cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding priming of color-singleton search: roles of attention at encoding and "retrieval".

We investigated how the performance of a color-singleton search (the search for a single odd-colored item among homogeneously colored distractors) left a persistent memory trace (lasting up to six intervening trials or ∼17 sec) that facilitated a subsequent color-singleton search (when the same targetdistractor color combination was repeated). Specifically, we investigated the roles of attention in the encoding and “retrieval” stages of this priming effect by intermixing trials in which the target location was precued by an onset cue. We found that the encoding of both target and distractor colors was automatic in that whether or not observers had to use color in locating the target in the preceding trial did not substantially affect priming. However, priming required that the color-singleton item be attended in the preceding trial. Once a color singleton display was encoded, our results indicated that priming facilitated the direction of attention to the color-singleton target on a subsequent trial. In short, when a color-singleton item happened to be a critical item to be attended in one situation, another color-singleton item defined by the same color combination tended to attract attention in subsequent encounters.
Multiple uses of indicators and indices in cumulative effects assessment and management

Abstract Both environmental indicators and multi-metric indices are useful for describing baseline conditions and qualitatively predicting the cumulative consequences of multiple actions. Several examples and case studies associated with indicators and/or indices are presented herein. They can be easily modified for usage in CEAM. Habitat suitability models reflect special indices related to habitat needs and quality for specific species or broad habitat types. Such models have been used to address direct and indirect effects, and with some modification, they can be also used to address cumulative effects of multiple actions. This review has indicated that there are numerous examples of such tools which have been or could be used in both EIA and CEAM. Some key lessons are: (1) in conducting CEAM studies, it is useful to think from the mindset that “I am the VEC or indicator, and what is my historical and current condition and how have I, or will I, be affected by multiple past, present, and future actions?”; (2) due to the likely absence of detailed information on future actions, the described tools can still be used to “predict” future conditions by focusing on qualitative up-or-down changes in individual indicators or indices with their aggregated displays; and (3) numerous regional and site-specific tools are currently available, with one example being indices of biological integrity for specific watersheds and water bodies. Such tools, even though they may not have been developed for CEAM usage, can certainly benefit CEAM studies and practice. Finally, usage of selected and appropriate tools as described herein can aid in conducting science-based, systematic, and documentable CEAM studies.
Platelet monoamine oxidase activity in female migraine patients.

SUMMARY Platelet monoamine oxidase activity (MAO) in a group (n = 17) of white, female migraineurs during an acute migraine attack was similar to both the values obtained for the same group of patients two to three weeks after the headache episode (pain-free period) and to the results obtained for a group (n = 18) of sex and race-matched, age-comparable, drug-free healthy volunteers (blind study; substrate p-tyramine, 38.7 ± 5.7, 41.9 ± 8.8 and 43.0 ± 3.4 or p-methoxybenzylamine, 178.9 ± 11.3, 177.2 ± 6.9 and 181.0 ± 9.7 nmole/hr/10 9 platelets ± SD, respectively). With each patient serving as its own control, MAO activity during the migraine episode and when pain-free failed to show a significant trend. Neither a number of other medical conditions nor the use of several medications appeared to significantly influence our results. The present work, while dealing only with a small but well defined patient population, argues against the possible usefulness of platelet MAO activity as a biological marker for migraine headaches.
VISUAL RECOGNITION THRESHOLD AND CONCURRENT MOTOR ACTIVITY.

Recognition thresholds of the words push, pull and part were measured for 36 Ss under conditions of pushing, pulling, and no specific activity to test the hypotheses (a) that sensorimotor activity would have a threshold-lowering effect on words directionally related to the activity and (b) a threshold-raising effect for words not so related. Results supporting the first hypothesis were obtained and discussed as indicating a need for refinement of the generalized statement, based on previous research, that concurrent activity interferes with perceptual functioning. Failure to observe support of the second hypothesis was discussed as suggesting the need to consider, as well, the variable of the amount of physical activity involved.
Reduction of NOS2 overexpression in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor α monoclonal antibody (cA2)

Objective Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased expression of nitric oxide synthase type 2 (NOS2) protein and enhanced formation of nitric oxide (NO) that correlate with disease activity. NO may play a role in the inflammation of RA. Treatment of RA patients with a chimeric monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα; cA2) results in clinical improvement in the majority of patients. The present study was designed to determine if cA2 therapy decreases PBMC NOS2 protein expression and NOS enzyme activity in RA patients. Methods RA patients receiving background oral methotrexate participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which they were randomly assigned to receive a single infusion of either placebo or cA2 at 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg. NOS2 protein and NOS enzyme activity were measured in PBMC at baseline and 4 weeks following cA2 therapy. These results were compared with the degree of clinical change in disease activity. Results At baseline, elevated levels of NOS2 protein and NOS enzyme activity were more frequently detected in PBMC from RA patients than in those from healthy controls. Treatment of the RA patients with cA2 significantly reduced NOS2 protein expression and NOS enzyme activity. Changes in NOS activity following treatment correlated significantly with changes in the number of tender joints. Conclusion These results indicate that TNFα likely plays an important role in enhancing NOS2 expression in RA, and that the antiinflammatory effects of cA2 treatment may be mediated by a reduction of NO overproduction.
Reaction Assisted Ultrasonic Consolidated TiNi

