cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scaling of the Network Instantaneous Response Function from Basin Geomorphology and Hydraulic Geometry

AbstractA challenging problem in basin-scale hydrology is the ability to represent and quantify the nonlinearity of the output hydrograph or response. An important aspect of this challenge is to clearly distinguish among different sources of nonlinearity. To address the previous, a scale-dependent network instantaneous response function (IRF) is obtained by using the theory of transport by travel times, relationships of basin geomorphology, hydraulic geometry, and the inverse Gaussian (IG) distribution. Inverse Gaussian is used to represent the network response because of its connection with diffusion processes. It is shown that both geometric and hydraulic regularity in the stream network, together with the scaling property of IG, can result in the network response being approximately scaling, implying in turn that the peak flow and time to peak of the response are scaling as well. The derived IRF has the advantage over previous formulations of explicitly distinguishing between nonlinearity and scaling. ...
UPS studies of the bonding of H2, O2, CO, C2H4 and C2H2 on Fe and Cu☆

UPS (ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy) data of H2, O2, CO, C2H4 and C2H2 chemisorbed on polycrystalline Fe and Cu are presented. Together with data already available on Ni, this represents a comprehensive study of the adsorption of simple molecules on three representative metals of the first row transition metals. Adsorption of O2, or H2 on Fe gives rise to a single resonance level at 6 eV below EF. CO dissociatively adsorbs on Fe at room temperature but remains in molecular form at T = 110 K. O2 adsorbed on Cu produces two resonance levels at −5.5 eV and −1.5 eV respectively. In analyzing the chemicorbed CO, C2H4 and C2H2spectra of the three metals, we have considered the fact that the heat of adsorption of these gases is much higher on Fe or Ni than on Cu. Thus, even though the heat of adsorption of CO on Ni is a factor of two higher than on Cu, the chemisorbed CO spectra on these two metals are extremely similar. For the chemisorbed hydrocarbons, we have measured the π level bonding shifts and found that there is no correlation between the level shifts and the heats of adsorption. Application of Grimley's chemisorption model to calculate the chemisorption energy (using the π level shifts as input parameters) results in slightly better agreement between calculated and measured heats of adsorption. Such behavior suggests that the substrate contribution to the bonding is crucial in determining the heats of adsorption. From an examination of the difference spectra of the valence band of Fe and Cu, it is concluded that UPS should be able to supply information as to which group of the substrate orbitals participate in the bonding. However, much more experimental and theoretical work is required before such information can be made quantitative.
Evaluating the effect of usual source of dental care on access to dental services: comparisons among diverse populations.

Data collected from the International Collaborative Study of Oral Health Outcomes USA (ICS-II) research locations were used to evaluate the relationship between having a usual source of dental care (USDC) and access to dental services. The robustness of the USDC effect after reducing simultaneity bias was tested in the population-based samples using sensitivity analysis. Logistic regression results provided evidence that USDC was the strongest and most consistent predictor of a dental visit in the past 12 months regardless of geographic location, dental care delivery system, or cultural diversity of the population. Even after removing cases that had a USDC for less than 1 or 2 years, the effect remained. From a policy perspective, USDC remains critical to understanding and explaining dental care utilization patterns. The findings suggest the need for designing interventions to increase the availability of a regular provider among vulnerable populations.
Organs-on-a-chip: a new tool for drug discovery

Introduction: The development of emerging in vitro tissue culture platforms can be useful for predicting human response to new compounds, which has been traditionally challenging in the field of drug discovery. Recently, several in vitro tissue-like microsystems, also known as ‘organs-on-a-chip’, have emerged to provide new tools for better evaluating the effects of various chemicals on human tissue. Areas covered: The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the organs-on-a-chip systems that have been recently developed. First, the authors introduce single-organ platforms, focusing on the most studied organs such as liver, heart, blood vessels and lung. Later, the authors briefly describe tumor-on-a-chip platforms and highlight their application for testing anti-cancer drugs. Finally, the article reports a few examples of other organs integrated in microfluidic chips along with preliminary multiple-organs-on-a-chip examples. The article also highlights key fabrication points as well as the main a...
The Dog as a Model for Food Allergy

Research during the past decade has shown the dog to be an excellent model for human food allergies. Humans and dogs share many of the same allergies to foods. Furthermore, the dog model shows clinical symptoms typical of humans, that is, both experience vomiting and diarrhea. Present results suggest that the dog may provide a means to test genetically modified foods for unsuspected allergens.
Two‐sample density‐based empirical likelihood tests for incomplete data in application to a pneumonia study

