cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Administering Exogenous Bovine Somatotropin During the First Trimester of Pregnancy Altered Uterine Hemodynamics in Suckled Beef Cows

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) administration on uterine hemodynamics and subsequent fetal programming in suckled cows during the first trimester of gestation. Crossbred beef cows (n = 152) were stratified by breed, days postpartum, parity, cyclicity status, and body condition score (BCS) before being assigned to either receive injections of bST every other week (BST; 500-mg/14 d) starting at fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI; d 0) until d 97 or to receive no bST (CTL). Blood samples were collected until d 97 for analysis of plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Pregnancy was assessed via transrectal ultrasonography on d 41 and 173. A subset of pregnant cows (BST, n = 24; CTL, n = 28) were selected for doppler ultrasound assessment on d 97 and 233 of gestation. No differences (P = 0.99) were detected in body weight (BW) or BCS of dams; however, plasma concentrations of IGF-1 were greater (P 0.10) but ipsilateral blood flow for BST-treated cows was greater (P = 0.0319) than controls. Mean heart girth diameter, crown-to-rump length, and neonate BW at 7 ± 5 d of calf age did not differ (P > 0.10). Liver tissue samples from each calf were collected for analysis of mRNA expression of target insulin-like growth factor system ligands. There was no difference in gene expression of hepatic IGF-1 between treatments (P = 0.99). A treatment × sex interaction was determined, where BST heifers had increased mRNA expression of IGFR1 compared to BST bulls (P = 0.03). Bi-weekly administration of bST until d 97 of pregnancy increased plasma concentrations of IGF-1, altered uterine hemodynamics in dams, induced sex-specific changes in liver gene expression of the offspring but failed to alter calf morphometries or calf performance until weaning.
Donnan Equilibrium Revisited: Coupling between Ion Concentrations, Osmotic Pressure, and Donnan Potential

This paper discusses the little-known fact that Donnan's equilibrium criteria established over 100 years ago neglected the coupling between ion concentrations and the osmotic pressure. Such coupling can be treated based on general thermodynamic considerations including the solvent equilibrium, leading to a membrane potential that consists of not only the classical Donnan potential term but also an additional term due to the osmotic pressure, and the existence of a membrane potential even when the impermeable species are not charged. This coupled treatment is in conflict with the well-established Poisson-Boltzmann equation and Nernst-Planck equation, but is consistent with the extension of these equations including the solvent effects by Freise and Schlogl, enables us to view the electrical double layer equilibrium as Donnan equilibrium.
Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of SRS 19-6 murine leukemia virus.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of Solid-type Reticulum cell Sarcoma 19-6 murine leukemia virus (SRS 19-6 MuLV) was determined. This virus was isolated in mainland China from laboratory mice that had been separated from western mice since the 1930s. The genome is 8,256 nucleotides in length and exhibits a genetic organization characteristic of replication competent MuLVs. Phylogenies constructed from reverse transcriptase (RT) domains showed that SRS 19-6 MuLV is closely related to other MuLV-related retroviruses; however, it has clearly diverged from previously isolated MuLVs. Comparative sequence analysis of the env sequences indicated that SRS 19-6 MuLV encodes a surface (SU) glycoprotein that is related to other ecotropic MuLVs in the VR-A and VR-B variable regions. However, SRS 19-6 MuLV env glycoprotein was distinct from all other MuLVs (ecotropic and non-ecotropic) in the proline-rich hypervariable region. No evidence for recombination with endogenous MuLV env sequences in generation of SRS 19-6 MuLV was observed. Comparisons of long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences revealed that the GV 1.4 molecular clone of Graffi MuLV contained 96% sequence identity to SRS 19-6 MuLV’s LTR with 99% identity when comparisons were restricted to the U3 regions of the two viruses. The consensus enhancer binding motifs contained in the U3 regions of the two viruses were nearly identical. Nevertheless the two viruses have previously been shown to induce distinct patterns of disease. Comparisons between 196 and Graffi GV1.4 MuLVs may provide insights into the mechanisms of disease specificity induced by MuLVs.
Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems

In this section, we consider the linear system $$\left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {{\rm{\dot x}}\left( {\rm{t}} \right) = {\rm{L}}\left( {{\rm{t}},{\rm{x}}_{\rm{t}} } \right) + {\rm{h}}\left( {\rm{t}} \right),{\rm{t}} \ge \sigma } \\ {{\rm{x}}_\sigma = {\rm{\phi }}} \\ \end{array}} \right.$$ (16.1) or equivalently $$\left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {{\rm{\dot x}}\left( {\rm{t}} \right) = {\rm{\phi }}\left( 0 \right) + \int_\sigma ^{\rm{t}} {{\rm{L}}\left( {{\rm{s,x}}_{\rm{s}} } \right){\rm{ds}} + \int_\sigma ^{\rm{t}} {{\rm{h}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{ds}}} } {\rm{, t}} \ge \sigma } \\ {{\rm{x}}_\sigma = {\rm{\phi }}} \\ \end{array}} \right.$$ (16.2) where \(h \in L_1^{{\rm{loc}}} \left( {\left[ {\sigma,\infty } \right],{\rm{R}}^{\rm{n}} } \right)\) the space of functions mapping [σ,∞) →Rn which are Lebesgue integrable on each compact set of [σ,∞). Also, we assume L(t,ϕ) is linear in ϕ and, in addition, there is an n × n matrix function η(t,θ) measurable in t,θ, of bounded variation in θ on [−r,o] for each t, and there is an \(\ell \in L_1^{{\rm{loc}}} \left( {\left[ { - \infty,\infty } \right],{\rm{R}}} \right)\) such that $${\rm{L}}\left( {{\rm{t,\phi }}} \right) = \int_{ - {\rm{r}}}^0 {\left[ {{\rm{d}}_\theta {\rm{\eta }}\left( {{\rm{t}},\theta } \right)} \right]{\rm{\phi }}\left( \theta \right)} $$ (16.3) $$\left| {{\rm{L}}\left( {{\rm{t}},{\rm{\phi }}} \right)} \right| \le \ell \left( {\rm{t}} \right)\left| {\rm{\phi }} \right|$$ (16.4) for all t ∈ (−∞,∞), ϕ ∈ C.
TU-F-CAMPUS-J-04: Impact of Voxel Anisotropy On Statistic Texture Features of Oncologic PET: A Simulation Study

