cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Upper Airway Distensibility and Collapsibility in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The present study was performed to evaluate the distensibility and collapsibility characteristics of regional segments of the UA in patients with OSA and in normal subjects in response to changes in airway pressure. Seventeen male patients with moderately severe OSA and 13 normal subjects underwent CT of the UA in the supine position while awake. Axial views were obtained from the level of the hard palate to the hypopharynx under conditions of—5, 0, and +10 cm H 2 O of CAP. The results indicated that the A min occurred within 20 mm of the hard palate in the retropalatal region of the UA in 16 (94 percent) of the 17 patients and in 12 (92 percent) of the 13 normal subjects. Continuous negative airway pressure of—5 cm H 2 O failed to significantly decrease either A min or A mean in either the patients or normal subjects, suggesting good UA load compensation during wakefulness. Continuous positive airway pressure of 10 cm H 2 O significantly increased A min and A mean to a similar extent in both groups. The A min was significantly smaller by 40 percent, 33 percent, and 37 percent in the patients with OSA, compared to the normal subjects, at –5, 0, and +10 cm H 2 O of CAP, respectively. In contrast, A mean did not differ between the groups. The CT scan criterion of A min less than or greater than 1.0 cm 2 during tidal ventilation at atmospheric pressure correctly categorized patients with OSA and normal subjects with an accuracy of 70 percent. While the behavior of the UA in response to nasal CPAP and CNAP failed to increase the accuracy of CT scan criteria to a level sufficient for clinical use in the diagnosis of OSA, the results clearly indicate that structural changes in the UA contribute to the development of OSA. (Chest 1990; 98:84-91)
The increasing value of education to health

This paper assesses how the relationship between health and educational attainment has changed over the last three decades. We examine trends in disease prevalence and self-reported health using the US National Health Interview Survey for five chronic conditions-arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and lung diseases. The sample is limited to non-Hispanic Whites ages 40-64 to focus on the value of education and not changing representation of minority populations. We find that health benefits associated with additional schooling rose over time by more than ten percentage points as measured by self-reported health status. This can be attributed to both a growing disparity by education in the probability of having major chronic diseases during middle age, and better health outcomes for those with each disease. The value of education in achieving better health has increased over the last 25 years; both in protecting against onset of disease and promoting better health outcomes amongst those with a disease. Besides better access to health insurance, the more educated increasingly adapted better health behaviors, particularly not smoking and engaging in vigorous exercise, and reaped the benefits of improving medical technology. Rising health disparities by education are an important social concern which may require targeted interventions.
AUGMENTATION OF CASTRATE URINARY GONADOTROPIN BY A NON-SPECIFIC URINARY COMPONENT1

AUGMENTATION of the ovary stimulating effect of anterior pituitary gland extracts by the addition of non-specific substances has been frequently noted. Among the substances found to have such an effect are tannic acid (Fevold, Hisaw, Hellbaum and Hertz, 1933), zinc sulphate (Maxwell, 1934; Saunders and Cole, 1936), the formed elements of cattle blood (Casida, 1936), casein and egg albumin (Saunders and Cole, 1936), and extracts of milk, egg, liver, thyroid, and lemon (Hellbaum, 1936). On the other hand, no such effect of non-specific substances on the gonadotropic extract from castrate urine has been demonstrable. The results reported below may explain this fact. In the course of experiments with the gonadotropic substance excreted by ovariectomized women, the untreated urine was thoroughly dialyzed against water, using a cellophane “suasage casing” membrane. Assays of the urine before and after dialysis showed a considerable loss of potency to have occurred during this process.
Thermal conductivity of selected liquid foods at elevated pressures up to 700 MPa

Abstract Thermal conductivity ( k ) of selected liquid foods during high- pressure processing (HPP) was studied using a line heat source probe. The probe was calibrated using distilled water and probe specific calibration factors were developed by comparing experimental data against published data from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for water. k of commercially available apple juice, canola oil, clarified butter, honey and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) were then determined using a custom made high pressure experimental setup for various pressures (0.1, 100, 300, 500 and 700 MPa) at 25 °C. Results indicated that material k increased linearly with increasing pressures up to 700 MPa. Water and water-like substances (apple juice) were found to have the highest k values (up to 0.82 W/m °C at 700 MPa), while fatty foods such as canola oil and clarified butter had the lowest (0.29–0.4 W/m °C, respectively at 700 MPa) values. Honey and HFCS had intermediate values. The combined uncertainty (including Type A and Type B) in the measurement of k values of various liquid foods ranged from 0.6% (canola oil) to 3.8% (HFCS).
Recent FOCUS results on charm mixing and CP violation

We summarize recent results on CP violation and mixing based on a high statistics photo-produced charm sample collected by the FOCUS experiment. We compare the lifetimes of two neutral D meson decays: D0 → K−π+ and D0 → K−K+. A mixing parameter for the neutral D system (yCP) is obtained under the assumption that K−π+ is an equal mixture of CP odd and even eigenstates. In addition, we searched for a CP width asymmetry in D+ → K−K+π+, D0 → K−K+ and D0 → π−π+. We found no evidence for CP violation by comparing the decay rates for the particle and antiparticle.
Interleukin 1 alpha stimulates hemopoiesis but not tumor cell proliferation and protects mice from lethal total body irradiation