This investigation has examined the feasibility of fabricating near-net shape components containing TiNi shape memory constituents by combining the attributes of ultrasonic consolidation and reaction heat treatment. An optimization design of experiment was conducted to determine the ultrasonic consolidation control parameters, e.g., sonotrode rotational velocity, amplitude and normal force, which would result in the maximum weld quality as defined by the linear weld density. Subsequent thermal treatment of the consolidated compact resulted in the formation of a graded Ti-TiNi-Ni microstructure.
Comparing soil pesticide movement for a finite-element model and field measurements under drip chemigation

Abstract Soil pesticide samples were collected from a field experiment where drip chemigation of the systemic insecticide, imidacloprid, was used to protect muskmelon (cantaloupe) plants from cucumber beetles. After the soil samples were analyzed and efficacy in controlling the insect pest was determined, the finite element model lewaste was configured to simulate: (1) drip chemigation of a pesticide in raised beds under plastic mulch, (2) advective/dispersive movement of pesticide from rainwater infiltration and drip irrigation, and (3) root extraction of pesticide with soil water. Only available parameters were input to the model domain without measuring specific soil parameters at the field site and then the model was executed to simulate soil distribution of pesticide during the period of efficacy. A linear regression of measured versus predicted pesticide concentration in the soil indicated a strong relationship between the model and the field study with a slope of 0.89, an intercept of −7.05 ppb and an r 2 of 0.97. The model and soil samples also showed that the pesticide, imidacloprid, did not leach during the time frame of evaluation and that 70% of the pesticide was still located in the root zone when efficacy ceased. In addition, the model calculated that only 11% of the applied pesticide was absorbed by the muskmelon plants during the period of efficacy. These results suggest that as the plants developed from 9 to 800 g, the muskmelons outgrew the source of the pesticide instead of the pesticide source being depleted for use by the plant via leaching, uptake, and degradation. Numerical modeling of drip chemigation can help researchers understand crop production factors such as the efficacy of a pesticide in addition to the fate and transport of pesticide.
377. Involvement of the vagus nerves and associated CNS pathways in psychiatric disorders

A large body of basic science research provides evidence for the involvement of peripheral afferent branches of the vagus in a wide range of functions including, but not limited to, control of meal termination, memory storage, exploratory behaviors, sleep, and modulation of somatic pain detection. The implications of these basic science findings to human behavior in general, and to psychiatric disorders in specific, have just recently become the subject of clinical investigations. The overall goal of this workshop is to present existing evidence supporting vagal afferent involvement in both the pathophysiology of bulimia nervosa and in human memory storage. Two different methods for modulation of peripheral vagal neurotransmission will be presented and discussednamely the use of ondansetron (Zofran) as a pharmacological modulator of vagal activity and the implantation of Vagal Nerve Stimulators (Cyberonics) for direct unilateral electrical stimulation of vagal fibers. Investigators from the University of Minnesota will present physiological (Dr. Faris), clinical outcome (Dr. Eckert), and neuroanatomical (Dr. Hartman) findings supporting vagal involvement in the perpetuation of both primary bulimic symptoms and also depressive symptoms in severely ill bulimia nervosa patients using ondansetron treatment to modulate vagal activity. Dr. Jensen will present data demonstrating an enhancement of memory in human subjects by direct vagal nerve stimulation at specific stimulation frequencies. This workshop will provide a timely presentation of potential vagal involvement in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders.
Beyond Mars and Venus: Understanding gender differences in financial risk tolerance

Abstract Research indicates that men are more risk tolerant and make riskier financial decisions than women. To explain this, researchers have favored “essentialist” explanations that attribute differences to core biological mechanisms and have tended to neglect psychological mechanisms that reflect the influence of culture and socialization. To better understand gender differences in risk tolerance, we investigated the relative effects of multiple psychological dimensions of gender, including gender identification (i.e., identifying as one’s biological sex and viewing it as a positive part of the self), gender typicality (i.e., feeling like a typical member of one’s biological sex), and gender-stereotyped personality traits and social roles. We also measured 2D:4D digit ratios as an indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure. Stereotypically masculine or instrumental personality traits (e.g., strong, acts as a leader) were associated with more risk tolerance in both men and women but were relatively more important for understanding men’s risk tolerance. Stereotypically feminine or communal personality traits were associated with less risk tolerance in women. Women who identified more with other women, and men who identified less with other men showed greater risk tolerance. Digit ratio was not associated with risk tolerance. Further research focused on psychological gender and risk tolerance is emphasized.
Synoptic-Scale Studies Using the Nimbus 6 Scanning Microwave Spectrometer