Purpose: Texture metrics extracted from oncologic PET have been investigated with respect to their usefulness as definitive indicants for prognosis in a variety of cancer. Metric calculation is often based on cubic voxels. Most commonly used PET scanners, however, produce rectangular voxels, which may change texture metrics. The objective of this study was to examine the variability of PET texture feature metrics resulting from voxel anisotropy. Methods: Sinograms of NEMA NU-2 phantom for 18F-FDG were simulated using the ASIM simulation tool. The obtained projection data was reconstructed (3D-OSEM) on grids of cubic and rectangular voxels, producing PET images of resolution of 2.73x2.73x3.27mm3 and 3.27x3.27x3.27mm3, respectively. An interpolated dataset obtained from resampling the rectangular voxel data for isotropic voxel dimension (3.27mm) was also considered. For each image dataset, 28 texture parameters based on grey-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCOM), intensity histograms (GLIH), neighborhood difference matrices (GLNDM), and zone size matrices (GLZSM) were evaluated within lesions of diameter of 33, 28, 22, and 17mm. Results: In reference to the isotopic image data, texture features appearing on the rectangular voxel data varied with a range of -34-10% for GLCOM based, -31-39% for GLIH based, -80 -161% for GLNDM based, and −6–45% for GLZSM based while varied with a range of -35-23% for GLCOM based, -27-35% for GLIH based, -65-86% for GLNDM based, and -22 -18% for GLZSM based for the interpolated image data. For the anisotropic data, GLNDM_cplx exhibited the largest extent of variation (161%) while GLZSM_zp showed the least (<1%). As to the interpolated data, GLNDM_busy varied the most (86%) while GLIH_engy varied the least (<1%). Conclusion: Variability of texture appearance on oncologic PET with respect to voxel representation is substantial and feature-dependent. It necessitates consideration of standardized voxel representation for inter-institution studies attempting to validate prognostic values of PET texture features in cancer treatment.
LIPIDS OF SARCINA LUTEA. 3. COMPOSITION OF THE COMPLEX LIPIDS.

Huston, Charles K. (Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.), Phillip W. Albro, and Gerald B. Grindey. Lipids of Sarcina lutea. III. Composition of the complex lipids. J. Bacteriol. 89:768–775. 1965.—The complex lipids from a strain of Sarcina lutea were isolated and separated into fractions on diethylaminoethyl cellulose acetate and silicic acid columns. These fractions were monitored in several thin-layer chromatography systems. The various lipid types were characterized by their behavior in thin-layer systems and by an analysis of their hydrolysis products. The fatty acid composition of the column fractions was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. A number of components (13) were separated by thin-layer chromatography and characterized. The major components were polyglycerol phosphatide (17.0%), lipoamino acids (15.1%), phosphatidyl glycerol (13.8%), and an incompletely characterized substance (15.0%). Minor constituents included phosphatidyl inositol (5.5%), phosphatidic acid (4.2%), phosphatidyl serine (2.0%), and phosphatidyl choline (1.0%). No phosphatidyl ethanolamine was observed.
Taiwanese American Transnational Families: Women and Kin Work

Taiwanese American Transnational Families: Women and Kin Work. Maria W. L. Chee. New York: Routledge, 2005. 272 pp.
The effect of individual milk proteins on bioaccessibility of green tea flavan-3-ols

Moser, Sydney Elizabeth. M.S., Purdue University, December 2013. The Effect of Individual Milk Proteins on Stability of Green Tea Flavan-3-ols. Major Professor: Mario G. Ferruzzi. While information regarding the impact of flavan-3-ol-protein interactions on food quality attributes (flavor, texture, and physical stability) exists, insight into the potential consequence of these interactions on bioavailability of health-promoting flavan3-ols remains unclear. The ability of nonspecific protein interactions in flavan-3-ol rich foods and beverages to alter digestive stability and/or digestive release (bioaccessibility) of flavan-3-ols has been previously proposed but unconfirmed. The primary objective of this study was to characterize effects of individual milk proteins and the milk matrix on in vitro bioaccessibility of green tea flavan-3-ols from model beverage systems. As a secondary objective, the impact of protein gastrointestinal digestion on protein-flavan-3ol binding was assessed using fluorometry. Protein solutions containing sodium-caseinate (S-CSN), α-lactalbumin (α-LA), β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) (0.356 mg/100 mL, 0.01 mg/100 mL, 0.035 mg/100 mL, respectively), or non-fat dry milk (NFDM, 0.1 mg/mL) were prepared in Jenness Koops buffer containing milk salts or dd water and formulated at dosages of 10, 20, and 40% (v/v) into model green tea beverages containing 60 mg/100 mL total flavan-3-ols. Samples were then subjected to in vitro digestion simulating
Acetaminophen Usage Patterns and Concentrations of Glutathione and γ-Glutamyl Transferase in Alcoholic Subjects

