cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Brazil reader: history, culture, politics: 2nd ed., edited by James N. Green, Victoria Langland, and Lilia Moritz Schwarcz, Durham, NC, Duke University, 2019, 608 pp., $29.95 (paperback), ISBN: 9780822371076

This document reader is an invaluable resource for any introductory course about Brazil. It could be effectively used at the undergraduate or graduate levels and would work well as a core textbook,...
Methylene Blue Inhibits Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis Virus Production and Induction of Caspase-3 Mediated Human Corneal Cell Cytopathy

Background Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) is a highly contagious eye disease caused by enterovirus type 70 (E70) and Coxsackievirus A24 variant (CA24v) with no clinically approved treatment. The antiviral activity of methylene blue (MB; a WHO essential medicine) against AHC viruses was investigated using human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC). Methods Time and concentration-dependent MB accumulation by HCEC was determined colorimetrically and MB inhibition of virus production of 5 E70 and 3 CA24v AHC epidemic isolates in HCEC was determined by micro-plaque assay. AHC virus cytopathy inhibition by MB was detected by reductions in virus-induced caspase-3 activity and polymeric DNA fragments. Results MB uptake by HCEC was rapid and concentration dependent. MB inhibition of E70 and CA24v production was concentration dependent. AHC virus yields were significantly lower (50 to >10,000 fold) in HCEC pre-treated with 0.25-1% MB than in placebo controls (p's ≤ 0.01). MB pre-treatment significantly inhibited virus-induced caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation (p's<0.01). Virus-infected cells accumulate oxidized MB and MB application up to 6 h after infection inhibited virus production and virus-induced HCEC cytopathy. Conclusion The results suggest MB treatment prior to and shortly after infection can inhibit AHC virus production and caspase-mediated HCEC cytopathy. The results support the therapeutic potential of ophthalmic solutions containing MB against AHC virus infection during epidemics.
Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease: Endovascular Management

Aortoiliac occlusive disease is a form of peripheral artery disease affecting the abdominal aorta and bilateral iliac arteries. Patients may present with standard PAD symptoms of claudication, rest pain, and tissue loss, or with Leriche syndrome. A variety of treatment options are available to the vascular surgeon, notably iliac artery stenting, endovascular aortoiliac reconstruction, aortofemoral bypass, and extra-anatomic bypass. Aortofemoral bypass provides durability with patency rates superior to those of other interventions, but these operations are also associated with increased rates of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Instead, endovascular options may be preferred in certain high-risk patients. Hybrid procedures utilizing multiple techniques may allow for lower perioperative morbidity while also providing comparable primary patency rates. This chapter highlights endovascular therapy and techniques as applied to aortoiliac disease.
The application of a new stochastic search algorithm “Adam” in inverse lithography technology (ILT) in critical recording head fabrication process

In our manufacturing process for the hard disk drive (HDD) recording heads, the home-brew pixelated-based inverse lithography is being employed in some critical lithography layers, providing significant improvement on pattern fidelity and process stability. Generally, the process-aware (defocus and dose) inverse lithography is realized through the stochastic gradient decent (SGD) method. In this paper, a widely used search algorithm Adam is introduced for our inverse lithography framework. The new algorithm utilizes the first and second moments of gradients to adapt the learning rate for each individual pixel during the stochastic searching process. Unlike SGD, such derived learning rate is invariant to the magnitude of gradient. In our experiment, we demonstrated reduced edge placement error (EPE), enlarged process window and tighter critical dimension (CD) distribution with Adam on our test cases of isolated features. We believe that the inverse lithography with Adam algorithm is also applicable to dense features with the similar benefits.
What's the buzz? The neuroscience and the treatment of tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a pervasive public health issue that affects ∼15% of the United States population. Similar estimates have also been shown on a global scale, with similar prevalence found in Europe, Asi...
Editorial: Money cannot buy happiness - but can it prevent depression? A commentary on Su et al

In this issue, we read with interest Research Review: Developmental origins of depression - a systematic review and meta-analysis (Su et al., 2021). Su et al. (2021) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis examining prenatal, perinatal and postnatal exposures and their association with depression in offspring. Su et al. (2021) evaluated twenty-eight potential exposures and determined that 12 were associated with increased risk of depression in the offspring. These risk factors included low birth weight, premature birth, being small gestational age, maternal education, socioeconomic status, parental age, parental smoking, maternal stress, maternal anxiety and prenatal depression (Su et al., 2021). Strikingly, each of these developmental risk factors for depression in the offspring is known to be associated with poverty.
The Nursing Role in Reporting Elder Abuse: Specific Examples and Interventions

Elder abuse is a serious national problem with potential for significant physical, emotional, and financial harm. In some situations, elder abuse may lead to death. Nurses are mandated reporters for suspected elder abuse to help prevent and curtail these serious outcomes and thus are responsible for recognizing the types of elder abuse and ways it can manifest. However, the variety of settings, perpetrators, and types of elder abuse may make it difficult for nurses to recognize when elder abuse is present and to understand the proper course of action. In addition, it is necessary for nurses to be aware that elder abuse is not just a public problem but can occur in clinical settings and everyday practice. The purpose of this article is to provide several brief clinical scenarios that exemplify specific aspects of potential elder abuse and to identify appropriate nursing interventions.
A comparison of the outcomes of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy for clinical T2-T4aN0-N2M0 bladder cancer