Abstract Several frontal systems over Europe in August 1975 and January and February 1976 are examined using scanning microwave spectrometer (SCAMS) data. Comparisons are made with thermal fields constructed from radiosonde temperatures. Because of the cloud penetrating property of microwave radiation, together with the high stability and sensitivity of the SCAMS instrument, many of the problems encountered with infrared remote sensing instruments are absent in the SCAMS measurements. Synoptic-scale features displayed by the SCAMS retrievals are comparable with radiosonde temperature analysts under both clear and cloudy conditions. Results from the synoptic-scale studies, confirm the theoretical expectations of standard error, which are 2.2, 2.3, 2.9 and 3.6 K at the 700, 500, 300 and 100 mb levels, respectively. These SCAMS results were obtained using “theoretical” temperature retrieval coefficients, which are based on the simulated SCAMS response to a historical sample of independent temperature statist...
Quality of Spirometry Test Performance in Children and Adolescents*: Experience in a Large Field Study

Study objective To determine the ability of childrenand adolescents to meet the American Thoracic Society (ATS) goals forspirometry quality that were based on results from adults. Design Observational. Participants Morethan 4,000 public school students, ages 9 to 18 years. Measurements Spirometry was performed annually for 3years, with the recording of maneuver quality measures of forcedexpiratory time, end-of-test volume, back-extrapolated volume, and timeto peak expiratory flow (PEFT), and the recording of differencesbetween best and second-best FVC, FEV 1 , and peak expiratoryflow (PEF) values. Results Regression analyses showedsignificant influences of participant age, gender, ethnicity, size, clinical status, and previous testing experience, as well asdifferences among individual test technicians. In general, theseinfluences were small and explained little of the variance inperformance. On average, children with a history of asthma or wheezeperformed better quality spirometry than did others. Only PEFT improvedsignificantly from year to year. Overall, only 15% of girls’ testsand 32% of boys’ tests met the PEFT criterion derived from adults inthe Lung Health Study. Conclusion Most of thechildren met adult-based ATS goals for spirometry test performance. Agegroup-specific criteria are needed to ensure adequately fast PEFT and reproducible PEF values.
Reflecting Schmidt imaging spectrometers

A new wide-angle imaging spectrometer configuration is proposed where an all-reflecting Schmidt camera is used with a prism spectrometer to give a field of view up to 60 deg or more. Four different designs using this approach are presented. These are the Imaging Spectrometer Free Flyer, the Shuttle Imaging Spectrometer A, the Shuttle Imaging Spectrometer B, and the Wide-Field System. These systems are capable of broadband spectral coverage from 0.4 to 2.5 microns, with footprints 20 m on a side or less, and with swath widths hundreds of kilometers; they are capable of spectral resolving powers of 200 or more.
Arena 14.5: review of new features

Released in 2013, Arena 14.5 provides a powerful 3D animation tool enabling users to build high quality 3D animations. This session will include an overview of Visual Designer's capabilities, as well as a presentation of the features that are planned for the year.
Regression and resurgence of the CL following PGF2α treatment 3 days after ovulation in mares

The present study was designed to characterize and compare the physiology and ultrasonographic morphology of the corpus luteum (CL) during regression and resurgence following a single dose of native prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) given 3 days after ovulation, with a more conventional treatment given 10 days after ovulation. On the day of pre-treatment ovulation (Day 0), horse mares were randomly assigned to receive PGF (Lutalyse; 10 mg/mare, i.m.) on Day 3 (17 mares) or Day 10 (17 mares). Beginning on either Days 3 or 10, follicle and CL data and blood samples were collected daily until post-treatment ovulation. Functional and structural regression of the CL in response to PGF treatment were similar in both the Day 3 and 10 groups, as indicated by an abrupt decrease in circulating concentrations of progesterone, decrease in luteal gland diameter and increase in luteal tissue echogenicity. As a result, the mean +/- S.E.M. interovulatory interval was shorter (P < 0.0001) in the Day 3 group (13.2 +/- 0.9 days) than in the Day 10 group (19.2 +/- 0.7 days). Within the Day 3 group, functional resurgence of the CL was detected in 75% of the mares (12 of 16) beginning 3 days after PGF treatment, as indicated by transient major (6 mares) and minor (6 mares) increases (P < 0.05 and < 0.1, respectively) in progesterone. Correspondingly, mean length of the interovulatory interval was longer (P < 0.03) in mares with major resurgence (15.8 +/- 1.6 days) than in mares with minor (11.2 +/- 1.2 days) and no resurgences (13.5 +/- 0.3 days) in progesterone. Structural resurgence of the CL in the Day 3 group and functional and structural resurgence in the Day 10 group were not detected. In conclusion, PGF treatment 3 days after ovulation resulted in structural and functional regression of the CL and hastened the interval to the next ovulation, despite post-treatment resurgences in progesterone.
2D electronic systems for device applications

