cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alimentary tract surgery in the nonagenarian: elective vs. emergent operations.

The objective of this study was to compare elective with emergent surgery in patients over the age of 90 years. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients over 90 years of age who underwent alimentary tract surgery between1994 and2002 at acommunity teaching hospital.Of100 patients(mean age 92 years; range 90 to 98 years), 82 were women and 18 were men. Seventy-three percent were admitted from private homes or assisted-living facilities, and 27% came from a skilled-nursing facility (SNF). Major comorbid conditions existed in 93%. Procedures included right hemicolectomy (22%), adhesiolysis and/or small bowel resection (19%), cholecystectomy (14%), left-sided or sigmoid colectomy (11%), and perineal proctectomy (8%). Overall morbidity and mortality were 36% and 15%, respectively. Postoperative complications included respiratory failure and pneumonia (11%), arrhythmias (9%), delirium (7%), congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction (6%), and urinary complications (4%). Twentyeight percent of the operations were elective, and 72% were emergent. Morbidity and mortality were higher in the emergent group (41% and 19%, respectively) than in the elective group (26% and 4%, respectively; P = 0.04), especially for patients with an emergent surgical problem who came from a nursing home (22%). Average length of stay was 12 ±10 days (range 2 to 69 days) with little difference between elective and emergent cases. Sixty-four percent of patients were discharged to skilled-nursing facilities. Alimentary tract surgery can be performed safely in nonagenarians, and they should not be denied surgical care solely because of age.
Fundamental radiation-induced defect centers in synthetic fused silicas: Atomic chlorine, delocalized E' centers, and a triplet state.

A series of synthetic fused silicas of diverse OH contents was subjected to 100-keV x irradiations at 77 K and investigated by electron-spin-resonance techniques at \ensuremath{\sim}110 K or higher temperatures. Spectra were recorded at X-band frequencies (\ensuremath{\sim}9.2--9.3 GHz) both as the first derivative of absorption and in the high-power second-harmonic mode in order to bring out features not fully accessible by using one of these methods alone. In addition to the previously known ${E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\mathcal{'}}$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{\mathcal{'}}$, and oxygen-associated hole centers, three new defects were detected and characterized by computer line-shape simulation methods. These were atomic chlorine, a delocalized E' center (denoted ${E}_{\ensuremath{\delta}}^{\mathcal{'}}$), and the first biradical to be reported in a-${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$. A sample-to-sample correlation of the radiation yields of these three new centers has been noted, leading to the suggestion that all three find their origins in specific chlorine-decorated precursor sites in the unirradiated glasses. Although significant chlorine impurities (g100 ppm) may be ubiquitous in both type-III (high OH) and type-IV (low OH) fused silicas, the occurrence of chlorine-associated radiation-induced defects appears to be anticorrelated with the OH contents of the materials. Some possible technological implications of these findings are discussed.
Cognitive Approaches to Password Memorability – the Possible Role of Story-Based Passwords

The inverse relation between memorability of a password and the strength of a password presents a unique optimization opportunity for cognitive approaches. While graphical passwords have received most of the attention to date, the use of verbal material to create memorable passwords presents some distinct advantages that might make story-based passwords a serious contender in the race to the ultimate “cognitive” password system. In a first pilot study with 385 participants we investigated the memory for different story elements for short (10 min) and long (1 week) retention intervals. Even a non-optimized story yields better long-term performance than traditional alphanumeric passwords and is comparable to the lower end of graphical password systems.
THE EFFECT OF THE PULSE UPON THE FORMATION AND FLOW OF LYMPH

The ears of rabbits were perfused with defibrinated rabbit's blood in such a way that pulsation could be imparted to the perfusate or withheld from it at will. In the absence of pulsation there was almost no lymph flow, whereas when it was present lymph flow was rapid despite the fact that the "systolic" pressure of the perfusate never exceeded the constant pressure in the non-pulsatile instances and the volume flow was far less. Non-pulsatile perfusion led to a slight flow of lymph in ears that were becoming edematous, whereas when it was pulsatile the lymph flow was enormous. The pulse exercises an influence to move fluid into the lymphatics and along them.
The impact of response frequency on the Rorschach constellation indices and on their validity with diagnostic and MMPI-2 criteria

I first examined the effects of response frequency (R) on the Comprehensive System's constellation indices (Exner, 1991). R is significantly associated with 26 of the 29 constellation criteria that are based on raw numbers and significantly correlated with total scores on each of the constellations. I then examined how R impacts the external validity of the constellations. The ability of the Schizophrenia Index and the Suicide Constellation to discriminate diagnostic groups appears to be impaired when protocols deviate from average length, whereas the Hypervigilance Index (HVI) appears most diagnostic of a paranoid condition when it is relatively elevated in brief records. R also clearly mediates the relationship between the Rorschach and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) criteria. In lengthy protocols, many of the cross-method convergent correlations between appropriate MMPI-2 scales and the Depression Index, Obsessive Style Index, and HVI are quite high and approach the maximum found in personality research. In brief protocols, there are strong negative correlations between these constellations and self-reports of depression and interpersonal distress. Implications from these findings for the integration of assessment methods are discussed.
Test implementation to evaluate technologies for safe lunar landing