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence supporting perioperative chemotherapy, few randomized studies compare neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer. Consequently, the standard of care regarding the timing of chemotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer remains controversial. We compared patient outcomes following neoadjuvant or adjuvant systemic chemotherapy for cT2-T4aN0-N2M0 bladder cancer. METHODS: In a retrospective review of a single institutional database from 1988 through 2009, we identified patients receiving neoadjuvant or adjuvant multiagent platinum-based systemic chemotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer. Survival analysis was performed comparing disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 146 patients received systemic perioperative chemotherapy (73 neoadjuvant, 73 adjuvant). Of these, 84% (122/146) received cisplatin-based chemotherapy compared with carboplatin-based chemotherapy (24/146, 16.4%). Most patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy were treated with methotrexate/vinblastine/adriamycin/cisplatin (79/122, 64.8%), whereas the remaining patients received gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC) (43/122, 35.2%). In multivariable analysis, there was no significant difference in DSS (P = .46) or OS (P = .76) between neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy groups. There was statistically significant improvement in DSS when patients received neoadjuvant GC rather than adjuvant GC (P = .049, hazard ratio, 10.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-112.2). CONCLUSION: In this study, there was no statistically significant difference in OS and DSS between patients receiving neoadjuvant versus adjuvant systemic platinum-based chemotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer. In addition, there was no significant difference between neoadjuvant and adjuvant cisplatin- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy. Chemotherapy sequence relative to surgery appeared less important than whether or not a patient actually received perioperative chemotherapy. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Ion Radiation Damage

The depth distribution of damage energy deposited in solids by energetic ions has been calculated and results are compared with the experimental damage found in copper which has been irradiated with 1016 1-MeV protons at ambient temperature. The general form of the experimental damage profile from the transmission electron microscope measurements agrees well with that calculated.
Treatment of Acute Streptococcal Pharyngitis and Prevention of Rheumatic Fever: A Statement for Health Professionals

Primary prevention of acute rheumatic fever is accomplished by proper identification and adequate antibiotic treatment of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GAS) tonsillopharyngitis. Diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis is best accomplished by a throat culture. Penicillin (either oral penicillin V or injectable benzathine penicillin) remains the treatment of choice, because it is cost effective, has a narrow spectrum of activity, has long-standing proven efficacy, and GAS resistant to penicillin have not been documented. Various macrolides, oral cephalosporins, and other beta-lactam agents are acceptable alternatives, particularly in penicillin-allergic individuals. The individual who has had an attack of rheumatic fever is at very high risk of developing recurrences after subsequent GAS pharyngitis and needs continuous antimicrobial prophylaxis to prevent such recurrences (secondary prevention). The duration of prophylaxis depends on the number of previous attacks, the time lapsed since the last attack, the risk of exposure to streptococcal infections, the age of the patient, and the presence or absence of cardiac involvement. Penicillin is again the agent of choice for secondary prophylaxis, but sulfadiazine or erythromycin are acceptable alternatives in penicillin-allergic individuals. This report is an update of a 1988 statement by this committee. It expands on the previous statement, includes more recent therapeutic modalities, and makes more specific recommendations for the duration of secondary prophylaxis.
The peptides of chloroplast membranes. I. The soluble coupling factor (Ca2plus-ATPase).

Abstract The chloroplast coupling factor (CF1) was analyzed by gel electrophoresis in SDS and found to contain two major bands in equal amounts with mobilities corresponding to molecular weights of 62,000 and 57,000 and three minor bands of molecular weights 38,000, 21,000, and 14,000. The peptides were present in comparable amounts in many different preparations of the protein and, therefore, were thought not to be tightly bound contaminants. The interaction between these five peptides was shown to be noncovalent. Incubation of the enzyme with trypsin, under conditions which activate the latent ATPase, was found to cause selective digestion of the five peptides; the 62,000 Mr peptide was the most susceptible to digestion, while the 57,000 Mr peptide was most stable to trypsin. When chloroplast membranes were exposed to trypsin in the light to activate the postillumination Mg2+-dependent ATPase activity, EDTA extraction solubilized a protein fraction which contained the normal CF1 peptide pattern. Also, the membranes, when solubilized and chromatographed on SDS-gels did not show the disappearance of any band. The ATPase activity of the protein was highly susceptible to ionic strength, being 50% inhibited by monovalent salts at a concentration of 0.05 m .
The Origins of Telicity

The distinction between telic and atelic predicates has been described in terms of the algebraic properties of their meaning since the early days of model-theoretic semantics. This perspective was inspired by Aristotle’s discussion of types of actions that do or do not take time to be completed which was taken up and turned into a linguistic discussion of action-denoting predicates by Vendler (1957). The algebraic notion that seemed to be most conducive to express the Aristotelian distinction appeared to be the mereological notion of a part, applied to the time at which these predicates hold: atelic predicates, like push a cart, have the subinterval property, that is, whenever they are true at a time interval, then they are true at any part of that interval; this does not hold for telic predicates, like eat an apple, cf. Bennett & Partee (1972), Taylor (1977), and Dowty (1979)2. Bach (1986) integrated these insights into a semantics based on events.
Prolonged efficiency of siRNA-mediated gene silencing in primary cultures of human preadipocytes and adipocytes.