In the author's presentation, the author will focus on devices from MoS2. The author will discuss why di-chalgogenides are not “yet another” new material class, but instead offer true advantages towards electronic applications. In particular the author's work will elucidate the impact of contacts in case of MoS2 field-effect transistors. Through a thorough study of the impact of various contact source/drain metal electrodes and layer thickness on the “effective” mobility of MoS2 devices, they were able to gather critical insights into the electronic properties of this di-chalcogenide. This study supports in particular the notion that an apparently linear device Id-Vds characteristic is by no means evidence of an Ohmic contact and that contacts frequently mask the true mobility specs of novel low-dimensional materials. Moreover, the study on the impact of the layer thickness reveals important information about the usefulness of multi-layered structures for improved device performance and helps to understand how interlayer resistances and screening between individual MoS2 layers determine the overall device performance. Evaluating the resistor network that is used to describe the properties of multi-layer MoS2 and comparing the individual resistor components with those in other materials such as graphene allows us to gain a detailed understanding about the distribution of the electrical current in 2D layered materials. This understanding is believed to be a key aspect to determine the layout and design of future generations of devices from low-dimensional structures.
Mfd Is Required for Rapid Recovery of Transcription following UV-Induced DNA Damage but Not Oxidative DNA Damage in Escherichia coli

Transcription-coupled repair (TCR) is a cellular process by which some forms of DNA damage are repaired more rapidly from transcribed strands of active genes than from nontranscribed strands or the overall genome. In humans, the TCR coupling factor, CSB, plays a critical role in restoring transcription following both UV-induced and oxidative DNA damage. It also contributes indirectly to the global repair of some forms of oxidative DNA damage. The Escherichia coli homolog, Mfd, is similarly required for TCR of UV-induced lesions. However, its contribution to the restoration of transcription and to global repair of oxidative damage has not been examined. Here, we report the first direct study of transcriptional recovery following UV-induced and oxidative DNA damage in E. coli. We observed that mutations in mfd or uvrA reduced the rate that transcription recovered following UV-induced damage. In contrast, no difference was detected in the rate of transcription recovery in mfd, uvrA, fpg, nth, or polB dinB umuDC mutants relative to wild-type cells following oxidative damage. mfd mutants were also fully resistant to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and removed oxidative lesions from the genome at rates comparable to wild-type cells. The results demonstrate that Mfd promotes the rapid recovery of gene expression following UV-induced damage in E. coli. In addition, these findings imply that Mfd may be functionally distinct from its human CSB homolog in that it does not detectably contribute to the recovery of gene expression or global repair following oxidative damage.
The role of work environment in keeping newly licensed RNs in nursing: A questionnaire survey

Abstract Background In prior studies, newly licensed registered nurses (RNs) describe their job as being stressful. Little is known about how their perceptions of the hospital work environment affect their commitment to nursing. Objectives To assess the influence of hospital work environment on newly licensed RN's commitment to nursing and intent to leave nursing. Design Correlational survey. Settings Newly licensed RNs working in hospitals in Florida, United States. Participants 40% random sample of all RNs newly licensed in 2006. Methods The survey was mailed out in 2008. Dependent variables were indicators of professional commitment and intent to leave nursing. Independent variables were individual, organizational, and work environment characteristics and perceptions (job difficulty, job demands and job control). Statistical analysis used ordinary least squares regressions. Level of significance was set at p Results Job difficulty and job demand were significantly related to a lower commitment to nursing and a greater intent to leave nursing, and vice versa for job control. The strongest ranked of the job difficulties items were: incorrect instructions, organizational rules, lack of supervisor support, and inadequate help from others. Workload and other items were significant, but ranked lower. The strongest ranked of the job pressure items were: "having no time to get things done" and "having to do more than can be done well." The strongest ranked of job control items were "ability to act independent of others." Nurses with positive orientation experiences and those working the day shift and more hours were less likely to intend to leave nursing and more likely to be committed to nursing. Significant demographic characteristics related to professional commitment were race and health. Conclusions Negative perceptions of the work environment were strong predictors of intent to leave nursing and a lower commitment to nursing among newly licensed RNs. These results indicate that retention of newly licensed RNs in nursing can be improved through changes in the work environment that remove obstacles to care-giving, increase resources and autonomy, and reduce workload and other job pressure factors.
Use of Treatment Activities in Occupational Therapy

The purpose of this study was to determine the treatment activities used most often by occupational therapists associated with the Louisiana State University Medical Center's (LSUMC's) occupational therapy program. The results of this study were used to make changes in the teaching of treatment activities in the program. Two samples of clinicians--83 fieldwork supervisors and 59 former LSUMC students, mainly from the southeastern region of the country--identified how frequently their clinics had used each of 67 listed treatment activities in the past year. The results showed that noncraft activities were ranked as being used more frequently than either major or minor craft activities. This was true in all settings and all specialty areas of practice. In both groups, across all areas of practice, self-care and social skills activities ranked among the top five positions of activities frequently used in practice. Therapists in physical disabilities settings used crafts less frequently than therapists in mental health settings. As a result of this study, changes have been made in the teaching of treatment activities at LSUMC: Those activities that were ranked in the study as frequently used have been emphasized, and those ranked as infrequently used have been given less emphasis or deleted from the curriculum.
Toward an objective measure for a “stream segregation” task