Abstract Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1) is a polypeptide/glycoprotein growth factor with multiple functions including the modulation of hematopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation. In vivo studies were performedwith C57BL/6J mice injected with 0, 0.2, or 2.0 μg of IL-1 24 hr before or after lethal total body irradiation (TBI) (9.5 Gy). More mice in the groups administered IL-1 before TBI survived (90% of the 2.0 μg group) than those treated 2 or 24 hr after TBI, which was still slightly superior to the uninjected group, which all died within 15 days ( p = .0001). Proliferation of bone marrow granulocyte/macrophage colonies following split dose TBI was also greatest for mouse groups treated with IL-1 prior to TBI. These experiments support data from other investigators that IL-1 stimulation of BM is related to IL-I timing with respect to TBI. Stimulation of hemopoiesis was also assessed in terms of changes in peripheral blood and BM cell numbers and cell cycle kinetics using an electronic particle counter and flow cytometric techniques. Mice injected with 2 μg of IL-1 showed an initial decline (at 3–6 hr) and then a selective proliferation (24–48 hr) of early and more committed progenitor cells to 125% and 200° of control values, respectively. Peripheral blood counts rose accordingly. Cells in S and G2/M phases increased over 10 hr and then declined in number. It thus appeared that some synchronization of cell cycling occurred, which might place cells in a more radioresistant phase of the cell cycle. The glutathione (GSH) content and synthesis in BM cells were measured by isocratic paired-ion high performance liquid chromatography and 35 S-labelled cysteine incorporation into the GSH tripeptide. An increase in cellular GSH content and synthesis was demonstrated following IL-1 which lasted 24 hr, suggesting a possible mechanism for the radioprotection by IL-1. To determine the potential for achieving a favorable therapeutic ratio, KHT tumor-bearing mice were injected with 2.0 μg IL-1. No change in tumor diameters or weights or tumor cell clonogenicity between IL-1 treated or untreated animals was observed. These experiments strongly support a role for IL-1 in stimulating bone marrow to overcome the myelosuppressive effects of irradiation.
A Visual Framework for Securing Impromptu Collaboration in Pervasive Computing

Impromptu collaboration, often characterized as being opportunistic, spontaneous, proximity-based, and transient, is fast becoming a common way of interactions in mobile and pervasive computing. Though continued research efforts have been made to secure this type of collaboration, the increasing computational and storage capabilities of mobile devices pose a new security challenge of access control for sharing a variety of their resources. In this paper we present a visual framework for securing impromptu collaboration in a pervasive computing environment. The framework incorporates a method of demonstrative identification of mobile devices, key-based capability list, and 2-dimensional visual barcode technology to support a convenient access control service in mobile and pervasive computing. Impromptu collaboration, often characterized as being opportunistic, spontaneous, proximity-based, and transient, is fast becoming a common way of interactions in mobile and pervasive computing. Though continued research efforts have been made to secure this type of collaboration, the increasing computational and storage capabilities of mobile devices pose a new security challenge of access control for sharing a variety of their resources. In this paper we present a visual framework for securing impromptu collaboration in a pervasive computing environment. The framework incorporates a method of demonstrative identification of mobile devices, key-based capability list, and 2-dimensional visual barcode technology to support a convenient access control service in mobile and pervasive computing.
Preliminary studies of nematocysts from the jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris

Abstract Nematocysts from the jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris were found to be of the type—heterotrichous microbasic euryteles. The nematocysts were not ruptured by various physical or chemical means, but were disrupted by homogenization in a Braun homogenizing mill. The toxin(s) which contained 11·2 per cent protein and 7·25 per cent nitrogen, had an LD50 in mice of 0·85 μg N2/g mouse when injected intravenously. The toxin(s) were heat labile and rapidly destroyed when incubated with trypsin, indicating that they were protein.
The influence of surface emissivity on conduction, convection, and radiation in a nonisothermal hydrogen plasma

Abstract The object of the present work is to study the influence of the surface emissivity on combined conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer in a nonisothermal hydrogen plasma. The problem of fully developed laminar flow and heat transfer between gray parallel boundaries with a constant wall heat flux is considered. The assumptions of linearized radiation and local thermodynamic equilibrium are made. The results are presented in terms of a dimensionless bulk temperature. Both the optically thin and optically thick solutions are independent of the surface emissivity. This is in contrast to work done within infrared radiation where the optically thick solution depends upon the surface emissivity. The results show that the surface emissivity does not have a large influence on the dimensionless bulk temperature.
Aquatic Insect Abundance in a Regulated Stream under Fluctuating and Stable Diel Flow Patterns