Objective Primary human preadipocytes and differentiated adipocytes in culture are valuable cell culture systems to study adipogenesis and adipose function in relation to human adipose biology. To use these systems for mechanistic studies, siRNA-mediated knockdown of genes for its effectiveness was studied. Methods Methods were developed to effectively deliver siRNA for gene silencing in primary preadipocytes isolated from human subcutaneous adipose tissue and newly differentiated adipocytes. Expression level of genes and proteins was measured using quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. Lipid droplet morphology was observed using microscopy, and glycerol release was quantified as a measure of lipolysis. Results siRNA-mediated knockdown of genes in primary human preadipocytes resulted in prolonged silencing effects, suppressing genes throughout the process of their differentiation. In newly differentiated adipocytes, siRNA-mediated gene knockdown allowed proteins to stay depleted for at least 5 days. It was possible to re-express a protein after its siRNA-mediated depletion. Importantly, siRNA transfected human adipocytes remained metabolically active, responding to β-adrenergic stimulation to increase lipolysis. Conclusions Our study describes the methods of gene silencing in primary cultures of human preadipocytes and adipocytes and their prolonged effectiveness.
Time, Consciousness and Quantum Events in Fundamental Spacetime Geometry

What is time? St. Augustine remarked that when no one asked him, he knew what time was; however when someone asked him, he did not. Is time a process which flows? Is time a dimension in which processes occur? Does time actually exist?
Role of the Mid-Adriatic deep in dense water interception and modification

Abstract This study set out to gain insights into: i) the route of dense water (DW), which leaves a morphological signature including large-scale erosion, moats, and contourite sediment drifts, and ii) the physical and chemical modifications undergone by Northern Adriatic Dense Water (NAdDW) due to its entrapment in the Mid-Adriatic Deep (MAD) for one or more years, which leads to biogeochemical transformation into Mid-Adriatic Dense Water (MAdDW), a less dense and colder water mass with reduced oxygen content as a result of prolonged biological consumption. The paper provides an accurate description of how NAdDW, on its way to the Southern Adriatic basin, mixes with MAdDW on Palagruža Sill. Analysis of water column data (CTD) collected in spring 2005 and 2012 showed that part of the NAdDW flowing down the Western Adriatic shelf swerves left, splitting into a branch that fills the western MAD pit and another flowing along the 170 m contour towards the eastern pit and then south through Palagruža Sill. Due to the density difference, the recently formed NAdDW flows as a bottom-trapped current underneath the older MAdDW, lifting and pushing it over Palagruža Sill, thereby promoting water exchange among the MAD pits. The two water masses eventually mix as they flow over Palagruža Sill, in proportions that depend on NAdDW volume and the changes undergone by MAdDW, thus generating a new mixed bottom-flowing DW with a distinctive chemical signal. The bottom water pattern disclosed by CTD transects is consistent with seafloor and sub-seafloor morphologies detected on high-resolution seismic profiles, which show both erosion and deposition features along bottom water routes. Moreover, confinement of the mixed water within structural highs as it flows southward through Palagruža Sill promotes formation of shallow water contourites and giant sediment drifts, demonstrating a significant role for topography in the flow of all Adriatic DW.
A novel control approach for protection of multi-terminal VSC based HVDC transmission system against DC faults

Overall performance of the voltage source converters (VSCs) has improved during the recent years. Improvement of the VSCs along with the attractive features of the VSC based high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems over the thyristor based HVDC transmission systems make it possible to build multiterminal (MT) VSC HVDC transmission systems. However, the VSCs are vulnerable against dc side faults and a method needs to be employed to extinguish the dc fault current. In this paper, three different configurations of solid state dc circuit breakers (CB) for protection purposes are studied. Moreover, a new control method to protect the VSCs against the dc side fault is proposed, the new method makes it possible to extinguish the dc fault current with the existing ac breakers on the ac side or with the lower rating solid state (SS) DCCBs. The performance of the SS DCCBs and the proposed method are studied using Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS).
Design and Fabrication of the Harvard Ambulatory Micro-Robot

Here we present the design and fabrication of a 90mg hexapedal microrobot with overall footprint dimensions of 17 mm long x 23 mm wide. Utilizing smart composite microstructure fabrication techniques, we combine composite materials and polymers to form articulated structures that assemble into an eight degree of freedom robot. Using thin foil shape memory alloy actuators and inspiration from biology we demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing a robot with insect-like morphology and gait patterns. This work is a foundational step towards the creation of an insect-scale hexapod robot which will be robust both structurally and with respect to locomotion across a wide variety of terrains.
Experimental Biology 2000 Symposium on Differential Control of Sympathetic Outflow A DEFENCE‐LIKE REACTION: AN EMERGENT PROPERTY OF A SYSTEM OF COUPLED NON‐LINEAR OSCILLATORS