From June 20 through July 7 of 2009, the Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT) Exploration Technology Development Program carried out an aircraft field test over Moon like terrains to assess the use of sensors and algorithms being developed for autonomous, safe lunar landing. The field test data has been used to evaluate the performance of a lidar, a passive optical camera system, and associated algorithms for Terrain Relative Navigation. Reported here is a comprehensive description of the field test hardware, ground infrastructure and trajectory reconstruction methodologies1,2.
Predictors of parental attachment during early parenthood

Parental attachment of 121 high-risk women, 61 partners of high-risk women, 182 low-risk women, and 117 partners of low-risk women, was studied at the first week postpartum and 8 months following birth The tests of theoretical models showed low predictive ability explaining from zero to 21% of the variance in parental attachment in the four groups over the two test periods Empirical respecified models predicting parent-infant attachment at the first week postpartum and 8 months explained 31% and 29% of the variance among high-nsk women, 69% and 45% among high-nsk partners, 41% and 53% among low-nsk women, and 35% and 38% among low-risk partners Parental competence was a major predictor of parental attachment over all test periods for all four groups Early parent-infant contact following birth was never a predictor except at 8 months when, among low-nsk women, the opposite effect than that expected was observed; the later women held their infants the higher was their attachment High-nsk women scored significantly higher than low-risk women during the first week postpartum only
Religious Value Priming, Threat, and Political Tolerance

The exploration of the religious underpinnings of intolerance has long focused on the effects of religious behaviors and beliefs, but has ignored a variety of important facets of the religious expe...
The rates of hydration of carbon dioxide and dehydration of carbonic acid at 37

Abstract The rates of hydration of CO2 and dehydration of H2CO3 were determined using a stopped-flow spectrophotometric apparatus. The hydration rate constant, k1, was found to be 0.145 sec−1 in imidazole buffer at 37° and the dehydration rate constant, k−1, was calculated to be 49.6 sec−1. These rate constants are compared with previously reported values in the literature. For comparison, the rate constants at 25° were also determined. At both temperatures, the ratio of k−1 and k1 agrees reasonably well with the equilibrium constant, K, calculated from ionization constants.
Statistical estimation of parameters in a phylogenetic tree using a dynamic model of the substitutional process

Using a modified version of the substitutional process proposed by Neyman, we estimate the parameters of the phylogenetic tree made up of three species (or groups of species). The parameters estimated are the rate of substitution of amino acids along a protein and the ratio of the times of divergence of the species (or group of species). A method is given for determining the tree structure when it is not known. Both the maximum likelihood and Bayes methods are used in the estimation. The basic model of the substitutional process within the proteins is validated by showing that the estimates of the ratio of the times of divergence of three species computed from two different protein molecules (haemoglobin α and fibrinopeptides) are within one standard deviation of each other. Next we consider the construction of the correct phylogenetic tree made up of three or more taxonomic categories like phyla or class utilizing the structure of the various types of protein molecules of the species in the three categories. The generalization of the procedure for the construction of the entire phylogenetic tree is also indicated. The main advantage of this method of tree construction over the traditional method is that the latter method can use the information of only one type of protein (for example cytochrome c) while the method of this paper can use all the available data from the different molecules. We also discuss the recent controversy over the constancy of the molecular clock.
A sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis–liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of bovine cartilage tissue response to mechanical compression injury and the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin‐1β

OBJECTIVE To compare the response of chondrocytes and cartilage matrix to injurious mechanical compression and treatment with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), by characterizing proteins lost to the medium from cartilage explant culture. METHODS Cartilage explants from young bovine stifle joints were treated with 10 ng/ml of IL-1beta or 100 ng/ml of TNFalpha or were subjected to uniaxial, radially-unconfined injurious compression (50% strain; 100%/second strain rate) and were then cultured for 5 days. Pooled media were subjected to gel-based separation (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and the data were analyzed by Spectrum Mill proteomics software, focusing on protein identification, expression levels, and matrix protein proteolysis. RESULTS More than 250 proteins were detected, including extracellular matrix (ECM) structural proteins, pericellular matrix proteins important in cell-cell interactions, and novel cartilage proteins CD109, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like, angiopoietin-like 7, and adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1. IL-1beta and TNFalpha caused increased release of chitinase 3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), CHI3L2, complement factor B, matrix metalloproteinase 3, ECM-1, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A3, and clusterin. Injurious compression caused the release of intracellular proteins, including Grp58, Grp78, alpha4-actinin, pyruvate kinase, and vimentin. Injurious compression also caused increased release and evidence of proteolysis of type VI collagen subunits, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, and fibronectin. CONCLUSION Overload compression injury caused a loss of cartilage integrity, including matrix damage and cell membrane disruption, which likely occurred through strain-induced mechanical disruption of cells and matrix. IL-1beta and TNFalpha caused the release of proteins associated with an innate immune and stress response by the chondrocytes, which may play a role in host defense against pathogens or may protect cells against stress-induced damage.
let-7 miRNAs Can Act through Notch to Regulate Human Gliogenesis