A procedure to estimate the relative contribution of “A” and “B” tones for a stream-segregation task is described. Listeners detected a delay in the penultimate A tone in an A-B-A-B sequence of tones. For small A-B frequency separations, for most listeners, classification models based on both the A and B tones were superior to models based on just the A tones. For large frequency separations, models based on just the A tones were superior, indicating the A and B tones were segregated. The results also revealed individual differences in the strategies adopted to complete the task.
On the relationship between the duration of an encounter and the evolution of cooperation in the iterated prisoner's dilemma

Evolutionary programming experiments are conducted to examine the relationship between the durations of encounters and the evolution of cooperative behavior in the iterated prisoner's dilemma. A population of behavioral strategies represented by finite-state machines is evolved over successive generations, with selection made on the basis of individual fitness. Each finite-state machine is given an additional evolvable parameter corresponding to the maximum number of moves it will execute in any encounter. A series of Monte Carlo trials indicates distinct relationships between encounter length and cooperation; however, no causal relationship can be positively identified.
Non-discretionary inputs in data envelopment analysis

The technique for efficiency measurement known as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has been extended to allow non-discretionary inputs that affect production. Several methods exist for measuring efficiency while controlling for these fixed factors of production. This paper reviews these approaches, providing a discussion of strengths and weaknesses and highlighting potential limitations. In addition, a new approach is developed that overcomes existing weaknesses. To facilitate comparison, an analysis using simulated data is performed. The results show that the new approach improves existing models and performs relatively well.
Load-absorption by a discontinuous filament in a fiber-reinforced composite

Diese Arbeit befasst sich analytisch mit der statischen Kraftubertragung auf eine einzelne unendliche, elastische Faser, die an einem Querschnitt unterbroche ist. Die Faser ist vollstandig in einem unendlich ausgedehnten Korper von anderen elastischen Eigenschaften eingebettet. Der Korper selbst ist im Unendlichen einer einachsigen Zugspannung parallel zur Faser ausgesetzt. Die Charakterisierung der gesuchten Faserkraft wird durch eine schon fruher erprobte Annaherungsmethode auf eine Fredholmsche Integralgleichung zweiter Art zuruckgefuhrt und die letztere wird auf numerischem Wege gelost. Die Verteilung der Faserkraft ist fur verschiedene Werte des Verhaltnisses der beiden Elastizitatsmodulen dargestellt.
Cuba's economic counter‐reform (rectificatión): Causes, policies and effects

Cuba has experienced more frequent shifts in its types of economic organization than most post‐revolutionary regimes. The current ‘rectification process’ can be explained principally by ideological and political factors: a desire to ‘rescue’ the revolution and to retain Castro's own power. This policy is in part an attempt to cope with some economic problems, although its effect to date is negative rather than positive. Moreover, its general thrust is in the opposite direction to the current reforms in Eastern Europe, and this has led to friction between Havana and Moscow. If Soviet perestroika succeeds, it is bound to lead to further shifts in Cuban economic policy.
New moiré interferometry for measuring three-dimensional displacements

A new modified moire interferometry for measuring u, v, and w displacement fields is proposed. The method is actually integrated with in-plane moire interferometry and a new interferometry that can attain out-of-plane displacements. The sensitivity of the measurement of the out-of-plane displacement is as high as a half-wavelength of the illuminating light. The measured in-plane and out-of-plane displacement fields are mutually independent and definitely defined.
A theory of prudential values and a rule utilitarian theory of morality

Ethics can be divided into a theory of prudential values and a theory of morality in a narrower sense. My paper proposes a utilitarian — a rule-utilitarian — theory of morality. But it deviates from most of the utilitarian tradition by rejecting the hedonistic and subjectivistic accounts of prudential values favored by many utilitarian writers. While economists tend to define people's utility levels in terms of their actual preferences, ethics must define them in terms of their informed preferences. To prefer A over B does not mean to have a stronger desire for A than for B. Rather, it means to regard one's access to A as being more important than one's access to B. Even though different people often have quite different preferences, their basic desires seem to be much the same. We must choose our moral rules, and our society's moral code as a whole, by their social utility. An important factor in determining their social utility are their expectation effects. Unlike the rule — utilitarian more code, the act — utilitarian moral code would be unable to give proper weight to these expectation effects. It would also unduly restrict our individual freedom. Finally, I shall argue against Kant that morality is primarily a servant of many other human values rather than itself the highest value of human life.
Trichromatic approximation method for surface illumination

The problem of approximating the tristimulus coordinates of light reflected from a surface from those of the source and the surface is considered. A variation on a well-known and widely used approximate method for accomplishing this task is presented. This variation uses the XYZ primaries that have unique properties that yield a straightforward analysis of the approximation error. We develop the notion of a calorimetric seminorm and derive an error bound by using techniques from functional analysis. This approach gives some useful insight into the factors that affect accuracy.
Impact of orifice geometry on the shape of jets: an in vitro Doppler color flow study.