Study Objectives. To determine if subjects with chronic alcoholism are predisposed to acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity, and to determine the contributing factors. Design. Prospective cohort study. Setting. Community-based crisis intervention center. Subjects. One hundred eighty-eight subjects who answered “yes” to at least one of the four questions on the CAGE (Cut down-Annoyed-Guilty-Eye-opener) questionnaire for identifying alcoholism, and 10 healthy volunteers (controls). Intervention. A history, physical examination, urine toxicologic analysis, ethanol and drug therapy history, and venous blood samples were collected on all subjects. Measurements and Main Results. Venous blood was analyzed for a liver profile, prothrombin time, and total and oxidized glutathione concentrations. A significantly higher proportion of daily drinkers were regular daily users (29.2% [45/154] vs 11.8% [4/34], p=0.0497) as well as abusers (35.7% [55/154] vs 14.7% [5/34], p=0.0237) of acetaminophen compared with nondaily drinkers. Alcoholic subjects with elevated γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT ≥ 51 U/L) levels had significantly lower median plasma glutathione concentrations (2.33 μmol/L, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.74-2.69 μmol/L) compared with those of alcoholic subjects with normal GGT concentrations (5.97 μmol/L, 95% CI 4.39-7.03 μmol/L, p<0.0001) and healthy volunteers (6.59 μmol/L, 95% CI 4.79-9.65 μmol/L, p=0.0002). A significant inverse correlation was also noted between the GGT concentration and the plasma total glutathione concentration (r = −0.62, p<0.0001). None of the 188 subjects met all preset criteria for hepatotoxicity. Conclusions. Daily drinkers were more than twice as likely as nondaily drinkers to be regular daily acetaminophen users and abusers. Alcoholic subjects with elevated GGT concentrations had significantly lower plasma total glutathione concentrations, and plasma total glutathione concentrations inversely correlated with GGT concentrations. Elevated GGT concentrations may be a clinical marker of depleted glutathione in alcoholic subjects. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity appears to be uncommon in alcoholic subjects, despite the 31.9% (60/188 patients) who took doses that are potentially hepatotoxic.
Dissociation of conditioned appetitive and consummatory sexual behavior: Satiation and extinction tests

Sexual responses were conditioned in male Japanese quail using the opportunity to copulate with a female as the unconditioned stimulus (US). The conditioned stimulus (CS) was a 3-D object made of a taxidermically prepared female quail head mounted on a terry-cloth body. Both appetitive conditioned responses (approach and proximity to the CS) and consummatory conditioned responses (mount and cloacal contact directed toward the CS) developed when 2-min presentations of the CS were followed immediately by the US, but not when the CS and US were separated by trace intervals of 10 or 20 min (Experiment 1). Postconditioning sexual satiation suppressed conditioned cloacal contact responses more than conditioned approach to the CS (Experiment 2), and “acute” extinction suppressed both conditioned mounting and conditioned cloacal contact responses more than conditioned approach to the CS (Experiment 3). These results demonstrate a functional dissociation between conditioned appetitive and consummatory responses and imply that the motivational and/or associative mechanisms underlying the two types of behavior are distinct.
Multi-Push (MP) acoustic radiation force (ARF) ultrasound for assessing tissue viscoelasticity, in vivo

Acoustic radiation force (ARF) ultrasound is a method of elastographic imaging in which micron-scale tissue displacements, induced and tracked by ultrasound, reflect clinically relevant tissue mechanical properties. Our laboratory has recently shown that tissue viscoelasticity is assessed using the novel Multi-Push (MP) ARF method. MP ARF applies the Voigt model for viscoelastic materials and compares the displacements achieved by successive ARF excitations to qualitatively or quantitatively represent the relaxation time for constant stress, which is a direct descriptor of the viscoelastic response of the tissue. We have demonstrated MP ARF in custom viscoelastic tissue mimicking materials and implemented the method in vivo in canine muscle and human renal allografts, with strong spatial correlation between MP ARF findings and histochemical features and previously reported mechanical changes with renal disease. These data support that noninvasive MP ARF is capable of clinically relevant assessment of tissue viscoelastic properties.
Quantitative subfemtomole analysis of α-tocopherol and deuterated isotopomers in plasma using tabletop GC/MS/MS

