cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The treatment of malignant pleural effusions

This report reviews a 5-year experience in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion with particular emphasis on the use of closed-tube thoracostomy drainage with nitrogen mustard instillation. Of the 133 patients treated at the Barnes Hospital for malignant pleural effusion between January 1 1964 and December 31 1968 bilateral effusions were present in 21. Carcinoma of the breast bronchogenic carcinoma and lymphomas were the most frequent tumors causing malignant pleural effusion. All of the patients had histologic confirmation of the primary tumor and cytologies were positive in 67% of the 125 effusions examined. Patients were followed for an average of 61/2 months. Of 66 hemithoraces (60 patients) treated with tube thoracostomy and nitrogen mustard 37% were free of effusion 3 months later and 29% at 6 months after therapy. At 12 months 17% had no recurrent effusions. Most failures occurred during Month 1 after treatment when there was a 35% recurrence of symptoms. At 6 months 53% of patients were asymptomatic at 1 year 39%. Other methods had proved less successful. With thoracentesis alone (94 cases) average recurrence time was 4.2 days and 97% had recurrence of effusion in 1 month after treatment. Radiation therapy was used only after failures of the tube and nitrogen mustard method. The method of chest tube insertion and nitrogen mustard instillation is important. Nausea and pleuritic chest pain are controlled by antiemetics and analgesics. Patients with breast carcinoma seemed to have the best response rates. There were no deaths attributable to the therapy. Thoracostomy alone without nitrogen mustard (7 cases) was less successful as all had recurrence of effusion within 1 month. Other methods used in selected cases proved worthwhile.
Determinants of Nepalese imports

Abstract This study estimates an aggregate import-demand function for Nepal. On the basis of statistical testing, the log-linear form of the import-demand function is more appropriate than the linear one. The aggregate import-demand—both in the short run and in the long run—is inelastic with respect to own price and cross-price. However, the import demand is elastic with respect to real income in the short run as well as in the long run.
Aerobic degradation of dinitrotoluenes and pathway for bacterial degradation of 2,6-dinitrotoluene

An oxidative pathway for the mineralization of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) by Burkholderia sp. strain DNT has been reported previously. We report here the isolation of additional strains with the ability to mineralize 2,4-DNT by the same pathway and the isolation and characterization of bacterial strains that mineralize 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT) by a different pathway. Burkholderia cepacia strain JS850 and Hydrogenophaga palleronii strain JS863 grew on 2,6-DNT as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The initial steps in the pathway for degradation of 2,6-DNT were determined by simultaneous induction, enzyme assays, and identification of metabolites through mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. 2,6-DNT was converted to 3-methyl-4-nitrocatechol by a dioxygenation reaction accompanied by the release of nitrite. 3-Methyl-4-nitrocatechol was the substrate for extradiol ring cleavage yielding 2-hydroxy-5-nitro-6-oxohepta-2,4-dienoic acid, which was converted to 2-hydroxy-5-nitropenta-2,4-dienoic acid. 2,4-DNT-degrading strains also converted 2,6-DNT to 3-methyl-4-nitrocatechol but did not metabolize the 3-methyl-4-nitrocatechol. Although 2,6-DNT prevented the degradation of 2,4-DNT by 2,4-DNT-degrading strains, the effect was not the result of inhibition of 2,4-DNT dioxygenase by 2,6-DNT or of 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol monooxygenase by 3-methyl-4-nitrocatechol.
Left ventricular perforation during ventriculogram using an optitorque tiger catheter.

A 76-year-old woman underwent left heart catheterization and coronary angiography for a non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. A transradial approach with an Optitorque Tiger (Terumo, Somerset, New Jersey) catheter was used. Angiography was significant for only moderate nonobstructive
Indicators for social and economic coping capacity—moving toward a working definition of adaptive capacity

Abstract This paper offers a practically motivated method for evaluating systems’ abilities to handle external stress. The method is designed to assess the potential contributions of various adaptation options to improving systems’ coping capacities by focusing attention directly on the underlying determinants of adaptive capacity. The method should be sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse applications whose contexts are location specific and path dependent without imposing the straightjacket constraints of a “one size fits all” cookbook approach. Nonetheless, the method should produce unitless indicators that can be employed to judge the relative vulnerabilities of diverse systems to multiple stresses and to their potential interactions. An artificial application is employed to describe the development of the method and to illustrate how it might be applied. Some empirical evidence is offered to underscore the significance of the determinants of adaptive capacity in determining vulnerability; these are the determinants upon which the method is constructed. The method is, finally, applied directly to expert judgments of six different adaptations that could reduce vulnerability in the Netherlands to increased flooding along the Rhine River.
The use of low energy alkali ion scattering as a probe of surface structure