Abstract Aquatic insect abundance at water depths of 15-45 cm was examined in a fifth-order reach of the Skagit River, Washington from May to November in 1976 and 1977. The study site was subject to diel flow fluctuation in 1976 from hydroelectric power-peaking, and to a relatively stable flow pattern in 1977 while peaking was curtailed. Under fluctuating flow conditions, insect density increased from shallow to deep water and was negatively correlated (r = -0.76, P < 0.001) with hours of dewatering during the 2 weeks prior to sampling. Current fluctuation appeared to limit insect density at the 45-cm deep sampling locations that were not extensively dewatered during the daily peaking cycle. The highest density observed in 1976 was 1,788 insects/m 2 at 25 cm in July. Under stable flow conditions, the abundance of benthic insects was greatly enhanced and the densities at corresponding depths and months were 1.8-59 times higher in 1977 than in 1976. Insect densities increased steadily from May 1977 through ...
Well-graded spaces of valued sets

Well-graded spaces of valued sets and relations are introduced and their properties are investigated. In particular, it is shown that the space of valued partial orders on a finite set is well-graded. This is a generalization of a well-known result of Bogart (J. Math. Soc. 3 (1973) 49). Motivation for these studies comes from media theory (Falmagne, J. Math. Psych. 41 (2) (1997) 129; Discrete Appl. Math., submitted) where well-graded families of usual sets play an important role.
Volatile oil constituents of sagebrush

Abstract The volatile oil of Artemisia arbuscula arbuscula contained a new irregular monoterpene, 2,5-dimethyl-4-vinyl-1,5-hexadiene-3-ol (isolyratol), which was isolated and identified by spectral means. The optically pure furanoid (2S,5S)-trans-5-methyl-5-vinyltetrahydrofur-2-yl methyl ketone (arbusculone), was also characterized by transformation to known (2S,5S)-trans-linalyl oxide. The former component has never been isolated from natural sources prior to this study. The neutral pentane extract also contained several previously characterized non-head-to-tail monoterpenes including artemiseole, artemisia ketone, artemisyl acetate, methyl santolinate, and santolina triene, as well as the regular monoterpenes 1,8-cineole, camphor, p-cymene, camphene and the C6 fragment, terelactone.
Chemical synthesis and biological activity of analogues of the lantibiotic epilancin 15X.

Lantibiotics are a large family of antibacterial peptide natural products containing multiple post-translational modifications, including the thioether structures lanthionine and methyllanthionine. Efforts to probe structure–activity relationships and engineer improved pharmacological properties have driven the development of new methods to produce non-natural analogues of these compounds. In this study, solid-supported chemical synthesis was used to produce analogues of the potent lantibiotic epilancin 15X, in order to assess the importance of several N-terminal post-translational modifications for biological activity. Surprisingly, substitution of these moieties, including the unusual N-terminal d-lactyl moiety, resulted in relatively small changes in the antimicrobial activity and pore-forming ability of the peptides.
Transformations and Transport of NH4+‐N in a Flooded Soil

Umbildung und Transport von NH4-N in einem uberfluteten Boden Transport und Transformation von gedungtem NH4+N wurden in einer uberfluteten Bodensaule untersucht, um Aussagen uber die Beeinflussung der Wasserqualitat durch die Stickstoffdungung bei Reisboden machen zu konnen. Am ersten Tag nach der Dungerausbringung erreichte der NH4+- Gehalt im Uberflutungswasser und in 1,2 cm Bodentiefe (oxidierter Bodenhorizont) Hochstwerte, die mit zunehmender Versuchsdauer bis auf < 1 ppm nach 10 bzw. 16 Tagen abnahmen. In groserer Bodentiefe konnten keine Veranderungen in der NH4+-Konzentration der Bodenlosung festgestellt werden. Die Gehalte lagen immer unter 1 ppm. Im Uberflutungswasser und in der Bodenlosung des oxidierten Oberflachenhorizontes fuhrten Nitrifikationsvorgange zu Veranderungen der NH4+-Gehalte. Hochstgehalte an NO2− und NO3− traten etwa 7 bzw. 10 Tage nach der NH4+-Ausbringung auf. In groserer Bodentiefe konnten Veranderungen in der NO2− und NO3−-Losungskonzentration wahrend der Versuchszeit nicht festgestellt werden. Aus den Gehalten an gesamten anorganischem Stickstoff in der Losungsphase folgt, das erhohte N-Konzentrationen nur im Uberflutungswasser und in einer Bodentiefe von 1,2cm auftreten. Die beobachtete Abnahme der N-Gehalte im Verlauf einer 4-wochigen Untersuchungsperiode werden auf Denitrifikations-, Immobilisierungs- und Fixierungsvorgange zuruckgefuhrt.
Selection of Reference Genes for Gene Expression Analysis in Nilaparvata lugens with Different Levels of Virulence on Rice by Quantitative Real-Time PCR