In clinical trials examining the incidence of pneumonia it is a common practice to measure infection via both invasive and non-invasive procedures. In the context of a recently completed randomized trial comparing two treatments the invasive procedure was only utilized in certain scenarios due to the added risk involved, and given that the level of the non-invasive procedure surpassed a given threshold. Hence, what was observed was bivariate data with a pattern of missingness in the invasive variable dependent upon the value of the observed non-invasive observation within a given pair. In order to compare two treatments with bivariate observed data exhibiting this pattern of missingness we developed a semi-parametric methodology utilizing the density-based empirical likelihood approach in order to provide a non-parametric approximation to Neyman-Pearson-type test statistics. This novel empirical likelihood approach has both a parametric and non-parametric components. The non-parametric component utilizes the observations for the non-missing cases, while the parametric component is utilized to tackle the case where observations are missing with respect to the invasive variable. The method is illustrated through its application to the actual data obtained in the pneumonia study and is shown to be an efficient and practical method.
The initial attorney/client consultation: A case history

This study examines communication difficulties perceived by attorneys and clients in a university legal aid program. Attorneys' methods of questioning in their initial interviews are evaluated. Results indicate that while both attorneys and clients believed communication problems occurred, their interpretation of those problems differed greatly. While the client mentioned that the attorney appeared uninterested in the emotional side of the case, the attorney reported that the emotional condition of the client acted as a barrier to smooth and productive communication. Also clients tended to report greater satisfaction when attorneys used open‐ended questions as opposed to close‐ended questions. This study underscores the need to attempt to understand the initial attorney/client interview. Such an understanding may aid in readjusting both parties' expectations of that interview.
Fibromyalgia: diagnosis and treatment options.

Abstract Background: Fibromyalgia is a widespread, chronic pain disorder that includes a complex constellation of somatic and emotional symptoms. Controlled clinical trials for both medication and nonmedication therapies have led to sound, evidence-based recommendations for the care of patients with fibromyalgia. Objective: This review article was designed to provide updated information from database literature searches on fibromyalgia epidemiology, including gender differences, psychological comorbidity, and treatment with medication and nonmedication therapies. Methods: A literature review was performed by identifying fibromyalgia articles published in English from January 2000 to October 2008 using the PubMed and EMBASE databases. Search terms included fibromyalgia, exercise, gender, nonpharmacologic, placebo-controlled, randomized, and treatment. Results: New epidemiologic data support important differences in fibromyalgia symptom severity between the sexes and the important role of comorbid psychological distress. Physicians diagnose fibromyalgia in women at an ~3- to 6-fold rate compared with men. Well-conducted clinical trials and recently published treatment guidelines reinforce effective treatment with medication and nonpharmacologic therapy. The strongest evidence suggests effective treatment of fibromyalgia with duloxetine and milnacipran. Studies also report efficacy with gabapentin, pramipexole, pregabalin, tramadol, and IV tropisetron. Nonpharmacologic treatments should include fitness and strengthening exercise, as well as warm-water therapy and psychological pain management techniques. Conclusions: Fibromyalgia is a common, disabling, chronic pain condition that predominantly affects women. Symptoms can be effectively treated using both drug and nondrug therapies. In general, treatment benefits in fibromyalgia appear largely independent of patient sex.
Vaginal partitioning with vertical septum—an alternative to colpocleisis

The purpose of this study is to design and deploy an effective technique for prolapse repair in sexually inactive, geriatric patients which addresses all associated postoperative issues. A study group of 34 patients underwent vaginal partitioning with vertical septum (VPwVS). All 34 patients could successfully undergo VPwVS. Blood loss and surgical duration were comparable with conventional colpocleisis (CC). Postoperatively, no patient had recurrence of prolapse, de novo appearance, and/or recurrence of urinary or bowel symptoms, and no patient developed hematometra or pyometra. Pap smear collection is possible. This study shows that VPwVS is a holistic solution for prolapse repair among sexually inactive, geriatric patients, addressing all related issues and appears better than CC; however, a larger, multicentric study may be needed to statistically prove its advantage over CC. VPwVS’s relevance is pronounced with an increasing geriatric population.
Twelve-month safety and efficacy of low-dose mifepristone for uterine myomas

Abstract Study objectives The primary aim was to assess long-term effects of low-dose mifepristone on myoma regression, symptoms, and endometrial pathology. The secondary aim was to assess regrowth of myomas after cessation of mifepristone. Design Prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled trial of 5 mg versus 10 mg mifepristone daily for 1 year, in women with large, symptomatic myomas, with variable follow-up among a subset of subjects (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting University research group set in a community hospital. Patients Forty premenopausal women with large, symptomatic myomas. Intervention Oral mifepristone 5 or 10 mg daily for 1 year. Measurements and main results Mean uterine volumes decreased in both groups by 48% after 6 months of mifepristone and by 52% to 53 % in both groups after 12 months. Amenorrhea occurred in 61% to 65% at 6 months, and 40% to 70 % at 12 months. Eighty endometrial biopsies were performed. Simple hyperplasia was seen in 5 (13.9 %) of 36 subjects at 6 months and 1 (4.8 %) of 21 at 12 months. All cases of hyperplasia occurred in the 10 mg group. No endometrial sample showed cytologic atypia. Nine women were followed posttreatment for an average of 5.7 months. Uterine volumes increased among most of these subjects, although they remained on average 42% less than baseline. Conclusions Long-term administration of low-dose mifepristone results in myoma shrinkage and amelioration of symptoms; modest rates of low-grade endometrial hyperplasia, but no evidence of premalignant potential, also occur. Regrowth occurs slowly following cessation of the drug.
Effect of Moisture Content on Compression Properties of Directly Compressible High Beta-Content Anhydrous Lactose

Moisture sorption characteristics and the role of moisture on the compression properties of direct compression anhydrous lactose was investigated. Anhydrous lactose sorbed little moisture even when...
Alteration of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in children, youth and adults with hemophilia A.