1. The present paper deals with the central mechanisms responsible for the defence-like differential pattern of spinal sympathetic outflow elicited by electrical activation of the midbrain periaqueductal grey (PAG) in urethane-anaesthetized, baroreceptor-denervated cats. The pattern is characterized by increases in the 10 Hz discharges of the inferior cardiac (CN) and renal (RN) sympathetic nerves and a decrease in 10 Hz activity of the vertebral sympathetic nerve (VN) that supplies vasoconstrictor outflow to the forelimb. 2. The model used to explain this pattern is based on the self-organizing properties of a system of coupled brainstem oscillators rather than the activation of point-to-point hard-wired connections leading to increases in sympathetic outflow to some targets and decreases to others. 3. The fact that VN 10 Hz activity was inhibited by PAG stimulus frequencies equal to or just above, but not just below, that of the free-running (control) rhythm argues against a 'hard-wired' model. 4. The evidence supporting the hypothesis that the defence-like pattern is an emergent property of a system of coupled oscillators includes changes in the phase lag of VN 10 Hz activity relative to that in the CN, temporal correlation of the changes in phase angle and 10 Hz powers and the direct relationship between the magnitude of the change in phase angle and the degree to which PAG stimulation reciprocally affected the 10 Hz discharges of the CN and VN. 5. It is proposed that changes in phase angle reflect the reorganization of the coupling of 10 Hz oscillators and that such changes in state lead to differential patterns of spinal sympathetic outflow.
Letters: PLEASE JOIN US IN GOLDEN, COLORADO

The Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum (CSMGM) invites all those in town for the Denver Gem and Mineral Show (17–19 September) to attend our annual open house on 15 September, 6–9 P.M., the We...
Multiquantum vibrational energy transfer into surface Rayleigh, bulk shear, and pressure waves by atom–solid‐surface collisions: A discrete‐continuum hybrid treatment with applications to He–Pt(111)

A discrete‐continuum hybrid treatment is developed for energy transfer into solid‐surface vibrations by atomic collisions. Surface vibrations are described in terms of the displacement field of a three‐dimensional elastic continuum with a stress‐free boundary. The displacement field is evaluated discretely at the surface lattice sites and it is quantized by the standard methods for harmonic vibrations. This hybrid approach can extend classical Debye models to incorporate surface corrugation, lattice structure, and the Bose–Einstein statistics of phonons. The treatment is illustrated on He scattering from Pt(111) at superthermal collision energies, e.g., E=0.5 eV, to probe the repulsive cores of the gas–surface potential. Accordingly, the projectile motion is approximated by classical trajectories, whereas all vibrational modes are treated quantum mechanically. The differential (in final angles and transferred energy) scattered intensity is obtained from time‐correlation functions of the semiclassical tran...
Electrophysiologic Effects of Carvedilol: Is Carvedilol an Antiarrhythmic Agent?

The cardiovascular drug carvedilol is characterized by multiple pharmacological actions, which translate into a wide-spectrum therapeutic potential. Its major molecular targets are membrane adrenoceptors, ion channels, and reactive oxygen species. Carvedilol's favorable hemodynamic effects are due to the fact that the drug competitively blocks beta(1)-, beta(2)-, and alpha(1)- adrenoceptors. Several additional properties have been documented and may be clinically important, including antioxidant, antiproliferative/antiatherogenic, anti-ischemic, and antihypertrophic effects. The antiarrhythmic action of carvedilol may be related to a combination of its beta-blocking effects with its modulating effects on a variety of ion channels and currents. Several studies suggest that the drug may be useful in reducing cardiac death in high-risk patients with prior myocardial infarction and/or heart failure, as well as for primary and secondary prevention of atrial fibrillation. This article will review experimental data available on the electrophysiologic properties of carvedilol, with a focus on their clinical relevance.
Case study: sexual abuse of boys by females.

ABSTRACT Two examples of boys who experienced unwanted sexual contact with females are presented. The literature regarding this type of abuse is reviewed and supports the finding that such contact is relatively common and may have definite negative consequences for the victim. Conventional interview techniques can frequently fail to uncover these occurrences. Clinical, psychological, and sociocultural factors contribute to difficulty eliciting the data. Even when young males attempt to report unwanted sexual contact, care givers may fail to respond in a manner indicating sensitivity to the trauma. Further research could help to determine the long-term consequences of such experiences in male children and adolescents.
Solving the shortest route cut and fill problem using simulated annealing.