Abstract An overview is given of the use of low energy ion scattering as a probe of surface structure with emphasis on work done using alkali ions. Various schemes for extracting structural information from the ion energy and angle distributions are discussed in terms of advantages and disadvantages of each. The scattering potential, which is the primary nonstructural parameter needed for analysis, is discussed in terms of recent experimental results. The structures of clean and reconstructed surfaces are discussed, with examples of measurements of layer relaxations on the Mo (111) surface and missing row reconstructions on the Au (110) and Pt (110) surfaces. Studies of adsorbate covered surfaces are presented with respect to location of the adsorbate and its effect on the structure of the underlying substrate. Finally, examples are given which demonstrate the sensitivity of ion scattering to surface defects and disordering on reconstructed Au (110) and Pt (110) surfaces and unreconstructed Mo (111) surfaces, and to ordering of adsorbates on Mo (001).
The fellowship of suffering: Reading Philippians with Stanley Hauerwas:

Philippians presents us with a powerful vision of both the way in which suffering encourages churches, and how churches are called to minister to the suffering. Stanley Hauerwas’ work on the nature of suffering is instructive here, fleshing out some of the ecclesial contours of Philippians.
Parametric Study of a Simplified Ice Storage Model Operating Under Conventional and Optimal Control Strategies

A simplified ice storage system model was developed in which the icemaking mode is reflected by a higher power consumption per unit cooling than in chilled-water mode. The performance of four control strategies for ice storage systems is evaluated. The four control strategies investigated are chiller-priority and constant-proportion as conventional, instantaneous controls, while storage-priority and optimal control represent sophisticated controls employing load forecasting. Six parameters were investigated with respect to their influence on the ice storage system performance: Storage losses, utility rate structures, rate periods, penalty for icemaking, storage capacity, and the impact of load forecasting. Optimal control was determined to provide maximal operating cost savings. The storage-priority control yields operating costs only slightly higher than those of optimal control. Chiller-priority control realized savings that were typically on the order of 50% of what is theoretically possible (optimal control). Constant-proportion control proved to be a simple control strategy yielding higher savings than chiller-priority, yet lower than storage-priority control.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Association Between Hematological Indices and Coronary Calcification in Symptomatic Patients without History of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) has long been shown to involve chronic low-grade subclinical inflammation. However, whether there is association between hematological indices assessed by complete blood count (CBC) and coronary atherosclerotic burden has not been well studied. Materials and Methods: Consecutive 868 patients without known CAD who presented with acute chest pain to emergency department and underwent coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring evaluation by multi-detector cardiac computed tomography were included in our study. Clinical characteristics and CBC indices were compared among different CAC groups. Results: The cohort comprised 60% male with a mean age of 61 (SD = 14) years. Median Framingham risk of CAD was 4% (range 1-16%). Median CAC score was 0 (IQR 0-43). Higher CAC groups had significantly higher Framingham risk of CAD than lower CAC groups (P < 0.001). Among different CAC categories, there was no statistically significant difference in hemoglobin level (p 0.45), mean corpuscular volume (p 0.43), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p 0.28), mean corpuscular hemoglobin volume (p 0.36), red cell distribution width (0.42), total white blood cell counts (p 0.291), neutrophil counts (p 0.352), lymphocyte counts (p 0.92), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (p 0.68), monocyte count (p 0.48), and platelet counts (p 0.25). Conclusion: Our study did not detect significant association between hematological indices assessed with CBC and coronary calcification in symptomatic patients without known CAD.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation for Joint Preservation in Patients with Early Osteoarthritis

Young patients with early osteoarthritis wishing to remain functionally active have limited treatment options. Existing studies examining the use of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) have included patients with early degenerative changes; however, none specifically investigated the outcome of ACI with this challenging problem. We prospectively followed 153 patients (155 knees) for up to 11 years after treatment with ACI for early-stage osteoarthritis. Patient pain and function was assessed using WOMAC, modified Cincinnati, SF-36, Knee Society score, and a satisfaction questionnaire. Mean patient age was 38.3 years. On average, 2.1 defects were treated per knee; the mean defect size was 4.9 cm2 and total area per knee was 10.4 cm2. Eight percent of joints were considered treatment failures that went on to arthroplasty and the remaining patients experienced 50% to 75% improvement in WOMAC subscales. Our data suggest that ACI in patients with early osteoarthritis results in clinically relevant reductions in pain and improvement in function. At 5 years postoperatively, 92% of patients were functioning well and were able to delay the need for joint replacement. Given the limited number of treatment options for this subset of patients, autologous chondrocyte implantation may offer improved quality of life for young osteoarthritic patients.
Conformational study of phospholipids in crystalline state and hydrated bilayers by 13C and 31P CP-MAS NMR

Crystalline forms of the racemic and enantiomerically pure saturated zwitterionic phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidyl-N-methylethanolamine (PEM1), a...
On-line acquisition, analysis and presentation of neurophysiological data based on a personal microcomputer system.