Thymic processed lymphocytes subpopulations were assayed in 32 healthy patients with hemophilia A and no inhibitor. Commercial concentrates were infused at various frequencies. Monoclonal antibodies to OKT3, OKT4 and OKT8 were measured and compared to age controls. A progressive decrease in percent OKT4 cells, a progressive increase in percent OKT8 cells and gradual decline in the T4/T8 ratio were noted with increase in the patients' age. A correlation between the amount of concentrate received and alteration in T cell subsets was observed in 4 children only. These early and progressive alterations in the T-lymphocyte subsets suggest early immunocompromise and warrant close patient surveillance and immunologic scrutiny.
Accelerating knowledge-based energy evaluation in protein structure modeling with Graphics Processing Units

Evaluating the energy of a protein molecule is one of the most computationally costly operations in many protein structure modeling applications. In this paper, we present an efficient implementation of knowledge-based energy functions by taking advantage of the recent Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) architectures. We use DFIRE, a knowledge-based all-atom potential, as an example to demonstrate our GPU implementations on the latest NVIDIA Fermi architecture. A load balancing workload distribution scheme is designed to assign computations of pair-wise atom interactions to threads to achieve perfect or near-perfect load balancing in the symmetric N-body problem in DFIRE. Reorganizing atoms in the protein also improves the cache efficiency in Fermi GPU architecture, which is particularly effective for small proteins. Our DFIRE implementation on GPU (GPU-DFIRE) has exhibited a speedup of up to ~150 on NVIDIA Quadro FX3800M and ~250 on NVIDIA Tesla M2050 compared to the serial DFIRE implementation on CPU. Furthermore, we show that protein structure modeling applications, including a Monte Carlo sampling program and a local optimization program, can benefit from GPU-DFIRE with little programming modification but significant computational performance improvement.
VLBA polarization monitoring of SiO masers towards late-type stars

Abstract We have used the VLBA to conduct a monitoring campaign of the total intensity and polarization structure of the 43 GHz, v = 1, J = 1-0 SiO masers from three late-type stars. Our data reveal that rings and arcs of emission are the prevalent total intensity structure observed. Coherent structures are also evident in the linearly polarized emission. Dramatic structural variations are common: images taken 6 months apart often bear little relationship to each other. Based on circular polarization measurements we estimate the typical magnetic field strength at the position of the SiO masers to be ∼5–10 G.
Prevalence of Sodium Modifications in Hypertensive Patients with Compromised Renal Function

Abstract Dietary sodium modification (NA-mod) is recommended as adjunctive therapy in hypertension management particularly in renal disease. However, little information is available on the prevalence of or adherence to NA-mod. The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study included patients with reduced renal function who were also hypertensive (n=724 of 840 patients). The Study collected baseline measures on dietary sodium (NA) intakes (3-day records) and urine NA (24-hour) as well as information on any current dietary modifications that patients had been prescribed and were following. NA-mod at Study entry was reported in 77% of hypertensives (HT) with non-whites more likely (87% vs. 75%; p Conclusions: At MDRD Study entry, a high proportion of HT patients with reduced renal function reported NA-mod. Being non-white was significantly related to having a NA-mod while higher baseline DBP in men and whites was only somewhat (borderline) related. Although HT on NA-mod reported significantly lower diet NA compared to those without NA restrictions, relative Na adherence was verified by urine NA only in some HT subgroups.
Evaluation of Fracture Surfaces in Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites

Abstract We have investigated carbon fiber/resin debonding mechanisms using wetting force scanning to examine the fracture surfaces. The wettability of the site of a resin microdroplet (50-150 μm long) on a fiber after debonding is compared with that of the original fiber surface by scanning along the fiber with an appropriate probe liquid. For an HMS/Epon828 system, debonding seems to involve removal of a layer of carbon fiber, while for an AS4/Epon828 system, there is evidence for adhesive failure as well as cohesive failures in both fiber and resin. These contrasting failure mechanisms are consistent with the morphological structures of the carbon fibers studied.
Effect of inherent location uncertainty on detection of stationary targets in noisy image sequences