It is clear that neural differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells generates cells that are developmentally immature. Here, we show that the let-7 plays a functional role in the developmental decision making of human neural progenitors, controlling whether these cells make neurons or glia. Through gain- and loss-of-function studies on both tissue and pluripotent derived cells, our data show that let-7 specifically regulates decision making in this context by regulation of a key chromatin-associated protein, HMGA2. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the let-7/HMGA2 circuit acts on HES5, a NOTCH effector and well-established node that regulates fate decisions in the nervous system. These data link the let-7 circuit to NOTCH signaling and suggest that this interaction serves to regulate human developmental progression.
Intrinsic connections in the caudal subdivision of the dorsolateral visual area (DLC) in squirrel monkeys

Patterns of intrinsic connections and features of individual intrinsic axons in the caudal subdivision of the dorsolateral visual area (DL(C)) were investigated in four squirrel monkeys (Saimiri) following extracellular injections of the tracers biocytin, biotinylated dextran amine, and wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. Injections were defined in DL(C) by reference to architectonic borders and patterns of connections with other cortical areas. Intrinsic connections extended up to 6 mm from an injection and were usually anisotropic, extending farther dorsoventrally than anteroposteriorly. Injections that involved the supragranular layers produced up to 20 mainly supragranular patches of projections that had a width of 285 +/- 8 microm (mean +/- standard error) and area of 0.125 +/- 0.016 mm(2). Seventy-four intrinsic axon segments with a total of 3,290 boutons were drawn and their bouton spacing measured. The sample included axons in layers 1, 2-3, 5, and multiple (>2) layers; horizontally and vertically oriented axons; and axons in an injection halo, patch, or nonpatch region of projections. There were no differences in bouton spacing for axons in halo, patch, or nonpatch regions. Layer 1 axons (n = 7) had a significantly sparser distribution of boutons (median interbouton interval of 45.2 +/- 17.8 microm) than the layers 2-3 (n = 35) and layer 5 axons (n = 26), which did not differ in bouton spacing (median interbouton intervals of 8.1 +/- 0.4 microm and 8.4 +/- 0.8 microm, respectively). Patterns of intrinsic connections in DL(C) are related to neural organization and properties reported for DL or visual area V4, and are compared to intrinsic connections of other areas.
Fundamental Mechanisms for Reduction of Leakage Current of Silicon Oxide and Oxynitride through RTP-Induced Phonon-Energy Coupling

We study the fundamental mechanisms for dramatic reduction of leakage current of silicon oxide caused by the RTP-induced phonon-energy coupling enhancement (PECE). It is shown that the Si-D bonds are strengthened after RTP and deuterium anneal through characterization of hot-electron degradation of MOS transistors. The Si-O bonds are strengthened because the breakdown voltage of silicon oxide is increased after RTP. We also designed special pn junctions to examine Si-Si bonds. We found that the breakdown voltage of the silicon substrate is increased by 0.3 V after RTP anneal whereas it remains the same for diodes annealed in furnace with the same parameters as in RTP. The increase in breakdown voltage of silicon is due to its intrinsic properties, i.e. stronger Si-Si bonds. The strengthening of Si-Si bonds is caused by coupling of phonon energy from silicon to thin oxide.
Quantitative analysis of the effects of robots on introductory Computer Science education

We report the results of a year-long experiment in the use of robots to teach computer science. Our data set compares results from over 800 students on identical tests from both robotics and nonrobotics-based laboratory sessions. We also examine the effectiveness of robots in encouraging students to select computer science or computer engineering as a field of study. Our results are negative: test scores were lower in the robotics sections than in the nonrobotics ones, nor did the use of robots have any measurable effect on students' choice of discipline. We believe the most significant factor that accounts for this is the lack of a simulator for our robotics programming system. Students in robotics sections must run and debug their programs on robots during assigned lab times, and are therefore deprived of both reflective time and the rapid compile-run-debug cycle outside of class that is an important part of the learning process. We discuss this and other issues, and suggest directions for future work.
Limbus-versus Fornix-based Conjounctival Flaps in Combined Phacoemulsification and Mitomycin C Trabeculectomy Surgery