Abstract A microcomputer based system is described for the acquisition, averaging, displaying, analysis and storage of electrophysiological (EPSP and post-stimulus histogram) data. The system consists of commercially available hardware (IBM-PC AT compatible, 80286 or 80386 based microcomputer, Burr-Brown analog-to-digital (A/D) converter), a custom built interface module, and a combination of commercially available and custom built software packages. The software operates within a Microsoft Windows® environment and is comprised of custom built data acquisition and review modules which are linked to Microsoft's Excel® program. The system is capable of four channel A/D conversion of EPSP's at a sampling frequency of up to 10 KHz (50 KHz single channel), the averaging of data including the addition and subtraction of various channels, the graphical display of data, the extraction of various data parameters, and the transfer of data to an Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet allows for the development of mathematical formulas for statistical analysis of data and presentation of the results in graphical form. Finally, data can easily be output to a laser printer or plotter. A sample experiment, illustrating system operation, is presented.
Quantitative exploration of the contribution of settlement, growth, dispersal and grazing to the accumulation of natural marine biofilms on antifouling and fouling-release coatings

The accumulation of microbial biofilms on ships’ hulls negatively affects ship performance and efficiency while also playing a role in the establishment of even more detrimental hard-fouling communities. However, there is little quantitative information on how the accumulation rate of microbial biofilms is impacted by the balance of the rates of cell settlement, in situ production (ie growth), dispersal to surrounding waters and mortality induced by grazers. These rates were quantified on test panels coated with copper-based antifouling (AF) or polymer-based fouling-release (FR) coatings by using phospholipids as molecular proxies for microbial biomass. The results confirmed the accepted modes of efficacy of these two types of coatings. In a more extensive set of experiments with only the FR coatings, it was found that seasonally averaged cellular production rates were 1.5 ± 0.5 times greater than settlement and the dispersal rates were 2.7 ± 0.8 greater than grazing. The results of this study quantitativ...
Predictors of accuracy in perceiving informal social networks

Abstract One's ability to accurately perceive the existence of informal social networks, referred to as cognitive accuracy, has recently been shown to play an important role in explaining various social phenomena. This paper addresses the research question of what predicts cognitive accuracy by developing a simple theory which links one's accuracy to the amount of information one exchanges with co-workers. To test the predictions of my theory, I analyze friendship and advice network data from a small entrepreneurial firm. The results of the analysis show that predictors of accuracy tend to be workers' degree centrality in the friendship or advice network and demographic and social distances between workers.
Laboratory Study of Fish Passage and Discharge Capacity in Slip-Lined, Baffled Culverts

AbstractCulvert rehabilitation is a cost-effective alternative to culvert replacement for many applications where the culvert has reached the end of its useful life. When a profile-walled existing (host) culvert is relined with a smooth-walled pipe, the culvert flow velocities typically increase, the corresponding flow depths decrease, and the resulting flow conditions can create a potential barrier to fish passage. In an effort to provide some baseline data for fish passage through baffled culvert liners, fish passage behaviors of wild brown trout through prototype-scale 0.61-m-diameter, 18-m-long smooth-walled baffled and nonbaffled culverts were observed in the laboratory under a variety of culvert slopes and discharges. The baffles significantly increased the range of culvert slopes and discharges over which the fish could successfully pass. The baffled culvert hydraulic roughness coefficient (Manning’s n) increased 274% (approximately equivalent to corrugated metal pipe values) relative to the nonbaf...
The structure of lead stabilizers. 2: Basic salts of inorganic acids

FTIR and NMR measurements were used to infer structural formulas for the heat stabilizers dibasic lead phosphite, tribasic and tetrabasic lead sulfates, and basic lead carbonate. These compounds are not the customarily written double salts of lead oxide or hydroxide, but distinct species capable of rapid HCI neutralization.
Health and Ecological Impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms: Risk Assessment Needs

The symposium session, Indicators for Effects and Predictions of Harmful Algal Blooms, explored the current state of indicators used to assess the human health and ecological risks caused by harmful algal blooms, and highlighted future needs and impediments that must be overcome in order to provide a complete risk assessment of their impacts. Six recognized human poisoning syndromes resulting from algal toxins (paralytic, neurotoxic, amnesic, diarrhetic shellfish poisonings, ciguatera fish poisoning, and putative estuary associated syndrome) impact human health through consumption of contaminated seafood, direct contact with bloom water, or inhalation of aerosolized toxin. Thorough health risk assessment for the variety of algal toxins is hampered to varying degrees because either the toxin has not been identified or indicators for exposure and effects remain poorly defined. Predicting the occurrence and determining the impacts of harmful algal blooms in coastal ecosystems are the two major ecological ris...
Extrapyramidal Signs and Other Neurologic Findings in Clinically Diagnosed Alzheimer's Disease: A Community-Based Study