The effect of inherent location uncertainty on the detection of stationary targets was determined in noisy image sequences. Targets were thick and thin projected cylinders mimicking arteries, catheters, and guide wires in medical imaging x-ray fluoroscopy. With the use of an adaptive forced-choice method, detection contrast sensitivity (the inverse of contrast) was measured both with and without marker cues that directed the attention of observers to the target location. With the probability correct clamped at 80%, contrast sensitivity increased an average of 77% when the marker was added to the thin-cylinder target. There was an insignificant effect on the thick cylinder. The large enhancement with the thin cylinder was obtained even though the target was located exactly in the center of a small panel, giving observers the impression that it was well localized. Psychometric functions consisting of d′ plotted as a function of the square root of the signal-energy-to-noise-ratio gave a positive x intercept for the case of the thin cylinder without a marker. This x intercept, characteristic of uncertainty in other types of detection experiments, disappeared when the marker was added or when the thick cylinder was used. Inherent location uncertainty was further characterized by using four different markers with varying proximity to the target. Visual detection by human observers increased monotonically as the markers better localized the target. Human performance was modeled as a matched-filter detector with an uncertainty in the placement of the template. The removal of a location cue was modeled by introducing a location uncertainty of ≈0.4 mm on the display device or only 7 μm on the retina, a size on the order of a single photoreceptor field. We conclude that detection is affected by target location uncertainty on the order of cellular dimensions, an observation with important implications for detection mechanisms in humans. In medical imaging, the results argue strongly for inclusion of high-contrast visualization markers on catheters and other interventional devices.
Electrophoretic Analysis of Serum and Pleuroperitoneal Fluid Proteins and Antibody from Guinea Pigs

INTRAPERITONEAL injection of Freund's adjuvant (with or without antigen) into mice induces the production of ascitic fluid1–5. Ascitic fluid contains γ-, β2-, β1- α2-, α1-globulin and albumin determined by moving boundary electrophoresis4,5. Anti-bovine serum albumin precipitins in mouse ascitic fluid were identified as β2-globulins4,5. This work has been extended to include the guinea pig. In many of the animals ascites formation was also associated with fluid accumulation in the thoracic cavity. Serum, pleural and peritoneal fluids were characterized by moving boundary electrophoresis. Preliminary evidence indicated little or no electrophoretic difference between pleural and peritoneal fluids. Since it is possible that pleural fluid accumulates as a result of ascites formation, these fluids collectively are referred to as pleuroperitoneal fluid.
Effect of coordinated ligands on catalytic properties of activated-carbon fibers-supported copper (II) complexes for the dehydrocoupling of methanol to methyl formate

Abstract Series of activated-carbon fibers-supported copper (II) complex catalysts (Cu/ACF) were prepared to catalyze the reaction of methanol to methyl formate (MF). The ligands used for the preparation of copper complexes include ethylenediamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,2-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane and 1,6-diaminohexane. The activities of all Cu/ACF catalysts increase with the ratio of ligand/Cu, passes through a maximum, and then decrease. The catalysts having the optimum results of methanol conversion and MF yield show different values of ligand/Cu, but show a similar UV–Vis absorption band around 700 nm. The catalytic activity of Cu ( X ) n 2 + / ACF catalyst can be adjusted by the selection and the varying of the coordination number of the ligands. The slightly reduced Cu (II) species having an absorption band around 700 nm were found to be the effective sites.
Prediction of the bandwidth of an all-dielectric bandpass filter

The bandwidth between adjacent stop bands is useful in the design of a multilayer all-dielectric bandpass with a prescribed bandwidth.
The relationship between bilateral and multilateral models of exchange rates

Abstract Bilateral specifications of exchange rate models are expedient and widely used, but their appropriateness in a multilateral world has not been examined formally. This paper demonstrates that bilateral specifications are appropriate if: (i) cross exchange rates are consistent; (ii) multilateral weights are symmetric; (iii) exchange rates are linear functions of domestic and foreign variables; and (iv) coefficients on corresponding domestic and foreign variables are equal but opposite in sign. Conditions (i), (iii) and (iv) are common assumptions, and evidence suggests that condition (ii) is met in approximate terms among most of the G-7 countries (with the exceptions involving Canada and Japan).
Depressive affect in school-aged children of alcoholics.

Summary This paper presents evidence documenting risks for affective problems and disorders among minor children of alcoholics. Subjects studied were 98 youths from alcoholic-headed and control families participating in a risk for alcoholism research project (Johnson & Rolf, see next paper in this issue). Depressive affect questionnaires were completed by the mothers of the youths as well as the youths themselves. ANOVA's and ANCOVA's (co-varying for age) indicated significant group differences on both maternal and youth ratings with more affective problems shown for the offspring of alcoholics. Outliers with extreme depressive affect scores occurred most frequently for the youths in the high risk for alcoholism group. Findings are discussed with regard to risk group membership, gender, source of information, and the data's implications for further analyses as well as for the design of future studies.
Spaces of Compact Operators on a Hilbert Space with the Fixed Point Property

Abstract Every non-reflexive subspace of K ( H ), the space of compact operators on a Hilbert space H , contains an asymptotically isometric copy of c 0 . This, along with a result of Besbes, shows that a subspace of K ( H ) has the fixed point property if and only if it is reflexive.
Complications of intranasal ethmoidectomy: A review of 1,000 consecutive operations

