cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of low spatial frequency signals with optical aperture tapering

Detection of weak signals in an optical spectrum analyzer is impaired by sidelobes from nearby large signal components in the output spectrum. Strong sidelobes about the zero frequency component particularly inhibit detection of low frequency signals. Sidelobe response can be attenuated by suitable illumination tapering over the input data aperture. Changes of first and second sidelobe levels and main lobe width have been investigated for gaussian, lorentzian, and exponential tapers. Improved capability to distinguish weak low frequency signals in the presence of distortions introduced by component flaws is demonstrated for the exponential form.
Sleep Dysfunction Prior to the Onset of Schizophrenia: A Review and Neurodevelopmental Diathesis–Stress Conceptualization

Sleep dysfunction is a pervasive symptom in schizophrenia, yet little is known regarding the extent to which problematic sleep is present prior to illness onset. Results from an online database search targeting genetic high-risk, clinical high-risk, and retrospective studies of patients with schizophrenia prior to onset suggest that abnormalities in sleep dysfunction precede schizophrenia onset. Further, a host of proximal factors such as neural structures, endocrine function, and cognitive performance holds promise for improving our conceptualization of sleep dysfunction. However, support is preliminary, and extensive new research in this area is essential. Drawing from this review, a neurodevelopmental diathesis–stress model is posited to highlight potential research targets and mechanisms through which vulnerability, biological/psychosocial stress, and adolescent neuromaturational factors may contribute to both sleep dysfunction and development of psychosis in at-risk youth.
Using Propensity Score Matching in Clinical Investigations: A Discussion and Illustration

Propensity score matching is a useful tool to analyze observational data in clinical investigations, but it is often executed in an overly simplistic manner, failing to use the data in the best possible way. This review discusses current best practices in propensity score matching, outlining the methodâ€™s essential steps, including appropriate post-matching balance assessments and sensitivity analyses. These steps are summarized as eight key traits of a propensity matched study. Further, this review illustrates these traits through a case study examining the impact of access site in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures on bleeding complications. Through propensity score matching, we find that bleeding occurs significantly less often with radial access procedures, though many other outcomes show no significant difference by access site, a finding that mirrors the results of randomized controlled trials. Lack of attention to methodological principles can result in results that are not biologically plausible.
Effects of High Potassium Diet on Angiotensin II Receptors and Angiotensin-Induced Aldosterone Production in Rat Adrenal Glomerulosa Cells

Alterations in potassium (K+) balance modulate the sensitivity of the aldosterone secretory response to angiotensin II, but the mechanism of this change has not been elucidated. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of angiotensin II receptor alterations in this phenomenon. The effects of high K+ diet, on receptor binding of [l25I]angiotensin II and angiotensin-stimulated aldosterone production have been compared using isolated rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. A decrease in the equilibrium association constant occurred from the control value of 0.8 ± 0.2 to 0.4 ± 0.09 nM−1 (n = 8; P< 0.025). All values are the mean ± SEM. The change in equilibrium association constant was associated with a decrease in sensitivity of aldosterone responses to angiotensin II, as evidenced by increases in the angiotensin II concentration at half-maximum aldosterone production. The half-maximum aldosterone production was 1.0 ± 0.25 nM (n = 6) in control cells, 1.5 ± 0.03 nM (n = 3) at 3 days on a high potassium d...
Secondary controls on mercury in soils of geothermal areas

Abstract A study of the Hg distribution in soils of the Long Valley, California, geothermal area and several minor geothermal districts in Colorado was made. A1-horizon soil samples were collected on a grid system in the Colorado areas and on a grid system from selected areas of the Long Valley caldera. The primary objectives of this study were to determine the applicability of anomalously high Hg concentrations in soils to exploration for geothermal systems and to evaluate the importance of secondary controls such as organic matter, Fe and Mn hydrous oxides on Hg concentration in soils overlying geothermal systems. Statistical analysis identified two populations of Hg in soils, one related to geothermal activity and the other unrelated. Stepwise regression was used to evaluate the relative importance of secondary controls on Hg. Organic carbon was found to be the most important influence in the California geothermal data, whereas Mn was most important in the Colorado data. Generally, the secondary controls of Hg are subtle and are overwhelmed in an area of prominent geothermal activity. Some secondary variables have a significant influence on Hg in soils and can be useful in redefining areas of anomalous Hg leakage. The technique is likely to be of most use in evaluating potential geothermal areas with weak surface expression.
Aspects of the inheritance of intellectual abilities.