• The association between findings on the neurologic examination and the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease was investigated among 467 individuals from a geographically defined community population. Participants were selected by stratified random sampling based on their memory performance in a population survey of community residents 65 years of age and older. Each participant underwent a structured medical, psychiatric, neurologic, and neuropsychologic examination. Of the 467 persons examined there were 134 cases of probable Alzheimer's disease and 167 control subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the degree to which the presence of each of several neurologic examination findings affected the age- and sex-adjusted relative odds of having clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease. The most striking associations with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease were seen with various measures of extrapyramidal dysfunction. These increased relative odds were not markedly affected by excluding from the analysis cases with severe cognitive impairment. The results suggest that involvement of the extrapyramidal system is a common finding in Alzheimer's disease.
Hierarchical block truncation coding

We present a new image coding technique called hierarchical block truncation coding (HBTC). HBTC is a combination of the block truncation coding (BTC) technique and the quadtree segmentation method. Quadtree segmentation is used to decompose an image into homogeneous regions so that the BTC method can exploit the nonstationary characteristics of the image data. The resulting bit rate is lower than that of conventional BTC, depending on the characteristics and complexity of the digital image. We investigated the performance of the encoder on both still and moving images. A small reduction in the bit rate is achievable for still images, but false contours become apparent as the rate declines. The proposed method works well on difference images from a sequence since the moving areas are encoded with greater resolution than the stationary background. A significant bit rate reduction is seen for sequence transmission. The bit rate is reduced from the 1.625 bits per pixel (bpp) required for a conventional BTC implementation down to 1.19 bpp for the least detailed still image. A typical CCITT image sequence was encoded at an average rate of 1.21 bpp. The bit rate was further reduced to an average of 0.39 bpp with a small degradation in the quality of the reconstructed images by transmitting only the most varying portions of the sequence.
Comparison of Experimental and Computational Aerothermodynamics of a 70-deg Sphere-Cone

Numerical solutions for hypersonic flows of carbon-dioxide and air around a 70-deg sphere-cone have been computed using an axisymmetric non-equilibrium Navier-Stokes solver. Freestream flow conditions for these computations were equivalent to those obtained in an experimental blunt-body heat-transfer study conducted in a high-enthalpy, hypervelocity expansion tube. Comparisons have been made between the computed and measured surface heat-transfer rates on the forebody and afterbody of the sphere-cone and on the sting which supported the test model. Computed forebody heating rates were within the estimated experimental uncertainties of 10% on the forebody and 15% in the wake except for within the recirculating flow region of the wake.
Treadmills of Production and Destruction: Threats to the Environment Posed by Militarism

The treadmill of production has identified and examined an inherent dynamic that results in the inexorable expansion of capitalism. Although it is argued that a number of benefits accompany this economic expansion, the treadmill of production literature has focused on the environmental costs. The treadmill of production embraces the legacy of C. Wright Mills with a focus on the entangled relationships between two aspects of Mills' "power elite"--politics and economics. Building on Mills' inclusion of militarism as one of the three pillars of the power elite, it is argued that there exists a treadmill of destruction that maintains a distinct logic relating to geopolitics and arms races that cannot be reduced to capitalism. The 20th century has witnessed unprecedented growth in the research, testing, storage, and employment of both conventional weaponry and weapons of mass destruction. In focusing on this development, the distinctive role the state plays in creating a treadmill of destruction is stressed.
Accurate electronic and chemical properties of 3d transition metal oxides using a calculated linear response U and a DFT + U(V) method

We validate the usage of the calculated, linear response Hubbard U for evaluating accurate electronic and chemical properties of bulk 3d transition metal oxides. We find calculated values of U lead to improved band gaps. For the evaluation of accurate reaction energies, we first identify and eliminate contributions to the reaction energies of bulk systems due only to changes in U and construct a thermodynamic cycle that references the total energies of unique U systems to a common point using a DFT + U(V ) method, which we recast from a recently introduced DFT + U(R) method for molecular systems. We then introduce a semi-empirical method based on weighted DFT/DFT + U cohesive energies to calculate bulk oxidation energies of transition metal oxides using density functional theory and linear response calculated U values. We validate this method by calculating 14 reactions energies involving V, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co oxides. We find up to an 85% reduction of the mean average error (MAE) compared to energies calculated with the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof functional. When our method is compared with DFT + U with empirically derived U values and the HSE06 hybrid functional, we find up to 65% and 39% reductions in the MAE, respectively.
An efficient method to enhance gene silencing by using precursor microRNA designed small hairpin RNAs