Abstract This paper introduces the shortest route cut and fill problem (SRCFP). The SRCFP is a NP-hard discrete optimization problem for leveling a construction project site, where the objective is to find a vehicle route that minimizes the total distance traveled by a single earthmoving vehicle between cut and fill locations. An optimal vehicle route is a route that minimizes the total haul distance that a single earthmoving vehicle travels. Simulated annealing algorithms are formulated to address the SRCFP. To assess the effectiveness of simulated annealing on the SRCFP, a greedy algorithm is constructed to compute an upper bound and the Held–Karp 1-tree lower bound is used to compute a lower bound. Extensive computational results are reported using several randomly generated instances of the SRCFP.
Reproducibility of relaxation and spin‐density parameters in phantoms and the human brain measured by MR imaging at 1.5T

The reproducibility of T1, T2, and proton density, measured in phantoms and the human brain was evaluated by proton imaging techniques. The sequence used to derive T1 and density values was a multiple-saturation recovery which consists of four pairs of 90 degrees pulses, followed by a 180 degrees phase reversal pulse, generating four T1-weighted images. T2 was derived from a multiple-echo sequence, generating four T2-weighted images. The data were analyzed by fitting the pixel intensities to the respective equations by means of nonlinear multiparameter least-squares analysis. Short-term reproducibility between four consecutive scans was evaluated to be 1-4% depending on location with a phantom covering the entire span of physiologic T1 and T2 values. A second phantom containing a series of identical samples served to study the dependence of the apparent T1 and T2 on position, both radially and axially, with respect to magnet isocenter. Reproducibility across the field of view was found to be better than 7% (T1 and T2). This phantom was further used to evaluate effects of long-term reproducibility, which at each location varied from 5-14% (T1) and 2-10% (T2). Finally, interinstrument reproducibility, tested by means of the same protocol on three different instruments, all operating at the same magnetic field and using largely identical hardware for each location, was found to be 1-14% (T1) and 2-10% (T2). The positional dependence of the apparent relaxation times appears to be systematic and may be due to variations in the effective field, caused by magnet and rf inhomogeneity. Finally, brain tissue relaxation and spin-density data were determined using the same protocol in 37 scans performed on 27 normal volunteers. The tissues analyzed were putamen, thalamus, caudate nucleus, centrum semiovale, internal capsule, and corpus callosum. Excellent accordance was further obtained between left and right hemispheres.
Microscopic foundation for the particle-vibrator model

Abstract The tools for deriving microscopically the particle-vibrator model are presented in the form of a new fermion-boson expansion in which valence particles or holes added to a closed shell are treated essentially as fermion-degrees of freedom, while particle-hole excitations of the closed shell are treated as bosons. The Pauli principle is completely fulfilled without redundancy. Both the nonunitary (Dyson) and unitary representations are given.
Hierarchy equations for reduced density matrices in different representations

We derive exact relationships for the reduced density matrices in representations where the transformation matrix is a product of one-body transformation matrices. We specialize to the momentum and onebody energy representations. By decoupling the equations we are able to write the Hartree-Fock equation in terms of the first-order density matrix in an arbitrary representation. Applications to reduced local energy and the correlation problem are discussed.
Computational Studies of Ion-Pair Separation of Benzylic Organolithium Compounds in THF: Importance of Explicit and Implicit Solvation

Ion-pair separation (IPS) of THF-solvated fluorenyl (1C), diphenylmethyl (2C), and trityl (3C) lithium was studied computationally. Minimum energy equilibrium geometries of explicit bis- and tris-solvated contact ion pairs (CIPs) and tetrakis-solvated separated ion pairs (SIPs) were located at B3LYP/6-31G*. Associative transition structures linking the tris-solvated CIPs and tetrakis-solvated SIPs were also located. Based on MP2/6-31G*//B3LYP/6-31G* energies, the resting states of the CIPs are predicted to be trisolvates. Calculated enthalpies of IPS (ΔHIPS) at 298 K were compared to experimental (UV−vis spectroscopy) solution values reported in the literature. In vacuum, B3LYP/6-31G* ΔHIPS values for 1C·(THF)3−3C·(THF)3 are 6−8 kcal/mol less exothermic than the experimentally determined values in THF solution. Closer examination of the individual steps of ion-pair separation (ionization, solvation, ion-pair recombination), as well as comparison of calculated structures with the published X-ray structures...
Measurements of gene expression in tissues of normal and dystrophic mice.

Abstract RNA sequence complexities of normal and dystrophic (dy 2J /dy 2J ) mouse tissues were measured to determine whether or not the disease process altered the transcriptional diversity patterns of normal development. We found that dystrophic muscles contained a 60% higher concentration (per milligram of total RNA) of complex, low-frequency RNA species than did control muscles, although the complexities of dystrophic and control preparations were not distinguishable. Total cellular RNAs from spinal cords, brains, and livers of dystrophic mice were also found to have RNA complexities which were indistinguishable from the same tissues in normal mice. Electrophoretic studies of several muscle-specific isoenzymes in normal and dystrophic muscle showed no evidence of the expression of alternate isoenzymes in dystrophic muscle. From these results we concluded that a block in differentiation was not likely to be the cause of the disease.
Computing point-set surfaces with controlled spatial variation of residuals

Abstract This paper presents an accurate method for computing point-set surfaces from input data that can suppress the noise effect in the resulting point-set surface. This is accomplished by controlling spatial variation of residual errors between the input data and the resulting point-set surface and offsetting any systematic bias. More specifically, this method first reduces random noise of input data based on spatial autocorrelation statistics: the statistics Z via Moran’s I . The bandwidth of the surface is adjusted until the surface reaches desired value of the statistics Z corresponding to a given significance level. The method then compensates for potential systematic bias of the resultant surface by offsetting along computed normal vectors. Computational experiments on various point sets demonstrate that the method leads to an accurate surface with controlled spatial variation of residuals and reduced systematic bias.
Association of low prostate-specific antigen concentration and panhypopituitarism.