Abstract The brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stal (Homoptera: Delphacidae) can cause hopperburn by feeding on rice and also can transmit the grassy stunt disease. Resistant rice varieties have been developed, but several N. lugens strains can recover their virulence to these resistant rice varieties. In the present study, reference genes with stable expression levels in N. lugens populations showed different levels of virulence to susceptible and resistant rice varieties. The expression of six candidate reference genes in N. lugens feeding on susceptible and resistant rice varieties was analyzed. These genes were evaluated for their potential use in the analysis of differential gene expression. Polymerase chain reaction data was generated from N. lugens , including two different treatments (resistant or susceptible rice) and three virulent N. lugens populations. Three software programs (BestKeeper, Normfinder and geNorm) were used to assess the candidate reference genes. Both geNorm and Normfinder identified the genes 18S, β-ACT, β-TUB and α-TUB as the most stable reference genes. BestKeeper identified ETIF1 as the optimal reference gene with the least overall variation, whereas 18S and α-TUB were the second and third most stably expressed genes, respectively. Therefore, we concluded that the genes 18S and α-TUB were the most suitable reference genes in N. lugens . These results will facilitate future transcript profiling studies on N. lugens populations that show variation in virulence levels on different rice varieties.
Database as a tool in production simulation

Abstract This paper describes the integration of a database system with a simulation model and highlights the related advantages. The simulation model was developed to study the production and procurement scheduling problems faced by a particular manufacturing industry. The computational part of the model was programmed in Fortran while a database was developed to manage the large volume of data needed to support the simulation model. The query language component of the database was also found to be very useful in analyzing the simulation results.
Selective drug inhibition of rho kinase II (ROCK2) reduces beta-amyloid production in the brain

worse than apoE4-TR mice. Ab12-28P treatment of APP SW/PS1 dE9/ apoE4-TR mice normalized OR behavior and improved RAM performance to the level of apoE4-TR mice. Levels of soluble and insoluble Ab x-40 and Ab x-42 measured by ELISA in the whole brain extract and the burden of Thioflavin-S positive plaques were significantly higher in APP SW/PS1 dE9/apoE4-TR than in APP SW/PS1 dE9/apoE2-TR mice. Ab12-28P treatment was associated with significant reduction in soluble and insoluble Ab x-40 and Ab x-42 levels and lower Thioflavin-S plaque burden in the neocortex and in the hippocampus in both APP SW/PS1 dE9/apoE2-TR and APP SW/PS1 dE9/apoE4-TR lines. Conclusions: Our results indicate that future therapies targeting the apoE/Ab interaction could produce favorable outcome in both APOE2 and APOE4 carriers.
Hot and Cold Water Infusion Aroma Profiles of Hibiscus sabdariffa: Fresh Compared with Dried

: Calyxes from the Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were used to prepare cold (22 °C for 4 h) and hot (98 °C for 16 min) infusions/teas from both fresh and dried forms. Aroma volatiles were extracted using static headspace SPME and analyzed using GC-MS and GC-O with 2 different columns (DB-5 and DB-Wax). Totals of 28, 25, 17, and 16 volatiles were identified using GC-MS in the dried hot extract (DHE), dried cold extract (DCE), fresh hot extract (FHE), and fresh cold extract (FCE) samples, respectively. In terms of total GC-MS peak areas DHE ≫ DCE > FHE ≫ FCE. Nonanal, decanal, octanal, and 1-octen-3-ol were among the major volatiles in all 4 beverage types. Thirteen volatiles were common to all 4 teas. Furfural and 5-methyl furfural were detected only in dried hibiscus beverages whereas linalool and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol were detected only in beverages from fresh hibiscus. In terms of aroma active volatiles, 17, 16, 13, and 10 aroma active volatiles were detected for DHE, DCE, FHE, and FCE samples, respectively. The most intense aroma volatiles were 1-octen-3-one and nonanal with a group of 4 aldehydes and 3 ketones common to all samples. Dried samples contained dramatically higher levels of lipid oxidation products such as hexanal, nonanal, and decanal. In fresh hibiscus extracts, linalool (floral, citrus) and octanal (lemon, citrus) were among the highest intensity aroma compounds but linalool was not detected in any of the dried hibiscus extracts. Practical Application: Hibiscus teas/infusions are one of the highest volume specialty botanical products in international commerce. The beverage is consumed for both sensory pleasure and health attributes and is prepared a number of ways throughout the world. Although color and taste attributes have been examined, little information is known about its aroma volatiles and no other study has compared extractions from both fresh and dried as well as extraction temperature differences. This is also, apparently, the first study to identify the aroma active volatiles in hibiscus beverages using GC-olfactometry. Manufacturers and consumers will now have a better understanding of why hibiscus teas prepared in different ways from either fresh or dried forms have a different flavor quality and intensity.
Breastfeeding, Rhetoric, and the Politics of Feminism

This article provides an argument for approaching the breast-bottle controversy within feminism from a rhetorical perspective, which focuses attention on how the controversy has been framed in relation to the value of medical evidence. Using the concept of rhetorical situation, the analysis demonstrates that feminists who devalue medical evidence of the health benefits of breastfeeding tend to see a breastfeeding-friendly culture, while those who see evidence for the health benefits of breastfeeding tend to see a culture friendlier to bottle-feeding. The consequences of these divergent views are significant, as the two groups differ significantly concerning whether culture or biology are changeable elements of the current circumstance that disadvantages mothers. The rhetorical perspective encourages feminists to find common ground by understanding how the staging of evidence and argument contributes to theoretical stalemates that impede all women from benefiting from political reframing of the breast-bott...
Flavanone glycosides from Miconia trailii.