Gene silencing can be mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA). To investigate the potential application of using a precursor microRNA (pre-miRNA) backbone for gene silencing, we studied the inhibition efficiency of exogenous GFP and endogenous GAPDH by conventional shRNA- and pre-miRNA-designed hairpins, respectively. In this study, the conventional shRNA-, pre-miRNA-30-, and pre-miRNA-155-designed hairpins targeting either GFP or GAPDH were transfected into the HEK293 cells that were mediated by the pSilencer-4.1-neo vector, which carries a modified RNA polymerase II-type CMV promoter. Comparisons with conventional GFP shRNA showed that GFP levels were reduced markedly by pre-miRNA-30- and pre-miRNA-155-designed GFP shRNAs by fluorescence microscopy. The consistent results from semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that pre-miRNA-30- and pre-miRNA-155-designed GFP shRNAs could suppress GFP expression significantly. As for endogenous GAPDH, the results from semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that pre-miRNA-30- and pre-miRNA-155-designed GAPDH shRNAs could suppress GAPDH expression even more efficiently than conventional GAPDH shRNA. Together, this study confirmed the efficiency of gene silencing mediated by pre-miRNA-30- and pre-miRNA-155-designed shRNAs, demonstrating that pre-miRNA-designed hairpins are a good strategy for gene silencing.
Intercellular communication in the supporting cells of the organ of Corti

We have directly tested the concept that the supporting cells of the organ of Corti are functionally coupled through gap junctions. In vitro and in vivo preparations were evaluated. Electrical measurements clearly show that the cells are coupled ionically. Voltage drops measured in neighboring cells in response to intracellular current injections indicate that current spread decays rapidly. Despite the existence of electrical coupling, fluorescent dye injection studies revealed no dye spread into adjacent cells, other than a few instances which were clearly artifactual. However, it is possible that dye spread is very slow and that dye in adjacent cells is diluted below visual detectability. In any case, dye coupling is remarkably poor compared to other electrically coupled tissues. The role of coupling in the supporting cells may be nutritive, considering the avascular nature of Corti's organ.
Deprotonation of Carotenoid Radical Cation and Formation of a Didehydrodimer

Deprotonation of the carotenoid radical cation (Car•+) in CH2Cl2 was studied by electrochemistry, optical, MALDI-TOF, and EPR spectroscopy. Water enhances deprotonation of the carotenoid radical ca...
Immunoblot analysis of c-Met expression in human colorectal cancer: Overexpression is associated with advanced stage cancer

c-Met, the receptor of hepatocyte growth factor is known to be responsible for the motility and mitogenesis of epithelial cells including cancer cells. To investigate the significance of c-Met expression in human colorectal cancer (CRC), total cellular protein, extracted from 130 CRCs were examined by Western blot analysis. The signal was quantitated by ChemiImager™ 4000 Low Light Imaging System. c-Met expression was analyzed as the ratio of tumor to matched normal tissue (T/N) and expressed as fold-increase. The cellular localization of c-Met was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The T/N fold increase of c-Met varied from 0.2 to 10.7 with a mean of 3.41 ± 0.23 (mean ± SE). 69% primary CRC showed overexpression (T/N >2.0) of c-Met. Significantly higher c-Met levels were found in CRC with blood vessel invasion (P = 0.04), and in advanced stage (P = 0.04). No relationship was noted between c-Met expression and age, tumor size, location, differentiation. C-Met immunoreactivity was observed in the membrane and cytoplasm of cancer cells. Positive staining of endothelial cells of blood vessels within normal submucosa and tumor was also evident. C-Met protein is expressed at levels significantly higher than adjacent mucosa in most primary adenocarcinomas of the colon. Our results support an important role for c-Met in human CRC progression and metastasis.
Global convergence of quasi-Newton-type algorithms for some nonsmooth optimization problems

We consider the global convergence properties for a class of quasi-Newton algorithms solving nonsmooth optimization problems. Stationary points are defined, and several relations with optimal points are proven. We show descent properties of the algorithm using approximations for the derivatives. The global convergence results are given for determining the stepsizes inexactly.
Blind mice are not impaired in T-maze footshock avoidance acquisition and retention.

Abstract The processing of visual information during learning and memory is considered to be a vital function of the hippocampus. Some researchers believe that the sole purpose of the hippocampus is to process visuo-spatial information, whereas other investigators believe that the hippocampus integrates cues from multiple sources. In the current studies, we tested the effects of vision loss on a hippocampal task, acquisition and retention with T-maze footshock avoidance conditioning. Acquisition and retention, in adult-blinded mice, were not significantly impaired in T-maze footshock avoidance. Blindness did not affect activity, footshock startle or motivation to avoid shock. The same doses of memory enhancing drugs that improve memory in sighted mice improved memory in blind mice. Electrolytic lesions in blind mice, which destroyed 31±4% of the hippocampus, significantly impaired acquisition and retention for T-maze footshock avoidance and so demonstrated that the hippocampus retained its integrative role in blind mice. The current findings show that blind mice are as capable of learning T-maze footshock avoidance as sighted mice and that the hippocampus retains its important role in blind mice in learning and memory processing. It is concluded that the T-maze footshock avoidance conditioning task is a spatially but not visually dependent task that is hippocampally dependent.
Natriuretic and diuretic effects of cicletanine in conscious, hydrated, normotensive rats

