parking lot. A queuing model is used to predict the temporal evolution of the number of PEVs in the parking lot. The charging control considers the loss of life of a dedicated distribution transformer for the facility. The objective of the control algorithm is to balance the minimization of the transformer loss of life and the maximization of charging service quality. The queuing theory is also used to estimate the waiting time under different number of chargers. The simulation results of the proposed smart charging strategy show the effectiveness of the methodology.
Three-dimensional treatment planning and conformal radiation therapy: preliminary evaluation

Abstract Preliminary clinical results are presented for 209 patients with cancer who had treatment planned on our three-dimensional radiation treatment planning (3-D RTP) system and were treated with external beam conformal radiation therapy. Average times (min) for CT volumetric simulation were: 74 without or 84 with contrast material; 36 for contouring of tumor/target volume and 44 for normal anatomy; 78 for treatment planning; 53 for plan evaluation/optimization; and 58 for verification simulation. Average time of daily treatment sessions with 3-D conformal therapy or standard techniques was comparable for brain, head and neck, thoracic, and hepatobiliary tumors (11.8–14 min and 11.5–12.1, respectively). For prostate cancer patients treated with 3-D conformal technique and Cerrobend blocks, mean treatment time was 19 min; with multileaf collimation it was 14 min and with bilateral arc rotation, 9.8 min. Acute toxicity was comparable to or lower than with standard techniques. Sophisticated 3-D RTP and conformal irradiation can be performed in a significant number of patients at a reasonable cost. Further efforts, including dose-escalation studies, are necessary to develop more versatile and efficient 3-D RTP systems and to enhance the cost benefit of this technology in treatment of patients with cancer.
Realization theory and the philosophy of mind: comments on Sydney Shoemaker’s physical realization

Ten years ago, if you went to the store for laundry detergent, you'd find enormous jugs of the stuff. Nowadays, in our more ecologically-minded times, the detergent has been concentrated and repackaged in containers a quarter of the original size. In keeping with the spirit of the age, Shoemaker has taken the amount of philosophy it used to take several volumes to hold and concentrated it into this slim little book. You can do a lot of philosophical laundry with what's in here. It's a privilege and an honor to have this opportunity to discuss it. Of the myriad topics treated in Realization, I'd like to concentrate on two that particularly interest me as a philosopher of mind: first, cross-subject property realization, or realization 2 , and second, the causal profiles of multiply realizable properties. Most of my time will be devoted to the first.
Continent vesicostomy using a catheterizable posterior bladder tube: Modification of the mitrofanoff principle

The authors report a case of microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis and prune-belly syndrome, with a huge adynamic bladder and a vesicostomy. The patient was treated surgically; a continent stoma was created through which urine is drained by intermittent clean catheterization via a catheterizable conduit constructed from a tubularized strip of posterior bladder wall.
Overcoming misconceptions in science: An on‐line study of prior knowledge activation

Abstract Students with misconceptions about the principles of motion either had their misconceptions activated or not. They then read one of two types of text‐text which refuted misconceptions or text without refutation. Testing revealed that, while there was no significant difference relating to the type of text, students who had misconceptions activated did better on short answer and true false tests, but not on an application task. In order to explore how readers overcome misconceptions, a selected group of students was asked to recall their thinking as they reread their text on the computer and/or were interviewed in relation to each of the assigned tasks. On the basis of these data, it was suggested that students who have misconceptions after formal experience may have a more difficult time overcoming them than students who have no formal experience in physics. Further, students who use a variety of strategies for processing the information may have an advantage over students who use fewer strategies.
Effect of Anaerobiosis on Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Staphylococci

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12 antibiotics was determined for four strains of staphylococci (representing the three major species) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by using the broth dilution method. Nine of the antibiotics showed no significant difference between aerobic and anaerobic MIC for any of the four cultures. Gentamicin and kanamycin showed a small, but significant, increase in MIC for at least two strains under anaerobic conditions. Trimethoprim was less effective against all strains under anaerobic conditions.
Postnatal toxicity of chronically administered paraquat in mice and interactions with oxygen and bromobenzene.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic paraquat administration on developing mice and to examine the interaction of chronic paraquat exposure with 100% oxygen and the hepatotoxin bromobenzene. Paraquat was administered at 50 and 100 ppm in the drinking water to pregnant mice beginning at Day 8 of gestation, with continued exposure to the newborns up to 42 days after birth. Neither paraquat treatment altered the postnatal growth rate; however, 100 ppm but not 50 ppm paraquat significantly increased the postnatal mortality. Both 50- and 100-ppm paraquat-treated mice were sensitized to the onset of oxygen toxicity, determined by a significant reduction in the LT50 at 42 days after birth. An enhanced sensitivity to oxygen toxicity was also detectable in 100 ppm but not 50 ppm mice at Days 1 and 28 after birth. In 42-day-old mice, 50 and 100 ppm paraquat treatment also significantly reduced the LT50 after 3100 mg/kg ip (LD85) bromobenzene. These observations suggest that the toxicity of paraquat may be mediated through an interaction with oxygen and describe possible interactions that could occur with the environmental use of paraquat.
Attenuation factors in practical Fourier analysis