Abstract Purpose: The authors compared the effectiveness of limbus- and fornix-based conjunctival flaps in patients undergoing combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, and mitomycin C trabeculectomy. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review of the records of 52 consecutive eyes of 45 patients who underwent combined surgery with limbus- and fornix-based conjunctival flaps. All surgery was by done by one surgeon on predominantly white patients in a suburban glaucoma subspecialty practice. Seven patients had both limbusand fornix-based surgery, permitting fellow eye comparisons in these patients. All patients had at least 6 months and a median of 17 months follow-up. None of the eyes that were operated on had undergone intraocular surgery previously. Results: No clinically significant difference in postoperative pressure reduction, bleb survival, or visual acuity was seen between the fornix- and limbus-based groups. Results in the fellow eye comparison subgroups were similar. The mean intraocular pressure decreased from 20.4 mmHg before surgery to a mean of 12.4 mmHg at the last followup visit. Forty-seven (90.3%) of 52 eyes had a final best-corrected visual acuity of 201 40 or better. Forty eyes (76.9%) no longer needed antiglaucoma medications at the end of follow-up. Five eyes had intraoperative posterior capsule rupture; all of these occurred in the limbus-based group. Shallow serous choroidal effusions were more common in the fornix-based group, but none were clinically significant. No difference in postoperative astigmatism between the limbus- or fornix-based group was seen. Intraoperative pupilloplasty, synechialysis, or postoperative neodymium:YAG capsulotomy had no appreciable effect on final intraocular pressure or bleb survival. Endophthalmitis, aqueous misdirection, or hypotony maculopathy did not develop in any patient. Conclusion: The effectiveness of limbus- and fornix-based conjunctival flaps appears to be similar. The limbus-based technique may result in a higher incidence of posterior capsular rupture, but the safety of limbus- and fornix-based flaps is otherwise similar. Combined phacoemulsification and mitomycin C trabeculectomy appears to be safe and effective for treating selected patients with coexisting glaucoma and cataract.
X-ray Crystal Structures of the Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase in Complex with Benzoxazinorifamycins

Rifampin, a semisynthetic rifamycin, is the cornerstone of current tuberculosis treatment. Among many semisynthetic rifamycins, benzoxazinorifamycins have great potential for TB treatment due to their superior affinity for wild-type and rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA polymerases and their reduced hepatic Cyp450 induction activity. In this study, we have determined the crystal structures of the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase complexes with two benzoxazinorifamycins. The ansa-naphthalene moieties of the benzoxazinorifamycins bind in a deep pocket of the β subunit, blocking the path of the RNA transcript. The C3'-tail of benzoxazinorifamycin fits a cavity between the β subunit and σ factor. We propose that in addition to blocking RNA exit, the benzoxazinorifamycin C3'-tail changes the σ region 3.2 loop position, which influences the template DNA at the active site, thereby reducing the efficiency of transcription initiation. This study supports expansion of structure-activity relationships of benzoxazinorifamycins inhibition of RNA polymerase toward uncovering superior analogues with development potential.
An approach to evidence-based therapeutic Apheresis

This review is derived from a memorial lecture honoring Dr. Francis Morrison, a former President of the American Society For Apheresis (ASFA). The author had numerous professional contacts with Dr. Morrison through ASFA in the early 1990s, having served with him on the Board of Directors and followed him as President, and also came to know him well on a personal level. Professionally, Dr. Morrison stood out as a courtly gentleman with a marvelous baritone voice whose ability to facilitate organization contributed to a growing sense of dignity and purpose in the affairs of the society. On the personal side, however, there wasn't an ounce of pretension in him. He was accessible and down-to-earth; a genuine character with an active and appealing sense of humor. Not surprisingly, he seemed to have a wealth of insight and "common sense," and since the topic of this study is a kind of common sense approach to assessing the effectiveness of therapeutic apheresis, it seems a fitting way to honor his memory.
The Effect on Gastrin Secretion of Agents which Increase the Intracellular Concentration of 3′,5′-Adenosine Monophosphate

An in vitro technique that allows study of gastrin secretion from isolated pieces of rat gastric antrum was used to study the effect on gastrin release of agents known to increase intracellular cAMP levels. Isuprel (10−5M), PGE, (10−5M), theophylline (10−4M), and dibutyryl cAMP (5 × 10−4M) did not affect gastrin release when used alone, but each enhanced arginine-stimulated gastrin release. A biphasic pattern of gastrin release in response to arginine was seen in all experiments. The studies emphasize the close functional similarity between the antral G cells and the B cells of the pancreatic islet. (Endocrinology 97: 1210, 1975)
Bootstrap for nonstandard cases

Abstract Scale invariant statistics like Student's t, involving mean absolute deviations instead of standard deviations, and statistics which are distributed asymptotically like linear combinations of chi-squares or F-statistics are considered. Bootstrap procedures in estimating their distributions are described. The error in the bootstrap approximation of the sampling distribution, in the latter type, is of the order O p (n − 3 1 ). It is demonstrated that the error term cannot be improved. In such cases Bartlett correction is preferable, which is known to give an approximation with an error term of the order O(n−2). Bootstrap procedures for errors-in-variables regression coefficients are also described. In all the cases mentioned above, the Edgeworth expansions of multivariate means, which do not satisfy standard regularity assumptions, play an important role.
Kinetics of high-temperature reaction in titanium-nitrogen system: nonisothermal conditions