The natriuretic and diuretic actions of cicletanine, a novel agent with vasorelaxant and antihypertensive properties, were examined in conscious, hydrated, normotensive rats. Cicletanine, the (+)- and (−)-enantiomers of cicletanine, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), or vehicle(s) were administered orally or intravenously (1, 3, 10, 30 mg base/kg) to water-loaded (27 ml/kg) rats and 3 hr urine volume, Na+ and K+ were measured. Racemic cicletanine (3 mg/Kg, p.o.) caused a significant increase in urinary Na+(+174%) and K+ (+46%) excretion, unaccompanied by diuresis. Diuresis was detected only with larger oral doses of racemic cicletanine (10–30 mg/kg). Oral administration of a 1-mg/kg dose of (+)-cicletanine caused significant natriuresis that was not detected with either racemic or (−)-cicletanine. The (+)-enantiomer (3–30 mg/kg) produced natriuresis and diuresis quantitatively similar to that of racemic cicletanine. By contrast, (−)-cicletanine induced only slight natriuresis, kaliuresis, and diuresis upon administration of the largest dose (30 mg/kg, p.o.). Intravenous administration of the racemate and enantiomers of cicletanine caused natriuretic/diuretic activity that was very similar to that seen with oral administration. The natriuresis caused by a 3-mg/kg dose of racemic cicletanine was unaffected by indomethacin. However, indomethacin attenuated the natriuresis and eliminated the diuresis produced by the 10- and 30-mg/kg doses of cicletanine. Indomethacin had no effect on the kaliuretic actions of cicletanine. Indomethacin blunted the natriuresis and eliminated the diuresis caused by all doses of HCTZ. In conclusion, the natriuretic, kaliuretic, and diuretic effects of racemic cicletanine in the conscious, hydrated, normotensive rat appear to be mediated primarily by the ( + )-enantiomer. A dose-dependent separation exists between the natriuretic and diuretic actions of cicletanine, with only natriuresis noted at smaller doses. The natriuresis caused by racemic cicletanine has both indomethacin-resistant and indomethacin-sensitive components, while cicletanine-induced diuresis appears to be mediated exclusively by prostaglandins.
Fine structure of cell types in an ameloblastoma.

. An unusually large and old ameloblastoma, which revealed a diverse histological appearance, was studied by light and electron microscopy. In the tumor, the epithelial component formed several patterns in the collagenous stroma. The epithelial islands, consisting of tall columnar cells surrounding the inner core of stellate cells, mimicked the cells of the inner enamel epithelium and stellate reticulum, respectively, of the normal enamel organ. The ultrastructural appearances of the columnar cells, however, were only similar to those which are seen in undifferentiated preameloblasts. Areas of squamous metaplasia were present, and these squamous cells were structurally similar to the cells al the base of the oral epithelium. Some epithelial cells containing numerous lipid granules and mitochondria formed a network of cords. The connective tissue stroma was made up of fibroblast-like cells which appear to be metabolically active. In addition, multinucleated giant cells were present in the connective tissue stroma near the epithelial component.
Predicting polarization properties of marine aerosols

This paper investigates the variation in the polarization properties of light scattered by aerosols in the MBL arising from various aerosol sources and environmental conditions. Mie scattering models of Gaussian and log normal distributions of spheres and combinations thereof were used to calculate the polarization properties of light scattered from various models and from experimentally determined distributions of aerosols in the marine boundary layer. The results of the models were verified by comparison to scattering from (NH4)2SO4 particles, a component of aerosols in the MBL that is nearly spherical and readily generated in the laboratory. Calculations indicate that scattering by aerosols is distinctly not Rayleigh-like. The polarization properties of light scattered in the MBL vary with size, refractive index, and number distributions of particles in the MBL. These differences should be instrumentally detectable and could be important for visibility.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Terpenoids from Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus and A. shockleyi

Abstract Eight new labdane diterpenoids were isolated from the sodium carbonate-soluble acid fraction of Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus and their structures were deduced from the spectral properties of their methyl esters and other derivatives. They are 7, E -13- or 8, E -13-labdadienes having oxygen-containing substituents at C-2, C-7, C-15 and/or C-19. These same diterpenoids were also present in A. shockleyi . Eight previously reported sesquiterpenoids, namely, bisabolene-1,4-endoperoxide, caryophyllene oxide, β-eudesmol, trans -nerolidol, 1-oxobisabolene, shiromool, spathulenol and viridiflorol, were isolated from the non-polar fraction of A. sphaerocephalus and identified by their 1 H NMR spectra.
Cosmology: The oldest cosmic light.