A series of 1,000 consecutive intranasal ethmoidectomies performed on 565 patients was reviewed. There were 28 complications (2.8%) in 26 patients. No patient died, and none became blind. This experience suggests that, in experienced hands, intranasal ethmoidectomy for polypoid disease and chronic ethmoid sinusitis can be a safe operation.
Effect of Body Size on Fecundity, the Gonadosomatic Index, Egg Size, and Timing of Spawning of Gizzard Shad

ABSTRACT The effect of body size on fecundity, the gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg size, and timing of spawning of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) was examined in two large Missouri reservoirs during 1987–1991. Fecundity significantly increased with both total length (TL) and weight of gizzard shad. However, neither GSI, mean egg diameter, nor variance of egg diameters were significantly related to either TL or weight. Rather, mean and variance of egg diameters significantly increased with GSI. Egg-diameter frequencies were not consistently different among TL groups of gizzard shad. There was no evidence that TL affected the timing of spawning. Body size may not affect the timing and duration of spawning of gizzard shad as previously suggested.
Lkb1 regulates cell cycle and energy metabolism in haematopoietic stem cells

Little is known about metabolic regulation in stem cells and how this modulates tissue regeneration or tumour suppression. We studied the Lkb1 tumour suppressor and its substrate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), kinases that coordinate metabolism with cell growth. Deletion of the Lkb1 (also called Stk11) gene in mice caused increased haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) division, rapid HSC depletion and pancytopenia. HSCs depended more acutely on Lkb1 for cell-cycle regulation and survival than many other haematopoietic cells. HSC depletion did not depend on mTOR activation or oxidative stress. Lkb1-deficient HSCs, but not myeloid progenitors, had reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels. HSCs deficient for two catalytic α-subunits of AMPK (AMPK-deficient HSCs) showed similar changes in mitochondrial function but remained able to reconstitute irradiated mice. Lkb1-deficient HSCs, but not AMPK-deficient HSCs, exhibited defects in centrosomes and mitotic spindles in culture, and became aneuploid. Lkb1 is therefore required for HSC maintenance through AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms, revealing differences in metabolic and cell-cycle regulation between HSCs and some other haematopoietic progenitors.
Correlation between structure and semiconductor-to-metal transition characteristics of VO2/TiO2/sapphire thin film heterostructures

Abstract This study focuses on the role of strain and thin film epitaxy on the semiconductor-to-metal transition (SMT) characteristics of single crystalline VO2 thin films. The VO2/TiO2 heterostructures of controlled orientations were epitaxially grown on m-cut, r-cut and c-cut sapphire substrates. Detailed structural investigations were performed using high-resolution X-ray diffraction (2θ–θ and φ scans) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques to correlate SMT properties with microstructural characteristics. Monoclinic (M1) VO2 thin films with (1 0 0), (0 0 1) and ( 2 ¯ 0 1 ) out-of-plane orientations were grown on TiO2(1 0 1)/r-sapphire, TiO2(1 0 0)/c-sapphire and TiO2(0 0 1)/m-sapphire platforms, respectively. The in-plane alignments across the interfaces were established to be [0 1 0](1 0 0)VO2||[0 1 0](1 0 1)TiO2, [1 0 0](0 0 1)VO2||[0 0 1](1 0 0)TiO2 and [ 0 1 0 ] ( 2 ¯ 0 1 ) VO 2 ‖ [ 0 1 0 ] ( 0 0 1 ) TiO 2 for r-sapphire, c-sapphire and m-sapphire substrates, respectively. We were able to tune the SMT temperature of VO2 epilayers from ∼313 K to 354 K (bulk Tc ≈ 340 K). The SMT characteristics were interpreted based upon the residual strain in the VO2 lattice, particularly along the c-axis of tetragonal VO2. This research introduces the VO2-based single crystalline heterostructures as a potential candidate for a wide range of applications where different transition temperatures are required.
Characterization of an anion channel in pituitary cells of Gillichthys mirabilis

Abstract Patch-clamp studies on pituitary cells from Gillichthys mirabilis show the presence of anion channels with selectivity CI > F = Br = I. These channels are voltage sensitive over the physiological range of membrane potentials and have a unitary conductance of 94 ± 15 pS in symmetrical KCl. Halides other than Cl on the cytoplasmic face of the membrane cause an increase in open probability ( P (o)). DPC causes a dose dependent decrease in P (o) without affecting conductance. Sodium on the cytoplasmic face of the membrane causes a decrease in outward current.
Schistosoma mansoni: characterization of phosphoinositide response.