Given a 2 ?-periodic functionf, it is desired to approximate itsn-th Fourier coefficientc n (f) in terms of function valuesf μ atN equidistant abscisses $$x_\mu = \mu 2\pi /N, \mu = 0, 1, ..., N - 1.$$ A time-honored procedure consists in interpolatingf at these points by some 2 ?-periodic function ? and aproximatingc n (f) byc n (?). In a number of cases, where ? is piecewise polynomial, it has been known that $$c_n (\varphi ) = \tau _n \hat c_n (f)$$ where $$\hat c_n (f)$$ is the trapezoidal rule approximation ofc n (f) and? n is independent off. Our interest is in the factors? n , called attenuation factors. We first clarify the conditions on the approximation processP:f?? under which such attenuation factors arise. It turns out that a necessary and sufficient condition is linearity and translation invariance ofP. The latter means that shifting the periodic dataf={f μ } one place to the right has the effect of shifting ?=P f by the same amount. An explicit formula for? n is obtained for any processP which is linear and translation invariant. For interpolation processes it suffices to obtain a factorizationc n (?)=?(n)? f (n), where ? does not depend onf and? f (n) has periodN. This also implies existence of attenuation factors? n , which are expressible in terms of ?. The results can be extended in two directions: First, the processP may also approximate successive derivative valuesf μ (x) , ?=0,1,...,k?1, of the functionf, in which case formulas of the type $$c_n (\varphi ) = \sum\limits_{x = 0}^{k - 1} {\tau _{_{n_{,x} } } \hat c} (f^{(x)} )$$ emerge. Secondly,P may be translation invariant overr subintervals,r>1, in which case $$c_n (\varphi ) = \sum\limits_{\varrho = 0}^{r - 1} {\tau _{n,\varrho } \hat c_n + \varrho N/} r(f)$$ . All results are illustrated by a number of examples, in which ? are polynomial and nonpolynomial spline interpolants, including deficient splines, as well as other piecewise polynomial interpolants. These include approximants of low, and medium continuity classes permitting arbitrarily high degree of approximation.
An Encyclopedia of the History of Classical Archaeology, edited by Nancy Thomson de Grummond, Green­wood Press

Nancy Thomson de Grummond has done a tremendous service for those scholars interested in the history of Classical Archaeology. In the 1330 pages that are the two handsome volumes that makeup the set, Thomson de Grummond provides a series of biographical sketches a many classical archaeologists and discussions of archaeological site locations which provide an excellent and concise look at the conduct of classical archae­ology through time. The biographical sketches contained in the volumes represent both the lay and profes­sional classical archaeologist. Represented in the volumes are archaeologists from established religious orders in the classical world as well as those who derived their interest in classical archaeology from the burgeoning interest in the development of the European scientific community. In addition, discussion of selected artifact discoveries are included in both volumes to round out the interest that anyone might have in the origins and development of classical archaeology.
Peptide YY and neuropeptide Y: reciprocal control of digestion via modulation of the brain-gut axis

Peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY) and neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) are emerging as potent central nervous system regulators of digestive functions. There is, however, considerable debate concerning the mechanisms and even the direction of autonomic effects mediated by these peptides. PYY is thought to be the hormonal "enterogastrone" released by the ileum after feeding. This peptide acts on vagal reflex control circuits in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) of the medulla oblongata to reduce gastric motility, i.e. the "ileal brake". However, equally convincing evidence is available to suggest that PYY and its close structural relative NPY may also act in the DVC to increase gastric motility through vagal mechanisms. This activation effect, particularly of NPY, has been linked to the increase in digestive functions seen at the onset of feeding behavior, i.e. Pavlov's "cephalic phase". We hypothesize that the confounding observations produced by these peptides are due to agonist effects on two different receptor types referred to as Y1 and Y2. Both receptors are present in the DVC but may be accessed differentially by peripheral humoral (PYY) versus central neurotransmitter (NPY) pathways. Our experiments show that the hormonal effect of PYY to suppress gastric functions such as the "ileal brake" is consistent with the activation of the Y2 receptor in the DVC, while NPY-ergic effects to increase gastric functions are mediated by the Y1 receptor. These results are corroborated by neurophysiological studies of the effects of Y1 and Y2 agonist peptides on single vagal efferent neurons. The seemingly paradoxical effects of PYY and NPY on the central neural control of gastric motility are reviewed in terms of the possible differential localization of Y1 versus Y2 receptors within the DVC. Specific reference is also made to recent observations that PYY is rapidly converted to a Y2 agonist by an ubiquitous dipeptidyl aminopeptidase. Biomedical Reviews 1997; 8: 55-69.
Effect of 9α-fluoroprednisolone and l-asparaginase on uridine incorporation into ribosomal RNA of P1798 lymphosarcoma