The cosmic microwave background is a faint glow of light left over from the Big Bang. It fills the entire sky and records the Universe's early history. Two independent experts outline what we know about this ancient light, both theoretically and observationally.
Expression of human chromosome 19p α(1,3)-fucosyltransferase genes in normal tissues: Alternative splicing, polyadenylation, and isoforms

Abstract The human α(1,3)-fucosyltransferase genes FUT3, FUT5, and FUT6 form a cluster on chromosome 19p13.3. Expression was studied using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, rapid amplification of cDNA ends, and Northern analyses. FUT3 and FUT6 were expressed at high levels, while FUT5 expression was lower and restricted to fewer cell types. Alternatively spliced transcripts were identified for FUT3 and FUT6 in kidney, liver, and colon. A 2.37-kilobase pair (kb) FUT3 transcript, detected at high levels in kidney and colon, was absent in liver. FUT6 expression was characterized by a 3.5-kb transcript present in kidney and liver, and a 2.5-kb transcript in colon and liver. Two polyadenylation sites were shown for FUT5, but absence of consensus sequences suggests reduced efficiency for cleavage and polyadenylation. Two polyadenylation sites were also shown for FUT6, with the alternatively spliced downstream signal in tissues expressing high levels of FUT6. In these tissues, additional splicing results in isoforms with catalytic domain deletions. No detectable α(1,3)- or α(1,4)-fucosyltransferase activity was found in assays of cells transfected with FUT6 isoform cDNAs. Thus, tissue-specific post-transcriptional modifications are associated with expression patterns of FUT3, FUT5, and FUT6.
The number of distinguishable alleles according to the Ohta-Kimura model of neutral mutation.

We calculate how many alleles one can expect to distinguish in a large sample from a large population which develops according to the Ohta-Kimura model. This number tends to infinity with the sample size, but so slowly that it is bounded for all practical purposes.
Pattern analysis in neuroimaging: Beyond two-class categorization

One of the many advantages of multivariate pattern recognition approaches over conventional mass-univariate group analysis using voxel-wise statistical tests is their potential to provide highly sensitive and specific markers of diseases on an individual basis. However, a vast majority of imaging problems addressed by pattern recognition are viewed from the perspective of a two-class classification. In this article, we provide a summary of selected works that propose solutions to biomedical problems where the widely-accepted classification paradigm is not appropriate. These pattern recognition approaches address common challenges in many imaging studies: high heterogeneity of populations and continuous progression of diseases. We focus on diseases associated with aging and propose that clustering-based approaches may be more suitable for disentanglement of the underlying heterogeneity, while high-dimensional pattern regression methodology is appropriate for prediction of continuous and gradual clinical progression from magnetic resonance brain images. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 21, 173–178, 2011 (This work was supported in part by NIH grant R01AG-14971.)
The Late Archean history of the Wyoming province as recorded by granitic magmatism in the Wind River Range, Wyoming

Abstract The Wyoming province, a small, ca. 500 000 km 2 Archean craton, is the most southwestern of the Archean provinces in North America. It is composed primarily of Late Archean potassium-rich granitic rocks. In contrast to many other Archean provinces, rocks of tonalite-trondhjemite affinity are rare over most of the province and are restricted to rocks older than 2.8 Ga. Field, petrologic, geochemical and isotopic study of the Late Archean granites exposed in the Wind River Range have allowed us to identify at least four periods of potassic calc-alkalic magmatism at ∼2.8, 2.67, 2.63 and 2.55 Ga. Granitic rocks of these ages appear to be widespread across the Wyoming province. The oldest calc-alkalic granites of the Wind River Range, emplaced at ca. 2.8 Ga, appear to be derived predominantly from pre-existing crust. However, Nd isotopic data suggest that these granites cannot be the product solely of partial melting of older tonalitic gray gneisses. During at least two other periods of plutonism, at 2.67 and 2.63 Ga, generation of the Wind River Range batholiths involved the incorporation of substantial amounts of isotopically juvenile material, either from depleted mantle or young continental crust. The information presented below, as well as data available from elsewhere in the Wyoming province, is interpreted to suggest that the Wyoming province, unlike other Archean cratons, is not composed of a tectonic amalgamation of smaller, exotic terranes. Although the Wyoming province did experience crustal addition in Archean time, it was not by lateral accretion, but by incorporation of mantle-derived melts into large granitic batholiths.
Electrical characteristics of a small active volume (1 cm3) discharge-pumped XeCl laser

Through the use of a PFL (pulse-forming line) of conveniently changeable output impedance ZO, the electrical characteristics of a small volume-discharge of standard XeCl laser gas mix was studied. The impedance ZD from a 2×0.5×1(=1) cm3 discharge was found to be about 10Ω. A PFL of very low impedance is therefore rather inefficient in driving the discharge, because of the impedance mismatch and the slower current rise time. The data presented will be useful for the design of excimer lasers of small discharge volume, which find applications in serving as master oscillator or in high repetition rate operation.
Patterns of cell survival following treatment with antitumor agents in vitro.