A rapid, high-selectivity method with subfemtomole sensitivity is reported for quantification of alpha-tocopherol in plasma-based gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) using a tabletop quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Sample workup is rapid, consisting of protein precipitation followed by liquid/liquid extraction and O-trimethylsilyl derivatization of alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T-TMS) and an internal standard, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-chromanol (PC-TMS). Rudimentary chromatography was carried out using an 8-m DB-5 capillary column resulting in an analyte retention time of 7.2 min. No interferences from the plasma matrix were observed. The assay has a detection limit of 178 amol (89.6 fg) and a lower limit of quantification of 700 amol (350 fg) of derivatized alpha-tocopherol in diluted plasma; < 30 pL of plasma is estimated to yield sufficient alpha-tocopherol for quantitative analysis at typical concentrations found in humans. A calibration curve constructed from National Institute of Standards and Technology serum standards was linear in the working range of 1.9-1073 ng/mL (0.95-0.54 ng). Within- and between-day precision averaged 5.8% and did not exceed 11.3% for three concentrations of quality control (QC) solutions. The overall accuracy for the QC samples was within 7.2%. Storage studies showed that, alpha-T-TMS and PC-TMS are stable under conditions that might be encountered during analyses. In a test study, plasma kinetic curves for alpha-tocopherol-d6 and alpha-tocopherol-d3 were obtained for a catheterized pregnant ewe and her fetus who were simultaneously given a bolus injection of alpha-tocopherol-d6, to the ewe and alpha-tocopherol-d3 to the fetus. These data show that a tabletop GC ion trap can determine alpha-T-TMS and its isotopomers quantitatively at high selectivity in a complex matrix.
The Effects of Cytochrome b5, NADPH-P450 Reductase, and Lipid on the Rate of 6β-Hydroxylation of Testosterone as Catalyzed by a Human P450 3A4 Fusion Protein

Abstract The recombinant fusion protein containing the heme domain of human P450 3A4 and the flavin domains of rat NADPH-cytochrome P450 (P450) reductase (rF450[mHum3A4/mRat0R]L1) requires both phospholipid and detergent as well as cytochrome b 5 (b 5 ) for the NADPH-dependent catalysis of the 6β-hydroxylation of testosterone. NADPH oxidation results in the formation of hydrogen peroxide in the presence or absence of phospholipid and detergent. NADPH oxidation and hydrogen peroxide formation are inhibited by the addition of b 5 and stimulated greater than 3-fold by the addition of testosterone. Marked differences in the ability of various phospholipids to support the P450-dependent 6β-hydroxylation of testosterone by the fusion protein were seen. Addition of a 4-fold excess of purified NADPH-P450 reductase, in the presence of phospholipid, detergent, and b 5 , stimulates the rate of testosterone 6β-hydroxylation approximately 10-fold, providing turnover rates as high as 80 min −1 for P450 3A4. Approximately 30% of the rate bf hydrogen peroxide formation is not sensitive to inhibition by the P450 inhibitor ketoconazole, suggesting hydrogen peroxide (or superoxide anion) formation/directly from the reduced flavin domains of the fusion protein. it is proposed that the stimulation of NADPH oxidation observed following the addition of testosterone to the fusion protein may serve as a useful means of monitoring the interaction of other substrates with this P450 and thereby permit the rapid screening of chemicals to evaluate their potential metabolism by a human P450.
Immersive virtual environments versus physical built environments: A benchmarking study for building design and user-built environment explorations

Abstract In order for a project to be satisfactory to end-users and completed with high quality, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry heavily relies on digital modeling, simulation and visual communication. In the past two decades, the AEC community has examined different approaches, including virtual and augmented reality, to improve communication, visualization, and coordination among different project participants; yet these approaches are slowly being adopted by the industry. Such technological advancements have the potential to improve and revolutionize the current approaches in design (e.g., by involving end-user feedback to ensure higher performing building operations and end-user satisfaction), in construction (e.g., by improving safety through virtual training), and in operations (e.g., by visualizing real-time sensor data to improve diagnostics). The authors' research vision builds upon the value of using immersive virtual environments (IVEs) during the design, construction, and operation phases of AEC projects. IVEs could provide a sense of presence found in physical mock-ups and make evaluation of an increased set of potential design alternatives possible in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Yet, in order to use IVEs during the design, construction, and operation phases of buildings, it is important to ensure that the data collected and analyzed in such environments represent physical environments. To test whether IVEs are adequate representations of physical environments and to measure user performance in such environments, this paper presents results from an experiment that investigates user performance on a set of everyday office-related activities (e.g., reading text and identifying objects in an office environment) and benchmarks the participants' performance in a similar physical environment. Sense of presence is also measured within an IVE through a set of questionnaires. By analyzing the experimental data from 112 participants, the authors concluded that the participants perform similarly in an IVE setting as they do in the benchmarked physical environment for all of the measured tasks. The questionnaire data show that the participants felt a strong sense of presence within an IVE. Based on the experimental data, the authors thus demonstrate that an IVE can be an effective tool in the design phase of AEC projects in order to acquire end-user performance feedback, which might lead to higher performing infrastructure design and end-user satisfaction.
Classifying inventory using an artificial neural network approach