Genetic and environmental influences on IQ were examined in various subgroups of the Texas Adoption Project sample, including subdivisions by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Also investigated were the effects of sampling error, restriction of range, ureliability of measures,whether or not the adoptive parents had information about the biological mother, whether or not the biological mother had elevated MMPI scores, and differences between verbal and performance abilities. The principal method used was path analysis, and the heritabilities obtained fell mostly in the range of 0.30 to 0.65.
Colloidal properties of plutonium in dilute aqueous solution

Abstract The colloidal properties of Pu (IV) in solutions suitable for injection have been investigated as a function of pH, time after pH adjustment, and relative concentrations of Pu and complexing citrate ions. Polymerizations is increased with increasing pH and depressed by a large molar excess of citrate. The rate of depolymerization is directly proportional to citrate concentration, time and acidity.FDifferences in the rates of polymerization and depolymerization are demonstrated. The polydisperse nature of Pu (IV) colloids is shown by kinetic dialysis studies which demonstrate a mixture of diffusible species. Apparent discrepancies between values for the fraction of diffusible Pu obtained by ultrafiltration and by dialysis are related to reversible polymerization. Techniques are described for the preparation of Pu-citrate solutions of minimal colloidal and for rapid estimation of colloidal formation by the ultrafiltration procedure. The relation between the colloidal properties of Pu and its distribution in animal tissues is discussed.
Evidence-Based Practice in Nephrology: Systematic Reviews

A systematic review, the careful search and comprehensive analysis of all available data on a particular clinical question, is a useful tool for the busy clinician seeking to practice evidence-based medicine. When performed appropriately, they can provide a concise overview of the available literature. Meta-analysis is a method of mathematically combining the results of multiple individual studies, and it must be done in the setting of conceptual and statistical homogeneity. However, as with all forms of research, one must become familiar with the strengths and drawbacks of this type of evidence to critically appraise its validity.
Comparison of Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics with Experimental Measurements in the Nonlinear Shear-Thinning Regime

Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics of a low-molecular-weight fluid (squalane) are compared with experimental measurements in both the linear (Newtonian) and nonlinear (non-Newtonian) regimes. The experimental and simulation data are shown to follow the same time-temperature superposition master curve. This represents the first comparison of the nonlinear rheology predicted by nonequilibrium molecular dynamics with experiment, and is thus the first experimental test of nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations in the nonlinear regime.
HUMAN MONOCYTES AND MACROPHAGES : Interaction with Antigen and Lymphocytes

PPD-sensitized monocytes and macrophages from tuberculin-positive subjects are both capable of inducing blastogenic transformation of autologous lymphocytes. Incorporation of thymidine-3H and morphological transformation were always greater in lymphocyte cultures containing macrophages than in those containing monocytes. More lymphocytes entered the first detectable S phase in cultures containing macrophages. Lymphocyte DNA synthesis occurred as early as 40 hr of culture and always in cells in contact with mononuclear phagocytes. By 120–144 hr, many transformed lymphocytes were free in suspension; at the same time, the "immunological cluster" had increased greatly in size and contained transformed and untransformed lymphocytes. The greater effectiveness of macrophages at induction of lymphocyte transformation may be related to the efficiency of this cell type at trapping antigen and its effectiveness at making contact with and binding lymphocytes.
Reciprocity in negotiations: An analysis of bargaining interaction

This investigation examined the effects of bargainer role and sex‐role composition on the frequencies and sequences of bargaining talk. Thirty‐two male and thirty‐two female bargainers were assigned to labor‐management roles in same‐sex or mixed‐sex dyads to bargain a simulated grievance case. A modified version of the Bargaining Process Analysis (BPA) was employed to test for reciprocity of bargaining strategies. The findings demonstrated that management representatives relied on defensive tactics while labor negotiators specialized in offensive maneuvers; these strategies emerged in the interaction structure of negotiators, especially in their use of attack‐defend and offensive‐information giving patterns. Impasse dyads, as compared with agreement pairs, exhibited a tightly‐structured, reciprocal pattern of attack‐attack or defend‐defend, with management initiating this cycle.
AXISYMMETRIC, TRANSVERSE VIBRATIONS OF A SPINNING MEMBRANE CLAMPED AT ITS CENTER

It can be seen easily that the expressions for stresses and displacements using Eqs. (3) and (10) will be the same as given by Eq. (21) in Ref. 1. Numerical integration to evaluate these stresses and displacements can be done as explained in Ref. 1. References 1 Klosner, J. M., "The elasticity solution of a long circularcylindrical shell subjected to a uniform, circumferential, radial line load," J. Aerospace Sci. 29, 834-841 (1962). 2 Tranter, C. J. and Craggs, J. W., "The stress distribution in a long circular cylinder when a discontinuous pressure is applied to the curved surface," Phil. Mag. 36, 241-250 (1945). 3 Fliigge, W. (ed.), Handbook of Engineering Mechanics (McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1962), pp. 41-15-41-16.
Data assimilation in variable dimension dispersion models using particle filters