Abstract The kinetics of rapid high-temperature reaction in titanium–nitrogen (Ti–N 2 ) system, when it occurs under essentially nonisothermal conditions, are investigated. For this purpose, we utilized a computer-assisted electrothermography (CAE) set-up built in our laboratory. It is shown that under certain conditions, overshooting occurs where the reaction temperature exceeds the setpoint value. This phenomenon may be considered as self-ignition of the metal in nitrogen and its characteristics (e.g. rate of heat release, maximum temperature, etc.) depend strongly on preheating rate. This effect is explained by change in surface area of the solid reactant during preheating period: lower preheating rates to the setpoint temperature provide more change in the metal reactant microstructure (primarily reduction of specific surface area), which decreases the rate of subsequent chemical interaction. Also, it is found that activation energy, E a , measured under nonisothermal conditions ( E a =330 kJ/mol) is significantly higher than that obtained from isothermal experiments ( E a =210 kJ/mol). The conclusion is made that isothermal kinetics may in general not be applicable for the nonisothermal case.
Hospitals in a Changing Health Care System

Abstract: Health system change is happening locally, and hospitals are at the center of this change. This paper, which presents data from a 1995 study of fifteen diverse communities, sketches the b...
Epidermal plasminogen activator is abnormal in cutaneous lesions

To investigate the role of plasminogen activator (PA) in cutaneous disease, we have used biochemical and immunocytochemical techniques to examine PA in normal and lesional skin. In normal human dermis, tissue PA is the predominant PA activity; however, in normal epidermis, urokinase type PA is the predominant PA activity. In contrast, PA activity in epidermis from lesions of patients with a variety of cutaneous diseases was predominantly tissue type enzyme with a much smaller contribution from urokinase. Our patient population included individuals with benign chronic pemphigus, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceous, bullous pemphigoid, or psoriasis. Using rabbit antibody specific for tissue type PA, we have immunocytochemically localized this enzyme in lesions from individuals with the above disorders. Our results indicate that tissue PA is consistently elevated in cutaneous lesions with diverse etiology, pathology, and clinical presentation.
Rooftop photovoltaic arrays: Electric shock and fire health hazards

Electric shocks and fires represent two different ways for rooftop photovoltaic energy systems to affect public health adversely during installation, operation or removal. Analysis of a U.S. Department of Energy residential application demonstration project suggest that the voltage generated by six modules connected in series could be sufficient to cause ventricular fibrillation and possibly death. Extrapolation of these results to future installations is limited by lack of failure mode data for various designs representing state-of-the-art module and rooftop applications. Two causes of fire include (i) electrical fires from short circuits and (ii) spontaneous combustion from heat build-up in dead air space. Crude upper-boundary estimates for fire-related risk are less than one reportable fire and less than 10−2 deaths per year per 10 MWp cumulative installed capacity. Although the marginal risk to society from these hazards may low, the potential risk to exposed individuals is high. Continued evaluation of safeguard effectiveness merits further consideration.
One Protein, At Least Three Structures, and Many Functions

Hepatitis B virus core gene products can adopt different conformations to perform their functional roles. In this issue of Structure, DiMattia and colleagues show the crystal structure of immuno-modulating HBeAg and thereby reveal the similarities and differences between it and HBcAg, the variant found in virions.
From Planning to Implementation: An Examination of Changes in the Research Design, Sample Size, and Precision of Group Randomized Trials Launched by the Institute of Education Sciences

Abstract This article examines changes in the research design, sample size, and precision between the planning phase and implementation phase of group randomized trials (GRTs) funded by the Institute of Education Sciences. Thirty-eight GRTs funded between 2002 and 2006 were examined. Three studies revealed changes in the experimental design. Ten studies showed decreases in the total number of groups randomized, whereas 18 studies showed increases. In five cases, the decreases in the number of groups randomized were large enough to decrease the precision of the study. However, in the majority of the studies, the precision was relatively unchanged from planning phase to implementation phase. The consistency in the precision between the planning phase and implementation phase highlights the importance of planning adequately powered studies.
Core overlap interactions in metals

Short-range interatomic forces associated with the overlap of closed core shells in both simple and noble metals have been investigated by means of the Heitler-London approach. The required overlap integrals were evaluated numerically; core orbitals were represented by neutral-atom Hartree-Fock wave functions. The calculated overlap interactions were found to vary exponentially with separation, as expected. For most simple metals, the overlap interaction is small compared with the screened-Coulomb interaction, until separations considerably smaller than the nearest-neighbor spacing are reached. In noble metals, on the other hand, the overlap and screened-Coulomb potentials are comparable at the nearest-neighbor position. Some general features of overlap potentials are discussed. The construction of a composite interatomic potential by interpolation between low- and high-energy theories is investigated.
Testosterone stimulation of citric acid synthesis in the rat prostate.