Assay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract of the twigs and leaves of Miconia trailii yielded two new flavanone glycosides, matteucinol 7-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (miconioside A, 1) and farrerol 7-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (miconioside B, 2), along with the known compounds matteucinol 7-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3), matteucinol (4), 2α,3β,19α-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-24,28-dioic acid (bartogenic acid, 5), 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid (arjunolic acid, 6), 2α,3α,19α, 23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (myrianthic acid, 7), and stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione (8). The structures of 1−8 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR.
Evaluating the Use of Dexmedetomidine in Neurocritical Care Patients

Introduction Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2-adrenoreceptor agonist that produces dose-dependent sedation, anxiolysis, and analgesia without respiratory depression. Dexmedetomidine has been used in critically ill medical, surgical, and pediatric patients, as an adjunct to sedation and/or for treating drug or alcohol withdrawal. Information regarding the dosing and utilization of dexmedetomidine has been derived primarily from studies in critically ill patients in the medical intensive care unit. There has been no study designed specifically to evaluate dexmedetomidine for these therapeutic uses in the neurocritical care population. The primary and secondary objectives were to evaluate the starting dose of dexmedetomidine for neurocritical care patients and to assess the effect on hemodynamic parameters, respectively.
Synthesis and characterization of neutral oxotechnetium(V) bisaminoethanethiol complexes : potential brain imaging agents

Abstract Neutral and lipophilic technetium complexes, 99TcO(BAT-TE), 99TcO(BP-BAT- TM) and 99TcO(BP-BAT-TE), where the ligands are ethane -1,2-bis(N-1-amino-3-ethyl- butyl-3-thiol), biphenyl-2,2′-bis(N-1-amino-2-methylpropane-2-thiol) and biphenyl-2,2′- bis(bis(N-1-amino-3- ethylbutyl-3-thiol)), respectively, have been prepared by direct reduction of TcO4− with stannous tartrate in the presence of the ligand. The first complex, TcO(BAT-TE), crystallizes from ether in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 12.453(2), b = 11.747(1), c = 12.645(2) A, β = 99.66(0)°, Z = 4, R = 0.030 and Rw = 0.039. The second complex, TcO(BP-BAT-TE), crystallizes from hexane/ether (70/30) in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 10.397(1), b = 17.039(2), c = 14.446(1) A, β = 110.09(1)°, Z = 4, R = 0.030 and Rw = 0.042. X-ray crystallography data show that the metal ions in TcO(BAT-TE) and TcO(BP-BAT-TE) are in a distorted square pyramidal coordination environment with the oxygen at an apical position. The biphenyl diamine backbone of TcO(BP-BAT-TE) forms a seven-membered chelate ring with the proton of the amine nitrogen anti relative to the -yl oxygen; on the contrary, the amine proton in the TcO(BAT-TE) complex is syn relative to the oxygen. These structures appear to be maintained in solution as observed from proton NMR studies. The effect of lipophilicity on brain uptake is illustrated in the context of these molecules.
CP-Violation and axions in an effective technicolor model☆

Abstract CP violation is studied in an SO(10)5 effective technicolor model. One can generate a KM mixing matrix with a non-zero value for δ. The model has 5 chiral symmetries and hence 5 axions, of which 3 are invisible and 2 are heavy. Breaking these symmetries and minimizing the vacuum energy density fixes θ to bezero. This solves the strong CP problem.
Rectal Bleeding in Childhood

The passing of blood through the rectum is not an uncommon event in the pediatric age group. The most likely etiology varies to a large degree depending upon the age of the patient. Fortunately, the risk of malignancy in children with lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding is considerably less than that of adults, and the degree of the invasive diagnostic work-up can often be far less extensive than that used in an adult with a similar clinical presentation. Bleeding anywhere throughout the GI tract will cause blood to be present in the stools. Melena refers to the passage through the rectum of black tarry stools and usually denotes bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract or small bowel. The tarry stools may be intermingled with maroon or red blood. Hematochezia is a passage of bright red blood through the rectum and usually indicates a source of bleeding low in the GI tract, often in the colon. However, inasmuch as blood exerts a strong Cathartic action, massive upper GI tract hemorrhage may occasionally present as bright red blood passed through the rectum. In most instances a negative gastric aspirate for blood will assure that the bleeding is distal to the ligament of Treitz Many substances ingested by children may simulate fresh or chemically changed blood.
Localization of the muscular process for arytenoid adduction surgery.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Arytenoid adduction (AA) surgery can be technically challenging, potentially limiting its utilization in general practice. Because AA often serves as an adjunct to thyroplasty type I (TTI) in the management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis, this study sought to define the anatomic position of the muscular process (MP) of the arytenoid cartilage in relation to the TTI window and other key thyroid cartilage landmarks, thereby facilitating a more efficient surgical approach. Study Design: Cadaveric anatomic dissections. Methods: Arytenoid MPs were identified bilaterally in eight cadavers for a total of 16 hemilarynges. The location of the MP was measured relative to the anteroinferior corner of the traditional TTI window and also relative to the roots of the superior and inferior cornua for comparison with other studies. Results: The muscular processes were located along an axial line extending posteriorly from the inferior border of the TTI window and parallel to the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage. In males, the mean distance to the MP was 26.9 mm from the anteroinferior corner of the window, whereas in females the mean distance was 18.9 mm. In all cases, the MP was inferior to the midpoint between the roots of the superior and inferior cornua (mean inferior offset = 2.7 mm). Conclusions: The TTI window can be used intraoperatively to help locate the arytenoid muscular process during arytenoid adduction surgery. Laryngoscope, 2009
The effects of right-hemisphere brain damage on patients' use of terms of personal reference