Data assimilation in the context of puff based dispersion models is studied. A representative two dimensional Gaussian puff atmospheric dispersion model is used for the purpose of testing and comparing several data assimilation techniques. A continuous nonlinear observation model, and a quantized probabilistic nonlinear observation model, are used to simulate the measurements. The quantized model is used to simulate bar sensor readings of the concentration. Dispersion models usually lead to high dimensional space-gridded state space models. In the case of puff based dispersion models, this may be avoided by using puff parameters themselves as the states, but at the cost of introducing nonlinearity and variable dimensionality. The potential of sampling based techniques is discussed in this context, with a particular focus on the particle filter approach, for which variable state dimensionality creates no difficulties. The performance of particle filter is compared with that of the extended Kalman filter, and its advantages and limitations are illustrated.
Stress and the anti-influenza immune response: repeated social defeat augments clonal expansion of CD8+T cells during primary influenza A viral infection

Social disruption stress (SDR) prior to primary influenza A virus (IAV) infection augments memory to IAV re-challenge in a T cell-specific manner. However, the effect of SDR on the primary anti-viral immune response has not been elucidated. In this study, SDR-infected (INF) mice terminated viral gene expression earlier and mounted an enhanced pulmonary IAV-specific CD8+T cell response versus controls. Additionally, SDR-INF mice had a more pro-inflammatory lung profile prior to and during infection and an attenuated corticosterone response. These data demonstrate neuroendocrine modification of the lung microenvironment and increased antigen-specific T cell activation, clonal expansion and viral control in stress-exposed mice.
Drug Permeation through Human Skin: I. Effects of Storage Conditions of Skin

The purpose of this study was to establish conditions for the preparation and storage of excised human skin such that it most closely retained the permeation characteristics seen with skin samples studied immediately after having been removed from cadavers. Using skin taken from the inner thighs of cadavers within 48 hr post mortem, we have compared drug permeation through samples that were used immediately following removal with samples that had been stored in either the frozen or dried state. With the chromone acid under investigation, it was found that samples of stratum corneum attached to the underlying epidermis used without prior storage consistently showed less permeation than samples taken from the same individual that had been frozen at -17 degrees C upon removal and then thawed before permeation studies were started. However, drug permeation through samples of stratum corneum plus epidermis that had been allowed to dry under controlled humidity conditions at room temperature were found to be similar to those obtained with fresh skin. These results indicate that dried skin, when appropriately rehydrated before use, exhibits rates of drug permeation similar to those found with fresh skin. With the chromone acids under investigation, the use of frozen samples of excised skin should be avoided since the extent of permeation exceeds that obtained with fresh skin samples.
Luminol enhanced chemiluminescence of the perfused rat heart during ischemia and reperfusion

We show that the production of Luminol reactive oxygen radicals in the perfused rat heart under ischemia and reperfusion can be monitored continuously by measuring the chemiluminescence of Luminol-perfused hearts. Luminol did not affect the monitored physiological parameters of the hearts. Chemiluminescence increased during ischemia and reperfusion. Superoxide dismutase treatment of the heart before ischemia, but not catalase, abolished these increases.
Characterization of short-pulse laser-produced plasmas at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory ultrashort-pulse laser

The K-shell emission from porous aluminum targets is used to infer the density and temperature of plasmas created with 800 nm and 400 nm, 140 fs laser light. The laser beam is focused to a minimum spot size of 5 micrometers with 800 nm light and 3 micrometers with 400 nm light, producing a normal incidence peak intensity of 1018 Watts/cm2. A new 800 fs x-ray streak camera is used to study the broadband x-ray emission. The time resolved and time integrated x-ray emission implies substantial differences between the porous target and the flat target temperature.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
564 LOW FAT AND LOW CHOLESTEROL DIET IN CHILDREN FROM HIGH RISK FAMILIES WITH HYPERLIPIDEMIA

This study evaluated the effect of a diet with or without pharmacological intervention on serum cholesterol in a group of children with a positive family history of hyperlipidemia or an coronary event before the age of 50 years in first degree relatives. A total of 91 studied children were divided into 5 groups. In Gr.I, both the parents had normal cholesterol levels (N=12). Twenty eight children had only the father (Gr.II, H=17) or the mother (Gr.III, N=11) with high serum cholesterol. In 51, father had myocardial infarction at a young age (<50 yrs.) and mother had either normal (Gr.IV, N=40) or high serum cholesterol (Gr.V, N=11). During an average follow up of 14 months, 8 of the 12 children with abnormal cholesterol levels (mg%) in Gr.I showed slight but a non-significant decrease to dietary therapy (193±33 to 183±31). The results of dietary therapy alone on cholesterol levels were poor during an average period of 2 yrs. in all the other groups. Furthermore, in Gr.V, 5 children with initially abnormal and 4 with normal cholesterol levels demonstrated a significant increase from 222±60 to 248±63 (p<0.04) and 136±4.7 to 182±17.7 (p<0.01). An apparent but a non-significant effect of diet and medication was seen only in children from Gr.III and IV (312±38 to 274±11 and 383±5 to 323±65 respectively). A dietary therapy should be tried in all. However, children with both affected parents should be treated more aggressively.
Lipoic acid stimulation of biotin biosynthesis