Abstract In an attempt to determine the nature of androgen action on prostatic physiology, studies have been made of the effect of testosterone, in vitro, on the intermediary metabolism and biosynthetic activity of this gland. It was seen for the first time that, both in vivo and in vitro, a rise in androgen level produced an increased synthesis of citric acid and that the product was not concentrated within the cell, but was accumulated extracellularly to contribute to the prostatic secretion. The gland was observed to use glucose aerobically. Evidence of lactate production and the utilization of glucose and dl -glyceraldehyde phosphate was examined. From these findings, a working hypothesis for androgen action, based on an enhanced removal of citrate from the cell, is presented.
Delayed suppression of serum luteinizing hormone after naloxone treatment in neonatal female rats.

In female neonatal rats, opiate receptor blockade markedly raises serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. The LH effect of acute treatment with opiate antagonists is apparently brief in older rats; however, age-related differences in antagonist pharmacokinetics may result in different LH response patterns. The duration of LH response to naloxone (NAL) and naltrexone (NTX) was examined in 5 day-old (d.o.) female rats and compared to the duration of analgesia blockade. The rise in serum LH following opiate receptor blockade in 5 d.o. rats was of similar duration to that previously observed in older animals and much briefer than blockade of analgesia. Furthermore, neonatal rats exhibited a delayed suppression of LH 6 hr following NAL, but not NTX, treatment. Stimulation and later suppression of LH were still observed after five repetitive NAL treatments at 6 hr intervals.
Viscosity measurements of barium sulfate mixtures for use in motility studies of the pharynx and esophagus.

Detailed viscosity measurements have been made of barium sulfate mixtures over a wide range of viscosities for use in radiography of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. A new methodology was developed for more accurate estimation of viscosity in non-Newtonian fluids in conventional cylinder-type viscometers. As base cases, the variation of viscosity with shear rate was measured for standard commercial mixes of e.z.hd (250% w/v) and a diluted mixture of liquid e.z.paque (40% w/v). These suspensions are strongly shear thinning at low shear rates. Above about 3s-1 the viscosity is nearly constant, but relatively low. To increase the viscosity of the barium sulfate mixture, Knott's strawberry syrup was mixed to different proportions with e.z.hd powder. In this way viscosity was systematically increased to values 130,000 times that of water. For these mixtures the variation of viscosity with temperature, and the change in mixture density with powder-syrup ratio are documented. From least-square fits through the data, simple mathematical formulas are derived for approximate calculation of viscosity as a function of mixture ratio and temperature. These empirical formulas should be useful in the design of "test kits" for systematic study for pharyngeal and esophageal motility, and clinical analysis of motility disorders as they relate to bolus consistency.
T-cell receptor gene usage and expression in renal allograft-derived T-cell lines

Abstract Southern blot analyses indicate that the T-cell receptors of alloreactive T-cell lines derived from needle biopsies of human kidney allografts are selected based on β-chain usage. In order to examine this selection at the level of T-cell-receptor expression, we have generated monoclonal antibodies directed toward the T-cell-receptors of three allograft-derived T-cell lines, MH3, WP3, and EH3. Monoclonal antibodies have been isolated which appear to react specifically with each of these three T-cell lines. One anti-MH3 antibody precipitates a molecule from the surface of MH3 cells that comigrates with the α/β TcR on a polyacrylamide gel. Te WP3 reactive monoclonal antibodies were identified which are cause a modulation of CD3 from the surface of WP3 T cells, although none as yet precipitates a molecule from lysates of surface 125 I-labeled WP3 cells. Since Northern blot analysis of EH3 RNA has revealed that a member of the Vβ6 gene family is expressed by this T-cell line, we are attempting to identify a monoclonal antibody reactive with this Vβ6 gene product.
I Got Thunder: Black Women Songwriters on their Craft

With the passing of South African jazz artist Miriam Makeba and African American folksinger Odetta in late fall 2008, the activist community lost two of its most steadfast voices for social justice...
Modification of a CP-42 cyclotron to meet clinical needs

The reliability of the prototype CP-42 cyclotron was seriously degraded by Dee insulator failures. The failures were caused by excessive rf power levels required to overcome phase losses introduced by spurious oscillations within the free-running power oscillator. The improvement of beam transport to the isocentric gantry required addition of an X−Y steering magnet and replacement of a small quadrupole singlet with a larger quadrupole doublet. The installation of three beam profile scanners greatly simplified daily tuning procedures.
Theory and Practice Meisel, Jurgen. First and Second Language Acquisition: Parallels and Differences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Pp. xviii, 302. $42.00, paper. ISBN 978–0–521–55764–1.