Objective: To report the association of undetectable or very low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations with hypopituitarism.Methods: We present a case series of 4 patients with low or unde...
EFFECT OF HYPERINFLATION AND ATELECTASIS ON FLUID ACCUMULATION IN THE PUPPY LUNG

Pulmonary edema is accompanied by hyperinflation or atelectasis in a variety of neonatal respiratory diseases. We studied the effect of these disparate lung volumes on fluid accumulation in the lung in 12 anesthetized spontaneously breathing puppies. Pulmonary arterial, left atrial, plasma colloid osmotic and bilateral airway pressures were measured continuously following separate intubation of the main stem bronchi. Unilateral hyperinflation was produced by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in 5 puppies and unilateral atelectasis was produced by bronchial occlusion in 7 other puppies; the contralateral lung served as control. Extravascular lung water (ELW) was determined by subtracting lung blood water from total lung water. In the presence of an intravascular gradient favoring pulmonary edema produced by saline infusion, hyperinflation enhanced and atelectasis opposed fluid accumulation (p < 0.05). We conclude that water balance in the lung is a function of lung inflation. Because hyperinflation by CPAP enhances fluid accumulation in the lung but improves gas exchange, we also conclude that hyperinflation must enhance the sequestration of fluid in non gas exchanging areas.
Polar mutations in lac, gal and phage λ consist of a few IS-DNA sequences inserted with either orientation

It was found that many insertions which often arise as strongly polar mutations consist of only a few “foreign” DNA sequences. The most commonly observed “short” polar IS1 insertions are all comprised of the same DNA with a duplex length of 750±80 nucleotide pairs. This insertable IS1 DNA can be integrated with either orientation into the genome at various positions in the lac and gal operons of E. coli; however, the inserted sequence is not permuted. The r14 polar insertion in gene cII of phage λ also consists of the same IS1 DNA (Hirsch et al., 1972 b). “Long” insertions (1170 to 1490 nucleotide pairs) were detected in the lac (IS3) and gal (IS2, IS4) operons and in the y and P-Q regions (IS2) of the λ genome and measured as single-strand loops in the l/r heteroduplex DNA. The insertions in the latter two positions are homologous, although those found in the P-Q region do not exhibit any obvious polarity.
Cytogenetic evidence for a less malignant leukemic cell population in the central nervous system in a critical case of acute myeloblastic leukemia

Background. With the exception of a single study the cytogenetic aspects of leukemic cells in the central nervous system (CNS) have not been investigated. Patients and Results. During the course of a work-in-progress on the chromosomal constitution both of the spinal fluid and of bone marrow (BM) in children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), we have observed a unique case of AML and CNS leukemia (CNSL) at diagnosis. The patient showed the simultaneous presence at diagnosis of a 46 cytogenetic line in the spinal fluid and a 47 (+8) cell line in the BM, present in the great majority of the metaphases examined. Discussion. This observation allows hypotheses on the relationship between BM and CNS disease in AML. Regardless of the pathogenetic mechanism, the cytogenetic findings of the present case clearly suggest that the leukemic population in the CNS compartment represents a less malignant cell process compared to the BM leukemic population. This easily fits in with the usually less malignant course of CNSL in AML. Conclusion. The foregoing findings may have critical pathogenetic and therapeutic implications.
The Critical Thickness of Insulation

The theory of critical thickness of insulation for cylindrical and spherical geometries is discussed in a comprehensive and methodical manner. The article begins with the introduction of the classical analysis, which assumes surface convection with a constant heat transfer coefficient, h. Next, various modifications of the basic theory are discussed in detail. These modification allow for: The variation of h with outside radius, ro (constant-property forced convection) The variation of h with ro, with temperature-dependent fluid properties (variable-property forced convection) Circumferential variation of h with forced convection The variation of with outside radius and the temperature difference between the outside surface and the surroundings (natural convection) Surface radiation Combined radiation and natural convection Combined radiation, natural convection, and surface heat release due to change of phase of the surrounding fluid Effects of radiation, inclination, and insulation opacity The last thre...
Hemoperfusion for Imipramine Overdose: Elimination of Active Metabolites

AbstractThe serum concentrations of imipramine and its pharmacologically active metabolites were followed during resin hemoperfusion for imipramine overdose. The initial serum concentration of 2-hydroxyimipramine plus 2-hydroxy-desipramine was 13.3% of the total tricyclic antidepressant level (imipramine + desipramine + hydroxymetabolites). Despite high extraction ratios (≥0.75) and clearances (130–180 mL/min) for both imipramine and its metabolites, the calculated amount of drug removed was small. Only 0.91% of the estimated dose ingested was removed as imipramine, 0.52% as desipramine, and 0.33% as hydroxylated metabolites. While the hydroxylated metabolites of imipramine may contribute to its toxicity, it is unlikely that the small amount removed can explain reports of apparent clinical benefit from hemoperfusion.
Effect of phenytoin on the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin and doxorubicinol in the rabbit