This paper presents artificial neural networks (ANNs) for ABC classification of stock keeping units (SKUs) in a pharmaceutical company. Two learning methods were utilized in the ANNs, namely back propagation (BP) and genetic algorithms (GA). The reliability of the models was tested by comparing their classification ability with two data sets (a hold-out sample and an external data set). Furthermore, the ANN models were compared with the multiple discriminate analysis (MDA) technique. The results showed that both ANN models had higher predictive accuracy than MDA. The results also indicate that there was no significant difference between the two learning methods used to develop the ANN.
Architects in the Mist: Embedding the Librarian in a Culture of Design

Special Libraries, Special Challenges is a column dedicated to exploring the unique public services challenges that arise in libraries that specialize in a particular subject, such as law, medicine, and business. In each column, the author will discuss public service dilemmas and solutions that occur specifically in given subject libraries while drawing links to how such issues affect librarianship in general. Special or subject-matter librarians interested in authoring a piece for this column are invited to contact Melissa K. Aho at aho@umn.edu. Rebecca Cooper is the Architecture and Instruction Librarian at the Fiske Kimball Fine Arts Library at the University of Virginia. She holds an M.A. in Art History from Southern Methodist University, and an M.S.L.S from The Catholic University of America. Her email is rcooper@virginia.edu. *****
Nanomaterial-enabled fiber optic gas sensor for fossil fuel energy systems

Low-cost, reliable, miniaturized gas sensors capable of fast, accurate, and in-situ monitoring of gas compositions in harsh environment are essential in developing high-efficiency, clean energy technologies. These sensors permit intelligent process control and optimization of power plant operations, which improves the energy efficiency and system reliability, reduces emissions, and minimizes the maintenance cost. In the past few decades, significant progress has been made in developing physical sensors for measuring various physical quantities under high temperature and high pressure conditions. However, currently available gas chemical sensors cannot withstand the hostile environment found in fossil fuel energy systems. In this paper, we present our exploratory research on nanomaterial enabled fiber optic gas sensors for in-situ chemical monitoring under high temperatures.
Prevention and Treatment of Hemodialysis-Related Bloodstream Infections

Despite improvements in the delivery of care, the annual all-cause mortality rate for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is still around 220 deaths per 1000 at risk patient-years. Infection-related causes are second only to cardiovascular events as a cause for mortality among ESRD patients. Almost two-thirds of all ESRD patients will require hemodialysis and they are at the highest risk for bloodstream infections. An effective method for reducing bloodstream infections is increasing the use of fistula for dialysis access, but, for a significant number of patients, catheter access is inevitable. Several interventions have been studied that primarily involves the application of antimicrobials at the catheter exit site. Other interventions include the use of antibiotic lock solutions, which have resulted in the development of antibiotic resistance. Novel connecting devices may be of use in the future, but studies are still needed to show their efficacy at preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections among hemodialysis patients. As insertion sites can be limited in hemodialysis patients, treatment of certain catheter-related bloodstream infections can be amenable to catheter retention as long as both systemic antibiotic and antibiotic lock therapies are also initiated. Until more data are available, catheter removal followed by systemic therapy is preferred for infections involving Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas species, Enterococcus species, and Candida species.
Contact-aided compliant mechanisms for morphing aircraft skin

Sandwich structures consisting of contact-aided compliant mechanisms are presented for morphing aircraft skin. A contact mechanism is used to alleviate stresses and to decrease the out-of-plane deflection. A methodology to design such mechanisms, which takes into account the aerodynamic loads, is presented. The method is applied to a small UAV and results are compared with those of honeycomb structures in terms of structural mass, global strain and maximum stresses. Different material models such as linearly elastic and multi-linear elastic are considered. For linearly elastic materials, contact-induced stress-relief is advantageous and for nonlinear elastic materials, reduction of transverse deflection due to contact is useful. In either case, the structural mass of the contact-aided structures is less than that of the corresponding non-contact structures.
Contextual control of discriminated operant behavior.

Previous research suggests that changing the context after instrumental (operant) conditioning can weaken the strength of the operant response. That result contrasts with the results of studies of Pavlovian conditioning, where a context switch often does not affect the response elicited by a conditioned stimulus. To begin to make the methods more similar, Experiments 1–3 tested the effects of a context switch in rats on a discriminated operant response (R, lever pressing or chain pulling) that had been reinforced only in the presence of a 30-s discriminative stimulus (S, tone or light). As in Pavlovian conditioning, responses and reinforcers became confined to presentations of the S during training. However, in Experiment 1, after training in Context A, a switch to Context B caused a decrement in responding during S. In Experiment 2, a switch to Context B likewise decreased responding in S when Context B was equally familiar, equally associated with reinforcement, or equally associated with the training of a discriminated operant (a different R reinforced in a different S). However, there was no decrement if Context B had been associated with the same response that was trained in Context A (Experiments 2 and 3). The effectiveness of S transferred across contexts, whereas the strength of the response did not. Experiment 4 found that a continuously reinforced response was also disrupted by context change when the same response manipulandum was used in both training and testing. Overall, the results suggest that the context can have a robust general role in the control of operant behavior. Mechanisms of contextual control are discussed.
Spontaneous release and during metrazol convulsions of 5-hydroxytryptamine in some brain regions of conscious cat.