Abstract Various compounds, either alone or with pimelic acid, have been studied with respect to their influence on the biosynthesis of biotin by Aspergillus niger growing in synthetic medium. Biotin and/or biotin vitamers synthesized were determined by microbiological assay with Neurospora crassa. Of the more than forty new compounds screened, only lipoic acid and some lipoic acid derivatives showed any effect. Lipoic acid and derivatives did not stimulate biotin biosynthesis in the absence of pimelic acid, but, when added to the synthetic medium in conjunction with pimelic acid, a three- to fivefold enhancement of the pimelic acid stimulation of biotin biosynthesis occurred. 8-Methyl lipoic acid, as well as 5-lipoic acid, antimetabolites of lipoic acid in pyruvate oxidation, were equally active. Growth of A. niger on medium containing lipoic acid- 35 S and pimelic acid did not yield radioactive biotin. The possibility that lipoic acid is stimulatory because of promoting sulfate reduction is suggested.
Elemental spectrum of a mouse obtained via neutron stimulation

Several studies have shown that the concentration of certain elements may be a disease indicator. We are developing a spectroscopic imaging technique, Neutron Stimulated Emission Computed Tomography (NSECT), to non-invasively measure and image elemental concentrations within the body. The region of interest is interrogated via a beam of high-energy neutrons that excite elemental nuclei through inelastic scatter. These excited nuclei then relax by emitting characteristic gamma radiation. Acquiring the gamma energy spectrum in a tomographic geometry allows reconstruction of elemental concentration images. Our previous studies have demonstrated NSECT's ability to obtain spectra and images of known elements and phantoms, as well as, initial interrogations of biological tissue. Here, we describe the results obtained from NSECT interrogation of a fixed mouse specimen. The specimen was interrogated via a 5MeV neutron beam for 9.3 hours in order to ensure reasonable counting statistics. The gamma energy spectrum was obtained using two High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) clover detectors. A background spectrum was obtained by interrogating a specimen container containing 50mL of 0.9% NaCl solution. Several elements of biological interest including 12C, 40Ca, 31P, and 39K were identified with greater then 90% confidence. This interrogation demonstrates the feasibility of NSECT interrogation of small animals. Interrogation with a commercial neutron source that provides higher neutron flux and lower energy (~2.5MeV) neutrons would reduce scanning time and eliminate background from certain elements.
A report of laryngeal adenocystic carcinoma metastatic to the spleen and the role of splenectomy in the management of metastatic disease: a case report

Introduction Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the larynx is a rare malignancy characterized by an indolent course and late pulmonary metastases. Metastases from the larynx to the spleen are an unusual event. In the present report, we discuss a patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the larynx metastatic to the spleen. A review of the literature did not yield any other such incidents. We review the clinical presentation and course of adenoid cystic carcinoma, as well as the role of splenectomy for metastases.
Influence of oxide additions on the sintering of corundum refractories

Influence des oxydes de Mg, Ti et Cr et de leurs melanges sur la structure du corindon fritte
A Quantitative Model for the Dependence of Solute Permeability on Peptide and Cholesterol Content in Biomembranes

The influence of varying concentrations of a transmembrane peptide, gramicidin A (gA), and cholesterol (Chol) on the passive permeation of p-methylhippuric acid (MHA) and α-carbamoyl-p-methylhippuric acid (CMHA) across egg-lecithin membranes (EPC) has been investigated in vesicle efflux experiments. Incorporation of 0.25 volume fraction of gA in its nonchannel conformation increased the permeability coefficient (Pm) for CMHA by a factor of 6.0 ± 1.8 but did not alter Pm for MHA, a more lipophilic permeant. In contrast, incorporation of 0.26 volume fraction Chol with no added protein decreased the Pm values for both CMHA and MHA by similar factors of 4.2 ± 1.1 and 3.5 ± 1.2, respectively. A quantitative structure-transport model has been developed to account for the dependence of Pm on the membrane concentrations of gA and Chol in terms of induced changes in both membrane chain ordering and hydrophobicity. Chain ordering is assumed to affect Pm for both permeants similarly since they are comparable in molecular size, while changes in Pm ratios in the presence of gA or Chol are attributed to alterations in membrane hydrophobicity. Changes in lipid chain ordering were detected by monitoring membrane fluidity using fluorescence anisotropy of 1-[4-(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenylhexa-1,3,5-triene incorporated into the membranes. The influence of additives on membrane hydrophobicity, which governs Pm ratios through effects on solute partitioning into the barrier domain, were rationalized within the framework of regular solution theory using solubility parameters as a measure of membrane hydrophobicity. Fits of the Pm ratios using the theoretical model yielded solubility parameters for gA and Chol in EPC membranes of 13.2 and 7.7 (cal/ml)1/2, respectively, suggesting that gA decreases the barrier domain hydrophobicity while Chol has a minimal effect on barrier hydrophobicity. After correcting for barrier domain hydrophobicity, permeability decrements due to membrane ordering induced by gA or Chol were found to exhibit a strong correlation with membrane order as predicted by free-surface-area theory, regardless of whether gA or Chol is used as the ordering agent.
Intergenerational Bargains: Negotiating our debts to the past and our obligations to the future