Successful communication depends on social as well as linguistic factors. In conversation, for example, a speaker must often refer to another person. Choosing an appropriate term of personal reference requires a speaker to consider several features of the discourse context, including properties of the persons being referred to and what knowledge is shared between the speaker and his or her addressee. In a pair of similar studies, we examined how right-hemisphere brain-damaged (RHD) patients and nonbrain-damaged control subjects use these different kinds of information in choosing formal (e.g., "Mr. Harding") versus informal ("Oliver") terms of reference for an absent third person. Stimulus vignettes manipulated three variables: the occupational status of the referent, the speaker's familiarity with the referent (i.e., the degree to which the speaker and referent were personally acquainted), and the addressee's familiarity (i.e., the degree to which the addressee and referent were personally acquainted). Relative to the control subjects, the RHD patients showed decreased use of both familiarity variables when choosing formal over informal labels, but apparently preserved sensitivity to the status variable. These results suggest how decreased use of the knowledge shared between a speaker and addressee disrupts RHD patients' discourse and thus contributes to these patients' aberrant interpersonal behavior. In addition. In addition, the results from the second study demonstrated an asymmetry in how female versus male subjects responded to the status manipulation.
t-Butoxymethyllithium: Direct preparation from t-butyl methyl ether and applications as a hydroxymethyl anion equivalent

Abstract t-Butyl methyl ether can be metallated directly to afford a reactive and synthetically useful hydroxymethyl anion equivalent.
Error bounds for a fictitious domain method with Lagrange multiplier treatment on the boundary for a Dirichlet problem

In this article we obtain discrete inf-sup conditions and error bounds for a fictitious domain with Lagrange multiplier treatment for the boundary condition on the curved boundary to an elliptic Dirichlet problem with conforming finite elements of degree one on a uniform mesh.
X-ray nanotomography of SiO2-coated Pt90Ir10 tips with sub-micron conducting apex

Hard x-ray nanotomography provides an important three-dimensional view of insulator-coated “smart tips” that can be utilized for modern emerging scanning probe techniques. Tips, entirely coated by an insulating SiO2 film except at the very tip apex, are fabricated by means of electron beam physical vapor deposition, focused ion beam milling and ion beam-stimulated oxide growth. Although x-ray tomography studies confirm the structural integrity of the oxide film, transport measurements suggest the presence of defect-induced states in the SiO2 film. The development of insulator-coated tips can facilitate nanoscale analysis with electronic, chemical, and magnetic contrast by synchrotron-based scanning probe microscopy.
A world awash with wireless devices: Radio-frequency exposure issues

Within the past decade, a quiet revolution has occurred in consumer electronics, with a massive shift toward wireless connectivity in household devices. While these open up new possibilities for consumers, the possible harms associated with wireless and Internet technologies-for example, privacy and security issues-have prompted widespread concern among consumers and experts alike. Also, in the public arena, there has been widespread concern about possible health effects of exposure to radio-frequency (RF) energy emitted by wireless-enabled devices, in particular around use of Wi-Fi in schools and wireless-enabled electric utility meters, known as “smartmeters,” in residences. While the RF exposures from such devices are far below U.S. and international safety limits, some aspects of the exposures (their involuntary nature or perhaps the novelty of the technologies) have been particularly troubling to the public. Consequently, political leaders have called for studies on possible health effects of wireless technology.
Andreev reflection in the fractional quantum Hall effect

We study the reflection of electrons and quasiparticles on point-contact interfaces between fractional quantum Hall (FQH) states and normal metals (leads), as well as interfaces between two FQH states with mismatched filling fractions. We classify the processes taking place at the interface in the strong-coupling limit. In this regime a set of quasiparticles can decay into quasiholes on the FQH side and charge excitations on the other side of the junction. This process is analogous to an Andreev reflection in normal-metal/superconductor $(N\ensuremath{-}S)$ interfaces.
The Use of Counterflow Centrifugation to Enrich Gonadotropes and Somatotropes

Counterflow centrifugation produces populations of gonadotropes or growth hormone (GH) cells enriched to 90% in a Beckman elutriator. The pituitary populations are first separated by size into thre...
Reinstitution of methotrexate despite history of erythema multiforme and angioedema