Nous avons etudie par la technique “pushpull” sur des chats non anesthesies, la liberation du 5-HT dans les formations souscorticales et mesencephaliques du cerveau, et y avons trouve deux types. Dans le premier, nous avons pu constater la presence de la 5-HT par les methodes biologiques, mais dans le second, cette amine manquait. Le metrazol (60–90 mg/kg) n'eut pas d'effet significatif sur la liberation de la 5-HT.
BODIPY-Based Donor–Acceptor π-Conjugated Alternating Copolymers

Four novel π-conjugated copolymers incorporating 4,4-difluoro-4-borata-3a-azonia-4a-aza-s-indacene (BODIPY) core as the “donor” and quinoxaline (Qx), 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (BzT), N,N′-di(2′-ethyl)hexyl-3,4,7,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide (NDI), and N,N′-di(2′-ethyl)hexyl-3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI) as acceptors were designed and synthesized via Sonogashira polymerization. The polymers were characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on polymer repeat units, and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels were estimated from the optimized geometry using B3LYP functional and 6-311g(d,p) basis set. Copolymers with Qx and BzT possessed HOMO and LUMO energy levels comparable to those of BODIPY homopolymer, while PDI stabilized both HOMO and LUMO levels. Semiconductor behav...
Synthesis of Phenol and Quinone Metabolites of Benzo[a]pyrene, a Carcinogenic Component of Tobacco Smoke Implicated in Lung Cancer

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental pollutants produced in the combustion of organic matter. PAHs are present in automobile exhaust and tobacco smoke, and they have recently been designated as human carcinogens. Current evidence indicates that PAHs are activated enzymatically to mutagenic metabolites that interact with DNA. There is evidence for three pathways of activation: the diol epoxide path, the radical-cation path, and the quinone path. The relative importance of these paths for human lung cancer has not been established. We now report syntheses of the principal phenol and quinone isomers of the prototype PAH carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BP) that are known or are suspected to be formed as metabolites of BP in human bronchoalveolar cells. The methods of synthesis were designed to be adaptable to the preparation of the (13)C-labeled analogues of the BP metabolites. These compounds are needed as standards for sensitive LC-MS/MS methods for analysis of BP metabolites formed in lung cells. Efficient novel syntheses of the 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-BP phenols and the BP 1,6-, 3,6-, 6,12-, and 9,10-quinones are now reported. The syntheses of the BP phenols (except 6-HO-BP) involve the key steps of Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of a naphthalene boronate ester with a substituted aryl bromide or triflate ester. The BP quinones were synthesized from the corresponding BP phenols by direct oxidation with the hypervalent iodine reagents IBX or TBI. These reagents exhibited different regiospecificities. IBX oxidation of the 7- and 9-BP phenols provided the ortho-quinone isomers (BP 7,8- and 9,10-diones, respectively), whereas TBI oxidation of the 1-, 3-, and 12-BP phenols furnished BP quinone isomers with carbonyl functions in separate rings (BP 1,6-, 3,6-, and 6,12-diones, respectively).
Dissociation rates of internal-energy-selected metastable C8H8+ ions

The dissociation rates of internal-energy-selected styrene and cyclo-octatetraene ions were measured by photoion—photoelectron coincidence with fragment ion time-of-flight analysis. In the energy range 1.5–2.1 eV above the dissociation threshold to form C6H6+ and C2H2, the two C8H8+ isomers have identical rates. This indicates that the ions rearrange to a common precursor prior to fragmentation. On the basis of thermochemistry and calculated rates using the RRKM theory, it is evident that cyclo-octatetraene rearranges to styrene, and that styrene is very close to the most stable ion structure for the C8H8+ isomers.
Acute hospital care of the elderly: minimizing the risk of functional decline

CLINICAL ISSUES Between 25% and 60% of older patients in the hospital undergoing care for an acute illness risk some loss of independent physical function. This loss may lead to prolonged hospital stay, nursing-home placement, or death. The risk of functional decline is related to the hospital environment, as well as to the physical frailty of the patient, disease severity, and cognitive impairment.
Chemical and structural instability of the chemically delithiated (1 – z) Li[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2·(z) Li[Co1–yNiy]O2 (0 ≤ y ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ z ≤ 1) solid solution cathodes

The delithiated samples obtained by chemically extracting lithium from a series of O3 type layered (1 – z) Li[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2·(z) Li[Co1–yNiy]O2 solid solution samples by reacting with the oxidizer NO2BF4 in acetonitrile medium have been chemically and structurally characterized. The oxygen loss in the delithiated samples has been found to be determined by the amount of lithium in the transition metal layer of the O3 type layered structure. However, high Mn4+ content in the samples causes a decrease in oxygen loss and the lithium content in the transition metal layer is sensitively influenced by the tendency of Ni3+ to get reduced to Ni2+ and the consequent volatilization of lithium during synthesis. The chemically delithiated samples were found to adopt either the parent O3 type structure or the new P3 or O1 type structures depending upon the composition and synthesis temperature of the parent samples and the proton content inserted into the delithiated sample. For example, a high proton insertion resulting from a good cation ordering or a larger surface area seems to favor the transformation of the initial O3 structure to the P3 or O1 structure. However, such phase transformations were not evident in the electrochemically delithiated solid solution samples.
Mass spectrometric separation and quantitation of overlapping isotopologues. H2O/HOD/D2O and H2Se/HDSe/D2Se mixtures