Abstract The question of intergenerational obligation can be framed in multiple ways. Here, we use the idea of bargains to think about how those of us in the present relate to both the past and the future. To understand this approach assumptions behind the idea of intergenerational bargains are posited, three potential ontologies for intergenerational thinking are explored, and principles that might be applied to intergenerational obligations are considered. Finally, an ethic for intergenerational obligation is proposed. The idea of intergenerational bargains reveals common frameworks among futures studies, ecological economics, and sustainability science.
Supervised feature selection: A tutorial

Supervised feature selection research has a long history. Its popularity exploded in the past 30 years due to the advance ofinformation technology and the need to analyze high-dimensional data sets. Research papers published during these yearswere mostly from the machine learning and artificial intelligence community. The emphasis was largely on improving modelaccuracy using empirical methods; whereas the issue of feature relevance was somewhat overlooked. Feature selection methodswere loosely classified as filters, wrappers, and embedded methods with little attention paid to their intricate details. This paperprovides a tutorial of supervised feature selection, on the basis of reviewing frequently cited papers in this area and a numberof classical publications from the statistics community. The objective of feature selection (either to improve model predictiveaccuracy or to determine relevance for hypothesis generation) is presented and discussed in details. Various supervised featureselection methods are classified using a detailed taxonomy. Guidelines for using feature selection methods in practice areprovided based on a comprehensive review of the performance of these methods. Issues that require further attention are alsodiscussed.
Electronic Energy Bands in Body-Centered Iron

Calculations of the electronic energy bands in body-centered iron by the Wigner-Seitz-Slater method are reported. There are found to be two filled and four partially-filled bands. The lowest two filled bands are responsible for the cohesion; the next three partially-filled bands for the ferromagnetism; and the highest band is responsible for the electrical conduction. The width of the occupied levels is about 0.6 Rydberg but the density of states is high for only about 0.4 Rydberg in good agreement with the data obtained from x-ray emission bands. The density of states is calculated as a function of the energy and compared with similar results obtained by Greene for face-centered iron. The density of states at the highest occupied energy level is 17 electrons/atom-Rydberg compared with 11 electrons/atom-Rydberg for face-centered iron. This higher density of states accounts for the fact that body-centered iron is ferromagnetic, but face-centered iron is not. It also indicates a greater electronic specific heat for body-centered iron than for face-centered iron. This higher electronic specific heat is responsible for the high temperature change from a face-centered to a body-centered structure.
Experimental Dissection of Media of Aorta by Pressure ITS RELATION TO SPONTANEOUS DISSECTING ANEURYSM

The pressure required to produce intramural dissection was determined by injection of water into the media of strips of aorta obtained at postmortem examination. The mean pressure required reached a maximum in the second and third decades and decreased gradually thereafter. No differences in the pressure required was noted when comparisons were made by race, sex, different segments of the aorta, different strata of the media, or in the region of atherosclerotic lesions. Pregnancy (postpartum state) did not decrease the resistance in two instances. A slight increase in the pressure required was observed in the aortas of patients with hypertensive disease, and a marked increase was encountered in the presence of syphilitic aortitis. The resistance of the aorta in spontaneously occurring dissecting aneurysm was variable; one case had a normal resistance while the other was impaired. The authors postulate that a solitary focus of medial degeneration strategically located is an adequate stimulus for dissection...
Separation of viroid RNAs by cellulose chromatography indicating conformational distinctions

Abstract A series of viroids and viroid-like RNAs extracted from citron (Citrus medics), grapevine (Vitis vinifera), and avocado (Persea americanum) displayed differential binding capacities to cellulose in the presence of ethanol. This nonionic interaction was influenced by the presence of magnesium ions suggesting variations in conformation among the viroid RNAs and corresponding differences in reactivity with cellulose. The specific elution profiles present a basis for the subclassification of groups of viroid-like molecules.
A randomized, controlled trial of an automated wireless messaging system for diabetes.

Background: Aggressive management of blood glucose reduces future diabetes-related complications, but this is difficult to achieve. Methods: This randomized, controlled study tested the effect of using a wireless two-way pager-based automated messaging system to improve diabetes control through facilitated selfmanagement. The system sent health-related messages to patients, with automatic forwarding of urgent patient responses to the health care team. Results: Participants in both the experimental (pager) and the control groups experienced an average hemoglobin A1c decrease of 0.1–0.3%. More patients in the pager group were normotensive, and more felt that their health care was better by the end of the study. A total of 79% of participants enjoyed using the pager, and 68% wanted to continue using the system. Conclusions: Utilizing a wireless, automated messaging system in clinical practice is a feasible, low-cost, interactive way to facilitate diabetes self-management, which is acceptable to patients. Whi...
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for the Anxiety Triad