Signal transduction pathways may have important regulatory roles in cellular events in the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. The presence of the phosphoinositide response in S. mansoni was examined by radiolabeling intact worms with 20 μCi of [3H]myoinositol for 24 hr and stimulating parasites with 25 mM NaF and 10 μM AlCl3 in the presence of 10 mM LiCl. Total inositol phosphates were increased within 2 min and maximal accumulation was achieved after 30 min. Similar results were seen with the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues GTPγS and GppNHp while only minimal changes were detected with GMP. Neomycin inhibited NaF-induced inositol phosphate production. NaF stimulated a significant 3.6-fold increase of inositol phosphates in females compared to males. These data suggest that stimulation of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins activates phospholipase C resulting in production of inositol phosphates in S. mansoni.
Chemical carcinogens and their mode of action in colonic neoplasia.

Epidemiologic considerations, geographic pathology, and migrant studies definitely indicate that cancer in the gastrointestinal tract, in particular in the stomach and in the colon is mediated by environmental factors, especially dietary components. In recent years specific chemicals which induce cancer of the colon in animal systems have been discovered. Thus, model experiments are currently being performed to study the actions of environmental factors on the effectiveness of such chemicals in leading to colorectal cancer. Thus, hopefully, these experiments will pinpoint those agents in the environment which exert a controlling influence in this disease. Information on the metabolism of the chemical carcinogens affecting the lower gut indicates that certain of the metabolic steps may be performed in the liver, after which active metabolites are secreted in the bile in a protected conjugated form. The key ultimate carcinogen is then released in the colon by enzymes produced by bacterial microflora. A number of alternative pathways can also develop active carcinogens by microbial action in the gut, or by metabolic activation mediated by enzyme systems in colonic epithelium. Thus, studies of the effects of environmental agents in modifying flora in the lumens of specific enzyme systems in the intestinal wall are important in understanding the complex problems related to the etiology of colonic cancer.
Urethral dilation in women: a questionnaire-based analysis of practice patterns.

Objectives. To assess current practice patterns among urologists and to determine the perceived efficacy of urethral dilation. Urethral dilation has been advocated as a treatment for a variety of urologic disorders in women for several decades. Recent changes in Medicare reimbursement have again focused attention on this issue. Methods. A 15-item questionnaire was mailed to all urologists actively practicing in the state of Texas (n = 642). The questionnaire consisted of 12 items about indications for, technique of, and outcome of urethral dilation, and three demographic questions regarding location and type of practice and number of years since completing residency. Results. A total of 194 physicians completed and returned the questionnaire (30%). Overall, 48.2% of practitioners used dilation six or fewer times during the past year; 23.7% reported having used it more than 30 times. Most urologists used dilation for urethral syndrome only (61.1%), although urethral stricture was also a frequently reported condition requiring dilation (29%). Most urologists trained within the past decade (60.9%) reported never offering dilation for urethral syndrome; only 34.2% of the remainder never offered it (P = 0.002). Urologists normally performed this procedure with local or no anesthesia (85%) and most commonly dilated to 32F (45%). Overall, 21% of urologists trained more than 10 years ago considered dilation very or extremely successful in treating urethral syndrome; 0 of 42 trained more recently considered it to be this successful (P = 0.014). Conclusions. The use of urethral dilation in women remains controversial. Recently trained urologists use it less frequently and find it less efficacious than those who have been practicing for longer periods. Since such obvious biases exist, it is imperative that the clinical merit of urethral dilation be carefully scrutinized.
Does Race Matter Among Cuban Immigrants? An Analysis of the Racial Characteristics of Recent Cuban Immigrants

Information on Cuban immigrants from the recent ‘Measuring Cuban Opinion Project’ survey is used to determine the extent to which race matters. We use multivariate binomial logistic regression models to determine if race can be predicted by key demographic and economic characteristics of the respondents, their use of mass media outlets in Cuba, their evaluation of and integration to the Cuban state and their participation in the dissidence in the island. The conclusion is reached that race cannot be predicted because these immigrants are, in general terms, very similar. However, some racial differences in mode of immigration and likelihood of immigration were found.
The interaction of background ocean air bubbles with a surface ship

A two-fluid model suitable for the calculation of the two-phase flow field around a naval surface ship is presented. This model couples the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with equations for the evolution of the gas-phase momentum, volume fraction and bubble number density, thereby allowing the multidimensional calculation of the two-phase flow for monodisperse variable size bubbles. The bubble field modifies the liquid solution through changes in the liquid mass and momentum conservation equations. The model is applied to the case of the scavenging of wind-induced sea-background bubbles by an unpropelled US Navy frigate under non-zero Froude number boundary conditions at the free surface. This is an important test case, because it can be simulated experimentally with a model-scale ship in a towing tank. A significant modification of the background bubble field is predicted in the wake of the ship, where bubble depletion occurs along with a reduction in the bubble size due to dissolution. This effect is due to lateral phase distribution phenomena and the generation of an upwelling plume in the near wake that brings smaller bubbles up to the surface. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mirror‐image duplication of the primary axis and heart in Xenopus embryos by the overexpression of Msx‐1 gene