The article reviews the book "First and Second Language Acquisition: Parallels and Differences," by Jurgen Meisel.
401 TRANSPLACENTALLY INDUCED LIVER INJURY DUE TO LITHOCHOLATE: CANALICULAR Na, K-ACTIVATED ATPase AND MEMBRANE MICROVISCOSITY IN NEWBORNS

Administration of lithocholate (L) to pregnant rats has been shown to induce inflammatory lesions in liver of newborn offspring, progressing to intrahepatic biliary hypoplasia and chronic cholestasis (Gastroenterology 73:1214, 1977). The site of action and mechanism of L toxicity in utero was investigated in newborn rats delivered by dams maintained on standard chow (S) or S+2.5% L throughout pregnancy. Newborns were sacrificed at 1,2, and 5 days after birth, plasma collected, and liver removed for histological examination and isolation of canaliculi-enriched plasma membranes. Membrane Na, K-activated ATPase activity was assayed, and surface microviscosity (mV) determined by fluorescence polarization. Plasma L concentration was 2-3 μmol/L in treated, and was undetectable in untreated newborns. Hepatic changes in L-treated newborns were periportal inflammation, formation of pseudoducts and giant cells. ATPase activity in membranes from L-treated newborns was reduced by 40% compared with normals (2.58±0.30 vs 4.14±0.45 μmol P/hr/mg protein). Canalicular mV (in poises) was increased by 30% in L-treated newborns compared with normals (5.65±0.30 vs 3.99±0.18; p<0.01). Conclusion: Exposure to L in utero is associated with changes in canalicular membrane function and physical properties known to interfere with bile secretion, and may thus initiate a self-perpetuating cholestatic disorder after birth.
Formation of pyramid elements for hexahedra to tetrahedra transitions

New algorithms are proposed for the modification of a mixed hexahedra-tetrahedra element mesh to maintain compatibility by the insertion of pyramid elements. Several methods for generation of the pyramids are presented involving local tetrahedral transformations and/or node insertion near the hex/tet interface. Local smoothing and topological operations improve the quality of the transition region. Results show superior performance of the resulting elements in a commercial finite element code over non-conforming interface conditions.
Dissimilarity functions for behavior-based biometrics

Quality of a biometric system is directly related to the performance of the dissimilarity measure function. Frequently a generalized dissimilarity measure function such as Mahalanobis distance is applied to the task of matching biometric feature vectors. However, often accuracy of a biometric system can be greatly improved by introducing a customized matching algorithm optimized for a particular biometric. In this paper we investigate two tailored similarity measure functions for behavioral biometric systems based on the expert knowledge of the data in the domain. We compare performance of proposed matching algorithms to that of other well known similarity distance functions and demonstrate superiority of one of the new algorithms with respect to the chosen domain.
The "Buckle-Up" Dashboard Sticker: An Effective Environmental Intervention for Safety Belt Promotion

A vehicle dashboard sticker that read "safety belt use required in this vehicle" was found to double the use of safety belts by front-seat passengers. During an initial two-week baseline phase, 24 graduate students (who always buckled up when driving) recorded safety belt use by front-seat passengers in their automobiles. The mean baseline belt use of 476 passengers was 34%. Subsequently, buckle-up stickers were placed in the 24 vehicles, and passenger belt use increased to 70% (n = 448). Two weeks later the stickers were withdrawn and passenger belt use dropped to 41% (n = 406). Replacement of the 24 stickers for two final weeks resulted in 78% belt use by 392 front seat passengers. (Author/TRRL)
Neurochemical and Motor Effects of High Dose Haloperidol Treatment: Exacerbation by Tryptophan Supplementation

The neurochemical and motor effects of a high dose (25 mg/kg) of haloperidol were assessed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. In Experiment 1, this high dose of haloperidol caused dramatic increases in striatal dopaminergic and serotonergic turnover that only returned to control levels 100 hr after injection. In the second experiment, the same dose of haloperidol was administered twice over a 3-week interval in the presence or absence of a dietary tryptophan supplement added to the drinking water. Rats were assessed for disruption of locomotor behavior (using the rotorod) as well as the occurrence of spontaneous (dyskinetic-like) chewing and head twitching. It was observed that haloperidol impaired rotorod performance in a manner that paralleled the time course of the neurochemical changes in Experiment 1. In addition, the tryptophan (consumed at an average of 157 mg/kg/day) exacerbated the deficit in rotorod performance in haloperidol-treated rats after the first, but not after the second, haloperidol injection. Finally, the combination of haloperidol plus tryptophan was found to cause a long-lasting increase in spontaneous chewing movements that lasted 56 days after the first injection. These observations are interpreted in the context of tryptophan supplementation to antipsychotic therapy.
Effects of Environmental Variables on Infrared Imaging of Subsurface Features of Concrete Bridges

Deterioration of concrete due to corrosion of embedded steel reinforcing bars and prestressing strands represents a significant challenge for inspection and maintenance engineers. Delaminations develop in the concrete manifest as spalling, which further exposes the steel to the corrosive environment and accelerates the deterioration process. The typical method for detecting these delaminations is hammer sounding, which requires hands-on access to the material under inspection. Specialized equipment and lane closures are frequently necessary to achieve the required access. Application of infrared imaging to detect the subsurface features in concrete can image such defects from a distance, such that direct access to the surface of the concrete is not required. However, the method relies on environmental conditions to create thermal gradients in the concrete so that these subsurface features can be detected. A study examined the optimum environmental conditions for detection of subsurface features in concret...
New theory of partial coherence in the space–frequency domain. Part I: spectra and cross spectra of steady-state sources