This article presents an overview of the existing, as well as newly developed, cognitive behavior therapy methods for treating the child anxiety triad (separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social phobia). For each disorder of the triad, the authors review diagnostic criteria, clinical presentation, disorder-specific treatment methods and innovations, and future directions for research.
The significance of a positive cutaneous immunofluorescence test in systemic lupus erythematosus

SUMMARY Direct cutaneous immunofluorescence microscopical examination of uninvolved skin is an important diagnostic test in systemic lupus erythematosus. Its prognostic significance is undetermined. In twenty-four patients there was an increased incidence of leukopenia, hypocomplementaemia, and LE cells in patients with positive skin immunofluorescence. Positive cutaneous immunofluorescence of uninvolved skin was correlated with the most severe forms of lupus renal disease, membranous glomerulonephritis, and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis.
Effects of breastfeeding chemosignals on the human menstrual cycle

BACKGROUND To date, there has not been an investigation to determine whether lactating women and their infants influence the ovarian function of other women with whom they interact. METHODS In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 47 nulliparous women, we utilized both within- and between-subjects controls to assess the effects of sustained exposure to breastfeeding compounds on menstrual cycle length, as well as characteristics of each phase of the ovarian cycle. RESULTS Breastfeeding compounds modulated ovarian cycle length in comparison with the carrier control (0.01 < or = all P values < or = 0.05), disrupting the normal homeostatic regulation of cycle length and tripling its variance. Hence, women with long cycles stayed long and did not regress to the mode of 29 days and women with short cycles maintained short cycles. This effect was driven by changes in both the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle (0.01 < or = all P values < or = 0.04) and changed the timing of the pre-ovulatory surge of LH. CONCLUSIONS Because compounds from lactating women and their infants modulated the ovarian cycles of women, as is seen in other mammals, they have the potential to function as pheromones, regulating fertility within groups of women.
Characterization of high-pressure, underexpanded hydrogen-jet flames

Measurements were performed to characterize the dimensional and radiative properties of large-scale, vertical hydrogen-jet flames. This data is relevant to the safety scenario of a sudden leak in a high-pressure hydrogen containment vessel and will provide a technological basis for determining hazardous length scales associated with unintended hydrogen releases at storage and distribution centers. Jet flames originating from high-pressure sources up to 413 bar (6000 psi) were studied to verify the application of correlations and scaling laws based on lower-pressure subsonic and choked-flow jet flames. These higher pressures are expected to be typical of the pressure ranges in future hydrogen storage vessels. At these pressures the flows exiting the jet nozzle are categorized as underexpanded jets in which the flow is choked at the jet exit. Additionally, the gas behavior departs from that of an ideal-gas and alternate formulations for non-ideal gas must be introduced. Visible flame emission was recorded on video to evaluate flame length and structure. Radiometer measurements allowed determination of the radiant heat flux characteristics. The flame length results show that lower-pressure engineering correlations, based on the Froude number and a non-dimensional flame length, also apply to releases up to 413 bar (6000 psi). Similarly, radiative heat flux characteristics of these high-pressure jet flames obey scaling laws developed for low-pressure, smaller-scale flames and a wide variety of fuels. The results verify that such correlations can be used to a priori predict dimensional characteristics and radiative heat flux from a wide variety of hydrogen-jet flames resulting from accidental releases.
Long-term treatment of refractory thrombocytopenia in a patient with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome with vincristine, immunoglobulin, and methylprednisolone.

We report a child with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome with severe, refractory, symptomatic thrombocytopenia who achieved an excellent response to combination therapy with vincristine 1.5 mg/m2 × 1 day, intravenous immunoglobulin 1 g/kg × 3 days, and methylprednisolone 25 mg/kg × 3 days (VIM) for 7 years after failing multiple treatments. He did not have a histocompatible donor for bone marrow transplantation. When the patient ceased to respond to this regimen, he was rescued with pulse dexamethasone. Vincristine, immunoglobulin, and methylprednisolone might serve as a novel treatment option for the patient with refractory thrombocytopenia. Our patient had a sustained remission of symptomatic thrombocytopenia without toxicity. Furthermore, pulse dexamethasone might be an alternative treatment option to which patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome may respond. Am. J. Hematol. 62:183–185, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Health security for the rural poor? A case study of a health insurance scheme for rural farmers and peasants in India

This is a case study of an important innovation in providing healthcare for the rural poor: the Yeshasvini Health Insurance Scheme for rural farmers and peasants in Karnataka, India. Arguably the world's largest health insurance scheme for the rural poor, the scheme commenced in 2003. Designed in ways that overcome several obstacles to providing health security for rural populations, the scheme covered, in its second year, about 2.2 million widely dispersed peasant farmers for surgical and out patient care for a low annual premium of approximately US$ 2. In this paper, we describe and evaluate the scheme in its first year of operation, and explore its potential to be a model for the developing world generally.
Effects of standard laboratory mouse diets on expression of diabetes in the DB+/DB+ diabetic mutant mouse