The Msx-1 gene (formerly known as Hox-7) is a member of a discrete subclass of homeobox-containing genes. Examination of the expression pattern of Msx-1 in murine and avian embryos suggests that this gene may be involved in the regionalization of the medio-lateral axis during earlier development. We have examined the possible functions of Xenopus Msx-1 during early Xenopus embryonic development by overexpression of the Msx-1 gene. Overexpression of Msx-1 causes a left-right mirror-image duplication of primary axial structures, including notochord, neural tube, somites, suckers, and foregut. The embryonic developing heart is also mirror-image duplicated, including looping directions and polarity. These results indicate that Msx-1 may be involved in the mesoderm formation as well as left-right patterning in the early Xenopus embryonic development.
Evoked response latency recovery cycles: Changes during sleep in man

Abstract Somatosensory evoked response recovery cycles were measured during sleep. Latency recovery of the initial negative response peak during sleep followed a biphasic cycle, different from that of waking. In the first phase, the second response was relatively accelerated; in the second phase it was slowed. The cycle was less pronounced in stage I REM than in other sleep stages.
Optical Reflectance Studies of the Stage 1 and 2 Potassiummercurographitides in the Energy Range 0.16-5.8 eV

Reflectance spectra of the stage 1 and 2 compounds of graphite intercalated with Hg-K amalgam are reported for the range (0.2–5.8eV). A Kramers-Kronig analysis was performed on the spectra to determine the dielectric function e1(ω) and e2(ω). The intraband and interband contributions to e(ω) have been separated to determine the plasma frequency and free carrier lifetime.
University leadership for innovation in global health and HIV/AIDS diagnostics

Abstract Medical products used in the developed world often fail to adequately serve resource-limited settings where electricity, transportation and health care workers are not readily available. We suggest that the problem is not only a lack of coordinated financial resources to purchase existing medical products, but also a lack of products that are specifically designed for resource-limited settings. While donor organisations with a focus on global health are increasingly willing to bear the additional financial risk for the research and development of such high-impact medical products, corporations are still reluctant to take their best scientists and engineers away from more commercially attractive projects. Universities, on the other hand, given their teaching and research missions, are well positioned to engage in such high-risk development projects. A group of biomedical, engineering, business and social science researchers at Northwestern University (NU) propose a creative model to address signif...
`We were all there': Remembering America in the anniversary coverage of Hurricane Katrina

The study of Hurricane Katrina's anniversary coverage in a dozen national and local mainstream outlets and six books explored whether the journalism followed the `typical' commemoration patterns that press historians have described. Nationally, the press demonized New Orleans as an example of what the country needed to avoid — politically, economically, structurally, morally. Locally, the press did not set agendas, but rather focused on the importance of ritual in recreating a lost community. Instead of creating a mnemonic quagmire, these seemingly disparate narratives sought to restore faith in American redemption, collectively, at a time of national unrest. Such research exemplifies the tension between dominant institutions of the press, government and the Church, how authority is asserted, and the process by which all of this plays out in the news media, forming collective memory according to national ideals and local interests.
Infusion-based manganese-enhanced MRI: a new imaging technique to visualize the mouse brain.

Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is a technique that employs the divalent ion of the paramagnetic metal manganese (Mn2+) as an effective contrast agent to visualize, in vivo, the mammalian brain. As total achievable contrast is directly proportional to the net amount of Mn2+ accumulated in the brain, there is a great interest in optimizing administration protocols to increase the effective delivery of Mn2+ to the brain while avoiding the toxic effects of Mn2+ overexposure. In this study, we investigated outcomes following continuous slow systemic infusion of manganese chloride (MnCl2) into the mouse via mini-osmotic pump administration. The effects of increasing fractionated rates of Mn2+ infusion on signal enhancement in regions of the brain were analyzed in a three-treatment study. We acquired whole-brain 3-D T1-weighted images and performed region of interest quantitative analysis to compare mean normalized signal in Mn2+ treatments spanning 3, 7, or 14 days of infusion (rates of 1, 0.5, and 0.25 μL/h, respectively). Evidence of Mn2+ transport at the conclusion of each infusion treatment was observed throughout the brains of normally behaving mice. Regions of particular Mn2+ accumulation include the olfactory bulbs, cortex, infralimbic cortex, habenula, thalamus, hippocampal formation, amygdala, hypothalamus, inferior colliculus, and cerebellum. Signals measured at the completion of each infusion treatment indicate comparable means for all examined fractionated rates of Mn2+ infusion. In this current study, we achieved a significantly higher dose of Mn2+ (180 mg/kg) than that employed in previous studies without any observable toxic effects on animal physiology or behavior.
A thermal vacuum technique for measuring the solar absorptance of satellite coatings as a function of angle of incidence

Thermal vacuum technique for measuring solar absorptance of satellite coatings as function of angle of incidence
Going or knowing? The development of the idea of living liberation in the upani\(\underset{\raise0.3em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\cdot}$}}{s}\)ads