It is shown that, under very general conditions, the cross-spectral density of a steady-state source of any state of coherence may be expressed in terms of certain new modes of oscillations, each of which represents a completely spatially coherent elementary excitation. Making use of this result, a statistical ensemble of strictly monochromatic oscillations, all of the same temporal frequency, is then introduced that yields the cross-spectral density as a correlation function in the space–frequency domain. From these results two new expressions for the Wiener–Khintchine spectrum of the source and also a new mode representation of the cross-correlation function of the source follow at once.
DO SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS NEED NEGOTIATION

Des etudes theoriques ont montre que les apprenants en L2 doivent, pour reussir leur apprentissage, • obtenir des informations comprehensibles, • produire des enonces modifies, • concentrer l'attention sur la forme de la L2. Les recherches ont montre que les deux premiers points impliquent une participation de l'apprenant dans la negociation. L'A. examine si la negociation concerne aussi le troisieme point. Il analyse pour cela la communication dans des dyades LN/LNN en anglais
Studies on the assay and activities of guanyl and adenyl cyclase of rat liver.

Abstract In applying recently developed methods for measuring adenyl and guanyl cyclase activities, we found that some modifications produced much better cyclic nucleotide recovery, lower assay backgrounds, and greater reliability than previously reported. The reliability and specificity of the assay methods were confirmed by substrate and product analysis. Kinetic analysis of rat liver guanyl and adenyl cyclase was subsequently performed to investigate regulatory properties of both enzymes. The Michaelis-Menton constant of guanyl cyclase activity of a 30,000g supernatant fraction of rat liver for guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP) was 0.04 m m . This enzyme was competitively inhibited by adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) (Ki = 0.011 mM). Guanyl cyclase was activated in vitro by secretin but unaffected by carbamylcholine, hist-amine, methoxamirie, serotonin, glucagon, and pancreozymin. Liver homogenate adenyl cyclase had a Michaelis-Menten constant for ATP of 0.2 mm. This enzyme was activated by secretin, pancreozymin, glucagon, sodium fluoride, and isoproterenol. GTP (0.005 m m ) enhanced the activation by both isoproterenol and glucagon. Methoxamine had no effect on adenyl cyclase activity in the presence or absence of GTP. These results suggest that both guanyl cyclase and adenyl cyclase may be mediators of hormone action in the liver.
Oral manifestations of gastrointestinal disease

In this review an attempt is made to present a compendium of oral manifestations of gastrointestinal diseases. The oral manifestations of those nutrient deficiencies which may be components of the malabsorption state are included in the discussion. In addition, an introduction to the patterns of nonspecific injury to the intraoral structures is included. The structures and lining of the oral cavity can assume importance in detecting and monitoring systemic disease. Essentially, they act as an accessible mirror reflecting the health of the individual. Often they show early changes brought on by an alteration in the nutritional state of the body (Table 1). Changes may include ulceration, nodularity, atrophy, inflammation, mobility of teeth, easy bruising, swelling, hyperesthesia, and fibrosis. Recognition of such changes can be most helpful in identification of the related disorders. The following intraoral lesions seen in gastrointestinal disease will be defined: mucosal ulceration, cheilitis, gingivitis, and glossitis. Mucosal ulceration may be a manifestation of generalized stomatitis which can produce an erythematous, sore mucosa, with atrophic changes leading to localized erosions. Ulceration should be considered a nonspecific expression of a disease state, whether associated with Crohn's disease, folate malabsorption, or other conditions. A search for the etiology will be necessary before attempting specific therapy (1). Similarly, cheilitis, or inflammation of the lips is a common mode of expression for acquired nutrient
Selective Formation of Indene through the Reaction of Benzyl Radicals with Acetylene

The combustion of fossil fuels forms polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) composed of five- and six- membered aromatic rings, such as indene (C9H8), which are carcinogenic, mutagenic, and deleterious to the environment. Indene, the simplest PAH with single five- and six-membered rings, has been predicted theoretically to be formed through the reaction of benzyl radicals with acetylene. Benzyl radicals are found in significant concentrations in combustion flames, owing to their highly stable aromatic and resonantly stabilized free-radical character. We provide compelling experimental evidence that indene is synthesized through the reaction of the benzyl radical (C7H7) with acetylene (C2H2) under combustion-like conditions at 600 K. The mechanism involves an initial addition step followed by cyclization and aromatization through atomic hydrogen loss. This reaction was found to form the indene isomer exclusively, which, in conjunction with the high concentrations of benzyl and acetylene in combustion environments, indicates that this pathway is the predominant route to synthesize the prototypical five- and six-membered PAH.