Abstract We present a seven year old female with polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed at seventeen months of age. Her serology was anti-nuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor negative. Her disease was initially limited to right knee swelling with intermittent fevers and rash but progressed to involve bilateral fingers and wrists despite non-steroidals and steroids. One month after diagnosis weekly oral methotrexate was started with a good response. Three months later her mother reported lip swelling and a generalized rash after the methotrexate. In fact, the mother reported skin reactions to the last three doses. The first two were a limited rash occurring hours after her dose of methotrexate. These rashes resolved with diphenhydramine over several days. The third reaction involved swelling of the lip and a generalized rash for which she received epinephrine in the local emergency department. On our exam, the rash was consistent with erythema multiforme. The methotrexate was discontinued without further reactions. Over the next four years different medical regimens were used. However, control of her disease was inadequate with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and poor growth. After careful discussion with the mother we decided to retry methotrexate. In February 2003, she had a negative prick skin test to methotrexate (2.5mg/cc and 25 mg/cc) and an oral dose was given in the office without adverse event. She continues on weekly oral methotrexate with excellent disease control. Despite history of erythema multiforme and angioedema, the reintroduction of methotrexate appears to be well tolerated in this child four years after the reaction.
Species variation and the success of endothelial cell seeding

Abstract In vivo seeding of vascular grafts in dogs has resulted in the formation of a confluent luminal monolayer and increased patency. Results of similar trials in humans have been mixed. Interspecies variation of the harvest, attachment, and growth of vascular endothelium might explain these apparent differences. Endothelial cells were harvested by standard enzymatic techniques from bovine aorta ( n = 7), canine external jugular vein ( n = 9), and human saphenous vein ( n = 8). Growth curves were generated by means of a replicate microwell technique and then compared with the following observations: Harvest of endothelium from human saphenous vein provides a lower yield of viable endothelial cells. When compared to bovine or canine cells, the lag phase of the growth curve of human cells is prolonged and the doubling time in the growth phase is increased. These results suggest that in humans there are fewer available cells, and conditions for endothelial cell growth may be more stringent than for other species. It may be necessary, to develop alternative methods of seeding before success in humans can be achieved. (J Vasc Surg 1989;9:271–6.)
A reappraisal of the extent of world hunger.

Abstract The variation between different estimates of the magnitude of the world food problem are enormous. The author questions the basis of the major surveys of FAO, the World Bank and USDA, and suggests that they have grossly overestimated the extent of worid hunger. By analysing the connection between population, food and economic participation, a more realistic view is obtained, suggesting a return to targeted assistance programmes for the improvement of maternal and child health.
Relation Between Ligament of Marshall and Adrenergic Atrial Tachyarrhythmia

Background—The mechanism of the adrenergic atrial tachyarrhythmia is unclear. We hypothesize that the ligament of Marshall (LOM) is sensitive to adrenergic stimulation and may serve as a source of the adrenergic atrial tachyarrhythmia. Methods and Results—We performed computerized mapping studies in isolated-perfused canine left atrial tissues from normal dogs (n=9) and from dogs with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) induced by 10 to 41 weeks of rapid pacing (n=3). Before isoproterenol, spontaneous activity occurred in only one normal tissue (cycle length, CL >1300 ms). During isoproterenol infusion, automatic rhythm was induced in both normal tissues (CL=578±172 ms) and AF tissues (CL=255±29 ms, P<0.05). The origin of spontaneous activity was mapped to the LOM. In the AF tissues, but not the normal tissues, we observed the transition from rapid automatic activity to multiple wavelet AF. Ablation of the LOM terminated the spontaneous activity and prevented AF. Immunocytochemical studies of the LOM reveale...
The patrimonial structure of Iranian bureaucracy in the late nineteenth century

(1978). The patrimonial structure of Iranian bureaucracy in the late nineteenth century. Iranian Studies: Vol. 11, No. 1-4, pp. 199-258.
Community-level gender equity and extramarital sexual risk-taking among married men in eight African countries.

CONTEXT: In many parts of Africa women are most likely to become infected with HIV by having unprotected sex with their husbands who may have acquired the virus through extramarital sex. However the ways in which aspects of community environments-particularly those related to gender equity-shape mens extramarital sexual risk-taking are not well understood. METHODS: Demographic and Health Survey data from eight African countries (Chad Ghana Malawi Nigeria Tanzania Uganda Zambia and Zimbabwe) were used to examine associations between married mens engaging in risky extramarital sex (i.e. having had both unprotected sex and extramarital sex) and indicators of gender equity and other community characteristics. Separate multilevel logistic regression models that incorporated individual household and community measures were created for each country. RESULTS: In five countries men who lived in communities with more equal ratios of women to men with at least a primary education were less likely to report risky extramarital sexual activity (odds ratios 0.4-0.6). A similar relationship was found in four countries for the ratio of women to men who were employed (0.4-0.5). In three countries men who lived in communities with more conservative attitudes toward wife-beating or male decision making had elevated odds of extramarital sexual risk-taking (1.1-1.5). CONCLUSIONS: While HIV prevention programs should focus on reducing gender inequities they also need to recognize the conservative cultural factors that influence the formation of mens masculine identities and in turn affect their sexual behavior.
iJACC in the Evolving World of Integrated Imaging: A Spectator, a Follower, or a Trail Blazer