Doxorubicin is metabolized extensively to doxorubicinol by the ubiquitous aldoketoreductase enzymes. The extent of conversion to this alcohol metabolite is important since doxorubicinol may be the major contributor to cardiotoxicity. Aldoketoreductases are inhibited in vitro by phenytoin. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of phenytoin on doxorubicin pharmacokinetics. Doxorubicin single-dose pharmacokinetic studies were performed in 10 New Zealand White rabbits after pretreatment with phenytoin or phenytoin vehicle (control) infusions in crossover fashion with 4-6 weeks between studies. Infusions were commenced 16 h before and during the course of the doxorubicin pharmacokinetic studies. Phenytoin infusion was guided by plasma phenytoin estimation to maintain total plasma concentrations between 20 and 30 micrograms/ml. Following doxorubicin 5 mg/kg by i.v. bolus, blood samples were obtained at intervals over 32 h. Plasma doxorubicin and doxorubicinol concentrations were measured by HPLC. The mean plasma phenytoin concentrations ranged from 17.4 to 33.9 micrograms/ml. Phenytoin infusion did not alter doxorubicin pharmacokinetics. The elimination half-life and volume of distribution were almost identical to control. Clearance of doxorubicin during phenytoin administration (60.9 +/- 5.8 ml/min per kg, mean +/- SE) was similar to that during vehicle infusion (67.5 +/- 5.4 ml/min per kg). Phenytoin administration was associated with a significant decrease in doxorubicinol elimination half-life from 41.0 +/- 4.8 to 25.6 +/- 2.8 h. The area under the plasma concentration/time curve (AUC) for doxorubicinol decreased significantly from 666.8 +/- 100.4 to 491.5 +/- 65.7 n.h.ml-1. These data suggest that phenytoin at clinically relevant concentrations does not alter the conversion of doxorubicin to doxorubicinol in the rabbit. The reduction in the AUC for doxorubicinol caused by phenytoin appears to be due to an increased rate of doxorubicinol elimination. Phenytoin or similar agents may have the effect of modifying doxorubicinol plasma concentrations by induction of doxorubicinol metabolism rather than by inhibition of aldoketoreductase enzymes.
Coherent electron microdiffraction from small metal particles

Abstract Coherent electron microdiffraction patterns have been calculated for small Au clusters and, in particular, for a FCC cuboctahedral cluster of 55 atoms. The incident electron probe has energy 100 keV. It is found that the intensity distributions of microdiffraction patterns are affected by various parameters, such as the beam position of the small probe, the defocus and spherical aberration of the probe-forming (objective) lens, the particle size and the probe size. Any phase change of the small electron probe will affect the intensity distributions as a result of coherent interference effect. In general the sensitivity of intensity distributions to these parameters is inversely proportional to the size of the incident electron probe. Some problems associated with the experimental observations of microdiffraction patterns from small metal particles are discussed.
Fostering At-Risk Preschoolers' Number Sense.

Research Findings: A 9-month study served to evaluate the effectiveness of a pre-kindergarten number sense curriculum. Phase 1 of the intervention involved manipulative-, game-based number sense instruction; Phase 2, computer-aided mental-arithmetic training with the simplest sums. Eighty 4- and 5-year-olds at risk for school failure were randomly assigned to (a) structured discovery of the n+0/0+n=n pattern and the n+1/1+n = the number after n relation; (b) structured discovery with explicit instruction; (c) blocked practice of (zero, one, and number-after) items; and (d) haphazard practice. Analyses with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test of follow-up Test of Early Mathematics Ability–Third Edition and mental-arithmetic testing indicated that general achievement and fluency with n+0/0+n combinations improved significantly. Significant improvement for n+1/1+n combinations was evident only if success included slow or counted answers. Practice or Policy: Theoretical, methodological, and educational implications a...
The Bender-Gestalt Psychopathology Scale: Failure to Infer Validity in a School-Aged Sample

The concurrent validity of Hutt's (1977) empirical psychopathology scale of the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test was evaluated among three groups of younger school-aged children within the 7-to-10- year age range (M = 109.1): adjustment disordered, conduct disordered, and nonclinical controls (n = 40/group). Excellent interscorer reliability was achieved with approximately 2 hr of self-study of the scoring manual. Although the conduct-disordered group was significantly more immature on Koppitz' Developmental Scoring System, there were no significant differences among groups on the psychopathology scale when visual-motor development was covaried (M = 50.5). This was an unexpected result, given Hutt's initial validation study among school-aged children. The psychopathology scale was not inferred to be valid among adolescents in the only known concurrent validation study. Pending supportive validation research, the psychopathology scale should not be employed in the clinical assessment of younger school-aged children.
Competition between Fe(III)-Reducing and Methanogenic Bacteria for Acetate in Iron-Rich Freshwater Sediments