Abstract Cell cultures provide a rapid, efficient and economic research system to investigate cell killing effects of antitumor agents. Only the colony-formation technique appears appropriate to determine post-drug treatment cell survival. Utilizing this technique, the lethal effect of 22 antitumor agents on a human lymphoma cell line were determined after brief exposure (1 hr) to the agent. The resulting survival curves corresponded to one of five patterns: simple exponential, biphasic exponential, threshold exponential, exponential plateau and ineffectual. These patterns may be useful in the classification of cell-antitumor drug interactions.
Voices of African‐American doctoral students in special education: addressing the shortage in leadership preparation

There is a growing body of literature in examining the experiences of graduate students and faculty of color in education. This paper will provide a review of recent and relevant research on the experiences of graduate students and faculty of color, particularly those attending predominately white institutions (PWIs). Additionally, findings from a recent study of African‐American doctoral students in special education will be discussed. Finally, the author will assert the need for future research on the leadership preparation of students of color as well as offer recommendations for program development.
Homebase behavior of zebrafish in novelty-based paradigms

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are emerging as a promising model species in neuroscience research. Many traditional rodent behavioral paradigms may be adapted for zebrafish testing. Exposing zebrafish to three different "open field" tanks for 30 min, we showed that fish display robust homebase behavior, in which one area of the tank is chosen as a preferred point of reference during the test, which the fish frequently return to and spend a longer duration in. This phenotype strikingly resembles rodent homebase behavior, confirming that both species use homebases as "reference points" for their exploration. Our study introduces a simple method for zebrafish homebase phenotyping, and further supports the utility of these fish in neurobehavioral and cognitive research.
Glutathione Accumulation in Lactococci

Abstract Glutathione accumulation was quantified in cell-free extracts prepared from Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris C2 and Z8 cultures grown in milk and milk supplemented with the AA precursors to glutathione or to glutathione. Accumulation of glutathione was detected with 28 in all three media (5.6, 12, and 470 nmol/mg of protein, respectively); however, no accumulation of glutathione was detected with C2. After growth of these strains in defined broth and defined broth supplemented with glutathione or the glutathione precursors, only the cell-free extract of Z8 grown with glutathione supplement contained detectable amounts of glutathione (372 nmol/mg protein). When [ 35 S]Cys was added to the defined broth containing the glutathione AA precursors, neither strain accumulated [ 35 S]glutathione. Supplementation of the defined broth with [ 35 S]glutathione resulted in accumulation of [ 35 S]glutathione in Z8, but not in C2. Although Z8 can transport glutathione, it is not capable of glutathione synthesis. However, C2 is incapable of both glutathione transport and glutathione synthesis. Additionally, Z8, C2, and a variety of other lactic acid bacteria were examined for γ-glutamyl-transferase activity; no activity was observed with any of the lactic acid bacteria examined.
Efficacy of different beta-blockers in the treatment of long QT syndrome.

Abstract Background In LQTS, β-blocker therapy is effective in reducing the risk of cardiac events (syncope, aborted cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death). Limited studies have compared the efficacy of different β-blockers. Objectives The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of different β-blockers in long QT syndrome (LQTS) and in genotype-positive patients with LQT1 and LQT2. Methods The study included 1,530 patients from the Rochester, New York–based LQTS Registry who were prescribed common β-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, or nadolol). Time-dependent Cox regression analyses were used to compare the efficacy of different β-blockers with the risk of cardiac events in LQTS. Results Relative to being off β-blockers, the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for first cardiac events for atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, and nadolol were 0.71 (0.50 to 1.01), 0.70 (0.43 to 1.15) 0.65 (0.46 to 0.90), and 0.51 (0.35 to 0.74), respectively. In LQT1, the risk reduction for first cardiac events was similar among the 4 β-blockers, but in LQT2, nadolol provided the only significant risk reduction (hazard ratio: 0.40 [0.16 to 0.98]). Among patients who had a prior cardiac event while taking β-blockers, efficacy for recurrent events differed by drug (p = 0.004), and propranolol was the least effective compared with the other β-blockers. Conclusions Although the 4 β-blockers are equally effective in reducing the risk of a first cardiac event in LQTS, their efficacy differed by genotype; nadolol was the only β-blocker associated with a significant risk reduction in patients with LQT2. Patients experiencing cardiac events during β-blocker therapy are at high risk for subsequent cardiac events, and propranolol is the least effective drug in this high-risk group.
Chemical hardness and the electronic chemical potential

The properties of the electronic chemical potential, μ and the chemical hardness, η, are summarized. Rules-of-thumb are given for predicting the changes in μ and η when small subsystems are combined to form larger systems. In general, the hardness increases when the energy decreases. Covalent bonding and ionic bonding give rather different results in both μ and η.
A new technique for the simulation of periodic structures including EBGs and Metamaterials

Because the EBGs [1] and Metamaterial structures that exhibit interesting characteristics are almost always strictly periodic in nature and because there is an increasing interest in synthesizing new versions of these structures, we need access to both techniques-and computer codes developed on the basis of these techniques-to accomplish our own design goals. Some of the design objectives of Metamaterials are: (i) achieving close to isotropic scattering characteristics from an MTM slab; (ii) obtaining wider bandwidths and less dispersive behaviors; (iii) realizing low-loss characteristics; (iv) reducing the dependence on incident angle and polarization of the incident wave.