To investigate the influence of orifice geometry on the three-dimensional shape of jets, an in vitro Doppler color flow study was performed. Jets were formed by discharging blood through round orifices and through orifices with major/minor axis ratios of 2:1, 3:1 and 5:1. These were repeated with orifice areas of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 cm2. For turbulent and laminar jets formed by these orifices, Doppler color Bow images were obtained from two orthogonal scanning planes aligned with the major and minor orifice axes. Jet width was measured at 1 cm intervals from 0 to 5 cm from the orifice and used to calculate jet eccentricity (ratio of major to minor axis widths) and the rate of divergence of the jet walls. Jets were observed to diverge more rapidly along walls aligned with the orifice minor axis rather than along the major axis. This differential spreading led to the development of circular symmetry at a short distance from the orifice. Jet divergence (θ) occurred more rapidly for turbulent jets and for jets formed by larger orifices: θ(∘) = 0.80 + 6.3 · A + 7.0 · T + 0.47 · E-OR (r = 95, p < 0.0001, n = 48), where A is orifice area (cm2); T is 0 for laminar jets, 1 for turbulent jets and E-OR combines orifice eccentricity and scanning orientation, ranging from −5 for 5:1 orifices imaged along the major axis, 0 for circular orifices to 5 for 5:1 orifices imaged along the minor axis. Within the jet, eccentricity decayed approximately exponentially with distance from the orifice, more rapidly for turbulent jets, more slowly for the larger and more eccentric orifices. A nonlinear regression model of jet turbulence and orifice eccentricity and size was able to predict jet eccentricity with r = 0.95. Turbulent jets lost approximately 90% of their eccentricity within three orifice diameters of the jet origin. The cause of this circularization appears to be higher shear rates across the jet minor axis profile than across the major axis, leading to a more rapid lateral spread of momentum along the minor axis. These results demonstrate that the details of orifice geometry are obliterated within the proximal jet and support the use of quantitative techniques that assume axial symmetry.
The enzymatic basis for the metabolism and inhibitory effects of valproic acid: dehydrogenation of valproyl-CoA by 2-methyl-branched-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase.

Abstract Five distinct acyl-CoA dehydrogenases are currently known. These are short, medium, long and 2-methyl-branched-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenases, and isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase. We tested these five acyl-CoA dehydrogenases for their ability to dehydrogenase valproyl-CoA using pure enzyme preparations isolated from rat liver mitochondria. The activities of the pure human short-chain, medium-chain, and isovaleryl enzymes purified from post-mortem livers, and a long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase preparation partialy purified from placental mitochondria, were also tested. Valproyl-CoA was dehydrogenated at a significant rate (0.167 μmol/min per mg protein) only by rat 2-methyl-branched-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase. Human 2-methyl-branched-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase has not been purified; therefore, it could not be tested. Since four other human acyl-CoA dehydrogenases did not dehydrogenate isobutyryl-CoA, 2-methylbutyryl-CoA (obligatory intermediates from valine and isoleucine, respectively) nor valproyl-CoA, it is reasonable to assume that valproyl-CoA is dehydrogenated by 2-methyl-branch-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in man as well. We identified 2-propyl-2-pentenoyl-CoA as the reaction product from valproyl-CoA by mass spectral analysis of the acyl moiety. Valproyl-CoA, at 0.3 mM, moderately inhibited human acyl-CoA dehydrogenases with the exception of the long-chain enzyme. 5 mM free valproic acid inhibited the activities of various acyl-CoA dehydrogenases only very weakly.
The safety of thiazolidinediones

Introduction: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has reached epidemic proportions. Many new therapies have emerged, including thiazolidinediones (TZDs), selective agonists of PPAR-γ, now used as both primary and add-on therapies. Given that T2DM is a lifetime disease, there is a need for assurance that new drugs are both safe and effective. Recent concern about the cardiovascular safety of one of the new drugs, rosiglitazone, is the stimulus for this review. Areas covered: The safety of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone under the headings of liver safety, cardiovascular safety, fluid retention, weight gain and bone fractures is reviewed based on a PubMed search of the years 1997 through June 2010. This review also describes the magnitude of the risks of the TZDs and provides a recommendation on the use of TZDs. Expert opinion: Liver safety is no longer an issue with the TZDs. There are no significant differences between rosiglitazone and pioglitazone in fluid retention, weight gain and bone fr...
Qualitative screening for adulterants in weight-loss supplements by ion mobility spectrometry