Three conceptually different mathematical methods are presented for accurate mass spectrometric determination of H2O/HOD/D2O and H2Se/HDSe/D2Se concentrations from mixtures. These are alternating least-squares, weighted two-band target entropy minimization, and a statistical mass balance model. The otherwise nonmeasurable mass spectra of partially deuterated isotopologues (HOD and HDSe) are mathematically constructed. Any recorded isotopologue mixture mass spectra are then deconvoluted by least-squares into their components. This approach is used to study the H2O/D2O exchange reaction, and is externally validated gravimetrically. The H2O/D2O exchange equilibrium constant is also measured from the deconvoluted 70 eV electron impact GC/MS data (K = 3.85 ± 0.03).
Cholecystokinin analogues with high affinity and selectivity for brain membrane receptors

A series of CCK analogues in which positions 28 and 31 have been replaced by N-methylnorleucine residues have been synthesized. It has been found that most of these N-methylnorleucine containing analogues of CCK are highly potent and some are extraordinarily selective for the central vs. peripheral receptor in two animal models (guinea pig and rat). [N-MeNle28,31]CCK26-33 nonsulfated exhibited both high potency (IC50 = 0.13 nM) and selectivity for central vs. peripheral receptors. The pancrease to brain cortex binding affinity ratio for this analogue is 5100 in the rat model. NMR studies reveal that there is cis/trans isomerism about the N-methylnorleucine residue that may be related to high selectivity.
A branch-and-bound algorithm for fitting anti-robinson structures to symmetric dissimilarity matrices

The seriation of proximity matrices is an important problem in combinatorial data analysis and can be conducted using a variety of objective criteria. Some of the most popular criteria for evaluating an ordering of objects are based on (anti-) Robinson forms, which reflect the pattern of elements within each row and/or column of the reordered matrix when moving away from the main diagonal. This paper presents a branch-and-bound algorithm that can be used to seriate a symmetric dissimilarity matrix by identifying a reordering of rows and columns of the matrix optimizing an anti-Robinson criterion. Computational results are provided for several proximity matrices from the literature using four different anti-Robinson criteria. The results suggest that with respect to computational efficiency, the branch-and-bound algorithm is generally competitive with dynamic programming. Further, because it requires much less storage than dynamic programming, the branch-and-bound algorithm can provide guaranteed optimal solutions for matrices that are too large for dynamic programming implementations.
Deletions of the long arm of chromosome 6: Two new cases and review of the literature

Seven terminal deletions and four interstitial deletions of 6q have been reported. We present the clinical and cytogenetic findings of these cases and of two new patients with different interstitial deletions of 6q. Although there are too few cases of interstitial deletions to identify one or more clinical syndromes associated with monosomies of the more proximal regions of 6q, a terminal 6q deletion syndrome is proposed. Its major components are microcephaly with mental retardation, strabismus, apparently low-set malformed ears, a broad nasal bridge, micrognathia, apparently short neck, congenital heart defect, abnormal palmar creases, and various hand abnormalities.
Choriodecidual infection and preterm birth.

Of all U.S. births, 11% occur preterm. These infants are responsible for the majority of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Infants at highest risk are those born weighing < 1000 g and those born at <28 weeks gestation. Recent evidence suggests that the majority of these preterm births are caused by bacterial infections of the chorioamnion, with the organisms originating in the vagina. The mechanisms leading to preterm labor and rupture of membranes involve an inflammatory response involving increased production of cytokines, prostaglandins, and metalloproteases. Results of treatment trials to eradicate the infection and reduce preterm birth have been mixed.
Finite element modeling of bridges with equivalent orthotropic material method for multi-scale dynamic loads

Abstract An effective Finite Element (FE) model is important to evaluate the structural performance under multi-scale dynamic loads, for instance, the wind induced vibrations for the long span bridge in a kilo-meter scale and the vehicle induced dynamic impacts within limited influence areas in a meter scale. The superposition of the stresses from the multi-scale dynamic loads might cause serious fatigue damage accumulation for long-span bridges. This paper presents a multiple scale modeling and simulation scheme based on an equivalent orthotropic material modeling (EOMM) method that is capable of including the refined structural details. Bridge details with complicated multiple stiffeners are modeled as equivalent shell elements using equivalent orthotropic materials, resulting in the same longitudinal and lateral stiffness in the unit width and shear stiffness in the shell plane as the original configuration. The static and dynamic response and dynamic properties of a simplified short span bridge from the EOMM model are obtained. The results match well with those obtained from the original model with real geometry and materials. The EOMM model for a long-span cable-stayed bridge is built with good precision on dynamic properties and can be used for the wind induced fatigue analysis. Based on the modeling scheme, it is possible to predict a reasonable static and dynamic response of the bridge details due to the multi-scale dynamic loads effects, for instance, the wind induced low frequency vibrations in a kilo-meter scale and the vehicle induced high frequency vibrations in meter scale.
Distribution system reliability evaluation with aging equipment

This paper presents an analytical technique based on the device of stages for distribution system reliability evaluation. This technique models the aging of equipment in evaluating the reliability indices. The three main indices evaluated are failure rate, outage time, and average annual outage time for each load point. An additional set of indices (performance indices) is also calculated using these three basic indices and the number of customers/loads connected at each load point in the system. The most common performance indices are SAIFI, SAIDI, CAIDI, and ASAI. A computer program has been developed to implement this method on a DEC VAX-8800 computer. Finally, system studies are performed to evaluate the basic and performance reliability indices using various models.
Male incontinence surgery in the 21st century: past, present, and future.