Alice came to a fork in the road. “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.“I don't much care where—” said Alice.“Then it doesn't matter which way you go,” said the Cat.Lewis Carroll, Alice
Automatic and efficient heap data management for limited local memory multicore architectures

Limited Local Memory (LLM) multi-core architectures substitute cache with scratch pad memories (SPM), and therefore have much lower power consumption. As they lack of automatic memory management, programming on such architectures becomes challenging, in the sense that it requires the programmer/compiler to efficiently manage the limited local memory. Managing heap data of the tasks executing in the cores of an LLM multi-core is an important problem. This paper presents a fully automated and efficient scheme for heap data management. Specifically, we propose i) code transformation for automation of heap management, with seamless support for multi-level pointers, and ii) improved data structures to more efficiently manage unlimited heap data. Experimental results on several benchmarks from MiBench demonstrate an average 43% performance improvement over previous approach [1].
Monosialoganglioside GM1 inhibits neurotoxicity after hypothermic circulatory arrest

Abstract Background: Prolonged hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) causes clinical neurologic injury. This injury involves neuronal apoptosis, or programmed cell death. We have previously demonstrated that HCA causes glutamate excitotoxicity, increased nitric oxide (NO) production, and NO-mediated apoptosis. We hypothesized that monosialoganglioside GM 1 inhibits NO synthase. The purpose of this study was to determine whether GM 1 inhibits NO production and neuronal apoptosis after HCA. Methods: Fourteen dogs underwent intracerebral microdialysis to measure excitatory amino acids, glutamate, aspartate, and citrulline, an equal coproduct of NO. They underwent 2 hours of HCA at 18° C and were sacrificed 8 hours after HCA. Group 1 ( n = 6) was pretreated with GM 1 , 30 mg/kg intravenously every day for 3 days, as well as before and after HCA. Group 2 control dogs ( n = 8) received vehicle only. Apoptosis was scored from 0 (normal) to 100 (severe injury). Results: Excitatory amino acids, aspartate and glutamate, coagonist glycine, and citrulline levels increased significantly over baseline during HCA and after HCA. GM 1 pretreatment did not appreciably alter levels of glutamate, aspartate, and glycine; however, it substantially decreased citrulline and therefore NO production throughout the experiment. GM 1 significantly inhibited apoptosis (group 1 vs group 2: 15.56 ± 13.60 vs 62.92 ± 6.17; P Conclusions: Our results provide the first direct evidence that GM 1 inhibits NO synthase to reduce NO production and HCA-induced neuronal apoptosis. GM 1 did not affect excitatory glutamate or aspartate levels. GM 1 has been used in clinical trials of spinal cord injury and may be efficacious in reducing neurologic injury after HCA. (Surgery 1998;124:298-306.)
Hysteresis, barkhausen noise, and disorder induced critical behavior

Hysteresis loops are often observed in experiments in first order phase transformations when the system goes out of equilibrium. They may have a macroscopic jump, roughly as seen in the supercooling of liquids, or they may be smoothly varying, as seen in most magnets. The nonequilibrium zero-temperature random-field Ising-model can be used to model hysteretic behavior in first order phase transformations: as the disorder is decreased, one finds a transition from smooth hysteresis loops to loops with a sharp jump in magnetization (corresponding to an infinite avalanche). In a large region near the transition point the model exhibits power law distributions of noise (avalanches), universal behavior and a diverging length scale. Universal properties of this critical point are reported that were obtained using renormalization group methods and numerical simulations. Connections to experimental systems such as athermal martensitic phase transitions (with and without "bursts") and the Barkhausen effect in magnetic systems are discussed.
Humanism and Empire: Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini, Cicero and the imperial ideal

The paper argues that the De ortu et auctoritate imperii Romani of Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini (1446) has been unjustifiably ignored by historians of quattrocento humanist political thought simply because of its adherence to the ideal of universal imperial government. At present, when De ortu is addressed at all, it is considered merely as an anachronistic product of a ‘medieval’ mentality. It is shown, however, that Aeneas, by working within a demonstrably Ciceronian framework, actually articulates a philosophically coherent defence of a single universal empire by exploiting a conceptual ambiguity in Cicero's own presentation of the foundations of social and political association. Aeneas suggests that Cicero's account of the communal nature of human beings, so far from sanctioning republican civic institutions, actually justifies the imposition of universal empire. A study of Piccolomini's political thought thus points to a greater diversity within the political viewpoints associated with humanism than current scholarship on the subject acknowledges. Moreover, it reveals the level of philosophical sophistication to which renaissance defences of empire could aspire.
Children of Divorce in the 1990s

Abstract Amato and Keith's (1991) comprehensive meta-analysis of well-being differences in children from divorced and intact families found that, when studies were divided by era (1950-1969, 1970-1979, and 1980-1989), the apparent decrements to children of divorce became smaller over time. In an attempt to replicate and extend the Amato and Keith meta-analysis, we conducted a similar one for the 1990s, drawing from 35 published articles. Results showed that across several domains of child well-being (school achievement, conduct, psychological adjustment, self-concept, social adjustment, mother-child relations, and father-child relations), decrements to children of divorce between 1990-1999 were slightly-though consistently-more pronounced than in the previous decade.