Abstract Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) served as a rapid, qualitative screening tool for the analysis of adulterated weight-loss products. We have previously shown that sibutramine extracted into methanol from dietary supplements can be detected at low levels (2 ng) using a portable IMS spectrometer, and have adapted a similar method for the analysis of additional weight-loss product adulterants. An FDA collaborative study helped to define the limits for fluoxetine with a limit of detection of 2 ng. We also evaluated more readily available, less toxic extraction solvents and found isopropanol and water were comparable to methanol. Isopropanol was favored over water for two reasons: (1) water increases the analysis time and (2) aqueous solutions were more susceptible to pH change, which affected the detection of sibutramine. In addition to sibutamine and fluoxetine, we surveyed 11 weight-loss adulterants; bumetanide, fenfluramine, furosemide, orlistat, phenolphthalein, phentermine, phenytoin, rimonabant, sertraline and two sibutramine analogs, desmethylsibutramine and didesmethylsibutramine, using portable and benchtop ion mobility spectrometers. Out of these 13 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), portable and benchtop ion mobility spectrometers were capable of screening products for 10 of these APIs. The developed procedure was applied to two weight-loss dietary supplements using both portable and benchtop instruments. One product contained didesmethylsibutramine while the other contained didesmethylsibutramine and phenolphthalein.
On the Feasibility of Using the Intrinsic Fluorescence of Nucleotides for DNA Sequencing.

There is presently a worldwide effort to increase the speed and decrease the cost of DNA sequencing as exemplified by the goal of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to sequence a human genome for under $1000. Several high throughput technologies are under development. Among these, single strand sequencing using exonuclease appear very promising. However, this approach requires complete labeling of at least two bases at a time, with extrinsic high quantum yield probes. This is necessary because nucleotides absorb in the deep ultraviolet (UV) and emit with extremely low quantum yields. Hence intrinsic emission from DNA and nucleotides is not being exploited for DNA sequencing. In the present paper we consider the possibility of identifying single nucleotides using their intrinsic emission. We used the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to calculate the effects of aluminum nanoparticles on nearby fluorophores that emit in the UV. We find that the radiated power of UV fluorophores i...
Growth hormone releasing factor decreases long form leptin receptor expression in porcine anterior pituitary cells.

Abstract Pituitary cells from six pigs, 180–200 days of age, were studied in primary culture to determine if growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) affects long form leptin receptor (Ob-Rl) expression. On Day 4 of culture, 10 5 live cells per well were challenged with either 0, 10 −6 , 10 −7 or 10 −8 M [Ala15]-hGRF-(1–29)NH 2 (3 wells per treatment per pig). Secretion of growth hormone (GH) into the media and pituitary Ob-Rl mRNA expression were determined at 4h after treatment. Media were analyzed for GH by radioimmunoassay, and total RNA was isolated from cells for determination of Ob-Rl expression by semi quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Basal GH concentration was 32±2ng per 10 5 cells per well ( n =18 wells) for 4h. Relative to control at 4h, 10 −6 ,10 −7 and 10 −8 M GRF increased ( P P
Intraoperative evoked potential monitoring of the spinal cord: enhanced stability of cortical recordings.

Abstract Intraoperative EP monitoring of spinal cord function depends upon a quickly obtained, reproducible EP. The records must be obtained in a hostile environment where artifacts and other sources of electrical noise cannot easily be eliminated: records are obtained continuously without interrupting the surgery. We studied EP reproducibility by measuring cortical EP amplitude range and latency range within individual patients. Reproducibility was enhanced by several changes in the stimulus and recording parameters: (1) Bipolar recording near the vertex (Cz-Pz, E1-E2) eliminated a significant amount of the artifacts and random variations seen in referential recordings. Bipolar recordings sacrifice some amplitude but the improved reproducibility is worthwhile. (2) Restricted filters (especially 30–3000 Hz) improve reproducibility still further, compared to the traditional open filters (1–1000 Hz). (3) Fast stimulation rates improve monitoring up to rates of about 5 stimuli/sec. At even faster rates too much amplitude attenuation usually occurs. Using these techniques stable intraoperative EPs were recorded from all 115 patients except those in whom EPs were abnormal even before surgery. Advantages and disadvantages compared to epidural recording techniques were discussed. Several further observations were made, including (1) monitoring could be done equally as well with stimulation either at the peroneal or at the posterior tibial nerve; (2) balanced nitrous oxide and narcotic anesthesia did attenuate EPs by about 60%, although this is not so much as to interfere seriously with monitoring.
Amelioration of cisplatin nephrotoxicity by genetic or pharmacologic blockade of prostaglandin synthesis