Purpose of review Surgery is the mainstay for treating postprostatectomy stress urinary incontinence. Although the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) remains a popular treatment option, a decade worth of innovations have expanded the role of male sling surgery. Recent findings AUS surgery has an approximately 80-85% success rate, regardless of the degree of incontinence. The bone-anchored male sling has a similar success rate in men with mild-to-moderate leakage, but is less efficacious in those with severe incontinence. A transobturator approach has simplified the procedure, but appears best suited for men with milder degrees of incontinence. A new quadratically fixed sling that achieves a broader area of urethral compression by combining a transobturator and suprapubic approach has recently been introduced, with the aim of greater efficacy, while maintaining the low morbidity of sling surgery. Summary The male sling and AUS are equally efficacious for the treatment of mild-to-moderate stress urinary incontinence. The sling appears to have a lower risk of infection, erosion, and urethral atrophy. The AUS remains the most efficacious treatment for severe stress urinary incontinence and for radiated patients. Recent changes in male sling surgery may improve efficacy in men with more severe incontinence.
Design and Analysis of a Conveyor Lift Pump

The Conveyer Lift Pump uses viscous drag to lift liquids. The pump utilizes a flexible continuous rope or conveyer, affixed about a sheave at the top and bottom of the well moving upward inside the production tubing, viscously dragging or lifting the fluid from the well. Presented here are mathematical derivations for the flow rate, the quantity of fluid to be lifted, the required drug force at the rope surface, the power input required by the system, and efficiency of this lift system. Concentric and eccentric solutions are presented.
Winter-Time Climatic Control on Dissolved Organic Carbon Export and Surface Water Chemistry in an Adirondack Forested Watershed

Although most of forested watersheds in temperate and boreal regions are snow-covered for a substantial portion of the year, responses of biogeochemical processes under the snow pack to climatic fluctuations are poorly understood. We investigated responses of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and surface water chemistry in stream and lake discharge waters draining the Arbutus Lake Watershed in the Adirondacks of New York State to climatic fluctuations during the snow-covered months from December through April. Interannual variability in stream discharge corresponded to changes in air temperature and snow pack depth across the winter months. Concentrations of DOC in stream water draining a subcatchment showed immediate positive responses to rising temperatures and subsequent increases in runoff during most snowmelt events. Increases in DOC concentrations usually coincided with decreases in pH and increases in total aluminum (Al) concentrations, while the correlations between concentra tions of DOC and SO42- o...
O2 uptake in hyperthyroidism during constant work rate and incremental exercise.

To investigate the effect of hyperthyroidism on the pattern and time course of O2 uptake (VO2) following the transition from rest to exercise, six patients and six healthy subjects performed cycle exercise at an average work rate (WR) of 18 and 20 W respectively. Cardiorespiratory variables were measured breath-by-breath. The patients also performed a progressively increasing WR test (1-min increments) to the limit of tolerance. Two patients repeated the studies when euthyroid. Resting and exercise steady-state (SS) VO2 (ml.kg-1.min-1) were higher in the patients than control (5.8, SD 0.9 vs 4.0, SD 0.3 and 12.1, SD 1.5 vs 10.2, SD 1.0 respectively). The increase in VO2 during the first 20 s exercise (phase I) was lower in the patients (mean 89 ml.min-1, SD 30) compared to the control (265 ml.min-1, SD 90), while the difference in half time of the subsequent (phase II) increase to the SS VO2 (patient 26 s, SD 8; controls 17 s, SD 8) were not significant (P = 0.06). The O2 cost per WR increment (delta VO2/delta WR) in ml.min-1.w-1, measured during the incremental period (mean 10.9; range 8.3-12.2), was always within two standard deviations of the normal value (10.3, SD 1). In the two patients who repeated the tests, both the increment of VO2 from rest to SS during constant WR exercise and the delta VO2/delta WRs during the progressive exercise were higher in the hyperthyroid state than during the euthyroid state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nondestructive Evaluation of Interlaminar Bonding for in Situ Consolidation of Polymer Composites

A sensor for detecting poor interlaminar bonding between a topmost ply and composite substrate was developed and validated. The sensor was designed for the specific application of real time process control for in situ consolidation processes, such as thermoplastic tow placement. The sensor design consists of two piezoelectric transducers oriented in a pitch catch arrangement. The transmitting transducer is angled so as to produce surface waves in the composite panel. These waves interact with defects at the top ply/substrate interface. The received signal was analyzed for wave speed, attenuation and energy dissipation (power spectral density). Experimental validation of the sensor is presented. Several composite panels were made under various manufacturing conditions so as to create poor interlaminar bonding at the topmost ply. Interlaminar bonding was then evaluated by destructive and nondestructive measures. There was good agreement between the destructive and nondestructive measures of top ply bond str...
Oral 5-Fluorouracil in Psoriasis: Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Relationships

Previous studies have suggested oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is unpredictably and erratically absorbed. We studied oral pharmacokinetics of 5-FU in 16 patients (aged 34–71 years) with severe recalcitran