Abstract The effect of the lympholytic agents, 9α-fluoroprednisolone and l -asparaginase ( l -asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) from Escherichia coli (enzyme 2) on the incorporation of uridine into ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of P1798 lymphosarcoma was studied. After a 6- or 18-h treatment with either 9α-fluoroprednisolone or l -asparaginase, there was a marked decrease in incorporation into 18-S and 28-S rRNA. Incorporation into the 28-S component was significantly decreased 3 h after the administration of l -asparaginase, whereas 9α-fluoroprednisolone had no effect at this time. Neither 9α-fluoroprednisolone nor l -asparaginase depressed precursor incorporation in mice bearing steroid- or asparaginase-resistant tumors. These results suggest that changes in rRNA metabolism are related to tumor regression.
Selectivity filter gating in large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels

Membrane voltage controls the passage of ions through voltage-gated K (Kv) channels, and many studies have demonstrated that this is accomplished by a physical gate located at the cytoplasmic end of the pore. Critical to this determination were the findings that quaternary ammonium ions and certain peptides have access to their internal pore-blocking sites only when the channel gates are open, and that large blocking ions interfere with channel closing. Although an intracellular location for the physical gate of Kv channels is well established, it is not clear if such a cytoplasmic gate exists in all K+ channels. Some studies on large-conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels suggest a cytoplasmic location for the gate, but other findings question this conclusion and, instead, support the concept that BK channels are gated by the pore selectivity filter. If the BK channel is gated by the selectivity filter, the interactions between the blocking ions and channel gating should be influenced by the permeant ion. Thus, we tested tetrabutyl ammonium (TBA) and the Shaker “ball” peptide (BP) on BK channels with either K+ or Rb+ as the permeant ion. When tested in K+ solutions, both TBA and the BP acted as open-channel blockers of BK channels, and the BP interfered with channel closing. In contrast, when Rb+ replaced K+ as the permeant ion, TBA and the BP blocked both closed and open BK channels, and the BP no longer interfered with channel closing. We also tested the cytoplasmically gated Shaker K channels and found the opposite behavior: the interactions of TBA and the BP with these Kv channels were independent of the permeant ion. Our results add significantly to the evidence against a cytoplasmic gate in BK channels and represent a positive test for selectivity filter gating.
Reduction of Water Permeability in Potato Tuber Slices by Cyanide, Ammonia, 2,4-Dinitrophenol, and Oligomycin and Its Reverse by Adenosine 5′-Triphosphate and Cytidine 5′-Triphosphate

Five millimolar KCN reduced water permeability in 1-millimeter thick slices of potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.). One-tenth millimolar ATP and CTP prevented or reversed the reduced permeability. UTP and GTP were not effective. Five millimolar ammonium carbonate or 0.1 millimolar 2,4-dinitrophenol also reduced water permeability, but ATP and CTP were only partially effective in reversing the reduced permeability. Oligomycin, 5 micrograms per milliliter, reduced water permeability, and the reduction was reversed by ATP and CTP. ATP and CTP appear to be involved in maintaining the structure of water pathways into the cell.
An object-oriented programming approach for heat and mass transfer related finite element analyses

The purpose of this paper is to describe object-oriented programming (OOP) for finite element analyses (FEA) applications to heat and mass transfer problems. OOP programming style (Booch, 1991) can simplify the complicated FEA computer programming. In this paper, the OOP programming approach is demonstrated by examples for three different types of partial differential equations (PDE)s: (1) Poisson equation (steady state heat transfer problem), (2) heat conduction equation (transient problem), and (3) Luikov equation (coupled heat and moisture transfer problems). All three FEA problems are programmed by the same two-step procedure, based on a selected FEA package, DIFFPACK.
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, and foreign birth in North Carolina, 1993 – 2006