Nephrotoxicity is a common complication of cisplatin chemotherapy that limits its clinical use. Here, we determined whether arachidonic acid metabolism has a role in the pathogenesis of cisplatin nephrotoxicity in mice. Three days following cisplatin injection, wild-type mice displayed renal functional and structural abnormalities consistent with nephrotoxicity accompanied by elevated circulating and renal levels of TNF-α and renal levels of IL-1β, subunits of NADPH oxidase, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and PGE 2 . These indices of kidney injury, inflammation, oxidative stress, and arachidonate metabolism were all diminished in microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) null mice; a phenotype recapitulated by treatment of wild-type mice with the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. Following cisplatin administration, there was paralleled induction of COX-2 and mPGES-1 in renal parenchymal cells. Interestingly, mPGES-1 null mice were not protected from acute kidney injury caused by ischemia–reperfusion or endotoxin. Hence, our results suggest the activation of COX-2/mPGES-1 pathway in renal parenchymal cells may selectively mediate cisplatin-induced renal injury. This may offer a novel therapeutic target for management of the adverse effect of cisplatin chemotherapy.
Paradoxical sleep in the rat: Comparison of early and late blinding

Electrophysiological recordings of sleep in adult rats blinded prior to weaning were significantly different from those recorded in littermates blinded after weaning. Behavior on an open-field test failed to indicate any significant differences between these two groups. Thus, it appears that an early reduction of external sensory input can modify brain activity during sleep.
Applied-Information Technology with Distributed Text Feature Extraction Method Based on MapReduce

With the rapid development of Internet technology and information technology, the emergence of a large number of document data, text classification techniques for handling massive amounts of data is becoming increasingly important. This paper presents a distributed text feature extraction method based on distributed computing model—MapReduce. In the process of mass text processing, solve the problem of processing text size limit and inadequate performance, provide the research of text feature extraction method a new way of thinking.
Risk factors for obstetrical anal sphincter lacerations

The objective of this study was to identify the rate of anal sphincter lacerations in a large population-based database and analyze risk factors associated with this condition. Data were obtained from Pennsylvania Healthcare Cost Containment Council (PHC4) regarding all cases of obstetrical third and fourth degree perineal lacerations that occurred during a 2-year period from January 1990 to December 1991. Modifiable risk factors associated with this condition were analyzed, specifically episiotomy, forceps-assisted vaginal delivery, forceps with episiotomy, vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, and vacuum with episiotomy. There were a total of 168,337 deliveries in 1990 and 165,051 deliveries in 1991 in Pennsylvania. Twenty-two percent (n=74,881) of the deliveries were by cesarean section and were excluded from analysis. Among the remaining 258,507 deliveries, there were 18,888 (7.3%) third and fourth degree lacerations. Instrumental vaginal delivery, particularly with use of episiotomy, increased the risk of laceration significantly [forceps odds ratio (OR): 3.84, forceps with episiotomy OR: 3.89, vacuum OR: 2.58, vacuum with episiotomy OR: 2.93]. Episiotomy on the whole was associated with a threefold increase in the risk of sphincter tears. However, episiotomy in the absence of instrumental delivery seems to be protective with an OR of 0.9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88–0.93]. Instrumental vaginal delivery, particularly forceps delivery, appears to be an important risk factor for anal sphincter tears. The risk previously attributed to episiotomy is probably due to its association with instrumental vaginal delivery. Forceps delivery is associated with higher occurrence of anal sphincter injury compared to vacuum delivery.
Ventricular tachycardia in valvular heart disease: facilitation of sustained bundle-branch reentry by valve surgery

Background The clinical characteristics of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT), when it develops after valve surgery, have not been described. Methods and Results Between 1985 and 1996, 31 patients (30 men and 1 woman) who had undergone valve surgery were found to have inducible SMVT. Nine patients (29%) had sustained VT due to bundle-branch reentry (BBR) (group 1). Four of these patients had normal left ventricular function, and VT with a right bundle-branch morphology was inducible in 4 patients. Group 2 included 20 patients with inducible myocardial (ie, non-BBR) VT. Coronary artery disease was present in 15 group 2 patients (75%) due to atherosclerotic (n=12) and nonatherosclerotic (n=3) causes. Two patients had both inducible sustained BBR and myocardial VT (group 3). Sustained BBR VT occurred significantly earlier after valve surgery (median, 10 days) than the onset of postoperative myocardial VT (median, 72 months; P<.005). Conclusions Myocardial VT was the most common type of indu...
Comparison of Colonic Transit Between Polyethylene Glycol and Water as Oral Contrast Vehicles in the CT Evaluation of Acute Appendicitis

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to assess the efficacy of a new positive oral contrast agent's ability to reach the colon during CT evaluation of acute appendicitis.SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Eighty adult emergency department patients who underwent abdominal CT to evaluate for appendicitis were studied. Forty patients received the department's standard dose of 1,600 mL of a water-iodinated contrast mixture (ratio of 2 mL of iodinated contrast material to 100 mL of water) with a standard delay time of 2-2.5 hours from the beginning of contrast medium ingestion. Forty patients were given a new oral contrast mixture of 1,000 mL of polyethylene glycol (PEG) mixed with 30 mL of iodinated contrast agent, and the examination was conducted only 1 hour from inception of contrast administration. Examinations were reviewed for the presence of contrast medium in the cecum and the presence of appendicitis or other abdominal abnormality.RESULTS. Thirty-eight of 40 patients in the PEG group had contrast medium in t...