The kinetics of acetate uptake and the depth distribution of [2-14C]acetate metabolism were examined in iron-rich sediments from a beaver impoundment in northcentral Alabama. The half-saturation constant (Km) determined for acetate uptake in slurries of Fe(III)-reducing sediment (0.8 µM) was more than 10-fold lower than that measured in methanogenic slurries (12 µM) which supported comparable rates of bulk organic carbon metabolism and Vmax values for acetate uptake. The endogenous acetate concentration (Sn) was also substantially lower (1.7 µM) in Fe(III)-reducing vs methanogenic (9.0 µM) slurries. The proportion of [2-14C]acetate converted to 14CH4 increased with depth from ca 0.1 in the upper 0.5 cm to ca 0.8 below 2 cm and was inversely correlated (r2 = 0.99) to a decline in amorphous Fe(III) oxide concentration. The results of the acetate uptake kinetics experiments suggest that differences in the affinity of Fe(III)-reducing bacteria vs methanogens for acetate can account for the preferential conversion of [2-14C]acetate to 14CO2 in Fe(III) oxide-rich surface sediments, and that the downcore increase in conversion of [2-14C]acetate to 14CH4 can be attributed to progressive liberation of methanogens from competition with Fe(III) reducers as Fe(III) oxides are depleted with depth.
Why middle managers quit

The current trends in organizational downsizing may be causing the involuntary loss of high-performing, middle-level managers. This article reports on the perceived causes of turnover and how managers at differing levels of the organization have dramatically differing perceptions. Lower- and middle-level managers place greatest importance on lack of control and input on the job, while upper-lever managers see dissatisfaction with rewards and interpersonal conflicts as the critical causes of middle manager turnover.
Universal Humanism – A Globalization Context is the Classroom of Unheard Options how to Become More Human

Within the context of multi-cultural and multi-religious society, embedded in the process of globalization, a traditional understanding of humanism offers insufficient frameworks for an adequate comprehension of human flourishing and human search for meaning. In addition, modernity frames and evaluates in many aspects insufficiently the incomparable worth of the human person. This article offers some guidelines for further philosophical, theological and pedagogical reflection on a humanism that is more suitable for our life in the process of globalization and modernity. Such humanism continually moves us toward a better comprehension of what “human” means within a universe of divergent cultures, religions, traditions, and races. This humanism is called universal humanism , based on the Greek word kaqolou , comprising both universality and wholeness. The first part of this article analyzes some of the main characteristics of humanism in the Greek and Roman contexts, which provide historical and theoretical frameworks for universal humanism. The second part justifies the relevance and usefulness of such humanism: it helps us to transcend singular cultures, nations, political systems, religions, and, by default, to discover or explore anew the meaning of the human person on a global level. The last part of this article suggests some pedagogical attitudes that will help us to embrace and remain in a dialogical relationship with all of humanity, in order to enrich our comprehension of the incomparable worth of the human person, this time from a universal perspective.
Intimate Partner Violence A Gender Comparison

To compare the severity of violence reported by women and men filing assault charges against an intimate partner, 100 complainants (90 women and 10 men) were interviewed. Measurement instruments included the Severity of Violence Against Women Scales, Danger Assessment Scale, Stalking Victimization Survey, and a quality of life index. Using independent t tests, no significant differences existed between male and female demographic characteristics. The majority of victims were African American, employed, and in current relationships with the abuser. Similarly, no significant differences existed between genders for any of the measurement instruments, including quality of life indices. Although incidence reports of intimate partner, nonlethal violence is consistently and appreciably higher for females, this study indicates that the severity and extent of the violence does not differ by gender, and neither do the associated quality of life indices. Clearly, violence against intimates is an equally serious issu...
X-Ray Diffraction of Asphaltenes

Fundamental principles of the X-ray diffraction of mesomorphic materials are discussed at length, especially for petroleum asphaltenes. Stepwise procedures for handling X-ray diffraction laboratory data are presented.
Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas associated with neurofibromatosis

A case of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in a 27-year-old woman with neurofi-bromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) is presented.
Hybrid Model for Pre-Equilibrium Decay in Nuclear Reactions

Ideas from Griffin's exciton model are combined with those from the nucleon-nucleon scattering approach to nuclear transition times to provide a simple closed-form expression for predicting pre-equilibrium decay phenomena, including variation of pre-equilibrium emission with target mass, excitation energy, and initial particle and hole numbers. Time estimates for pre-equilibrium emission are given at several excitations.
Ubiquitin--more than just a signal for protein degradation.

Abstract Research related to the ubiquitin- and proteasome-dependent protein-degradation pathway is growing exponentially. Top scientists in this field met recently in the green mountains of Vermont. Among the numerous topics discussed at this meeting* were ubiquitin-like proteins, ubiquitin-interacting proteins, non-proteolytic roles of ubiquitin and the regulation and function of proteasomes. (*FASEB Summer Conference: Ubiquitin and Intracellular Protein Degradation; Saxtons River, Vermont, USA; 23–28 June 2001. Organized by George DeMartino and Daniel Finley.)