L'idee d'une liberation obtenue au cours de la vie a ete largement discutee par l'ecole du Vedānta et par d'autres ecoles de philosophie indienne. Cette notion de liberation qu'on trouve dans l'advaita a ete developpee et elaboree au cours des siecles; elle n'a pas pris l'allure d'une doctrine formelle avant l'epoque de Sankara. Les elements essentiels de la notion de liberation peuvent etre rattaches aux premiers upanishads ou l'on trouve une double idee: un etre trouve l'immortalite apres avoir quitte le corps ainsi que les rudiments d'une conception de la liberation en posant l'identite de l'ātman et du brahman
Mechanisms of light-induced structural changes in chloroplasts I. Light-scattering increments and ultrastructural changes mediated by proton transport

Abstract Chloroplasts suspended in NaCl solutions undergo structural modifications when illuminated by red actinic light in the presence of electron carriers. These changes are manifested by increments in light scattering and volume, and disruptive alterations of grana structure as demonstrated by electron microscopy. Simultaneously with these modifications protons are transported into the chloroplasts in a light-dependent process. It was postulated that the decrease in internal pH which would result from the proton transport can cause many of the changes observed in chloroplasts during illumination. The following experimental results support this argument: 1. (a) The kinetics of proton transport and light-scattering increments resemble each other both in onset and decay. 2. (b) The pH activation curves are similar for both processes, with optima lying between 5.5 and 6.5. 3. (c) Lowering external pH in the dark to levels which reproduce theoretical internal hydrogen ion concentrations causes alterations in light scattering, volume, and ultrastructure similar to those induced by illumination. Hence light-induced modifications of chloroplast structure in NaCl solutions are satisfactorily explained by a decreased internal pH resulting from proton transport into the chloroplast.
Impact of Altering Aspect Ratio of the Loading Particles on a Suspension’s Thermal Conductivity

It has been recognized that heat-transfer fluids used to convey thermal energy produced by one device to another can exhibit significant increases in thermal conductivity with the addition of highly conductive particles. Suspensions of nano- and micro-particles have attracted the most recent interest because of their enhanced stability against sedimentation, reduction in potential for clogging a flow system, as well as the tantalizing possibility of unexpected enhancements in thermal conductivity that have been reported in some experiments. Among various suspensions, considerable attention has focused on those containing large-aspect-ratio particles, such as carbon nanotubes. Although recent experiments have demonstrated enormous heat-transfer enhancements in these fluids, such increases were reportedly not in agreement with existing macroscale theories [1–3]. In this research we report on an experimental study of the effects of particle aspect ratio on the effective thermal conductivity of micro- and nano-particle suspensions. The influence of particle aspect ratio on the thermal properties of suspensions was first studied in dispersions of micron-sized, silicon-carbide particles with varying aspect ratio. To carry out a detailed comparison with theoretical predictions, particle aspect ratio and size distributions were measured. It is shown that the conductivity of the silicon-carbide suspensions can be quantitatively predicted by an effective-medium theory (EMT), provided the volume-weighted aspect ratio of the particles is used. The particle-aspect-ratio effect was further studied in the suspensions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Experimental data on the thermal conductivity of nanotube suspensions could also be interpreted in terms of the aspect-ratio dependence predicted by EMT if the additional nanoscale effect of interfacial resistance was considered.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
``Taking care of my own blood'': Older women's relationships to their households in rural South Africa:

Aim: This paper examines financial, emotional, and physical responsibilities elderly women are being asked to take on due to the incapacity of their adult children to care for the next generation; such incapacity is likely to increase as the HIV/AIDS epidemic worsens. Methods: This paper combines quantitative and qualitative data. Census data from the Agincourt health and demographic surveillance system (AHDSS) describe the presence of the elderly (specifically women over the age of 60 and men over the age of 65) in households in the Agincourt study site. Semi-structured interviews with 30 female residents aged 60–75 complement the census data by exploring the roles that older women, in particular, are playing in their households. Results: An elderly man and/or woman lives in 27.6% of households; 86% of elders live with non-elders. Households with a woman over the age of 60 resident (as opposed to those without) are twice as likely to have a fostered child living in the household and three times as likely to have an orphaned child in the household. Elderly women face financial, physical, and emotional burdens related to the morbidity and mortality of their adult children, and to caring for grandchildren left behind due to adult children’s mortality, migration, (re)marriage, and unemployment. Conclusions: Older women provide crucial financial, physical, and emotional support for ill adult children and fostered and orphaned grandchildren in their households. As more prime-aged adults suffer from HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality, these obligations are likely to increase.
An Inductive Approach to the Investigation of Elder Abuse

The findings of the elder abuse surveys conducted in the United States are not strictly comparable, although they may be combined to suggest a more organised approach to elder abuse research. This paper presents a model of elder abuse derived from those studies, and suggests that abuse is the predictable outcome of the interactions between and among elders' and abusers' characteristics. A list of the research hypotheses suggested by the model is presented, two forms of analysis that could be used to test them are described, and the implications of this model for scholars and practitioners are outlined.