Three commercial laboratory mouse chows were fed to C57BL/KsJ db+/db+ diabetic mutants to evaluate the influence of diet on the development of diabetes. Since these mice are hyperphagic, feeding both restricted and ad libitum quantities was used to distinguish the quantitative from qualitative aspects of the diets. Over a 9 week feeding period, measurements were made of body weight, food consumption, and response to an intraperitoneal glucose challenge (GTT). Diabetic mutants allowed to feed ad libitum exhibited increased weight gain and a more advanced diabetic condition (as revealed by GTT) after only 3 weeks on Agway brand chow when compared to mice consuming the other two diets. Diabetic mutants fed restricted amounts of the three chow brands had a similar pattern of response but GTT differences did not become evident until 6 weeks on Agway, suggesting both qualitative and quantitative effects of diet on diabetes onset. The results show different responses to standard chow diets and illustrate the influence of the host genotype on the effects of a given diet. It also emphasizes the need for accurate reporting of the type of chow diet being used.
Influence of Proline Deficiency on Enzymes of Proline Metabolism in the Chick

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary proline on the activity of enzymes of proline metabolism. The omission of proline from the diet for young chicks was without effect on kidney arginase, proline oxidase, Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid dehydrogenase; and kidney and liver ornithine-δ-transaminase and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid reductase activities. The lack of dietary proline, however, consistently increased the activity of liver Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid dehydrogenase. It is proposed that this latter activity as assayed in vitro may represent in part the activity of an enzyme involved in the synthesis of proline from glutamic acid.
Plasmids with erythromycin resistance and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase- or β-galactosidase-encoding gene cassettes for use in Neisseria spp.

Abstract Four new plasmids containing the ermC′ (encoding a methyltransferase which confers resistance to erythromycin), xylE-ermC′ ( xylE , encoding catechol 2,3-dioxygenase) and lacZ-ermC′ cassettes have been constructed. The 10-bp gonococcal uptake sequence has been placed downstream from ermC′ to facilitate the delivery of these cassettes into pathogenic Neisseria spp. Several restriction sites have been placed to flank the cassettes to allow their excision and directional cloning. These plasmids will provide valuable tools for constructing insertional mutants and transcriptional fusions in Neisseria spp. or other bacteria.
Effect of the grain boundary on the evolution of deformation in a bicrystal

The role of grain boundary constraint in strain localization and concomitant constitutive response was examined by performing a series of uniaxial compression tests on a tantalum bicrystal. Tantalum single crystals were diffusion bonded to form a (011) 90^∘ twist boundary that was compressed along the common [011] direction. The plastic deformation resulted in the creation of deformation bands away from the highly constraining grain boundary, resembling those bands known from single crystal plastic deformation. Near the grain boundary, such deformation band formation could not be detected. Instead a distinctive pattern of crystal lattice rotation was observed that filled a rather large volume (several millimeters in size) around the bicrystal grain boundary. The internal deformation band structure as well as the crystal lattice rotation pattern near the bicrystal grain boundary were characterized and found to give greater rates of work hardening in the neighborhood of the grain boundary.
Utilisation du dispositif Starclose pour la fermeture de ponctions accidentelles de l'artère sous-clavière

La pose de catheters centraux est une procedure courante. Elle est egalement associee a des complications connues multiples. Une des complications potentielles qui comportent une morbidite et une moralite elevees est la ponction et l'insertion de canules arterielles. Ci-dessous, nous decrivons cinq cas de voies centrales posees accidentellement dans l'artere sous-claviere et retirees avec succes a l'aide d'un dispositif StarClose (Abbott, Redwood, CA, Etats-Unis). Un examen retrospectif d'une base de donnees remplie de facon prospective a ete realise. Nous avons identifie cinq cas de canules posees accidentellement dans l'artere sous-claviere pendant la pose de catheters veineux centraux. Tous les catheters ont ete retires avec succes en salle d'operation sous fluoroscopie ou au lit avec fermeture de l'arteriotomie par le dispositif StarClose. Aucun cas n'a necessite de conversion chirurgicale ouverte pour cette reparation. Aucun hematome post operatoire, episode hemorragique, infarctus du myocarde, arythmie, ou consequence clinique defavorable n'ont ete identifies. A partir de notre experience limitee, nous estimons que cette methode peut etre realisee sans risque et facilement non seulement en salle d'operation mais egalement au lit du patient.
Using photography and art in concept mapping research with adults with dyslexia

Reflexive photography for individual interviews and the use of art with focus groups provides a valuable method for exploring the psychosocial issues encountered by adults with dyslexia. Reflexive photography and art is particularly appropriate when interviewing adults with dyslexia who may have difficulty expressing and focusing on what they want to say. This article explores the potential of reflexive photography and art as an innovative method to generate statements by participants in concept mapping.
Improvements in terahertz imaging using plasmonic spatial beam modulators