The proportion of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) reported in the United States has been gradually increasing. HIV infection and foreign birth are increasingly associated with tuberculosis and understanding their effect on the clinical presentation of tuberculosis is important. Case-control study of 6,124 persons with tuberculosis reported to the North Carolina Division of Public health from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2006. Multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios measuring the associations of foreign birth region and US born race/ethnicity, by HIV status, with EPTB. Among all patients with tuberculosis, 1,366 (22.3%) had EPTB, 563 (9.2%) were HIV co-infected, and 1,299 (21.2%) were foreign born. Among HIV negative patients, EPTB was associated with being foreign born (adjusted ORs 1.36 to 5.09, depending on region of birth) and with being US born, Black/African American (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.42, 2.39). Among HIV infected patients, EPTB was associated with being US born, Black/African American (OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.83, 3.71) and with foreign birth in the Americas (OR 5.12; 95% CI 2.84, 9.23). Foreign born tuberculosis cases were more likely to have EPTB than US born tuberculosis cases, even in the absence of HIV infection. Increasing proportions of foreign born and HIV-attributable tuberculosis cases in the United States will likely result in a sustained burden of EPTB. Further research is needed to explore why the occurrence and type of EPTB differs by region of birth and whether host genetic and/or bacterial variation can explain these differences in EPTB.
Stable polymeric micelles: Lymphangiographic contrast media for gamma scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging

Rationale and Objectives Amphiphilc biocompatible polyoxyethylene (PEO)-based polymers form particles (micelles) that are 10-50 nm in diameter. In the current research, we successfully incorporated amphiphilic indium-111 (111In) and gadolinium chelates into these particles and used them as particulate contrast media in percutaneous lymphography.
Overview of the solid-solid interface - Mechanical stability

Abstract Photothermal and photovoltaic device structures require large-area thin film multilayers that must be uniformly processed and will withstand a hostile service environment for long periods without degradation. Our present experience with demanding thin film applications resides in microcircuits and optical applications. Thus little background for predictive capability exists for high cyclic temperature excursions, oxidation-corrosion ambients and abrasive winds to be expected for reflectors and collectors. Long-term mechanical stability will be governed by control of the stresses produced during growth followed by stabilization of the microstructure. Low temperature transport has long been known in films but data for many incorporated impurity species including H 2 and OH are not common. The stress relief that accompanies such recovery processes has been studied in detail in only one soft low melting film. Reliable creep data for films do not exist. At high temperatures, even diffusion into the bulk may be an important sink for material originally at interfaces. Surface morphology changes after annealing have been identified. At fast deposition rates, grain boundaries may become even wider and posses large quantities of impurities. Many dielectric films contain microscopic voids which give rise to reversible and irreversible behavior. Disorder is quenched in at low effective atom mobilities with the formation of amorphous or metastable phases. Even amorphous films have their own scale of structure, lower elastic constants and doubtful high temperature stabilization. There is a parallel with laser glazing and near-surface modification by ion beams that should be exploited. The mechanical strains that are produced in a film during growth are a result of the microstructure as well as of thermal expansion. Some control is possible but is often limited as a result of the (gaseous) impurities which may not be stable at high temperatures. Elastic stress distributions may be calculated but are useless without knowledge of plastic flow. Modifications of an interface by grading, stress compensation and topological interlocking are known to prevent failure. New techniques for the measurement of “adhesion” and the localized characterization of mechanical properties together with the application of fracture toughness concepts are necessary to understand interfacial strengths. Mechanical integrity requires the solution to many of these problems. Recent developments in high strength films, the prevention of grain growth by modulating the structure and the production of a specific microstructure for a desired optical property show that progress is possible. Opportunities for surface science will be to comprehend atomic mobilities in the formation and stabilization of real microstructures in solar environments, to produce new materials and to develop new techniques, especially in situ and non-destructive, to give early detection and predictive capability of failure.
Synthetic melanotropic peptide initiates erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study.

AbstractPurpose: We evaluated the erectogenic properties of a new cyclic alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogue, Melanotan-II, to treat men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction.Materials and Methods: Ten men with erectile dysfunction of no known organic cause were entered in a double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study in which the erectogenic properties of Melanotan-II and a vehicle placebo were compared using real-time RigiScan [double dagger] monitoring. The presence, duration and rigidity of erections were recorded during a 6-hour period.Results: In 8 of 10 men treated with Melanotan-II clinically apparent erections developed. Mean duration of tip rigidity greater than 80% was 38.0 minutes with Melanotan-II and 3.0 with placebo (p = 0.0045). Transient side effects of nausea, stretching and yawning and decreased appetite were reported more frequently after injections of Melanotan-II than placebo but none required treatment.Conclusions: Melanotan-II is a potent initiator of erections in me...