There has been a lot of interest in developing high-performance terahertz imaging systems which have valuable applications in surveillance, security screening, medical tomography and nondestructive inspection of various pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial products [1, 2]. Conventional terahertz imaging systems based on mechanical scanning of the imaging beam, object or the detector suffer from significantly low acquisition speeds [3–5]. Additionally, realtime terahertz imaging systems based on two dimensional arrays of THz sources and detectors tend to have lower sensitivity, higher complexity and higher operational cost [6–8].
High bandwidth single polarization fiber with elliptical central air hole

A novel design of single polarization fiber is presented. The structure of the fiber comprises an elliptical central air hole with depressed cladding surrounding the core. Parameters that affect the performance of the single polarization fiber in terms of the location of the single polarization operating window and single polarization bandwidth are analyzed. The analysis results in the identification of a fiber design that can yield a single polarization bandwidth as high as 240 nm around 1550 nm.
In Defense of Organizational Evolution A Reply to Reydon and Scholz

Organizational ecology applies Darwinian principles of natural selection to understand the evolution of new forms of organizations over time. The idea here is that there are different forms of human organizations, such as different business organizations, religious organizations, political organizations, etc. The growth of new forms of organizations within each of these fields is to be understood in terms of a struggle for existence among organizations with different traits. In a recent article, Reydon and Scholz (2009) argue that this Darwinian view of the evolution of new organizational forms is highly problematic because organizational populations do not exhibit the levels of internal cohesion, isolation, and closure that are necessary for something like Darwinian evolution to occur. In this article, I defend organizational ecology by rebutting the arguments of Reydon and Scholz.
Representation of the orientations of shapes

Abstract A geometrical model is put forward as underlying superficially quite different data from discrimination and mental transformation tasks and, also, as a possible framework for an eventual account of the perception of shape. The model was evaluated in an experiment in which participants indicated whether two picture-plane views of a polygon with an experimentally determined degree of symmetry under 180° rotation were the same or different in orientation. Multidimensional scaling based on the obtained discriminative reaction times yielded a four-dimensional solution that, in agreement with the proposed model, describes possible transformations of the planar polygons. We suggest that the constraints governing possible transformations of objects have become so internalized that we unconsciously represent these possible motions upon the visual presentation of any object.
A subthreshold level of DNA topoisomerases leads to the excision of yeast rDNA as extrachromosomal rings.

Abstract In a yeast DNA topoisomerase double mutant TG205 (Δ top1 top2–4 ), over half of the rDNA is present as extrachromosomal rings containing one 9 kb unit of the rDNA gene or tandem repeats of it. Expression of a plasmid-borne TOP1 or TOP2 gene in the strain leads to the integation of the extrachromosomal rDNA rings back into the chromosomal rDNA cluster. When the plasmid-borne topoisomerase gene is expressed from an inducible promoter of the GAL1 gene, repression of the gene by dextrose leads to reappearance of the extrachromosomal rDNA rings. The DNA topoisomerase-dependent excision/integration of rDNA is discussed in terms of the possibility of rDNA supercoiling by transcription and the effects of DNA topology on intra- and interchromosomal recombination.
Light and electron microscopic evidence for topographic and monosynaptic projections from neurons in the ventral medulla to noradrenergic dendrites in the rat locus coeruleus

Physiological studies have shown that afferents from the nucleus paragigantocellularis (PGi) in the rostral ventral medulla underlie the modulation of locus coeruleus (LC) activity by a variety of stimuli. However, there have been no anatomical demonstrations of a monosynaptic projection from neurons in the PGi to the LC. Thus, biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) was iontophoretically injected into the ventral medulla and single-tissue sections were processed for peroxidase localization of BDA and gold-silver labeling of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Discrete microinjections of BDA were placed into either the medial or lateral aspects of the ventral medulla. For medially placed injections, a medio-dorsal pathway to the LC was observed. This trajectory resulted in a predominant innervation of the ventral LC. Lateral injection placements yielded a fiber pathway that coursed more laterally within the medullo-pontine reticular formation and primarily innervated the dorsolateral LC. These light microscopic data suggested that neurons in the PGi use distinct pathways to innervate the LC and are topographically organized within this structure. Electron microscopic analyses of the LC region indicated that axon terminals originating from either subregion were equally likely to contact noradrenergic neurons in the LC. Approximately 57% and 62% of BDA-labeled terminals originating from the medial (n=150) or lateral (n=150) aspects of the ventral medulla, respectively, formed heterogeneous synaptic contacts (i.e., inhibitory- and excitatory-type) with dendrites containing TH. It is well known that the PGi is a functionally diverse region that is involved in sensory integration, autonomic regulation and pain modulation. It is also known that LC efferents are spatially organized with respect to their postsynaptic targets. Taken together, our findings that subdivisions of the ventral medulla topographically and monosynaptically innervate the LC suggest that regionally specific PGi neurons target subsets of LC neurons with efferent targets that may possess analogous functional correlates.